Last Minute Father's Day Gift Ideas from Gourmet Gift Baskets

Father's Day is coming up soon, on June 18th. Sending a gift from Gourmet Gift Baskets is a great choice for a number of reasons. Firstly, they offer a wide variety of gift baskets to choose from, catering to a range of tastes and occasions. Whether you're looking for a gift for a chocolate lover or a wine enthusiast, you're sure to find something that fits the bill. Additionally, their gift baskets are of high quality, filled with gourmet foods and beverages from top-notch brands. This ensures that the recipient will receive a gift that is both delicious and luxurious. Furthermore, Gourmet Gift Baskets offers reliable and efficient shipping, so you can rest assured that your gift will arrive on time and in great condition. Sending a gift from Gourmet Gift Baskets is a thoughtful and impressive way to show your appreciation or celebrate a special occasion. 

This Father's Day, consider spoiling your dad or father figure with a Father's Day Sweet and Savory Meat and Cheese box. This delicious gift comes in a handsome keepsake box packed with care, and contains: 

• Summer Sausage by Hanover Smokehouse - 5 oz. 
• Stoned Wheat Crackers by Mariner - 1.5 oz. 
• Olive Oil & Sel Gris Organic Flatbread Crackers by Rustic Bakery - .7 oz. – Qty. 2 
• Cheddar Cheese by Mountain View Farms - 6 oz. 
• Vegetable Cheddar Cheese by Mountain View Farms - 6 oz. 
• Raspberry Honey Mustard by Terrapin Ridge Farms - 4 oz 
  
  

  

  

This gift is only $49.99 and is sure to be well received! Even the delivery box has a peel-away tab that reveals a greeting card. The savory summer sausage pairs so well with the crackers, cheese and the sweet-tart combo from the raspberry honey mustard. Most dads love to tell you to not buy them anything, but the dads I know would not want to turn this one down. Just don't be upset when he chooses not to share. This is a good one! 

Other gifts to consider: 

New for 2023! Bacon and Chocolate Bundt Cakes, $39.99, SKU 2004

Baked Goods and Tea for Dad, $99.99, SKU 6673F

Bloody Mary Bar, $99.99, SKU 6031

We highly recommend Gourmet Gift Baskets as a gift for Father's Day, birthdays, thank yous, get well soon, anniversaries, and even just because! The person receiving it will feel extra special and loved.

Many thanks to our brand partner, Gourmet Gift Baskets for a sample gift to enjoy. All opinions in this post are my own like always. Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

Shelly

How to Co-Parent with an Ex: 3 Tips

Choosing to bring children into the world relies on a certain level of selflessness on your part. You need to be willing and able to put your own needs, desires and feelings aside for the good of the child. Not every couple will be able to make it work, and sometimes the best thing for them to do is to be apart; however, you will always be connected by that child, and so you need to be prepared to co-parent peacefully with your ex. This won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. Let’s get into it.

Putting Aside Emotion

If the split was acrimonious or you don’t really get along with your ex, then there is likely to be a lot of residual emotion like anger, hurt or even just lingering resentment, and this needs to be put aside for the good of the children. It can be hard to cooperate when you are feeling a lot of negative emotions toward the other person, but it will not benefit your children. 

This isn’t to say that your feelings aren’t valid – of course, they are, but they shouldn’t impact your behavior. Avoid venting to or in front of the children. Coming up with practical solutions can help; if your ex throws out accusations like accusing you of infidelity or questioning paternity, then instead of engaging in an argument, you could simply get a paternity test. Post and prenatal paternity testing by AlphaBiolabs is really easy and accessible, and it immediately puts a stop to these types of questions and conflicts.  

Prioritize Healthy Communication

You cannot expect to co-parent well if you aren’t communicating with each other. However, not all communication is healthy. So, before you reach out to your ex, think about what you want to say and why you want to say it. Does it serve a purpose for your child’s well-being or not? The ultimate goal should be conflict-free, healthy communication, and this might mean texts, emails, phone calls or face-to-face communication. It can look different for different people. 

Try to avoid putting the kids in the middle and resolve issues privately, away from little ears. You should also make sure that you aren’t using the children as messengers; communicate directly whenever possible. Communicating with your ex can be hard, but it can be improved with a number of tactics. You could try to keep a neutral tone, make requests as opposed to demands, listen well and show restraint. 

