1. "Well, at least you had an easy pregnancy/delivery."

This one is frustrating because no one knows what a new mother just went through. Even the person closest to her probably doesn't fully understand what it's like bringing a baby into this world. It's an emotional, physical and spiritual experience that everyone handles differently. Yes, maybe compared to others her pregnancy or delivery was "easy," but that doesn't mean it wasn't the hardest thing she's ever done. Never make a new mother feel small compared to others; she just performed a miracle.

2. "Are you sleeping?"

Part of the motherhood job description is not sleeping. Of course new moms aren't sleeping. They have a tiny human who needs them on call. If the baby wakes up, mom wakes up too. Hours and hours of cuddling, nursing and comforting take place at night - even with babies who sleep well.

3. "Are you sure she's yours? She really doesn't look like you."

Only in rare cases do babies actually get switched at birth. This question just breaks a mom's heart. Who wants to hear that her child looks nothing like her?

4. "Do you want me to babysit?"

Some moms really do want others to babysit for them so they can have a break. Others enjoy taking their babies everywhere. Either way, if they really want you to babysit, they'll ask.

5. "Babies are so boring."

The moment a woman first feels those little toes pushing on her ribs, she learns to really love her baby. Hormones and emotions go off the charts from conception to postpartum. The last thing a new mother wants to hear is how boring babies are. Babies, bottles, binkies, onesies and cribs are all that's on her mind right now. Even talking about poop and spit-up is no longer taboo.

6. "What made you want to have a baby? Was he planned?"

This has to be one of the worst questions a person can ask. Even if a baby was planned down to the day, this becomes very awkward. It's a personal detail that shouldn't be brought up unless the new mother decides to share of her own free will.

7. "My baby never ... " or "My baby always ... "

A new mother doesn't really want to hear about what your baby could do better than hers. Parenthood is not a competition, and just like every baby is different, so is every parent. Even if it was a competition, all parents know their children are the best.

8. "Is it a boy or a girl?"

It? A new mom did not just give birth to a hairy character from "The Adams Family." Her baby is not an "it." This question is especially offensive when the baby is decked out in a cute headband and bright pink outfit. If you really can't tell a baby's gender, ask a question like, "How is your baby doing?" Mom will likely follow up with, "She is doing great, but she just started teething!" Find out the gender without making a mom feel like she has a genderless child.

9. "How is breastfeeding going?"

First of all, did the new mom even mention that she's breastfeeding? There are many valid reasons not to breastfeed - medical issues, work or maybe other reasons you don't really need to know. Breastfeeding is a very personal decision that should be between the mother, father and baby. If a new mom is breastfeeding, she may not want to talk about such intimate things. It can be kind of embarrassing, stressful and painful - not something a mother always wants to talk about.

10. "You're going to spoil him by holding him so much. You should just let him cry it out."

There is no such thing as "spoiling a baby." A new mom may or may not choose to try the "cry-it-out method" when her baby reaches an appropriate age. Babies need to feel loved, and if parents leave them without comfort, they will feel abandoned.

Just remember that new mothers are emotional. If you slip up and upset a new mother, it could just be the hormones talking. Try to remain calm, positive and loving. Be a good listener and good friend.

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For many people, it's easier to break it down by writing down one concept you want to improve for this year. Examples could include, health, money, career, loving those around you, doing service, or anything else. For this example, I'm going to focus on health. This whole process will be insanely easier to take one step at a time. The first step is day one. This doesn't mean tomorrow or next week this means today. Today would be a great day to begin a bit of research. Figure out what the ideal part of health is that you want. Let's say you want to lose some weight and feel healthier. The first step could be, choosing to drink water instead of soda. Day two, choose water again and jog around the block once. When you get to a whole week, reward yourself with a soda or a little treat, and jog twice around the block. Taking baby steps will instill confidence while encouraging you to accomplish your goals.

After a month, you could start looking up healthier meals to cook. Continue jogging around the block, but add push-ups or sit-ups every morning.

After six months, continue working toward your goal by running laps around the track, continue healthy eating, and add in more at-home exercises.

