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The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 FEBRUARY | 2022
YOUR PETS ARE HELPING YOUR CHILDREN GROW
For many of us, some of our best memories tend to involve our childhood pets. I mean, there’s a reason sample security questions usually include “What’s the name of your childhood pet?” as an option; it’s memorable! The unconditional love and companionship our pets provide can bring us endless joy and happiness. Many benefits come with owning a pet, and this is especially true for children. Pets provide our children with fond memories they can look back on as they grow older. Not only do they supply our children with happiness, but pets can also teach them valuable lessons to help them grow into responsible and respectful adults.
exercise routines. Without daily walks, your dog can quickly become overweight, unhealthy, and unmotivated. With the current state of the pandemic, it’s become harder for kids to get out of the house, but they can go out for daily walks and get their exercise in with a dog. Even cats and other pets need daily playtime, and that allows your child to exert some excess energy.
Resistance to allergens increases. A study conducted by the head of the allergy and immunology department of the Medical College of Georgia, Dennis Ownby, showed that having multiple pets in a home actually decreases a child’s risk of developing certain allergies. Ownby found that children who were exposed to two or more cats and dogs as babies were less than half as likely to develop common allergies as kids with no pets in their home. These allergens include pet, dust-mite, grass, and other common allergies. Ear infections and asthma were also less common in pet- friendly homes. Pets can make them more confident readers. Learning to read can be a difficult and stressful time for many children. They might feel judged when reading aloud to their peers or even to an adult. But their pets won’t judge them. When kids pet animals while reading, they are more comfortable and can develop a sense of confidence. Consistently reading to their pets can improve their reading skills and bolster their learning ability. When you stop and think about the importance of pets, you quickly realize how beneficial they can be for our children. They provide comfort, happiness, exercise, and so much more. Not only will they teach your kid important lessons, but you will also learn more about your child by watching their interactions with your pet. Pets are more than just animals — they are family and friends, especially from the viewpoint of our little ones. —John Bledsoe
Here are four of the greatest benefits children can gain when living with a pet in their home.
Our children learn to be responsible. Getting a pet is a big responsibility, especially for children. They have to feed, clean, and play with their pets. Taking care of a pet is a full-time responsibility, and it takes a daily commitment, which helps teach children dependability since their pet will depend on them for basic necessities. Kids will also learn to be more resilient as they will certainly face some trial-and-error situations to figure out how to care for their pet responsibly. This isn’t just for cats and dogs, either. It also takes immense responsibility to ensure that fish, small rodents, reptiles, and birds live long and healthy lives. Pets encourage them to be active. One of the biggest responsibilities that comes with owning a dog is taking it for walks and implementing
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CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY WITH YOUR LITTLE SWEETHEARTS
Valentine's Day isn't just for adults. Let your kids know they are the most important loves in your life with these sweet, inexpensive ideas that the whole family can enjoy! Your children will remember these traditions for years to come.
own personalized cards. There are so many ways you can get crafty with construction paper and glitter. Your kids are sure to love getting mommy- made or daddy-made one-of-a-kind valentines. Bake Valentine’s Day goodies together. What’s better than baking with your little ones? If you are short on time, you can find premade dough, usually with a Valentine’s Day theme. Or, you can try out your skills with heart-shaped cookie cutters and sprinkles. It can get messy, but it’s certainly worth it! Wrap up a small Valentine’s Day gift. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day outfit, candy, a teddy bear, or a necklace, it doesn’t have to be big or costly! Your children will enjoy feeling the love, and they’ll be excited to get something new. Don’t forget to have fun with the wrapping! Most stores have Valentine’s Day gift bags and wrapping paper around this time of year.
Make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast. Guess what? Pink pancakes, pink milk, and even pink eggs are a thing! With strawberry milk, food coloring and strawberries in the pancakes, and food coloring in the eggs, you’ll have an effortless and special breakfast for the little ones. Tip: Set the table the night before after the kids go to bed to make serving Valentine’s Day breakfast easier the next morning.
Your baby valentines have stolen your heart — make sure they know it by spreading the love! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Create Valentine’s Day cards for each kid. Tell your children all of your favorite things about them with their
HOW TO READ REVIEWS TO CHOOSE A 5-STAR LAWYER
When you’re making a decision, one of the first places you’re likely to start your research is by reading reviews. Whether it’s deciding what toothpaste to buy or choosing a restaurant, we use reviews to help us make decisions on nearly everything. Most of us have also learned that reviews are not necessarily accurate. You can still have a one-star experience at a place that’s rated five stars. A one-star experience at a restaurant may be annoying, but you certainly don’t want that with something more important like hiring a divorce lawyer, for example. You can look for a few specific things in reviews to ensure the legal representation you hire is five-star quality. You should start your search by looking at Google reviews. Read through what people have said about the attorney you’re considering and look for consistency in the reviews. Pay attention to how people were treated and if the attorney and their staff were responsive to any concerns, questions, or inquiries from the reviewers. If you do see negative reviews, do not let them automatically sway your opinion of the lawyer you’re considering.
the percentage of negative to positive reviews and see if the ratio is favorable. Also, pay attention to the quantity because you want to hire an attorney who has 30–50 excellent
or good reviews. Any fewer means the attorney could be inexperienced or is not leaving their clients satisfied.
