How Does Childbirth Affect Your Sex Life And How To Cope.

 How does childbirth affect sex life? When is it safe to resume sex, what to expect and how to reconnect with her will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

How Soon Can You Have Sex Again?

This is the first question that probably most guys have in their minds - how soon or when is it safe to have sex after childbirth. Because having babies is so natural and common, many guys have difficulty appreciating just how dramatically a woman's body changes during the postnatal recovery period. This lack of awareness may be due to the male tendency of ignoring those problems we cannot solve and also to the lack of sufficient knowledge about this aspect of female sexuality.

Although individual circumstances vary, the typical medical recommendation is for a 6-week no-sex period after childbirth for her body to recover whether by normal delivery or by C-section. For some women, it can be even longer if there are some more complications or they are suffering from postnatal depression. It is therefore very important for couples to have a frank discussion about their expectations and to reach an agreement on a time when they can start to have sex again.

How Does Childbirth Affect The New Mother And Her Sex Drive?

Tiredness is the first thing affecting every new mother. Looking after a baby can be very exhausting both physically and emotionally, so that when you get to bed you just want to sleep. At the same time (the 1st few weeks after childbirth) her body is in a recovery mode - to give chances for the wound to heal and the stitches to dissolve. The hormonal changes that happen during this period can cause vaginal dryness, making sex very uncomfortable.

Generally, women are able to regain their desire within a couple of months after delivery. If her libido does not return or if she shows symptoms of postnatal depression, she should either see a doctor or get some counseling from an expert in sexual problems.

How Does Childbirth Affect The Couple's Sex Life?

As she is busy with the baby and her body still recovering from childbirth, sex is the last thing in her mind. During this time, a man can feel neglected and view her wife's lack of interest in sex as rejection. These feelings of being neglected and rejected are hard for guys to acknowledge because this can make them look immature and selfish.

Guys can overcome this by being reminded how important they are to their spouses. It is therefore important for women to be aware of this and to reassure their men that they are still desirable through small gestures such as pampering the guys with some favorite dishes or writing some nice and sweet notes. Empathy is needed to re-establish the emotional closeness in the relationship. Guys also need to understand that sex requires emotional as well as physical readiness.

After watching a partner through pregnancy and birth, some men gain a new respect for the female body. These guys are able to articulate their feelings easily about the new phase of their relationship and can become more considerate of their partner's changing needs.

But some men who have witnessed the whole child delivery process are quite distressed by what they have seen. They feel so guilty at the pain their partner has gone through that they are unable to even consider the idea of making love with her again. This is usually a temporary phase, but not always. If the guy continues to be troubled by this feeling, he should seek help from a counselor to discuss his feelings.

Perhaps the first priority for you as a couple is to give each other as much emotional support as possible. Words and cuddles can do much to convey affection and emotion. Both of you will benefit from this closeness. On the physical side, sex does not have to mean full penetration as the stimulation from touching each other can be highly pleasurable.

A strong and healthy relationship is built upon mutual trust, respect and understanding. This can go a long way towards keeping the passion alive. For further reading on this related topic, you can click on What Is Love and Be Connected.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Eng_Hou_Ng/482667

6 Sanity Savers When Traveling With Toddlers: How Not to Lose Your Mind and Have a Great Vacation.

 

I actually had some downtime away from my business this week. This week our family took our first family vacation. Our family is of course my wife and I and our two daughters who are 1 and 3. Overall the trip was a giant success for our family full of a lot of fun and memories. It has also been completely exhausting and I can't remember in recent memory being so tired at the end of each day.

Down and Dirty Tips For Traveling With Toddlers

I'm not an expert in things toddler travel but I have learned a few hard lessons that I wish someone would have told me before we packed up the SUV and went on this trek. Here's my in the moment list of tips for those of you who are thinking about or are currently traveling with toddlers.

Traveling With Toddlers Survival Guide

1) When researching activities at your vacation destination, STOP thinking like a married couple and start thinking like parents. My wife and I had a full page of activities for our beach trip that upon closer review we realized over half of them were great stops for Mom and Dad but absolutely horrible for toddlers. Toddlers like it simple. Playgrounds, water parks, beaches... Think MOVEMENT activities when traveling with toddlers. Even if you think your toddler has a zen like focus and can endure two hour boat tours, think again.

2) Have a game plan for each day mapped out then considering cutting it half. The great temptation when going on vacation is getting sucked into the notion that since you spent good money on the room, travel, food, and so on that you have to pack every single minute of the day with activity. AVOID THIS TEMPTATION like the plague that it is.Remember, days at home are not packed every minute with new and different activities. Home balance is about routine. Bring that concept into your travel plans. The kids will be more sane and so will the parents. Don't be scared to throw plans out the window. One of the single best times our girls had at the beach was after dinner one night when we just walked on the beach with no toys, bags of stuff, or any planning whatsoever. They ran, laughed, and had a blast largely because we didn't try to thrust our plans upon them. We just stayed out the way.

3) Everything takes longer to get done on vacation. All parents know the joys of trying to get out the door with toddlers to run errands at home. It takes forever. We all know the what seems like forever process of getting toddlers to sleep at home. Expect these already cumbersome activities to take longer on vacation. At the beach for example, getting out the door means applying sun screen, loading swim diapers, beach toys, and the list goes on. The already long process of getting started takes even longer on vacation.