If you maintain this routine for an entire year, you should be feeling great about yourself. A whole year and you've kept your small goals which snowballed into larger goal accomplishments. While the focus for the first year may be health, you may want to select a new focus for the following year. Continue doing that every year for five years. After that, spend one year focusing on any of the previous goals with which you have been struggling. During years six through 10, continue to focus on more new topics.

After creating your first list of things you'd like to master in the first year, or couple years, start making a list of things you'd like to accomplish within the next 10 years. Include answers to these questions in your list:

• Do you plan on expanding your family?

• Getting married

• Having children

• Adopting children

• Do you plan on furthering education?

• Finishing high school

• Finishing college

• Returning to college

• Taking online or night courses

• Attending conferences or learning opportunities

• Do you plan on changing career paths, or staying the same?

• Do you like your job?

• What is your dream job?

• How could you get your dream job?

• What qualifications do you need, and how can you get them?

• Where is it located?

• Is it realistic? The answer to this is most likely yes; you just need to convince yourself of that.

• Is there growth opportunity at the company where you're currently working?

Just like the example of health improvement, start with baby steps. Map out what you plan to change today, tomorrow, next week, next month, in six months, and every step you'd like to do after. As long as you're honest with yourself, the accomplishments will follow.

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Dress it up

One of the best suggestions I have is to always dress above the daily expectance. If the job allows you to wear jeans and a dress shirt, wear slacks and a dress shirt to the interview. If the employees wear slacks on a daily basis wear a nice dress for women, and for men wear a nice suit. It's usually hard to overdress when going to an interview, make a good first impression.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a job interview dressed in a dress and heels to have the interviewer wear jeans and a T-shirt. Something that I've learned and really want to stress is that usually when you dress up you become more confident. You can never overdress, only underdress.

Cover it up

Things you'll want to cover up or leave at home include body piercings (besides the ear) and tattoos. Avoid showing too much skin. Don't wear too many pieces of flashy or dangly jewelry. Most companies strive their best to maintain a positive picture for society. I'm not saying they judge a book by its cover, but it's best to not wear anything too distracting. Make sure you have fresh breath, throw away your gum and don't bring drinks or food. Turn your cell phone off and tuck it away out of sight.

A couple years ago I was in the position of hiring spokespersons for videos. If someone didn't look professional I wouldn't even record their trial video and they would never get the position. Don't wear anything offensive to an interview or they may not even glance at your resume.

Clean and press

Pick out your clothes ahead of time to make sure they're looking good. Take them to the dry cleaner or wash them at least one day ahead of time. No one wants to see wrinkly clothes at an interview, especially if your resume says you pay attention to detail.

One of my biggest flaws with this one is shoes. I often have the perfect outfit picked out, then it snows a foot and I can't wear heels anymore. Sometimes boots won't match the outfit I picked out. It's always good to have a backup outfit for a rainy day.

Balance fashion with comfort

Wear something fashionable, professional, and comfortable. If you're not comfortable in what you're wearing, your interviewer will most likely notice. If you're physically comfortable, you'll feel more relaxed and give more realistic answers with ease.

Along those lines make sure you wear something that fits. It's never fun if you wear a too short skirt or other revealing clothing because then you feel the need to pull and push it up and down the entire time, rather than focusing on the questions being asked.

Bring your game face

Always bring a smile and a serious face. When your interviewer asks you a question make sure you maintain eye contact, that's especially important at the beginning and end of your answer to make you appear the most confident. If a question is asked of how you went about a certain trial in your career experience you'll want to have a more serious face than being so happy about that trial. Eye contact and facial expressions are key.

Before leaving the house look at your outfit in the mirror. Ask a roommate, family member or neighbor what they think your outfit says about you. Follow these steps and take your outfit to the professional max.

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1. You are selling YOU

Put your best foot forward, be honest, don't be too modest, but at the same time don't be too cocky. If you were hiring someone for the job you want, what would you be looking for?

2. Use action words

Committed, enhanced, gathered, fulfilled, obtained and published are great words to use to explain your work at previous jobs and your skills.

3. Avoid overused words and phrases

Your goal is to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Avoid words like team player, motivated, dynamic and assisted. A good way to find similar words that may be a better choice is to use a thesaurus, or do some research on what employers like to hear from your specific field.

