Archives for February 2021

3 Signs That Your Aging Parent is in Need of More Care

It is never easy to watch a parent or other loved one reach the point in life when they are no longer able to live completely independently. This can be particularly difficult if you are starting to recognize the signs that a change might be necessary, but they are not.

Perhaps there was a particular incident that troubled you regarding their independence that they have simply brushed aside as a one-off occurrence. Maybe their health has taken a bit of a turn, and you aren’t confident that they will be able to manage medications and routine healthcare on their own.

Whatever the motives may be for giving you a reason to think more about your parent’s living situation, it is important to trust your instincts. There is nothing more important than the health and safety of your parent, or other aging loved one.

If you are still unsure about whether or not a change is necessary in terms of your parent’s living situation, here are three signs to look for that will most likely indicate that it is time for you to step in and explore living options for them going forward.

1. Issues With Money

One of the biggest indicators that your parent is going to need more help going forward involves money. Whether it is because of memory lapses on their part or simply because they no longer understand how and when bills need to be taken care of, it might be time for you to step in and start to manage their money for them.

Furthermore, this could be indicative of a larger issue regarding their short-term memory. If this is the case, they might need some more involved memory care from a quality assisted living facility such as McKnight Place.

2. Poor Self-Care

Another sign that your parent or loved one is going to need more help going forward involves their self-care. You might have noticed that the clothes they are wearing aren’t always clean or that they have stopped washing on a regular basis. This might mean that they either forget to address such things or that they simply cannot take care of themselves on their own.

Issues with self-care can also extend to their home. If their house has become dirtier and more cluttered than usual, then they might no longer be able to keep a clean home on their own.

3. They Aren’t Acting Like Themselves

Other signs that your parent needs more help than they once did involve changes to their mood and personality. If they quickly become anxious, angry, or sad for no major reason, they are likely under a great deal of stress trying to continue living alone. Another indicator is that they become easily confused by even the simplest of tasks, even ones they once performed every day.

If any or all of these signs apply to your parent or loved one, it is most likely time for you to start offering more assistance or to consider transitioning them into an assisted living facility.

 

What Personal and Commercial Purposes Can You Use a Drone For?

Drones, also known as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), are quickly becoming essential tools in a lot of industries today. Whichever business you do, one way or another, you can use a drone to boost efficiency. Whether it’s the upgrade of media coverage, cinematography, photography, crisis response or personal reasons, these tiny vehicles that are controlled remotely are capable of some incredible stuff.

What Makes Drones So Special?

Initially, when drones were first released to the mass market, they were pretty basic devices that could easily be overlooked as toys. Right now, however, the technology in these devices has advanced so much that you could even liken the first generation of drones to the Nokia 110 and the latest models to the recently released iPhone 11 pro.

On top of coming with some super cool technologies, these UAVs have become pretty affordable, depending on what you want from the device and how you plan to use it. Some of the best drones in the market are equipped with features like:

  • Collision dodging;
  • In-built autopilot and GPS, allowing the UAV to fly pre-programmed routes;
  • 4K cameras that can take ultra-high-definition videos and images;
  • Active tracking (the ability to follow a given subject automatically);
  • Bluetooth capability;
  • Fast speeds of up to 80km/hr or more;
  • Terrain follow (being able to maintain constant height while flying over uneven terrain);
  • Distance control, security features, dependability and battery lifespan also keep improving.

In case you were wondering how exactly you can use these incredible pieces of tech, here are some of the most popular applications:

  • Photography/ Cinematography

Before drones were invented, taking aerial pictures from high up often required the use of cranes and choppers, which was pretty expensive and sometimes even risky. Now, thanks to the introduction of reasonably priced drones furnished with high-definition cameras, taking photos and videos from high up are much affordable for photographers and filmmakers. Moreover, drones can safely operate not only at much lower heights and effortlessly navigate narrower spaces, which isn’t the case for helicopters.