Everyone disagrees from time to time, it is to be expected, and while you should be prepared for this, you will also need to think about how you can resolve these. What do they say? Manners cost nothing? Well, it’s true. A little bit of respect can go a long way. Even if you do disagree, you will still need to communicate with each other and if you simply can’t, then use a mediator – not your child. 

There are issues that are worth the debate and others that aren’t. Save your energy for those big discussions and try to let the other smaller things go. Lastly, you might think that you are right, but so will your ex! It is unlikely that one of you is going to yield completely; instead, it is far more likely that you are going to need to be able to compromise and look for solutions that make you both happy. 

Remember That You are a Team

 Even if you aren’t together, parenting still should be done as a team; it doesn’t matter if you like each other or if you can’t stand each other anymore. Cooperation and communication are the cornerstones of co-parenting. If you work hard to achieve this, then more often than not, making the childcare decisions together tends to be a lot easier. Whilst you might not always agree on everything, and exposing your kids to differing perspectives is healthy, establishing a base level of consistency is important. 

Work with your co-parent to come up with some basic rules that will be the same across households. It is also worth considering your approach to discipline and thinking about consequences that can be kept the same across households too. If the length of punishment crosses over between households, you should expect your co-parent to follow through as you should too. Lastly, there should also be a certain level of consistency in their schedules too because this can help to make the adjustment easier on the kids. 

When it comes to child-rearing, there are decisions that need to be made, and they should be done so with input from both parents. Decisions such as medical needs, education and financial issues. In some instances, it might be worth designating one parent as the default for contact, although, in those cases, it is then the responsibility of that parent to pass everything along to the other and open up the floor for discussion. 

The Bottom Line

Truthfully, when there are kids involved, you do not have the luxury of animosity. Children pick up on everything, and they will know which parent made the effort and which didn’t. By doing your best to work with your co-parent, you are making life much easier for your children, and one day, they will thank you for it. 

Summer Reading Essentials From Nat Geo Kids + Giveaway

For many of us, summer break is already under way or is soon to come. During the summer break, there are several ways to keep your kids' brains engaged and active. Encouraging reading is a fantastic way to stimulate their minds, whether it's through a summer reading challenge or joining a local library program. Engaging in hands-on activities like arts and crafts, puzzles, and building projects can promote problem-solving skills and creativity. Encouraging them to explore nature through outdoor adventures, such as hiking or gardening, can foster curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Additionally, enrolling them in summer camps or workshops focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) can provide structured learning experiences and spark their interests in these fields. Lastly, limiting screen time and encouraging social interactions with friends and family can promote cognitive and emotional development. By incorporating a variety of activities, you can ensure a summer filled with fun and continued mental growth for your children.

There will definitely be times where kids have a lot of moments waiting in an airport, in the car, or even when they feel like they have nothing to do. Thankfully children's books from National Geographic are a perfect way to fill the time. It's even better when learning about animals is involved. I want to share some titles that your kids of many ages can enjoy this summer. *Please note that this post contains affiliate links. 

Little Kids First Nature Guide: Explore the Beach (ages 4-8, Flex-Bound, $9.99)

Make the most out of any trip to the beach wit this take-along nature guide that helps young children find, identify, and learn about the fascinating animals, plants, and other wonders to be found at the seashore. Young explorers discover a variety of cool creatures, shells, plants, and more at the beach, from crabs skittering across the sand to fish riding the waves to seagulls flying high in the sky. This sturdy take-along guide features:

• Easy-to-understand profiles of a wide variety of plants and animals commonly spotted at the beach, as well as fan-favorites out in the waves like dolphins, seahorses, and jellyfish
• Vibrant National Geographic photography that brings the subject matter to life and makes identification easy
• “Check Me Out!” fact boxes that provide more information about each creature, including its size and color, where it’s found, and what it eat
•  Gallery pages featuring various beach environments, such as tide pools and sand dunes
• Cool fun facts sprinkled throughout
• Simple text for reading aloud or for beginning readers
• Games, activities, and tips for how and where to explore
• Helpful glossary
• Flexible binding for durability

That's Fact-tastic! Mind-Blowing, Eye-Popping, Jaw-Dropping Stuff About Our World   (ages 8-12, Hardcover, $19.99)

Did you know that a giraffe’s eye is as big as a Ping-Pong ball? Or that about 19 million hot dogs are sold at major league baseball games every year? Or that there is only one bone in your body that’s not connected to another one?  This book is chock-full of fascinating facts, silly stats, and catchy little knowledge nuggets in all kinds of awesome categories, from amphibians to black holes to the gold rush.

