Family And Friends

The path to motherhood is one that holds joy and excitement for most women. However, for some, it is marked with frustration and disappointment. According …

You never know when an elderly family member might become ill and require extensive care. At that point, you have to make a major decision: You can place him or her in a home where they’ll get the assistance they require or take it on yourself. The latter option is preferable with most families because of emotional reasons and the fear of not finding a good facility. However, you need to understand that it’s a huge commitment. When my mom had cancer (though she wasn't elderly), it was a constant responsibility to meet her needs. Of course, I was willing and loved her dearly, but it didn't stop it from being overwhelming at times. Today, I’m going to discuss some of the things you can do to help elderly family in your care. 

Raising children is hard enough without health issues to deal with. I believe some problems can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle and quality care. There are times, however, when things just happen and you must deal with your child's illness. I've been through this many times, having raised six children. I do know a thing or two about how to handle it when it shows up. But, mostly, taking care of them is common sense and dedication. Oh, yeah, and being prepared. I've compiled some important actions for Raising Healthy Kids.

***This post is a collaboration and may contain affiliate links. If your child has to go to the hospital for treatment or tests, you will …

There’s nothing better than having a glass of something strong to relax you on a Friday night. It’s harmless, right? Maybe so, but it can lead to something much worse. Alcoholism is a harmful, dangerous disease. If you suspect one of your friends is going down that path, it’s crucial you act fast to stop the spiraling. Before you can act, you need to be sure your suspicions are right. Don’t fall out with your friend by jumping to the wrong conclusions. Some people drink more than others, and it can be hard to detect when there’s a problem. Here are some signs you should look out for if you’re worried that your friend might have a drinking problem.

There are few things in life more painful than watching the suffering of someone you love. Even worse, if you don't have the tools or information to help, you feel lost. Sometimes, you can do nothing but watch him or her drift away from you. If you've ever had extreme challenges, you know it can be difficult to ask for help or even admit that there is something wrong. So, how do you support a hurting loved one without creating a wedge or resentment? Even if it seems hopeless, there are things that you can do. Here are a few ways to help and support a loved one in need.

Girls can obsess about many different things, especially between the ages of 13 and 17. The hair, the clothes, the voice, the body...on and on they can go! Though most of these types of obsessions are normal and soon pass, some can lead to insecurity and low self-esteem. The fact is, most girls, including your teen daughter, have something they would change about themselves if given the opportunity. And, there is nothing wrong with that; however, it's important to help our daughters to understand the beauty of being themselves and owning who they are inside and out. Here are some of the most common things that your teen may be wishing she could change about herself.

When someone you love has a problem with alcohol or drugs, it is painful to watch them go down the slippery slope of substance abuse. You want to help. You want your loved one back. But it’s difficult to help someone who may not be thinking clearly or is having trouble seeing their problem. Unfortunately, they may only get help when they are either forced to or when something bad happens like illness, accident, or legal issues. But, you still try. The fact is, those who are dealing with addiction will either wake up and get help, stop on their own, or they will eventually suffer horrible consequences for their lifestyle.

Teenage girls go through a lot of shit. Don’t you remember? Their bodies are developing and changing. Their hormones are on high alert 24/7. They …

Every mother wants her daughter to grow up feeling beautiful and confident, but babies don’t come with owner’s manuals and we can only teach our girls what we know ourselves.

It gives me very great pleasure, to say nothing of pride, to introduce a woman who is all the above and more and also my friend of some years’ standing. Please meet aged care worker, Monica Perrett, mum to six and grandmum to one. A real battler. Monica says, she has always supported the underdog and fights for what she believes is right. And, believe me, I have watched her, albeit from afar, and she is all that she says she is.

Today not only marks the end of the month and the challenge but is an exciting ending to a life season for me. Tomorrow morning, I will enter into a season of life I've never been in before: I will become a grandmother for the first time! I'm so excited I can hardly keep it together here! Until now, it had not really hit me like it is today. My life is going to change in some amazing physical and energetic ways when that precious little goddess breathes her first bit of oxygen tomorrow.

I recently deactivated my Facebook® account for a couple months and, after the initial shock of not having a news feed to scroll through passed, I realized I was experiencing some crazy emotions. I was sad, missing all my daily interactions. I was lonely, lonelier than I had ever been in the past. My phone was extra quiet and the ones I reached out to, gave me a hard time about deactivating. I was frustrated!

I am curious, when you got married, what did you think? Were you prepared for the road ahead? Did you talk about major life decisions? Did you both know and agree on the big things like children, money and goals? Were you even thinking about it, or did you think that once you said "I do", you would just live happily ever after?

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite online companies to find unique gifts from the heart. So, I couldn't help but show you this beautiful hand-carved piece I found at Novica.com. It reminded me that no matter how far we are from our children, we are still connected and nothing or no one can take that away. I was able to find this amazing piece very quickly because of the special Mother's Day collections Novica put together in one place.