Today, photographers, filmmakers and media houses at large use drones to capture awesome pictures or record videos at critical moments from the sky. Drones are popularly used for landscape and wildlife shoots, film and TV recording, weddings, birthday parties and even by vloggers to created their content about different subjects.

  • Search and Rescue

Drones have become a very important tool for search and rescue missions and disaster response teams. On top of being much cheaper than airplanes, drones can also get to places where airplanes can’t travel.

Military-grade UAVs also come with thermal and infrared sensors that make it easier for search-and-rescue teams to find lost people through their heat signatures. Additionally, in the case of disaster, drones are also used for the quick delivery of emergency supplies to save lives.

  • Security Surveillance

Domestic and commercial security is another important sector loaded with opportunities for the drone business. Drones are capable of capturing live video footage of a home invasion and convey it to a mobile or desktop device and even alert the police department if it is necessary.

On top of that, drones can help in sensing numerous other threats to home property like fire outbreaks and water leaks. Live video footage or signals can be sent to a business or home owner’s device to a central monitoring station or straight to emergency response teams.

  • Agriculture

Drones are also being used to transform the agricultural sector. Currently, large scale farmers used drones to survey their produce, and the drones usually come equipped with a range of sensors that allows a farmer to collect a great amount of useful data. Some of the data collected include the state of pest infestation, soil hydration, and variations in soil texture and composition, and the data is vital in providing insights that assist the farmer in making the right decisions.

For example, having the right information about the produce at a specific time assists the farmer in implementing the best possible crop fertilization, irrigation and pest and fungal control. Better still, cutting down the use of water and pesticides and maximizing crop harvests helps the farmer’s bottom line and the environment.

  • Commercial, Industrial, Insurance, Building Inspections

Commercial, industrial, insurance and building inspections can be complicated, very expensive and dangerous, especially on towering structures. However, with drone technology, all of these inspections can be carried safely and with less economic burden because they cut down on labor and accompanying equipment. Drones particularly come in handy when dealing with structures like cell and TV towers, pipelines, bridges, power lines, solar panels and wind turbines.

  • Gambling

Gambling has also been impacted by the usage of drones, but not in a pretty way to say the least. There have been cases where gamblers use unauthorized drones during races to gain a split-second advantage when betting on thoroughbreds.

In mainland China, on the other hand, drones have been used by law enforcement authorities to bust illegal gambling dens as the activity was banned by the state. We have to say that if you live in a region where gambling is against the law, you should travel to a gambling-legal country so that you can enjoy action-packed slots online, such as Spina Colada, or visit a land-based casino.

Which other application of drones do you think is worth mentioning? Let us know right here in our comments section!

 

How to Get Hired as a Caregiver for Seniors

There is high demand for caregivers in the geriatric care industry right now, but the payment, position and employability will depend on various factors such as the applicant’s qualifications, prior experience and even demeanor. If you are willing to join the booming field of geriatric care as a senior caregiver, then go through the following pointers for landing a job.

Qualifications

The specific requirements will depend entirely on the particular senior care facility and the post you are applying for. It is a surprisingly vast and versatile field of healthcare though, which means that even individuals with only basic education and a will to help the elderly lead better lives can join the industry at an entry level. There are senior living jobs available at Frontier Management right now, so check them out to see if you can find a career that fits your resume.

Experience

Whether you are a registered nurse with significant experience in geriatric wards, or a high-school graduate with years of volunteering experience at senior care facilities, your experience will make a huge difference. Taking care of individuals that are going through the last phases of their life can be tough in ways that could be challenging for someone who has not had any experience in handling similar roles before. Their inexperience can also affect the seniors that they are caring for in a negative manner. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that senior care facilities, communities, nursing homes and other establishments will prefer experienced caregivers.

That being said, entry – mid level jobs are still going to remain available for inexperienced, but willing applicants. Also, freshers are paid less than their more experienced counterparts, so that could work in favor of their employability as well. However, direct care handling duties will most likely be reserved for experienced and qualified caregivers only. In due time though, even a previously inexperienced senior care worker will gain the necessary experience and rise through the ranks.