Special features include Extreme Weirdness, Strange Places, What's the Difference, and more. Bold, colorful photographs in a supersized format and spectacular information create a winning combination for curious kids who can't wait to learn more about the world.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2024 (ages 8-12, Paperback, $15.99)

The New York Times best-selling Almanac is packed with incredible photos, tons of fun facts, National Geographic exclusives, games, activities, and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, technology, and more. 

National Geographic Kids Personality Quizzes (ages 8-12, $9.99, Paperback)

What's your shark superpower? What kind of friend are you?

From weird and wacky (What stinky animal are you?) to thought-provoking and informative (What kind of explorer should you be? Which mountain should you climb?), there’s a personality profile for everyone in this totally unique book. Inside you'll find all kinds of quizzes: flow charts, multiple choice, this or that, and more and while you're at it, get to know about amazing animals, places, cultures, and even careers around the world!

Puzzle Book of the Ocean (ages 8-12, Paperback, $6.99)

Headed to the beach this summer?  Make the trip go by in a flash with this ultimate backseat boredom-buster!

Dive into pages and pages of crosswords, sudoku, word searches, mazes, quizzes, word scrambles, and spot the difference puzzles as well as fun facts and vibrant photos of fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and all sorts of ocean animals.  This book will have you swimming for hours through amazing information about the deep blue—just don’t forget to surface!

Explorer Academy Book 1: The Nebula Secret and Explorer Academy Book 2: The Falcon's Feather (ages 8-12, Hardcover/Paperback, $16.99/$9.99)

Adventure, danger, and a thrilling global mission await 12-year-old Cruz Coronado as he joins an elite school for explorers.

In this fan-favorite fiction series, Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there's more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented-reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him ... and why?  Readers can get in on the excitement with puzzles and codes embedded throughout. Learn more here: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explorer-academy

GIVEAWAY

These titles are really great and will provide many hours of fun! They are all available on *Amazon, and make a great gift to family and friends. Thank you so much National Geographic Kids for the sample books, and for providing a set for a giveaway for one lucky Mom Files reader to win. Be sure to visit the National Geographic Kids website: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

If you are interested in winning a Prize Pack of these National Geographic Kids Books, enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends on June 17, 2023 and is open to U.S. and Canada Residents only. Please note that Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes since our sponsor takes care of prize fulfillment. All opinions are my own. Thank you for stopping by today! 

How Business Owners Can Balance Family Life And Work

The modern entrepreneur is expected to wear multiple hats, from managing employees and finances to staying up-to-date with industry trends. However, balancing work and family life can be strenuous and often overlooked as business owners prioritize their work responsibilities. In this article, Dennis Bonnen will discuss eight recommendations for business owners to juggle their work and family life effectively.

1. Establish A Routine

Creating a work schedule and routine can help a business owner set clear boundaries between work and family life. Establishing a program reduces the likelihood of overworking or bringing work home, ensuring that personal time is not disrupted. Additionally, a routine promotes time management, allowing a business owner to allocate the necessary time and resources for work and family throughout the day.

2. Delegate Responsibility

As a business owner, delegating tasks can alleviate a sizable workload. Delegating tasks to employees with the necessary skills and qualifications can free up time for personal commitments. An increased volume of work can lead to burnout and may deteriorate mental well-being; it is essential to know when to delegate.

3. Prioritize Time Management 

Effective time management is vital to balancing work and personal life. Creating an action plan or to-do list for the day or week can help a business owner identify critical tasks and ensure they are completed. Time-management tools such as calendar apps can organize their schedule, preventing overlaps and scheduling conflicts.

4. Take Advantage Of Technology 

Technology tools can increase efficiency and productivity, allowing business owners to complete tasks quickly. Advanced software can automate processes, such as scheduling posts on social media platforms, freeing up time for other activities. Technology tools like video conferencing can save time, reduce travel costs, and enable work-life balance.

5. Communicate With Family 

Business owners need to communicate with families to ensure their understanding of the owner's responsibilities and time constraints. Communication with family members about work commitments beforehand is essential to avoid last-minute changes that may clash with personal obligations. Be straightforward about how workdays may be long, certain work obligations may unavoidably extend into private hours, and how the family should adjust to accommodate these occurrences.

