You don’t have to be an inconsiderate, foolish person to build bad habits in life. They can sometimes sneak up on us without us even realizing. They usually start small – maybe laying into sleep after snoozing one too many times, or grabbing fast food because cooking feels like too much effort, to the point where you’ve spent hundreds on working lunches instead of sandwiches you could have made yourself. Little creeping habits often come through convenience or short-term relief, like smoking.

Before we know it, these little choices become our default behaviours that take time to get away from. I’ve learned this the hard way, through years of promising myself ‘I’ll start tomorrow’ while watching my productivity slip and stress levels rise. It’s not a nice feeling to feel your habits getting away from you. I can relate. 

That’s why, from an entirely human-to-human point of view, I think some helpful advice could be given. If you need further help be sure to speak to a professional of course, but from someone with years of experience starting, stopping, supplanting, substituting, and feeling seriously annoyed with bad habits, I think there’s some insight below:

I Understand My Triggers

Most bad habits start as responses to specific situations, and triggers are often developed that way. So for instance, stress might lead to mindless scrolling through social media, boredom could trigger unnecessary spending just so you feel a little engaged and stimulated, or loneliness might drive excessive television watching or perhaps eating too much.

If you know what the feeling is like before you engage, you can prevent “the ritual” of engaging in the bad habit before it begins. So for instance, if you feel a little lonely, you could go to the local cafe and enjoy a green tea with a friend, write a letter to someone you appreciate, or perhaps write a journal entry to get your thoughts out. This way, you address the trigger, but direct it to engage with a new behavior.

Replace Rather Than Remove

Trying to simply stop a bad habit rarely works, because as I’ve found, behaviors tend to work because of momentum. Our brains resist that space where the habit used to be if you just stop cold turkey. I noticed an issue with late-night snacking, but it was mostly because I’d trained myself to get up at night instead of being disciplined and trying to drop off, so I’d turn my computer back on, sit there, and snack. What broke this was reaching for a book and reading it after my late-night bathroom trip. That means I felt tired and could more easily soothe into a sleepy mindset.

Watch Other People

Sometimes, learning from other people is worthwhile. Perhaps you have an acquaintance or know someone in your larger network of relatives who have struggled with gambling in the past. For that reason, you know that when looking for casino reviews, you’ll look for trusted brands, only set what you can afford to lose, and feel happy for the entertainment you enjoyed with a friend. That way, a bug that bites some people doesn’t have to limit you – the same way as limiting your drinking days can help you avoid developing an issue. I avoided smoking this way, by listening to my friends who continually struggled with quitting. If you don’t feed a problem before it begins, you save yourself plenty of trouble!

With this advice, we hope you can more easily steer away from building bad habits in life!

When someone close to you dies, it’s one of those situations that are of course incredibly difficult to work through, and that’s something that you are going to want to be aware of, as it helps you to know that you are by no means alone. In this post, we are going to take you through some of the things you’ll need to know about when someone dies so that you can have a general sense of what to expect. This should help prepare you a little, though of course, there is only a certain extent to which you can feel genuinely prepared.

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Grief

Of course, you should expect to feel grief, and this is not necessarily going to feel how you expected it to feel. It can feel like a range of emotions, like experiencing them all at once, and it’s something that you are going to really need to be aware of if you want to make sure that you are not going to deny your experience in any way. You might find yourself crying, laughing, and everything in between, and that is perfectly normal. So be ready for that, and don’t think that you have to fit a certain picture of what grief should look like.

High Emotions

There are going to be a lot of high emotions, though, that’s for certain – and you’ll find that this probably leads to some significant difficulties when it comes to some of your personal relationships. So you should make sure that you are ready for that – it might not happen, but if it does then you will prefer to have been prepared. The emotions can run high in the household for quite a while after a death, so it’s best to know that when it happens so you can at least deal with it effectively.

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Getting Things Organized

One thing that people don’t realize about death is that there can be a surprising amount of admin you need to get through. For some people this can be really difficult, but for other people, it can be the kind of thing that helps. In either case, you will need to make sure you are as prepared for it as possible, and that you have a rough idea of what you need to do – from sorting out the will to finding the right funeral directors near you.

