Let's be real, teachers put up with a lot — which is why it's absolutely necessary to show them that we totally appreciate the fact they made it through the whole school year with our kids in the classroom. Teaching may seem like a thankless job at times, but we're all about finding gifts to show these overworked and underpaid heroes just how much they mean to us and our children.

Here are almost three dozen budget-friendly gifts that any teacher will actually appreciate and use.

1. Gift card bouquet

It is hard to go wrong with getting your child's teacher a gift card; however, I love this idea of a gift card bouquet from The Cul-De-Sac blog. This would be perfect if you are doing a gift from the entire class or if several of you are going in on this together. Pick up gift cards from your teacher's favorite stores and restaurants and glue them onto a paper flower attached to a stick. Insert the sticks into floral foam that is placed in a colorful pail. Paint the words, "Thank you for helping us grow," for a great finishing touch.

If the gift card bouquet would be too expensive, you can never go wrong with a gift card to her favorite restaurant, Target, grocery store or Amazon. For middle school kids who have multiple teachers, buying $5 Starbucks gift cards with a thank-you note attached would also be appreciated.

More: Preschool Teacher Donates Kidney to Critically Ill Student

2. School supply bouquet

This inventive school supply bouquet is the perfect way to set your teacher up with all the best supplies.

Next Up: Cookies in a jar

Originally published April 2016. Updated May 2017.

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3. Cookies in a jar

Cookies. In a jar. That is all.

4. Supply cup

Two gifts in one: This supply cup has everything a teacher needs.

Next Up: Personalized cup

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5. Personalized cup

This personalized cup is perfect for keeping your teacher hydrated!

6. Personalized notepad

Teachers are always sending notes home for parents… often saying what a model student your child is (wink, wink). She will undoubtedly appreciate having this cute personalized notepad to deliver her notes in style. Pick up this Apple A Day Notepad for around $15 at Shutterfly. (Shutterfly, $15)

Next Up: Bath salts

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7. Bath salts

Bath salts are the perfect cure for after-school stress.

8. Movie gift cards

Both male and female teachers will appreciate a gift certificate to the local movie theater. You can slip the movie gift cards into a thank-you note — or you can get creative with this idea from Skip to My Lou and put the movie gift cards into this cute striped fry box (she includes a free printable template) as well as a tag that says, "Thanks for making me feel like a Star." Then fill the box with some of his or her favorite goodies to take to the movies.

Next Up: Teacher’s Favorite Moments photo book

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9. Teacher’s Favorite Moments photo book

Help your amazing teacher remember all off those special field trips, performances and other special moments by creating a photo book. You can either print out the photos and put them into a photo album, or upload your photos online. Shutterfly allows you to upload photos and add text, as well as incorporate cool backgrounds and layouts. They have five sizes of photo books starting at aroung $15.

10. Grading stamps

Make grading papers a little easier by gifting your teacher with grading stamps. You can pick up generic stamps that say things like, "Good job!" or "A+" or "Needs improvement," or you can personalize them with her name, such as this personalized self-inking stamper. (Personalization Mall, $20)

Next Up: Eco-friendly teacher gift

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11. Eco-friendly teacher gift

Does your teacher also have a green thumb? She will love this gift idea from Silly Pearl, in which she gifted her kids' teachers with tomato seedlings from her own garden. Print tags that say, "Thank You for helping me Grow!" Silly Pearl includes a free printable on her website. She simply placed the seedlings in Jiffy Pots and wrapped the pots with fabric. You can get all the details on her website.

