“For the new parents in our lives, novelty gifts like mustache pacifiers or punny baby blankets can bring laughter. However, if you want to lighten the load for any mom or dad, you might consider something more practical. For instance, you might give comfortable sleepwear to a first-time mother or gift a new dad some help around the house.

Comfort

New parents need to be comfortable. They’ve got long nights ahead, and sometimes they forget to take care of themselves. Let’s help them a bit with their creature comforts.

• Practical clothing. Newborns need to be fed by their mothers 8-12 times a day. And some of these times happen in the middle of the night. Nursing nightgowns are important to new moms because they need the practical ease it gives them to nurse their newborns. These nightgowns deliver quick access for nursing, a comfortable fit, and a stylish contour to new moms.
  
  
• Better sleep. New parents don’t get to sleep so much, but we can still help with their rest. Weighted blankets can’t let you sleep longer, but it has been known to let you sleep better. Since these blankets are heavier, the feeling that one feels when using them is akin to being snuggled or hugged when one sleeps. There are different weights to these blankets, and the suggested is 10% of your body weight.
  
  
• Streaming. New parents are usually awake most hours of the day (and night) to take care of their newborns. Let them enjoy watching shows when they can’t sleep by giving them some Netflix gift cards. If they already have an account, gift cards will add to their account balance. If they don’t have an account, they can use the cards to open new accounts.
  
  
• Delivery. We got to eat, but new parents may be too busy to prepare their meal and start contemplating what their baby’s food tastes like. Give the new mom and dad some delivery service gift cards to stave off hunger. They’ll be able to order something they like and allow themselves a few more moments of rest.
  
  
• Almost Meals. When new parents long for home cooking but worry about the time it will take them to prepare it, meal kits may be the answer. Giving the new parents meal kits gift cards will allow them to receive scheduled deliveries during the week. Meal kits are prepared with fresh ingredients and recipes that are easy to follow. There are different providers so the new parents can try new dishes from comfort to gourmet.
  
  

Convenience

New parents don’t seem to have enough time on their hands to get everything done. Or they do get everything done, but they end up being pretty tired from their day. Let’s help them save some time with these convenient little fixes.

• Dust sweeper. Having dusty floors is no good when you have a newborn in the house. New parents have to keep their surroundings clean, and this means sweeping the floors daily. Good thing there are robot vacuums that can do the job for them. These little machines pack a mean vacuum and have sensors to navigate your floors.
  
  
• Multi-cooker. These cookers can perform different functions, such as sterilizing bottles and pacifiers, warming food, steaming, sautéing, cooking rice, slow cooking, and pressure cooking. Using these multi-cookers, you can also make baby food for the newborn, and yogurt for mommy and daddy.

More

We really want you to be able to choose the best gift you think new parents will appreciate. We’ve compiled some more resources for you to draw inspiration from.

• Moms like technology. Technology may bring the new mother more convenience or peace of mind. Here is a resource of other ideas for the tech-savvy new mom.
  
  
• Dads like cool stuff. Dads love cool stuff that is either relaxing or fun. Here’s a guide to things new dads might like.

We’re hoping that this resource can help you in finding the perfect gift for the new parents in your life. When it comes to making new parents’ lives easier, there are plenty of useful, practical options. With a little research, you can make your new parents’ exciting time more comfortable and convenient."

Article written by Jenna Sherman. Jenna is a mom of three (two girls and a boy). She hopes to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders by providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources. She created parent-leaders.com as an avenue for parents who want to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults.   

Image via Unsplash

"Each summer, families across the nation prepare for the fight against pests, and every year it seems to be a much bigger problem than the last. Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes carry disease and can make life miserable for both people and pets, and they’re difficult to get rid of in some areas. Not only that, it can sometimes be just as dangerous to use pest repellent, especially for young children. So, what’s a parent to do?

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to keep these pests at bay. From taking care of your yard to helping your pets stay safe, there are several ways you can prep your loved ones in the battle against these irritating creatures. Talk to your family to make sure they understand how to protect themselves, and consider your home and lawn when taking precautions. Keep in mind, as well, that you’ll need to take those same precautions if you’re traveling over the summer.

Keep your home and lawn well maintained

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are drawn to overgrown and wet areas, so it’s important to keep your home and lawn well maintained throughout the summer for the protection of your family and pets. Keeping the grass cut short and any weeds tamed will prevent pests from hiding out in your yard, but it can be a big job. Consider hiring a local landscaping expert, who will keep your family and pets safe by making sure your lawn is in tip-top shape.

However, if you need a tree removed from your yard, then you’ll need to call in a trusted local service to remove it for you. The price for this can run you upwards of $1,500 depending on the size of the tree--more if the tree is particularly large or difficult to remove. Don’t forget to use websites like Angi.com to check out reviews before you hire anyone.

Keep things dry

Mosquitoes are drawn to water, so it’s crucial to make sure there are no areas of standing water around your home. Chlorinated swimming pools are okay, but any items that could collect rainwater should be stored upside down or put away each day. If your children have outdoor toys or play areas, make sure there’s no chance for water to accumulate. Read up on mosquitoes and their biology so you can be more prepared.