Here's the thing, kids will go as the leaders go. If you're annoyed with the process and showing it, the kids will get annoyed and show it in that special only toddlers can. Fits, screaming, crying spells, and meltdowns. Stay calm. This goes back to point #2. If you put less on the schedule you won't feel as compelled to try to rush everything.

4) Add 1-2 hours to your nightly toddler sleep routine. Yes you read that correctly. Some parents have been blessed with toddlers that have easy sleep routines. You guys can skim this section and by the way I hate you. (I don't hate you, just really, really, really, envious) For the rest of us getting toddlers to sleep is still a bit of crapshoot. Start with the obvious tips. Bring their favorite pillows, stuffed animals, story time books, background music, whatever is central to the evening routine at home that you can fit into your bag. You can pack a lot lighter in other areas but not this one. Don't cut corners on sleep items.

Introduce them to the new sleep area, show them all the things from home, and try to turn it into a game or adventure. Try to stay on the normal sleep schedule as close as you can. Chances are the kids will go to bed abit later because the family is out and about having fun but don't push it. The more like home nighttime is, the more success you'll achieve with getting them to sleep.

One final about sleep on vacation and toddler. Take your time. For my wife and I, after each day of traveling with toddlers, we just wanted to sit down, have a evening cocktail, and mellow out. That's all fine and well but you cannot rush the process. If you read three stories at home, get ready to read three stories, three times on the road. It will take longer but we found the time decreases as each day passes. Kids adjust very quickly but it still takes longer in general in the sleep department while traveling. The first night it took us a full two hours longer. The rest of the trip about 45 minutes to an hour longer before all the toddlers were sleeping.

5) The vacation is 0% about the parents, 100% about the kids. This should probably be #1 because if you get this right in your head when you're traveling with toddlers the entire experience will be better. There are some that probably take issue with this fifth tip. I would suggest that if you do, it's because you're still thinking like a married couple with no kids and you need to reframe. The moment we have kids, our priorities are forever changed. Our highly self-centered ego's get checked hard by the needs of our children. That's not a bad thing, that's a fantastic thing! The sooner we embrace the change the sooner we will begin to experience the many magical moments of being a parent.

6) Enjoy! It's so easy to get wrapped up in the planning and the next event on the schedule that we don't even enjoy what's happening now. We adopted a simple approach on this trip. We had our working plan but we wouldn't discuss any plans beyond the next scheduled item. It forced my wife and I to enjoy what we were doing in the moment.

Take tons of pictures, do silly things, laugh, and make great memories. Traveling with toddlers doesn't need to be a nightmare. My wife and I smiled at each many times when things were going crazy. We silently agreed together that we're blessed even in the midst of toddler chaos. It's our beautiful chaos and we wouldn't have it any other way.

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What Experts Don't Want You to Know About Losing Stubborn Fats!

 

First, you have to leave the idea of slow cardio workouts burn more stubborn fat, recently the consensus has shifted to high intensity exercise as the fastest and most realistic approach to lose obstinate fat. Even though most people do not prefer the high intensity exercise because it burns fewer calories you may be surprised to learn that this type of workout actually lead to huge amounts of calories being burned over the course of two to three days.

Second, you have to gain more muscle to burn more fat and it is true, some people think that this is just a myth but studies have shown that the more muscle you have the more you will be able to burn fat. You do not have to look like a WWE star to lose stubborn fat all you need to do is to add some light weight training to your daily cardio workout, this will greatly improve and increase your body's fat burning machine.

Third, repetition is very important, the more number of repetition you do the more fat you will burn. The math is pretty simple, the more exercise you exert the more calories you will burn. A lot of experts believe that eight reps of your chosen exercise is the surest ball to hit more stubborn fat burning. Fewer than eight will result in increased in strength but no muscle are develop, whereas more than twelve will help build up muscle but not strength. So to simplify what I am saying; use eight reps to ensure muscle development and endurance.

Most of the time burning stubborn fat is not how hard you work it is often how smart you incorporate knowledge and action. Like in the case of reps, we are taught that the more work you apply the more results you will see but it is not the way to play the dice. So if you are striving to help fight stubborn fat keep this simple three information I have imparted. Until my next post, love life and live well. Bye.

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Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alice_Galer/458826

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Planning For A Baby Shower? Pregnancy Result And It Is All Systems On.

A positive pregnancy test result sends a signal to close friends and family that it is all systems go for the holding of a baby shower party for the expectant mother. Baby Showers are parties that are held to celebrate the new edition expected at a later date. Shower parties and the planning of them have dramatically changed over the years.

A lot of thought goes behind the event. Through out the early months of pregnancy the expectant mother rests while the party is carefully organized by the select chosen few. In the past Baby Showers were usually arranged by non relatives but that has all changed. Mother-to-be is the only person who does not get involved with the preparations.

Knowing who to invite can be difficult, once upon a time the only inclusion on the invite list was that of immediate family. You can approach mum-to-be on this part but if it is to be a surprise celebration then you will have to scout around and do a little homework on who to invite. The birth of every baby born into the same family is now celebrated with a Baby Shower party. Traditionally it was the first born that was recognized in this manner.

Gatherings for the first born normally had more guests attending the baby shower party than that of the second or third child.