12. Walking Robot Pencil Sharpener

An automatic pencil sharpener will get lots of use in the classroom, so why not give your teacher one with a little personality? Kids will love gifting this Walking Robot Pencil Sharpener to their favorite teacher. (Amazon, $11)

Next Up: Monogrammed stationary

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13. Monogrammed stationary

Monogrammed stationary is not only a thoughtful gift, it is practical as well. You can choose to just have their initials for a clean and simple look, or have their entire name monogrammed. You can pick up a set of classic monogrammed bordered note cards for $55 at Paper Style. (Paper Style, $55)

14. School supply basket

Every teacher will appreciate school supplies, since many times they have to purchase these items out of their own paycheck. Some items that are frequently requested include glue sticks, markers, crayons, notepads, antiseptic wipes, tissues, paper clips, erasers and pencils. Fill these items in a colorful bin or basket (that can also be used in the classroom) so she will be ready for the next year of school.

Next Up: Chalk packs

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15. Chalk packs

This chalk pack is the perfect way to wrap any teacher gift.

16. Paper mug

This paper mug is sure to make your teacher smile.

Next Up: Funky bulletin board

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17. Funky bulletin board

Fashionable and useful, this bulletin board is great for organization.

18. Personalized tote bag

From the stacks of papers to grade to planners and more, teachers have a lot of things to tote. Help your favorite teacher tote her stuff in style by gifting her with a personalized tote bag. One great option is the personalized tote bag from Lands' End where you can choose from various sizes, colors and designs. (Lands' End, $28)

Next Up: Charity donation

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19. Charity donation

If your teacher has a cause that is near and dear to her heart, perhaps you can consider making a donation to the charity in her honor. Your favorite science teacher may appreciate your child adopting a sea creature in her name, or perhaps the art teacher has a favorite charity that supports arts in the school. Find out what is important to your teacher. Give her the donation slip, letting her know a donation has been made in her name, along with a thank-you note.

20. Class thank-you notes

This gift is sure to bring tears to every teacher’s eyes! Slip in during lunch or pick a day when there is a substitute teacher and pass out note cards to the entire class. Have them write a thank-you note that includes their favorite memory of the year or what they love about the teacher. Place the note cards in a photo album, along with a class picture, for a gift she is sure to treasure.

Next Up: Autograph frame

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21. Autograph frame

Frame the class picture in an autograph frame and have the entire class sign the photo for a thoughtful and memorable keepsake. Stores like Target, Walmart and Michaels all have autograph frames for a reasonable price. (Walmart, $23)

22. Teacher-approved water bottle

Your teacher already has a million coffee mugs, so gift her with something she can use throughout the day such as a water bottle. She will love the colorful sleeve of this Lifefactory glass water bottle which is BPA-free — and the plastic taste that often goes along with having a plastic water bottle. (BackCountry, $13)

Next Up: Personalized clipboards

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23. Personalized clipboards

Teachers use clipboards a lot. Add a little pizazz to her boring run-of-the-mill clipboard by giving her one that has her name on it. We love this "Teachers Change the World" personalized clipboard from Script and Scribble. (Script and Scribble, $38)

24. Flower pot

Brighten up her classroom with these adorable flower pots, which you can have personalized with her name or add a sweet quote, such as "Where children bloom" or "A place to grow." Add her favorite flowers or plants for the gift that keeps on giving. (Personalization Mall, $24)

Next Up: Chalkboard flowerpot

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25. Chalkboard flowerpot

This awesome flowerpot only takes a few supplies, and is a great after-school craft.

26. Personalized key ring

Your teacher will surely get lots of use out of this practical and sweet gift. This personalized key ring includes a charm with the teacher's name, as well as a stamped apple with the grade that he or she teaches. You can pick up a personalized key ring at Lilly Ellen Designs. (Lilly Ellen Designs, $20)

Next Up: Books for the classroom

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27. Books for the classroom

Is your teacher trying to build up his or her homeroom classroom? Ask the teacher for an idea of what kind of books are needed and have each person in the class buy one book. Place them all in a gift basket for a thoughtful gift that can be used for years to come.

28. Personalized bookmark

Help your teacher keep track of his or her lesson plan with this cute and practical Personalized Red Tassel Apple Bookmark. This would be a great idea for your child's tutor or classroom helper as well! (Personalization Mall, $13)

Next Up: I love to read bookmark

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29. I love to read bookmark

Need a quick gift idea? This bookmark is super low-stress and fun!

