Published on: 13 September 2022
Last Updated on: 19 February 2025
Sometimes, the best thing to do for somebody in this situation is to do nothing. While words are poor comforters, there are still things that can be done for such a person to make them feel relieved. Offering support to such a person will be a big relief for them. After all, losing a loved one is one of the biggest losses in life.
Below, we have mentioned a few thoughtful things that you can do for someone who has lost a loved one:
1. Be Present
Don’t be one of those friends who will show up at the funeral and then perish. Most folks will experience a loss of attention and help from their social circle when they lose a loved one. There’s a follow-up period that should be respected by friends and family members.
It’s best if you are persistent with visiting your loved one. Instead of just getting condolence & sympathy flowers in Melbourne, you need to share the emotions of a person who has lost their loved one. This will help a person feel loved, embraced, and empowered in this difficult time.
2. Help Around The House
There’s never a shortage of chores and small tasks that are of great assistance. You can help with the laundry and even do the grocery shopping for them. You can clean their closet and cellars. You can even look after their pets and do the yard work.
Additionally, you can cook for the person so they don’t feel pressured into coming to terms with the normal routine of life. No wonder even a little effort will mean a lot to the people around you.
3. Memorialize The Deceased
Helping commemorate the deceased, whether by yourself or a group of people, is a good gesture to create positive memories. Whether a poem or a piece of art, showing creative work will create good energy in the house.
You can even consider creating a charitable donation under the deceased’s name. Or, if they had willed for something like this, it’s best to memorialize the deceased.
4. Get Them Out Of The House
Staying closed inside the house will not change the thought process of someone who has lost a loved one. Being physically active and connecting with the people outside is a good way to unwind. Or if you take such a person on a travel experience, connecting with nature will be a big relief for them.
Even a long walk in the fresh air can be refreshing for the mind, body, and soul. You can even bring them to a coffee or a museum, as it will be the perfect therapeutic session for them.
5. Avoid Bringing Food
Think from the perspective of the person who has lost a loved one. While bringing food is a thoughtful gesture, it can look weird to the other person. Nowadays, people are good at coping with grief. They can order food themselves, so you don’t need to cook at your home and bring it to them.
Arnab is a professional blogger, having an enormous interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, He carries out sharing sentient blogs.
If you have kids, you know how expensive it can be to buy them new clothes, toys, books, and other items. Kids grow fast, and their tastes and preferences change often. Buying everything new can put a strain on your budget and create a lot of waste.
That's why many parents opt for hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for their kids. Hand-me-downs are items that are passed down from older siblings, relatives, or friends. Second-hand finds are items that are bought or acquired from thrift stores, garage sales, online platforms, or other sources.
Keep on reading to learn more…
How to Make the Most Out of Hand-Me-Downs?
In the era of fast fashion and quickly outgrown children's clothes, buying everything new can get very expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for savvy parents to cut costs by making use of hand-me-downs and second-hand items. Read on for tips on how to source, care for, and refresh these gems for your little ones.
Here are some of the tips that you can use to make the most of the hand-me-downs:
Sort and Store
One of the first things you must do is sort and store your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds properly. This will help you keep track of what you have, what you need, and what you can pass on to others.
Sort your items by size, season, and category. For example, you can have separate bins or boxes for winter clothes, summer clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, books, etc. Label them clearly and keep them in a dry and clean place.
Store your items in a way that preserves their quality and prevents damage. For example, you can use vacuum-sealed bags, plastic containers, or cedar chests to protect your items from dust, moisture, insects, and mold. You can also use hangers, dividers, or organizers to keep your items neat and tidy.
Check your items regularly and get rid of anything that is stained, torn, worn out, or outdated. You can donate, sell, or recycle your unwanted items or use them for crafts or other purposes.
Mix and Match
Another thing you need to do is to mix and match your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds with your kids' existing wardrobe and preferences. This will help you create some fun and stylish outfits for your kids and make them feel comfortable and confident in their clothes. You should try to mix and match:
Colors, patterns, and textures. For instance, you can pair a solid-colored shirt with a floral dress or a plaid skirt with a denim jacket. You can also mix and match different fabrics, such as cotton, wool, silk, or leather. This will add some variety and interest to your kids' outfits.
Styles and trends. For example, you can combine a vintage sweater with a modern pair of jeans, or a classic dress with a trendy pair of sneakers. You can also mix and match different genres, such as casual, formal, sporty, or bohemian. This will give your kids some personality and flair in their outfits.
Accessories and details. For example, you can add a belt, a scarf, a hat, or a necklace to your kids' outfits. You can also add some buttons, patches, stickers, or pins to your kids' clothes. This will give your kids some fun and creative touches in their outfits.
Customize and Personalize
The last thing you must do is customize and personalize your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for your kids. This will help you make your items fit better, look better, and feel better for your kids. It will also help you express your kids' individuality and uniqueness.
