Tag: Family

How To Balance Family Life As A Working Parent

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. It is a very different world than it used to be. As such parenting has changed as well, with a whole host of career-and family-related changes associated with it. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Balance Family Life As A Working Parent.

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As every parent knows, family life can be challenging to manage. Attempting to strike a balance between all the things you need to do while still making time for the kids can feel like an almost impossible balancing act. Unfortunately, many parents feel this way. As living costs keep rising, more households than ever require both parents to work full-time, sometimes through choice, but more often out of necessity. This means that there is far less time to complete chores, cook meals, and, most importantly, spend quality time together.

Work-life balance is a phrase that is often spoken about, but many people still struggle to achieve this. Research shows that 54% of parents would like to spend more time with their kids. But, it is not as simple as just cutting down on time spent at work and spending more time at home. So, when working less is not an option, you may be wondering how a work-life balance can be achieved. Here are some tips to help you navigate balancing family life as a working parent:

Simplify Mealtimes

After a long day at work, trying to decide what to cook for family dinners each night can become a significant source of stress. You may find that you feel much too tired to cook healthy, nutritious meals for the family. Making mealtimes as simple as possible will make it easier for you to prepare healthy meals and spend less time in the kitchen each night.

There are a couple of different ways to simplify mealtimes. You could batch-cook meals and freeze them. Batch cooking will enable you to have meals ready and stored in the freezer, so you can reheat them whenever needed. Alternatively, you may want to create a meal plan at the start of every week so you already know what to cook each night.

Find Childcare

Trying to balance looking after the kids between yourself and your partner can be a significant source of stress. When you are always trying to arrange childcare between you, you will have very little time left over to spend together. But, it does not always have to remain this way. Arranging high-quality childcare for your kids can make it much easier for you to navigate both your work life and home life and will certainly help to reduce your stress levels.

Childcare settings such as the Play and Learn School offer childcare and education for a range of ages, meaning that your kids will enjoy engaging activities while you work. With your childcare arrangements settled, it will be so much easier for you to enjoy more family time together, and you will no longer be ships passing in the night.

Work as a Team

Finally, working as a team is essential to balance family life. Allocating age-appropriate chores to family members will ensure everyone can play a part in keeping family life running smoothly. For kids, it can be helpful to develop a sense of responsibility and learn crucial life skills.

How To Successfully Plan Your Itinerary For A Family Vacation

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Health/Wellness. Vacations are important for our health and wellbeing. Properly planning them out is important though. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Successfully Plan Your Itinerary For A Family Vacation.

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Photo by Pixabay

Planning a family vacation is an exciting thing to do. However, the success of your family vacation largely depends on the activities that you plan for it.

This is why you need to make sure that you plan out your itinerary carefully for your trip. Planning your itinerary requires some special consideration. Here is a look at the best way to go about doing it.

Start With Your Budget

Having a clear budget is the best way to start planning your itinerary. There is very little you can do without a proper budget. Once you know how much money you can spend at any given time throughout the trip the easier it will be to plan your itinerary.

Make sure you plan out your source of funding and how you will access it while you are on your trip.

Make a List

Make a rough draft of all the places that you want to go while you are on your vacation. Once you have created your list, you can then check out all the prices you will need to pay to visit these places.

Consider how much you will pay for transportation and accommodations where necessary. Taking all these things into consideration will help you to narrow down your list based on the budget that you have already created.

Choose the Right Season

You need to select the season that is best for you to travel. Remember, that most travel destinations have what is known as a high season.

This high season happens around summer or Christmas time. These are some of the most exciting times to travel but they are also the most crowded at the airports, and also at your destination.

If you don’t like crowds and value your privacy then the low season is probably best. It will be a lot more relaxing, but in some destinations, the weather may not be as great as in the high season.

Do Your Research

Before you start planning your itinerary you need to do your research on the location where you will be going. Find out about the safety of certain locations that you are interested in visiting.

