Lilac City Momma

Lynn

Why is Community Engagement Key?

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The significant of community engagement and the encouragement of positive activity within a community cannot be understated. Community engagement leads to more development and growth within a community as well as better outcomes for all. In order for programs within a community to gain any traction, engagement must be the first priority.

This is because community engagement provides valuable insight into the needs that exist within a community. With such information, it is easier to find the right methods of making a positive difference.

The method by which you go about engaging with your community will depend on your particular circumstances, though. You might very well need to take steps in order to equip yourself with the necessary tools to get involved in your community in a positive way.

Here are a few ways in which community engagement within your own community can be facilitated and promoted.

Education

Practically everything that has to do with the improvement of a community starts with strong education programs for the children living within that community. When education is lacking, there are nearly too many negative repercussions to count. Communities always thrive better when their education programs are equipped and capable of producing positive results.

In that same spirit, it is also incredibly beneficial for those who are spearheading the community engagement to be educated as well. This is why it is worth considering the pursuit of higher education if you wish to be one of those leaders. A master’s degree that you can earn online can help to equip you with the tools and knowledge that you need to make positive contributions to your community and actively participate in community outreach. To learn more about such degrees, visit https://studyonline.ecu.edu.au/.

Encourage a Dialogue

Ultimately, community engagement is a dialogue between those within the community and those in leadership and positions to affect change. That dialogue must be a two-way street wherein all parties concerned are actively and positively contributing to the growth and improvement of a community as a whole.

This dialogue might also involve members of organizations that are working towards building up their community. Other institutions, such as schools within a community, should also be part of the greater conversation. By having educated and qualified teachers and leaders in place at such schools, community engagement can be facilitated so that better outcomes for all might be achieved.

Communication within a community can be difficult, though, as you are trying to bring about a common goal via the efforts of a number of individuals who possess different opinions and methods of approaching certain things. Communication in the community engagement process, then, is paramount to the success of a community as a whole.

The more that can be done to encourage positive dialogue and to bring about effective communication, the better off that community will be. Patience, understanding, and a concerted effort by all should be encouraged and promoted with your community so as to bring about the most desirable results for that community.

 

3 Things to Consider When Planning Your Funeral

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Life is a never ending game, some people say, but the sad fact is that the game does eventually end. And when we shuffle off of this mortal plain, we’d want to do it in style, or do it peacefully. Whatever suits your choices, of course.

How will anyone know your choices though? How can you make sure you’re given the religious service you really want or the most humane burial that would see you in a forest surrounded by nature?

The best way to make sure you get the send-off you deserve and want is to plan your funeral ahead of time while you’re still alive and kicking — and while you’re still able to make decisions.

Planning Your Funerals

There are many things to consider when planning a funeral. Just like planning any other life event (pun fully intended), a wedding, a bar mitzvah, christening, anniversary party, or any other large celebration, planning a funeral can seem overwhelming.

Luckily, there are many companies, such as Exit Here, who will help to ensure your wishes are fulfilled and make sure you recovered financially. But what exactly will you need to plan? Let’s dive into 3 things you may have missed about planning a funeral.

Your Service Choice

Religion is a funny thing. In some cultures, religion can be absolutely central with identities built around faith, but in other cultures, religion is a very private matter.

If you would like a particularly religious service, it’s important to make your feelings known beforehand to ensure that you will be able to have the service in a location that is special to you (such as your local church), and that you will have a send-off officiated by someone you connect with spiritually (such as your vicar).

Your Music Choice

When Sir Elton John penned the Candle In The Wind, thinking about music for funerals wasn’t likely a particularly big part of his plan.

Now in the modern era, there are many options to choose from. From a religious perspective, this includes the classic songs like Jerusalem and How Great Thou Art, or more popular music choices such as Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye), and the classic football song, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Getting your music choice right can really help your family feel close to you and stop that awkward moment where Johnny Cash is played, but you hated Johnny Cash!

Do You Want a Wake?

It’s not always necessary to have a wake, of course. Some people may decide they wish to have a very private funeral with just close friends and family, while others will want a huge do with a wake afterwards.

If you’re looking to have a wake, you’ll need to organize a venue and probably lay out some food for the guests.

Wakes can be a lovely time for long lost family and friends to reconnect. Even in the most difficult times, it can be nice to be surrounded by loved ones.

How to Keep Termites Away from Your Home

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Out of all the pests that homeowners are forced to confront, termites are certainly the most destructive and expensive to treat. Regardless of whether or you have ever dealt with pests before, it’s worth knowing how to get rid of termites as you can never fully prepare for an infestation. Termites can destroy both the interior and exterior of your home, and if you fail to spot the early warning signs, the damage can become extensive.

This guide will give you some helpful techniques on how to keep termites away from your home and get rid of them quickly and effectively:

Vinegar

Vinegar is a valuable solution to store in your cupboards. While it is useful for cleaning your bathroom and kitchen fittings, it has also been proven to destroy termites almost instantly, providing they come into direct contact with the substance.

