Here are some ideas of things kids should experience before they start school for the first time, making those next 13 years just a bit easier.

Adventure

This could mean anything from traveling to a different country to traveling to the backyard, but having your kids go on "adventures" can help them to be ready for the adventure of starting school.

Going on an adventure means preparation, anticipation and courage. These are all things that can help your children when they are getting ready to start school.

Adversity

This is something important for children to face before starting school because we all know that school isn't always a stroll in the park.

Having your kids face some form of adversity or even just teaching them the concept can help them a lot for the times they face adversity in school.

Kindness

A character in "Wonder" explained it's important to be "Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed."

Nothing can be more important to teach your child than the simple act of being kind. At the same time, we know there are times when being kind isn't simple or easy, especially in an environment our children may not be familiar with, such as school.

Teaching them how to be kind to others and how to be an example of kindness before they start school will be an invaluable gift they can take with them on that first day.

Friendship

This is an obvious lesson and one they hopefully learn before they start school, but if not, it is a very important one to learn.

Teaching your kids how to make friends as well as how to be a good friend is a great lesson to learn not only for school but for life as well.

In "Wonder," R.J. Palacio wrote,"It's not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend."

Fun

You are probably thinking to yourself, "Why would I need to teach my kids to have fun before they start school?"

This is probably because your kids already know how to have fun, but there is an aspect of fun that is a good idea to share with your kids before they start school and that is how to have fun learning or doing things they wouldn't necessarily deem fun.

Teach them to have fun during quiet time, when they are doing an assignment or when it's time to sit and listen.

Knowledge

If you think about it, we are learning things from the time we are born. Each lesson is an important milestone to help us in our life progress.

Teaching kids that knowledge is something valuable that we can take with us throughout our entire lives is a great lesson to teach before kids start school. It can help them understand why they are there in the first place and not to take the things they learn for granted.

Courage

Palacio also said, "Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness."

Sometimes it takes courage to go to school, whether that be because of a teacher we don't like, a bad grade or even bullying.

Teaching your kids to have courage to push through the hard things they may face in school will help them to know they can get through whatever school, or life, throws at them.

Music

Help your kids get excited for the musical instruments they will potentially learn; instruments and music that will help them with so many good skills. Some of those include increased motor, spatial and reasoning.

Activity

Being active helps kids to be happy and healthy, especially when they will be sitting most of the day.

Help your kids to love running around and other fun active activities.

Independence

Helping your kids to not depend on you for everything will be a great skill to learn before starting school, especially because a teacher won't be able to help them with everything.

Teach them to figure things out by themselves first, and then ask for help.

Conversation

Have you heard that "nobody likes small talk?" Well, the problem is that small talk is actually pretty important.

Talk to your kids about a variety of topics throughout the day and at dinner with the rest of the family, and this will help them to learn how to have fun and lovely conversations.

Time

Most schools have some type of schedule, so you can help your kids become accustomed to that by teaching them about time.

Show them how to use a clock, the hours of the day, and what past and future are.

Wonder

The two definitions of wonder are "desire or curiosity to know something," and "admiration and amazement."

Teaching your kids to wonder will open their world to so many opportunities and possibilities, a great way to start off an education.

Auggie, a young boy born with facial differences, is determined to fit in at a new school as just another ordinary kid and with hopes that everyone can understand beauty isn't skin deep. "Wonder" is the new film from Director Stephen Chbosky and stars Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. See it in theaters November 17.

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Nothing helps you understand your mother better than becoming a mother yourself, and also nothing helps you to be more grateful for her.

Now that you understand the strength, time and energy that is required to raise a child, it makes you so thankful for the woman who raised you.

There are so many things you probably want to thank this wonderful woman for, but here are eight things you specifically want to thank your mom for now that you're a parent.
This list is inspired by the character, Isabel Pullman, a strong and inspiring mother from the bestselling novel and played by Julia Roberts in the upcoming film, Wonder.

