While fairly common among young children, a fear of water can really put a damper on otherwise enjoyable activities like bath time, swimming, and going to the beach. If you want to help your child get over this fear, here’s some advice.

1. Talk it out. If your child is old enough to clearly express themselves, try to identify the source of their fear. This understanding can help guide your approach and allow you to offer more specific reassurance.

2. Get in with them. Whether it’s the bath or the ocean, this can go a long way toward helping your child feel comfortable in the water. Just make sure you or the person who accompanies your child isn’t also uneasy about swimming.

3. Make it fun. From playing with toys in the bath to blowing bubbles in the water at the pool to jumping over waves at the beach, there are plenty of ways to entice kids into the water. These activities can provide your child with a distraction from their fear.

4. Start with clear water. One common reason children are reluctant to go swimming is that they’re afraid something is lurking in the water. If this is the case for your kid, start by getting them used to swim in a pool rather than a lake or the ocean.

If none of these techniques work and your child seems overly anxious or frightened by water, consider speaking with a child psychologist.

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Did you know there’s more than one way to recycle? When you toss scrap paper, plastic containers, and glass jars into a bin, it’s called downcycling. However, it’s also possible to upcycle. Here’s a look at this eco-friendly practice.

What’s upcycling?
Also known as creative reuse, upcycling is the process of transforming used objects and waste materials into new, higher-quality products. For example, worn-out fabric from old clothes can be repurposed to create fashion accessories and one-of-a-kind garments. This is in contrast to downcycling, which breaks down the original materials.

How can you do it?
Upcycling can be used to create art, home decor, clothing, and a variety of everyday items. While an increasing number of companies have started to incorporate upcycling into their production process, there are also plenty of ways you can give new life to old objects lying around your home. For example, you can make a backpack out of empty juice pouches, transform Mason jars into light fixtures, or use old curtains to make face masks.

What are the benefits?
As is the case with downcycling, upcycling reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and limits the need to extract raw materials. However, upcycling has less of an impact on the environment. This is because it doesn’t need to break down materials in order to reuse them. Downcycling, on the other hand, relies on water to process paper and requires energy to melt plastic and glass.

If you want to help protect the environment and support your local economy, look for upcycled products sold at the stores in your area.

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If you’re a parent, you might find it difficult to tend to your garden while also keeping a close eye on your kids. Fortunately, there are a number of simple tasks that can keep even the youngest gardeners occupied.

1. Watering
Fill up a watering can — make sure it’s not too heavy — and let your little ones go about hydrating your planter boxes and potted plants. When it comes time to water the vegetable garden or flower beds, offer to let your kids hold the hose.

2. Weeding
Teach your children to recognize the most common unwanted plants that sprout up in your garden. Ask them to go on a hunt for weeds and, with your supervision, let them try pulling up ones with shallow roots.

3. Mulching
You can add mulch to your garden to help it retain moisture and limit the spread of weeds. Encourage your kids to get their hands dirty by carefully transferring mulch from the bag to the garden and spreading it evenly over the soil.

4. Tidying
From picking up leaves to putting twigs in the compost bin, there are plenty of easy ways your kids can help clean the yard. Remind them to keep an eye out for fallen petals, pinecones, and acorns they can use for crafts.

In addition to giving you a hand, your little ones will have plenty of opportunities to learn about how plants grow. It’s a win-win situation.

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Are you looking for ways to limit your impact on the environment? Here are four tips to help you adopt a more eco-friendly beauty care routine.

1. Favor solid cosmetics. These hair and skincare products generate less waste than liquid alternatives since they generally have less packaging. Look for items wrapped in recycled cardboard, or buy your cosmetics in bulk to avoid packaging altogether.

2. Opt for reusable wipes. Rather than rely on single-use towelettes to remove makeup, sweat and dirt, choose a washable pad, microfiber cloth, or cleaning mitt. This will considerably reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills because of your personal care routine.

3. Find natural alternatives. Many personal care products are harmful to both the environment and your body. By opting for cosmetics made with natural or organic ingredients rather than harsh chemicals, you’ll help protect the planet and enjoy healthier hair and skin.

4. Choose products carefully. From lipstick and mascara to lotion and shampoo, an increasing number of beauty brands offer products that are eco-friendly or sold in refillable containers. You should also select quality makeup brushes with sustainable bamboo or wooden handles.

To discover a wide range of eco-friendly personal care products, visit the stores in your area.

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Spending time in nature has benefits for your mind and body. Here are four outdoor activities that can help you make the most of sunny days.

1. Hiking
Depending on where you live, you can explore trails that wind through forests, wetlands, or wide-open meadows. Just make sure the terrain and length of the trail correspond to your capabilities. Confirm if it’s a one-way or round trip before you start.

2. Picnicking
Whether you choose to dine in a park or at the beach, this activity allows you to make the most of nice weather and enjoy a delicious meal in good company. Put together an assortment of salads and sandwiches or get takeout from a local restaurant.

3. Camping
Are you getting too old to sleep on the hard ground? With an RV, you can escape to the great outdoors without leaving behind the comforts of home. Spend your days fishing, hiking, or sitting on the beach, and relax by the fire in the evening.

4. Birdwatching
It’s easy to take up birding, as it requires very little equipment and can be done almost anywhere. All you need is patience and a keen eye. To make the most of your next excursion, determine where the best birdwatching spots are in your area.

From gardening and golfing to cycling and playing tennis, there’s no shortage of ways to be active outdoors in summer.

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The process of manufacturing toilet paper can be incredibly wasteful, prompting an increasing number of people to seek alternatives. If you’re thinking about switching to reusable toilet paper, here are a few things to consider.

• Quantity. You should aim to have about 20 sheets per person in your household, although the recommended amount varies depending on how often you wash them.

• Type. If you want to be able to hang your reusable toilet paper like a traditional roll, opt for wipes that snap together. Alternatively, you can store individual sheets flat in a basket.

• Storage. You’ll need an airtight container to keep soiled toilet paper in until it can be washed. To further limit the smell, rinse the sheets after using them and sprinkle baking soda in the container.

• Cleaning. Always wash reusable toilet paper in hot water and bleach to kill harmful bacteria like E. coli. Remember to wash your hands after handling the soiled fabric.

• Guests. You’ll want to keep a few rolls of regular toilet paper on hand for when people come over. This way, guests can use the option they prefer.

If you want to make the switch to reusable toilet paper, visit stores in your area that specialize in eco-friendly products.

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