Giving It Time

All in all, it can take time for everything to be worked through and life to carry on as normal, so you need to make sure that you are ready for that too. It is often difficult and painful, and there might be times when you want to just curl up in a ball. But as long as you keep going, you should find that you come out the other end eventually, however long it takes – and there is no rush for how long it takes at all.

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We all know how difficult and emotional it is to process a loved one’s death. We struggle with our feelings, whilst also needing to get through daily life. It gets the best of most people, especially when their passing is unexpected.

Add in the need to contact a funeral director and start making arrangements, and it quickly becomes unbearable. It’s not something anyone wants to go through, and you’ll still need to process a loved one’s death.

Anyone who’s been through this knows how hard it can be. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for all of us to get through it, even when it is unexpected.

1. Take the Time to Grieve

One of the first things you should do is take the time to grieve. This is a complicated process for many of us, and it takes time and effort. It’s a vital step to take after a loved one passes, though. Take the time to feel how you feel.

There’s nothing wrong with this, and it’s a natural part of losing a loved one. Let yourself feel the way you feel without any shame or embarrassment. It’s a natural reaction to someone passing on. Don’t judge yourself – or anyone else – for taking the time they need to grieve.

2. Take Care of Yourself

Alongside taking the time to grieve, it’s worth putting some effort into properly looking after yourself. We all need to put some time and effort into this, especially when we lose a loved one. There are more than a few ways you can do this, and it’s worth spending time on all of them.

Making sure you’re actually eating, showering, and sorting out all of the other daily essentials are some of the more notable ways to do this. Don’t neglect yourself. You wouldn’t want to end up in a position where you’re not physically capable of getting through the process.

3. Seek & Give Support

All of us need support at some point or another, and that’s especially true after a loved one passes. Unfortunately, many of us struggle with getting the support we need. Take the time to get the support you need, especially from close friends and family. This helps a lot more than you’d think.

At the same time, it’s worth trying to support your other loved ones, too. They’ll need support just as much as you do. It helps you bond with them better, and you can lean on each other to get through the process. There’s no reason not to support each other and remember your loved one.

Process a Loved One’s Death: Wrapping Up

Trying to process a loved one’s death is an overwhelming time. Unfortunately, it’s a process that all of us go through at some point or another. Everyone needs to figure out how to deal with this, as difficult as it is.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though. There are ways to make it easier, with some of us finding them more helpful than others.

So there’s a baby on the way in your family. First of all, congratulations! There’s nothing quite as wonderful as welcoming a new little life into the world.

Frankly, while being a parent had its precious moments as well as its challenges, being a grandparent is an incredible privilege, make sure you embrace it.  Basically, we get to enjoy the best bits of being a parent, but we can also give the little darlings back and enjoy some time to relax.

When there’s a new baby on the way, you might remember just how scary and stressful it was for you. Yes, it’s exciting, but it’s terrifying as well. Well, that’s where mom and dad can be the superheroes your kids and grandchildren need.

Here are some bits of advice I found really helpful when my grandchildren first came onto the scene.

Offer, Don’t Insist

Okay, it’s exciting when your child is about to have a baby of their own, and it’s very easy to get overexcited. This is especially true if it’s the first grandchild because this is new for all of you. Your children will need help in this situation. They’ll need a support system and whatever practical and emotional help that you can offer.

But there’s a danger here. While it’s lovely to be a supportive parent and grandparent, it’s possible to go too far. 

For some reason, when you look at your child, you see them as a child. Even though they’re all grown up and have a family of their own, it’s so difficult to step back and accept that they might not always need your help.

You have a wealth of knowledge and experience, so offer it. For example, if the baby has a skin condition and you can tell the difference between newborn eczema vs acne, it can be helpful to offer suggestions and advice that has worked for you. But try not to push.

It’s nice to be involved, but it’s important to offer help rather than insist on it. For example, some new parents appreciate it when a grandparent provides food or other practical things shortly before and after the birth. But others might decide that they want space for themselves.

This can hurt, but it’s vital to all of you that you keep the door open to help, without forcing your way through. If you offer without pressuring your child, they are more likely to come to you when you’re needed.