Intimacy prevails at baby showers so try your best to keep your friends as close knit as they get. Different ways of sending invitations is best checked out. Email or the telephone are two ways for inviting but the nicest and more appropriate is to send a personalized invitation card this way the guest gets to keep a little memento of the day.

Guys and dolls in unison work together when making babies but what of the men at baby shower parties? This type of occasion intends to have more feminine evolvement but if guys feel comfortable with this then so be it.

Where the event should be held and celebrated is entirely up to you, a popular choice is in back gardens, but venues like halls, restaurants are as much appropriate for on the day of the baby shower. Depending on your list of guests the size of the venue will have to be taken into account for comfort for all attending.

The best time to throw a Baby Shower party is at least two months before the baby is expected to make his/her appearance. This gives people chance that come bearing gifts enough time to make their donations in hope that mum-to-be has not already purchased the same items.

Baby Showers for expecting mothers are a lovely and thoughtful surprise therefore less stress for the expectant mum when it comes to organizing events as such.

A properly coordinated baby shower will leave guests with memories of a phenomenal and everlasting day/night to remember.

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• Congratulations on this new adventure! It’s sure to be a great one. May your journey be one filled with love, happiness, and adventure.

Master Your Mindset to Increase Self Confidence!

 

Today is a new day that has been handed to you for shaping. You have the tools, now get out there and create a masterpiece. ~Steve Maraboli

There has never been a more exciting time to be alive! Opportunities and resources are virtually unlimited, and our ability to succeed is only limited by our willingness to embrace the challenges, and take action to make our dreams come true.

You may or may not agree with this statement, and some will probably wonder what planet I've been living on. The point is your gut reaction to it will be a clear indicator of your current mindset; in other words your overall view of life.

Mindset: A habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations.

Your mindset matters enormously because it effects your decisions and where you place your focus, in other words, it has the ability to help or hinder you.

• A fixed mindset can leave you feeling disempowered and a victim of whatever obstacles life happens to throw your way.
• A growth mindset strengthens your self confidence because, while fully aware of the challenges, you believe in the power of possibilities.

Regardless of what your mindset is at this moment, the most important thing for you to know - and accept - is that your mindset is not carved in stone. Your mindset is what YOU choose to operate with. You have the power to be the person you want to be by choosing to think from that particular perspective. This is the essence of mindset... this is where you decide who you are going to be AND how you are going to do it.

Now the easiest thing for you and me at this point would be to finish this article with something like "6 Easy Steps to Master Your Mindset." The problem is, even if you're already convinced your mindset could use a little massaging at this point, simply reading a list of tips just isn't going to be enough to get you to take action and create meaningful change. Real change starts from within with a hefty dose of self-awareness. And that is why there is power in asking - and answering - questions.

It's not that we don't know the right answers; it is just that we don't ask the right questions. ~Tony Robbins

It may seem obvious to state that the kind of questions we ask trigger specific responses; but let's consider a couple of examples to see how this can affect the quality of your life.

What if you were to repeatedly ask yourself questions such as "Why am I always so unlucky?"... "What if I had done this earlier?" or "Why am I always the loser in these situations?" Such questions are self-defeating, and the answers you get with them will naturally be disempowering.

On the other hand, questions like "What can I learn from this experience?"... "What can I do differently to move forward?" and "What am I most grateful for?" are empowering and provoke you to think in terms of possibilities, immediately setting you on the path to a more positive mindset.

Why not give this a try right now. Your honest responses to the following questions will provide you with a good feeling for your present mindset and level of self confidence.

Empowering questions to begin mastering your mindset

• What gets you excited about life?
• What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
• What one thing are you most grateful for?
• What does it mean to allow another person to truly love you?
• Who do you think stands between you and happiness?
• How do you define your success?
• Beyond the titles that others have given you, who are you?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What are your top five personal values?
• What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?
• If you haven't achieved it yet what do you have to lose?
• If not now, when?

It's important to be patient with yourself because it takes time to master your mindset, and it is realistic to expect a few slips along the way. But the more conscious you become of your attitudes and mindset, the more natural your new way of thinking will become. This is the point where you'll begin to truly believe in the power of possibilities.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marquita_A_Herald/935428

How to Lose Mummy Tummy - Tips to Get You Back to Fabulous!

A mummy tummy is a frustrating thing. Why can't it just go away? After all, it's not your fault that you even have a mummy tummy. It's just a natural result of having a baby. And now that the baby's here, as you look in the mirror, you just want to wear your old comfy jeans again and look like you really do have a waistline. In this article I'm going to give you some tips to help speed you back to your goal waistline.

After the birth of your bundle of joy and waiting for your six-week check up from your doctor you can start a progressive plan to lose "mummy tummy" once and for all. The key is to start slowly and work your way up to a weight loss and exercise routine that will give you the results you're looking for.

First, if you're breast-feeding there's no rush to start. Just relax and enjoy this precious time with your baby. However, if you're not breastfeeding and your doctor says it's okay for you to lose mummy tummy, then remember to start slow and stay in touch with your doctor. Don't even begin to exercise until you feel ready. Just picking up and carrying a baby around is exercise enough.

As far as exercises go there are exercises designed specifically for post pregnancy to help lose mummy tummy. You see, there is a band of muscles across your tummy called the rectus abdominus that thins and separates during pregnancy. It's normal to have a separation of the rectus abdominus muscles during pregnancy. This allows the belly to expand and make room for the growing baby. The name for this separation is diastasis recti.

