Lilac City Momma

Lynn

The Best Summer Activities for Babies

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While many parents have to work over the summer months, babies just wanna have fun. However, even though days at the beach and evenings spent by the pool work well for parents and older kids, they don’t work quite as well for the baby. Finding summer activities for the baby that help deal with the extreme heat of summer and keeping them safe can be a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of activities out there to do with babies. Activities that will be fun for you both and keep them safe, comfortable, and cool at the same time. You can read about a few of those summer activities in the article below.

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Visit an Aquarium

Whether it’s spring or summer, there is nothing like visiting the aquarium in the heat of the day. It’s a place to get in out of the sweltering summer heat, plus it exposes your baby to life under the sea. From sharks to pretty, vibrant colored fish, you can start your baby’s education on mammals early with a visit to the aquarium.

Attend Story Time at Your Local Library

Hitting up your local library for storytime during a summer heatwave is a no-brainer. Babies love to be read to and if you have an older child they can listen or browse the library stacks while your baby listens to the soothing voice of the librarian read their favorite book.

Speaking of your older children, the summer heat can be hard on them as well. For a cooler activity and to keep them inside on the hottest of days, why not sign them up for a bible study class. If there are none in your area, then there are plenty of kids study bibles online you can order to teach them yourself. In fact, while the baby is down for a nap is the perfect time for bible study and it gives you and your older child bonding time as well.

Take a Nature Walk Through the Neighborhood

Take your baby on a walk through your neighborhood, so that he can experience the sights and sounds that nature has to offer. Stop and talk to the neighbors. Not only is the fresh air good for your baby, but it’s also a good way to start teaching socialization skills he’ll need later in life. Make sure that you take every safety precaution when you have your baby out for a walk in his stroller in the summer months, however.

From making sure that he is dressed properly to ensuring there is a covering over his stroller to protect him from the sun’s rays, safety from the heat is extremely important. One way to ensure your baby stays cool in his stroller during your walks is to visit Stroller Buzz to learn about the best stroller fans out there. With most of the best fans, you can easily clip them onto the stroller of your choice, thereby ensuring your baby is cool as can be whenever you’re out and about.

Sign Up for a Few Baby Classes

Believe it or not, the days when there was nothing for babies to do but be babies are long gone. Today, you can sign your little one up for a baby yoga class, baby swim classes, and more. If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat and teach the baby something at the same time, then signing up for a few summer baby classes is a great way to do it.

These are just a few of the best summer activities for your baby. You don’t have to be stuck in the house all summer just because you have a baby. Instead, make sure the baby has fun this summer as well.

3 Ways to Sleep Better Night After Night

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Some people are naturally good sleepers. They are the kind that are able to finish their day strong, lay down, and instantly find their way to dreamland. Most people, though, aren’t so fortunate. Especially as the stresses of daily life begin to pile up, nights that are considered truly restful can be difficult to come by. Moreover, the reasons behind the bad sleep that you get on a regular basis can be hard to pin down, making it even tougher to get the restful sleep that you so desperately need.

If you have found yourself in a cycle of bad sleep and are looking for ways to catch the Z’s you need in the long term, here are three ways that you can potentially sleep better night after night.

1. Try a Sleep Aid

One thing that might just be your key to better sleep is a sleep aid. There are a variety of safe sleep aids that you can purchase or request from your doctor, or there are home remedies that you might try. Many people tend to shy away from prescription sleep aids, though, as the side effects and potential for addiction negatively outweigh the promise of better sleep. Furthermore, such things cannot be taken long term for various health reasons.

A sleep aid that has virtually no side effects and will not result in the formation of a habit is CBD. Not to be confused with marijuana, CBD doesn’t contain the hallucinogenic THC, the component of the recreational drug that results in a “high.” Instead, CBD is safe to use and will simply help your mind and body to relax enough to get better sleep at night. You can find full spectrum tinctures at Premier Hemp Company if this is a method you would like to try.

2. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake

Many people are in the habit of having a glass of wine or a nightcap in the evenings as a way to relax before bedtime. The thought is that a moderate amount of alcohol calms you down, which would, in turn, help you fall asleep sooner. Unfortunately, though, the exact opposite is true, as even so much as a single drink might be the culprit when you are repeatedly getting bad sleep.

It might be a good idea to take a break from booze for a month or two while you are trying to get into better sleeping habits. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up the occasional drink forever, just that you should give your circadian rhythm some time to get back on track.

3. Get a New Mattress

If it has been more than eight years since you’ve gotten a new mattress, that very well might be the thing inhibiting your sleep. Periodic tossing and turning throughout the night might be the result of a mattress that is worse for the wear. While it is a bit of an investment, it is one that is well worth it in the end if it results in better sleep.

How to Create an Enjoyable Garden Space for Your Family

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Having a great outdoor space for your family can benefit their quality of life and mental health, as well as give them a wonderful place to play in and get some much-needed vitamin D. If your garden is currently looking under the weather, or if you are struggling to get your kids off the sofa and outdoors, here are some of the best steps that you can take to create a garden space for everyone to enjoy.

Create an Outdoor Living Area

The trend for outdoor living spaces in 2020 is particularly loved by families due to the fact that these can add additional practical areas that your family can use, giving their homes more space. To create an outdoor living area that can bring you closer to the wild, you should invest in outdoor furniture, such as a dining table and chairs, so that you can eat and sunbathe outside.

Build a Summer House

If you want to add an extra room to your house without extending your main building, you should also consider building a summer house. This can allow you to create a space where you can get away from the rest of the family and relax during the summer months. Alternatively, you could use it as a play space for your children.

Install an Outdoor Fire Pit

To extend those summer evenings and create a central feature in your garden, you should install an outdoor fire pit for all of your family to huddle round all year round. Outdoor fire pits can not only add a luxury touch to your garden, but they are also ultimately practical through their variety of uses, from keeping warm to cooking dinner. To find wood burning outdoor fireplaces that your family will use again and again, Stonewoods has a large selection that can suit every household.

Add Decking or a Patio

To get out into nature without having to journey into the wilds of your garden, you should consider building decking or patio onto your home. Not only will this allow you to venture into your garden without getting your feet dirty, but they can also be great places on which the children can play, and you can sit and sunbathe throughout the warm weather.

Spruce up Your Borders

The most important factor of a perfect garden is its natural beauty and, if your garden is sorely lacking flowers and shrubs, the most effortless way to maintain these is to spruce up your borders. By creating clearly defined flowerbeds and weeding these often, you will be able to create a low maintenance space where you can transform your garden into a natural beauty space.

Add a Vegetable Patch

However, your garden should also be practical, and the best way to combine beauty and usefulness is to add a vegetable patch onto your garden. A vegetable patch can help you to grow food for your family, save on groceries, teach your kids about nature and food, and create an ongoing project which the whole family can take part in.

 

Five ways you can help to reduce carbon emissions

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With levels of CO2 emissions rising globally, and congestion in cities continuing to rise, cities are becoming ever-more toxic environments. Fewer cars on the road equal lower carbon emissions and congestion. Here are five ways you can leave the car at home to help reduce carbon emissions.

 

 

Using public transport

Due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, you might dismiss public transport as an unhygienic hotbed of germs. However, there are steps you can take to make your journey on public transport as comfortable as possible. Wear a face mask and cotton gloves, which will keep you safe from any germs in the atmosphere or lingering on surfaces. Use antibacterial gel once you have disembarked from any public transport and keep antibacterial wipes handy—these are a lifesaver if you are sat on a seat that seems less than sanitary! By following these tips, you can reduce your carbon footprint while safe in the knowledge that you are protecting yourself.

Scooters

Scooters, being smaller than cars, are more fuel-efficient and produce fewer carbon emissions. They have the added benefit of generally being more affordable and cheaper to run. Being compact, lightweight, and more easily maneuverable than a bulky car, with mindful driving scooters can help you to beat the congestion. With plenty of scooter brands and dealers for you to check out, for instance, Peugeot scooters dealers, you are sure to find a scooter you like that fits in with your lifestyle.

