Holiday Footwear Essentials: What To Pack When You’re Heading On Vacay

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We’ve all been there. Staring at an empty suitcase and a huge pile of clothes and shoes, thinking ‘how is all of that going to fit in there?’. Slimming down your wardrobe and picking the right items for your holiday can sometimes make or break your time away, especially when it comes to footwear.

Don’t worry though, as you’re not alone. Plenty of us come up against this conundrum, and we’re here to help you pack smart with no stress and maximum style!

Holiday Footwear 101

Depending on the type of holiday you’ve booked you’ll need to have a good think about what you need to pack. For example, if you’re heading on a city break, then you’ll want to go for something comfortable and stylish, like a pair of trainers or loafers. For beach holidays, you can’t beat the classic sandal or flip-flop combo, either opt for something minimalistic and chic or if it’s a super sunny destination, then why not go full-on and get a pair of fun patterned sandals?

For longer holidays, you’ll need to think about versatility for your footwear options. Think about the type of activities you’re likely to be doing and what kind of climate you’ll be in. Boots are always practical, especially if it’s cooler or rainy, but if you don’t fancy lugging them around, then a pair of loafers and sandals are the perfect combo.

No holiday wardrobe is complete without some evening-ready shoes, whether that’s heeled sandals or a classic stiletto, you’ll be sure to find something for every occasion

The main takeaway here? Comfort over style is key! No one wants to be in pain when they’re away, so make sure you try your shoes on properly and look for styles with cushioned inner soles. That way you can have the best of both worlds – comfort and style.

At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing your holiday footwear. So make sure to pick something that goes with the rest of your wardrobe, is versatile for whatever activities you have planned and, most importantly, comfortable enough to last the whole trip!

5 Holiday Footwear Essentials To Pack In Your Suitcase

Okay, so we’ve given you a broad idea of the types of shoes you’ll need for your holiday. Now let’s take a look at what styles you should definitely include in your suitcase.

1. Trainers – A great all-rounder, trainers are perfect for days when you want to be comfortable but still look good. They come in so many different styles and colours that you can easily find something to go with any outfit. Plus, if you want a cool hybrid, then sneaker slippers are well worth checking out as they combine the best of both worlds when it comes to comfort and style!

2. Sandals – Whether you opt for the classic flip-flop or a dressier, heeled version there’s no denying that sandals are an essential piece of holiday footwear. Wear them around the pool, on the beach or when mooching around the local town but be aware they’re best for short walks and not hikes or long trips.

3. Loafers – Classic and chic, they’re also surprisingly comfortable. A good pair of loafers can take you from day to night with ease and look great with jeans, shorts or a dress. Loafers come in plenty of styles, colours and materials to choose from, although you can’t go wrong with a classic style and colour.

4. Ankle Boots – If you’re heading somewhere cooler, then a good pair of ankle boots are a must. Not only do they look great with jeans, dresses and skirts, but they also provide plenty of support for your feet and ankles, which is especially important if you plan on doing any walking or hiking. Adding after-market inner soles can also help to make them even more comfortable.

5. Slippers – This may come as a surprise, but whether you’re at home or on holiday, there’s nothing quite like sliding into a pair of comfy slippers when it’s time for bed. Not only are they great for keeping your feet warm and cozy, but they can also help to prevent you from slipping on wet or slippery surfaces, which is always a bonus!

So, there you have it – five essential pieces of footwear that belong in every suitcase! If you’ve been struggling to decide what shoes to pack for your holiday then hopefully, this has given you some ideas and helped you narrow down your choices. Now all that’s left to do is get packing!

What Can We Do if Our Kids Are Sick All the Time?

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There is nothing more difficult than when our children are constantly unwell. If you think about the time it takes for you to recover from an illness with your robust immune system when your kids are sick all the time, it can easily make you dread every time they start having a sniffle or a cough. Common colds, fevers, and ear infections can easily upend our routines, making it difficult to work or even to get a meal together. So what are the things we need to remember when our children get sick?

Know the Numbers

It might not be music to your ears, but if you are barely making it 3 weeks without a child getting ill, this works out to the average amount of times they could get sick in the space of a year. There are many common questions about ENT specialists, specifically in relation to ear infections, and if your child has 8 or more ear infections within the space of 12 months, this poses a major problem. The reality is that when it comes to ear infections, anything less than 3 is fine, and if your child is getting up to 10 colds a year, this is still in the normal range. It’s when a cold lasts more than 10 days, fever lasts more than 5 days, and difficulty breathing beyond a stuffy nose is when it becomes a problem and you need to seek medical advice.