Remember, this puffy mummy tummy isn't a tear or a hernia. It's only a thinning and widening of the connective tissue between the two muscles. After birth, this baby bulge can be exercised and toned back into shape.

The more traditional abdominal exercises, like as sit-ups, crunches, etc. put too much stress on a postpartum tummy and back, and are not suggested for new moms. There are exercises designed specifically for post partum moms. Just do a search for websites that demonstrate these exercises or find an appropriate book.

According to one celebrity fitness trainer , eighty percent of the change you can make with your body comes from your diet. Your food choices, along with the exercises you do can help your body to get back into shape.

Your diet at this time is vital to your overall success to lose mummy tummy. You've donated a lot of nutrition to the making of your baby and now isn't the time to go on some crazy fad diet that will deplete what little nutrients you have left. It's time to replenish and restore your body's overall health as you get rid of the unwanted excess pregnancy fat. By adopting a reduced calorie plan that supports sound nutritional guidelines you will grow more vital and energetic as you lose weight and see that mummy tummy vanish.

Reducing calories so that you're taking in fewer calories than you're burning is the recognized way to trim down, and lose unwanted pounds and inches. A sound nutritional plan should include high quality protein, along with some fat and carbohydrates.

It's also suggested that you restore your minerals including calcium, vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. One way to accomplish both these goals of sound nutrition and reduced calories for weight loss is a nutritional shake along with supplements to give your body all the essential nutrition you need.

Shakes are great for a new mom because they're quick, satisfying and nutritious. Babies take up so much time it's reassuring to know you can get in a healthy meal on the go. The right shake with high quality, readily digestible protein can also help you build lean muscle mass, which is necessary to keep the weight off long term. Also shakes can be fortified with additional necessary nutrients. Just one big, long, glug and your meal is done.

By combining an exercise plan designed for post partum women and a sound nutritional plan emphasizing a reduced calorie nutritional shake you can lose mummy tummy and feel fit and fabulous. Remember to check with your doctor for permission to and start ever so slowly. Get optimal nutrition with the right shake. It should leave you feeling energetic while helping to build your muscles and restoring your nutritional balance. By adopting these suggestions you can lose mummy tummy and get back to fabulous.

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Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carolyn_McClendon/27559

 

A Straight Forward, Honest Discussion About Being a New Mum.

So as I am baby mad at the moment, I thought I would share with you today about a friend of mine Jess, who has just become a new mum a little over two months ago. I have known Jess for years. She first came to work with me at our shop back in Port Macquarie when she was about thirteen and was a fairly quiet girl back then. Over the last few years I have had the pleasure of watching Jess blossom into an amazing woman. She has always strived to fight for what she believes in and has always been an over achiever. When Jess was fourteen or fifteen, she sponsored a child. I remember thinking back then, Wow...most girls at that age are much more interested in spending money on clothes or make up but no matter how much she struggled financially, Jess always put her sponsor child first.

So inspiration comes in all different ways. Although Jess is much younger than me, she has inspired me to be the best mum I can be when my little man is born. She has taken to motherhood amazingly and is doing such a great job. I don't see Jess because I live about ten hours away, but from seeing all of the pictures on Facebook, her little boy Malakai is one of the most alert, happy little guys I have seen. So I sat down and asked Jess some questions on motherhood and about being a young mum and I hope you enjoy this candid little chat about how she is enjoying the start or something wonderful.

As a young mum, did you come across any negative people who judged you because of your age?

I think people are quick to judge anyone and anything that they know little about. The term 'young Mum' has become something I am not too fond of. We don't go around calling people 'old Mum' or 'middle aged mum' so I am not quite sure why people are so quick to put us into this category and then stereotype us a certain way. There definitely would have been times where people looked twice but overall, I really haven't faced that much judgement, personally, because of my age. I think, if anything, judgement came from being placed into this category and assuming that because I am young, I may somehow be incapable. Throughout my pregnancy I have come to know some absolutely amazing mothers that are my age and even younger. I know a sixteen year old with twins and she is an absolutely incredible Mum. I have also seen my share of mothers around my age that do not seem so great. But that comes with each age group, I have seen some horrible and some amazing 'older' mothers, too. ANYWAY, all in all, I received an overwhelming amount of support. Those few people who were quick to judge (and who have admitted it to me) later retracted what they judged when they got to know me, followed my blog and saw how dedicated I was to changing my life for this beautiful little human.

How did you enjoy being pregnant?

I loved it. I loved the kicks, my bump, the hiccups, the way my belly changed shapes depending on how I laid, the ultrasounds, preparing for my life as a mother, the bond I shared with him; everything. Emotionally, things were hard. I had little support in Sydney where I was living and was quite isolated because of it. I had to finish a semester of Uni which was also pretty difficult but I ended up with great marks and I made it through. Hormones suck.

Did you plan a natural birth or did you go into labour without a birthing plan?

I was very set on a natural birth, however, I never really had a set birthing plan. I knew I didn't want anything other than gas, I wanted to be able to walk around if that was what I felt was best, I wanted to utilise the bath and shower, I knew who I wanted in with me, I knew I wanted to delay the cutting of the cord until blood stopped pulsating in order to send the most possible nutrients to my son, but other than that, I just wanted to see how things went. I realise that probably sounds very much like a birth plan, but the plans I was reading went into much more detail. I never wanted to create something in my head that possibly would have to be changed as I knew that would leave me feeling very disappointed. Not having a set birth plan allowed me to change things when I needed to depending on how things were going. Being induced wasn't something I wanted at all, but it happened, and I feel that if I had a very set birth plan, I would have been a lot more let down than what I was.

