Hey Family Flavours readers! Be sure to check back in with this blog on Saturday to learn more about the current state of HIV/AIDS in the Middle East.

Me Time

 

 One of our team members shares with us a recent experience of hers which we thought of  sharing with you.

“I’m scared of needles, yet have been feeling, for some time, that I needed to give by tired face a boost. I had heard about Mesotherapy treatment, so off I went to Solace Skin Care Center to try it out as it was time to give myself some "Me Time."

The Mesotherapy Refresh treatment was a painless way to get my skin rejuvenated. I saw and felt the effects 45 minutes later and after my first session; my skin felt firm, soft and looked radiant-no kidding!

Lying on a comfortable and clean spa bed, the female therapist massaged in a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and materials to hydrate and stimulate my skin. It was so relaxing that I actually dozed off!

When googling this treatment, I found that this French technology has been tried and tested for over half a century and that it also treats skin pigmentation-something I suffered from after my first pregnancy.

I also read that when used on the body, Mesotherapy is claimed to improve the appearance of stretch marks, works on fat reduction and hair re-growth-something to plan for after finishing my sessions.

I further research Meso Hair: This is a blend of vitamin B and copper peptide (which works against hair loss) that act in synergy to stimulate hair growth and improve hair quality. After having delivered so many children and leading a stressful life style, my hair is in dire need of this treatment!

 Refreshed and radiant and on my way out, I asked the therapist about different Mesotherapy treatments offered at Solace Skin Care Center. Here is the list she shared:

Face treatments: 

·      Meso Shine: This treatment uses a mixture of ingredients of Vitamin C, antioxidants and Vitamin B5  which brighten the skin and remove pigmentation for radiant skin. 

·      Meso Tight : A mixture of firming and antioxidant ingredients that targets the slackening of the skin and neck to restore skin firmness and plumpness and protect it from future damage.

There is also a complete line for body treatments:

·      Meso Slim: This is a fat dissolving formula designed to address body re-contouring by encouraging your body cells to release fat allowing it to be burned as fuel. It also improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage of targeted areas. Meso Slim provides you with an alternative to liposuction targeting your thighs, abdomen, arms, hips and double chin--interesting!

·      Meso Firm: This mixture of firming ingredients tightens the skin and retracts collagen fibers. It has a positive effect on firming the skin and improving the appearance of stretch marks-I guess a must-have for every mama!

Looking forward to my next visit to Solace Skin Center and Meso Hair!

Flavour Of The Day With Noora

Time for Some Parenting Research

In times like these when so much chaos is shaping the countries that surround us, how do we talk to our  kids about what is going on? Do we explain political issues that they may be too young to understand? Do we teach them that having a voice is crucial? Do we take them along when participating is political and social events that support our opinions.

When I was growing up, my parents did none of the above; I had no clue of the breaking news that was going on. I knew only of historical events from history classes at school and only what the books wanted to mention.

When I went abroad to complete my studies, I was embarrassed when asked about facts, events and political views. I did not know how to respond and could not argue something that sounded wrong to me. That is why, as an adult, I am conducting my own research as needed.

I want to spare my kids that confusion by constantly talking to them about world news, by thinking out side the box when it comes to other cultures and by keeping them informed of their surrounding that go beyond the borders of their own country. BUT, I don't know how :)

Time for some parenting research!

Flavour Of The Day Noora

Tips for Choosing the Right

School

Looking for the right school for your children is one of the most difficult decisions you will come across as a parent. This decision is filled with questions, uncertainties, and details you may not be aware of at this point in your parenting journey.

For that reason, I spoke with the experts at Amman Academy to understand the best way to go about your school hunting experience:

1. List the type of degree or programmes that are offered at each school. Even though MYP, IB, 

A- Levels and other degrees seem far away for first-time parents, choosing the right foundation

from the beginning is crucial. Test results are a great indication of a school's competence in the degrees

they offer, these results demonstrate the school’s ability to engage the student even at an early stage.

2. Look into a school's facilities, safety measures, social events and extra-curricular activities. While

academics are important, so are sports and other activities which help develop children's emotional,

physical and mental well-being.

3. And finally, the most important of all, is conducting proper research through schools' websites and

site visits. Talk to the staff, watch them in action, and interact with the people your child will be

interacting with for years to come. As school experiences differ from one child and parent to another,

the best research is your own research. 

By taking informed, well-researched steps, finding the right school for your child can be an exciting experience for the entire family. Once you have decided, it might also help to take your child to visit her new school before the start of the new school year. If she can see the school at her own pace, the shift from nursery to the "big kids' school" might be easier-check out what subscribers will receive in August, 2014 with their issue of Family Flavours or Nakahat 'Ailiyeh.

Flavour Of The Day With Noora

Talking and Listening Skills for the Entire Family

Trying to talk to your child who seems to be on a different wave length all together can be frustrating, and this is true regardless of the age.

Teaching your child to express feelings in a healthy way is a must, but as parenthood soon proves, is a difficult task to achieve, especially with older children.

So, after months of getting nowhere with my toddler, I went out on a hunt for help and came across a book, "How to Talk to Kids So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk," by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. So far, and I am barely through the first chapter, it has proved to be very promising. It is filled with exercises and practices so it needs a parent's full attention and you will find yourself completely submerged in the practices.

One of the main things I got from it, is when a child comes to you with a problem, avoid your impulse to ask questions or give advice right away, use encouraging phrases like: I see or  mmm, and you will find your child will continue talking and maybe even find a solution for herself. I tried this one with my 10-year-old and found it really works.

If you are struggling for productive communication, try this book!

Flavour Of The Day With Noora

 Easy To Make, Yummy Dessert

Pineapple Upside-down Individuals and Chocolate Chip cookies in a jar, get them now by following the link:

http://familyflavours.com/wordpress/?p=3552

Flavour Of The Day With Noora

As a working mama, it is especially important for me to feel that my kids are in good hands and being productive while I am at the office; as apposed to lazying around in front of the TV, making a mess, or my toddler's favourite activity of all, drawing with her crayons on the couches and floor.

That is one way of looking at things, the other is thinking that children need a little down time for themselves (just like us adults) and that they are entitled to some laziness every now and then.

How much planned activity is too much? As I was growing up, my parents never encouraged sports or activities, it was more our call, if we didn't want to, we didn't have to. So, in comparison to my friends, I cannot play an instrument and I am not good at any sport.

If it is obvious (through your own parental observation as well as teachers' and other caregivers' observations) that your child is clearly talented in an area but would rather stay at home watching TV rather than pursue it, do you as a parent insist that they professionally grow this talent through lessons, or do you leave your child to decide for himself?

At a parenting workshop I once attended, the specialist noted that all talents need discipline in training and practice until they earn the reputation of being "talented", do you agree or disagree with this statement?