1. For her smile

"My mom smiled at me. Her smile kind of hugged me." -Wonder

It seemed that no matter how hard a day you were having or what trouble you had got yourself into when you saw your mom smile, it seemed all your troubles melted away.

Even if it was only for a second, you were and will always be grateful for her smiling face.

2. For letting you be you

"Isabel Pullman: You are not ugly, and anyone who cares to know you will see that.
Auggie Pullman: You just have to say that because you're my mom!
Isabel Pullman: Because I'm your mom it counts the most because I know you the most. Believe me." -Wonder

One of the best parts about being a parent is getting to see your child's unique and individual personality. His or her personality makes you laugh, roll your eyes or even sigh in exasperation, but you wouldn't change a thing.

You know you feel this way because your mom never wanted to change who you were either, and she let you blossom to the person you are today.

3. For her strength

"Mom says by then they had told her all about me. She had been preparing herself for the seeing of me. But she says that when she looked down into my tiny mushed-up face for the first time, all she could see was how pretty my eyes were." -Wonder

Being a mom is not a walk in the park. It comes with many difficulties, from lack of sleep to never having a moment to yourself.

Sometimes, it comes with even more difficulties, especially as your kids themselves face their difficulties and trials. Something you will always be grateful for is your mother's strength through those trials, and how you could always rely on her to be your rock in turbulent times.

4. For her wisdom

"We can't keep protecting him," mom whispered to dad, who was driving. "We can't just pretend he's going to wake up tomorrow and this isn't going to be his reality, because it is, Nate, and we have to help him learn to deal with it." -Wonder

Even dad would admit that mom always knew best, and it was true.

When you needed some sage advice or to know what to do in a situation, you knew you could always turn to your mom.

5. For her warmth

"One of the things I miss most about Via's friendship is her family. I loved her mom and dad. They were always so welcoming and nice to me. I knew they loved their kids more than anything. I always felt safe around them: safer than anywhere else in the world." -Wonder

You lived in the house where it seemed everyone wanted to be at, and you know a large part of that had to do with your mom.

She was always so warm and friendly to everyone she met, and that made everyone want to be around her.

6. For letting you go

"I took Baboo back to my room, and I laid him in my bed and taped the little note to mom on his chest. And then I covered him with my blanket so mom would find him later. The note read: Dear Mom, I won't need Baboo, but if you miss me, you can cuddle with him yourself. XO Auggie." -Wonder

You love your kids to death. Seeing them go can sometimes be hard, and you just want to have them with you forever.

But you also know how important it is to let kids be independent, and that usually means letting them go.

Now that you've felt these feelings yourself, you are even more grateful to your mom for being able to let you go and experience life.

7. For the laughter

"I like it when mom tells this story because it makes me laugh so much. It's not funny in the way a joke is funny, but when mom tells it, Via and I just start cracking up." -Wonder

Moms can be one of the funniest people on earth, and you will always be grateful for the way she made you laugh, whether it was unintentional or on purpose.

8. For her love

"You don't need your eyes to love, right? You just feel it inside you. That's how it is in heaven. It's just love, and no one forgets who they love." -Wonder

Most of all, you are grateful for your mother's love. You know that if it wasn't for her love, you probably wouldn't have the love you now have for your kids.

You know that love has made you the parent you are today.

No one can replace a mom, and you will be forever grateful for her.

In the novel and upcoming film, "Wonder," August Pullman has a mother who only wants the best for her son, especially with all the adversity he has to face. "Wonder" tells the inspiring story of a young boy with facial differences, who is determined to find his place at his new school and make his peers realize that he's just an ordinary kid. Don't miss the new film from Director Stephen Chbosky and starring Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson - in theaters November 17.

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Not only did she teach you that the brown M&M's are the best (because brown means extra chocolate), but she taught and experienced so much more with you.

Here are nine things you should thank your childhood best friend for, but, let's face it, with a friendship like yours, this list could be as long as your friendship.

