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The Lost Art of Writing a Letter: Tips and Tricks

April 30, 2018 by Mandy

Long gone are the days where writing a letter to say thank you or in times of celebration was the norm, but it’s time to bring that back!

Have you ever had a pen pal? Do you have a box of old letters (not store bought cards) from friends and loved ones that you’ve gathered over the years?

Unless you’re a senior citizen, you’ve probably never done such a thing. These days, more people are calling, texting, emailing, and using social media to stay connected.

There seems to be no need to write a letter anymore, but that’s just not true! Writing a letter is still a classic, genuine way to show someone you’re thinking of them. It’s a timeless tradition that is arguably more thoughtful now than it was back when letters were a main form of communication.

Here are all the ways you can bring letter writing back into your life and those you care about.

Different Reasons for Writing a Letter

Maybe you’re interested in working on your handwriting and putting your thoughts to pen and paper, but you just don’t know who to write a letter to. Many people talk themselves out of writing a letter because they’re in constant contact with the important people in their lives every day.

You either live with your significant other or you’re in technology-based conversations with them 24/7. You Facetime your parents, grandparents, and siblings, or use some form of photo and video sharing to catch up. Even dating and educational conversations are online now.

Think of the people who have significantly impacted you. Write a letter to impact them in return.

This could be for a partner, an old friend, a great teacher, or even a mentor.

The following are a few reasons when writing a letter is the best way to get your thoughts across.

To Say “I Love You” or “I Miss You”

Stop sending heart-eyed and kissing emojis and send someone you love a message with more depth. Write them a letter and mail it. Even if this person lives down the block or sleeps on the other side of your bed, give the letter the effort it deserves.

Sit down and express all the things you wish you’d say more of. Or, turn writing a letter into sharing one of your favorite memories and recreating the story. Maybe even use this as an opportunity to talk about your dreams for the future together.

Whatever you’re focusing on, the letter is sure to come across as straight from the heart. Use it to remind your partner, parent, or grandparent how much you truly care for them.

If there’s someone special in your life you haven’t seen in a while, write the letter just to say you miss them, and to fill them in on what’s been going on in your life! You’ll be surprised just how nice of a surprise this can be – and who knows, you may have a newfound way to stay in touch with those you love who are far away.

To Show Appreciation

Sometimes, love isn’t romantic, but still something to celebrate.

Think of your favorite college professor or the mentor who helped get your business off the ground. When was the last time you spoke? Even if you talk to this person on a regular basis, consider making the conversation a little more meaningful.

Write a letter thanking them for something specific that has impacted you. This could be a lesson you learned ages ago that you recently had to apply or a recent experience that made you think of a certain memory together.

To Invite Someone to an Event

There are times when you’ll find yourself writing a letter to both the people you speak to regularly, as well as those who you’ve grown a little distant from. Think, wedding or graduation invitations, or maybe even a baby announcement!

Sure, you’re probably going to make a social media post and follow up with certain people over the phone. But, send a few letters to the guests you definitely want in attendance. Write letters to each of the bridesmaids you plan to have at your wedding, or to the teachers who helped make your degree possible.

Such gestures make your invite even more welcoming.

Formatting and Writing a Letter

Whoever you decide to write a letter to, consider a few things before you get started. This isn’t a journal entry you just scribble down and put aside.

Writing a letter takes patience and thoughtfulness. Make every word with care and try to make your thoughts flow together. The more you do this, the better the letter as a whole will turn out.

Keep the following two things in mind as well.

Address the Other Person

Speak from the heart, but know who you’re speaking to. There’s a big difference between writing a letter to your lover versus writing one to an old boss or your current mentor.

Still, don’t be afraid to be a little personal. This is a person who knows you on a deeper level than most, whether on a professional or more intimate standpoint. Share your thoughts with them freely.

Write with Eloquence

Although you should encourage your thoughts to flow, you have to ensure they make sense.

Pay close attention to your grammar and punctuation. Find ways to use different words, tenses, and sentence structures to make the letter more engaging.

The other person is going to enjoy it no matter how good of a writer you consider yourself to be. But, it’s worth trying to write as best as you can.

Make It Special

Just when you think the letter is ready to be folded and sent off, add a few final touches. Write your signature with a bold pen, a few lines down from where the message cuts off. Then, print your name below it and record the date if you haven’t already elsewhere in the letter.

For an even more special touch, spray the letter with a scent. Lovers will appreciate your go-to perfume, wedding guests will think a floral scent is a nice touch – or something themed around your wedding like a warm, cozy smell for a fall wedding or an ocean smell for a beach wedding. Maybe skip this step for more professional letters, though.

Finally, consider sending the letter with a small supplemental piece, like a photo or a postcard. This gets guests excited about an upcoming event and adds a little more meaning to sending a letter. To get the postcard just right, click here.