Accept Changes and Boundaries

On a similar note, you may have to accept changes in parenting techniques and knowledge. 

I found that children are raised very differently nowadays than when they were when mine were young. The advice is different, so parents are different. This doesn’t necessarily mean that current parenting techniques are wrong or terrible.

It can be very difficult to reconcile the way children are raised now compared to how they used to be. Even in the past twenty years, there’s a huge difference. But one thing to remember is that you’re not the parent now.

You’re the grandparent. It’s your job to be doting to the grandchildren and supportive of the parents. If your children have boundaries and things they expect from their kids, it’s important to support them and their rules, even if it’s not necessarily something you did as a parent.

Work as a team and don’t undermine your children as parents. They will appreciate you all the more and it’s much better for children to have consistency in how they live and are disciplined. Keep the lines of communication with the parents wide open and always let them know how their grandchildren are doing when they’re with you.

Have Fun

Finally, it’s time to enjoy being a grandparent. As a parent, you’re often too worried about the little things in life to have fun as often. Yes, it’s important for everyone to spend quality time with their children, but grandparents have the privilege of leaving the harder parenting stuff to the parents.

Instead, you can take this opportunity to teach your grandchildren and learn from them as well. Teach them skills like baking and gardening, or whatever else you enjoy but their parents might not always have time for.

You should also play games with them. Board games are a great option, but online video games can be a lot of fun and a great way to allow your grandchildren to teach you a thing or two.

Driving is one of those things that has become a vital part of everyday life for people all around the world. It doesn’t matter how old you are, as long as you’re old enough to drive, the chances are that you’re in and out of a car each day. But unfortunately, cars don’t last forever. Sometimes it’s best to take the plunge and change your car, but when is it time to upgrade your car.

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Your Lifestyle Changes

We’ll start with the most cheerful option of the bunch. One of the best reasons to change your car is to suit your new needs. No matter how old you are, your family is constantly changing and growing, and this may well mean new children and grandchildren.

While twenty years ago or so, you could mostly trust your seatbelt to keep your children safe, now child car seats are far more common for older children as well as babies and toddlers. This is a much safer option, but it does mean more expense and more space is needed.

Car seats depend on the age of the child and their height. This is because smaller children, even if they are a bit older, are still at more risk of injury without a booster seat. Some car seats can be adjusted as children get older, which saves some strain and money.

Smaller children typically need larger car seats, which means you need a larger vehicle and ideally some extra space in the back.

Other lifestyle changes might necessitate a new vehicle as well. For example, illness or injuries can lead to you or your loved ones needing a wheelchair or other mobility aids. Your car should accommodate these needs as well. 

The Car Becomes Unsafe

If your car is unsafe, it’s a sure sign that you need to get it changed for a newer model. Even if you look after your car incredibly well, over time it will suffer from wear and tear. This is only exacerbated if you end up in a collision that can cause further damage. 

Ideally, it’s best to change your car before it reaches the point of no longer being safe to drive. Regular checkups can keep it going for longer and keep you informed. But at the end of the day, there will come a time when you need to go to a dealership like Edmunds for a new car. 

Saving Money

Even if your car isn’t unsafe, it might reach the point where it needs so much maintenance that it costs more than it’s worth. Buying a car is a huge expense, but so is running and maintaining it. Eventually, it may become a money drain. 

A newer car might be more efficient, as well as having lower maintenance costs, insurance costs, and even road tax depending on where you live. So, look for a new car within your means and your budget. You might be able to downsize, saving even more money.

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Whoever said that you should only invest in one home in your life clearly has never been an empty nester! While it can be exciting having your kids go off and form their own life and grow a home for themselves, sometimes, if their presence is away, the home just feels big, maybe way too big, so it might be time to downsize your home. While sure, large homes are great, at the same time, they just have a way of making us all feel lonely. 

Maybe it’s time for a change; usually, when your kids make a big change in life, it never hurts to make one yourself, right? Besides, when it comes to downsizing, it’s usually more financially beneficial, too. So, here are some signs that it just very well may be time to downsize your home. 

