urban parenting magazine april 2014
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New Look. New feel! Don't miss out on this issue's parenting, fashion and lifestyle tips!TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 2014
IN A READY-MADE WORLD
LIVINGRICH
beachseasonA Swimsuit Guide for
ALL Women
MOTHER'S OF THE
REVOLUTIONThe Power of Forgiveness
SHOULD YOU LET
BECOME A
TEENYOUR
FASHION MODEL?
HarmonyLiving inBLENDED FAMILIES
THE PERFECT
VACATION
HarmonyLiving in
URBANC O N T E N T S
ParentingAPRIL 2014
22
05
08
14
16
18
24
12
10
06
A swimsuit guide
For all women
BEACH SEASON
Celebrate your child's
Uniqueness
Should you let your teen
Become a fasion model?
BLENDED FAMILIES
Living in harmony
MOTHERS OF THE
REVOLUTION
The power of forgiveness
Living rich in a
readymade world
MEMORIES NOT MADE
Spending more time with
your children
The perfect vacation
Pregnancy body care tips
Can you stay at home?
03www.urbanparentingmagazine.com U R B A N PA R E N T I N G
Urban Parenting Magazine
PUBLISHER
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
How to Contact Us
Published 11 times a year by Urban
Parenting Magazine LLC., in West Palm
Beach, FL. Editorial submissions and
reader correspondence are welcome. We
reserve the right to edit, reject or
comment on any material submitted. We
are not responsible for the return of
unsolicited material. Urban Parenting
Magazine is available online and at
numerous locations within diverse
communities free of charge. Publication
and distribution of the magazine does
not constitute an endorsement of
information, products or services. The
publisher reserves the right to reject any
advertisement or listing which is not in
keeping with the magazine's standards.
Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Any
reproduction in whole or in part is
prohibited without written permission.
Wilson Manigat
Debbie Manigat
Founded by Wilson and Debbie
Manigat in 2013
www.UrbanParentingMagazine.com
Office: (954) 560-8326
Correspondence:
Urban Parenting Magazine
P.O. Box 222911
West Palm Beach FL 33422
04 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
“Change will not come if we wait for some other
person, or if we wait for some other time. We are
the ones we've been waiting for. We are the
change that we seek.”-
Truer words have never been spoken! We are no
longer on the precipices of change as we are the
change that we have been seeking all along.
Welcome to a new day, welcome to the new
Urban Parenting Magazine!
Can you believe it’s been a year now since Urban
Parenting hit the shelves? Just as with our
children, we have those solitary moments when we look back at what we’ve created and think to
ourselves, “where has the time gone?” In that fleeting time of reflection, I thought about why we
started Urban Parenting in the first place and then it hit me; we wanted change! We were tired of
what was “normal” and “typical”. We wanted a magazine that spoke directly to a newer
generation of parents that believed that parenting or being a parent wasn’t life sentence, but rather,
a lifestyle. A generation of parents who believed that it was okay to be a bold and different,
breaking the societal “norm” while still providing nothing but the absolute best for our children
and families!
As we grew, we listened and read every one of your comments, suggestions and concerns about
how “parenting” as a whole was being approached. We analyzed over and over on how we could
make a better product for you, our readers, our family; and here we are. No longer will we seek
change for we are the change of a thriving generation! ALL of us are game changers. I believe we
were born solely to continue breaking the mold and to change the game. We all are innovators. We
don’t just live; we change! We’re enthusiast and it is with this same passion and drive we should
approach parenting and family living!
So, with all of that being said, we’ve decided to give Urban Parenting Magazine an “facelift” while
still remaining true to our brand and what we stand for. Urban Parenting is still all about
empowering families, but we also represent the modern parent. We are more than just uplifting;
Urban Parenting “is a lifestyle”.
As we move forward let’s continue to shape and reshape what it means to be an “Urban Parent”.
Lets continue to destroy the status quo and provide the absolute best for not only our families, but
us as well!
From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank you enough for believing in Urban Parenting and
sticking in with us. From a following of a couple of close friends to having over 16,000 plus
followers collectively on our social media sites, thank you. We couldn’t have made it this far
without you, and I am here to promise you that things will only get better. Continue sharing,
tweeting, re-tweeting and liking what we provide. Continue to let us hear your thoughts, because
this is YOUR magazine. YOU are in the driver seat. YOU decide the direction of what we will
deem today, as the “Urban Parenting Movement!” With love, thank you again for believing in
change.
Respectfully,
President Barack Obama
Wilson Manigat
Publisher
It's Time
for Change!
P U B L I S H E R ’ S N O T E
05www.urbanparentingmagazine.com U R B A N PA R E N T I N G
Allow your child to express themselves
through their interests. They may find a
creative outlet in theatre, dancing or art, or
they may be exceptionally talented in the
sciences. Encourage them to embrace
what they like to do, what interests them,
and what makes them happy. Help them
realize that they don't need to worry about
being 'like everyone else.'