1. For being your friend in the first place

Little did she know how scared and alone you felt on that first day of school, and that her coming up to you and saying "hi" was an answer to your prayers. Also, it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

You will be forever grateful for the meet-cute with your best friend, and it's probably a good idea to let her know.

2. Going along with your crazy shenanigans

Kids tend to get in trouble, and lucky for you every time you had a "great" idea that invariably ended badly, your best friend was right there beside you.

Not every decision was a good decision, but at least you didn't have to face it alone.

3. The endless fun and laughter

When you were with your BFF, one thing was for sure: Not a single moment was a dull one.

You probably have too many inside jokes to even count, and there were many times you both spent laughing way into the wee hours.

No one could make you laugh like she could.

4. For always saying sorry/forgiving you quickly

If there's anyone who knows you aren't perfect, it's your best friend, and you love that she loves you despite these imperfections.

Looking back, you are probably so grateful for the many times she was able to forgive you quickly for your childhood foibles, as well as be quick to apologize for hers.

5. Standing up to each other's haters

Not everyone understood you the way that she did and vice versa, and sometimes people were really mean about it.

Lucky for you your best pal was always around to come to your defense, and you also made sure to always have her back.

It was always nice to have someone in your corner, and you have her to thank for that.

6. Becoming a part of her family and her becoming a part of yours

If you weren't at her house, she was at your house. This meant that her family pretty much became your family and same with yours for her.

You loved that you could walk into her house without even knocking, and when you walked in it felt exactly like home.

7. Letting you make mistakes but also telling you like it is

The one thing you could count on your best friend for was her honesty, and there were many times you needed it - it averted more than a few possible disasters.

At the same time, when you were determined to make a mistake, she stood by you even though she knew it would end badly.

8. Keeping your deepest, darkest secrets

She's seen it all - the good, the bad and the very bad - but lucky for you, there is no one you trust more with all your secrets than your best friend.

Growing up you felt so lucky to be able to always have someone to confide in, and even now looking back, you are still grateful for that.

9. The unconditional love

The reason you think so fondly of your childhood best friend is she was probably the first person to teach you the true meaning of true friendship, and that is really unconditional love.

You will forever be grateful for your childhood best friend, and let's hope on the happy occasion you get to see her again, this list will provide some reasons to profusely thank her.

Sometimes all it takes is a friend to change your life for the better, as is shown in the upcoming movie adaptation of the novel "Wonder" where 10-year-old Auggie is learning to navigate friendships in a new school where people have a hard time accepting him due to his facial deformity. "Wonder" is the new drama by Stephen Chbosky, starring Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, out in theaters Nov. 17.

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If you are thinking to yourself, "Me?! I am the love of my life?" then you would be correct.

Even though you may be a little confused, loving yourself is one of the most important things you could do for many reasons. For many of us, however, this can seem like a daunting task, especially because we have an up-close view of all our flaws and faults.

But there is a way to learn to overcome that self-loathing for all those personal imperfections, and in turn and with time come to love yourself for who you are.

1. Accept the things you can't change

Honestly, most bad habits or qualities that you have a problem with in yourself can be adjusted or changed with time. However, there are things about ourselves that no matter how hard we try, are always going to be there and are what makes us, us.

Trying to change these permanent aspects of yourself will not only lead to frustration and exasperation, but also to self-loathing. Learning to accept those things will help to get closer to truly loving yourself.

This life lesson can also be applied to every other aspect of your life, and soon those qualities of yourself you had a problem with will fade away.

2. Be grateful

Having a grateful heart can be a cure for many things, but especially for self-loathing.

If we can walk, talk, eat and sleep, we already have so much to be grateful for. Take time each day to remind yourself of the things you are grateful to have, and make sure to include things about yourself you are grateful for.

If you find this difficult, start a gratitude journal. Sometimes writing it down can help you to think of more things, and help you to remember them as well.

3. Make yourself a priority

Sometimes the culprit of not feeling self-love is simply not dedicating enough time to yourself. If you were in a relationship and never spent any time with that person or never made him or her a priority, do you think that relationship would last? Probably not.