There’s Too Many Unused Spaces

For a lot of people, it’s almost like it’s a luxury to have unused space in the home, but is this a luxury that actually does any good? Probably not! So, if you find yourself surrounded by empty bedrooms and unused spaces, it’s a clear sign that your current home may be larger than necessary. In general, downsizing allows you to create a more efficient living space tailored to your current lifestyle.

The Maintenance Cost is Getting Pretty High

For those of us who live in an older house, you’ll definitely want to pay attention. In general, large homes often come with higher maintenance costs. If you’re noticing that maintaining your current home is becoming a financial burden, downsizing can alleviate the strain on your budget. Seriously, you’ll save on stress and so much money, too. A smaller home typically means lower utility bills, property taxes, and maintenance expenses.  It can very well be a very positive thing to try out!

Yearning for Freedom

While no one necessarily needs to live in a smaller home in order to have freedom, both of them usually go together hand in hand. So, to put it simply, empty nesters tend to travel frequently or even maintain seasonal residency if they live in a small home. This is usually the case because most folks tend to find that a smaller home is more manageable.

If you’re yearning for freedom and adventure, then by all means, you have the right to chase it! You can even just rent a home or buy something new, as they both can be assessed the same way. Downsizing can offer the freedom to lock and leave without the worry of maintaining a larger property during extended absences, and it’s incredible!

You Want a New Chapter

Honestly, a new chapter essentially means new beginnings, and who wouldn’t want that?  It allows for a fresh start, the chance to redefine priorities, and the freedom to pursue activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Hands-down, you definitely deserve this new beginning, and you owe it to yourself to have it. 

You Want a Low-Maintenance Life

Needless to say, big homes come with way too many responsibilities. Over time, those are going to become fairly unappealing. So having less to clean and less yard work can be pretty refreshing as you age. 

It’s a hard world for anyone under the age of 18. It’s a hard world for people of any age, but specifically, anyone who is still growing and developing! Being surrounded by images of perfection and being glued to your phone screen is a deadly combo, and trying to get your teen out of the habit is nigh on impossible. That’s why it’s so crucial to open a dialogue around self-image, and how it changes as we get older. Here are a few ways to get the conversation started without being met with groans and slammed doors. 

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Mention What You’ve Noticed

It’s easy to see when a teenager feels bad about their self-image. They wear clothes that are baggy or hide their figure, they spend a lot more time in their room than they used to, they don’t go out with their friends quite as much, and they might even eat less than usual. 

As a parent, get involved at this point! Head upstairs and see if they want to chat. If it was me, I’d mention what I’d noticed, and ask if something has happened to make them feel bad about themself. No pressure, but just let your teen know you can be spoken to about it. 

Let Them Know No Image is Shameful

No body image is shameful – simple as. Nothing they see online is really real either, as there are a million different tools you can download these days to change the way you look in photos. 

And if they’re constantly being targeted by images that represent little to nothing of what they look like, it’s best to talk to them about why that occurs. Everybody feels bad, and everyone can feel shame, but who really says that a body shape is wrong? No one! 

Bring Up Their Unique Qualities

Every person in the world has something special about them. If your teen is struggling with that idea, and wants so desperately to fit in but feels like they can’t, do your best to remind them. They’re unique and they still have a lot of growing to do. Bring up some of their unique features and talk about how interesting these make them. 

If they’re wearing clear braces but their teeth are in great condition, or they get lower grades but have a very artistic mind, or they don’t have the kind of body shape they see everyone celebrating on Instagram, remind them why uniqueness is good. You are who you are, and there’s a lot more you can dedicate your time and attention to than unrealistic ideals! 

Limit Their Screen Time

Finally, sometimes you’ve just got to rip the offending item away! Limiting screen time is a great way to get their mind off of a negative self-image, so try to lock down social media access for at least an hour a day. 

A teenager’s self-image can fluctuate wildly. Help them bring it down to a stable level. 

There’s no stage of parenting that’s easy. Well, maybe when they’re fully grown and out of the house things are easy. But that’s not really parenting — by that stage, you’ll have done your job. The different stages of parenting come with their own challenges. Take your teenage children for example. The teenage years can be a tough one because it feels like your kids are becoming different people — and that’s because, in many ways, they are. 