Research the transportation options that are available, For example, you can get a Louisville charter coach co if you are in that area to you to make your trip a comfortable one. If your vacation is out of the country you need to know where your country’s embassy is located and also the nearest police stations to the places you will be visiting.

Having all this knowledge will ensure your safety and security.

Start Planning

Having a firm understanding of your budget, the places you want to visit and how much it will cost are important factors when considering your budget.

Deciding on the right season for your vacation and securing proper accommodations is a must. Also, consider your safety and security as well when planning your itinerary. Doing all these things will ensure that your vacation is a good one.

Top Tips For Maintaining Your Family On A Budget

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. Maintaining a family can be a challenge financially, but it can be done with deliberate and smart spending. The following contributed post is entitled, Top Tips For Maintaining Your Family On A Budget.

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Home maintenance is likely one of the most significant expenses you’ll encounter throughout your life, whether you’re repairing the damage caused by storms and bad weather or trying to keep up to date with the latest trends and styles.

In fact, a recent report found that, on average, US “households spend $2,335 on home maintenance each year,” which can quickly add up over time. Given the fact that the cost of living is rising in just about every state, it’s important that you’re able to take a more budget-friendly approach to maintenance – which is where this guide comes in.

Photo by Theme Photos on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some simple yet cost-effective tips for maintaining your family home!

● Stick to a regular cleaning rota. One of the easiest ways to maintain your dream home is to keep it clean and organized. This is because it stops the build-up of clutter, dust, and contaminants throughout your home, which could cause some serious damage over time. As such, you should try to do some cleaning each day before carrying out a deep clean every few months.

● Don’t ignore the warning signs of major issues. Major home maintenance tasks often start as minor ones, which you may initially disregard. However, this only gives them time to worsen, which often means more extensive (and expensive) repairs are necessary. For example, if your home’s foundation is cracked or damaged, you need to contact companies that install seismic retrofits, as this can help ensure your foundation is up to code. This is particularly important if you live in areas that fall into hurricane zones.

● Seal any gaps in windows or door frames. Small gaps in your windows and door frames could lead to various problems within your home. For example, they could serve as an entryway for pests or simply allow heat to escape, meaning your heating bill increases. Thankfully, this can easily (and cheaply) be remedied using sealants, which can be caught over the counter.

● Avoid microtrends. When carrying out maintenance tasks that change the appearance of your home, such as repainting the walls or installing new features, make sure the changes are something you really love – and that you’ve not fallen for a microtrend that will quickly fall out of style. For example, while some home decor trends, such as minimalism, are likely to stand the test of time, others fade away quickly, and you don’t want to be left with a room that you’ll hate in a couple of months!

● Become a DIY pro. While some duties should be left to the professionals, like plumbers and electricians, there are many other home maintenance tasks that you will be able to handle yourself. However, this may mean that you need to take some time to develop some basic DIY skills to familiarize yourself with the tools you are using and the task at hand. This will ensure you won’t actually cause any damage to your home when trying to fix things. Simply put, the better you get at DIY, the less you’ll have to spend on home maintenance, as it eliminates the need to hire someone to do the tasks for you!

Using Sport to Enrich Your Family’s Lives

Two focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Health/Wellness. Sports fulfill a lot of needs, but one can be to strengthen your family’s lives. The following contributed post is entitled, Using Sport to Enrich Your Family’s Lives.

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Sports bring people together. There’s a reason that watching and playing sports are among America’s favorite pastimes. The excitement and the rush of a great game or race get the heart pumping and a good result can make your day.

Playing sports can also be fantastic for your health. Humans are supposed to move, but modern lifestyles involve far more sitting down than running around. While some people are motivated to work out for their health, some people need different motivations. But if you enjoy playing sports, then moving around and working out becomes a natural part of your routine.

Children exercise through playing games and sports. True, not everyone is a natural athlete, but this doesn’t mean that sports can’t be a part of your family’s life.

Encouraging Children to Play Sports

People have different strengths and weaknesses, as well as different hobbies and interests. While sports are undeniably beneficial, not everyone will be as interested in sports as you might expect. Some parents push their children into certain sports.