This means if you want a healthy and loving relationship with yourself you need to dedicate time and energy to yourself. Spend some time alone, take a nap, pamper yourself, get enough food and enough hours of sleep. These self-care practices will lead to a sound mind and a sound heart.

4. Be real

Pretending to be someone you aren't takes a lot of energy and can block the ability to love who you truly are. Being the real you can open yourself up to genuine love and connection with others as well as yourself. Try to be authentic in all you do and don't change yourself to please others.

Being real can seem difficult at first, but the more you do it the more you will come to appreciate others who do the same thing, and your life will become more authentic. This realness can help you to love and appreciate yourself.

5. Have fun

Having fun is a great way to learn to love ourselves. After all, who doesn't love a person having fun?

Sometimes, we really can take ourselves too seriously, and allowing ourselves to have a little fun can help us to get out of our heads and take a load off.

Do something you enjoy and do it with people you enjoy. Over time, you may even find that the person you most enjoy doing your favorite fun activities with is you.

6. Treat yourself

You obviously don't want to go overboard with this, but at the same time, treating yourself is a great way to feel the love.

If you know you've accomplished something or know you need a little pick-me-up, treat yourself to something you love or enjoy. Once again, it goes back to the question of if someone you love needed to be rewarded, wouldn't you want to reward them?

7. Believe in yourself

If you believe, anything is possible.That goes for believing yourself, and all the things you can accomplish.

But it also includes loving yourself. So if you believe you love yourself, eventually you will!

8. Give back

Focusing on yourself is necessary and important, but as necessary and important as it is, giving to others is essential too. When you give back to those you love, the community, and anyone else who is in need of your love and help, it gives you happiness and satisfaction.

This happiness and satisfaction will lead to appreciating all that you have to offer the world, and have love for it. Coming to love yourself for who you are is a journey worth taking, and one that is not as difficult as it seems.

Although you may not like yourself right now, following these steps can take that dislike to love.

Loving yourself and loving others is one of the most important things you can do, and ZipHub is here to help. ZipHub is a search engine that helps you to give back to your favorite charities or group with every purchase, making your daily purchases mean so much more. Sign up today to start giving back!

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You appreciate it when he accomplishes the honey-do's, gives you a much-needed break from the kids and takes you out on a Friday night.

But sometimes that special man in your life needs to be shown a little extra appreciation, especially from the woman he loves the most. How can you give him that little extra lovin'?

Most people have heard about the five love languages - physical affection, quality time, acts of service, gift giving and words of affirmation - but these are also great outlines for giving some love back to your husband and to help him understand your appreciation for him.

1. Time to get physical

When we start to get into long-term relationships we can sometimes forget the importance of physical affection, and not the kind that usually happens in the bedroom, but those little things new couples like to do.

When he doesn't expect it, grab his hand and don't let go. The Beatles sang "I want to hold your hand" for a reason, because for most people, just the simple act of having their significant other hold their hand can make them feel extremely loved.

Some other good ways to show physical affection are to give him a back rub, a foot massage or take the time to give him a hug and a big kiss when he leaves for work and comes home at night.

These simple acts of affection can really add up to giving him the love he needs.

2. Giving him your time

The most important factor when it comes to giving time is "quality." Most couples technically spend lots of time together, but usually, the focus of the time is on everything and everybody else.

Giving your husband your undivided attention for an hour or even a whole evening will really make him feel special and loved. He knows that you are busy and have loads of other things to do, so taking that time for him, and only him, will flatter him hardcore.

3. Service-oriented love

There are many ways to perform acts of service for you husband, ranging from simple to grandiose.

Write a note, grab him his favorite lunch and drop it by his work, do all his laundry, let him relax and watch his favorite show while you put the kids to bed.

You can even get a little grander with your acts of service schemes if you wanted to and felt it would make a difference to him.

Volunteer at his favorite rec center or donate to his favorite charity. Websites such as ZipHub can help you to carry out this act of serviceable love with just one click.