Demeanor

If the care establishment that you are applying to is any good, they will pay extra attention towards your demeanor during the interview. Before even applying for a senior caregiving job, keep the following factors in mind, in case you are new to the field:

  • Patience is not just a virtue, but a necessary requirement here, since seniors process, respond and understand at a much slower pace than they did at a younger age
  • Respect for the seniors you are taking care of is essential and you will not be able to hold on to a career in this field otherwise
  • Empathetic relationships are key to providing care in such facilities, so, if you are empathetic by nature, senior care could be the perfect field for you.

A cheerful nature is not just necessary to get the job, but also to carry on your duties while caring for a highly sensitive and often depressed generation of people. If you already have the right attitude for the job, we advise looking up a few online courses on geriatric care to further boost your resume.

The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents – And What You Should Do Immediately Following One

You set off on your way to making one of many deliveries for the day blissfully unaware that the day has other plans for you. Whether it’s your fault or someone else’s, you find yourself hammering the breaks in an attempt to stop a devastating crash. With life passing by slowly before your eyes you find yourself involved in a truck accident. You might be asking yourself what you need to do if this happens to you. Below, we will examine some common causes of truck accidents and look at things you can do immediately after the event.

A Glance at Common Causes

There are approximately 500,000 accidents involving trucks per year in the United States alone. The most common cause is fatigue, likely due to the long and demanding hours truck drivers are required to work.

Speeding and reckless overtaking are two other common causes. Making up for lost time to meet tight deadlines can put pressure on you, tempting you to break speed limits at the potential cost of unnecessary accidents. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Negligent Business

Sometimes, the fault falls with the truck owner. With costly requirements to maintain trucks, businesses are known to flout the rules. This can hold disastrous consequences including loss of life and heavy lawsuits. Make sure you use a trusted accident solicitor like Horst Shewmaker if you find yourself in this position.

Immediately After the Event

There are things you can do straight after being involved in an accident both for your safety and to strengthen potential accident claims.

  1. Like with any collision, the police should be called even if the incident is minor – this will generate an incident number that you can link to your claim.
  2. Having a medical evaluation is important to find any injuries that might not be immediately visible. You can also get documentation to use as evidence of potential injuries.
  3. If safe to do so, speak to witnesses, take photos of the scene, and get the contact information of involved parties. Make sure to include the name and company of the truck driver, if that’s not you.
  4. Get your vehicle checked over even if there seems to be barely any damage, as there could be internal damage. This is important because a repair estimate is needed for insurance purposes.
  5. Speak kindly. It might be difficult to hold your emotions at bay in the moment, but getting angry towards other people won’t go in your favor. On a side note, do not own up to being responsible even if you know you are.
  6. Call a truck accident lawyer. Even if you weren’t driving the truck, get in touch with a trusted accident lawyer to evaluate your claim and guide you through seeking compensation.

Accidents are awful at the best of times, but hopefully you feel a bit more prepared for what needs doing straight after an accident involving a truck. Keep level-headed and do everything you can to cover your back and strengthen your accident claim.

Planning for Retirement as an Expatriate: Important Factors

When you are an ex-pat, planning for retirement is significant, especially if you wish to retire abroad. Have you ever thought of how you are going to fund yourself once you retire? Will you let yourself be your children’s responsibility and provide for your needs, or will you act now and start planning? Your daily expenses won’t stop when you are no longer capable of working, so you better prepare for your retirement life now.

Here are some important factors to consider when planning for your retirement.

