Creative Christian Mama

God bless all Mothers

Miriam Dunning

Make learning easier and effective by installing studying app

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If you want to become successful in life then it is important that you should study properly and get your all doubts clear. There are so many students that face lot of difficulties especially when they need to learn science and have to make science projects, assignments and charts. Well, if you are also one of them then you need not have to worry anymore as you can take help of google play studying app. These studying apps are very helpful, easy to use and above all come with many exciting tools and features. These studying apps can be downloaded from Google play store for free of cost and most importantly it will not take much storage space.

Work on all devices

One of the main benefit of downloading studying app is that it can run on all android devices. Not only this, if you are an iPhone user then also such applications can be downloaded from iTunes without any hassle. But first of all, you need to subscribe and register yourself before using this app. Once you are done with registration process, then can select topics as per your preference and enjoy thousands of lectures without moving out of your comfort level.

Get lectures on some exciting and hot topics

If, in case you have become bore with regular course and want to learn something new then also college studying app can be fruitful for your kids. They can enjoy lectures on many exciting topics and subjects including photography, cooking and travelling as well. Along with this, you can even choose date and timing of lecture as per your child schedule. All thanks to the live video streaming feature because of which now your kids can watch professors live. Overall, studying and learning app is one of the best ways through which you can brush up your child skills and make them learn something new each day at every minute.

What makes learning app a best option for studying?

There are several things and features which makes such learning apps an ideal option. With easy control buttons and features you can experience best and high quality videos without any interruption and gain knowledge without investing anything. In fact, most of the college studying app provide speed control buttons using which students can manage audio speed and play it backward and forward without any problem. While on the other hand, lectures speed can be adjusted from 2x to 5x.

Get guidance for career planning

If you are not sure with your career and not able to take any decision, then also studying app can be helpful for students. Here they can get guidance from top professors, career consultants and leading company heads without spending even a penny. As a student you can discuss all your doubts and get answer for your questions. Not only this, it will also help in increasing confidence and serve as a mean of motivation that will help in achieving better results. So, overall you can say that learning app can provide students with beneficial results that will make their future bright.

Top 5 Christian Values To Teach Your Children (and How To Do it)

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As a Christian mama, I have always tried my best to teach my children good, wholesome Christian values which will serve them throughout their lives. There are so many wonderful values which we can choose from our faith to teach children, many of which they will of course learn through life but it is our job as parents to instill some faith-based values.

I chose 5 key values which I wanted to teach my children and I wanted to talk to you a little about which I chose, and how I taught them to my kids.

Faith in God

At the very heart of any of the values which you will be teaching your children is having faith in God. Without God, none of these values would hold as much weight and it is though your child’s faith, that they can learn to live a good Christian life. I taught my children their faith through God practice, involving ourselves in the church family and worshipping together.

Respect

Giving respect is something that we are taught to do by the teachings of the Gospels and it is something which children must learn from an early stage. Giving respect as a Christian is not only about respecting authority but also respecting one another as well as ourselves. I taught my children how to respect with the teachings of God and through open and honest dialogue with them.

Compassion and Kindness

In line with respect, is compassion and kindness and as good Christians these are values which we must always uphold. Jesus was a man who showed great kindness and compassion throughout his life and we must all endeavor to do the same. In order to teach your children these values I think that is best to involve them in charitable works, let them see those less fortunate and encourage them to help.

Patience

Patience is something which can be difficult to teach children who want to do everything right this second, but through the teachings of the Lord we ca achieve it. It is important that Christians show patience in every aspect of our lives and if you are able to teach your children this at an early stage, you can help them to be better Christians. I like to tell my children stories and tales of those who won out through patience in order to inspire them.

Loyalty

Loyalty is a characteristic which can greatly improve anyone’s life, especially a Christian. Through loyalty your children will be able to form a stronger connection with God, better relationships throughout their life and enable them to become a far more rounded individual. In order to teach loyalty you should tell your children such stories about the apostle Thomas the Doubter amongst others. Try to encourage your kids to see the best in things and overlook insignificant matters.

Through loyalty to the faith, showing kindness and patience to others, children can really begin to live the values of a good Christian lifestyle.

