• Application of skin cream can help to reduce the stretch marks and at the same time prevent further stretching of the skin. Select products that contain natural ingredients like cocoa butter, jojoba oil and vitamin A, C and K which can repair the skin and make it healthy.
• Regular skin exfoliation of the affected part can help to lose the stretch marks naturally. Scrub the area gently with an exfoliating skin product and a loofah. It will help to get rid of the dead skin cells and expose the soft, new underlying tissue.
• Massages improve blood circulation in the affected area and promote growth of new tissues. This in turn helps to get rid of stretch marks.  You can obtain best results if you massage the area with shea butter 3-4 times in a day.
• Exercise if you want  to lose stretch marks after pregnancy, there are a number of exercises that can help in tightening of the skin of the abdominal region. You can try abdominal crunches, where you have to lie on your back, bend your knees and then curl up the upper part of the body to contract the abs. Similarly, lifting the legs straight up lying on the back is highly beneficial in this regard.

These are the best available ways on how to lose stretch marks. Once stretch marks appear, it will take a lot of time to fade out. Hence, it is better if you can prevent their occurrence. This is possible by eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and, of course, good skin care. In this way, you can keep your skin hydrated and maintain the normal elasticity of the skin.

Make a baby birth website, the website could include all your baby’s photos and birth information and it could also have a guest book and stories and lots of videos. The web address can be emailed to everyone.

Another great way to announce your baby’s birth is to get personalized cookies or chocolates with your baby’s name and details on each biscuit or chocolate. Or you can also send cookies and chocolates in jars with an announcement sticker on them. These stickers can have a photo of your baby and the birth details.

By the way I also gather some samples of birth announcements wordings you can refer to if you need them.

Sample #1
It’s with immense pride and heartfelt joy
that we introduce to you
our boy,
Emerald Hyde
Born January 31, 2009
7 lbs, 5 oz
Length: 21 inches

Sample #2
Hickory dickory dock
the mouse ran up the clock
the clock struck 10
and we got our daughter
Gem Rae
Born Feb 14, 2008
6 lbs, 6 oz
Length: 20 inches

Sample #3
There could have no better addition
to the blessed day of Christmas
when the Lord blessed us with
Edwin Alexis
Born Nov 24, 2001
8 lbs, 3 oz
Length: 19 inches

Sample #4
With her little sparkling eyes
gazing at us and his tiny hands
holding our fingers
our daughter Emelia Smith cried with joy
‘I’ve arrived!’
Born June 22, 2005
8 lbs, 4 oz
Length: 19 inches

Sample #5
Violets are green
Roses are blue
We are so happy to announce the arrival
of our baby girl
Andriana Hatch
that we forget the hue!
Born December 15, 2006
7 lbs. 6 oz.
21 inches

Sample #6
Our childhood days were long gone
But now we can relive them again!
Proudly announcing
Shella Smith
Born March 22, 2004
7 lbs. 6 oz.
21 inches

Sample #7
Shine as the Sun
Dance like the rain
Be glee as the rainbow and
Be free of all harm!
This is what we wish for you.
Delighted to announce
the birth of our beautiful daughter
Nicole Rae
Born March 22, 2004
7 lbs. 6 oz.
21 inches

Sample #8
The magic of our family
just got more magical
with the birth magically beautiful daughter
Emily Keith
Born March 23, 2004
7 lbs. 6 oz.
21 inches

Sample #9
As twinkle is to stars
and sweet is to honey,
you will always be a darling to us
and so we name you Sunny!
Born to Jodi and John Smith
On April 15, 2007
7 lbs. 6 oz.
21 inches

Sample #10
God has blesses us again
with his elegant gift -
our beautiful daughter
Paula Lianne
We, her elated parents Brandon and Candice
are boundlessly happy to announce her arrival
Born Monday, January 31, 2001
7 pounds, 4 ounces
20 inches

Sample #11
Bob and Joy
along with Big Brother Keil
and Big Sister Kila
joyfully announce
their newest addition!
Samuel Jake
Born January 7, 1997
7 lbs, 5 oz
Length: 1 foot, 7 inches

Sample #12
Someone little to hug and cuddle,
We love the way our cute princess nibble
Jessica Wright
arrived on
Thursday, December 16, 1999
9:24 a.m.
7 pounds, 15 ounces
21 inches long

Teaching teenagers about the value of money

Here’s a basic guide to help parents teach teens how to value money and spend it wisely.

Are you giving the teen a specific amount of money as allowance? Well, ensure he/she writes down the expenditures as well. Make them realize the importance of doing this as it helps one to develop the skills of planning.