Teach your child to make positive choices,
and praise them for good deeds, behaviors
and positive traits they possess. Encourage
them to become actively involved in their
community, and introduce them to
activities that promote a sense of
cooperation and accomplishment. Be firm
yet fair when handing down discipline for
misdeeds or misbehaviors, and make
certain the rules and consequences for
breaking the rules are clearly defined.
Show a cooperative, loving and united
front with your spouse when it comes to
discipline.
Accept and celebrate your child's
uniqueness. Remember that your child is
an individual. Allow your child to have his
or her own personal preferences and
feelings, which may be different from your
own.
And finally, encourage your child to be
true to themselves by doing the same.
Show your child how to make positive
choices with the choices you make, and
that nobody is perfect and you too make
mistakes. Show your child that mistakes
can be a great learning experience, and
that they should not be ashamed or
embarrassed about making them.
Celebrate
Uniqueness
YourChild’sJust like a snowflake or a
fingerprint, every child is
unique in their own special
way. Every child has a unique
way of feeling, thinking, and
interacting with others. Some
children are shy, while others
are outgoing; some are
active, while others are calm;
some are fretful, while others
are easy-going. As a loving
and nurturing parent, it's your
job to encourage them to
embrace their uniqueness
and celebrate their individual
qualities.
Remember that your child is
an individual. Allow your child
to have his or her own
personal preferences and
feelings, which may be
different from your own.
06 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
If you have children already, the first thing
that goes away when you decide to stay at
home is the cost of daycare. However, if
you work at home, part of that cost may
remain, unless your work is such that you
can keep the children home with you. Take
a look at how much of your income right
now is going to daycare. That cost alone
may prove to you that you don't need a
high-paying work at home job to stay
home ñ a simpler one may suffice.
There are several other costs that will drop
if you stay at home. You'll be in a different
tax bracket. You'll probably drive less, eat
out less often and you won't need clothes
for work, which can save both on shopping
and on dry cleaning bills.
When you're figuring out how much it
costs you to work outside the home, don't
assume that becoming a stay at home or
work at home parent will cause you to stop
eating out. You will have those days where
you decide to take the kids out, more likely
than not.
One thing many parents forget to think
about when they decide to stay at home is
to handle retirement planning. Now, if
you're just staying home for a year or two,
it's probably not a big deal, but if you plan
on staying home for many years, this can
be a huge impact on you when you do
retire. You may not have the finances to
fund your retirement account well when
your family is living on only one income,
but you should try to do at least a little. See
my article on retirement planning for stay
at home parents for more information.
Use this information to figure out what
you will need to earn while staying at
home. Some will be fine as a single income
family, but others will need the stay at
home parent to earn some kind of income.
Ideally, this will be a relatively small
amount, as the whole point of having a
stay at home parent is to have more time
with the kids and benefit them, not
maintain a freely spending lifestyle.
However, if a single income isn't enough, a
work at home job or home business will
likely become necessary.
Figure out how much income will be
necessary and how much risk you are
willing to take. Work at home jobs are
harder to come by, but home businesses
are by their nature more risky, and it may
take a few years to earn an adequate
income from a business. Plan accordingly,
and know that you might not be able to
live your preferred lifestyle right away.
Fortunately, by the time you take out the
costs of working outside the home, you
will likely find you don't need to earn what
you used to. Half or even less of your
previous income may be quite adequate. It
may require sacrifice, but that's what being
a parent is about.
Home?StayCan You
One of the first things you
have to figure out when
you realize that you want
to stay home with your
kids is whether or not you
can afford to do so. You
are probably used to living
on two incomes, so
making the switch to a
single income may not be
easy. However, it may not
be as hard as you think.
Figure out how much
income will be necessary and how
much risk you are willing to take.
Work at home jobs are harder to
come by, but home businesses are
by their nature more risky, and it
may take a few years to earn an
adequate income from a business.
08 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
re the parent of a teenager? If you are,
have you ever been asked by your teen to
be a fashion model? While a large
number of teens who want to be fashion
models are girls, there are some boys
who also wish to do so. Although your teen
may wish to become a teen fashion model, the
question is should you let them?
When it comes to determining whether or not
you should let your teen be a teen fashion
model, there are a number of important factors
that you may want to take into consideration.
One of those factors is where they would
model. Is your teen only interested in
participating in local fashion
shows, like ones that may be
run by local fashion designers
or local fashion store owners?
Or, are they interested in
“making it big?” These are
important questions that you
may want to get answers to
because it may actually mean
the difference between a yes
and a no answer.