When you took your baby home, was it everything you had expected or was it harder at first to balance all the new changes?

Oh man. Going home was scary. I literally had no idea what to expect which I think probably worked in my favour because it was really tough. My labour was long and pretty traumatic and I never got to really recover from that physically (or mentally). It takes a massive toll on your body to be so worn down from your labour and then tend to a baby that wakes and feeds every three or so hours. It was definitely hard to balance. But here I am at nine weeks and I think I have it pretty balanced!

What do you think the biggest challenges were in your first month at home?

Breastfeeding. Sleep deprivation. Feeling lonely. My postpartum body. The list could probably go on. But hey, it got SO much better.

How have you adjusted to being a mum?

I was only thinking about it the other day and I absolutely love it. I feel so confident and happy. It took me a while to get to this stage but it feels so amazing now that I am here. I love him and I love being his Mum.

What is the most fulfilling part of it?

Everything. I honestly cannot put it down to one thing. I love everything he does. I love watching him change and grow every day. I love knowing what the little things he does means, like when he purses his lips and clenches and unclenches his fists, it means he is hungry. I love watching him sleep. I love watching him play and smile and babble. I love it all.

Everyone has an opinion on breastfeeding vs bottle. What are your thoughts and what have you decided to do?

If I could be a giant, massive advocate for breastfeeding, I would be. Those first two weeks I honestly could not even count how many times I cried about everything. Breastfeeding was hard. Really hard. I thought I was doing it wrong, I thought he wasn't happy, it hurt, it was hard to adjust to, but seriously, it gets SO much better. I love it. I feed him anywhere and I refuse to hide off into a toilet to feed my baby. I understand how easy it is to want to give in, I wanted to so badly those first few weeks, but I didn't and I am so glad I didn't. Sure sometimes it is hard not being able to let someone else feed him so I can rest or go out without him, but the positives far outweigh that. There are so many positives for the baby and it is freeeee! I would really encourage any Mum to breastfeed for as long as they can, it is beautiful.

If you could give any new young mums some advice, what would you say to them knowing what you know now?

If I could give any advice in general, it would be to cry when you need to, never feel ashamed to feel upset and lonely and confused because being a Mum is hard, no matter what age you are. Always ask for help when you need it and never feel like a failure for needing that help. Anyone who doesn't must be supermum. Don't try to plan every single thing because I can assure you, the opposite of what you plan will happen. Don't stress because your baby feeds off your stress and emotions. Now that I am confident and happy, so is my baby. Read, read, read, never stop asking questions and researching the decisions you make about your baby. I have learnt so, so much, that people don't tell you. Don't let other peoples unwanted advice upset you, YOU are the Mum and you know best. OH and all that stuff you bought for your baby, you probably won't need it (despite how fun it is to buy) so don't stress about all the little things! In terms of being younger, I guess, just don't let that stereotype hurt you because age really does mean nothing and you CAN do it. But obviously I am no expert whatsoever, every Mum is different and every Mum knows their baby more than anyone else.

What has been the best advice you have received about being a new mum?

SLEEP WHEN YOUR BABY SLEEPS.

Thanks so much Jess for your informative opinion. You are so right and age should never be an issue. It all comes down to the person you are how much you believe in yourself. I can't wait to see Kai's journey as he grows up

Sam Cameron is an Internet entrepreneur who specializes in assisting others create true wealth for themselves in all areas of their lives. Sam Cameron is truly passionate about helping others. If it wasn't for the mentors she has had over the last few years she would still be the same, unhappy, shy and unmotivated person. Sam now strives to assist others to become the best they can be, to achieve greatness and to believe in themselves and to believe that anything is possible! [http://www.SamCameronOnline.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sam_J_Cameron/1309167

Loving During A Pandemic.

 

It is almost impossible to stage a traditional Valentine's Day outing when everyone is locked up or wearing masks and distancing at least six feet apart. The days of fancy dinners in exotic locations are out of reach. But that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy and show love if you are willing to be creative and wise.

Let's examine the three psychological aspects of love:

Thoughts - So many times I have been touched by individuals who tell me that they have been thinking about me. What a compliment! Someone who invests time and energy into reviewing memories or wondering about my well-being is a lovely thing. Those who think about how they can honour another person go even a step further. Planning a surprise or interaction takes commitment and even if you can't meet in person, you can think of ways to make another person's day better. At Christmas, for example, my daughter's family had a full meal delivered to my door for me. Great thoughts turned into thoughtful action. Who are you thinking about this week?

Feelings - The first blush of love can bring passionate feelings that are delightful but with time, the feelings often mature into constant assurance, deep loyalty and the confidence of being cared for. When times are difficult, the feelings can fade or even change into ones that are not as pleasant. It is therefore important to know that no matter what happens issues can be resolved and the relationship can last. In fact, shared trouble often builds stronger ties! One warning though - don't always lead with your feelings for they can be like chaff in the wind and change quickly!