If the child is naturally interested in that sport, then there’s nothing wrong with encouraging them, but issues can crop up when you try to force an interest that doesn’t exist. However, there are some ways to foster interest in sports.

First, make sports fun. Yes, many sports are inherently competitive, but this doesn’t make them very fun for people who aren’t naturally good at them. Use sports to bond with your children and play with them. Give them different options. Just because you’re a baseball fan, it doesn’t mean that your child has to be as well.

While it’s nice to share your hobbies with your children, get involved with their interests as well. If they aren’t as interested in sports, then encourage whatever hobbies they do have. Encourage them to find something active, but don’t try to force them to stop creative outlets or other hobbies that have other benefits. Find a balance.

The Art of Being a Good Sports Fan

As mentioned above, sports bring people together. Enjoying sports can introduce you to a community of people. Your kids can play sports with other children, building their social skills as well as keeping active.

The more you get involved in your favorite sports, the more you will get out of it. There’s no gatekeeping the term “sports fan”, and it’s healthy to have other hobbies and interests as well as sports to make sure that your personality continues to develop and become well-rounded.

However, you can find more ways to involve sports in your life. Playing your favorite sport as well as watching it is a great start. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy a sport and you might find that, as you regularly play, you get better each week.

Making the Most Out of Sports Events

One of the best things about sports is the spectacle. No matter what you’re into, there will be big events happening all around the world. The best way to get the most out of this is to go to a live game. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a stadium, with hundreds or thousands of people around you watching the same game.

However, there’s something to be said about watching a great match or race in the comfort of your own home. If you plan, you can turn a watch party into an event in its own right. First, be prepared. Find out in advance when your favorite sport will be televised. For example, use the Supercross TV schedule to figure out when the next live race is.

Get some people together who enjoy the same sport. This can be a family affair, or you can invite friends around to enjoy some drinks and great food. While it’s not the same as watching it in person, you will find that you get better views of all of the action. You’ll also benefit from the live commentary, so you know more about what’s going on.

Some people find that they prefer watching sports from the comfort of their own homes. For starters, it’s so much more affordable than investing in a season ticket. It’s also more convenient than traveling miles to watch the sport.

Another option is to listen to the match on the radio. This is a great option if you’re on the move and otherwise unable to watch the live match. No matter how you prefer to watch or listen to your favorite sport, make sure that you always know when the next match is.

5 Cool Ways To Celebrate A Family Occasion

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Maintaining strong family relations is importance to one’s health/wellness. One way to do that is through celebrate important family-related events. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Cool Ways To Celebrate A Family Occasion.

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Family occasions are a chance to bring your family together, spend some quality time in each other’s company, and create lasting family memories forever more. If you need some inspiration for a family celebration, you are in the right place. Read on for 5 cool and simple ideas to use.

Ten Pin Bowling

Whether it is a birthday, anniversary, or homecoming, ten-pin bowling is always a cool way to celebrate. Not everyone is as serious about ten-pin bowling as Ernie McCracken and Roy Munston – see the movie Kingpin for details – but that’s a good thing; it’s supposed to be fun.

If you want an enjoyable and entertaining evening with family, friends, or loved ones, try bowling and family fun at Spare Time Texas. Sure, there’s a leaderboard at the bowling alley, and some people have a knack for a strike, but you are sure to enjoy the friendly competition and banter.

Family Picnics

Since you spend so much of your family time in the house, a picnic offers a new way to enjoy your family and nature simultaneously. Family picnics are simple to organize and highly memorable. Choose an outdoor location in your local area or beyond, but check the weather.

When you decide that family picnics are a nice way for your family to celebrate special occasions, you should invest in a picnic set. Picnic sets come in fold-away boxes and contain all the plates and cutlery you need to enjoy the event. Choose food and don’t forget the cake.

Crazy Golf

When you think of golf, you think of those well-trimmed fairways and greens on the television every summer. You might think about some of the most famous golfers in the world and their epic drives into the sky. Not all forms of golf require a professional caddie and a set of clubs.