  1. Know when is the right time. The first thing that you need to think about when you are planning for your retirement is when is the right time that you hope to retire. Early retirement is a great idea only if you are financially stable or when you know you have enough funds. The earlier you start saving, the better. This way, you can plan everything well, and you can make enough preparations.
  2. Where do you wish to retire? For ex-pats, it’s important to make a firm decision on where they wish to retire. Since they have the opportunity to work and live abroad, they may also choose not to retire in their home country. They can find a place where there is a lower cost of living and will allow them to make investments and increase their money while in retirement. Retiring in a totally different place will also enable them to check things off their bucket list. They can learn new things, experience new adventures, meet new people, and more.
  3. How much do you need for your retirement? Another thing that you also have to take into consideration when planning for your retirement is how much money you will need when you retire. The answer will depend on your lifestyle. Calculate the amount you need for your daily living, without having to work and try your best to achieve the amount close to the number you got. People who prepare early are most likely to achieve their retirement goals. Retiring at an early age is something that we all want, and it will be possible if you have enough money to fund your retirement.
  4. Seek help from professionals. If you want to be on the right track or can’t put the pieces together, you may opt to speak to a professional. Financial advisers at tailormadepensions.eu can give the best advice on retirement planning. They can provide all the answers to your questions and help you make a better judgement.

Retirement planning can be challenging. Whether you are just beginning to plan for your future or you’re already near your retirement age, knowing your goals is the key. If you dream of having a comfortable retirement, then you need to do proper financial planning. A successful retirement is not about how much money you still have in your pocket when you no longer work, it’s about enjoying the fruit of your labour and appreciating the people you have beside you.

17 Ways to Start Eating Healthy and Stick With it

A new year has just begun, which for many people means setting new fitness goals and making an effort to improve overall health. If you’re looking to make healthy lifestyle changes in 2021 and want to get started by eating well, you’re in the right place. Read on for some invaluable healthy eating tips that will help you get started and stick to a balanced diet.

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  • Start for the right reasons – and with realistic expectations

Eating a balanced diet has many health benefits including the potential for weight loss, but it’s important to start your journey to eating well for the right reasons. Eating right is about so much more than shedding pounds, and if you go into your journey focusing only on your weight, you may put too much pressure on yourself to make quick changes to your body. Setting realistic, achievable goals that don’t centre around losing a lot of weight in a short space of time will prevent you from getting discouraged, and will also help you to make meaningful, maintainable lifestyle changes that will keep you healthy long-term.

  • Remember your motivators

The journey to eating well can be difficult and sometimes it does get tempting to fall back into old habits. Staying motivated is the key to success, so it’s vital that you remember what made you change your diet in the first place. It would be beneficial to make a list of reasons why you want to get healthier, whether it’s to manage a health condition, get in shape or improve your overall mood. Refer back to this list whenever you’re struggling to stay motivated and it’ll help you stay on track.

  • Keep junk foods out of the house

Sometimes you just get cravings for junk food, but these will be less prevalent and much easier to fight if you’re not surrounded by unhealthy options at home. Avoid buying fatty or sugary foods at the supermarket to prevent temptation, and if your family will still be eating these types of foods, encourage them to keep these hidden. Seeing your favourite unhealthy snacks sitting on the counter only makes it more difficult for you to resist.

  • Buy high quality ingredients in advance

To replace the junk foods in your home, try to keep the kitchen stocked with fresh, high quality ingredients that make you feel excited to eat well. A meat box delivery service is a great option to get you started, as this gives you access to the best cuts of meat at a competitive price. Eating high quality meat is a good source of protein, which is essential to fuel your body, maintain bone and muscle health and even reduce appetite. Investing in a meat box means getting lean, locally sourced produce delivered to your door, which you can prepare in a huge variety of ways to create delicious meals.

  • Plan your meals

To help you stay on track, plan your meals in advance and make sure your cupboards are full of the nutritious ingredients needed to create a good range of healthy options. Whether you get ahead by batch cooking on the weekends or prepare each meal on an evening, knowing what you’re planning to cook in advance will speed things up and help you keep track of what you’re putting into your body. Remember to account for leftovers in your meal planning, too – cooking more than you need on an evening makes it easy to eat healthily at lunchtime the next day, even if you’re really busy.

