Slow down

It may be difficult to try and maintain a normal schedule during pregnancy - especially during the first and third trimesters. Instead of fighting it, readjust your pace. Make your schedule adapt to your body's physical and emotional changes.

Delegate

Don't try to control every aspect surrounding your pregnancy. Enlist help or hand over those errands or projects that may be too strenuous for you to do right now.

Plan ahead

Deciding and planning important issues ahead of time will reduce stress later on. Make decisions about birth plans, pediatricians and childcare early in the pregnancy.

Don't sweat the small stuff

It's important to make sure baby has the essentials such as, clothing, a crib and car seat. Don't fret over those celebrity endorsed "do-dads" that do nothing but put a hole in your wallet.

Limit advice

Sometimes well-meaning advice and birth stories can cause anxiety and stress. Limit your advice to those professionals that you have entrusted with your care.

Take a break

Most expectant mothers regain their energy around the second trimester. This is the perfect time to take a vacation or enjoy a get-away weekend.

Get pampered

If travel is not an option, take a mental vacation. Take advantage of feet and back massages. Enlist your husband to pamper you or splurge on a day at the spa.

Eat right

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean protein will help limit weight gain which can be stressful emotionally and physically. Eating healthy can also deter conditions such as heartburn and constipation, which are common nuisances during pregnancy.

Exercise

With your doctor's approval continue or begin a daily exercise regimen. It will help strengthen your body as you prepare for birth. Thirty minutes of exercise can also help a person relax.

Go to sleep

Take advantage of naps and early bedtimes. This may be the best sleep you'll have for a while. Enjoy every bit of it.

The post 10 ways to relax during your pregnancy appeared first on FamilyToday.

According to Terrence Daryl Shulman, director of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending, and Hoarding, arguments over money is the number one problem among couples. Having a spouse who is a compulsive spender can be just as problematic as having a spouse addicted to drugs, alcohol, or eating.

Shulman offers the following advice to help anyone married to a compulsive spender:

Educate yourself

"It's important to know what compulsive spending is and what it isn't," said Shulman.

Many couples have differing opinions about money. One may be a "saver" while the other a "spender." However, compulsive spending isn't just a differing train of thought, it's a serious addiction.

Shulman recommends researching the signs of compulsive spending. He offers a checklist and quiz on his website, Shopaholicsanonymous.org

Some questions to consider

Are they emotional shoppers? (Taking shopping sprees when happy, angry, or depressed to feel better)

Do many of the purchases go unused?

Are there large amounts of clutter in the house because of purchases?

Are they neglecting other responsibilities in order to shop?

Researching this addiction, is the beginning to addressing the problem.

Approach early

Shulman suggest that once the signs are indicated, the offending spouse should be addressed in a caring, loving, but firm way about the problem. Calmly state your concerns without criticizing the person.

"Name calling and yelling will only make the problem worse," said Shulman.

In addition, he advises that both partners be involved in the family finances in order to curb compulsive spending. Going over all the credit card statements and bills together can help prevent secret purchases.

If necessary, seek intervention

If your spouse is in denial about the problem, outside intervention may be needed. Friends and family members, who have witnessed the problem, can help emphasize the seriousness of the problem.

Shulman advises compulsive spenders to seek professional help to address the emotional issues. "There is only so much a person can do on their own. This needs to be taken as seriously as any other addiction," said Shulman.

Though the cost of such treatment can be expensive, couples should consider the savings that will be gained from the addiction being treated.

Be supportive

Be prepared to be involved throughout the entire process. This isn't just one spouse's problem it's a problem to be worked out together.

Know that this process may require sacrifices such as, blocking shopping channels, monitoring computer usage, and accompanying or taking over shopping excursions.

Above all, the compulsive spending spouse, needs someone they can trust and depend on during and after recovery.

Additional resources:

Debtor's Anonymous

A 12-step fellowship for debtors trying to recover from money problems and compulsive debt.

Bought Out and Spent: Recovery from Compulsive Shopping and Spending

A book by Terrence Daryl Shulman, director of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending, and Hoarding contains stories and guidance for those affected by compulsive shopping and spending.

The post Ways to deal with a compulsive spending spouse appeared first on FamilyToday.

Decide

Decide on a time that will ensure your child gets enough sleep. Depending upon the age of the child, most children need at least 10-12 hours of sleep. In addition to setting a bedtime, parents should decide when to implement the new routine. Implementing a new routine when there are hectic schedules, impending travels, or other distractions may not be the best idea.

Create a Ritual

Come up with some signals for your child that indicates it is time for bed. This could include a bath, putting play things away, or turning off the television and unnecessary lights. The point is to help the child relax and decompress from all of the stimuli throughout the day.

Prepare for Battle

At first, some kids will put up resistance to the new routine. Parents must try to remain calm, speak gently, but firmly to children who put up resistance. Losing your temper will do more harm than good. Do not give in to attempts to delay bedtime.

Make Bedtime Appealing

Sometimes kids avoid bedtime because they think they are missing out on something. Try to make going to bed more appealing by doing special activities with them that is only offered at bedtime. Ideas include, having a special bedtime storybook selection, singing lullabies, or quiet games. Do not allow any distractions to interfere during this time.

Be Consistent

Children thrive on consistency. Parents must be willing to stick with the routine for however long is necessary. While there may be a need for minor adjustments and flexibility in the routine, consistency is key to making it work.

Other ideas that are helpful in creating a bedtime routine is involving both parents in the implementation. Parents should work together in creating rituals and activities that will help the child prepare for bed.

The post 5 Tips to create a bedtime routine appeared first on FamilyToday.

Brainstorm

Contemplate what expectations and standards you desire in a daycare provider.

• Do you prefer an in-home or commercial daycare provider?

• Would you like the provider to be close to your home or to your job?

• Do you wish to have a provider that shares your same principles on faith, discipline, academics?

• How much can you afford?

Write down a list of things that are important to you. Decide what are the minimum requirements for a daycare provider for your consideration.

Ask

Word of mouth is still the best method for recommendations. Ask family, friends or co-workers for their recommendations on daycare providers. This may save you time from wading through hundreds of listings in the phone book or on the Internet.

If possible, ask parents who are current clients of prospective daycare providers you are considering. They can tell you first-hand their likes and dislikes about the providers' services.

Research

Once you've narrowed down the list to at least ten daycare providers, it is time to conduct some background research. Use the internet to check ratings and comments from the Better Business Bureau for your area or other customer review websites.

Sites like Childcareratingz.com and MyChildcareGuide.com provide ratings by parents for parents seeking daycare providers.

Visit

Before signing your child up with a daycare provider, visit the site. If possible, drop by unexpectedly during an active time of the day. Preplanned appointments typically occur during nap time or with an employee prepped to show the client a pleasant experience. Unexpected visits will give parents a realistic view of what a typical day looks like.

By following these guidelines, parents will be able to make an informed decision in selecting the best daycare provider for their child.

The post Choosing a good daycare appeared first on FamilyToday.