30. Teacher appreciation box of chocolates

This is the perfect teacher gift for your older child that has multiple teachers. This Teacher Appreciation Box is full of delicious See’s Candies chocolates and features a package that shows your appreciation. For only $7, this is a sweet and budget-friendly way to give thanks for their hard work. (See’s Candies, $7)

Next Up: Cuff bracelet

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31. Cuff bracelet

The holidays are the perfect time to up the ante and give your child's teacher a nice piece of jewelry that she or he will wear all year long. This handmade cuff bracelet from Etsy is simple and understated — but it gets the message across. (Etsy, $16)

32. #1 Teacher ornament

OK, so we know it's not exactly in season, but this adorable #1 Teacher ornament will be a fun take-home for winter break — reminding her how much her students care and how they want "s'more" of her good teaching. Hokey puns aside, this ornament is pretty darn cute. (Amazon, $10)

More: Sixth Grader Fights Back Against School's Sexist Dress Code

Memorial Day comes around and I get the same five words, without fail. “Thank you for your service.” Labor Day rolls around and I hear the words again to close out the summer. Then, finally, on Veterans Day, I’m able to properly thank people for reaching out to me because Veterans Day is actually for me.

I grew up with an Army dad, then watched my older brother graduate college and fly Army helicopters. Uncle Sam paid for my college tuition, and then it was my turn to raise a hand and jump in a uniform. I served for eight years in the Army, beginning with the 25th Infantry Division in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Hawaii is a tough assignment, but somebody has got to answer the call to duty!

More: Kids Need to Know Memorial Day Is More Than a 3-Day Weekend

I later deployed to Afghanistan with my platoon of 60 soldiers, and that is how I learned the reality of war and fallen comrades.

Memorial Day is for the memories. As some people gear up for their beach weekends and day parties at the start of summer, Arlington Cemetery will be packed and there will be nothing happy about the tears there. Those are the people truly in need of Memorial Day wishes, prayers and good vibes — not me.

There will be a soldier in his home dealing with survivor’s guilt because his squad mates were killed in combat but he remains alive for reasons he will never understand. There will be a Marine at a medical center in Landstuhl, Germany, fighting for a new normal after losing a leg while her comrades lost their lives. There will be a little boy staring at a folded triangle American flag a little longer than usual on Memorial Day because that day is for him, his loss and his memories.

Memorial Day shines a light on the price of war in our country that is paid in human lives and real faces. While many Americans can go on with life each day and follow the latest Twitter trends, others limp along emotionally just trying to hold it all together. This struggle is so profound that the Gold Star Mothers were formed in 1918 by Grace Darling Seibold under the premise that self-contained grief is self-destructive.

Memorial Day is for bringing that grief to the surface on a national scale. This day is the nation’s chance to pause and remember the brave lives that were sacrificed to defend the Constitution.

Sacrificing a life and sacrificing years of time are two different things. I willingly gave a year of my life serving in Afghanistan and vowed that if God brought me home safely, I would never go back to that place. Fortunately, that bargain worked out well for me, but thousands of soldiers willingly gave their lives on foreign soil while I boarded a plane for home.

When someone tells a living veteran or service member, “Thank you for your service,” it can also act as a trigger. Greetings on Memorial Day cannot simply be thrown out to any passing veteran or service member as blanket statements. Care really needs to be taken to consider the huge aspect of what is being expressed on that day: lives were lost, families were shattered, teams were wounded through acts of war. It is a big deal. That veteran is undoubtedly living with their own wounds of war or their time in service. I know that I am. I still see the faces of my Army friends who died due to PTSD, whether the calendar says May 29 or any other day.