  • Maintain balance

The key to an attainable healthy diet is balance, which means it’s okay to indulge in a treat every now and then. If you’re too strict on yourself from the beginning, you may lose interest in your new diet and turn to your favourite snacks for comfort. Allowing yourself a few off-plan foods is fine and will make it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as you’re less likely to feel overly restricted and lose motivation as a result. Treat foods are okay in moderation and won’t undo all your hard work, as long as you balance them with a good range of healthy and nutritious options.

  • Have a partner join you

If someone close to you is also trying to improve their health, have them join you in your healthy eating and exercise plan. This way, you can hold each other accountable, celebrate your wins together and motivate one another to keep going. Having your partner or spouse join you may be particularly beneficial, as couples are inclined to follow one another’s lead and the two of you can share the responsibility of food shopping and preparing healthy meals.

  • Measure your progress

When it comes to both healthy eating and exercising, tracking your progress can be extremely beneficial. Try inputting the foods you eat into an app or diary to keep track of what you’re eating and measure your exercise with a phone or smartwatch, as this will allow you to easily look back on your progress. When you need an extra push to keep at it, there’s no better motivator than seeing how far you’ve already come.

  • Have a high-protein breakfast

When trying to lose weight, many people make the mistake of skipping breakfast altogether, but a well-balanced breakfast that is high in protein can actually prevent you from overeating later in the day. A protein-rich breakfast helps you stay full and keeps your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, making you feel more satisfied and less likely to snack.

  • Pack healthy snacks when on the go

When you’re in the middle of a hectic day, it can be hard to stick to a healthy diet, especially if you’re away from home and don’t have easy access to healthy foods. To prevent you from grabbing whatever processed food is available at the time, plan ahead and carry healthy snacks with you to tide you over. Nutritious, high-protein snacks such as mixed nuts, seeds, natural yoghurt or protein bites will satisfy your appetite until you’re able to sit down for a proper meal.

  • Up your exercise

While you don’t want to make your new routine overwhelming or too difficult to maintain, increasing the level of exercise you do at the same time as making changes to your diet will give you the best results. These two healthy lifestyle changes reinforce one another, and you may find it easier to make both changes simultaneously than starting with one and adding the other to your routine further down the line.

  • Have a plan before eating out

Don’t let a meal with friends or family stress you out – after all, a get-together with loved ones is supposed to be fun! If you’re worried about eating healthily when dining at a restaurant, try to prepare by looking at the menu ahead of time, or by picking out the restaurant yourself so you know there’s something you’d be happy to eat. You can also limit the impact of a meal out by drinking water instead of alcohol.

  • Prepare before travelling

If you’ll be travelling away from home, you may feel anxious about what you’ll eat while in unfamiliar territory. Don’t be afraid to go slightly off plan during your trip, but if you’re determined to stay on track as much as possible, there are some ways to make this easier. If possible, pack some healthy non-perishable foods such as dried fruit, nut butters, wholegrain crackers and trail mix, as these will be a healthy snack or light meal option if you find yourself stuck.

You can also prepare by researching the restaurants and supermarkets in the area ahead of time, giving you a better idea of the kinds of foods they’ll have available and what you can expect.

  • Be patient

When eating well and exercising, you must be patient with yourself. Expecting to see significant changes right away, whether that’s in how you look or how you feel, can demotivate you quickly and massively restrict your long-term progress. If you don’t see immediate changes, don’t lose hope – have faith in the process. Stay motivated by tracking your diet and exercise, as this will reassure you that you’re on track and that the changes you’re working towards will come with time.

  • Be forgiving

If you veer off track and cave to a takeaway or a sugary snack, don’t beat yourself up about it. As mentioned earlier, it’s all about balance, and one unhealthy choice doesn’t mean your journey to better health is over. It’s common for people who are trying to stick to a new diet to give in to temptation every now and then, but the important thing is to not treat this as a failure and proceed to overindulge in unhealthy foods for the rest of the day or week. Rather than considering your progress ruined or undone, take a breather, remember your reasons for improving your diet and put the past behind you. This mentality will help you get back on track more quickly and have you feeling positive in no time.

