Maximizing Parental Control Over Social Media
Many people say that this is the “social media” era. The world has become a place where everything is influenced by social media. No one can underestimate its grasp. What is good about social media is the easy proliferation of information. However, the bad side is how this information will be used. Everyone has the responsibility to use information for good causes.
Speaking of bad side, when children are being exposed to social media, they tend to overdo it especially without parental guidance. Many Singaporean parents are showing concern. With this, it is important that you think about maximizing your parental control over social media. How will you do this? First, you have to curb their usage of the most popular social media platform on earth – Facebook.
Here is a guide in restricting Facebook access to your children’s smartphones:
On their iPhones
If your children have iPhones, you have to know everything about it. Do not let your kids know more than you do because if that is the case, they will simply adjust the restriction and you will end up just fooling yourself.
Go to “Settings” under the “General” section. Look for the “Restrictions” button and then choose “Enable Restrictions” (this is just on top of the screen). Once you are here, do not be surprised as you will be prompted to set up 4-digit passcode. Slide the button to “Off”. If you do not want your children to install Facebook, just tap the “Installing Apps” to “Off”.
On their Android
If your children are using Android phones, you can also restrict Facebook access. You just need to open the “Google Play Store”. Look for the “Application Settings” and then set PIN for purchases. This is effective as your child cannot install apps that you do not approve (in this case including Facebook).
If you want to make sure, you can choose to avail an app that has the power to lock or block other apps. At the end of the day it is your choice.
Note that the tips provided above are for smartphones. What will happen if your children are out and you cannot monitor their usage in school or other places? The best thing that you can do is to explain why you need to restrict or curb their usage. You need to teach your children how to behave safely and appropriately on the internet regardless of the platform they use so whether you are there or not, they will know how to handle it.
Paving the Way to More Peaceful Sleep: A Guide to Preparing Kids for Bed
At a young age, kids should know the importance of sleep for their mental and physical development. It is the duty of the parents to instil this importance. But sometimes kids to not just sleep no matter how badly you want it. They are active and sensitive that you cannot just put them to sleep. If you have troubles putting your kids to sleep, it is high time that you think about a bedtime routine.
Bedtime routine will keep your kids disciplined and you will not worry about them oversleeping or exhausted. However, you need to pave way and help the kids prepare for sleep. This is not so hard. Here are some tricks that you can administer:
- Do not let them watch media: When it is near bedtime, do not let your kids watch media especially scary ones. You have to know that children below 6 are fear-reactive. This means that if they see something weird, they will be bothered. Avoid exposing them to television at least ninety minutes before their sleeping time.
- Quiet down: If kids hear their environment active, they tend to go with the vibe as well leading to exhaustion. If it is near bedtime, make an effort to quiet down. Book reading, lullaby and massage always do the trick. If your kid wants a cuddle, you should give it. For parents who are breastfeeding, a quiet surrounding is peaceful – a beautiful moment.
- Give positive attention: Sometimes when kids are little difficult to put to sleep, you tend to consider negative attention. Kids appreciate positive attention. Before going to sleep, make an effort to say how much you love him/her or what a beautiful day it was and then more good things to look forward to tomorrow. Never underestimate what positive attention can do because it can make a big difference at the end of the day.
- Be a good company: When getting your kid to sleep gets awry, you tend to be frustrated especially if you are tired. You will find it hard to deal with him/her gently. Your goal should be to see your kid happily settle and your words should be calm and your demeanour is kind.
- Respond: Sometimes kids have night mares and it is normal for them to cry or call out. When this happens, always respond. This is so they will know they are not alone and you are always there for them.
Parents here in Singapore should know these.
Choosing a Wedding Reception Dress
In the recent years, many brides in Singapore are choosing two bridal dresses for the big day: one for the ceremony and another for the reception. The gown for the ceremony looks more formal and usually restricts movement, such as mermaid silhouettes and ballgowns. Brides who opt for these ceremony dresses prefer to change into a completely different dress for the reception, so they can dance and move around comfortably.