4. Give a little, or big gift

It is said you can't buy love, but let's face it, there are times where it can definitely help. Has your husband had his eye on a special book, game or TV? Maybe now is the time to surprise him with one of these special gifts.

5. The power of words

You can never go wrong with simply telling your husband out loud that you love him. You can also tell him how much you appreciate him, respect him, admire him, etc.

The sky is the limit with the ways you can build up your husband and make him feel admired and cared for. Giving love to your husband will not only make your special man feel even more special, but it will also help you to have a long and happy relationship.

When you love your husband giving him love in return will be the easiest thing you could ever do.

With a motto like "love one another," ZipHub is a company that will make sure those that you care about, and the organizations they care about, feel that love. ZipHub is a search engine that gives money back to charities, churches, schools and to you. So, if you want to feel loved and give love in return, sign up for ZipHub today.

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At the same time, it can feel a little daunting when we are already working hard and staying very busy with little or no time to work anything extra.

So what can you do?

There are some very simple things you can do to save a substantial amount of money this month to help pad your pocket and pay those pesky monthly expenses.

1. Start spend-free Friday

Any day of the week you choose to go spend-free will work, but the most important part is to pick a day once a week where you spend absolutely no money.

Most Americans spend an average of $20 eating out at lunch, adding up to $1,040 each year, and that's just one meal.

Make breakfast at home, pack your lunch and brush up on your cooking skills. It's a simple but efficient way to save a dollar or two.

2. Turn off the lights and the heat

Sometimes people forget that keeping the lights, heat or air conditioning on can quickly add up to a higher energy bill. Making sure to turn off lights in unused rooms or keeping the heater or air conditioning on timers will make sure your energy bill stays low and your bank account balance stays high.

3. Go cable free

We are lucky to be living in a time where there are now so many inexpensive ways to watch our favorite shows and sports instead of having to rely on cable TV.

Some streaming packages are as little as $8 a month with the option of different add-ons for the movie buffs or sports lovers. Even if you signed up for a couple different ones, the overall cost is still a lot cheaper than most cable packages.

Cut the cord and you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

4. Make generic brands your go-to

As simple as it sounds it really can make a difference in your overall grocery bill to switch to generic brands.

Afraid you will lose out on quality? Surprisingly, most generic brands taste or are pretty much the same as their name-brand counterparts, but they will save you anywhere from 20 cents to $1. Each of those little savings will add up to big savings and you will find yourself keeping your food budget and even having a little extra to put toward the things you really need.

5. Make sure to pay yourself

Paying yourself may sound a little funny, but essentially, it's a great way to give back to yourself and your savings account each month.

Set up an automatic transfer from your savings to your checking, or you can do it as often as every time you receive your paycheck.

This is a surefire way to make sure you are actually putting money into that important savings account, and after some time, you will be pleasantly surprised to see how much you have actually saved without having to even think about it.

6. Use the credit card

It may sound like counterintuitive advice, but using your credit card properly, especially if it's a cash back card, can really save you money.

Cash back cards can really make spending money a little more worth your while simultaneously giving back a little of what you spend. Obviously, you still have to make sure you still spend wisely and within your means, and that you have a good credit card company.

7. Get money from things you already buy

There are many people and companies that want to help you and your family spend and save money wisely, and one of those is ZipHub. By using their search engine to power your purchases you can earn money on your every day purchases.

ZipHub is not only a place for your business to buy what it needs, but it's also a place to give a little back with every dollar you spend. If you want to have an enjoyable shopping experience while simultaneously giving back to your favorite charities or group of your choice, ZipHub is the place for you.

Although earning and saving extra money each month can seem like a daunting task, these simple tasks can really help you to save a lot of money in the end.

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We live in a society where it seems everyone exudes confidence and self-assurance, and that can leave those of us with insecurities feeling even more insecure.

You see friends and colleagues jetting off on wild adventures or taking the next big steps in their lives, and it probably makes you wonder, "How can I be confident enough in myself to do these things too?"