How To Get Your Kids Excited About Learning a New Language

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In this day and age we live in a world which is far closer than it has ever been before. In light of this, learning a new language is a great way for people, and children in particular, to help themselves in understanding a wide range of new people, and new cultures. Learning a new language has been proven to make more connections in the brain than through the learning of any other subject and it can help people from both an intellectual point of view, and in terms of giving kids more opportunities in their lives. It is important to ask your children questions too, so you are both clear on how your child feels. A great resource written by Daniel Wong can be found here, which can be used for you to decide on what to ask your child and how to do it in the right way.

The key to helping kids learn a new language is to create some excitement around it and here are just some of the ways in which you can do exactly that with your kids.

HelloTalk

HelloTalk is without question the best language learning app out there and instead of directly educating kids, it puts them in touch with people from other countries so that they can better learn the language. Kids can use this language exchange app to make friends across the world and they can learn at the same time. The app has many great features which allow users to correct those that they are speaking with and even send voice messages. The best way to get kids excited about learning a new language is to show them the benefits and with this app, they can do just that.

Vacations

Why not try to tie your kids’ language learning in with a family vacation. For example you could take the kids to Mexico if they are learning Spanish and you can not only let them try out what they know, but also surround them by the language. The best way for someone to learn the language is through total emersion and if you take your kids on a vacation where they can practice, you can help them to get really excited about it.

Online Connections With Native Speakers

If you are willing to pay a little bit of money then you can get your kids some tutors online which can not only help them to improve how they speak the language, but also to get them excited about learning. Reading words on a  page can mean very little to kids but allowing them to connect with someone in another language is something that will pay great dividends.

Daily Items

A great way that I have found to help my eldest with his French, is to have a pop quiz about daily items. For example, if we are in the kitchen, I will hold up a banana or a pack of ham and ask him how to say it in French. This is a really fun game which my child loves and it has really boosted his overall knowledge and vocabulary.

The key is to show your kids what the benefits of learning a new language will be, in order to get them excited about learning it. Do this and your kids will have a greater appreciation for the language, and be more excited about furthering their knowledge.

Top Tips For Making Sure Your Cat Has Excellent Oral Health and Hygiene

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Adult cats have 30 teeth and unlike humans or dogs, there are no easy ways for them to keep them clean. Where as humans will brush their teeth and dogs can use bones to make sure that their teeth are strong and healthy, cats must rely on other methods. As a cat owner it is important that you have your cat’s oral hygiene in mind and that you find ways to make sure that you keep their gnashers in good shape.

Let’s take a look at just some of the things that you should be doing to make sure that your cat has excellent oral hygiene.

Spotting the Signs

Even if you have a solid routine with your cat, it is still important that you look out for the signs of poor oral hygiene. The key sign from a cat is that they have foul breath, a key indicator that they could have oral problems. Cat’s breath won’t smell like roses on a  normal basis, but it should most definitely not smell foul, a sign which usually signifies gum disease or tooth decay.

Check Up

Just as you would with your own teeth, or those of your children, you should have your cat’s teeth checked out annually by your vet. This can help you spot any issues, and give you the chance to ask your vet any questions which you may have about your cat’s teeth.

Brushing

You can brush your cat’s teeth and you should try to do so at least once a month. Adult cats can be pretty resistant to having their teeth cleaned and so if you are able to, you should try to get them started early. It is very important to note that fluoride toothpaste should never be used on your cat as the ingestion of it can make them very ill indeed. You can buy toothpaste specifically for cats and this is what you should use. Try to make the experience as quick and painless as possible, and use treats to win your cat over.

Gum Massage

After you have brushed your cat’s teeth, and assuming it will let you, try to give their gums a massage with your fingers. Doing this can speed up healing, it can also avoid gum irritation and help your cat to boost their gum health.

Diet

Diet is a huge factor in looking after your cat’s teeth and whilst you can’t control what they eat when they are outside the house, you can manage what they eat inside. Try to feed your cat a combination of both wet and dry foods and vary the meats which you give them for healthier teeth.

Treats

Yu can also help with your cat’s oral hygiene through giving them tartar control treats and chewy treats. Giving your cat treats like this, in moderation of course, can really help to clean their teeth and improve gum health.

How do you keep your cat’s teeth clean? Let us know in the comments section below.