A bridal studio offers a myriad of options to choose from. If you consider switching into a comfortable reception dress on your wedding day, make sure to keep these tips in mind.
1. Go Short
One great thing about having a second bridal wardrobe is that you can pick a shorter and more comfortable type of dress. Many boutiques in Singapore have collections of short wedding dresses—some are more formal while others look casual. If you’re going for comfort, a halter style with flowing skirt would be a perfect pick. For a more formal choice, you can go for a tube or sweetheart top with fuller skirt.
2. Go Long But Keep it Simple
If you wish to wear a floor-length dress for your reception, ask your bridal boutique for more forgiving silhouettes and dresses made of comfortable materials—think empire waist and sheath dresses. The one thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want your reception dress from the amazing bridal studio in Singapore to outshine your ceremony gown. Beadings and laceworks are fine, but keep them less than your ceremony dress.
3. Have Fun With Colours
Brides don’t always have to wear white. Choosing a coloured reception dress is a new trend that more and more Singapore brides are embracing. For instance, if your wedding colours are purple and pink, choose a cocktail dress in the shades of those colours or a beautiful red dress. An important point to remember, however, is to not choose a colour that matches your bridesmaids. You want to stand out at your reception, not to blend in with the crowd.
4. Let Your Personal Style Shine
Stay true to your style when choosing a ceremony dress and a reception dress. Your style will tie both looks together. For example, if you aim for a fairytale-like wedding, choose regal style dresses. For the ceremony, wear a ballgown or a princess style wedding dress, with intricate beading and off-shoulder sleeves. For your reception dress, pick a sweetheart, A-line, tea-length dress. When both of your dresses reflect your style, the outfit changes will flow seamlessly together.
5. Include Traditional Pieces
If you want a touch of your culture in your wedding, your reception dress can be a great way to represent it. For Singapore brides, you can wear a cheongsam. Choose the shorter style for a more comfortable choice. Another way is to accessorize accordingly if you don’t want to don a traditional dress. Instead of wearing a cheongsam, accessorizing in red and gold would be a tasteful option to keep your culture subtly included in your celebration.
6. Consider Transition Dresses
Some boutiques carry dresses that can be worn in different ways, so make sure to ask your bridal studio for this collection. Some full skirts can be removed to reveal a short dress underneath, long sleeves can be detached to reveal off-shoulder straps, or boleros can be removed to reveal sleeveless or tube top. By wearing a dress with these elements, the transition from ceremony to reception look is automatically cohesive since the body of the dress is retained.
7. Mind the Fabric and the Beading
If your wedding gown displays opulence and elegance, carry this glamorous look into your reception by bringing the exquisite elements from your ceremony gown to your reception dress. For example, if your first dress is adorned with heavy beadwork, ask your bridal boutique consultant for dress options in sheath silhouette with beaded neckline or sash/belt that hints at the opulence of your wedding gown.
When to Change Dresses?
First off, plan things ahead of time. Have the dress, shoes, and jewellery (yes, some brides switch all the accessories, too) all laid out in the master’s room of your reception venue. Designate one or two of your friends (but definitely not three or more) or your wedding planner to help you change. If you bring too many people in the changing area, it might take longer for you to change than necessary.
Ideally, you can change right after the ceremony, before the reception starts. However, some brides choose to change after the first dance or before the party started. If you prefer changing while the reception is going on, make sure not to be gone for more than 10 minutes or your guests will notice you have been gone long enough. Your wedding planner should be able to keep you on schedule and urge you to get back to the party if you’ve been in the changing room for too long.
Having two wedding dresses is a relatively new trend in Singapore weddings, so don’t confine yourself to a certain fashion rule or expectation. Take advantage of this opportunity to spice things up in your wedding day, to be creative with your look and to surprise your guests, and most of all, your groom. But remember, it isn’t necessary to change into another dress. If you love your wedding gown and prefer not to take off the dress you painstakingly put on earlier, you can certainly wear it throughout the night.