  • Avoid fad diets

A new fad diet seems to pop up every week and although their promises of instant results may seem amazing, the reality is that this type of eating and weight loss tends to be unsustainable and unhealthy in the long run. Fad diets are promoted as being a way to lose weight quickly, but they are typically very restrictive and make it incredibly difficult to maintain your new weight long term. This leads to a dangerous cycle of yo-yo dieting, where people lose weight only to gain it back shortly afterwards.

Finding a sustainable diet plan that works for you and gives your body the nutrients it needs is a much healthier choice to make, so avoid those fad diets and understand that to achieve lasting results, you need to have patience and take it slow.

  • Figure out what works best for you

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to healthy eating and exercise, and what works for a friend or family member may not be the best way forward for you. When beginning your journey to better eating and good health, don’t be afraid to try a few different things, especially if you’re not enjoying or getting a lot out of your current method. The key to maintaining a healthy diet is to find a way of eating that you enjoy, that isn’t overly restrictive and that you find sustainable. Then, when it comes to sticking to it, you’ll realise that it isn’t even a chore.

This guide to eating healthy and sticking with it was brought to you by experts at The Dorset Meat Company, who offer nationwide butcher meat box delivery. With a fantastic range of grass-fed, ethically reared meat available for you to choose from on their website, you’re sure to find delicious healthy meal staples to help you on your journey to eating well.

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What is Reproductive Health?

Reproductive health is an encompassing term that looks at all areas of health when it comes to conceiving a child. Understanding what it means to truly be reproductively healthy can help you plan and make the right choices for you.

 

 

What is Reproductive Health?

The WHO defines reproductive health as not just the physical health of the parents but also the mental health and well-being of the couple in question. Rather than just a strict view that only includes the possibility for a woman to get pregnant, the WHO defines reproductive health as the ability to have safe and satisfying sex and the freedom to decide to get pregnant when, and how often they wish to.

With this encompassing view on reproductive health, it can feel more daunting, but the fact is only when your physical, mental, and emotional health are in line with one another can a baby be born that can be completely supported and cared for. Women’s health clinics and gynecologists like gcaus.com.au offer services to support this definition of reproductive health and can help everyone either get pregnant and have a baby or stop themselves from having one entirely. The ability to choose and control reproductive health is a right that all humans should have.

What Factors Affect Your Reproductive Health?

Physical

Many people focus solely on the physical factors that may affect your reproductive health, and they are certainly the biggest obstacles to the act of conceiving itself. From genetics, age, to even the vices you partake in (smoking or drinking, for example) can all cause issues with conceiving and with fetus health. If you find yourself pregnant, getting help from a clinic can help improve the fetus’ health and life expectancy should you want to keep it, or else terminate it in its early stages. It is important to remember that such abortion clinics also offer many health services you will need should you decide to carry your baby to term, regardless of whether you keep it or put your baby up for adoption.

Mental

There are many mental health factors that will impact reproductive health. Mental illness is one of the most prominent. Pregnancy can make many mental illnesses worse, and not only that but the medication necessary for those with these mental health conditions can interfere with a pregnancy and cause severe complications. Working with a doctor and clinic can help those with mental health concerns create a working plan of action that will allow for a healthy pregnancy should they want one, or alternatively can provide better solutions (like an IUD) if things like taking birth control pills are difficult.

Emotional

Young parents can be emotionally compromised or not yet responsible to carry a baby to term, much less raise one. There are many different factors that will help a person decide if they are ready to be a parent, from learning and other mental conditions and age to even past trauma.

Getting Help and Guidance

Regardless of whether you are planning for a child or need help after finding yourself pregnant, it is key to get help and guidance from a health clinic. Knowing your options and having the support they provide is essential for your health and well-being.

