Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A Parent's Guide to Your Children's Tattoos
After a heated exchange of words, followed by a cool-down period with lots of contemplation, I slowly saw the error of my ways. All my son wanted was a tiny tattoo for a birthday present. It does not equal to the end of the world just yet.
In Canada, there is no age regulation for getting a tattoo, although most parlours require parental consent for anybody under the age of eighteen. I was thankful that my son respected me enough to ask for permission first. I'd much rather argue with him over getting a tattoo, rather than him going to an untrustworthy tattoo parlour behind my back. If my son wanted to get a tattoo, then it is my responsibility as a parent to fully support him however I can.
My first concern is the quality of the tattoo supplies. I have heard many horror stories about skin infection through unsterilized needles and equipment. To avoid this, I did hours of research online until I came up with a very reputable tattoo parlour with great reviews and references.
Another concern is the design and visibility of the tattoo. My son is still young and a bit naive, so he wanted the tattoo to be placed on a body part with as much exposure as possible. He did not take into consideration that very few employers would appreciate hiring somebody with a bright vibrant tattoo on the side of his neck. I definitely vetoed that suggestion, although I did recommend that he place it on the back of his shoulder - a common place for tattoos.
It took a lot of effort and hard work to give my son the tattoo that he wanted, but I also learned a lot from the tattooing experience. And believe it or not, I believe getting the tattoo was a great bonding experience between parent and child. I would definitely feel prepared now if my daughter wants a tattoo as well...
Friday, March 26, 2010
The UrbanPill Experience
As a single mother, it is important to stay on top of my children's interests and activities. I do not go to as the extremes as some parents who snoop around their offspring's personal lives, but I like to stay informed by having insightful conversations with my kids daily.
One interesting piece of tidbit I learned from my teenage son is this brand new site called UrbanPill. I was alarmed at first when I learned about the title, but the misunderstanding soon clarified itself. UrbanPill is actually an online news site, focusing on the events happening in major Canadian cities Toronto and Vancouver. Members can contribute advice and recommendations about a variety of topics, including music, movies, finance, technology, and even health issues!
It is interesting that I heard about this site from my son. While UrbanPill is geared towards a younger demographics due to its youthful vibe, I was pleasantly surprised at the eloquence and usefulness of the content. In fact, I think the (slightly) older adults can also benefit from the site, as the members in the community also participate in some insightful discussions about serious topics like religion and politics.
The members in this community are obviously great role models for young people. I am happy that my son discovered UrbanPill, and I also intend to follow this site from time to time.
Things to Consider When Entering a Health Spa and Salon
Choosing a health spa shouldn’t be something that is stressful. The point of the spa is for you to relax and get away from life’s everyday pressures. So to help you in this task, here is a quick guide on how you can quickly evaluate a spa to see if it’s the right one for you.
One of the first things you should notice when you enter a spa is its waiting and reception area. The furniture there should be suitable – and that means they should look comfortable, clean, and above all, the stylish. You may ask why this is important; this is a place where you plan to enhance how you look. If they can’t make their own spa look the part, then what makes you sure that they can do the same for you? Obviously, the chairs should be well maintained, not battered and worn out. Over all, there should be a sense of professionalism and relaxation in the area.
Next, you’d want to do a quick check at the equipment; do they look well maintained? One easy way to check this out is to see how the staff treats the equipment. Do they push the perm machine in a rough manner, or do they treat it with the same care they do with their clients? Are the electrical cords simply left out in the way, or do they make sure that it’s out of the way? Simple things like that can truly show the kind of service to expect from the place.
Next, check out the how they organize their products. A well organized product area not only helps you see what products they have and help you choose the appropriate one, but it shows how much effort they put into the details. Last but not least, make sure the style and décor of the place is the kind of place you can relax and enjoy in.
If you’re looking for a place that meets all the criteria I listed above, check out Sashay Day Spa and Hair Salon. In the video below, you’ll see how they organize their spa, and how well they treat their equipment. Hopefully this should give you a good overview of what to look for.