Another factor that you may
want to take into
consideration is jobs. Was
your teenager recently
approach by a local fashion designer or fashion
store owner? Did they happen to see a local
advertisement asking for teen models for an
upcoming local fashion show? If they did, your
teen likely stands a better change of actually
becoming a teen fashion model, even if it only
is for a day or two. Teens who aim high as
fashion models likely have a lot of drive and
ambition; unfortunately, it is extremely difficult
to make it as a professional teen fashion model.
That is just something that you may want to
keep in mind.
Another factor that you may want to take into
consideration is the type of fashions that your
teen would be modeling. This may be a little bit
hard to determine if they haven't yet lined up
any appearances, but it still something that you
will want to take into consideration. Teen
fashions include a wide range of clothing
pieces. There are swimwear pieces that are
often modeled, as well as summer clothes, and
so forth. If your teen is interested in
participating in a local fashion show, will they
screen or keep an eye on all viewers?
Unfortunately, with many local fashion shows,
just about anyone can enter, including possible
child predators. Making money as a fashion
model is a great way for you child to learn
about jobs and money, but it is important that
you also remember to keep their safety in mind
as well.
As previously stated, if your
teenager would like to become
a teen model and if you are
fine with them doing so, you
may have better luck targeting
local fashion shows. With
that in mind, however, if you
would like to help your child
“make it big,” there are a
number of different steps that
you can take. Some of those
steps may include getting
professional photographs of
them taken, as well as the
hiring of an agent. The only thing that you
need to do is be careful with who you choose to
work with. With the recent interest in teen and
child models, many parents are getting
scammed by unsavory individuals. Do the
proper research first and you shouldn't have any
troubles trying to get your teen into modeling.
The above mentioned factors are just a few of
the many that you may want to take into
consideration, should your teenager ask about
becoming a teen model. As previously
mentioned, working as a teen model is a great
way to prepare your child for working in the
“real world,” but it is a decision that should be
made by the whole family.
SHOULD YOU LET YOUR TEEN BECOME A FASHION
Model?A
Working as a teen
model is a great way
to prepare your child
for working in the
“real world,” but it is
a decision that
should be made by
the whole family.
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beach vacation is something all of us can use, as it provides time
away with the family, friends, or just that special someone. Beach
vacations are also a great way to unwind from the pressures of life,
and just have a blast.
All around the world, there are literally hundreds of places that you can
choose for your beach vacation. You can choose from beaches in the United
States, or choose to go overseas to more tropical climates and romantic
beaches.
Those of you who are looking to get away with a husband or wife, would find
the Maui to be the perfect beach vacation. Located in Hawaii, Maui is one of
the most romantic beaches in the world. Also well known for honeymoons,
Maui offers you plenty of breathtaking beaches with plenty of other things to
do as well.
Another well known area for a beach vacation for couples is the Virgin Islands.
The Virgin Islands have been a popular vacation spot for many years, offering
couples the chance to get away from it all and just spend some well deserved
and well needed time together.
For a family beach vacation, there are many places you can go. One of the
most popular is California, as there are many other things to interest the kids as
well. There are several beaches in the state, with Huntington beach and plenty
of attractions as well, including Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
When you choose the perfect beach vacation, you need to choose a spot that
will cater to who you are taking with you. Couples wouldn't want to go to a
family resort destination, while families wouldn't want to go to a couples
resort that offers plenty of romance.
No matter where you decide to go, you can rest assured that there are plenty of
locations for you to choose from. You can search online using a search
engine, which can help you locate deals that are simply too good to pass up.
Before you decide to rush off to your beach vacation, you should plan first.
Decide on where you are going, research your destination spot, and make sure
that it offers something for everyone. Beach vacations are truly inspiring,
although it also helps to have other activities available as well.
Once you plan your beach vacation very carefully, you'll be more than ready to
take off to your destination and relax. You'll enjoy yourself much better if you
plan carefully, which will also help to remove a lot of the stress that can be
involved with planning for a beach vacation - or going on your destination
unprepared.
a
PerfectThe
Vacation
Body Care
Tips
Pregnancy
renatal care is one of the vital factors
that ensure a smooth pregnancy. The
first checkup should occur during the
first 6 to 8 weeks of your pregnancy,
when your menstrual period is
approximately 2 to 4 weeks late. For
women who are relatively healthy
and have no complicating risk factors, you will
probably see your health care provider every 4
weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy, and then
every 2 weeks until 36 weeks of pregnancy. After
that you will have an appointment every week until
you give birth through
inducing labor or otherwise.
Nutrition:
Proper nutrition is one of
the best ways to enjoy a
happy pregnancy. Because
you're eating for two, it's
doubly important to
consume healthy foods and
stay away from things that
may harm your baby as it
develops. When you're
pregnant, dieting and cutting
calories is not a good thing -
you will need to take in
about 300 more calories a
day to ensure you and your
baby are properly nourished,
especially as your pregnancy
progresses. Caloric intake,
however, can vary from
woman to woman. For thin
women, and women
carrying twins, you may be
required to consume more
than 300 extra calories. Or, if you are currently
overweight you might need less. No matter what,
you'll need to contact your healthcare provider to
determine what's best for you.