Behaviours - Proclaiming your love and then treating another person poorly isn't good enough. Your behaviours must match your words. Giving gifts won't make up for disrespect or abuse. Promises are not enough. You can show a person that you love them with simple gestures that will be treasured for years to come. Phone an aged friend and find out that the call made their day! Send a thank you card to someone who didn't expect it. Take out the garbage (before being asked!). Like the popular song from "My Fair Lady" states "Don't talk of love... SHOW ME!"

So, this Valentine's Day will be different - but it might be the best one yet!

Don't just focus on the romantic part. Instead, make a list of people who you love and then start thinking about how you can behave in an appropriate way to express your feelings. Think about things that they have talked about as wishes in the past and what has pleased them previously. Do research that will offer you new ideas. Try making a card or gift rather than buying one.

And remember to use your words. There is nothing as powerful and treasured as kind words that are expressed sincerely.

Love to all of you who show that you care by reading my columns!

And happy pandemic Valentine's Day!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10488411

How to Be a Happy Mum - Five Self Help Tips to Enjoy Motherhood!

You could be a happy mum if the children would only stop fighting or did as they were told. You could enjoy motherhood more if your partner did more housework or gave you more time out. Or if you had more money, right?

Well, here's the thing. If you wait for the behaviour of your children/husband or your financial status to reach certain conditions in order for you to be happy, you are placing your happiness into someone or something else's hands, and thus it becomes purely by chance that you will experience happiness.

Why not put the power to be happy back into your own hands by becoming personally responsible for it? You cannot control another person's behaviour, but you can control your own. Here are just five tips that will help you to become a happier mum, enjoy motherhood and control how much happiness you experience in your life:

1. Observe your thoughts

What are you saying to yourself? Become the observer and analyse what you say to yourself and the effect it has on your emotions. Often anger arises when we continue negative dialogues with ourselves which escalates into external outrage. Also, we can get attached to an idea or picture we create of how something needs to be done or how an outcome should look. We often compare current life to the one we had before children. When you become a parent, housework cannot get done in 6 hour sessions anymore. You cannot take off for a weekend away alone without prior organising and planning. The reality is that life has changed and you have to consciously change the way you think about your current lifestyle. Consider whether your expectations are realistic or whether you are stuck in the past and the way you used to be able to do things.

2. Accept the NOW

Whatever you are experiencing, that is what you are experiencing. There is nothing positive that comes from wishing it were another way, or hating the way that it is. Become the observer to unenjoyable situations (eg tantrum, disobedience) with acceptance, rather than resistance. If you are angry, observe the anger. EXPERIENCE the event and all that it entails (your reaction, emotions, thoughts, circumstances) and accept it as it is. Resistance causes you to stay stuck in it, acceptance helps you detach, become more objective about it and handle it smoother. "Okay, it is what it is, so what am I going to do about it?"

3. Know what you want

We often get stuck in our problems because we don't take time to consider what we really want. Do I want more time out? Do I want to be calmer? Do I want to improve my relationship? Be specific about what exactly this entails. Do I want 4 hours of time out, or a day, or a week? Know what you want, so that you can then create a plan to get it.

4. Be Solution Focussed

Next, ask yourself, 'What do I need to do to get what I want?' then resource how to fix this problem and create a plan to achieve it. Find behaviour strategies, learn skills, take time- out if that's what you want. Put your attention on the solution and how you are going to move out of this unenjoyable situation, rather than staying stuck in the problem.

5. Personal Development. Get to know the YOU Inside the Mum.

What about you? Take the time to learn about yourself, build your self-esteem and self-confidence. Find ways to overcome bad habits, handle past issues that often present themselves when becoming a mum, learn how you have become the person you are and consciously work towards being who you want to be.

The final piece to the Happy Mum puzzle is to seek happiness from inside yourself. When you learn true self-love and inner peace, it will radiate out into your external world and you will experience a happier life. You will interact differently with your children and that will be reciprocated in their behaviour. You will experience deeper relationships, overcome the lows of life quicker and experience more of the highs of life.

Enjoy motherhood by putting the responsibility to enjoy life back into your hands and discover yourself from the inside out.

Want more Self Help and Personal Development information specifically in the context of raising children? You can achieve calmness, balance and happiness by putting yourself back in charge of your life. Vist [http://www.selfhelpformums.com] and find The Happy Mum Handbook - a unique and must have book for mums that gives you the tools to change the way you feel about your life, be happy, and still be the good mother you aspire to be. You can free yourself from motherhood stress and the best news is that you can do all this in 5 simple, easy to remember steps.

The Happy Mum Handbook covers topics such as: Finding happiness, controlling your mindset, handling anger and guilt, discovering your personal identity, time Management, time Out, and creating the ultimate relationship with your partner.

At last you can have your cake and eat it too and be available to yourself and your kids. You don't have to wait for your children to reach a certain developmental age, go to school, or turn 18.

Learn how to live a happy and inspirational life TODAY at Self Help for Mums.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jackie_Hall/218999

How New Mums Can Start Reclaiming Their Bodies.

 

People who speak of the beauty of childbirth have clearly never experienced a truly traumatic birth where it seems like everything has gone wrong and the birth plan has gone well and truly out of the window. Once all the unpleasantness is over, mummy and daddy can leave the hospital with their new baby and they can start to relax into their routine. In the idyllic situation, father will dote on mum and baby and mum will try and reclaim her ravaged body.