4. Use key terms

Some employers only interview people whose resumes include certain terms such as, "Associate Degree" or "Bachelor Degree." Be sure to include the names of any specific programs you feel you are proficient in using.

5. Format correctly

Divide your resume into sections such as education, jobs, skills and anything else you find relative to your career. Out of those sections, put your strongest section first. Then, divide them chronologically for jobs and education (newest first). Alphabetize your skills. Keep your resume to only one page. Make sure you use your white space correctly and don't trap it in the middle of your page.

6. Create a cover page

Your cover should also include your name, all contact information, and a short introduction to who you are and what your major goal is for obtaining the new job. Your cover page and resume page should contain elements of repetition. Between the two, use a total of only two fonts.

7. If you can't design, use a template

Check out http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/ and search for resumes. Using a resume template will allow you to have a professional looking resume and focus on the writing, rather than the design.

8. Create a LinkedIn account, a professional website, and/or a video resume

Many employers will search for you on social media, having a LinkedIn account shows that you want to put more information out there for your employers to view. When it comes to Facebook, beware that if you post anything negative, use profanity or have embarrassing photos, your employers may be able to see it based on your specific privacy settings.

9. Read the entire job description before submitting your resume

After reading the description you'll be able to include jobs and skills directly related to the job you're applying for.

10. Double check everything and keep it current

Make sure you read everything multiple times to check for errors. Know what format you should submit your resume in. (Sometimes submitting a PDF is a good choice.) Before sending your resume off, have a friend read over your document for spelling errors. As soon as you get a new job, feel free to add it and your current position to your resume.

Remember to print your resume off the night before your interview to be sure it will look nice. To add another element you could even buy a project portfolio cover to place your resume and cover letter in. Good luck in the job search!

The post Rock your resume with these 10 tips appeared first on FamilyToday.

Research

Start by looking online at different species or types of pets you might like, read up on their temperaments as well as their life span. When you have children, they generally have a hard time coping with the death of a pet, so it may be better to choose one that will live a long time. Rottweilers and Pit Bulls have a lot more aggressive temperament than a Chinese Pug. Different aged children will get along better with different animals.

Search

After deciding what kind of a pet would best suit your situation, start the search.

• Pick up local newspapers to check the classified pet section; newspapers are one of the least likely places to find spam, because sellers often must pay to have their ad placed in the paper.

• Animal Shelters generally will give the pets shots that they need, microchip them, and spay or neuter them as needed before giving them to a new home. Realize that not all pets are in the shelter because their owners didn't love them, some are there because their owners were unable to take care of them.

• Take note of flyers around town or pet shops. Pet shops will generally be more expensive than a breeder from a local ad. EbayClassifieds is a relatively new option for pets; you can search surrounding areas and hopefully find a great deal.

Scams

Be careful while looking, because many people, especially online, try to trick you into giving them money and they will mail you a pet. If you find an ad with a picture that looks good, go to www.Google.com/img type in the name of the pet you'd like and make sure the image used isn't on the first couple pages of Google Images; if it is, it's most likely a scam.

Final Decision

When you think you've found the one, make sure your whole family is excited about the addition and that they realize the new friend is a responsibility to everyone in the home. If everyone takes turns helping take care of the pet it will have a great shot at being friendly to everyone. Be sure to check up on the pet's shots, water, and areas they are allowed to be to refrain from diseases. Regular vet check-ups are another great way of ensuring the best health and happiness for your pet.

A pet can teach children responsibility and nurturing skills and give them memories to last a lifetime. Nothing compares to the companionship of a loved and trusted family pet.

The post Share the love: Choosing a family friendly pet appeared first on FamilyToday.

Water proof matches

To waterproof them dip the head in melted paraffin wax. You can store them in old pill bottles; keep two containers in case you lose one.

Water filter system

Creek and lake water isn't safe to drink without filters; if you drink it without being filtered you can get diseases such as Giardia.

Water proof shelter

A tent is one of the most popular forms.

Sleeping bag

Try to get one rated for 20 degrees colder than the expect temperature.

25 feet of rope

There are many different uses for rope such as rescuing people and tying things down.