5 Ways To Relax as a Stressed-Out Parent

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Everyone will always tell you that whilst being a parent is stressful, it is so rewarding that you can live with it, something I fervently disagree with. Yes, being a parent is stressful and yes, the rewards far outweigh the problems but that doesn’t mean that you should simply accept being stressed out, on the contrary in fact.

The world is a stressful place and everyone needs to deal with this stress in some way, and being a parent is no different. And so, if you are a parent and want to alleviate the stress, here are some ways in which you can do it.

Meditation

Meditation is a great tool because with just 10 or 15 minutes each day, you can considerably reduce your stress levels. The key to mediation is to sit down somewhere quiet in a comfortable position, spend the next 10 or 15 minutes trying to clear your mind as you take a series of deep breaths. Don’t worry if you can’t get into it right away, most people can’t but if you stick with it then within a week you will be switching off, zoning out and calming yourself down.

Sharing is Caring

If you are the only parent who feels the stress because of the amount of time which you have with your kids then it is time to speak to your partner about sharing the load. Even just being without the kids for a couple of hours each week can do wonders for your stress levels.

Exercise

Exercise is not just awesome in terms of keeping yourself in shape, it can also be a wonderful stress management tool. Now, as a parent you may not be able to dedicate an hour per day to exercising but making 30 minutes every 2 days to do a fitness video or go for a run, can really help to bring your stress levels down.

Sleep

Being able to sleep as a parent is very difficult, not only are you always busy looking after the kids, but even when they are in bed, the worrying is enough to keep you awake. Sleep however, is vital in terms of keeping your stress levels down and if you can get into a nightly routine of sleeping at least 7 hours, you will be doing yourself a great favor.

Positivity

People will say that laughter is the best medicine and they are really on the money with this. The key to your happiness and your levels of stress, are a positive attitude. It can be easy to get wound up when things don;t go to plan but if you can approach them with a positive mindset and the kind of attitude which can shrug off issues, you will be far less stressed. We can all change our character if we want and if you are not a naturally positive person, you can become one, with just a little bit of effort on your part.

Parenting isn’t easy but you can take measures to reduce how stressful it is.

Unnecessary Heating Mistakes We Make Every Winter

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As the winter sets in, as it is right now, many of us turn to our heating in order to give the home a good warm through. Naturally, using the heating for a pre-longed period of time like we do in the winter means far more money being spent on our gas bills, and whilst it is normal to accept this, many of us are spending far too much.

The reason as to why so many of us are spending too much money is because of basic errors which many people make throughout the winter period. Let’s take a look at some of the common mistakes which you may have been making, and how you can avoid them.

Timer

It is nice to have a warm house to come back to and to wake up in, but heating an empty or an inactive house, makes very little sense. It is for this reason why everyone should use a timer which they can set to switch their heating on at the appropriate times. For example you could set the timer to come on just before you wake up or get home, a far more efficient way of heating the house.

Windows and Doors

Replacing windows and doors is not something which many of us do often, but failing to do so for a long time, can result in us wasting money on our heating. The reason for this is that over time, the insulation seals on our windows and doors can wear away and allow heat to escape. If heat is escaping then your house, then money may as well be finding its way out as well.

Curtains

If you have curtains in the home then during the winter it is important that you replace them with thick curtains which will keep the heat in, and the cold out. Make sure that you keep your curtains closed as much as you can during the wintertime so that you can seal that valuable heat in, and ensure that the cold stays where it belongs, out.

Loft Insulation

It is good practice to ensure that you have loft insulation and cavity walling up to date in your home. The places where air sneaks in is through the walls so make sure that they are sealed. In terms of the loft, don’t forget that heat rises and this is your last line of defense in terms of keeping the heat in. Make sure that you get your insulation checked out before the cold air comes.

Bad Practice

Finally, make sure that everyone in the house is doing all that they can to keep the house as warm as possible. Basic stuff like closing doors behind you, making sure that windows are shut, closing the curtains and only turning on the heating at appropriate times, are all things that can help you to save heat and money this winter.

Don’t give away money for nothing, make sure that your house is locked down this winter.

4 Delicious and Healthy Meals That Children Will Love

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Getting kids to eat healthy foods can be quite a challenge and for many years I tried and failed with umpteen recipes which I thought that my kids would enjoy. I know that my kids have to eat well, but the last thing I want to do is demand that they eat their veg and health portions, I will if I have to, but nobody wants to force food down their child.

