All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.
Educational

6 Fun Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Ever lose your car keys? Or maybe you can’t find that important document you just put down? As you read this, do you even know where your car is parked? If this sounds like you, you’re not alone! In today’s fast-paced world, it’s so easy to become forgetful and experience mental fatigue. But did you know there are ways to help get you out of this fuzzy mind funk? Below, we explore 6 fun ideas to help keep your mind sharp and active no matter your age.

Over the last 50 years, there has been a strong focus on finding ways to reduce mental fatigue, while still keeping your mind active and entertained. It is thought that maintaining good habits for the mind is as important as exercising, eating healthy, getting enough rest, and making healthy life choices. Instead of vegging out on the sofa during your downtime, why not try a few of these fun activities that will help keep your mind happy, healthy and focused.

  1. Play an Instrument

Research shows that playing a musical instrument activates different areas of the brain, and can change brain structure and function for the better. It is also thought to improve long-term memory and lead to better brain development for those who start at a young age. Plus, it’s fun and challenging!

  • Learn to Speak a New Language

It’s never too late to learn a new language, right? Studying a foreign language not only expands your mind, but language decoding and mapping are also thought to have a positive impact on a person’s mind. Plus, adventuring into a foreign country without a language barrier, guarantees a more rich and fulfilling experience. 

  • Keeping Your Routine Fresh and New         

Try to mix up your regular routine, or better yet, adding new tasks and events is a wonderful way to keep ideas flowing and your mind healthy. Introducing brand-new tasks to your mundane everyday routines helps to exercise large areas of the brain’s cortex and also boost levels of mental activity. 

  • Play Some Games

Game night, anyone? Whether you’re playing in a social setting or online games such as chess, sudoku or scrabble, these activities will challenge your creativity and help your mind create quick responses. The more challenging, the more significant the benefits. Games with increased difficulty or that include multi-level achievements, will help stretch your stamina throughout the task. You can find many sudoku free puzzles and apps online. 

  • Complete Some Puzzles

So, you think puzzles are for the youngsters, right? Well, think again! Puzzles are fantastic brain teasers that help create stamina, as well as stimulate and intrigue the mind. Building stamina helps the mind stay sharp and free of negative thought patterns such as anxiety. Completing puzzles also helps with problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and quick response rates.

  • Do Math

Instead of reaching for your calculator, pick up that checkbook, and work out a couple of sums on a piece of paper the old fashioned way. Relying on calculators all the time makes your brain lazy when it comes to solving simple math equations. Challenge yourself, and you will soon notice the difference. 

For a variety of free games and puzzles, go to www.easybrain.com. Choose from a range of sudoku free puzzles, logic and other puzzle games to keep your mind sharp and active.

Moving Tips

Long Distance Relocation with Kids – Some Tips and Advice

Most people do not get excited when they realize they have to relocate, especially when they have to relocate over a long distance with kids. Not only do you have to take on the distance, but you also have to keep the kids settled while you get there because you know how kids can be when they are confined to a specific area for too long.

White Moving van. Parked Copy space on side and rear. Horizontal.

In this article, we are going to discuss some tips for long distance relocation with kids. Because if you have to be honest with yourself, you are not looking forward to the experience. But that does not mean you cannot make it easier on yourself. Just open your mind to some new ideas and the following advice.

– Get Rid Of The Junk:

At face value, it might seem that you only have some moderate packing to do. But once you start packing, you realize how much stuff you have. Now comes the tough question – what you do you pack and what do you throw out? If you decide to pack everything you own at this moment, it can require unnecessary space. Do your best to get rid of all the junk you do not need.

– Give Yourself Enough Time:

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to wait until the last minute before you start packing. The truth is you should give yourself several weeks. Break it down room by room and avoid overwhelming yourself the night before the big move.

– Stay Organized With A Checklist:

By making a checklist when moving with kids, it is much easier to monitor everything. It is one thing to throw out stuff you do not use anymore intentionally. It is something completely different to leave a valuable item behind, only to realize it once you are at your new home.

– Find Some Packing Hacks:

You are bound to find several packing hacks online. These can show you easy and effective ways to pack using the minimum number of boxes. In other words, you get more space out of the truck you rent for the move. Also, these tips should help you when you relocate with kids.

– Bring Enough Entertainment:

Always make sure there is something to keep the kids entertained during the journey. However, these should not be activities that distract you while you drive. Instead, focus on mental activities that help them to forget about the stationary position they have to sit in.

– Make Regular Stops:

Everyone in the car needs to stretch their legs now and then. Even though it will take longer to reach your destination, regular stops help to keep everyone in a refreshed mood. Or do you want everyone to be cranky and stiff when they arrive at their new home?

– Ensure There Is Enough Space In The Car

Do your best to pack as much on the truck as possible. More specifically, if you do not need to take anything in the car with you, then do it. This does not mean the kids should use the space to create chaos. But nobody wants to be cramped in between a bunch of boxes when there is a view to enjoy.

