The Curious Mom

We all want the best for our kids, but you shouldn’t have to get into debt to afford that perfect gift. Here are a few ways that you can save money on toys and gadgets for your children.

Know the best time to buy

Black Friday and January Sales are great times to take advantage of deals. December might seem like the worst time to buy must-have toys, but actually, there can be lots of promotions on because the competition is so high. That said, this can be the worst time to take part in online auctions on toys as studies on Hatchimal prices have found. New toys generally drop in value after a year.

Start couponing

Couponing is a great way to get discounts on toys. You can find coupons in magazines and by signing up for various coupon sites. Many of these coupons discounts are only available for a certain amount of time so make sure to use them up before the deal is over.

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Vacations are quite a problem when traveling with children is involved, but Canada is a totally different proposition altogether. Extremely secure, easily accessible and with attractions galore, Canada is one country that provides a perfectly matched holiday for the entire family. Time spent with the loved ones in this sensational place, allows everyone to immerse and mingle with the amazing natural wonders that Canada has to offer.

Families can explore trails together on foot or on the bike, spot a variety of wildlife or spend quality time rafting in the white waters of the rivers. Leisurely walks and lakeside stroll with the kids will ensure that each day will be more exciting than the last, with the oodles oodles of family bonding possibilities on offer.

One thing needs to be kept in mind when planning on a family trip to a massive country like Canada - time. The distances involved between major destinations, like say, Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver is so large, that it is advisable to restrict the vacation to one area alone at a time. So in order to make the most of your family vacation to the second-largest country in the world, we have done some research to make the most of your invaluable trip, if you just following this post.

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If your children aren’t particularly excited about doing their chores, you aren’t alone. By and large, many parents struggle with motivating their kids to perform their chores. And, while many kids will never come to enjoy helping out around the house and yard, you can do a lot to motivate them. Here are five ways to get your kids motivated about chores.

Many children are unmotivated to perform their chores because they don’t understand why they have to do them. For some, the chores even come across as punishment for unspoken mistakes. Letting your children know they “why” behind the chores are will help them perform the chore.

Chores are a necessary part of running a successful household, and everyone benefits from them. Your children will be contributing to the health and happiness of the family, and their work specifically helps the household function.

Make sure to share with your children the bigger picture of why chores are necessary for a functioning and successful household. Help them to see how their specific work contributes. They still might push back, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t beginning to understand the bigger picture.

If you’re planning on getting pregnant, are pregnant, or are just interested in pregnancy, chances are you know a little about it. There are a plethora of programs on the TV, podcasts, Youtube videos, and all kinds of other platforms out there that can teach us what we need to know about being pregnant. 

However, there are some things that are commonly kept hidden when it comes to pregnancy, too. If you’re brave enough, read on to find out the things they don’t tell you about pregnancy:

Maybe you think that when you lose bladder control while pregnant, you’ll simply let a bit of wee out when you sneeze. Nope. You won’t just lose control - you may find you have no control at all. Some women find that they pee every time they stand up, for absolutely no reason. No one prepares you for how much you’ll actually pee yourself after you've given birth. You will likely regain control in a week or so, so until then, sit tight. 

You not only have a baby coming out of a tiny hole, but the placenta too. Maybe you already knew that. But do you know that it’s pretty huge? Not to scare you or anything. You’ll get more contractions and have to push this out a short while after you’ve had your baby. Then, you’ll likely have somebody looking up your nether regions with a torch, just to make sure everything is ok and that nothing was left behind. Yes - things can get left behind, such as parts of the sac. Nice. 

This one is for the dads. Whoever told you that the miracle of life was nice lied to you. It’s very unlikely to look anything like you imagine. Your other half will be distressed, and although you’ll want to do something to help and soothe them they’ll likely hate you all the more. You’ll see blood and placenta, and it’ll look like a scene out of Alien. Usually, preparing yourself for the grossest thing ever is best. This may not be the pregnancy advice that you want, but it should help you get realistic. Enjoy! 

Your baby will not poo like you expect them too at first, either. It’s going to look like black tar, and it’s going to be sticky. That’s if they don’t do it in utero, which can be dangerous. Be prepared, because many parents get freaked out at the thought of this. 

Sure, everybody who gets pregnant also suffers from swollen feet. This is down to the fluids your body is retaining; they will puff your feet up. You might be thinking, ‘I know this already, jeez.’ However, they may not go back to their original size once the baby is here. You may have to throw out all of your shoes and buy bigger ones. Sorry.

Sorry! But if you think that it’s going to be 9 months of feeling calm and serene, it is a lot of feeling sick during the first 3 months, and uncomfortable for the last 6! But it’s crucial to make sure you are telling your partner what you need to feel better, even if it means taking those pants off and walking around in your underwear! But choosing comfortable clothes will help. These stomach lift pants review guides can help you to pick the right ones. But it’s those last few weeks where you want the baby out that can be the most difficult, so take the opportunity to learn mindfulness techniques like hypnobirthing and calm your mind as best you can.

Everyone Will Comment On Your Bump - And Say The Wrong Thing

Nobody wants to be tired and run down. And most of us would love to have the energy, stamina, and strength to keep up with the kids! Of course, we’re all busy people. That doesn’t mean you can’t achieve that, though. You simply have to prioritize your health over some of the other things you do each day. Sounds selfish?

It’s not selfish if it means you’re fit and healthy. Your kids want to play with you. You need the stamina to do that. Your boss wants you to work every day and maintaining good productivity. You can’t do that if you’re at home in bed with an illness. And your partner relies on you to do your fair share of the cooking, cleaning and maintaining the house. If you’re not well, everything falls to them. These are just some of the reasons why it’s not at all selfish to prioritize you!

Automate Your Appointments And Prescription Refills

One way to make sure you always have the medicines you need and the health checkups you should be getting is to automate them. Use your phone or computer to set alarms and reminders about appointments. Most scheduling or calendar apps allow you to recur those reminders. You should see your dentist every six months. You might see your doctor every year.

Prescriptions can also be automated in this way. Drugs like beta-blockers, asthma medication, and hormone replacement are required for the long term. You might be prescribed two months of this. You can use online stores like eDrugSearch to find and order your refills. It’s quick, simple, and can be mostly automated too.