What is a Virtual Assistant?

Photo Credit:  Alpine Small Business Solutions

A Virtual Assistant is a self-employed online office assistant that provides administrative services from data entry to programming.  They are independent contractors rather than employees.  They work mostly for small businesses around the globe.

Virtual assistants work at their own time and place.  They provide their own equipments that will cater to the client’s needs.  Tasks are completed through technology and the Internet.  Communications are sent through emails, internet calls and web conferences.

If you have a small business, hiring employees maybe hard on your budget.  Considering the salary rates, benefits, employee related taxes, insurance or others mandated by your governing laws. Not to mention expenses for the actual office, bills and equipments. Hiring a virtual assistant saves you from all the hassles as you are only paying for the VA’s professional fee. 

Virtual assistants also work as a personal assistant.  They can manage your appointments, emails, trip planning or anything you may need that can be done remotely.  They can also do tutorials from beginner to expert level. 

They have their own specialties, but most can do general administrative tasks for you.  If you need specific skills for a certain project, you can find a virtual assistant for that.  For example, you want to setup a website but don’t know how to start it, a web developer/web design virtual assistant is the one for you.  They have specialized skills for that project and can offer you the best service.  No need to train them.  You just need to give them the specifics of what you need.

There are a lot of Groups and Websites where you can hire virtual assistants. Just be sure to get all the facts when interviewing them.

You can find a virtual assistant that can do virtually anything for you.

A New Category: Virtual Assistant

Photo Credit: Xceed Mortgage

I mentioned from the lat post that I am trying to learn about a new venture.  It is to become a Virtual Assistant so I can work from home.  Yes, I am an aspiring Virtual Assistant.  And in the process, I have to study the tools and softwares needed to become an efficient and productive VA.

As part of the process, I am adding this category to post the tools and programs I have studied to share.  Hopefully, it will also serve as a portfolio of what I can do for future employers and a guide for aspiring VAs.

So read up and enjoy!

I Almost Lost My Blog

Have you ever had the time when you thought you’re doing nothing great?  Nobody believed that you can do such things? And such activities are deemed a waste of time? 

For the past few months, I felt just like it.  Everyday. I was trying to venture in some online opportunities for stay at home moms like me to earn extra aside from blogging.  And I never got the support I needed.  I was swamped with house chores, errands and even the slightest whim.  I had to do it as we are living with my parents and part of staying here was to give our share, through chores and bills.

I was saving up for a paid hosting to transfer and reinvent my blog but was short of the finances.  Even my hubby thought this online venture as a waste of energy.  I don’t want to use the money in the bank as we are saving it to buy our own place.  Since, I am not yet earning enough from this blog, I felt helpless. 

Even time was not on my side.  I had several sites bookmarked so I can study at night but fatigue always hit me.  I fell asleep even before I boot up my pc.

I admit I was weak to let all these consume my sanity.  Then again, thinking about it made me realize how resourceful I can get.  I’ve set up a new plan and format for this blog.  I’m almost at the end of the plan and hoping to make it working before school starts.

For those who visit my blog, thank you very much.  And I ask support from you. I know I can do it. Just need more caffeine and sweets to get me going. :)

Overcoming Shyness: Children’s Development

I have a four year old who is quite shy.  People around me thought that the reason for him being shy was that I don’t let him out too much.  I can’t make any excuses, but to be honest, I wasn’t able to bring him outside because of two main reasons:  I’m too tired to follow him around after a day full of house chores and we don’t have a place conducive for outside place because of the constant vehicles passing by.

Photo Credit: She Knows

It’s a good thing that we are staying at my parents together with my sister and her two daughters who are in the same age group as my son.  He do have playmates, once in a while I ask some neighborhood kids to come and play with him in our yard as long as I don’t have too much to do.  I need to look over them.  Boys play rough and I don’t want the kids hurting themselves.

He is in school, and manages well with other people and children. Though he needs to get used to the grown ups before he settles.  We also bring him to the mall and let him interact with other kids.  Bringing him with us to gatherings helped a lot too.  To be able to achieve this, I read a lot of online articles and forum to see how other parents deal with shy kids.