Instead of this then, I went back to the drawing board and came up with some great recipes which my kids love as much as me. If you are trying to get your kids to eat well, try one of these four delicious and healthy options.

Pasta

I love to use pasta with the kids because it is so flexible and can lend itself to a variety of meals, plus it gives you the chance to sneak in some healthy goodness. I like to use wholewheat pasta for its health benefits and my pasta meal of choice is pasta in a Philadelphia sauce, served with mushrooms and fresh green beans. I always make sure that I add a little garlic and herbs to the Philadelphia sauce and the kids absolutely love it. This is also very easy to make, throw the beans in to cook with the pasta whilst slowly frying the mushrooms. The Philly sauce is made by simply adding it to the hot pasta, throw the mushrooms in, add some herbs and voila.

Turkey Burgers

I love to et my kids cooking with me and making burgers is a great activity, nice and messy! Use turkey mince as it has significantly less fat than beef mince. Simply mix the mince with some whisked egg and whatever flavors you can think of, bake it in the oven and then add some fresh salad to finish it off. Healthy, fun to make and the kids really like it.

Homemade Pizza

Shop-bought pizzas are usually very fatty and filled with preservatives and chemicals and it is far better to make your own. Use either a tortilla wrap or make your own very simple pizza dough, before letting the kids go wild with healthy toppings for their pizza. Bake the pizza in the oven and see who’s pizza turned out best.

Lamb Tagine

I was bought a tagging some years ago and it was only last year when my eldest asked me about it, that we started using it. Tagines will slow cook meat and other ingredients like fruit and veg, to give you a succulent and flavorsome meal, and my kids absolutely love it. We bought a tagging cook book and we are gradually working our way through the pages. Because of the way that the meat cooks, plus the veggies inside, these are some very healthy dishes, which kids really enjoy to eat.

What healthy meals do you make for your kids? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.

4 Best European Road Trips To Do as a Family

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If you are looking to take your kids on a  real adventure for next year’s vacation, why not consider the prospect of a european road trip. Throughout this continent you will find some fun and spectacular routes which can help you to explore somewhere new, and give your kids a great time as you explore. There are many routes which you can choose from and here are my 4 picks for the best in Europe.

Paris to Berlin

My kids loved the road trip which we went on last year which took us from the heart of Paris to the historic and exciting city of Berlin. we took 2 weeks out to make the trip and started off with a trip to EuroDisney to keep the kids happy. My children loved Paris, more than I expected and although we only had 2 days in the city, we managed to tick off all of the key attractions. The drive is great because there are plenty of places to stop from medieval Bacharach to the exiting Leipzig, before finishing the trip with 4 days in Berlin.

Bilbao to Bordeaux

For kids who love adventure, this is a great road trip choice. Start of in Bilbao with its beautiful beaches and water sports, before cutting through the rugged Pyrenees maintains to Pamplona, a historic town with a lot of charm. Beach lovers can then move on to Biarritz with its cool beaches and excellent surf, before finalizing the trip in the northern region of Bordeaux.

Bucharest to Vienna

If your kids are a little bit older, they will love this cultural discovery thorough Eastern Europe. Starting from Bucharest, you will head northward through the Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania. Kids will love the stop off at Bran Castle, the one-time home of Dracula himself. Next, head up to the old cities of Sibu and Brasov before heading to the famous archaeological site of Timisoara. Finally, fish the trip in Budapest, where kids will love the thermal springs and the medieval vibe of the city.

Athens Loop

My kids loved the Greek road trip which we took a few years ago and I would recommend it for kids of all ages. Begin your trip in Athens and head south along the coast roads which offer stunning views of the sea. Stop off in Sounion where you can watch the sunsetting at the Temple of Poseidon, head through the mysterious mountains to the north until you reach Mycenae which is home to many of Homer’s great characters. From here you will have many options but we decided to go straight for Olympia, where the ancient Greek athletes plied their trade. Finally, you will return to Athens to enjoy the rest of your vacation. This is the perfect road trip for those who love the sun and the sea, as well as those who enjoy Greek mythology. The road trip should take between 5 and 10 days, depending on how much time you have available.