Of course, pure calorie consumption is not the
only goal - you need to make sure that what you
eat is nutritionally sound. Nutritious foods contain
the essential vitamins and minerals that contribute
to a baby's growth and development.
Although a healthy diet is fundamental to caring
for your body during pregnancy, it's actually quite
simple to integrate healthy living into your daily
life. Maintain a well-balanced diet by following
basic dietary guidelines. Lean meats, fruit,
vegetables, whole grain breads and low-fat dairy
products are all essential to maintaining good
health.
Real, healthy food will provide your body with
much-needed nutrients. At the same time, during
pregnancy certain essential
nutrients are required in
higher-than-normal
amounts. For example,
calcium, iron, and folic acid
are especially essential in the
diet of a pregnant woman.
Although your doctor may
prescribe vitamin
supplements, your diet still
needs to contain nutritious
food to provide your body
with most of its
nourishment.
On a normal basis, women
need 1,000 mg of calcium
per day, but during
pregnancy, calcium
consumption should rise in
order to keep up with
calcium loss in your bones.
You can get calcium from a
wide range of food products,
including low-fat dairy
products such as milk,
cheese, and yogurt; orange juice, soy milk, and
cereals that are fortified with calcium; dark green
veggies such as spinach, kale, and broccoli; as well
as tofu, dried beans, and almonds.
A pregnant woman requires 27 to 30 mg of iron
per day because iron is used by the body to make
hemoglobin, which is what helps red blood cells
carry oxygen throughout the body. A lack of iron
leads to a dearth of red blood cells, meaning the
P
Being pregnant means following a healthylifestyle is more important than ever. It'scrucial to understand what steps you can taketo keep you and your baby in good health.
13www.urbanparentingmagazine.com U R B A N PA R E N T I N G
Exercise is a great way
to feel great throughout an
entire pregnancy.
There's no reason to stop
physical activity once
you become pregnant;
in fact, dietary guidelines
suggest that you take 30
minutes or more
each day to work out at
a moderate pace.
Contd. on Page 27
14 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
housands of marriages end up
in divorce every year. Not
only is this a traumatic time
for the husband and wife, but
it is especially hard on the
children in the family. Many
parents who got divorced
remarry someone else later.
The children have to adapt to
a new parent and possibly new siblings as
well. It can be a challenge to keep
everyone living in perfect harmony in a
blended family. If this describes your
family situation now and you would like
some advice on a smoother transition, this
article may have information that can
benefit you.
One area that must be consistently
maintained in the approach to disciplining
the children. For all of the parents
involved, a consensus must be reached in
how discipline will look. Your child is in
middle of all of this. If he perceives that
one set of parents is more lenient than the
other set of parents, he can use that
manipulate the situation to get what he
wants. He may learn to play one parent
against the other. However, if the same
kind of discipline is carried out
consistently by either set of parents, the
child will be less confused. This is really
the better way to handle discipline in a
blended family.
Talk about what values will be taught in
the families. The values should be
consistent in each household and they
should not conflict with each other.
Discuss how these values will be taught.
Will it be through example or modeled
behavior? What context will be used when
teaching these values? Even though you
may have differences with your former
spouse, all of you must come to a
compromise and come into agreement of
one approach. This for the better in your
child's development.
Also talk about what responsibilities each
child is expected to have. What chores will
each person be responsible for? What is
expected in one household should be the
same at the other household. Again,
consistency is the key so your child will
not play game in playing one parent
against the other. Although you are
separated from your former spouse, it is
important that your children still see you
and your former spouse as one unit in
terms of parenting. This reduces confusion
and problems of feeling like one parent not
treating him fairly. You want to prevent
your children from picking sides between
you and your ex. Show them that your
personal difference with your ex does not
affect how both of you raise them as your
children. Your parenting responsibilities
have not changed, and your children must
understand that.
Be mindful of how you behave toward
your former spouse when your children are
around. As hurtful as the divorce might
have been, you cannot let your feelings
show around your children. You must keep
your emotions in check and maintain an
even keel.
The transition from one family unit to
another can be a challenge. However, if
you keep the above in mind, you can
minimize problems with this transition.
Living In
t
HARMONY
Blended Families
� Show them that
your personal
difference with your
ex does not affect
how both of you
raise them as your
children.
When someone commits an act
of murder, it creates a ripple
effect of pain. For the victim,
he leaves behind a grieving family; a
mother, father, sister, brother, aunts,
uncles, cousins and even friends will all be
affected. Then, on the other side- the side
of the perpetrator, he/she too also leaves
behind a grieving family as they sort
through the reality of having their loved
one in physical or mental prison.