If you have a family occasion like a birthday, anniversary, or pre-wedding party, crazy golf is an excellent way to get everyone together and have some fun. You don’t need any experience or skill to play crazy golf; if you have a sense of perspective and strategy, you can enjoy success.

Family Travel

Nothing says special more than getting away from your hum drum environment. Often, we become overly familiar with our routine spaces, the house and garden, the street and local shops, the local park, and so on. When you change the location, you can find new inspiration.

Family travel is a lovely way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or engagement. Why not book a hotel for the weekend in an area of natural beauty and spend some quality time together as a family? Alternatively, you could head off for a long road trip over the weekend in a mobile home.

House Party

If you want to keep your family occasion closer to home, there might be a no better option than to have a house party. A house party is a cool way to gather your friends and family in a familiar place and decorate the house accordingly. This way, you can benefit from your home comforts.

Ways You Can Commemorate A Family Event Without Breaking The Bank

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Financial Literacy/Money. Family is arguably the most important thing in life and it’s important to have family events. It’s also important to be cost conscious as well. The following contributed post is entitled, Ways You Can Commemorate A Family Event Without Breaking The Bank.

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Commemorating a big family event, such as a milestone anniversary, father’s day, or a reunion, can be a special and meaningful way to honor the past and celebrate the present. Here are a few ideas for ways to commemorate a big family event.

Credit: Askar Abayev/ Pexels

Hosta a family reunion

Gather all of your family members together in one place to celebrate the event. This can be a great way to reconnect with family members you haven’t seen in a while and create new memories. A good way to mark this occasion would be by creating custom coins for everyone there through Challenge Coins Ltd.

Create a family tree

A family tree is a visual representation of your family’s history. You can create a family tree by gathering information about your ancestors and charting their relationships. This can be a great way to learn more about your family’s history and pass that knowledge on to future generations.

Create a family photo album

A photo album is a great way to capture the memories of a big family event. You can collect photos from the event and organize them in an album, along with captions and notes about the event.

Create a family cookbook

A family cookbook is a collection of recipes passed down from generation to generation. You can gather family recipes and create a cookbook to commemorate the event and pass on the family’s culinary traditions.

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Plan a family vacation

A family vacation is a great way to create new memories and bond as a family. You can plan a trip to a location that has special significance for your family, such as the place where your ancestors immigrated from or a place where a family member lived.

Create a family website

A family website is a great way to share information about your family’s history and keep in touch with family members who live far away. You can create a website with information about your family’s history, photos, and updates on current events.

Make a video or documentary

Create a video or documentary about the event or your family’s history. This can be a great way to record and preserve memories for future generations, and also an interesting way to share it with family and friends who couldn’t make it to the event.

Host a charity event in honor of the family event

Host a charity event in honor of the family event

Hosting a charity event in honor of a big family event can be a great way to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of others.

Create a time capsule

A time capsule is a container filled with items that represent the present and will be opened at a later date. You can fill a time capsule with items that represent the big family event, such as photos, newspaper articles, and personal notes.

Have a family gathering to plant a tree

Planting a tree is a symbol of growth, strength and endurance. It can be a great way to honor the family’s history and look forward to the future.

These are just a few ideas for ways to commemorate a big family event. The most important thing is to find something that is meaningful and special to your family. Commemorating a big family event is a great way to honor the past and create new memories that will last a lifetime.

Three Things To Look At When Buying A Family Car

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. While it’s not a long-term asset, a car is one of the biggest investments a family can make. The following contributed post is entitled, Three Things To Look At When Buying A Family Car.

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Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

When shopping for a new family-friendly car, there are a lot of things to think about. You need something that will get your family to where they need to go safely, but you also want something that is useful and cheap. This blog post will talk about three things you should look for in your next car for your family. So, if you are looking for a new car, keep reading for some tips!