Things You Shouldn’t Say to Chronically Tired People
Who wants to be tired all the time? No one wants to be chronically tired but if work is involved, some women can’t help but falling into this trap here in Singapore. This is not good because the body needs rest and in case you still do not get it, the body will shut down on its own one of these days. What’s more annoying is that people around you are rubbing it on your face.
People around you should be more considerate if not compassionate about you. It would be great if they are aware of the things that you do not want to hear. If you notice someone who is chronically tired, here are the words that you should never mention to them:
“Everyone is sleep deprived these past few days”
You see them tired and then you just assume that they are sleep-deprived. You even said “everyone is sleep deprived these past few days”. You have to be careful and not sound like complaining or taking things lightly because to the ears of the chronically tired women, you are plainly annoying and just saying things that you do not know.
“You should try cutting back on your coffee”
You also need to avoid mentioning to a chronically tired woman about cutting back on her coffee. When you have sleepless nights, you will get tired easily and some attribute your lack of sleep to coffee. It just happens that you drink a lot of coffee. When a woman is tired, do not rub it on her face that she should try cutting back on her coffee because it means cutting back the receptors that keeps her alert. You are just making unsolicited advice.
“But you are just exaggerating, right?”
The woman is claiming that she is chronically tired but you still say “but you are just exaggerating, right?” That is a no. Women know the difference of sleep-deprived and chronically tired. All know the difference of exaggeration and merely stating facts.
“You have to get more sleep”
You can help the woman by not constantly bugging her of the things that she missed. She already knows what to do and if you will not help her achieve something, quit asking her to get more sleep. Rest assured she thought of that numerous times.
“Are you eating well?”
You are just concerned and that is good but if you constantly rub it on her face to eat right, you should not bother mentioning food at all unless you have plans of giving her a hearty and healthy meal. She doesn’t need your diet suggestions.
Hacks to Get Rid of Eye Puffiness
Perhaps the most painful thing that you could ever take is getting comments saying that you look older than your age. The worse thing is you think they are right because deep inside you feel tired and old. It is time that you turn these thoughts and remarks into something beautiful. Why don’t you start with your under eye puffiness?
Under eye puffiness is a normal sight here in Singapore. There are times that you can wear it proudly because it means you worked hard but most of the time, under eye puffiness is not a pleasant sight. Feeling fresh is really a struggle these days especially if you see your eyes droopy and tired. The bags are pretty annoying and it is the classic sign of fatigue and stress.
You should not fret. It is not too late to turn it around by restoring your former glory and beauty. There are many handy yet effective ways to get rid of your under eye puffiness or dark circles. Here are some:
- Get some potato: Most people only know cucumber. It is time that potatoes are introduced. Potatoes can help with diminishing the size of the puffiness. You will see improvements as soon as you get rid of the potato from the eyes. Make sure to refrigerate the potatoes first before slicing it into two. Place the potatoes so it will cover the problem area and then leave it be for at least fifteen to twenty minutes and voila – you will see the difference.
- Allow some milk: If you noticed that your under eyes are too puffy than normal, you have to consider the help of milk. Make sure it is chilled. In a pan, dip the cotton pads and place it immediately on your eyelids fir twenty to thirty minutes. This can help cool off the eyes.
- Get some oil: Another regimen that you can use is adding vitamin E to a bowl of water then dipping cotton pads. You should immediately put it on your eyes for twenty to thirty minutes. This can help with the swelling.
- Tea bags: If you have tea bags, you can use it. You should first chill it by putting it in cold water and putting it in the refrigerator for few minutes. The two tea bags should be placed over your eyes for at least thirty minutes. After that, you can wash your face and eyes using cold water. You will surely feel rejuvenated.
These are just some of the things that you can consider when you think about improving eye puffiness.