Recently, there have been two national
cases that have highlighted an adult male
taking the life of an innocent child. In
September we had an opportunity to shed
insight on one notorious case in our “State
of the Black Family” edition. We revisited
the Moniyhan Report on the black family
then and now, discussed the political rising
of our youth in memory of Trayvon
Martin, and called out the madness of gun
violence.
In this issue, we’re honored that we get an
opportunity to uplift the memory of
Jordan Davis.
Davis, was a 17 year old student from
Samuel Wolfson High School in
Jacksonville, Florida. He had just
celebrated Thanksgiving with his family
and then like many young people his age,
planned a trip to the mall to get in on some
Black Friday deals. After a trip to the mall,
Jordan was in the backseat of a SUV
enjoying music with his friends as they
pulled into a gas station at 7:30pm.
Michael Dunn, who then parked next to
them, demanded they turn down their
music. A verbal argument ensued and
Dunn shot and killed Jordan Davis over
loud music.
Even though no physical contact was made
between Mr. Dunn and the kids, who
didn’t even get out of the car, Michael
Dunn fired his weapon multiple times at
the four unarmed teenagers killing Jordan
Davis.
The trial lasted eight days, yet the most
pivotal words remembered during that
time was the immediate forgiveness of
Michael Dunn by Jordan’s mom, Lucy
McBath.
“I don’t want eternal damnation for him
[Michael Dunn], there is so much more
God in me then the enemy in him” shares
Mchbath, “If I didn’t forgive him I
wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now
to share Jordan’s legacy.”
McBath describes Jordan as a very fun,
16 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
Mothers of the Revolution
The Power ofFORGIVENESS
Blood drips from the fingertips of evil.
This is the only way I could describe a person that willfully kills an innocent child
inevitably destroying that child’s life and their own.
loving child. He loved learning, spent
a lot of time traveling, and family was
very important to him. He had
compassion for people and many kids
gravitated to him. McBath jokes that
her home was a mini United Nations
because Jordan had the charm and
persuasiveness to get bullies to eat out
of the palm of his hands and then
they would become his best friend
and bodyguard! He was a champion
for the underdog who knew who he
was and had lost of wisdom.
McBath states that she raised Jordan
to love, accept and forgive and that is
what she knew in her heart was the
right thing to do for Michael Dunn.
“I feel empowered by God, God is
why I’m here and growing in His
love, I’ve been able to learn the power
of forgiveness and I believe Michael
Dunn is in a constant state of hell…
He has to deal with those demons.”
Today McBath continues in a spirit of
love and forgiveness with the “Walk
with Jordan Scholarship
Foundation”. Its mission is to provide
charitable and educational assistance
to graduating high school students
from Davis’ community.
As indescribable as it is to lose a son,
McBath has used her journey and
experience to continue a platform for
peace and tolerance. Her essence is
truly genuine; I could hear the
freedom of compassion in her voice
that she has wholeheartedly extended
to Dunn and I could feel the passion
she has to uplift her son’s memory.
Today, McBath advocates across the
nation on the importance of
executing our right to vote and stricter
gun laws.
She is a testament to the power of
forgiveness.
www.walkwithjordan.org
To learn more or donate to the Walk with
Jordan Foundation, visit:
“I feel empowered by
God, God is why I’m
here and growing in
His love, I’ve been able
to learn the power of
forgiveness and I
believe Michael Dunn
is in a constant state of
hell… He has to deal
with those demons.”
18 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
LIVING RICHIN A READYMADE WORLD
hese days decorating doesn't have to
be about custom design. It can be
about where to find it now and how
to make it work for you. There is
such a wealth of readymade
elements both at retailers, online, and in
mail order catalogues. You can do it
yourself or get the knowledge and
expertise of a professional decorator,
transforming your house into a home
without ever leaving your chair. Best of all
you can have it all immediately. No
waiting, no anticipation, just take it home
today. The trick is in knowing what to buy
and how to make it not look like everyone
else's. Read on for the real scoop on living
rich in a readymade world.
Firstly, it's not what you have that gives
you style, but what you do with it that
really counts. Using the big box retailers
for decorating is a real time saver, but it's
up to you to personalize. Certainly photo
frames are easy to make yours. Consider
theme-ing the groupings; a family wall is
usually a real favorite. Another option is to
do a travel wall with collage matting so
you can display multiple photos within one
frame. You can have one frame dedicated
to each trip. You can also do groupings of
individual frames united by a theme.
Think about forming a collection or two,
displaying the frames en masse for greatest
effect.