A lot has been made of the dangers of new mums exercising too soon after birth of their babies. Mums who are breastfeeding are advised to stay away from dieting as baby needs all of the nutrients from their milk that they can get. So much pressure is placed on new mums to reclaim their pre-pregnancy bodies yet medical advice conflicts with the societal pressures. No wonder women are confused!

If, as a new mother, it is too soon to take part in any dieting or exercise in a bit to lose the baby weight.

Here are things you can do to reclaim your body.

1. Try and get plenty of sleep. It can be incredibly difficult if your baby is particularly fussy but do try to follow the 'sleep when your baby does' rule as it does work! 

2. Keep hold of your identity. Too many women become 'Charlie's mum' and forget that they were a person before they had a baby. If your parents are forthcoming babysitters, don't feel guilty for accepting their generous offers as they're doing it because they want to bond with their grandchild. Go out for a coffee with a friend or a dinner date with your husband, it is refreshing and both you and baby will benefit. 

3. Take care of your skin. Some new mums don't feel they have time to even wash their hair. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, natural grease is a good conditioner for your hair but your skin will need much more attention, especially your stomach. Not only can you moisturise your skin to help lessen the appearance of stretch marks, massage can help drain excess fluid and help skin appear firmer.

So there you have it, new mums don't have to get involved in diet and exercise so soon after birth. Pampering your skin, getting plenty of sleep and retaining your identity are the key things you can do until your body and your baby is ready for you to lose your baby weight and become the yummiest mummy around.

For more information about organic skincare [http://www.buyorganics.co.uk] for new mums, visit the buyOrganics website.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Paul_Lanham/231042

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3254658

What To Do When You Lose Self Confidence As a New Mum.

 

When you become a new mum, your self confidence and self esteem can quickly take a dive, particularly when things don't go quite as well as planned. 

One of the major issues new mums face is shifting from being in control of your child during pregnancy to feeling completely lost as your child begins to develop and grow into this new life. When things such as breastfeeding and regular sleep do not go well, new mums often begin to question their parenting methods and begin to assume they must be doing something wrong. Add to this the opinions of friends, other mothers, family members and health professionals, it's no wonder so many new mums begin to feel like failures.

So what can you do if you begin to feel like a failure, or begin to self criticise yourself?

Reduce the pressure you are placing on yourself. 

One of the first big mistakes new mums make is to stop listening to their instincts and to begin listening instead to everyone else's advice and opinion on how best to parent their new baby. 

As a new mum, it's very easy to begin to doubt yourself when things you try (like breastfeeding or placing a baby in a swaddle to sleep) simply do not work, particularly when you have been told by experts that these are the best ways to feed or get your baby to sleep. What no-one seems to tell new mums (or perhaps as new mums it's hard to believe), there is no 1 manual of parenting that works for every child. 

Each baby is different and also has a mind of his/her own. Some babies will easily soothe, for instance, whilst other will not. Some babies will sleep for 2-3 hour stretches at a time, whilst others will only power nap for 30 minutes at a time. If you begin to place too much pressure on yourself to be perfect, you will quickly begin to start feeling overwhelmed and self criticism will begin to seep into your mindset and quickly reduce your self confidence. So, the key is to have a parenting plan and then to just go with the flow.

 Sometimes your parenting style will work wonders, but other times it won't (for instance if your baby is feeling overtired or unwell). These are the times to take a break and just try something new when you are feeling more calm and rational.

Trust that you know your baby best

As a primary carer, no-one knows your baby better than you. Other experts and parents can provide you with support and advice as to what they have observed or perhaps trialled successfully with their children, but ultimately, you know your child best. 

You will know if your child will respond well to new environments, people and parenting styles. you will be able to assess whether sleeping methods such as controlled crying are right for your child and your family. Trust that you have your child's best interests at heart and always look at things from the perspective of ensuring your child is safe, healthy, happy and secure (eg living in a harmonious environment).

Catch yourself in moments of negative self-talk 

If you begin you hear yourself speaking negatively about your parenting style, try to catch yourself in the moment and refrase your words. For instance, if you catch yourself saying things like "I'm never going to get my baby to sleep", alter this to "Every baby eventually sleeps, we just need to keep adjusting things until we get things working well for our family". 

Reducing negative self talk will go a long way towards boosting your confidence and ensuring you maintain a healthy self esteem throughout motherhood.

For more positive parenting support visit Help For Mums today at http://www.helpformums.com/therapies/mums/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lizzie_O'Halloran/1209055

Important Message For All Mums!

 

This is for all mums: mums-to-be, new mums, experienced mums, old mums, working mums, stay-at-home mums, yummy mums and stressed mums...

