What to Consider Before Getting Your Child their First Phone

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As a mom, there are a lot of things to worry about. One of the big concerns that many parents have is when to give their children their first phone. It can be a tough decision, and there are a lot of factors to consider. 

One of the first things you need to consider is your child's age. Most experts recommend that children be at least 12 years old before they get their first phone. This is because they need to be mature enough to handle the responsibility of having a phone and they should also be able to understand how to use it safely.

Another thing you need to think about is how your child will use their phone. If they are only going to use it for emergencies, then you may not need to get them a data plan. However, if they are going to use it for social media, gaming, or other activities that require data, then you will want to get them a well-priced data plan.

It would be best if you also thought about whether or not your child is ready for the responsibility of having a phone. This includes being able to follow the rules, such as not using their phone during class or at bedtime. If you think they are ready for this responsibility, then they are probably ready for a phone. And, speaking of responsibility, you also need to ensure they stay safe while spending time online. That said, have a look below at some valuable information that will help you ensure your child can enjoy some safe screen time once they get their first phone.

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A Great New Hoover on the Market - Hoover HF500 Anti-Twist PETS Model

{I received the Hoover HF500 Anti-twist Pets vacuum cleaner free of charge for the purpose of writing this review. I have not been instructed what to write and I remain honest}

If you ask me how I'm going to clean a floor, I'll tell you I'll Hoover it and truthfully that would be whether or not the actual product I'm using is made by Hoover. As Hoover is a brand I grew up with, it was the only vacuum cleaner my Nan and Mum would ever think to buy and I'm pleased to see that nearly fifty years later Hoover is still making excellent vacuum cleaners.

It was a very easy yes from me when I was asked if I'd like to review the Hoover HF500 anti-twist pets vacuum cleaner. It retails for £299 and is one of the modern stick-type vacuums, which I haven't used before. At just 2.5kg in its full upright form (or 1.7kg as a handheld) it is really easy to use and manoeuvre whatever your size, strength or ability. 

I really like the modern graphite grey and turquoise colouring of this Hoover and it feels robust for something so light. It was intuitive and easy to put together straight from the box and I didn't have to spend time going over a manual and wondering what goes where. 

When I first received the Hoover HF500 anti-twist pets, seeing how streamlined it is I thought I might let my son take it to uni when he goes in September but having used it, I don't want to let it go, as it really is very effective and so light.

It amazes me that a vacuum being cordless and light really encourages my teen children to use it. They won't even consider using the traditional vacuum as you have to unwind the lead and plug it in, but will happily grab my cordless and clean their own bedrooms. That is a big win as far as I'm concerned. 

What To Write In Wife Birthday Card

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Are you struggling with what to write on your wife's birthday card? Birthday cards for wife sold on Boomf are the loveliest, most romantic, and most special wife's birthday cards there are. You can pick out the most fitting card based on theme, colours, style, features, and filters to give your amazing wife the birthday card that she deserves. One she will truly love and cherish. 

 

Birthday Card For Wife Wishes

Gifts are surely a good choice of presents for your wife but she wants to hear you say words that mean the world to her. Happy birthday cards for wives should portray the endearment and appreciation, with love that every married woman wants to hear in her marriage, from her husband.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to wish your wonderful wife the sweetest birthday as she also makes your life the sweetest it has ever been. If you're having trouble coming up with the right words to show what you actually feel, here's a list of what you could write on your wife's birthday card and we hope that you see something that resonates with you and provides inspiration:

1. Thank you for showing me just how much I needed you in my life all these years. Happy Birthday!

 

2. To the most amazing woman in my life who makes it a fairytale I always want to live, have a fabulous birthday today.

 

3. As you have always been so selfless and effortlessly stunning, I wrote you this card to express my sincere emotions. How I am in awe that you are mine and how pleased I will be to be your husband forever.

 

4. There will never be a better yesterday as long as you're in my today. Enjoy your special day, Honey.

 

5. You deserve the best of birthdays for making sure everyone in this family is at their best, each day. Thank you, my dear wife, for this.

 

6. It is a blessing every day to wake up to you by my side. I always hate to leave for work and as soon as I get home today, I promise to make this the best birthday you have ever had.

 

What Not To Write

As you already know, many women are moved by words. A birthday card will lose its flavour if the words you choose to write are not genuine and personal. So take your time and make sure that the choice of words you select are really something you sincerely mean. There is nothing worse than receiving a card and it looks like the sender took the words and sentiments straight from the internet. By all means, use the above phrases as inspiration but try to make your greeting personal and special to both you and your wife. 

We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating together!

10 Years of Employee Ownership (EO) Day – What We Have Learned

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It has been an entire decade since the Employee Ownership Association launched EO Day, or ‘Employee Ownership Day’, in celebration of the benefits of employee-owned businesses.

There are, of course, a lot of benefits to celebrate. It is clear that, within the UK, there are strong economic benefits being felt not just by the individual employees themselves, but by the business and regional economies. It’s also clear to see that employee ownership represents one of the cornerstones of preparing for a future of increased automation and using artificial intelligence to streamline significant portions of the UK workforce.

In all likelihood, businesses opting to spread ownership throughout the economy are something we should see a lot more of over the coming years. But, to that end, what has happened already?