6. Schedule Family Time 

As much as a business owner prioritizes work commitments, a business owner should also dedicate time to family activities. Quality family time can provide a much-needed break from work and increase happiness. Delivering family promises can be challenging for the business owner, but it's essential to prioritize leisure time without getting preoccupied with work responsibilities.

7. Take Time For Self-Care 

Business owners must ensure good mental and physical health and allocate time for self-care activities. Exercise, meditation, or a massage session can help reduce stress and increase energy levels. Creating a balance between work and personal life will likely positively affect your mental well-being and physical health, which should thus be deemed necessary.

8. Seek Support 

Some business owners find that staying connected with the community and seeking support is essential for a healthy work-life balance. Joining or forming a support group of like-minded entrepreneurs can help business owners improve their experiences and provide professional and personal growth opportunities. Additionally, seeking professional help from qualified therapists and coaches can provide business owners with the necessary guidance and support to maintain a work-life balance.

Conclusion

Balancing work and family life can be challenging, especially for business owners. As someone who has been working in the business industry, Dennis Bonnen knows full well how it's essential to maintain this balance as it ensures positive mental well-being and improved physical health. Creating a routine, delegating less urgent tasks, prioritizing time management, utilizing technology tools, communicating with family, self-care activities, and seeking support are all effective ways to juggle work and personal life. Business owners should try to employ these methods and find what works best for their specific situation to maintain balance.

Top 5 Ways Your Veterinarian Can Help You Prepare Your Pet for Hurricane Season

NOAA predicts up to nine hurricanes this season, including 1-4 major hurricanes: highlighting the need for preparations

Today, Thrive Pet Healthcare, a leading veterinary service network with 400 locations across the U.S., urged pet owners to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their beloved pets following the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) prediction of up to nine hurricanes, 1-4 major, for the upcoming season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.  

“It only takes one storm to cause a disruption in your household,” said Dr. Anthony Coronado, Thrive Pet Healthcare’s National Director of Emergency Services and Urgent Care. “Pets are equally impacted by these disruptions and depend on their humans to protect them from the potential dangers of hurricanes. A few simple precautionary steps can ensure your pet's safety and well-being when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Thrive Pet Healthcare encourages pet owners to consult with their veterinarian when preparing for hurricane season. Below are the top five ways your veterinarian can help to better prepare you and your pet for hurricanes:

1. Vaccines – Make sure your pets are current on their vaccines, especially rabies, leptospirosis, Bordetella, canine influenza, as well as distemper combination vaccines. Keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination records handy. Some of the shelters, boarding kennels, rescues and hotels that might provide temporary housing for pets after a hurricane frequently require vaccination records.

2. Heartworm preventatives – In the aftermath of flooding, the dampness may result in an increase in the mosquito population. Dogs and cats are at heightened risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness like heartworm disease if they are not on a routine heartworm preventative or if they miss a dose. Heartworm symptoms are often unnoticeable until irreversible damage has been done. Having your pet on a routine heartworm preventative can mitigate the risk. Ensure you have enough to get through hurricane season should there be any supply disruptions.

3. Flea and tick protection – Like mosquitoes, fleas and ticks also flourish after a storm. Veterinarian-prescribed flea and tick preventatives are the best way to protect your pet from harmful and sometimes deadly parasite-related illnesses.

4. Medications – If you regularly administer medication to your pet, ensure you have enough on hand in case there are supply disruptions or you and your pet have to temporarily relocate following a major storm. Ask your veterinarian for an extra supply of necessary medications.

5. Microchipping – During a storm, pets may escape out of fear or become separated from their owners. A microchip about the size of a grain of rice can be implanted during your pet’s routine wellness exam. It contains a unique ID number registered with the pet owner’s contact information. When a lost pet is found, shelters, rescue centers and veterinarians can scan the microchip, enabling a safe return home.

Pet owners are also reminded to ensure their pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification information, including their name, telephone number and any urgent medical conditions that require medication such as heart disease, epilepsy, diabetes or cancer.

To locate a Thrive Pet Healthcare location near you, including primary, specialty, urgent, and emergency veterinary care services, visit www.ThrivePetCare.com. 

About Thrive Pet Healthcare:

Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service network that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and over 350 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit www.thrivepetcare.com.