Layer your rooms to create maximum
T
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character. Start with the floor adding rugs,
even over wall to wall carpet. Rugs are
artwork for the floor and anchor furniture
arrangements. To add depth to your
upholstery, layer pillows and the
occasional throw for softness. On your
tables be sure to include practical ideas like
a coasters along with room for a book or
even a plate of food. (I always make sure
there is enough space on the coffee table to
put up your feet. Life is about comfort!)
Lamps are another opportunity to build
layers and can really add personality and
punch. Don't match them unless you have
matching tables (boring and formal). Have
fun with the variety of shapes and sizes
available, not to mention the host of shade
variations, including beaded or feathered.
Once you've got the basics of rugs,
upholstery, tables, and lamps you are ready
to add drapery. This is
often an overlooked
element and really
necessary to finish a room.
Whether your goal is to
frame the view, control
light or gain privacy,
draperies are important in
bringing softness and color
vertically in a room. Last
but not least are the
artwork and accessories.
Find pieces you really
enjoy rather than just
adding elements to take up
space. Remember it's your
home, so make it count.
Go for comfort, not just
good looks! I know you
saw that really cool chair in
that catalogue and had to
have it, only to find that no
one, including you, will sit
in it, because it is woefully
uncomfortable. Remember
it needs to function as well as look good.
Upholstery in particular is for sitting on,
not looking at, so be sure you either are
familiar with the maker or can sit test it.
Tables need to be the right height. For a
coffee table 17-18î is usually optimal, end
tables need to be at a comfortable height
coming from the arm of the seating piece
next to it. Too low and they are awkward.
Too high and you'll knock things over
when you reach. On many elements you
can check them out on approval before
making a decision, which is very helpful
because seeing them in context is
important. This is often the case with rugs,
lamps, artwork, and even some tables.
Little changes make a big difference.
Consider changing the hardware on your
kitchen cabinets. It is a seemingly little
change that has a big impact. Changing a
light fixture over a breakfast table can
make a dramatic and often very cost
effective improvement to a room. Save
your old chandelier to put back up when
you sell your house so that you can take
your favorite light fixture with you. This
stretches your decorating dollar and
becomes a flexible and lasting investment.
Changing plate glass mirrors to framed
mirrors also really finishes off a bathroom.
(Do any of us really want to see ourselves
reflected so much anyway?)
To avoid boredom with your interiors
change your accents with the season.
Think hot colors for the winter and fall
months with reds, oranges, golds and
persimmons. For the summer and spring
try cool blues, fresh greens, crisp whites
and soothing lavenders. By changing out
your pillows, an art piece or two, a couple
of accents or even a rug, you can
transform and re-energize a room.
Need to add life to your spaces? Add
greenery. Whether you've got a green
thumb or do better with silk plants,
greenery in every room really brings the
room to life. This isn't a license to run wild
with flowers, though. Absolutely no
plastic and no dried arrangements please
(they look dead and are!). Buying good
silks and taking care of them is easy and
cost effective. They will last indefinitely
and require only a once a month spritz of
floral cleaner (no wiping, it dissolves dust
on contact.) Real plants need a good deal
more care, and you have to consider light,
temperature, and water needs. Living
plants are often not ideal for those that
travel frequently or have pets who tend to
dig in the soil or bite the leaves.
Readymade doesn't necessarily mean
cheap. Consider your sources, and instead
of being locked into bargain basement and
everyman looks, try the more exclusive
catalogues like Horchow, Gumps,
Frontgate and Chambers. Whatever you
can imagine is likely already there for the
ordering. Certainly there are also many
online sites with goods from all over the
world. You can purchase mementos from
trips you haven't even yet taken.
Perhaps you haven't a clue about
decorating or don't have the time or
interest to make this
transformation a reality.
That's alright. All you
need to do is know who to
call to make it happen.
Even if you aren't going
custom it still makes sense
to call in a professional
decorator or designer and
have them work with you
to create a master plan to
avoid expensive mistakes
and lost time in returns.
Often if you explain you
want it all immediately
and are willing to go with
off the rack goods,
readymade couture for the
home, they will work with
you exclusively on that
basis. Make a road map
of the changes and
improvements you want
to make in each room.
This can be a list by room
or even a sketch if you are
feeling artistic. Keep a file by room of
favorite finds in catalogues and magazines.
(Be sure to look up the resource in the back
of the publication.) Bookmark favorite
online sites for quick and easy future
reference.
Lastly, plan a celebration, a housewarming
for each room or the whole house. This
gives you added incentive to get the project
off the ground and move forward.
Remember too that people are coming to
your house to visit you, not your stuff, so
relax and let them bring something to
contribute. Consider registering at some
of your favorite retailers for some finishing
touches. This sure beats getting bath
goodies or another tie that you really won't
use!
Go for comfort, not just good looks! I know you saw
that really cool chair in that catalogue and had to
have it, only to find that no one, including you, will
sit in it, because it is woefully uncomfortable.