Businesses are ready and willing to explore the benefits

Since 2019, the employee ownership sector has doubled – a fact which is testament to just how ready shareholders and directors are to spread ownership and reap the benefits of a workforce that have a much more significant stake in the business – and its growth – than they did before.

This has been aided by the formation of the Employee Ownership Trust, or EOT, first established in 2014. Recent research into employee ownership in SMEs has already paved the way for further studies into the true extent of the benefits brought by employee ownership.  

Businesses that take on employee ownership are generally thought to be directed toward more meaningful roles and relationships 

One of the strongest examples of this stems from the impact of Covid-19, which coincides with the rapid surge in companies turning toward employee ownership. As everyone was forced to confront their own mortality – and the impacts of a global crisis – more businesses and advisors sought to instate strong succession plans for their business, and to create a meaningful path forward not just for the business itself, but for its employees, too.

Employee ownership gives employees a more meaningful say in the business, which tends to have a strong impact on their levels of happiness and satisfaction at work.

The emphasis on nurturing the workforce is very strong

A recent survey showed that 96% of employee-owned businesses say that looking after the workforce is key to the success of the business, and more than two-thirds claimed that employee ownership was a matter of social responsibility.

Obviously, as with any significant change to the business, there will inevitably be a period of ‘settling in’ as everyone gets to grips with the new order. For that reason, and despite the strong rewards waiting for businesses who can navigate this process, working closely with corporate solicitors on setting up or running an employee-owned business can only help as they have worked with similar clients and know how to handle a change of this proportion.

There are, of course, a variety of ways to instate employee ownership within a business, but utilising the EOT has proven to be the most popular so far, and is well worth exploring if you’re interested in your employees having a stake in the future of your business. 

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Parenting Hacks to Help Your Child Thrive

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Parenting in this modern world comes with plenty of ups and downs, and you'll spend too much time worrying about the down times. But don't, it's important to acknowledge all the things you are doing well as a parent, and if something isn't working for you, then don't give up, try something else. There is such a massive toolkit of strategies that we parents can draw upon.

Having a steady home life is so fundamental for any child and one of the most important things you can do as a parent is focus on the best ways of achieving this safe space. A child with strong foundations and known boundaries will have a head start towards thriving.

These are some of the best ways of being able to help your child thrive and grow as much as possible.

Be Patient

One of the key things to keep in mind is that you need to make sure you are as patient as possible with your children. Being a child and going through lots of developmental leaps and growths can be challenging for many children. It goes without saying that your child needs to feel your patience and feel able to have the room to make mistakes, deal with the resulting consequences and then grow as an outcome of what they've experienced.

Find a Routine

Finding a routine that works for your family is really important, and there are so many ideas that you can use to help you achieve this. Don't be tempted to copy your best friends routine, or one a book advocates, as every family is unique. So make sure you think about all the factors that matter to your family and incorporate those. Children like routine, and they often need it to help them acclimatise to changes and get used to things.  

Moms Should Know These Techniques for Calming a Sick Child

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Nothing is worse than when your child is ill. All you want to do is help them in the best way so they can recover quickly. Snot and dribble are sure to get on their hands, faces, and sleeves—and most likely yours as well—because kids are still learning the fine art of coughing into their elbows and wiping their noses with a tissue. 

Add to that the emotional challenges, a mother's heart is broken more than anything else by witnessing her child in such anguish. Then it is sod's law that having a sick child in the family inevitably results in the spread of germs and just as your child starts to feel better, you are aware that you're strating to get poorly yourself, and guess what? Sick days are not permitted for parents!

Prepare yourself with these easy strategies to help your child (and yourself) make it to the other side if you find yourself submerged in a sea of your child's used tissues and hose pitful puppy eyes.

Consider Hydration 

Keeping kids hydrated is essential at all times, but it's crucial during illness. Children who are sick with a fever, diarrhoea, or vomiting lose a lot of salt and fluids that they need to replace.

Try liquid-heavy foods like a warm cup of chicken soup if water isn't their thing. Cool drinks and popsicles will hydrate your child and help them feel better if they have a sore throat, and it still feels like they're having a treat. This is the one time that you don't mind what your child is eating or drinking, as long as they are.

Combining symptom relief with a mother's gentle touch 

Children's coughs and colds may be particularly challenging to treat because there aren't many solutions available to them. Children who have a persistent cough may also have trouble falling or staying asleep, which is a nightmare for everyone! Your presence with them can be very calming and a towel under their pillow can help to raise their head and relieve their cough a bit.

It's important to think about ways how to bring temperature down, such as taking medication, wearing fewer layers of clothing, or sponging them with tepid water.

Relax the limitations on screen time

For good reason, the majority of us worry about exposing our kids to too much screen time. But while they're sick is not the time to be a stickler for the rules. You want to take their attention away from how they are feeling and help them have a bit of light relief and feel better.

Your sick child needs to rest and falling asleep with a movie on their iPad is no crime.

Look after their skin

Children's noses are typically red, raw, and painful when they have recently recovered from a cold. This is because using regular tissues to clean their nose may irritate their skin, which is painful for them. Instead of using a dry tissue, parents can reduce this irritation by using a warm, damp towel and gently applying petroleum jelly around the nostrils can help to heal this sore area.

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