Ensure your child maintains a savings account. Allow a certain portion to be spent as and how your child desires but see to it that he/she puts away certain amount for the month.

Give your teens a little bit of financial responsibility at an early age. He/she would automatically apply the principle to his/her own expenditures and perhaps, curb the unnecessary spending as well! A little bit of responsibility would ensure he/she learns the ropes at an early age.

Many teens love to do part-time jobs. Such jobs for teens are a great way for them to learn the finer nuances of expenditure. Encourage his/her ideas and help your child be responsible about the earnings. As long as it does not interfere with studies, there are many easy ways for teens to make money. This is a good time for them to learn and also realize how to plan for their future.

Teach your child how to plan a budget. Make him/her note down the expenses and purchases for the month. Make this a habit with your teen so that he/she realizes where the money is being channeled.

We often hear and read in the news today that many companies are closing or some are forcing their employees to resign from their job to cut down labor expenses. Well we all know that it’s due to the global economic crisis that we are experiencing right now. And as a working mom this situation is also one of my concerns.

Today I found an interesting read about how to increase job security and i thought of sharing this with you.

Here are some tips on how to survive a possible layoff.

• Keeping your skills current can help you keep your career.

• Acquiring trainings for career with growth potential is an advantage.

• Put in extra effort in your current job and increase your visibility at work.

• Communicate your value to the upper management.

• Make sure you become indispensable at your duties.

• Never have a job that takes too much of your time

Your career is important, but it should not take most of your time away from your family, especially your kids.

The trick is not to spend too much time at work.

• Do your work duties only within the working hours

Divide your duties and responsibilities well within the paid working hours of your job. If you have the power to delegate certain tasks to some of your coworkers, you can come home to your children relaxed.

• Give quality time and effort to both your work and your family

When you are at home, spend time with your kids and focus on them.

Children value even small acts like putting them to sleep, giving them a hug or kiss, and so on.

Apply the same rule when at work. Give your full attention and dedication to your career. This will reduce problems, prevent the waste of time and effort, and eventually, the stress or fatigue associated with it.

• Do not overwork yourself.

Even machines need to shut down, so getting complete rest or at least 8 hours of sleep is important.

It is only when you are well rested that you can think clearly and bring out the best in you for your family and your job.

• L-O-V-E

Love your work and love your children and family.

• Share activities together

Make it a habit to have bonding sessions with your kids. Any activity will do as long as you are together.

Shared activities provide parents and children with the connection they both need.

• Read to your children.

Introduce reading at an early age. Establish a daily routine and allot at least 30 minutes to reading. Reading stimulates mental development. Books need not to be expensive; you can buy them from second-hand book stores.

• Visit Parenting Sites

Instead of buying parenting magazines, make use of the internet to get some parenting help.

Parenting sites and forums are very useful especially for first-time mothers.

Nowadays, a lot of parents share and discuss parenting ideas and tips in the web.

We read and heard a lot of news today about the killings and robberies in many houses especially during holiday season plus the fact that life is getting difficult everyday because of the global crisis going on. With all these happenings and threats surrounds us it is important that we take all precautionary measures to make sure that our family is safe at all times.

Try some of the security gadgets you can place in your home like home security camera system, burglar alarms, glass break detector, home intercom system, and a lot more. Whether you have a new or old house it’s good to consider getting a home security system it’s for you and your family’s welfare.

• For meals and snacks combine carbohydrates and protein. Carbs are the main source of energy for your brain and muscles, but if eaten alone they can bring on a sharp blood-sugar rise that’s quickly followed by a crash. Combining carbs with protein, which boosts alertness and a little fat, slows the sugar rise to help sustain energy.

• Eat every three to four hours to constantly fuel your body. Going too long without food can cause fatigue.

• Keep portions small. Very large meals (especially those high in fat) can leave you sluggish because they demand increased blood flow to the stomach for digestion. That means less blood to other areas, including the brain.

• Cook from scratch more often. Limit processed foods because they can contain energy-robbing refined carbohydrates.

Stay hydrated. Sometimes fatigue is a sign of dehydration, so sip water throughout the day to get eight full glasses.

Some companies participate in Trade Fair and Exhibits and display their products or services in trade show booths to increase their product exposure. Maybe it’s a cheaper way to advertise the product compared to media and print ads. Pipe and drape to set up the booth,  table skirts, and a banner stands to display the ad with eye catching graphics are just the exhibitor’s needed to effectively market their product.

There are trade shows that I’ve visited in the past and I can say it’s a good alternative to Shopping Malls. The price of product is lower since it’s direct from manufacturer. They also offer discount for bulk orders, and if you’re planning to set up you’re own business you can also get supplies from them and start a retailing business.