Carpooling

Carpooling is sharing car journeys with other people going to the same location, reducing the amounts of cars making the same journey. This works particularly well when commuting to and from work, and in fact, many employers have now introduced carpooling schemes for their employees. Additionally, websites such as BlaBlaCar are building a global network of carpools. So why not give carpooling a go? You might make some new friends!

Bikes

Want to have your daily workout without paying for a gym? Cycling is the perfectly good method of transportation, ensuring that you arrive at your destination without producing any carbon emissions while also getting a rigorous free workout. With cities such as New York, who have dedicated to building more than 250 new bike lanes, focusing on improving road safety for cyclists, using a bike could soon become one of the most common forms of transportation.

Only using a car for essential journeys

If driving remains your preferred method of transportation, a meaningful way to reduce your carbon footprint is to assess the way you use your car. Do you jump in the car for every journey? Could some of those journeys be made using other transportation methods, like walking or cycling? After assessing your car use, make an effort to use your car only for essential journeys. So, use your car when you are stocking up at the supermarket, but cycle to your local shop to pick up a few essentials. Simple lifestyle changes such as this will reduce your carbon footprint while increasing your overall health.

 

Tips for Finding 420-Friendly Roommates

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If you are reading this article, chances are, you are a Cannabis user, looking for a roommate that is going to be okay with the fact that you use it. If you key in “420-friendly” roommates in Craigslist’s search engine, you will find thousands of listings with that phrase attached to them. With more people smoking weed now more than ever, finding the perfect”420-friendly” roommate won’t be too much of a challenge. That said, living with a stranger just because both of you use marijuana is more complex than it seems.

People are surprisingly good at hiding their true nature, and if you have ever shared any living space, you can attest to this. If you are a first-time renter, a “bad roommate”, will ruin your mood every time they are around, especially if they abuse Cannabis.

Below are some pointers to follow if, in your quest to find the perfect “420-friendly” roommate.

Ask Your Friends

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This is the first place to start. Although living with a friend can be tricky at times, you may find out you two are pretty compatible as “420-friendly” roommates. If none of your friends needs a roommate, their co-workers may be in search of one and they may fall under your specifications. The goal is to find a trustworthy roommate and asking your friends and family for recommendations is a good starting point.

Look for A Responsible Person

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As a Cannabis user, you want a roommate who will have the same vibe as yours. Even though they use Cannabis, it does not affect their lives. Using marijuana-based products should not prevent them from building their careers and succeeding in life. Find a roommate who is responsible enough not to be controlled by hash. People who smoke a lot of weed more than often are not concerned about paying the bills or reality for that matter.

Are they going to roll their joints in every corner of the house or use prerolls? Are they going to puff all day till the house is full of fumes? Do they party more than just occasionally? Thoroughly vetting the person will give you these answers.

Always Run a Background Check

Regardless of whether you are looking for a “420-friendly roommate or not, running a background check is essential. You need to know who you are going to live with. Scrutiny of the person’s past will bring into light their real character. You can start with their social media and advance from there. Sites that allow you to search people free of charge are numerous.

Do a people search to reveal some personal information, such as previous arrests and incarcerations. All you need is to enter is their first name and last name. You never know what you will find and the search results are bound to shock you at the same time prevent you from harboring a fugitive!

What Form of Cannabis Do They Use?

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Do they use CBD based products from the hemp flower or the everyday pure marijuana smoked in glass tubes or tinctures? Of the different strains, which do they prefer, Indica or Sativa? The form of Cannabis people use has the potential to become a deal-breaker when you are looking for a “420-friendly” roommate. CBD is becoming a major hit in the United States, and people are turning to it because of its numerous benefits. If you don’t like the feeling of getting high on marijuana and prefer a pack of CBD prerolls and cigarettes, you will want a roommate that falls along those lines.

Carefully go through all the applications you get from potential “420-friendly” roommates. If you are a student, the type of roommate you have will reflect in your sanity and grades. Conduct thorough interviews to find someone who meets your expectations!