Get Your Message Across the Old-School Way

Sometimes, you get so excited to share good news with someone that you Facetime them in the middle of the workday. Other times, you make a long, sappy post on Facebook for the world to see.

But, there are moments when nothing gets a message just right like writing a letter does. Start making this more of a habit, and watch how your relationships blossom.

Letters are great for those you grew up with, those you’ve grown a bit distant from, and everyone in between. They can be to wish a person well, tell them you’re thinking of them, or cheer them up as encouragement through a tough time.

For more ways to offer cheer and joy, check out these five great ideas.

3 Skilled Trades That Any Mom Can Pursue

April 27, 2018 by Mandy

It wasn’t long ago that the notion of being a working mother was considered a rather unusual one. Fortunately, our society has progressed considerably and there are now a variety of programs and initiatives, both in the public and private sectors, to encourage moms to go back to work after giving birth. Many jobs and businesses are now able to offer their employees flexible working arrangements, allowing moms to study, train, and work while still making time for their children.

Online learning means that it is now possible for new moms to learn the skills necessary to work in a variety of specialized fields. Not only can online courses earn you the qualifications you need to apply for roles in other organizations, they can also equip you with marketable skills so that you are able to make money independently.

The following skilled trades will require you to do some degree of training beforehand. In some cases, this will take the form of self-tutelage, meaning that you will be teaching yourself. In other cases, you will need to enroll in a training course.

Web Design

Web design is an excellent trade for anyone to learn. In today’s world, there is no shortage of people looking for a website, for a variety of different reasons. Both individuals and businesses use websites to generate an income or to promote their products and services. There is always work available for a qualified web designer. This is one of those options that lends itself well to self-teaching.

HVAC Technician

If you enjoy engineering and find yourself often curious as to how machines around you work, this could be a great career choice for you. HVAC stands for Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning. The role of an HVAC engineer is to carry out routine maintenance and repairs on these systems.

This is an example of highly marketable skills that allow those who complete the training to either work for an employer or organization or to pursue the freelance route. If this sounds like a potential career path for you, you can read more about HVAC training here.

Tutor

While having a baby is no longer the career-killer that it once was for women, many women still elect to leave their current jobs after their maternity leave ends. No matter how passionate someone might be about their work, there are some jobs that leave little time for looking after children. Some women prioritize their presence in their child’s early stars over their career ambitions.

However, you can always offer your services to other individuals who might be preparing to enter the field that you have just left. Whatever skills and knowledge you have can be of value to someone. Tutoring allows you to keep indulging your passion and also stops you from becoming rusty with your knowledge.

There is no journey in life quite the same as motherhood. It is a challenge for sure, especially when coupled with the challenge of pursuing a new career path. However, for new moms who still want to work, there are now more potential jobs and careers on offer than ever before.

How Parents Can Help Their Children Succeed at School

April 23, 2018 by Mandy

Even the brightest children will need a little help to achieve the best grades at school. Parents must, therefore, find ways to harness their children’s talents and help them reach their potential. Learn how parents can help their children succeed at school.

A Healthy Lifestyle

Children who feel tired and sluggish do not perform well in school. The food they eat can consequently affect how their brain and body performs. If you want your child to listen, engage, and learn, you need to ensure they regularly consume a healthy diet and enjoy plenty of exercise. Brain foods filled with omega-3 fatty acids are ideal, as the likes of salmon and walnuts can improve a child’s memory, which can support their education.

An Early Bedtime

Sleep is essential for a good education. If your child hasn’t experienced enough sleep, they will fail to listen, work hard, and engage with a subject. According to one recent US study, high school students who achieved A and B grades experienced 25 minutes more sleep each night in comparison to those who achieved C, D and F grades. You could support your child’s education by simply moving their bedtime forward.

Pick the Best School

The school you choose will determine your child’s academic success. Only consider establishments that have built a reputation for helping their children exceed national expectations in every age group, such as Colchester High School. Thanks to passionate teachers and a safe environment, your children will leave school with fantastic qualifications that can help them secure their dream career.

Read Together

Recent research has found that kids who read for pleasure are more likely to progress in spelling, vocabulary, and math between 10 to 16 years of age. In fact, it’s reportedly more important than either wealth or social class for education. So, aim to make your child fall in love with reading by setting some time aside to read a good book with your son or daughter.

Allow Your Child to Experience Consequences

Children must learn there are consequences for their actions. For instance, many children will want to avoid doing their homework after school. Rather than forcing them to do it, allow your daughter or son to experience the repercussions at school. While you might not like the thought of them getting into trouble with their teacher, it will be a steep learning curve for your child, as they’ll realize the importance of hard work. As a result, they will be more likely to complete their homework on time in the future. If you attempt to shield your son or daughter from their mistakes, they’ll turn into a dependent learner, so they will be less likely to use their initiative.