Here are a few concepts I’ve learned from reading.

WHAT IS SHYNESS?

Shyness is a personality trait and not a fault.  Kids being shy should not be taken negatively.  Sometimes, shy children are better at deep thinking.  Rather than putting themselves out there, they tend to be more observant.  Shy children often remain silent at unfamiliar places and people. Bashfulness may just be a stage or phase.  You may be wondering how one bubbly baby becomes shy.  There are factors you need to consider before “labelling” your kid as shy.

Shy children tend to behave more.   They are polite and make eye to eye contact. People are comfortable around them.  Though shyness is a personality, it may pose a more serious behavioural problem.  You need to look in deeper to see the difference of a shy child who is happy and peaceful and the kid who dwells in anger and fear.  Usually, kids of the latter often withdrew.  They often hide and retreat thinking that it is safer not to show anything.  They often have difficulty gaining playmates and friends of the same age group.

For most parents, like me, would want their kids to outgoing and sociable.  I can deny being a stage mom every once in a while.  It is sometimes frustrating but learned accept that kids are different.

So what did I learn to help my kid overcome shyness?  Here’s a few:

Don’t Force. 

Never push your kid too much. I am guilty on this.  I used to push him towards performing in school activities.  This only made things worse.  He didn’t feel safe and didn’t trust anybody.  He ended up retreating and often just stood on stage while his classmates performed.  The following activities, I make sure to “encourage” him rather than push him.  And even if he didn’t do anything, I still made sure I appreciate his presence.

Be A Role Model.

I, myself is timid around new people.  So to help my kid, I needed to be confident.  I socialize more and participate in activities in school events and gatherings. I make sure he sees it as we all know, kids learn from watching us.  This method not only shows that it is safe to be with other people, but it also helped me build my confidence. That’s two birds with one stone!

Seek Out Activities That Offer Interaction.

This doesn’t need to be costly.  There are a lot of activities that you can bring your child that will enable him to interact with other people.  A good example would be bringing them to playgrounds.  My in-law lives in a much better community that offers a playground and basketball court that is free from vehicular traffic.  We bring our son there atleast once a week to play with other kids as well as visit my in-laws.  First few attempts were unsuccessful.  He played all by himself and refused to talk with the other kids.  After a while, he started to warm up and played with the other kids.  Even to those he didn’t recognized.

Hug Your Little Blessing.

Never stop comforting your little man.  This builds up self-esteem.  Hugging your children at every opportunity makes them feel special.  Kids that feel they are worthy has more self-esteem and confident.  This is easier for moms.  We tend to think of them as babies, can’t blame us, right?  But as much hugging we want to give them, we need to know when to avoid comforting them at every little upset they experience.  Too much always is not good.  Know the boundaries.  We want them to feel special but not clingy and too dependent.

Teach Social Skills At Home.

This is harder than we think.  Typically, we do things lightly at home. We sometimes overlook social skills at home.  Suggest solutions whenever your kid encounters problems and offer rewards accordingly.  Let them sort out their problems on their own.  Encourage your child to feel what they feel.  Ask them questions and let them know that it is okay to feel good or bad.  Together with this, you can teach them about tolerance and respect by telling them what is right about other people, avoiding negative comments.

Never Put Your Kid On The Spot.

This doesn’t only mean putting them in front of other people.  This also includes preventing them from being embarrassed. Don’t humiliate them in front of other people.  If you need to discipline them, talk to them away from other people. Never hit, scold or shout at them.  This behaviour will put your kid on the spot.  

Along with this, don’t berate yourself as they see it as something negative about you and themselves.  Always offer constructive criticisms towards other people.  That way they see criticism in a positive perspective.