Insect spray

Many insects can cause you pain, itching, swelling or can carry diseases. It's best to apply multiple times a day.

Compass

Learn how to use it before your trip.

Whistle

Carry one around your neck whenever hiking in case you get stuck, hurt or lost.

Food and proper storage

Try to take a cooler with you if you can to hold perishable foods like eggs, milk, meat, etc. If you are hiking somewhere you'll need to pack lighter, but still figure out how to properly store your food.

Camp stove and utensils

Use these to prepare all your food that you don't plan to cook on the fire.

First Aid Kit

Band-Aids, headache medicine, sterile gauze, medical tape, elastic wrap, antiseptic cream, sunburn ointment - preferably with aloe in it, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, eye wash, snake bite kit, and any other medicines or items you may personally need (i.e. allergy medicine, inhaler).

Map of the area

Having a map will tell you directions and show you the land's layout. If you get a detailed one it can even tell you where hiking trails are located.

Extra clothing

Make sure to include hats, clothes, undergarments, socks, jeans, shoes, shirts, and jackets. Using layers will help you throughout the day through fluctuating temperatures.

Personal hygiene items

Even though you'll be outside, it's good to stay as clean and healthy as you can. You can even brush your teeth just with bottled water.

Hiking shoes

If you don't have hiking shoes use old shoes that are well broken in. You don't want to get halfway to your destination with tons of blisters and need to turn around.

Sturdy knife

Knifes have many uses such as gutting a fish, cutting rope, or even carving a new creation.

Pen and Paper

Bring those in a plastic bag in case they get wet. You never know if you'll need to write important messages.

Lightweight saw

A saw is less dangerous than someone swinging an axe. You can use it to cut branches for kindling.

Card or Dice Games

A great time to play a game is right after your hike or during a rainy afternoon.

Camera

The outdoors are beautiful, and you'll be able to capture your memories forever with a camera.

Flashlight and hanging lantern

Those will prove very helpful when the sun goes down. If you have a hanging lantern it will help you finish cooking dinner under the stars.

Hopefully you'll remember these tips to help your next camping trip be a successful one!

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Here are some tips on how to plan a stay-cation your family will love the next time vacation comes around!

Tip 1:

Think about what things your family loves to do when they spend time together. This may be harder for some families than others, especially considering how large or small their hometowns are. Keep in mind the ages of your kids, so that certain ones don't feel left out of the fun.

Tip 2:

Find out what activities are in the immediate range of your hometown. (If you can't find anything, then look a little broader.) A stay-cation doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be fun. There are many ways to have fun without spending money!

Tip 3:

Assign each family member a day to make breakfast-in-bed for the whole family. If you have younger children, you could let them still participate by buttering toast, pouring cereal, etc.

For lunch, go on a nearby hike or walk in a park to have a simple picnic. You could simply take peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and chips; it doesn't have to be fancy.

For dinner, if you want to try something new, look online for a recipe you haven't tried before, or something you know your kids or spouse love. Ask the whole family to participate by reading the recipe, getting out the utensils, setting the table, etc.

Tip 4:

In between meals, fill your day with many things! If you want to stay around the house, try getting out your old journals and yearbooks from high school to let your children know what school looked like in your years. You know all those boxes of photographs you kept through the years of your family growing up? Don't be afraid to pull those out. It will be tons of fun reminiscing on good times! That may be one of the best things to do first; it may spark some ideas for something you'd like to do again during your stay-cation.

Tip 5:

If you want to keep it on a tight budget, check the local dollar theaters to see what movies are playing. You could even buy a tie-dye kit and some plain white T-shirts, shoes, hats, or capes from a craft or thrift store to have a fun crafty experience. Try camping in the backyard, and cooking hot dogs and s'mores on the grill.

Are there any aquariums, museums, or water parks nearby? Check online to see if there are any great deals going on!

Overall, this experience is going to be what you make it. Take as many pictures as possible, and give everyone a turn. If you have a video camera, try interviewing each family member asking what their thoughts were of the things you did, what they loved, or didn't love. You could even let them pretend to be anchors, no matter what you end up doing; it all comes down to who you're doing it with. Most important of all, when doing something your children want to do, don't bash it, or act uninterested because it will hurt their feelings, and they wouldn't be anywhere as willing to do the rest of the activities planned.