The Space

When choosing a car for a family, space is one of the most important things to think about. You will want to make sure that everyone can ride comfortably and that there is enough room for all of your gear. If you have a big family or often carry a lot of stuff, you might want to think about getting a bigger car like an SUV. But if you have a smaller family or don’t usually carry a lot of stuff, a smaller car or minivan might be a better choice.

You will also want to make sure that your car has enough room for all of your family’s stuff, in addition to space for people and things. For example, if you go on a lot of road trips or camping trips, you might want a car with a big trunk or cargo area. But if you only drive around town for short distances, you might be able to get by with a smaller car with less storage space. Talk to the people at edmunds about what you do and don’t need.

Safety Needs

Safety is another important thing to think about when choosing a car for a family. You will want to make sure that your car has all the latest safety features, like airbags and anti-lock brakes. You might also want to think about a car with a higher rating for safety. In addition to safety features and ratings, you will want to make sure that your vehicle is comfortable and easy to drive.

The Cost

Cost is another important thing to think about when choosing a car for a family. You will want to make sure you can pay the monthly payments, as well as the insurance and maintenance costs. Also, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a good deal for your money. To do this, you might want to compare prices at different dealerships and find out how much different cars are worth on the used market.

If you want a family-friendly car on a budget, you might want to think about buying a used car. But if you have enough money to buy a new car, you might want to look into financing or leasing options. No matter how much money you have, you should be able to find a family-friendly car that fits your needs.

In the end, there are a lot of things to think about when you are looking for a new family-friendly car. If you keep these things in mind, you should be able to find the perfect car for you and your family.

6 Tips On Creating The Family Restaurant Atmosphere

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Restaurants that provide family atmospheres can be very lucrative. There are keys to creating those atmospheres though. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Tips On Creating The Family Restaurant Atmosphere.

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If you’re looking to start a family restaurant, one of the most important things to consider is the atmosphere you want to create. Your customers will be spending a lot of time in your establishment, so it’s essential to make them feel comfortable and at home. This blog post will discuss six tips that will help you create the perfect family restaurant atmosphere!

Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

1) Choose the right location:

When it comes to starting a family restaurant, one of the most important things to consider is your location. You want to ensure that you’re in a safe and convenient area for families. A good rule of thumb is to choose an area with a lot of foot traffic and easy access to public transportation. Location is also crucial from a marketing standpoint. You want to make sure that your restaurant is visible and easily accessible to potential customers. A good location will help you attract families and generate word-of-mouth buzz. Finally, you’ll also want to consider the competition in your chosen location. If there are already a lot of family restaurants in the area, you’ll need to find a way to stand out from the crowd.

2) Create a warm and inviting space:

Once you’ve chosen the perfect location for your family restaurant, it’s time to start thinking about the design of your space. You want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that will make families feel comfortable spending time in your establishment. One way to do this is by incorporating natural elements into your design. For example, use wood and stone to create a rustic aesthetic, or use plants and flowers to add a touch of nature to your space. Another way to create a welcoming atmosphere is by adding a small beach area with top-notch beach construction. Finally, avoid harsh fluorescent lighting, as it can be overwhelming for young children. Instead, opt for softer light fixtures to create a cozy and inviting ambiance.

3) Furnish your space with comfortable seating:

Another critical element of creating the perfect family restaurant atmosphere is furnishing your space with comfortable seating. Families will be spending a lot of time in your restaurant, so you want to make sure that they have plenty of comfortable places to sit. Avoid using high-backed booths, making young children feel enclosed and claustrophobic. Instead, opt for spacious tables and chairs that will give families plenty of room to spread out. You may also want to consider adding a few child-sized tables and chairs so that kids can feel like they have their special place in your restaurant.

4) Keep your restaurant clean and clutter-free:

Families with young children are looking for a clean and clutter-free dining experience. You’ll need to make sure that your restaurant is impeccably clean at all times, as even the most minor mess can be a turnoff for families. In addition to keeping your dining area clean, you’ll also want to make sure that it is free of clutter. Avoid using too many decorations or knick-knacks, as they can make your space feel cluttered and cramped. Instead, opt for a more minimalist approach that will give your restaurant a spacious and airy feel.