Ensuring You Get the Balance Right

The fact is your children are going to be exposed to a variety of germs and bugs when they are in school or in daycare, but it’s essential for you to make sure that they have the right tools to fight off these things more effectively. When you have your first child, the number of bugs that you will catch from your children is incredibly surprising and can wage war on your own immune system you will find you are in a better place to help your children fight these things. The best thing you can help your children with include some of the following: 

  • Making sure your children get lots of sleep. It can be difficult, especially if they are waking up a lot at night, but ensuring that they feel as rested as possible makes a big difference. 
  • Increasing their vitamin intake. Vitamin C is incredibly important, and low levels have been linked to more severe colds. 
  • Improving their gut bacteria. If you have taken your child to the doctor a few times this year resulting in a number of courses of antibiotics, this could have an impact on their immune system. Improving gut bacteria is one of the best ways to improve the immune system overall.

It is incredibly difficult when our children are unwell, but it’s important to recognize that their being sick is more common than you think. If your children are unwell every few weeks, this is par for the course. The best thing you can do is to make sure you and your children are more comfortable so they can ride it out.

Parenting Tips: 5 Ways to Foster More Confidence in Your Child

As a parent, one of your primary goals is to help your child grow into a confident and successful adult. This can be a challenge, especially if your child lacks confidence. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help foster more confidence in your child. This blog post will discuss five of the most effective parenting tips for building confidence in your child!

Offer Praise & Encouragement:

One of the best ways to foster more confidence in your child is to offer praise and encouragement. Showing your child that you think highly of them and recognize their accomplishments will go a long way towards boosting their self-esteem. Praise your child for big and small achievements, such as completing an assignment or helping with household chores. Let them know you value them by praising specific qualities like creativity, persistence, and honesty. Try to avoid using terms such as “good job” frequently; instead, use phrases like “I am proud of your hard work” or “you are doing very well in school this year”. Make sure to be genuine when offering compliments–kids can tell the difference between sincere praise and empty words.

Photo by Kindel Media: 

Encourage Independence:

Encouraging your child to become more independent is another great way to foster more confidence in them. Studies show that children become more confident when they are not reliant on their parents and can make decisions for themselves. Help your child to develop their decision-making skills by allowing them to make small choices, such as which clothes to wear or what food to have for dinner.

You can also encourage independence by giving your child autonomy over some regions of life, like when it comes to schoolwork or other activities. For example, if your child is struggling with a homework assignment, don’t immediately step in and do it for them—instead, allow them to try solving the problem themselves first. Once they have had a go, you can offer assistance if needed.

Encourage Risk-Taking:

Encouraging your child to take risks is another excellent way to foster more confidence. Although taking risks can be daunting, it can also help your child become more comfortable taking chances when the situation arises. You can start by gently introducing challenges or offering opportunities to try new things.

When your child takes a risk and succeeds, it’s important to acknowledge their accomplishment. Try to avoid being overly critical and talk about their challenges and how they overcame them. This will reinforce that even if something doesn’t go right the first time, they have the power to keep trying until they experience success.

You can also encourage your child to take risks in other ways, such as joining an after-school club or signing up for a physical activity like basketball or swimming lessons. These activities allow children to explore new interests and practice problem-solving skills.

Establish Routines and Boundaries:

Creating a routine for your child is another way to help them build confidence. Setting up times for meals, playtime, homework, and bedtime can help children feel secure and stable. Having the same daily routine provides a sense of safety in the household. Establishing boundaries is also important because it teaches your child how to interact with others in an appropriate manner.

To ensure that your child knows what’s expected of them, make sure they understand the rules, expectations, and consequences you have put in place. It’s also helpful to reinforce these rules on a regular basis as kids will naturally test limits when they are young. If they know their boundaries beforehand, it shows that you care about their development and want them to grow into responsible adults someday.

Help Them Cope With Insecurities:

Finally, helping your child to cope with insecurities is an important step in increasing their confidence. For example, children may be hesitant to try new things or take risks because they are afraid of what others will think. This fear can often lead to feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem.

When dealing with insecurities, it’s important to talk openly about the issue and help them find ways to move forward. Encourage them to think positively and focus on successes instead of failures. You can also provide Olympia dental implants guidance such as role-playing scenarios, examples from your own life, or advice from other people who have gone through similar experiences.

By taking the above steps, you will be able to help your child become more confident and secure in their skin. When children develop confidence, they are better equipped to handle life’s challenges and make sound decisions. With the right support and guidance, your kid can grow into a strong-minded adult who is not afraid to take risks or speak up for what they believe in.

An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.