Mix vinegar and lemon juice and pour into a spray bottle, to make it easier to distribute into the disturbed areas. Then, spray the solution into any gaps or cracks where termites may be present or even on any wooden surfaces or furniture that they may be likely to infest. It would be best to do so regularly to kill any termites still lurking which may not have been targeted the first time around.

Pest control service

Ideally, it would be advisable to hire a pest control service to take care of a more severe termite infestation. If your house has become overridden with termites, you’ll start to notice significant damage – particularly around wooden surfaces. It can be challenging to tackle the situation without a professional if it has reached this extent. Local Pest Control Houston company Gulf Coast Exterminators are highly effective in dealing with the most severe termite cases, by using advanced technology and years of experience in the field which should give you the peace of mind that the pest issue will be dealt with efficiently.

Sunlight

Sunlight can instantly kill termites. Therefore, if you have a piece of furniture or a wooden object that is infested, you can simply leave it for several hours outdoors during the hotter months of the year, and the termites should start to die off. If there are specific sections of the home that have become termite-infested, you can simply place UV lamps over them which should hopefully achieve the same result.

Orange oil

Oranges contain a type of oil named ‘d-limonene’ which is an active ingredient that kills termites quickly. It is typically used within home cleaning products and as a food flavoring but can also be bought by the bottle as a form of pest control. Do be aware that this treatment is only effective in exterminating dry wood termites, rather than subterranean termites.

Prune trees and bushes

As a preventative measure, it would be sensible to prune trees and bushes around the perimeter of your home and on the exterior of your property. This ensures that there are no moist areas which may otherwise attract termites to gather and will also allow you to spot any damage with immediate effect, rather than months later when the problem has escalated.

 

6 Baby Item Essentials

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There are so many baby products on the market that can make it difficult to decide what you do and don’t need which can make you left feeling overwhelmed. It is easy to walk into a shop and think you need one of everything, especially if you are a first-time parent because you want to be prepared for your child. However, there are a few essentials that are recommended for you and your baby.

Pushchair

A pushchair is important as it makes travelling easier, even when you are only popping to a shop whilst providing comfort to your baby. Babies spend most of their time sleeping so a comfy bassinet or car seat is important when considering what pram to choose. New-borns need to lie flat to protect their back to aid development and to assist with their breathing. Therefore, any baby prams 3 in 1 travel system is preferred by a lot of parents as you can adjust the way your child is positioned as they grow and develop. Starting in a bassinet, then sitting in a car seat and finally, sitting in the pram without any other aids. These can be more expensive than buying a different pram for each stage your baby reaches but they are more convenient as they grow with the child until they don’t need a pushchair.

Cot

New-borns sleep on average 16 hours a day so you baby needs to have somewhere safe and comfy to sleep in at night-time and for naps. Opting for a crib or a Moses basket for your baby’s first 6 months is common as they are lightweight, therefore, easy to move between different rooms. Whilst a cot is important as it is your baby’s bed, the mattress choice is just as vital. It is recommended that your baby has a firm, flat mattress to support their back. In addition, buying a mattress that is waterproof would be an added bonus as babies are often sick and easier to keep clean. Cots can be multifunctional as you can buy cots that transform into toddler beds, which saves money when your child outgrows their cots.

Baby Monitor

Being able to hear your baby when they are sleeping in a different room is a must; so choosing the right baby monitor is important based on you as a parent as there are various types available like audio, video, and smart technology ones which connect to your phone via an app. These are more of a necessity when your baby moves to their own room to sleep in at night. Furthermore, the majority of monitors have a temperature gauge built in so you know if the room is warm enough for them to sleep in. Also, baby monitors would give you more flexibility as a parent as you can carry on doing daily tasks whilst your child gets much-needed rest.

High chair

As your baby gets older, you will need to start the weaning process which is time-consuming. although you need space for a high chair, they are very versatile as you can adjust the height as your child gets older. Furthermore, they are many highchairs which are foldable so they can be stored out of the way if you don’t have a lot of space. Although highchairs are preferred by many parents, feeding chairs can also be used as an alternative as they are seats that strap to your normal dining chairs. These are very good if you are going to family and friend‘s houses or even to restaurants as it gives you peace of mind that your child will be comfortable when eating their food.

Clothes

It wouldn’t be an essential baby list if clothes weren’t mentioned! Making sure you have enough vests and babygrows is important as regular outfit changes are needed when you have a new-born. Furthermore, it is important to keep your baby clean to maintain their health. In addition, blankets, especially cellular ones are important as your baby needs to be kept warm without overheating. Besides, they also add comfort and security to your baby.

Baby Products

Nappies, creams, and wipes are the most important items to purchase to keep your child clean and free of rashes and sore. Not forgetting formula if your baby isn’t breastfed to make sure they get the right nutrients to be able to grow and develop into a healthy child. However, these essentials are hard to forget when you have a baby!

 

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.