– Some Gadgets To Take The Edge Off

If your kids like movies and games, why not use gadgets like portable DVD players? These items are especially useful when the trip is considerably long. And you can trust you will not be hearing too many complaints.

-Use A Professional Moving Company

As a final tip and piece of advice when moving with kids, consider using a professional long distance moving company. Because when you work with the right company, you are going to find they offer an extensive range of services. They can provide packing and cleaning services. And experts can even help with assembling furniture pieces at your new home.

Are you worried about the cost? Well, professional moving services are not as expensive as you think. Plus, these are the type of companies that make life easy for those relocating over a long distance with kids. Then you can be sure you have all the space in the world to keep the kids entertained.

Education, Parenting

7 W’s and How’s of Keeping Track of Your Kid’s Grades in 2020

Anyone who has kids understands how insanely difficult it is trying to keep track of their performance. Bundled with other responsibilities to attend to, the last thing any parent or guardian would like to do is police their kids’ grades.

For anyone who’s been agonizing over how to monitor a child’s progress, this post has all the answers. Without further ado, let’s dig in.

Find How Teachers Communicate About Grades

Whatever level of study a student is in, be it high school, college, or uni, teachers always grade papers and communicate the results to the parents.

Parents ought to figure out how often tutors provide test results and the grading system in use. Once you know how often to expect results, and the channels used, it will be easier to monitor the progress of a child on individual subjects and skills.

Identify Problem Areas

Just because a kid is performing well in certain subjects doesn’t mean one does not face issues. By talking to a teacher, parents can discover problem areas that the student might have.

Based on a follow up with the school, guardians can come up with a strategy on how to help their children boost their performance. In some cases, hiring a private tutor might be an excellent solution for assessing individualized learning, while https://essaypro.com/write-my-essay.html would be a great avenue for those lacking academic writing skills.

Whatever area students need help with, getting in touch with their teachers is one of the best ways for parents to keep tabs on the process.

Ask Kids About Their Schoolwork

Guardians should build a culture where they express interest in their child’s education at all times. Kids can detect when parents are only interested in grades alone and not their overall progress in class.

So, when your kid comes home from school, ask them about their day, how one feels, and what they’ve learned. Once there is a routine of showing interest in their lives, kids tend to open up. You will learn more about their actual life, including progress at school.

As children get older, guardians can set up a specific time or day of the week when they sit down and talk about schoolwork.

This works great for college students who might have to juggle between a few activities. They will rarely have time to discuss homework every day.

Help Your Kid Develop a Study Schedule

Apart from signing up a few report cards, the role of a parent/ guardian involves coming up with a study timetable for the child.

Not every student likes to spend time creating a schedule, and that’s when adults can offer assistance. A timetable is excellent at helping learners focus on their studies.

They will know how to distribute time evenly and avoid being caught off-guard by deadlines and exams. With the proper program, learners can allocate time for a variety of tasks like:

  • writing assignments;
  • research projects;
  • extracurricular activities.

The schedule can either be handwritten or downloaded on a gadget as an application. With hundreds of options available, learners can make use of free study plan apps that add a bit of organization in their lives.

Show up for School Meetings

After a long day at work, no parent wants to sit in a school meeting for a couple of hours. But, for the sake of the child’s performance, they’d have to make a few sacrifices.

The teachers will be able to guide on how to create a healthy learning environment at home. Parents will also have an excellent platform to collaborate with school authorities and maybe even meet a few friends among fellow parents. Why not?

Encourage Your Kid at All Times

Part of monitoring the progress of a student involves more than looking at assignments and coming up with a reading schedule. It also incorporates positive engagement. Your attitude will help a student stay motivated when school starts getting tough.

By applauding kids for every little achievement, parents help build their confidence and give the child a sense of appreciation. Such positive feedback might help learners get back on track with their performance and feel loved and supported.

source: https://unsplash.com/photos/oXV3bzR7jxI

On the Last Note: Check the School Website

One of the great ways to streamline the process of tracking a child’s performance is by accessing the school’s website. Most institutions upload student’s grades online, which means you can quickly get a sneak peek while at work or at home.

For parents who have an insane schedule, this is an excellent way to check on kid’s progress and keep it as a priority amid other activities and obligations. Schools usually have a breakdown of the quizzes, assessments, and calendar, making it easy to get all the relevant information at a go.

Totally Random

How Apps Can Help You Learn Sign Language Skills

Sign language allows us to include everyone in our circle of communication. Even if you don’t rely on sign language to communicate, learning it, even just some expressions, always prove a relevant skill. 

This moment of reflection encouraged me to research extensively on how we can learn sign language for the benefit of communicating with a family member or friend with some hearing challenges. I found this list, which I believe is worth the look. 

Helpful Sign Language Apps

Going through this list, I realized that technology had made even sign language quite easy for anyone to learn. The learning experts and researchers behind the sophistication of the sign language apps deserve credit. So, I resolved to write about what these apps can help you achieve.