22 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
WomenBEACH SEASON
A Swimsuit Guide for All
It is the time of the year that every woman dreads - Swimsuit season! No
matter what size a women is, she probably panics over picking out a
swimsuit and worries that it fits her figure well. Of course, every woman
wants to accent her best features while minimizing her weak spots in any
clothing, but this is especially true in swimsuits.
23www.urbanparentingmagazine.com U R B A N PA R E N T I N G
wimsuits are so revealing, there
is very little margin for error
when trying to choose the right
one. All women want a
swimsuit that looks good on
them, but if they are going to be
spending a lot of time in the water over the
summer, then comfort is also important.
Here are a few tips and hints you can
follow that will make your swimsuit
shopping much less stressful.
Woman with large busts should find a
swimsuit that fully supports them. The
best swimsuits for that are ones with halter-
tops or molded under wire cups to keep
everything in place. A swimsuit with the
additional strap across the back, along the
bust line, also provides additional support.
Women with an inverted shape (their top is
wider than their hips), should choose a
two-piece with a skort or shorts. This will
help balance their top and bottom, making
them look more proportional.
A woman with a large rear end should look
for swimsuits with boy cut bottoms. This
helps hide your rear but also looks cute and
is comfortable. The skirted bikini bottoms
are also cute - giving a hint of your legs,
but still hiding your rear end. Avoid the
skimpy bikini briefs at all costs! For the
top, you can also choose something that is
catchy and brightly colored. This will draw
attention upwards away from your rear
end. Again, avoid horizontal stripes, as
they will make your rear look even larger
than it actually is, although diagonal stripes
might create a more flattering illusion.
Curvy women should consider the tank-ini.
The tank-ini is a two-piece swimsuit with a
top that resembles a tank top. With it, you
can pair the hipster bottoms. These cool
looking bottoms provide far more support
for your curves than the traditional bikini
bottoms. You may also want to try on one
of the one piece swimsuits with cutouts on
the sides. This can have a slimming effect
while still showing off your curves.
If you have a large stomach, you should
stick to a one-piece suit. However, if you
really want a two-piece, look for one of the
halter-tops that fall over the waist of your
bikini bottoms. This not only hides your
stomach, but also helps elongate your body,
making you appear taller and thus slimmer.
You may also want to check to see if the
store has a swimsuit that offers tummy
control. A printed suit will also take the
focus away from your stomach and make
you look slimmer.
Large women probably have the hardest
time picking out a swimsuit. If you are
overweight, you are probably self-conscious
enough when choosing regular clothes, but
do not let this discourage you from
enjoying some fun in the sun. Stick to
dark colors like navy blue and black to
help make you look slimmer. Avoid a
swimsuit with horizontal stripes, as that
gives the optical illusion that you are
wider than you actually are. Spandex
is a good choice for swimsuit cloth
because it stretches, but it is very
important that you get the right
size swimsuit. Do not try to
squeeze into a swimsuit that
is two sizes too small for
vanity reasons. Picking
the appropriate size will
always look better on
you. Many stores let
you mix and match
tops and bottoms,
so if you are top
heavy or
bottom heavy,
you can
make sure
you get the
correct size
for each
section.
Remember
that
swimsuits
usually run
smaller than
regular clothes,
so you may have
to set a size or two
larger than you
normally wear.
The most important
thing for you to know
when purchasing a new
swimsuit is to know what
works best for your
features. And, don't
purchase the first suit you
try on unless you just really
love it. Take several in the
dressing room with you and see
which one looks best. It may
even help to take along a friend
to give you an honest opinion of
how it looks
Large Busts
Large Hips and Thighs
Larger Belly
Plus Size Swimsuits
s
24 www.urbanparentingmagazine.comU R B A N PA R E N T I N G
ou are busy. I know. Working all of the
time to "provide" for your family. Trying
to "make ends meet" and acquiring all of
that stuff you want. Just keep in mind
what you may be giving up in the
process- the precious memories you fail
to create with your children.
You see, as you grow older you begin to place less
emphasis on acquiring and more on reflection where
you begin to truly take notice of all of your
accomplishments as well as painful regrets.
Now take a minute and put yourself into the future
when it becomes this time of reflection. Imagine you
in a time where your children have grown into
respectable adults raising families of their own.
Imagine the all the time that has passed of your
children's lives that you will never have a single
chance to see again.
As you imagine yourself into this position, begin to
think all of the stuff you "have" acquired. You know
the big house and the big screen TV, fancy cars,
elaborate vacations, etc. Take notice of all the feelings
this stuff gives you. Think about all of that stuff but
without a single memory of your children. How
would you feel? Would you feel as if you had regrets
of NOT creating memories of your children?
Wouldn't these regrets be a bit painful to have
knowing there is nothing you can do to change the
past?
