Serendipity Mommy

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Beach Vacation: What Should You Pack?

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You’ve decided to get the kids together and head to the beach for a much-needed vacation. This is your first time taking the kids to the beach, so you’ve done your research and know what to carry with you. Now, all that’s left is figuring out what you should pack for yourself.

You’re going to need essentials for yourself and probably some essentials for the family that you didn’t think of. Read on below for what you should pack to go on that beach vacation.

Waterproof Makeup

While you’re going to be spending the majority of your vacation lounging on the beach, you’re still going to want to look your best. Do that by packing waterproof makeup in a little bag and tucking it into your suitcase for later use. From colored mascara for those nights on the boardwalk to concealer for those days by the pool, you’ll want everything to be waterproof and light.

A Couple of Swimsuits

You’re going to the beach, so you already know that you’re going to need a swimsuit. It’s best to carry a couple of swimsuits for each member of the family. For one thing, no one wants to slip back into a wet swimsuit that’s caked with sand, and you don’t want to spend your whole vacation washing swimsuits every time the family heads to the beach. Pack a couple of swimsuits for each of you, so you don’t have to do laundry as much.

Coverups

A good coverup is necessary for a day at the beach. Make sure you carry one for each member of the family. Not only are coverups super cute, but they also protect you and your family from the harsh rays of the sun and from being a lobster when the day is done. It’s also important to note that some beaches won’t allow you on the beach without a coverup so you want to be prepared.

Change of Clothes

If you’re just going for the day, you’ll want to bring a change of clothes for everyone. If it’s a week’s vacation or a weekend, then pack enough clothes to get you through. You don’t want to spend all of your time at the hotel’s laundry, so plan accordingly.

A Fully-Stocked Kindle/Books

While you’re sure to have fun at the beach, there’s nothing like relaxing with a good book or a fully-stocked Kindle. Check out the bestseller list before you leave, stock up, and enjoy the relaxation on the beach by reading one of your favorite authors. After all, what are beach vacations for, but to read all the best beach novels you need to catch up on?

Plenty of Sunscreen and First-Aid

The sun’s rays can be a killer, and that’s been scientifically proven. Besides, you don’t want to spend the majority of your vacation stuck in the hotel room too burnt to get out in the sun. Bring along plenty of sunscreen for the entire family to avoid burning. The same thing can be said for carrying first-aid stuff with you. You want plenty of band-aids, soothing aloe sprays, and Tylenol just in case a day in the sun is too much for one of you.

Toys for the Kids

Don’t forget to scoop up some shovels, buckets, and other beach necessities for the kids to play with. The beach is fun for kids to begin with, but add in a bucket and a shovel to scoop up and play in the sand, and they’ll be happy for hours on end.

These are just a few of the items you should pack when heading out on a beach vacation. Remember, sunscreen is key and please be careful out there.

Fall In Love With Your Face

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Everyone wants flawless skin, but few are born with it. In order to put your best face forward, especially with the seasonal changes, you need to know how to best care for your skin during the different times of the year.

As the seasons transition from summer to fall, temperatures and humidity drop. Drier air means moisturizing your face is increasingly important. If you have dry patches or flaky skin, the most effective tool to combat dryness is an exfoliator. By getting rid of dead, dry skin cells, you allow fresh skin to better absorb moisture, leading to healthier looking and feeling skin.

Difference Between Cleansers

Not all facial cleansers are created equally. If you have acne-prone skin, it’s important to know the difference between benzoyl peroxide versus salicylic acid and how these ingredients help combat breakouts.

If you are trying to decide which ingredient is more effective, the answer is both. A varied skincare routine will be the most effective way to keep your skin clear from acne. Benzoyl peroxide helps fight existing acne because it delivers an oxygen-rich environment that bacteria can’t thrive in. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation associated with acne.

On the other hand, salicylic acid gently exfoliates your skin and helps to unclog pores. Acne forms when pores get clogged and bacteria have the chance to grow. To keep a well-balanced routine, you should use a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide in the morning and one with salicylic acid in the evening so you are reaping the benefits of both cleansing ingredients.

Moisturize

Once you have your cleaning routine down pat, the next most important step is moisturizing your skin. Making sure your skin is properly hydrated is most important starting in the autumn because this is when the air becomes drier and you are more prone to dry, itchy, and even flaky skin.

Find a moisturizer that is best for your skin type. If you have oily skin, use a lighter and maybe oil-free moisturizer that will hydrate your skin without feeling too heavy. The biggest mistake you can make is thinking you don’t have to use a moisturizer because you already have oily skin.