5) Offer a superior menu:

When it comes to attracting families to your restaurant, the quality of your food is paramount. Families are looking for a dining experience that is both delicious and nutritious. Therefore, you’ll need to make sure that your menu offers a variety of healthy options that will appeal to kids and adults alike. In addition to providing healthy options, you’ll also want to make sure that your menu features some kid-friendly favorites. Pizza, chicken fingers, and macaroni and cheese are always popular with kids. However, you’ll also want to offer some more sophisticated options for parents who are looking for a grown-up meal.

6) Provide excellent customer service:

Finally, you’ll need to ensure that your restaurant provides excellent customer service. Families are looking for a hassle-free dining experience, so you’ll need to go above and beyond to meet their needs. Make sure that your waitstaff is friendly and attentive, and be sure to offer a kid-friendly menu with plenty of healthy options. If you can provide a superior dining experience for families, they’re sure to become loyal customers.

Creating the perfect family restaurant atmosphere requires careful planning and attention to detail. However, by following these tips, you can create a space that will appeal to families and help turn your restaurant into a success. With a bit of effort, you can make the perfect family-friendly eatery that will become a favorite destination for families in your community.

3 Ways To Improve Your Family’s Health

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. It’s one thing to manage your own personal health, but when you have a family, everyone’s health becomes interconnected. If you’re doing it right, you want to always consider how to improve the health of your loved ones. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Ways To Improve Your Family’s Health.

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Family is everything, and if you are blessed to have a wonderful one, you should strive to ensure that every member is as fit as a fiddle. It is not uncommon for people to inherit a disease from their family members. To further prove this point is a CDC report that shows that roughly 84 million Americans are prediabetic, most of whom are clueless about their condition. This means if two parents have diabetes, it’s very likely that their children also are. Fortunately, families can prevent health problems like diabetes, heart diseases, and other conditions with the right lifestyle changes. If you have your family’s welfare at heart, then here’s how you can keep everyone’s health in good shape.

1. Eat better as a family

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Diet always plays a huge role in the overall health condition of a family. Therefore, if you want to be a healthy family, start preparing good quality meals. For example, you can begin your day by serving nutritious breakfast to all family members. Breakfast will refuel your body and provide you with the energy you need to carry on with the day’s activities. Also, try not to miss your lunch and dinner as well. Eat slowly and responsibly because your brain takes about 20 minutes to send a signal to your body that you have eaten to your satisfaction when you eat. That means if you don’t control your eating speed, you may actually end up consuming beyond your carrying capacity. Excess calories may increase your weight, which will place you in a bad position to fight obesity.

2. Stay active as a family

Healthier families don’t only eat better; they also stay physically active. You can draw a family exercise calendar, and even though adults need to move more, try to incorporate something for the kids. Without going to the gym, you can still engage in physical activities at least 30 to 60 minutes or break up your family training activities into smaller sessions for each day. They can include simple exercises like brisk walking, swimming, biking, and running. The idea is to work out as a family, burn calories, and stay strong. Parents should limit their children from playing video games for over two hours each day, to save time for their studies and workouts.

3. Go for routine medical check-ups

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As you eat better and keep fit, make routine visits to medical healthcare facilities to check your family’s health. Medical examinations will see farther than your own instincts, especially in these times of the coronavirus pandemic. Conditions like hypertension, typhoid, and even sickle cell anemia can run through the whole family’s blood. When you seek early medical attention as a family, doctors can diagnose and treat your conditions before matters worsen. While visiting the doctor is essential, you can do some basic things to avoid falling sick. For example, if your family members have asthma, ensure your space is always clean. You can also go the extra mile to get an emergency cleanup contractor to inspect your building for mold which could trigger allergies.

In summary, health is wealth. But if you don’t live healthy lifestyles as a family, you are probably risking your life and that of your adorable little ones. Eat better, stay active, sleep better, and go for routine medical check-ups.