Learn Complex Interactions in Sign Language

Comprehending complex interactions in sign language is one evidence that you’re making learning progress. Before attempting the complex interactions, you should have a mastery of the basics. They include the words and phrases that make up simple interactions. It is a necessary leap before shouldering the challenge that comes with handling complex communications in sign language.

Is it challenging to learn sign language? With the right motivation and learning tools, nothing is complicated. An example tool is ASL browser software. The browser displays two sign language speakers communicating with each other by creating actual conversation scenarios in the language. 

Videos in the format, allow learners to toggle and drag back the play speed controls. Videos also come with slow-motion options to learn at your own pace. Apps vary, but some come with options to save or “favorite” signs you’re learning for future access. You can also explore the multilingual options available on the app. Sign language doesn’t have to be only in English. You can explore what sign words are in French, Japanese, Chinese, or Spanish. The platforms support many languages.

Sign Language Learning Becomes Fun

Many top-rated sign language apps support various signs for diverse learners. The support covers basic to different signs like the ASL. Visual aids like images, creative forms like sign language games, and videos enhance the experience. To boost learner’s engagement level, daily learning goals, smart tips, offline support, and more, are listed as side-features to sustain learners’ interest. Many content platforms support sign languages too. 

Games available on the apps present learners the opportunity to apply their knowledge from the apps practically. Some games adopt tests and quizzes to reinforce learning and retention faster. Access to sign language can be an exciting experience as one app can feature 1000+ videos devoted to the practical education of sign language.

An exciting addition is the support that comes with these apps. One sign language app can feature a presence of over 150 instructors in different countries. There are video dictionaries with specific signs and explanatory instructions on how to comprehend them. 

You can explore instructional videos for every sign and their categories. You can learn Ideas in the form of words, animals, feelings, and actions with some exciting videos, learning quizzes, and drills to help sign remembrance. For example, an ASL video will provide learning resources related to schoolwork to help you communicate school matters with your child. Basic questions like “Did you finish homework?”

You Get to Improve Your Sign Language Vocabulary

Learning experts develop the websites and apps offering courses on sign language with strong consideration for learners’ convenience and experience. When learning vocabulary, random signs may pop up on your screen to help your understanding.

To test your progress, you can choose from various signs and categories. Choose from thousands of signs and groups, and test your knowledge. Take the time to review the questions that the games present. Also, avoid apps that encourage rude or vulgar sign language. A good sign language app notifies you daily of new words to learn. 

Conclusion

You may never know when you’d need to employ your sign language skills. Learning sign language separates you from the regular crowd. Why not start with basics? Check out the list above to get started on a great sign language app. 

Totally Random

Tips For A Memorable Bleisure Trip

The term bleisure is used to describe a situation where an employee tacks a couple of extra days on a business trip for some additional leisure time. This allows workers to save money and even look forward to upcoming business trips. The bleisure traveler understands how to mix business trips with leisure so that they can turn the otherwise inconvenient trip into a memorable one.

Although technology allows co-workers, customers, and clients around the world to interact with one another without being in the same city, sometimes face-to-face meetings are still necessary. This is where business travel becomes a necessity that cannot be avoided. Many employees do not like business travel which involves traveling to another location for a couple of days, disrupting their routine, having to say goodbye to their family and so on. However, this can be made into a more pleasurable experience by mixing some leisure time into the trip.  In order to make the most of your next upcoming bleisure trip, here are a few tips from the experts: 

Inviting Guests Along

Before you go ahead and invite your family or loved ones to come along, you need to be aware of your company’s policy about your company’s paid rooms being shared. This will help you avoid any awkward misunderstandings. If the company does not allow you to share a room, you can always book an extra room and invite your family or loved ones along. While you are at a business meeting they can explore the city and you can join them when you are free. According to the experts at https://www.chichillc.com/  employees will start seeing business trips as perks and learn to enjoy the benefits it offers by converting it into a bleisure trip. This is also a great way to spend some quality family time.

Expenses

You need to map out money matters before you leave for your trip. This will make it easier to understand what parts of the trip are handled by the company and which part you are responsible for. In case you are staying at the same hotel for the additional days, make sure that you add your personal credit card on file for the additional days.

Packing List

Using a packing list will make it easier for you to organize your essential items and cut down things that you do not need. Since the bleisure trip includes business and leisure, the packing list will differ slightly from your usual packing lists. You will need to include essentials like business cards, USB drive, laptop and charger, a Wi-Fi hotspot and so on. A capsule wardrobe is a great way to minimize the clothing you will have to take along with you. You can pair up different items to change your attire from business to casual with ease.

In order to plan activities for the leisure side of your trip, it is a good idea to do a bit of research before you arrive This will help you save time and dive right into the activities without stressing over what to do next. Rather than planning out the entire day, experts suggest planning one big activity and one meal for each day. This will leave room in your schedule for some spontaneity as well.