Those years can be difficult for you. They’re even more challenging for your kids. In this post, we’ll run through some handy tips that you can take on board to help them as much as possible. 

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Give Them Space

Your child will likely be going through some things from time to time. They’ll be moody. They’ll be happy. They’ll go through a whole range of emotions, often within a single day. Being a good parent to teenage children involves knowing when to give them space. If they want to lock themselves away in their bedroom for a few hours, then it’s normally just best to let them. They’ll come out eventually.

Make Yourself Available

Your teenager will be a whirlwind of emotions. They’re going through changes that they don’t understand themselves, and that’s not easy. While they’ll do things that very much require discipline and all that, it’s important to primarily take an emotionally available approach. That means that they feel comfortable coming to talk to you about whatever it is that they’re going through. They’ll be going through it anyway, and wouldn’t you prefer that they come to you to talk, rather than just battling through it on their own? Your teenager won’t always take you up on the offer, but they’ll appreciate knowing that you’re there for them.

Plan For Their Future

When your kids are little, it can be difficult to imagine them as adults. When they become teenagers, you can see that it won’t be all that long before they’re out there on their own. As such, it’s important to make plans for their future. This can take various forms. You may take out life insurance for parents, so you know that they’ll be financially secure in case something happens to you. It may also involve putting money to one side for when they’re older. Even encouraging them to follow the passions that may one day be their career can be highly valuable.

Be Understanding

Your teenagers are going to mess up from time to time. They’ll get things wrong. After all, who doesn’t at that age? By remembering what you were like as a teenager, you can put yourself in the right frame of mind to deal with the fallout. Of course, sometimes you might really need to lay down the law, however!

Keep the Family Fun

Your teenagers will have other things on their minds than having fun as a family. However, though they may pull away in some moments, it’s important to keep those family traditions alive. They’ll appreciate them when they’re older. 

Grandparents play an important role in our lives, and it’s essential that we provide proper care for them as they age. Taking good care of your grandparents isn’t just about physical assistance but also emotional support, companionship, and offering a listening ear whenever needed. Below are some tips to help you provide the best possible care for your beloved grandparents. 

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Utilise Home Services:

Many seniors prefer to remain in their homes if they are able. To make this a reality, consider utilising services like Home Care Assistance, which can provide caregivers who can help with basic tasks like shopping and cooking, as well as more involved activities like medication reminders and personal care.

Motivate Social Activity:

Social activities can help seniors to stay mentally and physically active. Encourage your grandparents to join a local senior centre, which may offer weekly activities like art classes, and outings for lunch or dinner. If in-person visits are difficult due to mobility issues or the pandemic, virtual group gatherings and social media can provide excellent alternatives.

Offer Companionship:

Just because your grandparents may be unable to do certain activities doesn’t mean they don’t want companionship. Make sure to spend time with them regularly and listen when they tell stories about their past – it will likely bring back a lot of memories and make them feel valued.

Address Unmet Needs:

As our grandparents get older, their level of independence may diminish, or they may begin to experience additional health issues that require extra help. Be sure to assess your grandparent’s needs regularly so you can provide the necessary care and support. This could mean hiring a professional caregiver or arranging transportation to and from doctors’ appointments.

Address Safety Concerns:

Ensure that your grandparent’s home is safe by checking for any potential fall hazards like loose rugs, slippery bathtubs, etc. Make sure their living space is well-lit and that their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

Create Meaningful Experiences:

Spending time with your grandparents doesn’t have to be boring – create meaningful experiences together like gardening, playing board games, or looking through old photos. These activities can provide quality bonding time and offer your grandparents some much-needed relaxation.

Stay Connected:

It’s important to stay connected with your grandparents even if you are not able to visit them in person regularly. This can be as simple as a phone call or video chat or sending cards and care packages. It will let them know that they are loved and appreciated.

Providing good care for your grandparents isn’t always easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding. By taking the time to assess their needs and providing emotional and physical support, you can ensure that they lead a healthy and fulfilling life as they age. With patience, kindness, and understanding, you can make a world of difference in your grandparents’ lives. Your effort will be remembered and cherished for years to come.