* For always being the one who eats the broken biscuits at the bottom of the tin that nobody else will touch;

* For being able to wake up from a deep sleep in the middle of the night to attend to nappies/wet beds/trips to the loo/nightmares/projectile vomiting when everyone else seems unable to;

* For always having food in the cupboard, loo roll in the bathroom, and the knowledge to cook a dinner out of nothing;

* For carrying on when you sometimes REALLY don't want to;

* For teaching your child how to walk, talk, use the potty/toilet, eat with a knife and fork, hold a pen and write, count, learn colours and a million other things;

* For sorting out the bills (because you probably do, don't you?);

* For remembering X's birthday/anniversary, etc and sending a card - on time;

* For feeding the pets every day - and changing their water too;

* For doing the school run every day, rain or shine;

* For having that magic touch that rubs away pain and kisses tears dry;

* For not being too shy to sing and dance in public when it means you can avoid tantrums;

* For putting on all the voices when you read the bedtime story;

* For checking for nits (and dealing with them if you find them);

* For sitting in the park when you really want to be sitting by a pool with a glass of wine;

* For being the secret Sock Fairy who can wash, match and put away endless not-quite-identical black or white socks without breaking down;

* For making sure the family get their 5 portions a day;

* For having an answer at the ready when you are asked where babies come from;

* For being the only one who cleans the bathroom properly and knows where dirty washing belongs;

* For saying "no" to those high heeled shoes/freakishly expensive trainers even if "all their friends have them";

* For having the best cuddles, end of story;

I just want to say "thank you" - because I don't think mums are thanked anywhere near enough. What we do may not necessarily have a £60k salary or a swanky office, but we do an amazing job shaping and nurturing these human beings under our care (even before they are born). It may seem like a grind (and worse some days), but all those big and little things we all do every day keep the world turning and life flowing. Without mums in the world it would be a grim place (not to mention an untidy one with everyone wearing odd socks and never getting anywhere on time!). I salute you/me!

I'm a married mum, running by business from our home in Norfolk, England. For some great treats for your mum, I'd love you to take a look at http://www.photofairytales.co.uk - unique, thoughtful and unusual personalised gifts that will make her smile.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sarah_Thexton/643532

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The Secret of Positive Thinking That Only Few Know.

 

Through positive thinking, your power of subconscious mind and energy reach high levels through which you can achieve things very easily. This is the secret of positive thinking. 

Some positive thinking techniques use more positive words in the place of negative words so that you will get positive energy. Self-talk to yourself positively 'I can do it', 'It is very easy', It is possible', then you can feel the difference.

The secret of positive thinking is that, if you motivate yourself positively, then you will definitely reach the goal. This is because your positive subconscious mind makes you act positively. 

If you think negatively and act negatively then the results will be negative. The way you think, the way you live. Eliminate positive thoughts from your mind and let positive thought dominate. Then see the difference in your life. Positive thinking not only bring success but also bring happiness in your life. 

Regular physical exercise like yoga, aerobics, etc. for at least half an hour a day is really helpful as it will boost positive thinking in your mind and helps to stay fit and healthy physically.

The secret of positive thinking is: Before you start a day, self talk to yourself that I am going to think positively this whole day, I will act and speak positively. If you do this, the day ahead will definitely be successful and positive. 

By changing your mind, you are changing your life. Only when you focus on positive things, positive words and positive thoughts you can live a happy and peaceful life. To gain happiness, success, good relationship, good health and wealth, all you need to do is to start positive thinking.

Joel Chue, Mind Science Expert is the author of "Secrets To Unlocking Your Real Potential" and "Deliberate Attraction" 
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/709561

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Joel_Chue/107023

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/709561

 

The Importance of Positive Affirmations to Kick Start Your Day.

If you want to be successful, positive affirmations should be part of your morning ritual. For example, if you are a business professional, you can get ready for professional meetings using morning affirmations. This will help you face challenges, reduce your frustration, and have a positive outlook on your life. In this short article, we are going to take a look at the importance of positive affirmations to start your day. Read on to find out more.

What is an affirmation?

In simple terms, a positive affirmation is a specific statement that can help you to get control over your negative thoughts. With these positive statements, you can visualize what you actually want to do in order to bring positive changes in your life.

Neuroscientists developed positive affirmations in the 70s. They created a combo of linguistics and psychological structured thought patterns in order to achieve their desired outcomes. The thing is that language patterns can have an impact on the outcomes we desire.

All you have to do it think about it. With the passage of time, these positive thoughts will have a positive impact on your mindset. You will feel the power of positive thinking as positive thoughts are the building blocks of reality. As you continue to use positive affirmations, you will experience a higher degree of ambition and confidence that will push you to you do whatever you want.

Positive affirmations can help you:

• Solve your problems
• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Achieve personal success
• Boost positive emotions
• Differentiate between negative and positive patterns of thought
• Strengthen your relationships
• Improve your relationships help you boost your confidence

Tips to get the most out of affirmations:

• Start your day with positive affirmations and repeat them over and over again
• Use positive affirmations in place of negative thinking
• Use the present tense for these positive statements
• If you are new to this phenomenon, know that it may take some time before you see the results of your effort.
• Say the positive statements out loud.
• Follow this routine for at least 30 days

Examples:

Now let's take a look at some great examples of positive statements you can repeat in the morning. Listed below are some of the statements that can help you get started.

1. I am fit both physically and mentally, and I am full of energy.
2. I have converted all of my negative energy into positive energy for a positive change.
3. With each passing day, I am feeling better and healthy than before
4. I love and take care of myself
5. I always feel great and radiate positive feelings
6. I have the right to good health and can do anything to take care of my body.

Long story short, if you want to bring positive changes in your life, we suggest that you change your mindset first. For this purpose, nothing can work better than positive affirmations. Therefore, you may want to change your routine and start your day with these positive statements. With the passage of time, you will experience positive changes in your life that will help you achieve success.

If you are looking for a great resource to help you tap into the power of positive affirmations, you can give a go to Positive Affirmationsly at https://positiveaffirmationsly.com/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Abdul_Waheed_Zafar/1306631

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10312567