All posts by Tia

The Process Involved When Hiring An Au Pair

The Process Involved When Hiring An Au Pair

In the modern day, there are lots of different childcare options available. One option that is becoming more and more popular is an au pair placement. People are choosing to go down this route because it provides them with the most amounts of help – both childcare and house duties. Furthermore, it is a lot cheaper than paying for a nanny or childminder. And finally, a lot of parents like it because it makes it easier for their children. They get used to the individual and do not have to keep going through the process of being dropped off at someone else’s house and alike. It brings them stability.

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If you are considering hiring an au pair for your children, then you need to be aware of the process involved. This is slightly different to normal employment and so it is best to have an idea of what to expect before you embark on the process. First thing is first; you will need to find a credible au pair agency. Make sure you have a look on the internet. Assess the company’s worth. Do they have experience? Are they credible? Do they seem helpful?  Do they vet the au pairs beforehand? If you are comfortable with the agency then your chance of having a successful au pair placement increases dramatically.


You will then speak to the agency about your requirements. You will tell them about your family; the number of children you have, the hours you spend at work, and what you are looking for from an au pair. You may want to tell them about any specific recruitments or your reasons for hiring an au pair. Maybe you have recently had to hire a divorce attorney and you are in the busy of a messy separation so you need help with childcare? Perhaps you’re just too busy with your work life? A good agency will take the time to get to know you because they will want to match you to an au pair who they think you will like and will feel comfortable in your home. They will use their knowledge about you and their knowledge about the au pair to make the perfect match.


Once the agency has decided on an au pair they think would be best for you, you then have the option to speak to the person. The agency will usually set up a phone call or a Skype chat with the person. After all, a lot of the au pairs will still currently be based abroad and so this is the best way to initiate contact. If you are happy then you will draw up what is known as a letter of agreement or contract. In this, you will basically state what you expect of the au pair and they will accept it. This is good because it sets the standards and ensures that you and the au pair are on the same page.


Once you have done this you are ready to begin the au pair placement! Make sure you take the effort to make the au pair feel welcome. You need to remember that this is going to be a difficult transition for her too. And don’t forget to give the au pair time off. She cannot be expected to work every hour under the sun.


Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.


Having A More Amicable Breakup For The Sake Of The Kids

Having A More Amicable Breakup For The Sake Of The Kids

When breaking up with your partner it is never an easy time for one another and especially if there are children involved as it also will have an effect on them too. When going through a break up where Kids are involved then it is always best to go through it amicably to reduce the strain it causes on them and also to make sure they don’t lose any respect for either of you if you were to go about it nastily. Here are some tips to help you get through the break up without affecting the kids too much.

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Stay amicable

Being amicable is about treating each other nicely during the split or at least doing so in front of the children. If you are at each other’s throats all the time the kids will take that in and either bottle up which can affect them mentally or they could even start acting out because of it which would mainly be at school, therefore, having an adverse effect on their school life too. If you are not able to talk things over amicably then it may be best to do it with a mediator or counselor to make sure you get somewhere with your talks.

Get things legalized

When going through a break up involving children it is always best to have any time with the children legalized. This means that you have the children on your set days and this can not be prevented unless done through the courts, this also stops the children from being used as a weapon in a rocky separation as it is in writing when you can have the children, what days and for how long for. This is done as part of the separation/divorce procedure with the assistance of child support who will help you come to the best arrangments with each other on who has who when.

Be fair

When you are deciding on the legal side of things and what you want to get out of the split then make sure you are fair to each other as much as possible as if you were to take too much from one another then this can have implications on having the children and keeping them. If they are not able to look after them because you have taken more off your partner than is fair then that creates more bitterness during the separation and can lead to them making it harder. If you are fair in the legal battle or with splitting who gets what including the children then it will be better for the children in the long run as they will see both parents and have a good upbringing no matter who they are with.

A breakup is awful for both parties but especially the children, this will have an effect on them not only short term but long term too. If you are kind and fair throughout the whole ordeal then they will come out of it stronger and it will be more beneficial for all parties involved. With these tips, you will be able to get through the breakup with as little damage to your children as possible.


Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Treating Milia Spots Naturally

Treating Milia Spots Naturally

What is Milia?

