June 18, 2024

Make a Splash: Transform your pool time into fitness time.

As Pat Sajak wrapped up his final episode of "Wheel of Fortune" last week, everyone's talking about his incredible career. But this got me thinking about Vanna White, Sajak’s iconic co-host for decades. Did you know that beyond her letter-turner role, she’s also a dedicated mom? Imagine juggling fame with the daily adventures of motherhood! A reminder that behind every great show, there's often a phenomenal mom—proof that every mom is a star in her own right ⭐

  • Make a Splash: Transform your pool time into fitness time.

  • Bounce-back kids: Tips to raising resilient children.

  • Navigating Infertility: A guide to resources and support

FITNESS

🏊‍♀️Make a splash.

Planning to spend lots of time at the pool with your kids? Why not turn it into a fitness session? Pool workouts are a great way to burn calories, strengthen muscles, and boost cardiovascular health—all while having fun and staying cool. Grab a friend or invite your kids to join in!

Here are some easy pool exercises to help you get started:

  1. Running: In the shallow end, run from one edge to the other, leaning forward, pumping your arms, and bringing your knees up high.

  2. Pool-Edge Push-Ups: Place your hands on the pool edge, shoulder-width apart. Lift your torso out of the water, then lower back down and repeat.

  3. Squat Jumps: Stand in the shallow end with feet shoulder-width apart. Squat down, then jump as high as possible, and repeat.

  4. Side Shuffling: Shuffle sideways across the pool, keeping your core engaged and toes pointed forward.

  5. Prone Scissor Kick: In deeper water, hold onto the pool edge or a flotation device. Kick your legs as if swimming, creating splashes for extra resistance.

  6. Press to Row: Hold a kickboard against your torso. Squat, extend the board forward, then pull it back to your chest.

  7. Jumping Jacks: Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Jump your legs out and raise your arms overhead, then reverse the motion.

For a full-body workout with minimal impact, try these additional pool exercises:

  • Walking or Running in the Pool: Simple and effective for cardio.

  • Knee Kicks: Pretend to bike, lifting one knee at a time.

  • Frog Kicks: Bend your knees out and kick diagonally.

  • Bicep Curls: Curl your forearms up in chest-deep water.

  • Tricep Extensions: Straighten your arms behind you, squeezing your triceps.

  • Chest Press: Hug your arms around as if embracing a tree.

  • Pool Push-Ups: Perform push-ups with hands on the pool edge.

📱Check out Today’s guide for video demonstrations and more tips.

PARENTING

Bounce-back kids.

Resilience, the capacity to bounce back from adversity, is vital for overcoming life's challenges. Developing resilience equips children with essential tools to thrive in difficult situations. Discover how you can empower your children to cultivate this crucial trait and bounce back even stronger!

  • Foster a Safe and Supportive Environment. Create an open space where your kids feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. This builds trust and encourages emotional openness.

  • Encourage Problem-Solving and Decision-Making. Empower your kids to tackle their own problems and find solutions. This fosters independence and resilience.

  • Teach Coping Strategies. Introduce relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. Encourage physical activities to reduce stress and promote well-being. Help them build a toolbox of coping skills, such as positive self-talk and seeking support from trusted adults.

  • Foster Independence and Autonomy. Give your kids responsibilities and allow them to face natural consequences. Support them as they learn from their experiences, helping them build confidence and resilience.

  • Cultivate Optimism and Positive Thinking. Teach your children to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones. Model optimistic thinking and resilience in your own behavior, and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small.

  • Build Strong Relationships. Help your kids develop meaningful relationships. Teach effective communication and interpersonal skills, such as active listening and empathy.

  • Encourage Risk-Taking and Exploration. Encourage your kids to step out of their comfort zones in a safe environment. Provide opportunities to try new things, explore interests, and pursue passions.

  • Model Resilience. Share your own experiences of overcoming challenges. Highlight the importance of resilience in navigating life’s ups and downs.

  • Provide Structure and Routine. Establish predictable routines to give your kids a sense of stability. Consistent schedules for meals, sleep, and activities create a secure environment.

  • Celebrate Progress and Success. Acknowledge and praise your kids' efforts and achievements. Celebrate milestones together, reinforcing the importance of resilience and the belief that they can overcome anything.

7️⃣ The 7 C's of Resilience

Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a pediatrician and resilience expert, introduced the “7 C’s of Resilience” to help kids bounce back from life’s challenges. By incorporating these seven key concepts, parents can nurture resilience in their children and help them thrive. Here’s how you can get started

  1. Competence: Let kids handle challenges on their own.

  2. Confidence: Encourage and praise their efforts.

  3. Connection: Foster close relationships for security.

  4. Character: Teach integrity and responsibility.

  5. Contribution: Show how they can positively impact the world.

  6. Coping: Equip them with healthy coping strategies.

  7. Control: Help them understand their influence on outcomes.

FAMILY

Infertility can be a challenging journey, but there are numerous resources available to help you navigate this path. Whether you're exploring options like IVF, surrogacy, or adoption, organizations like RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association offer comprehensive guidance and support. 🔗Visit RESOLVE's dedicated page to learn more about these options.

📍The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides valuable tools such as a clinic locator to find fertility clinics near you and an IVF Success Estimator to assess your chances of success (although it is not a substitute for a doctor’s opinion, too)

💸Financial assistance is also available through various nonprofits listed by RESOLVE, ensuring that cost doesn't become a barrier. Additionally, services like GoStork connect individuals with fertility care advisors, offering personalized assistance.

❤️For those needing emotional and logistical support, InCircle Fertility provides coaching sessions tailored to navigate the complexities of fertility treatment. Apps like Ovia, Fertility Friend, and Embie are valuable tools for tracking ovulation and IVF progress, providing clarity and support during your journey.

Exploring these resources can empower you with the information and support needed to move forward on your path toward parenthood.

Why Adults Are Switching Back to ‘Dumbphones.’

Across the globe, the demand for retro-style feature phones is rising. Gen Z and millennials are embracing these simple devices to escape endless doomscrolling and rediscover real-life joys. The appeal of digital minimalism and '90s nostalgia drives this trend.

Are you ready to ditch smartphones for a simpler life?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

SNIPPETS

Using AI, Danish breast radiologists have enhanced breast cancer screening by detecting more cancers and reducing false positives, according to a study in Radiology. This AI system also significantly decreases radiologist workload by triaging likely normal results and assisting with decision support, lowering recall rates and reading burdens.

Taylor Swift's Edinburgh concerts caused seismic activity as fans danced so intensely that earthquake readings were detected nearly four miles from Murrayfield Stadium. The British Geological Survey noted that specific songs, such as “…Ready For It?,” “Cruel Summer,” and “Champagne Problems,” resulted in the most significant tremors during her three-night performance.

A two-year-old boy in Germany, dubbed the "pint-sized Picasso," is selling his paintings for up to $7,000 each. Laurent Schwarz from Bavaria has created a portfolio of abstract works featuring elephants, dinosaurs, and horses. His mother noticed his talent during a vacation in Italy in September 2023 and set up a home studio where he now spends much of his time painting.

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

Caught in a purrfect moment—discover all the playful champions here.

🥒A big dill. Taste testers dive into spicy dill pickle Goldfish.

🗺️Highway hunt. Hit the road with a free printable scavenger hunt for kids and teens.

📚Page-turning plots. Dive into crime this summer with these top reads.

🍪Monstrously delicious. Whip up these no-bake Monster Cookie Bars.

✨ Annalee and Karin ✨

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