Urban Parenting Magazine April 2014

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

[email protected]

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


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.


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.


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.



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.


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


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,


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.”


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



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.


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.


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


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!


Contd. from Page 13

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Urban Parenting Magazine April 2014