Photo by Moose Photos from Pexels

Milia spots are little white spots on your skin usually found around the eyes or lips. These annoying, tiny cysts are produced by an over production of keratin. Some folks call them milk spots.

The Medical Option.

There’s a safe effective way doctors remove milia from your skin by using a scalpel and shaving down the area to expose the cysts. Treatment is fairly painless, but can have a good price tag attached to it.

Natural Remedies for Milia that Work.

Two options we have seen work might not have permanent results, but neither does going under the knife, sometimes. Cysts of any kind are tricky… if the sack isn’t removed completely, a cyst can refill. These natural options don’t remove the sack, but can dry up and reduce the fluid inside.

Tea Tree.

Tea tree oil has plenty of benefits. Using tea tree oil on a cotton ball and placing for several minutes on the infected area can shrink milia. This process is almost immediate in appearance. The results only last a few days, but the process is safe and effective to be repeated every so many days. Be sure to stay away from the eyes. The fumes from tea tree are strong and can burn your eyes. Do not ingest tea tree oil. And if you are sensitive to tea tree, add a few drops of a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil to reduce the potency.

Castor Oil.

Castor oil is a great moisturizer for your skin. The oil is extremely thick and sticky. It’s a great oil to ingest if your constipated. However, the benefits for using it on the outside of your body are pretty amazing as well. Castor oil can give your skin a deep glow when used once. But not only that, recurring use where needed has been known to reduce milia. Not entirely sure why castor oil dries out milia when moisturizing the rest of your skin, but the results are hard to argue with. And, opposed to tea tree, the result seem to last longer than just a few days.

So if you are having issues with milk spots or milia consult with your doctor on your best options. You may find that going with one of these natural remedies just might be your best option!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Wrapping Your Head Around Live Stream TV Apps

Wrapping Your Head Around Live Stream TV Apps

We are at a point in this world where streaming apps are all the rage, but more than that; it’s a way of life. Cable companies are getting dropped for their cable services because most consumers are using streaming apps instead of watching the live 1000 channels offered by their provider.

However, cable or not, we still need data and wi-fi to watch the on-demand selections that pique our interests. Cable companies offer packages for wi-fi that can cost a fraction of the expensive regular packaged cable bill, allowing you to stream through your favorite apps.

What is live streaming TV apps?

Not to be confused with what cable companies, Netflix, or its competitors offer, which are on-Demand TV… Live streaming apps are exactly what they claim. They’re Live videos! Forget the high-quality film or the endless cuts and edits, live TV is footage, on the spot, with mistakes and all.

What’s on live streaming?

The best answer… Just about anything. Streaming live tv through apps is the easiest form of watching television. However, watching the silliest of videos to the professionals who live stream news and events is a newer media outlet for all.

Back in 2015, millennials around the world shed a silent tear when Twitter shelved the beloved video-looping app, Vine, just as it was becoming a household name. This made way for live streaming apps like TikTok to hit the market.

The coolest thing about today’s live tv streaming is there aren’t the same time restraints that Vine had. App subscribers could broadcast an hour or more of then sharing their talents. Talents that included gaming, magic tricks, singing, gargling, sleeping and ranting. It became an outlet for anyone brave enough to take a video of themselves on their phone.

How to find ‘the goods’ on live stream?

As Andy Warhol once said, ‘In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes’. Live streaming is full of a ton of videos. I know, it kinda sounds like finding real talent and entrainment could be like finding a needle in a haystack. (Forgive the cliché) So how do you find ‘the goods’? Finding out which are the hot streaming apps, as well as extras like a vpn for streaming, will lead you to the best entertainment. It’s not as difficult to find as one might think. But if you don’t pay attention to the trends you might end up wasting some precious time.

What are the hot apps?

Hot video streaming apps today are TikTok and Instagram. The best apps are the ones that you’ll catch wind of.

Making videos to stream for entertainment and education is the thing to do. We are visual creatures, so it’s no surprise entertainment has moved in that direction. Just like the late Vine, word of mouth and advertising catapulted Vine and its stars to becoming a household name… almost. The app was brought to the attention of baby boomers and Gen X’ers when Vine star, Hayes Grier, appeared on season 21 of Dancing with the Stars. Sadly, shortly after his appearance was the shelving of Vine, but good news, it didn’t stop Hayes from his TV days. So, just like that… good apps will be talked about. Most are free, with options to pay for VIP memberships or in-app purchases. But free or paying apps don’t determine great entertainment.