The answer is actually staring you in the face, or rather what those people on social media are doing is actually the answer, and it will help you to escape your insecurities once and for all.

So the answer to your introspective question is really quite simple: travel.

According to Danny Kane, "To travel is to take a journey into yourself."

Traveling can actually be the cure to getting out of your head and finding that independence you've been looking for. Whether it's a solo trip, one with your best friends or one with your family, traveling will expose you to adventures and trials that will bring out the inner warrior in you.

Traveling gets you out of your comfort zone

Traveling is a great way to literally remove yourself from everything that makes you comfortable, which, in reality, is keeping you in a rut.

You can be exposed to new cultures, languages and ways of living that could really help you to get out of your shell and be more comfortable with who you really are.

Traveling helps you to find the spice of life

This can be both literal and figurative because most likely traveling will involve eating lots of delicious food but also be a way to spice up your normal routine.

Go to an all-you-can-eat buffet and eat like no one is watching. Take dance lessons and go to a club and dance with a stranger. Wear bright colors to stand out and not blend in with your surroundings.

Spicing things up while traveling will only give you more courage to spice things up at home.

Traveling takes you to new heights

Have you ever climbed a mountain and stood at the top and realized how small and insignificant your everyday worries really seem? No? Well, now's your chance.

Traveling can help you to get to new heights both personally and physically by helping you soar when you were afraid to spread your wings.

Take a zip line through a beautiful rainforest, hike a windy trail and climb to the top of a cliff. In the end, it will help you to be proud of the things you accomplished.

Traveling helps you to take charge

Are you usually a backseat, let-everyone-else-make-the-decisions kind of person? Well, traveling gives you the chance to take the reins and be the one at the wheel of your life.

You can be the one to decide where to go, what to do and who you want to do it with. You can be the leader holding the map and guiding the group. Traveling gives you the chance to be the trailblazer you always knew you could be but let your insecurities get in the way of.

"The life you have led doesn't need to be the only life you have," said Anna Quindlen, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1992.

Traveling can be your chance to leave all your insecurities behind once and for all. You will find that not only is traveling a way to escape but it's also a way to escape from the things or people who are holding you back.

Make traveling the chance to get out of yourself, but at the same time, the chance to come home to the truest, most confident version of yourself.

A great place to start is Xplor Park in Mexico.

Xplor Park is an all-inclusive location where you can swim through caves, zip line for miles over the forest and through waterfalls, jeep through the Mexican forest, enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet and so much more. Xplor Park is a great place to leave your insecurities behind and start your next adventure.

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Well, according to a study done by the U.S. Travel Association and Expedia.com, the answer is relatively simple: take a trip.

According to the survey, most people said traveling not only had a positive effect on their overall happiness and well-being, but it also had a positive effect on their sex lives.

The gift that keeps on giving

Nearly two-thirds of couples surveyed say a weekend getaway is more likely to spark romance in their relationship than a gift. Of the 1,100 U.S. adults surveyed, 72 percent think traveling inspires romance.

So instead of another piece of jewelry or golf club, maybe whisk your partner on a romantic getaway, even if it's just for the weekend.

The results speak for themselves

Some may be thinking, "well, that sounds nice for those days or weeks that you're away, but what happens when we come home? Does it just go back to how it was before?"

According to the survey, this isn't the case at all.

More than three-quarters (77 percent) of those who travel as a couple say they have a good sex life compared with 63 percent of couples who don't travel together. And 28 percent of the couples say their sex life actually improved after traveling together. Of those couples, 40 percent say the improvement was permanent.

"When you're away all of a sudden the emails don't happen, neighbors don't knock on the door and the dog doesn't have to be walked, and you get to spend more time together," said Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association.

The couple who travels together stays together

According to the survey, of those couples who travel together, 84 percent made it past the five-year mark in their relationship. Of those who don't, 76 percent had made it past five years.