Lastly, look for peer ratings in addition to client reviews. If an attorney is rated highly by their peers, it’s a sign they are honest, ethical, and skilled. An attorney who is respected by their peers is more likely to treat their clients with respect. You can check out our reviews and peer ratings to see how we stack up against the competition. If you’re searching for an attorney who will fight for you, give our office a call.
It’s possible they have some negative reviews because they have a high case volume, which means they’re experienced. Instead, look at
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W ord S earch Beads Chocolate Festival Football History Lunar Pink
MY SPOUSE’S FAMILY HAS A HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS S hould I B e C oncerned ? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with some sort of mental illness in their lifetime. Many don’t realize that mental illness also has a genetic component. This means it’s fairly common that your spouse could have a mental illness and/or come from a family with a history of mental illness. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry about what could happen. Instead, learn how to live life as normally as possible and cope with any challenges that may arise. Just because someone comes from a family with mental health problems, it doesn’t mean they will also be affected. But if you sense they are and you’re worried about it, take some time to talk to them in a non-judgmental way about what you have noticed. See how they feel and whether they want to seek help before things get worse. If you’re having problems with your spouse’s family, it’s okay to set boundaries. Be open and honest with your communication. Let your spouse know you love and accept their family, but you need to be careful to manage your own feelings, too. Because your spouse’s family is also your family, try and understand them. Learn about their illness and find ways to be an ally for them. Discover where they’re coming from and what they’re experiencing so you don’t have any ill will between you. However, don’t overexert yourself trying to manage the situation. If they aren’t making an effort to get help or make you more comfortable, you will have to draw a line. Their mental illness does not excuse them from being rude or disrespectful toward you. Talk with your spouse about it since they have been dealing with their family for their entire lives. Perhaps they can teach you their coping mechanisms and how to handle difficult situations. Ultimately, you have to look out for yourself. If your spouse and/or their family are making life difficult for you and you haven’t been able to find a way forward, reach out to our office. We specialize in helping clients who have family mental illness issues complicating divorce and family law matters.
Presidents Sweetheart Tiger Valentine Violet
CHICKEN AND LEEK FILO PIE
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
INGREDIENTS
•
3 oz unsalted butter, divided
•
3 tbsp heavy cream
•
2 large leeks, finely sliced
•
12 oz cooked chicken, cut into chunks
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2 large carrots, finely chopped
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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1 tbsp flour
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12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed
•
14 oz chicken stock, warmed
•
2 tsp Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a pan over low heat, melt 1 oz butter. 3. Add leeks and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, until softened but not colored. 4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. 5. Gradually add chicken
cooked chicken and parsley. Transfer to a large ovenproof dish. 7. In a pan, melt remaining butter. 8. Put a single filo sheet on a board and brush with melted butter. Scrunch up pastry sheet and place on top of chicken mixture. Continue until pie is covered.
stock, stirring until sauce is smooth, then let simmer for 10 minutes.
9. Bake for 20–25 minutes,
6. Stir in mustard and
until the filo is golden and chicken mixture is bubbling.
heavy cream, then add
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551
23101 Lake Center Drive • Suite 310 Lake Forest, CA 92630
Inside
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4 Benefits of Having Pets in the Home
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Celebrate Valentine's Day With Your Kids
Reading Reviews to Choose a 5-Star Lawyer
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Are You Concerned About Mental Illness in the Family?
Chicken and Leek Filo Pie
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Health Benefits of Being in Love
THE POWER OF LOVE LOVE REALLY CAN BE A DRUG
It’s crazy to think that being head over heels, madly in love with someone can benefit your body in the same way that broccoli can, but it’s true! Science has proven that being in love comes with myriad health benefits. Fewer colds and natural pain control? Yes, please! Love triggers the “feel good” hormone, dopamine. When you first fall in love — and the butterflies are flying uncontrollably — dopamine is at very high levels, and mentally, you’re happy, healthy, and positive. As the relationship matures, oxytocin, also known as the bonding hormone, blends with dopamine and reduces stress. We all know that stress can
lead to a number of health complications, so, the less stress, the better!
keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level. Both your heart and lungs are also impacted by the love you have for another. If you aren’t in love, you can still reap the benefits through a strong and healthy social support system. When you have friends who bring you joy and happiness, even just a hug may help to release positive hormones and keep your health on track. Take time to invest in positive relationships to keep your heart and body healthy and happy, both literally and figuratively.
New research has found that just being around someone you love can act as a natural pain reliever. Research has also determined that married people complain less about headaches and back pain. When your mind is happy, your immune system is stronger, making you less prone to getting a cold or stomach bug. Some research has even shown that happily married couples live longer than those who are not happily married. The hormone vasopressin helps to control your blood pressure. Being in love releases vasopressin into your body,
So, what are you waiting for? Let the love flow!
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