Those are just a few concepts I am applying for myself and for my kid.  There are a lot more to help us and our kids overcome shyness.  Just keep these key points to successfully overcome shyness:

• ·         Avoid shyness as an excuse for your child’s behaviour.  There are deeper things to consider.
• ·         Avoid using the term shy to label your kid.  If you really need to use it, pair with something positive.
• ·         Always believe in your child’s inherent self-worth.

Again, shyness is a personality trait.  It is not a bad thing if your kid is shy, he might just need a little encouragement.  However, if you feel there is more to being shy, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional.

V-Day Celebration: Snack Date With The Kids

This may be a late post for the Valentine fever last week, but I think this is worth the wait.

The school asked us to bring the kids in semi-formal clothes for the event. I thought this would be a terrible day since my kid really hates dressing up.

shy kid

Last Friday, my son’s school celebrated V-Day in a special date with the parents. They set their classrooms as restaurants complete with covers and arrangements. As each parent entered the rooms, they are greeted by pretty and handsome ushers and usherettes.

Crafts made by the kids

Just a simple table arrangement

Cute flowers and Cute Kid

I enjoyed looking at the sweeties as they guided us to our “table”. My son was running towards us as he carried the two plates with the cake. I wasn’t able to take his picture as I was trying to catch the plates. He’s just too excited to see his daddy with us in school. His classmates brought our drinks, walking.

Before we ate, they did a short performance for all the parents. I don’t know the song but they did great as they sing along and dance at the same time. After the performance, we ate the snack as the kids run around playing with each other. I shared the cake with my son. He ate most of it.

The other half was eaten by my hubby

The day ended with the kids saying their prayers and singing the goodbye song.  This is such a wonderful and unique way of celebrating V-Day in school.

When Your Child Hates Haircuts

Photo Credit:  The Rock at Boston College

My son was born with a lot of hair.  His first haircut was during his sixth month, cutting hair away from his eyes and ears. It was just a snip-snip job during one his baths.  The next haircut he got was after his first birthday and it looked awful.  My MIL did this one cutting just the front while he was asleep at their house.  

The next few haircuts were disaster.  I had to hold him in my lap while his dad holds him steady as the barber cuts away.  It was tiring and a very unpleasant experience for us all.  We used to take him to my husband’s barber located near our place.  As a typical barber shop, it was full of men chatting about games and sports.  My husband’s a bit traditional if I may say.  His justification:  he don’t need to go to fancy salons to have his head shaved.  I’ll give him that.   

One problem with the barber’s was that most of them don’t do rapport and some have loud husky voice that scared my kid.  I’ve got nothing against them, but that’s what I love at salons, they have lots of it.  Sometimes, overwhelming but atleast they try.

Here are few tricks I have tried to get my kid sit still and behave during haircuts.

Don’t use the word “cut”.

Kids associate the word “cut” with pain.  Instead try to use “trim”.  It sounds different and less scary.  

Pretend Play.

Do pretend haircuts at home as part of a game. This will ease the tension when they need to get their haircut.  This is easier for girls as you can use a doll to be your model.  My kid doesn’t want a doll near him, let alone have him cut its hair.

Imitation is the key.

This can be a good mom and daughter, dad and son bonding activity.  You can bring your kid to your favourite salon (or barber) and let them watch you get your hair cut.  Do this regularly and they will feel more comfortable once it’s their turn. 

Bring their favorite toy.

Every kid has their favourite toy or plushies that helps them ease their worries at almost all occasion.  Let them bring it during the haircut to keep them busy and worry-free.  My kid enjoys looking at his toy cars “parked” on the dresser while he gets his haircut.

Offer rewards.

Bribe him.  This may not be the best option but may still do the trick.  Just be cautious as they may use it against you in the future.  The point to remember is to offer them the reward after doing well at several activities.  This way, they will not associate the “one behavior” with the reward.  

Choose the “perfect” salon or barbershop.

No need to go to a fancy salon or expensive children’s barbers.  Make sure your stylist or barber knows how to handle kids.  Observe how your kid reacts whenever they are inside the shop.  Sometimes, it’s just how the stylist talks to your kid.  My friend owns a salon and thankfully, one of her stylist knows how to play with kids. He was able to earn his trust and cut his hair without the fight and struggles. 