One of the senior research analysts also shared that couples that travel with just each other and not with other couples, friends or family are more likely to feel more connected after a trip and communicate better. She said that traveling allows the couple to reconnect and share new experiences, and that only benefits the relationship.

The time to keep the spark alive

For many couples, time, or rather lack of it, seems to be the culprit behind the waning of the "spark."

It seems from the survey, however, that traveling is a great antidote for that as well.

A majority (59 percent) of couples say that being more intimate is an important reason to vacation together. Among couples that did not take a trip together in the past year, nearly 1 in 4 (23 percent) say they "do not have enough time for intimacy and sex."

The results are in, and you can't argue with the fact that traveling is a great way to improve your sex life.

If you want to take your love to a place that you will both enjoy, Xplor Park is a great place to start. Located in beautiful Mexico, Xplor will bring out both the romance and adventure in your relationship.

Xplor Park is an all-inclusive place where you can swim through caves, zip line for miles over the forest and through waterfalls, jeep through the Mexican forest, enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet and so much more.

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"Beauty is only skin deep."

"Pretty is as pretty does."

We've all probably heard these sayings and many more about beauty and what it means to be beautiful. Some say true beauty lies in who you are and not what you look like. Others say it has to do with physical ratios of the face and whether features are symmetrical, and so on and so forth.

Many of us have probably often wondered secretly, or not so secretly, if we are actually beautiful, not just my-mom-says-it-so-it-must-be-true beautiful, but, like, drop dead gorgeous. And the truth is, there is actually a way to tell, and here are a few of the ways to tell how.

1. You have a body

You are probably thinking, "Wait, what?! Of course I have a body, as well as everyone else, but why would that make me beautiful?!" And honestly, as weirdly simple as it sounds, it's what makes you beautiful.

Your body, no matter its shape and size, height, weight, birth marks, scars, etc. is beautiful. It helps you to stay alive, probably stay relatively healthy and helps you to live your life. Your body makes you the recognizable you, and that is beautiful.

Not one person's body is exactly the same, and that is what makes bodies so amazing. Even within your family, you have your unique set of physical characteristics that sets you apart from the average Jane or Joe.

2. You have a mind

Again, you might be rolling your eyes, but this is also a way to measure your beauty. Your wit, humor, the way you say things, understand things and learn things; this is beautiful. Without your mind, you would be just a body, and although that is also beautiful, it's even more beautiful with your mind in it.

Isn't it amazing that our minds can help us figure out the most complex equations or how to simply communicate a greeting?

Even the Scarecrow wasn't satisfied with a life without a brain. Your mind is another way to know you are beautiful.

3. You have a soul

This can mean different things to different people, but however you interpret it, a soul is what gives you the essence of you, a combination of your mind, body and heart.

A soul is a very beautiful thing; it is what usually draws us to another person and makes us want to connect with them. A soul is the reason we feel what we do and seek out what we do. Your soul is probably one of the most beautiful things about you, no matter how you may look on the outside.

So yes, maybe this isn't as specific as you would like it to be in regards to finding physical beauty, but in reality it is also the very definition of physical beauty. These three things, along with many others, are a great start to gauging how beautiful you are and will always be. In the end, it is probably how you really want to measure your beauty because the rest is purely opinion.

There are people (and animals) who see this beauty in you every day. In ABC's "Downward Dog" Nan grapples with these same questions of physical beauty. But when she starts to see herself from the perspective of her dog, her life begins to change.

Catch up on ABC's "Downward Dog" and get a new perspective on what your dog is really trying to say to you. Don't miss Nan and her dog Martin in the special one hour finale tonight at 10/9c and be sure to catch up on episodes now at ABC.com and ABC On Demand.

The post How to know if you’re physically beautiful appeared first on FamilyToday.

Even if you have a child or you feel prepared to be a mother, there may be some things you wished you'd known before that adorable, squirming bundle of joy is placed in your arms.

Here are a few of the things most moms wish they knew before getting pregnant, and if you are on your way to becoming a mother, you will want to know as well.