The best time to apply moisturizer is after cleansing and when your face is still slightly damp. This will help ensure it is absorbed by your skin and be the most effective in keeping your skin from drying out.

Don’t forget to drink an adequate amount of water too. Facial applications of moisture will only go so far. The benefits of drinking water are seemingly endless for overall good health. One of these benefits is hydrating your skin from the inside and flushing toxins out. Drinking sufficient amounts of water also helps to keep your complexion clear.

Diet

Just as paying attention to the amount of water you drink, it is also important to maintain a healthy diet. Try to cut back on the amount of sugar you consume. Processed foods and foods high in refined sugar are associated with aging your skin. Pay attention to eating your fruits and vegetables. Red, yellow and green vegetables are especially high in antioxidants that fight free radicals. Over time, free radicals break down the collagen in your skin.

Make sure you apply the adage of “variety is the spice of life” to your diet. Consuming a varied but healthy diet isn’t just better for your overall health, but it also leads to younger-looking and glowing skin.

Different seasons call for different wardrobe choices as well as skincare needs. Make sure to update each accordingly.

Everyday Stressors for Women and Ways to Overcome It

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There’s no way to get around the fact that stress and motherhood go hand in hand. So much is required of you daily to ensure your children’s safety, happiness, and well-being. Though the love for your children keeps you going, there are times when things get out of control. Life seems to pile things up on you to the point you feel emotionally and physically drained. You know that continuing to live this way is harmful, but reducing your stress levels is easier said than done.

Identifying Stressors

Eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep are effective ways to reduce any stress you might be experiencing. However, these solutions won’t work if you haven’t identified and remedied the core cause of your stress. For example, if you’re overwhelmed by your finances but do nothing to fix it, no amount of exercise, dieting, or rest will help resolve your problem. Every time a new expense pops up or a financial emergency arises, you’ll find yourself right back in that unhealthy place.

So, how do you pinpoint the sources of your stress? You evaluate each area of your life to discern what causes the greatest overwhelm. As several factors could be stressing you out, here are some common ones to consider.

Familial Responsibilities

One of the most significant stressors for moms is the many responsibilities of taking care of a household. Children have a lot of needs. On top of that, you have obligations to your spouse, and whomever else might live in your home. You’re only one person, and with only 24 hours in a day, getting to everything seems impossible.

If you’re feeling inundated with the responsibilities of being a mother, there are some things you can do to reduce the stress. Start by identifying stressful times of day for you. Perhaps your mornings are overwhelming, trying to get yourself and the kids out the door for school and work. Maybe the evenings are worse when you’re trying to prepare dinner, check homework, and get the kids ready for bed.

Once you’ve identified the triggers, you can devise a plan to reduce them. Creating routines and giving your kids, partner, family, or friends responsibilities would ease the tension.

Lack of Self-Care

When you’re always taking care of the needs of others, your needs take a back seat. You skip meals because you’re in a hurry or want to make sure the kids have enough food. You take 5-minute showers, throw on whatever isn’t dirty, and put your hair in a ponytail or messy bun because there’s no time for anything else. Your passions, pastimes, and friendships have all but dwindled as you sacrifice for the happiness and well-being of your family.

As you might imagine, failing to take care of yourself adversely impacts your health. That’s why you must take the time for self-care. There are things you can do to prioritize your needs. You can wake up an hour earlier to incorporate exercise, showering, skincare, and beauty routines. You can take multivitamins and stress tablets with CBD every morning. You can also meet up with your girlfriends or indulge in a talent or passion a few times a month.

Financial Problems

Every mother wants to ensure that her kids are well provided for, but the financial obligations are plentiful. From the mortgage and utilities to groceries and clothes, there’s a lot to cover. Whether you’re doing it alone or with the support of a partner, financial problems can get out of hand quickly.

If money matters are stressing you out, it’s time to create a plan. Start by evaluating your income, verse your expenses. If your monthly costs are higher than your income, there are some adjustments you can make. Start by eliminating unnecessary spending, then develop a reasonable budget you can follow; lastly, create a debt repayment and savings plan to secure your future.

It doesn’t take long to realize how stressful motherhood is. Though you’d bear the weight of the world to ensure your kids have a great life, taking on too much will make this harder to accomplish. You may not be able to eliminate stress from your life forever, but you can make changes to improve your emotional and physical well-being. Start by identifying the core cause of your frustration, then take steps like those listed above to provide peace of mind.

5 Things Parents Should Look for when Helping Teens Choose a College

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Writing, reading, and arithmetic are the main things parents want their kids to learn in school, and that’s what they look for in any school they choose for their children to attend.