Fight ticks naturally

Ticks spread disease, and if you and your family spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, you may be putting yourself at risk each time you go out. Using pesticides can be just as dangerous, if not more so, but there are a few natural ways you can repel and prevent tick bites. Wearing protective clothing, using essential oils, and keeping your lawn dry and short are easy ways to start, and you can also make sure playsets and large outdoor toys are kept away from wooded areas or tall grasses. It’s also important to learn how to remove and handle a tick should you find one on your body or on your child.

Learn the best remedies

There are many ways to help relieve the itch or sting of a bite from one of these pests; some are store-bought, while others are all-natural. Every individual reacts differently to bug bites, so knowing what to look for can help you take quick action. Toothpaste, baking soda with water, and lemon juice with vinegar are all great homemade remedies for itchy bites; just make sure the skin isn’t broken in order to prevent infection.

Protecting your family against pests in the summertime can be difficult, especially if your loved ones are outdoorsy and love to spend time in the fresh air. By educating yourself about what attracts these bugs and how best to repel them, you can ensure that your family will stay safe no matter what their activities are."                                                                     

Article written by Jenna Sherman. Jenna is a mom of three (two girls and a boy). She hopes to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders by providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources. She created parent-leaders.com as an avenue for parents who want to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults.

Photo by Pixabay

"CASA is dedicated to connecting children with the support they need as they navigate challenging times. For more information on CASA or to get involved, click here.

Parenting is tricky. We don’t always know if we’re doing things right. In fact, a lot of the time, we wonder if we’re doing things wrong. However, when we teach our children to care for the safety and well-being of others, we can always breathe a little easier. Moments like these are when we know we’ve done something right.

As parents, we all want our children to grow up to be amazing, kind-hearted, good people. Although we can’t always control who our children become as adults, it is heart-warming to see them expressing the positive values we’ve tried to teach them over the years. One way to do this is by getting them involved in volunteer work and community service as soon as possible. Because, per Stanford, altruism comes naturally for children, community service can be an uplifting, bonding experience for the whole family.

Community service allows us to give back to those who are most in need. It follows the basic belief that if you have a little, you can give a little; and if you have a lot, you can give a lot. It empowers us as individuals, families, and communities to actively help shape the future of our world - starting with ourselves and our own families and children.

Are you looking for some great ideas for hands-on service projects or volunteering opportunities you can work on together as a family this summer? Here are some ways your family can make a difference in the lives of others through volunteering and community service:

1. Building homes with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity and Habitat’s ReStores are great volunteer opportunities that are readily available in many communities across the nation. This nonprofit is always looking for donations or volunteers to assist with providing homes for those in need.     
2. Working at a local homeless shelter. A homeless shelter isn’t typically a place that would immediately come to mind when you think of places to volunteer with your children, but the fact remains that there are many families - including children - who live in homeless shelters. Shelters often seek volunteers to assist with many activities, including spending time with the homeless children. This could be an opportunity for your family to improve the lives of other families.     
3. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen. Help make a difference in someone’s life by serving hot food to the poor. Many local areas have soup kitchens and other nonprofits looking for volunteers like yourself. This is also an opportunity to begin teaching safe practices to your child for handling foods.     
4. Spending time at a senior center. This is an excellent community service opportunity for families with children. There are senior centers in almost every city, and there are a wide variety of ways your kids can make a senior smile or brighten someone’s day.     
5. Helping a senior at home. Families are often spread far apart, and as a result, many seniors find themselves without reliable assistance when their bodies and minds could really use a helping hand. Check in with an older adult who might be in such a situation. Help with home maintenance, aging in place changes, or even upgrades prior to moving into assisted living can be a significant boon to an older adult. As Ottawa Family Living points out, even small tasks focused on home maintenance can help kids learn valuable life skills like self-efficiency and problem solving, and you get to do things for a senior and with your kids, so everybody wins.

As you probably already know (because, after all, you are reading this article), it is important to teach altruism to your children. By making an effort to teach your children these basic human values, you’ll instill some compassionate qualities in them, which will hopefully last them a lifetime. It will also greatly benefit your children’s levels of happiness, self-esteem, and empathy. Along the way, you’ll also enjoy some quality bonding time together as a family - and you’ll feel great knowing that you’ve made a difference in the lives of others."

Article written by Derek Goodman.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay by FreeImages9

"Spending your whole day stuck indoors isn’t just boring; it’s also really bad for you. Doctors have coined the term nature-deficit disorder to explain a host of health problems that have sprung from kids spending too little time outside. Streaming television, social media, and video games are just a few of the things keeping kids inside. However, getting kids outdoors is a vital tool for improving their health. Here’s your guide to nature-deficit disorder and how your family can fight it.

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Don’t let your kids get addicted to their screens. By spending time outside as a family, you ensure that your kids get the necessary benefits sunlight, fresh air, and lots of activity provide. You’ll all be healthier, together!

Court Appointed Special Advocates is dedicated to protecting abused and neglected children. Learn how you can support our work as a volunteer."

Article written by Jenna Sherman. Jenna is a mom of three (two girls and a boy). She hopes to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders by providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources. She created parent-leaders.com as an avenue for parents who want to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults.

Photo Credit: Unsplash