Customize your items to fit your kids' size and shape. For example, you can hem, alter, or resize your items to make them fit your kids better. You can also add some elastic, buttons, or snaps to your items to make them more adjustable and comfortable.
Customize your items to suit your kids' style and taste. For example, you can dye, bleach, or paint your items to change their color or pattern. You can also cut, rip, or distress your items to give them some edge or character.
Personalize your items to reflect your kids' interests and hobbies. For example, you can embroider, applique, or print your items with your kids' names, initials, or monograms. You can also decorate your items with your kids' favorite characters, animals, or symbols.
Sourcing Quality Second-hand Pieces
You can uncover great used pieces from friends and family, charity shops, and online marketplaces. When accepting offers of hand-me-downs, don't feel you need to take everything you're given. Politely decline items that are overly worn or stained, and only keep pieces that are still in good condition.
For second-hand shopping, hit up charity shops in more affluent neighbourhoods where higher quality kit is often donated. Check items thoroughly for flaws and be selective in your purchases. Online, sites like eBay, Depop and Vinted offer everything from babygrows to bikes being sold on by other parents, helping you make the most of your budget or fostering allowance.
Caring for Hand-Me-Downs
To maximise the longevity of hand-me-downs and second-hand items, properly launder and care for them before passing them on to your little one. Check clothing labels and wash items according to fabric type. Mend any small holes, broken zippers or loose buttons.
For items like bikes or baby gear, inspect them thoroughly and replace any worn parts. Give everything a thorough cleaning to remove grime and make sure pieces are fresh for their new owner.
Refreshing & Repurposing Finds
Sometimes second-hand stuff just looks, well, second-hand. Luckily there are inexpensive ways to give things new life. For clothes, accessories and soft toys, a spot clean followed by a wash in Oxiclean or similar can freshen up fabrics.
Embellish with ribbons, embroidered patches or appliqués to add decorative flair. Turn that dull vest into a one-of-a-kind piece your child will love. Repurpose old pieces too - vintage babygrows make adorable doll clothes, and adult t-shirts can be made into dresses.
Making Second-hand Finds Feel Special
Hand-me-downs and pre-loved items often come with a history. Share what you know about an item’s origins with your little one - they’ll love having their own “special story” attached to their clothes and toys.
Help them personalize pieces by adding custom touches like initials or fun fabric paint designs. And display their second-hand treasures proudly by letting them select special books or toys for their rooms. Soon these pre-used gems will hold pride of place in your child’s heart.
Additional Tips
Check items’ safety before passing to little ones - no small broken parts, frayed edges etc.
Store off-season clothing rotated with your child’s growth
Mix second-hand pieces with new ones in your child’s wardrobe
Pass pieces along to younger friends/family members when outgrown
Sourcing and caring for pre-loved items takes a bit more effort than just popping out for new gear. But with some time and creative vision, you can kit out your kids in great finds without breaking the bank. And by giving their clothes and toys a history, you’ll add an extra layer of love.
Bottom Line
Hand-me-downs and second-hand finds can be a great way to save money, reduce waste, and give your kids some unique and quality items. However, they can also pose some challenges, such as finding the right size, style, and condition for your kids. By following these tips and tricks, you can make the most of hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for your kids.
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When parents decide to start their journey of parenthood, they hope that they will get and bring up a perfectly healthy child. However, many are the times when genetic defects, birth complications, injuries, and other problems get in the way, and differently gifted children are born. Not many people take the time needed to understand people with disabilities, and even fewer people are willing to go out of their way to offer them support. If you have family or friends with special needs, here are a few ways in which you can make them feel your love and support.
1. Talk to them:
Not many people know this but whether it is at work, school, at home and in other social setups, the productivity of people with disabilities and those close to them depends a lot on the attitude of the general community towards them. If the community around a disabled person has formed a negative attitude and barriers to their inclusion, they end up withdrawing and doubting their capabilities. On the other hand, when they are made to feel included and accepted they blossomed.
Parents of children who have disabilities admit that they like it when a stranger walks up to them in a park and shows genuine interest to learn about their child’s condition. What people appreciate the most are people who take time to ask specific questions. For instance, ask how the child’s physical therapy is going as opposed to asking something general or offering that supportive smiles. At times you will find that people with disabilities need a listening ear, and they appreciate it when you take time and pay attention to details about their lives.
2. Be aware of personal space:
People with disabilities often use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and other items. What most people do not understand is that most view these aides as part of their personal space. When interacting with disabled people, you always have to respect their personal space. If for instance, you want to assist them in pushing their wheelchair, do not just grab and start pushing at it, ask them if it is okay to help them move from one point to the other, you can push the chair when they agree.