 

8 Best Job and Career Options for Single Moms

The career and job considerations for single moms are quite different from those of other moms. Things like paid vacations, flexible schedules, good pay, and predictable work schedules become important when you have to think about fitting your work around your life and kids. This is why career and job options can be limited for single moms because most of them do not fit their needs. However, there are some great career and job options that are perfect for single moms.

Sales

Sales positions are not usually on the list of jobs for single moms, but they are great if you are one. This is because the pay is based on commission which means you can work as much or as little as you want depending on what is going on at home. For example, if you need more money for a gift or your kids, you can increase your efforts to make more.

Also, much of the work required for a sales job can be done from home. This can allow you to spend more time with your kid(s), which is especially important if you are a new single mom.

Realtor

Real estate agents bring sellers and buyers together and make money on the sale of different types of properties. While you may need great communication and negotiation skills to solicit potential clients, as well as an understanding of the housing market, a career in real estate is not as demanding as most other careers.

While some real estate agents work long hours, especially when they need to close a huge sale, most can set their own schedules. As with sales jobs, most of a real estate agent’s work can be done from home, with them only needing to go out to meet clients or assess properties.

Graphic Design

Graphic designers are tasked with creating visual materials that convey a certain message. The materials they create can be illustrations, covers, or marketing material for businesses. A career in graphic design is great due to flexibility and the availability of learning material. Graphic designers can choose to go full-time, part-time, or freelance. If you are looking to keep this as a career, you can always apply for office jobs where you will get to work with a single client.

Graphic designers can work at home and you can also decide to move away from graphic design once you are ready to go back to your old job or start a new one.

Nursing

If you have kids, then nursing is a great career option for you! You already have the skills and temperament required to take care of others. Although there are lots of healthcare jobs that would be a great fit for single moms, nursing is a lot better than most of them. This is because of its flexible hours (which can allow you to spend more time with your kids, or to schedule your work around important events), good pay, job security. Additionally, getting into nursing is straightforward if you enroll in an online program.

While traditional online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs allow you to learn at your own pace, they still take 4 years. If you do not want to wait that long, you can enroll in an online accelerated BSN program. Online accelerated BSN programs teach you the skills you require to become a nurse and can be completed in as little as one year.

BSN degrees are becoming the standard in nursing, with platforms like Online ABSN Programs allowing you to learn everything you need to know about different online accelerated BSN programs, and making it easier to find the best program to enroll in.

Preschool Teacher

Preschool teachers are tasked with educating and caring for young kids, usually children younger than five. If you have young kids, you already have what it takes to take care of preschool kids. Preschool teachers are always in demand and the role is a great option for single moms because experience dealing with your kids puts you in a better position to be hired as one.

Additionally, working as a preschool teacher means that you will have a predictable schedule, which is great for a single mom.

Fitness Trainer

The fitness trainer industry is growing very fast and could be a great option for single moms looking to stay in shape while helping others do the same. Because many fitness trainers are self-employed, you can benefit from a flexible schedule and favorable working hours.

If you are motivated enough, you can also combine fitness training with personal training and yoga. Both of these options come with the same flexibility and good pay potential.

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants provide support for both individuals and businesses. The job descriptions and responsibilities of virtual assistants can vary widely depending on the person or business they work for. Generally, they schedule and answer calls and emails, schedule social media posts, undertake data entry work and so much more.

The work of a virtual assistant is specific to the client you are serving, and this is why you should be flexible enough to handle everything asked of you. You might be required to keep regular office hours or work overtime depending on your clients’ needs.

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a great option for single moms for most of the same reasons all the job options are. Whether you can create products to sell or are looking to start any type of business, there are lots of resources available to you. Going your own way also means you will not have a boss to answer to, which will give you additional time to spend with your kids. Single moms can also join hands with other single moms to get advice, divide resources and help each other succeed.

Starting a new job or career as a single mother can be difficult, especially for moms who cannot hire a nanny. However, there are lots of jobs and career options that give you the flexibility and freedom to succeed as both a mom and a career woman.