More: Let's Get One Thing Straight: My Military Family Does Not 'Have It Made'

My pain of losing those friends is not the same as the trauma and loss of surviving a team attack. The fact that I am alive and well enough to remember them is not lost on me; that is the largest proof that Memorial Day is not for me. To some it is splitting hairs, but to veterans it is the very essence of the difference between ourselves and our comrades in arms that are no longer here.

We get to live on, we get to have another day, another Thanksgiving, another chance at greatness, but our buddies who gave all will not. The tragedy is staggering and worthy of proper acknowledgement to the fallen soldier — not any random veteran walking on the street.

Operation Enduring Freedom will live on in my heart and mind forever. I will never forget what a July day felt like in Kabul because I am a veteran of the greatest Army on the planet. Yet, right now a mother is remembering her child, a child is remembering a parent, a soldier is remembering a buddy, a spouse is remembering the greatest love ever and Memorial Day is for them.

Originally published May 2016. Updated May 2017.

Memorial Day is a special day of remembrance, but sometimes that gets forgotten — especially by kids who mostly think of it as just another day off school. If you get them involved with planning the celebration, however, it's the perfect opportunity to teach them what the day is really all about.

Have your kids make some of these easy American flag crafts. Not only will they learn about Memorial Day, but they'll also be totally proud to display their homemade decorations in celebration of the special holiday.

1. Red, white and blue American flag fabric wreath

What you'll need:

• 1/3 yard red jersey knit
• 1/3 yard white jersey knit
• 1/3 yard light blue jersey knit
• 1/3 yard dark blue jersey knit
• wreath form
• scissors
• pen

What you'll do:

1. Begin by cutting out all four colors of the jersey knit fabric into 3-inch squares.
2. Lay a square over the top of the wreath form.
3. Use your pen to press the center of the fabric down into the wreath form. Press the fabric far enough into the wreath form that is does not easily come out.
4. Alternate colors, and fill in the front, center and side of the wreath form with the squares of fabric.
5. Once the wreath is completely filled in, hang the wreath on the door.

Next Up: Popsicle stick American flag

Updated by Sarah Long on 5/24/17.

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2. Popsicle stick American flag

What you'll need:

• popsicle or craft sticks
• glue
• scissors
• red and white paint
• paint brush
• blue craft foam
• foam star stickers

What you'll do:

1. Paint three of the craft/popsicle sticks red and two of the sticks white and set them aside to dry.
2. Once the paint has dried, alternate the red and white sticks. Glue another popsicle stick diagonally behind the red and white craft sticks to hold them in place.
3. Cut out a small rectangle from the blue craft foam and glue it to the upper left corner of the flag.
4. Stick star stickers on top of the blue rectangle.
5. Glue a popsicle stick to the bottom left corner of the flag to create a handle.

More: Before You Thank a Veteran for Their Service on Memorial Day, Read This First

Next Up: Paper chain American flag

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3. Paper chain American flag

What you'll need:

• red, white and blue construction paper
• scissors
• stapler
• tape

What you'll do:

1. Cut the construction paper crosswise into 1-inch strips. You will need 36 red strips, 25 white strips, and 16 blue strips.
2. Create four blue chains that are four links long, two white chains and two red chains that are seven links long, and two red chains and one white chain that is 11 links long.
3. Piece the chains together as shown in the picture. Use staples to hold the paper chains together.
4. Once it is completely assembled, tape the paper chain flag up on a wall.

Next Up: Handprint American flag

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4. Handprint American flag

What you'll need:

• red, white and blue craft paint
• construction paper
• paint brush
• silver stars
• glue
• towel for clean-up

What you'll do:

1. Paint the palm of your child's hand with the blue paint. Then paint your child's thumb, middle finger and pinky finger with red paint, and his pointer finger and ring finger with white paint.
2. Press your child's hand into the paper to create the handprint. Wash off your child's hand.
3. Once the paint is dry, glue silver stars to the blue part of the handprint to create the flag.

By: Renee Jain

"Wow, she’s a natural at soccer.”

"He's like a math prodigy!”