An Organized Home

Research has found that a dirty, cluttered, and noisy home can lead to poor health in children, which can affect their education. Parents must, therefore, provide an organized, structured home that helps to clear a child’s mind and easily manage their tasks. So, ensure you provide them with a clean, clutter-free home, regular mealtimes, and a daily schedule for the family to follow.

How To Help Your Kids To Choose Their Future College

April 17, 2018 by Mandy

It comes around all too quickly: your kids are now all grown up and are beginning to read into the various colleges and schools that are open to them across the US, or even beyond. It can be a daunting decision to make as a teenager, with several thousand institutions on offer with a range of courses and programs to meet with different interests and career requirements. If your kids are reaching this vital stage, then it is important that you begin to do your homework too to help them to make the right decision. Keep key factors in mind such as course length, costs and even distance from home, as these can all be make or break when your teens are making that all-important decision.

Visit schools

It might sound fairly obvious, but if your kids are looking to attend a school that is the other side of the country, then you need to make sure that you have visited it with them at least once before freshman year. Visiting a college during term time is a whole different experience to during the first few weeks of the semester, as lessons will now be underway and sports clubs in full swing. Take time to spend a few days at your teen’s chosen school, eat in the dining hall and chat to a variety of professors or other first-year students so that you can get a better feel for the place. Make sure that your kids ask as many questions as possible, as this will aid their decision.

Work/life balance

Will your kids be able to carry on playing their favorite sports? Will the course that your kids are interested in offer them enough challenges and opportunities to learn and test themselves? These are all vital questions that you and your teens should be asking when visiting any potential schools. It can be nice to cruise along for a short period of time, but remind your kids that they are also investing in their future – so they will appreciate being tried and pushed at certain times. If you feel there is no work/life balance, then chances are that this is not the school for your child.

Costs and loans

Finally, make sure that you take time with your kids to sit down and discuss the costs and options open to them as a freshman student. Remind them that their future will cost money, so they need to be prepared to borrow or take out a loan if needed. You can find more information about commonbond reviews online, so that your kids can better understand why and how student loans work. Remember that a college education is expensive, but it is worth it.

Choosing the right college can be a stressful and unsettling time for any teen. Be sure to provide them with the support and guidance that they need. Make sure that you visit any schools of interest and consider factors such as work-life balance and the course elements. Finally, make sure to discuss costs and loan options.

8 Ways To Prepare Your Child For International School

April 11, 2018 by Mandy

International schools are often the best choice for expat children. They often offer exclusive programs to students united by goals, interests and age. But, no matter how great a fit is for your son or daughter, the transition can be fairly daunting.

Whether your child will attend international schools in Chiang Mai or anywhere else, you can use the below steps to help them prepare for their big transition.

Before Your Child Leaves for School

Both you and your child might feel intimidated about the big change to an international school. So, use these tips to entice excitement and lessen anxiety for both of you.

1. Talk about your expectations

One of the scariest prospects for most people is the unknown. So, start implementing a routine as early on as possible. Also, find out what your child’s daily routine is likely to be at school and prepare him or her in advance.

2. Gauge your child’s emotional responses

Many children feel homesick and a little lost during the initial transition phase, but this is usually temporary. Gauge your child’s responses and if you think he or she requires more support, be sure to talk to your child and his or her teachers.

3. Do a test run

Why not do a practice day or two for your child’s first day at a new school? Take your child to the nearest bus stop or even drive them to school (whatever your routine is going to be) and ask to meet the staff before school starts and take a tour of the facilities.

4. Get your child to help choose school supplies

Let your child choose his or her own lunchbox, backpack, binder and even clothes to help them feel in control and confident of their next best step.

5. Get involved

If you can, try to volunteer at your child’s school or even help out with after-school activities. Take an active role in the school environment and get to know other parents and children at the international school.

6. Always remain patient

During this big transition, your child might start questioning things or go completely quiet. They might exude more attitude. Just remember they’re reacting to their big change and you should not change your standards, just give them time and space to adjust.

7. Play school

Take some time to role play with your child before they start school. Let them be the teacher and you be the student, so they can think about the different roles.

8. Don’t neglect sleep

During stressful changes, anxiety can affect sleep. In turn, sleep deprivation can adversely affect academic performance and mood. The key is routine. Keep a routine during these high stress times of change and help ensure your child is getting adequate sleep.

Use these 8 tips to help prepare your child for the change to an international school, complete with a new and widely diverse group of friends and teachers. If possible, try to get your child some lessons in the country’s local language to help make the adjustment even easier.