1. Your experience with pregnancy will be totally different from anyone else's

Sure, there are many basic things that will be similar to all women throughout history who have been pregnant, but since you are a unique individual, your birth, child and child-rearing experience will be different.

Knowing your experience will be different is good to keep in mind when many people offer their unsolicited advice and will help you know that although it's good to listen to advice, it's OK to not apply everything they tell you to do.

Also, don't be frightened when something in your pregnancy is different from your mother's or your best friend's, it just means that your pregnancy is its own thing and that's perfectly alright.

2. No matter how good or bad of sleeper you were before pregnancy, you will be constantly tired

You will never be more tired than when you're pregnant (with the exception of the sleep deprivation that also accompanies your newborn baby).

Get a new mattress, get a lot of fluffy pillows, sleep on a recliner - do everything you need to feel as well rested as possible (because it's only going to get worse).

3. If you choose to breastfeed, it will most likely be really, really hard

This is something many new moms aren't sufficiently warned about, but they should definitely understand more. Many moms assume that breastfeeding is natural and that their body and baby will automatically know how, but that isn't always the case. It can be extremely hard, painful and a continual adjustment for your baby and you.

Even if it's challenging, don't be afraid to breastfeed. Use your resources such as asking a lactation specialist for help. (And if it feels like you would rather just formula feed, that is OK too.)

4. In the midst of being pregnant, don't forget you are a person first and foremost

It is very easy to get caught up constantly thinking about your pregnancy and future baby - especially if you are a first-time mom - but it's really important to take care of yourself and your needs. Doing this will only make you a better wife, mother, friend, employee, etc.

Like they tell you on airplanes, you have to put your oxygen mask on before you try to put it on someone else because a passed out person is useless to everyone. Likewise, you will most likely be a useless mommy if you don't take care of your needs.

5. Babymoons should be a mandatory plan that will save you and your husband's relationship

A babymoon can happen either before the baby comes or pretty soon after, but it should be a fixed plan for the sake of your marriage.

Babies change everything, including how you relate to your spouse, especially because your quality time alone together will go from all the time to pretty rare once the baby comes.

Take a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico (so you don't have to be stressed figuring out how to eat or rent snorkels in a foreign country), go to a cabin in the woods or visit a city you've never been to. Whatever it is, do it together and make sure it's about relaxation and spending time with each other alone.

6. Trust yourself and your instincts

You will carry that baby for nine months, and that means there is a very special bond you and your child will or already have.

This means that many times you will know better than anyone else (with maybe the exception if your spouse) what you or the baby you're carrying needs.

Listen to those instincts carefully and always follow them when it comes to your child.

7. Enjoy every second of your pregnancy because it will go by quicker than you think

The crazy thing about babies is that they grow, and they grow faster than you thought possible.

Take advantage of every stage of your pregnancy and document it well. Be that annoying person who posts her growing belly every week. There will be a time where you will never be pregnant again and you will miss feeling that little baby inside of you.

Trust me; you will want to have those memories forever.

Who knows if you can ever truly prepare for pregnancy and the strange and wonderful things that accompany it, but this will at least help you to know what you have to look forward to.

Before you embark on the adventure of becoming a parent, embark on the wonderful adventure that is Xel-Há where you can snorkel through hundreds of fish in the most spectacular inlet of Cancun, take a zipline bike through the Mexican jungle and swim with dolphins, sting-rays or manatees.

Whatever adventure you choose, Xcaret will help you to have a wonderful time. Visit http://www.xelha.com/(Before you embark on the adventure of becoming a parent, embark on the wonderful adventure that is Xel-Há where you can snorkel through hundreds of fish in the most spectacular inlet of Cancun, take a zipline bike through the Mexican forest and swim with dolphins, sting-rays or manatees.
Whatever adventure you choose, Xcaret will help you to have a wonderful time. Visit their website.

The post 7 things moms wish they knew before they got pregnant appeared first on FamilyToday.