How To Trim Off Needless Costs of Car Ownership

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Just buying a car can be expensive enough, without the monthly costs of actually running it. For anyone looking at ways in which they can save money each month, trimming down the costs of running your car are very important as these can often be the biggest spends. Now, there are some areas which you cannot trim, unless you have an emergency, such as if you have taken out finance on your car. If you do have finance and you are struggling with payments, contact the lender to see if you can renegotiate the terms. Other than the finance, there are many ways in which you can trim down on monthly costs.

Gas

Gas in the car is one of your biggest monthly expenditures but there are many ways in which you can manage things to ensure that you bring the costs down to a minimum.

  • Driving Style – If you are an erratic driver who drives at high speeds, brakes late and over-rev the car, you are using a huge amount of gas in doing so. Drive safely to minimize how much gas you are using.
  • Car Pooling – Car pooling to work or using it for the school run is an eco-friendly and cost effective way of reducing how much money you spend on gas each month.
  • Cheap Fuel – If you shop around your local gas stations, you will see that the price of gas varies greatly, find the cheapest and make sure that you use it.

Washing

Throwing $10 per week to get your car cleaned may not seem like much but you can easily save this $500 per year if you do it yourself. Car washing is not hard and you don’t need any high tech equipment to be able to do it. Spend a couple of hours on a weekend, giving you car the love and car that it needs, and save yourself plenty of money in the mean time.

Check-Ups

There is little worse than having something go wrong with your car, especially if you are not financially ready for it. In order to minimize the risk of something going wrong, make sure that you take the car to the garage for check-ups, before long journeys, and before a harsh winter. Mechanics can spot potential problems and if you nip them in the bud early, you can greatly reduce the chance of your car breaking down.

Gadgets

There are all manner of gadgets out there on the market which you can put inside your car from tech items, to air fresheners, and everything in between. The key here is to simply ask yourself whether you really need such an item in your car. Usually the answer to this question will be no and you can avoid getting sucked in to buying things which you don’t need, if you follow the 10 second rule. When you see something which you want to buy, hold it in your hand for 10 seconds and think about whether or not your need it, nine times out of ten, the answer will be no.

Be vigilant about how much you are spending on your car, and you can reduce it in no time.

5 Smart Phone Apps That Are Integral For Your Teen’s Safety

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Smartphones and tablets, when mixed with teenagers, can be a dangerous mix and as parents it is up to us to carefully manage what are young ones are doing online. There is so much danger attached to teenagers using smartphones from using them when driving, using them to browse things that parents won’t be happy about and even the possibility of befriending unscrupulous people. The point of all this, is that parents need to be on the front foot when it comes to protecting our teens. It is hard to strike a balance between Orwellian and caring, but that is what you need to do, and here are 5 apps to help you do it.

WhatsApp

As far as messaging services to stay in touch with your child go, WhatsApp is most definitely the best and both you and your child should have it downloaded. WhatsApp allows you to send text messages, voce messages and video messages, as well as giving you the chance to call them via voice or video. When a message has been sent you will see 2 ticks and when the recipient sees it you will see 2 blue ticks, you can also use the messenger to see when your child was last active.

Qustodio

This is a comprehensive dashboard which will help you to manage all of your child’s online activity, from what they browse, and which social media accounts they use. This is a great app if you are worried about what your child is looking at online, and who they are speaking to. It isn’t nice to snoop on your child, but it is far better to do so if you can help avoid any problems.

Mobsafety Ranger Browser

There is a huge amount of things online which you won’t want your teenager to see and for this, you can use the Ranger Browser from Mobsafety. This is a free app which allows you to see what your child has been looking at online, as well as giving you the chance to filter their searches by putting certain topics on a black or white list.

Canary – Teen Safety

Driving and using your phone is illegal, but that doesn’t stop many teens each year from doing it, and involving themselves in an accident. You can help to minimize this by downloading Canary, and app which sends you alerts when your child is not driving safely. If your child uses their phone whilst driving, you’ll also receive alerts should they drive too fast, too late or in locations that are off-limits.

Ignore No More

Kids can easily ignore your calls when you need to get in touch with them but this doesn’t have to be the way. Ignore No More is a great app which allows you to remotely lock your child’s phone, until they return your call. Your teenager won’t be ignoring you for long once you have blocked access to their social media accounts!