Kids have different reactions towards each situation.  Some first-timers may better than others.  As parents we need to understand how to manage these behaviors.  

If you have a kid who hates getting their haircut, do share your experiences and what tricks you used to surpass the phase. 

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First Aid Training For Parents and Yaya

Photo Credit:  Inquirer

My kid studies in a progressive school.  Last week they offered the First Aid Training in partnership with The National Red Cross Emergency Response Team.  The discussions and demonstrations focused on infant to kids’ first aid. 

As a parent, it was relieving to understand what to do on emergency cases especially when your kid's involved. Less the panic attack, I think I'd handle the situation much better.

Let me share some of the key points of the training.

Two types of Emergencies:

·         Life threatening

This are cases that need immediate medical intervention.  The victim must be brought to the hospital as quickly as possible.  First aid can be administered while in transit to increase the chances of surviving.

·         Non-Life threatening

These may include medical emergencies such as illness, depending on the severity.  This also includes wounds, burns, injuries and lacerations that need professional attention. First aid is administered to lessen pain and prevent additional injuries.

There are three basic guidelines in administering First Aid:

·         CHECK

            Check the surroundings.  You need to check the area if it is safe for you. For example, you entered a room with an unconscious person sitting in a chair.  Behind were a couple of electronic devices.  Check if the devices are unplugged, no hazardous substance and dangerous person.  You need to check all of this to effectively aid the person.  If you put yourself in danger, you won't be able to help. 

            Check the victim.  You need to see signs of consciousness.  If not, you need to see if the person is breathing, and still has pulse before giving first aid.  Remember, you can't perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the person is alive. 

·         CALL

            Call the nearest emergency center or hotline.  Most common is the 911 service in the US.  In the Philippines, we also have an emergency number for each area.  In Metro Manila, 171 is the central hotline, in Antipolo it's 696-9911.  You can check your local directory listings for emergency numbers. 

            Make list of the emergency numbers and post it in areas easily seen.  Also orienting your kids about such services is a good practice. 

·         FIRST AID

            Originally, this was CPR.  Then again, we are applying the guidelines in First Aid.  As mentioned, you cannot always perform CPR, but you can give first aid treatments in almost every situation.

So, when do we give CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or commonly known as CPR is a procedure in an emergency wherein chest compressions are given in an effort to create artificial blood circulation by pumping blood through the heart.

It is given if the person is in cardiac arrest or the failure of the heart to contract, thus resulting in cessation of a normal blood circulation.

CPR can be administered to infants, kids and adults.  It involve 5 cycles of 30 count compression and two (2) ventilation, until the victim regains spontaneous circulation or is declared dead.

With these basic guidelines and a calm mind, I’d be able to do something when the situation arises.  Again, the key is stay ALERT and DO NOT PANIC.

 I'll try to discuss more on CPR next time.  

What To Do About Diarrhea In Kids

Photo Credit:  EHow

Every now and then, kids and adults suffer from loose bowel movement or commonly known as diarrhea.  It may be caused by something we ate or a result of a medical condition.  Adults have several ways of coping with the situation. Most would be taking medications and some would just let it pass, depending on the severity.  As for kids, especially in the younger years, it maybe difficult to administer medications without our doctor's advise.  They even have different reactions to it.

As a mom, we make sure that we give our kids the best care they need.  This goes the same with any medications and treatments.  However, we do need to think and stay calm before rushing to the emergency room for that diarrhea.

Here's a basic rundown of the causes of diarrhea in kids.

What is Diarrhea?

First, let's define it and make sure it is what we are looking at. Diarrhea, as defined by WebMD.com, si described as bowel movements that are loose and watery.  People commonly have diarrhea atleast once or twice each year and typically lasts two to three days.  