The same applies to when you feel they need you to support them in standing up, sitting down or other movements. You can start by saying something like, “Here, let me help you,” and then wait for their consent. If they feel that you are patronizing them or treating them like they are completely helpless, they will push back and reject your help.
3. Be thoughtful:
There is nothing that whispers support to a disabled person more than knowing that you thought about them before you made the plans that you have made. It means that if for instance, you planned a meeting, you made sure that the room was accessible via wheelchair and there are ramps and other relevant accessibility and support features. It is also important to always inform them about all the plans which you have made for the meetings and other get-together arrangements so they can prepare well in advance.
4. Treat them normally:
One of the most difficult corners to navigate when dealing with people who have disabilities is learning how to interact with them without making them feel abnormal. Most people think that being sensitive to these people is about hiding the achievement of their normal kids and clapping when the disabled kid does something that is simple and normal. When interacting with disabled people, do not minimize yourself or your child’s achievements. Learn that the disabled kid might not do things like regular kids, but they still get things done, eventually. Treat them like just any other kid, and they will respond positively to this.
5. Do not try too much:
Another mistake people make when interacting with disabled people is the need to know what to say and what to do at all times. The truth is that disabled people are just like everyone else. It is okay to have a slip of the tongue when interacting with them. It is alright to listen to them when they are telling you about their complications and tell them that you honestly do not know what to say. If you have no idea how to help them when they are at their weakest, it is still okay to sit with them and listen. Your presence is reassuring enough for them.
6. Go an extra mile in the extreme seasons:
Disabled people tend to struggle a lot more than everyone else in. They have to cope with inaccessible sidewalks, flare-ups which are triggered by the low temperatures, chronic pain and other issues that result from being stuck at home too long. These are the things you can do to ease their discomfort during this season:
Take food to them-it is possible that they will not access grocery stores and farmers markets
Visit them and spend the time to end the feeling of loneliness and depression.
Send them a message and genuinely ask how they are faring
Help them around the house and help them shovel and salt their driveways.
7. Support their dreams:
There is nothing that says love to a disabled person than when you genuinely support their work. People with disability wake up in the morning because they believe they can rise against the odds and make a difference. The least that you can do to make their world a little easier to manage is to support their dreams and their work. When they tell you they are having a talent show, be present and cheer them on. Buy their art, shop from their outlets and all other small gestures which will make them feel appreciated.
These are just a few of the things that you could do to help people with disabilities. In case you interact with them and realize they may need counseling from professionals, you can reach out to Regional & Rural Toowoomba Psychologists. They are well equipped to offer the support needed to make the lives of people with disabilities simple.
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As people go older, they tend to need more help tackling day-to-day tasks. When it comes to your parents, the level of support they’ll need from you will most likely escalate as they age, so the practicalities of how you can be of use to them will shift and change. If your parents are still relatively young then you may not have considered the implications that come with their aging, like the fact that you may have to take on a caregiving role, provide emotional support, and help them out with activities and practical tasks more regularly. Here are a few ways you can help if your parents are beginning to need more support.
Help them find the right housing:
If your parents are no longer comfortable or receiving the care they need in their current property, it may be time to assist them with selling their home and finding a house that suits their needs better throughout the aging process. If there are significant health issues involved then you may need to look into aged care facilities with round-the-clock professional care. If they’re still relatively active, you could help them look into retirement villages brisbane southside to find a new property where they’ll be surrounded by other retired people in a comfortable, relaxed environment.
Provide transport assistance:
Getting around easily can become difficult as your parents grow older. After a certain age or if particular health problems are involved, they may not feel comfortable driving anymore. In this case, you can provide plenty of practical help on a regular basis by offering them lifts whenever they need to get to the shops, visit a local social group, or make it to their appointments on time.
Open up your home:
For some adults, the best way they can provide practical care for their elderly parents is by inviting them into their homes. Your parents cared for you as a child, and there comes a point where these roles may be reversed. If you have space, time, and means to provide your elderly parent with the care they need from the comfort of your own home, this can be ideal. It allows them to have the company of beloved family members at all times, as well as help with all of the important daily tasks they may be struggling with. Improving your home is certainly a must when it comes to providing a better lifestyle for your elderly parents. For example, you check out the adjustable hospital beds from SonderCare and buy one to improve the quality of sleep and prevent bedsores.
Attend appointments together:
If your parent has a health problem that requires ongoing treatment, consider coming along with them to their appointments to provide moral support as well as taking on an advocacy role. If they are unsure of what treatment to choose, can’t understand things as well as they used to, or need support explaining what they want from their doctors, you can be there to speak up for them and make sure they’re getting the care they deserve.
Help them to maintain an active lifestyle:
Staying as active and social as possible is a great way to maintain good health, lifestyle and ward off depression and loneliness in old age. You can help your parents do that by researching local social groups that they might like, making sure they have a way to attend, and going out with them regularly for walks or to take part in activities they enjoy.
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