The post How to plan a stay-cation your family will LOVE! appeared first on FamilyToday.

• After your teen has a job locked in, tell them to once more tell the employer, "Thank you for this opportunity."�

• Remind them not to be afraid to dress above the dress code for work: it will only make you look more professional. If you're working in an office and they tell you it's super casual, don't be afraid to wear button up shirts, nice blouses, dresses or slacks. That is one way to always ensure you look the part. Always avoid ripped jeans or other ripped clothing.

• If your child can drive to work, encourage them to do so as often as possible. This will give them the ability to go buy their own lunch or snacks throughout the day if it's not provided. Or if there is some kind of work emergency, it gives them the perfect way to evacuate or fix the situation.

• It's also good to encourage your teen to pay for their own gas and lunch. Hopefully that won't take all of their paycheck, but it will teach them a new respect for how much things actually cost. Talk to them ahead of time about a plan or compromise if they go over their budget for the month. Fair consequences might include a temporary car suspension, taking a sack lunch for a week, or taking on extra chores to earn back the money they overspent.

• Ask your teen to think of school as a full-time job. During their school weeks they shouldn't be working forty-hour weeks. They need to decide for themselves how much they can handle depending on homework, projects, social life, and whatever is left over is for work. Make sure they include time off to spend with the family. Not working certain days of the week, or coming home early some days for family time could strengthen your family.

• Teach your teen to work with a purpose or goal. This could include saving up for college, being more independent, or building up their resume. When they know why they are working, they will try much harder to succeed.

• Just because your teen has a job doesn't mean they can or should be paying for everything. Start off slowly. If they want to upgrade to the newest smartphone, they should make that a goal that they can pay for when they have the means.

Overall many decisions need to be made as a family; hopefully those tips will help your teen stay above the crowd in professionalism.

The post How to let your teen be professional at their first job appeared first on FamilyToday.

Before your teen goes on their first date, be sure they have a good knowledge of what to expect and what their standards should be. Here's a list of what your teen should know ahead of time:

Guys

• Always open the door for all girls, all the time

• Be respectful, don't use words that would repel others and the spirit

• Expect to meet your date's parents the first night you pick her up, ask them when she should be home, let the parents know exactly what you'll be doing

Girls

• Don't seem too pushy

• Never say no to the first date (unless you have a really good reason); it takes guys a lot of guts to ask a girl out on a formal date, it's okay to say no to a second date if you didn't feel good on the first

• After a few dates, ask to meet the guy's parents

To get the date:

Guys

• When you find someone you want to ask out, try not to be shy, your date will love it if you seem confident and polite

• If they aren't available for the night you've asked them out, ask if you can call her next week to see if you can plan a date

• Before steady dating someone, it's usually good to become friends first—it will build you a strong foundation and sense of respect towards each other

• Always try to find a group or double date, it will make the date a lot more fun while you're getting to know each other, if you can't find a double date for that night, ask your date to dinner with your family, or ask if her family would like to go out

Girls

• Especially while in high school try not to date the same person the whole time; go on dates to date, have fun, and make new friends

• To meet guys, try joining a club you're interested in or go to a youth group through your church—then you will meet guys with a common interest and/or common standards

• YOU can ask a guy on a date

• Never just "settle"� for someone. If your date isn't treating you right, let them know nicely that that's not how they should act, and that you don't want a second date

• Be polite, and respectful and let your date open your doors

To all parties

When you date remember to always uphold your standards as well as respect your date's standards. Your standards might not always be the same. If your date seems to be pushing yours, remind them what your standards are and ask them to respect you. Talk to your parents and friends about your dates, nothing should happen on your date that you can't tell them. If something does happen that shouldn't, tell your parents! If you feel that you can't, talk to your school counselor, or friend.

Parents,

help keep your teen safe on dates by knowing where they'll be and what they're going to be doing. Make sure they're on a group date, or that they'll have adult supervision. Let them know that you trust them, but don't know their dates and you want them to uphold all of their standards. Tell them that no matter where they are, they can call you to come pick them up if they get uncomfortable. It's important to let them know you love them and will always be there for them.

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