Common Causes of Diarrhea in Children:

Infections by bacteria

·         The most common type of food poisoning

Eating food that upset the digestive system

·         The body reacts differently on foods we eat

Allergies to certain foods

Virus that infects the guts

·         commonly known as stomach flu or intestinal flu

Other causes will not be mentioned since we are focusing on the basic diarrhea.  Any other causes have resulted to chronic diarrhea or irritable bowel movements.  You can read more about it at WebMD. 

What To Do in Case of Diarrhea:

We don't want to rush over to the emergency room.  I listed down a few things to do before that dreaded hospital visit.

·         You need to remember their food intake for the past 24 hours.  Possible that it was a reaction.

·         Monitor the frequency of the movement.  Is it just every after meal or it occurs even without food or water intake?

·         Was the stool thin or loose? Is it watery?

·         Does the kid suffers from abdominal pain or cramps?

These are symptoms of uncomplicated diarrhea.  Other symptoms may be a sign of a more serious illness. 

Treatments for Diarrhea in Kids

These treatments are for uncomplicated diarrhea.  If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

·         Keep them hydrated.  Let them drink plenty of water, atleast six 8-ounce glasses per day.  I personally use Gatorade as it is easier to administer and acceptable for kids than hydrate salts you can buy at the pharmacy.

·         You can buy over the counter medications to relieve diarrhea.  Just make sure to follow the instructions on the package.

·         Letting them eat fruits such as apples, and the variety of banana that makes the poop harder will also help.

After two to three days, the symptoms should subside and your kids would be back to normal.  However, if the diarrhea persists, seek your doctor's advise.  It maybe caused by a more serious illness.

This article is for informational purposes only.  Seek professional medical help. 

10 Household Uses Of Vinegar

Photo Credit:  Food Subs

Vinegar is a common item in the kitchen. Most of us use it as part of our cooking and nothing else. It is a very versatile household cleaner. It is natural and very safe to use especially if you have children and pets at home.

Here are 10 uses of Vinegar for your everyday cleaning.

Cleaning Silverware

Clean your silvers – including your silver jewelries – by soaking them in ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda for two to three hours. After that, rinse with cold water and dry thoroughly with soft cloth. This is much better than using chemical-based cleansers.

Bring The Shine Back In Chrome and Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel and chrome will gather up scum and grime overtime. Keeping its brightness is a bit tricky. You can use an undiluted mist of white vinegar from a recycled spray bottle. Buff with a soft cloth to bring out the shine.

Deodorize Lunch Boxes

My kid brings lunch in school every day. Sometimes, if the food smell is too strong, it stays with the lunch box even after several washes. Get a slice of white bread soaked in vinegar and leave it in the lunch box overnight. The foul smell will be gone by morning.

Remove Water Rings On Wood Furniture

Did your family suddenly forget to use coasters? Seeing circles on your tables? Mix equal parts of vinegar and olive oil. Apply it using a soft cloth rubbing along the wood grain. Another clean, soft cloth will bring out the shine.

Clean Counter Tops

Clean countertops with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. It will not only leave a sweet smell, but it will deter ants from crawling on it.

Cutting Board Disinfectant

Meat and fish may leave unwanted germs and microbes on your cutting board even after washing it. Wipe it clean with pure white vinegar to disinfect it.

Clean Microwave Oven

Tired of the messy spills and spats on your microwave oven’s walls? Place a glass bowl with ¼ cup vinegar and ½ cup water and let it run in highest setting for 5 minutes. Dip a sponge or clothe in the cooled bowl and wipe away the stains on the interior walls.

Remove Fish Odor On Your Hands

If you’re a hands on mom, you’ll probably get your hands smelling awful after preparing fresh fish and spices. Rub a small amount of vinegar on your hands before and after cleaning your fish. Finish of by washing with your favorite soap.

Remove Grease Stains

Wipe away grease and its odor with a cloth dampened in a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water.

Unclog Drains

Pour ½ cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar using a funnel. This will create a foam. Flush with hot water when the foaming subsides. Flush again with cold water after 5 minutes.

Better grab those huge bottles of white vinegar and make your cleaning safe and all natural.