Great entertainers will get the word out on where you can actually find them. They will use their social media profiles to help sway their following to join them on their app channels.

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Live streaming is the future

Humans are a visual bunch. That being said, it was a huge surprise back in the early 2000s when radio stations started with webcams in the studio. Yes, we want to be entertained audibly, but to gain another sense and see what happens behind the scenes was ground-breaking. Eventually, it started taking off. In 2011, Dish Nation, the reality show of the best radio clips, tested and was a hit!

Fast forward to today… Social media offers live TV that benefits companies and individuals to share their products and stories with friends and followers alike.

Live streaming apps take it to another level of consistent entertainment that can make you laugh or cry, learn or teach, or simply discover a new form of communicating and interacting. It is more than a social media story that will disappear. Live streaming can be found for replay, but like podcasts, followers can find specific times to watch their favorite streamers.

Interactive TV

The coolest bonus of live streams is the ability to interact with the talent. If you haven’t seen a live steam party on Facebook, people can type in questions or comments and the streamer can answer immediately. Gaining knowledge is the greatest gift of live streaming TV, unlike reality TV, which doesn’t seem to lack in most cases. Live tv is reality tv, one on one.

Live streaming isn’t difficult to watch or learn how to use, once you are able to wrap your head around the basic concept. Gamers have been using this process for years to play one another around the world. Yet, it has grown so much that other individuals will watch gaming tv streams to learn how to level up on their favorite games. What an amazing use of live streaming TV! The learning possibilities are endless.

It’s time for us all to level up and understand this is the future, now, of internet communication and entertainment.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram able 4

The Importance Of Finding Chill Time In Your Relationship

The Importance Of Finding Chill Time In Your Relationship

The longer a relationship goes on, the more you learn about what it’s like to be part of your partner’s daily life and to have them be part of yours. They are no longer separate from the joy, sadness, and hustle you deal with from day-to-day, they are incorporated in all of it. Not only do you feel the burden of the obstacles ahead of you and your everyday stresses, but your relationship does, too.

That’s why it’s important to not only be able to recognize stress in both yourself and your relationship, but to learn how to take a step back from it all together, instead of taking a step back from it all alone. Here are a few tips on how to do that.

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Recognize the stress symptoms

If you’re both people of a similar level of motivation, you both have careers, school, or other responsibilities to take care of, it can be hard to recognize when your average, everyday stress becomes something negative with the potential to take its toll on your relationship. You have to grow aware of the symptoms of stress in your partner and your relationship. Are they irritable, less inclined to communicate with you, sullen, or otherwise off? There are some differences in how men and women handle stress as well. Though this won’t apply to 100% of cases, men tend to be more prone to trying to find solutions and doing more stuff when they’re stressed, while women tend to grow more inward facing and seek peace and comfort when stressed instead.

Stop your stress before it affects the relationship

It can be just as hard to recognize when your own stress is going to manifest in all the ugly ways that it can. You might be more prone to nitpicking your partner, starting fights over nothing, overreactions, or simply becoming withdrawn and cold. It can take a while before you realize that this behavior isn’t what you want, it’s the product of stress. Learning mindfulness techniques can help you start to recognize the warning signs of your own stress and help you also recognize how you react to it. When you’re more aware of it, it’s easier to recognize that it’s happening and stop it in progress.

How do you stop stress from taking hold when you recognize it in yourself, your partner, or your relationship? By finding ways to relax together, of course.

See how you spend your time

First of all, it’s important to find the time to chill out as a couple. When you integrate your partner into your daily life more and more, you can slip into a schedule that lets you both handle the business you need to handle without having to spend quite as much time together. But if you’re feeling stressed, there’s nothing better than scaling back your responsibilities to ensure that you have time to spend with them, so find ways to free time for the both of you.