Now imagine yourself without all of that that stuff.
Just thinking of memories of your children in their
early years and that is all. Think of all of the simple
things that moved you emotionally and the time spent
with them. Take notice of all the feelings these
beautiful memories give you. Look at their faces, their
smiles, and their actions as you see them growing
through the years. How much stronger are your
feelings now? Would you feel any regrets NOT
having stuff ? Wouldn't these regrets seem rather
insignificant compared those warm memories you
have made?
By imagining yourself in the future reflecting on life
you can get a glimpse of what really matters most. I
am not saying it is "evil" to acquire possessions, rather
I am saying to get too caught up into it that you loose
sight of some of the things that are more important in
life- memories. These memories are yours to keep and
will fulfill your life now and into the future more than
any possession can. Think about all that stuff you
acquired that ended up in the trash or you no longer
use? More than likely if you think about that stuff
now you will realize that the emotional impact they
once created no longer has the same effect. A
memory of your child has just as much impact as it
did when the memory was created. And it LASTS
through your life as you look back upon them from
time to time.
Remember also that the memories you create with
your children are their memories also. They get to
carry them through life. They get to reflect upon
those times with you or the lack of. They will use
them as references throughout their lives in which the
will base their future actions upon. Keep this in mind
as you consider making changes in your lifestyle to
spend more emphasis creating memories and less on
acquiring temporary stuff.
SpendingMore Time with Your Children
MEMORIES NOT MADE
y
WHAT I AM SAYING IS:
Sometimes you need to evaluate your position in life. Many times we spend so much time in needless acquiring that we tend to overdo
it. Spending our money and dragging ourselves into needless debt to where we are FORCING ourselves to make "ends meet."
Keeping ourselves at our jobs late sacrificing the little time we do have here on earth for the things that end up being less important.
Yes, you do have to provide for your family. But when you have yourself financially extended because of needless spending you may
be ultimately sacrificing the most important thing in your life as well as your children's lives- memories.
body's tissues and organs don't receive enough oxygen. With a baby on board,
women need to pay extra attention to their iron intake.
Iron is found in both plant and animal matter, but the body absorbs it more
easily from meat sources. The following are some foods that contain a good
amount of iron: red meat, dark poultry, salmon, eggs, tofu, enriched grains,
dried beans and peas, dried fruit, leafy green vegetables, blackstrap molasses,
and iron-fortified breakfast cereals.
Many people have already heard about how important folate (folic acid) is for
a pregnant woman. For pregnant woman, or those planning on becoming
pregnant, it is recommended that you take 0.4 milligrams of folic acid every
day. Many women choose to supplement their diet with vitamins in addition
to any folic acid intake they receive from food.
It has been found that consuming folic acid 1 month before and during the
first 3 months of pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects by 70%,
which is why it's considered so critical. The neural tube is formed during the
first 28 days of pregnancy, which is usually before a woman even realizes
she's pregnant, and it eventually develops into the baby's brain and spinal
cord. Lack of sufficient nutrition, particularly a lack of folic acid, may result
in a neural tube defect such as spina bifida.
To remain healthy while pregnant, it's also key to drink plenty of fluids.
During pregnancy your blood volume increases, so drinking plenty of water is
the best way to avoid dehydration and constipation. Exercise is a great way to
feel great throughout an entire pregnancy. There's no reason to stop physical
activity once you become pregnant; in fact, dietary guidelines suggest that
you take 30 minutes or more each day to work out at a moderate pace.
During pregnancy, regular exercise prevents excessive weight gain, reduces
problems such as back pain, swelling, and constipation, improves sleep,
increases energy, promotes a positive attitude, prepares your body for labor
and lessens recovery time after labor.
Proper sleep is another factor in maintaining health and comfort during
pregnancy. Pregnancy can take its toll, and after a long day you will feel more
tired than usual. As the baby grows bigger, it will be more difficult to sleep,
but try to sleep as best you can - it will do wonders for how you feel!
Once you are ready to give birth and are considering inducing labor it is wise
to consider all the advantages and disadvantages. Indeed, several authorities
recommend you give informed consent before labor is induced. Of course, the
baby is an important concern when considering induction of labor, especially
the baby's ability to breathe once delivered.
Following a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, exercising, and drinking plenty
of fluids are all important to your overall well-being during pregnancy. If
you strive to eat nutritious food and maintain a positive attitude during the
course of your pregnancy, the good moments will definitely outshine the
difficult ones.
Proper sleep is another factor in maintaining health
and comfort during pregnancy. Pregnancy can take
its toll, and after a long day you will feel more tired
than usual. As the baby grows bigger, it will be more
difficult to sleep, but try to sleep as best you can - it
will do wonders for how you feel!
27www.urbanparentingmagazine.com U R B A N PA R E N T I N G
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