 

Starting an Online Business – Why Now Is The Right Time

If you have been wanting to start an online-based business but have been putting it off for whatever reason, then stop. Get it started now, as putting it off now will eventually lead to you abandoning the idea altogether, and let’s face it, you don’t know where your business might lead you or take you. Running your online business could lead you to financial freedom, or it could lead you to more family time with the kids.

The advantage of running your own online-based business is that it is flexible; it gives you choices and options. You can work where and when you want and from anywhere in the world, meaning that when you want a change of scenery, you can just go for it.

The future is not guaranteed as an employee, so you need to start taking decisive action now and planning for you and your family’s future. Ensure that you can provide and sustain your family through any storm. To weather any storm, you need to be independent and self-made, and you will not achieve these things working for somebody else.

Weigh Up The Pros And Cons

If you are still sitting on the fence about starting a business, then what is holding you back. Draw up a list of the pros and cons of running your own business, and then you can really establish what is stopping you go for your dreams. For example, a pro could be having the financial stability to go to those family friendly resorts in Maui that you keep reading about, whereas a negative could be loneliness and isolation, especially if you are working on your own and you have been used to working in a team. Whatever pros and cons you come up with, you have to look at the bigger picture. No job is perfect, and so no business will be. There will be positives and negatives, but if you put in the hard work, running and owning your own business will be more beneficial to you than working a 9 to 5 for the rest of your life.

The IDEA

Now is the right time to launch that idea you have been thinking about, and now is the right time to get started in business (especially if you are a new business owner). Setting up an online-based business has fewer costs than a physical store or base, so you don’t need much to get you up and running. The idea that you have will stay an idea if you don’t put it into action. Nobody else is going to push you to take the first step. When you have your idea all figured out, you now need to work on a business and start-up plan which will outline everything you need to do to get you started online. Having a plan in place will ease any pressure or stress you may have been experiencing, so don’t overlook its importance.

 

4 Tips for Your First Year With Your Baby

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! It’s an exciting and rewarding time discovering parenthood. However, along with the excitement also comes a lot of pressure and anxiety. There can be a lot of uncertainty around whether you’re doing the right thing or not.

The great news is that there are many people who have had babies before you that you can learn from. By learning from their tips and pointers, you can make sure that you look out for common mistakes and take advantage of special moments. Take a look at some of the best tips for making the most out of your first year with your baby.

Take Plenty of Photos

A lot of people don’t instinctively grab their cameras a lot. They may prefer to live in the moment rather than through the lens of a camera. However, these baby moments don’t last forever. It’s important that you treasure these infant years as much as possible by capturing memories well there happening.

You’ll thank yourself later when you look back and see how much they’ve grown over the year. Someday, you’ll hardly remember the baby days. Capture treasured memories by taking plenty of photos.

Take Plenty of Naps

Some lucky parents have babies that sleep through the night after a few months. However, more often than not, your baby will have trouble sleeping the first year or two. Because of this irregular sleep schedule, it’s easy to find yourself exhausted. Rather than you’re burning the candle at both ends, take naps whenever you can.

Even though you might be tempted to get things done when your baby naps, you should really use this time to get some rest. Not only will you be a better parent for it, but you’ll be a better version of yourself in general.

Take Care Of Your Appearance

It’s easy to put yourself on the back burner when you have a baby to look after. However, self-care is important. Don’t forget to do whatever it takes to feel good about yourself. For some people, that means putting on a nice outfit, while for other people, it means getting a haircut.

Whatever it is that makes you feel confident about your appearance, make sure that you give yourself plenty of it.

Be Social when You Can

Having a new baby can be isolating. Since they have such demanding sleep schedules and can often be quite fussy, it can be a hassle getting out with your friends. However, it’s essential that you are social whenever you can. Connect with friends and make time to do adult things. True friends will make an effort to come to see you at your house or do something baby-friendly.