However, once school is done and the graduation cap is thrown into the air, most parents find that choosing a college is a whole different ballgame. Many kids choose to go to college directly after high school, so you should be ready for this eventuality.  Below you can find a few of the things that you should look for in a college when helping your teen choose the best one for them.

Campus Safety

The very first thing any parent or teen should look for in a college is how safe the campus is. From having university lockers so packages are kept safe until students can retrieve them, to well-lit parking lots and paths, there are many ways to keep your students safe. While most college campuses are extremely safe, you want to ask about the things above, as well as check the crime rates on the campus and in the area surrounding the college before making a final decision.

Available Majors

While this may seem like a no-brainer, you need to check to be sure that the college your student is considering has the majors they want to pursue. College is first and foremost about getting a well-rounded education, so offering your student’s chosen field of study is essential.

Class Size and Teacher to Student Ratio

It’s important to know what class sizes are going to be like before your student sets foot on campus for that first year. Is your student going to be just someone taking up a seat in a 400 seat lecture hall or will the professor know your student by name? This is up to the individual student and their parents. If your child learns better in a smaller environment, then you don’t want them to be tossed into an environment where no one knows who they are.

The Location of the College

Location is extremely important to many students and their parents. You want your child to be close enough to friends and family that if something happens, someone can get to them quickly. At the same time, you know they need to spread their wings and test the waters, so them being away from home for college is a good thing. Questions such as whether to go to school in a big city or a rural area need to be addressed as well. It’s not a great idea to go from a small country town in the South to a huge college in New York City and be on your own right away.

Accreditation

Being a college graduate will do your child little good if the college they choose isn’t accredited. Make sure to review a school’s accreditation carefully before making a final decision. A diploma from an accredited college or university goes a long way with future employers. There are even online colleges that are accredited if your child should choose to go the online route with their education.

Try to let them Make the Final Choice

While it’s your money, probably, paying for their college education, you do want your children to be happy in the college they choose. Tour colleges together, then sit down and make a final decision based on what your child wants and what you will allow.

These are just a few of the things you should look for when helping your teenager choose a college. Remember, the final decision should be made together for the best results.

6 Reasons You Might Need a Personal Loan

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Personal loans can be a logical solution to a problem that involves not having enough money to cover a large expense or even to consolidate debt. If you’re in a bind and considering taking out a personal loan but have never applied for one before, then you might be confused and a little wary.

If you have less than stellar credit or are worried about applying for personal loans with no credit, it’s important to make sure that you do your research carefully, and check late fees and interest rate information before you apply. While you never want to apply for a personal loan just for extra money, there are a few times when getting a loan just makes sense.

Home Improvements

Whether you’re going solar, adding an extra bathroom, or just updating the cabinets in your kitchen, it’s going to cost you a tidy sum of money. Money that you might not have easy access to. A personal loan can get you the money you need and help you better your home at the same time.

Trouble Paying Bills

In today’s chaotic and uncertain economic times, many people are finding themselves having a hard time making ends meet. Having trouble paying your bills is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s possible that on top of your normal household bills, you’ll find that the winter is extremely colder than usual, meaning higher heating bills, or the landlord could raise the rent all of a sudden and expect you to pay the extra. A personal loan can help you get back on top of things where you belong.

School Expenses

The cost of going back to school as an adult can boggle the mind. However, if you want to get somewhere in life, that’s often what you have to do. A personal loan could give you the money to purchase books, supplies, and maybe even help on that tuition bill while you’re waiting for your financial aid or student loan to kick in.

Car Repairs

Car repairs seem to always be needed when you least expect it, and when your bank account is dry. A personal loan can help you fix your car, and keep you from missing work or having to beg for a ride with someone. Your car is something that you’ve got to have, so waiting to get it fixed in most cases just isn’t an option.

Debt Consolidation

Often, you get to the point where you’re sinking into debt, you’ve maxed out your credit cards, and you aren’t sure which way to turn for relief. Debt consolidation is an option and a personal loan can make that possible for many people. You do want to do your research well and figure out what the best way to consolidate your debt is. For credit card debt, a personal loan works super well, because you’re getting out of all those interest and late fee payments every month, and just paying one simple bill, instead.

Covering the Holidays

While this might seem to be a bad reason for getting a personal loan, more people than you might think use these loans for the holidays. The last thing you want to do is max out your credit cards or drain your bank account with holiday spending. Instead, take out a small personal loan to get through the holidays and pay it back throughout the year.

These are just a few of the reasons that people get personal loans. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and in fact, has helped many people through quite a few bad situations in the past and will in the future as well.

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