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Get sweaty

Syncing your schedule with your partner is important if you both want to be able to give yourself over to that chill time completely. If you’re having trouble finding that synchronization, then look for chill time activities that make practical use of your time without having to take too much of it. Exercising together is a perfect example of that. Exercise naturally helps destress the body, helping you maintain motivation, a positive mood, and progress towards long-term health goals, which is great for feelings of achievement. When you’re doing it together, you don’t necessarily have to do the exact same exercises, but you feel the motivation of being part of a team and keep one another accountable. Plus, the post-exercise smoothie makes for a cute little mini-date.

Get away from it all

When you do find time to sync up and enjoy your time together, then there are few better ways to get away from the stress of daily life than to literally get away from them. You don’t need a lot of time and money to plan a romantic getaway with your partner. Don’t stress over finding the perfect far-flung destination and be more flexible. See what flights, trains, and hotels are cheapest or easiest to book at the time and simply get out of there. A break from familiar surroundings with nothing to worry about but the pleasure of you and your partner can be extremely refreshing.

Or just stay in

Don’t make the mistake of putting too much pressure on your getaway, either. It doesn’t need to be perfect or full of romantic gestures. You don’t even have to go anywhere. It’s the fact that you’re getting a break from your daily stresses that is most important. For that reason, a good staycation can work just as well as a getaway. In fact, if you haven’t been able to spend a lot of time together at home, lately, then a staycation might be even better than traveling somewhere else. Take a long weekend to free yourselves up entirely, no family plans, no social dates, no work emails. Just a blanket on a couch with takeout coming and plenty of movies to watch together.

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Physically force yourself to relax

Stress isn’t just a state of mind, it is very much a physical force that acts on the body to some unpleasant effects. Tender shoulders, sore backs, and aching joints can be caused by the tension that builds up in the muscles as a result of stress. A good massage not only helps the mind but forces the body to relax as well, helping you feel all kinds of refreshed and alleviated. A couples massage can work even better. Not only are you both taking the time to relax under the careful touch of a professional, but it’s a luxuriant, sensory experience that can both get you in the mood for romance without the need for a fancy candlelit dinner.

Zen out

Another relaxation technique that’s often treated as a more solitary experience is meditation. To some degree, meditation is very much about how you experience yourself, building the habit of getting away from your daily distractions. However, couples meditation isn’t as distracting as it might seem. It builds your ability to well and truly relax around one another without being constantly concerned about what they are thinking or how they’re reacting to your presence and actions. What’s more, some find that a meditation partner makes it easier to escape from the distractions within their own thoughts, whether it’s thinking about what you’re going to make for dinner, how you’re going to handle work priorities, or other concerns.

Put the phone away

Whatever you’re doing, whether it’s having a staycation, working out, or simply chilling out in the home, it’s important to not have your phone constantly in front of your face when you’re relaxing with your partner. First of all, it’s a little disrespectful that you’re actively paying attention to anything other than yourself and your partner. What’s more, too much smartphone activity has been proven to be bad for a relationship. Not only does it diminish your ability to maintain concentration and to clear your mind of distractions, but the constant access to stimuli, positive and negative, can keep your mind in a more active, irritable state. Anyone who has gotten into a fight or overreacted to their partner after seeing a fight on social media knows how that is.

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Chore together

Doing chores to relax? It’s not as bizarre as it seems. Chores are a responsibility, but they’re also one that has an immediate pay-off, like exercise. When you finish cleaning your home, you have a nice, pleasant home to relax in. When you’re sharing it with a partner, it can be even more relaxing. That feeling of teamwork towards a common goal is an all-around pleasant sensation and you don’t feel the residual resentment of doing household chores when your partner is doing nothing and gaining all the benefit. It also gives you an opportunity to chat while you work, in case you haven’t had the chance to catch up with them today.

Vent and be vented upon

Lastly, we can’t forget about the importance of communication. It is the bedrock of any relationship that’s going to be about more about dating and sex. You have to be willing to both let your own vulnerable side be seen and to see the vulnerable side of your partner. When you have a problem, venting to others instead of your partner can lead to feelings of alienation or mistrust within the relationship. Similarly, if you’re not prepared to listen to them without judgement and let them get their stresses off their mind, they can never be comfortable being their true self around you.

Since relationships can feel the stress that either partner brings into them, it’s important to let them feel the alleviation of the stress as well. Relax together, so that your relationship is soothed, instead of keeping your relaxation to yourself.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.