“Did you see how well she plays the violin? And she’s only 5.”

Growing up, I was in awe of kids and adults who displayed raw talent in sports, academics, music and high self-esteem. In fact, I thought such innate, effortless talent was the only path to success.

Don’t get me wrong — my mom attempted to influence me with the truism: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Yet, to me, it seemed that the pathway to success shouldn't include practicing by making mistakes. How wrong I was!

I consistently tried new things and then gave up if I didn’t flourish almost instantly. I didn't learn until much later that making mistakes is not only a healthy part of developing strong self-esteem and learning, it can provide the greatest opportunities for success.

Here are three powerful and actionable strategies for improving your child's view of mistakes and success.

1. Reframe your child’s perspective about mistakes

For most kids, making a mistake means “doing something wrong”. That outlook makes facing a challenge difficult and impacts confidence.

World-renowned researcher of motivation Carol Dweck reveals that those who adopt that type of “fixed mindset” — a belief that intelligence, character and creative ability are innate and immutable — cap their own potential by avoiding challenge.

On the contrary, those who confidently believe that intelligence and abilities are assets we nurture and cultivate through hard work possess “growth mindsets.” For those kids, making a mistake is an opportunity to learn. Dweck’s studies are clear: Kids with a growth mindset take on more challenges, bounce back more quickly from setbacks and thrive academically in comparison to those with fixed mindsets.

More: 10 Parenting Mistakes You're Probably Making (& How to Fix Them!)

Fortunately, we can help our kids nurture growth mindsets. For example, the simple awareness that the brain is a muscle that we can develop helps us do just that. Giving a child space to work out problems and make mistakes without fear of judgment, shame or punishment is another way to cultivate his or her growth mindset.

2. Change your reactions to your child's mistakes

Most of us learned early in life to hide our mistakes, putting as much distance between us and our failure as possible. While society (and general human nature) is largely to blame for reinforcing such attitudes and behaviors, as parents, we now have the power to break that toxic way of thinking.

If children fear the consequences of accidentally knocking over that plant in the living room, getting a low grade or cutting their little sister’s bangs with their crafting scissors, we're fostering in them a fear of making mistakes at all (including the critical ones they'll need to make to grow into healthy, well-functioning adults).

While I am not proposing a life with no consequences (or toddler-staffed barbershops), I am proposing that we examine our own reactions as parents and educators to our children’s mistakes. The vast majority of mistakes young children make are relatively harmless. They have fixable outcomes that children can learn from.

Making mistakes is part of trying... part of practicing... two things that grow confidence as we encourage our children to do all the time. Only through our calm reactions to mistakes can we establish this mentality in our children, and only through consistent application can we make it stick. (Having two toddlers at home myself, I know this takes practice.)

3. Help your child stop negative self-talk.

“Why didn’t I do better on that test? I'm so dumb! I wish I were smarter.”

It’s common to adopt a voice of self-criticism after making a mistake. But it's time to teach our children to treat themselves as they treat their own best friends. Research shows self-compassion trumps self-criticism on the path toward reaching our goals.

Wait — isn’t this a form of self-indulgence? Shouldn’t we teach our kids accountability for their mistakes?

More: 15 Ways to Improve Your Self-Esteem (That You Can Do From Anywhere)

A pioneer in self-compassion, Dr. Kristin Neff says there are three common misconceptions about the nature of self-compassion:

• First, self-compassion is not self-pity. Self-pity tends toward the self-absorbed end of the spectrum. It ignores the fact that many others have made the same mistake. It focuses on what happened rather than on what should happen next, and it emphasizes taking inspiration from shared experiences.
• Second, self-compassion is not self-indulgence. Teaching your children self-compassion does not mean coddling them or teaching them to coddle themselves. Point out to your children that being truly compassionate with themselves necessarily involves setting themselves up for futures of growth and success. Self-indulgence is nearly always couched in short-term pleasure and consequently is usually less than compassionate.
• Third, self-compassion is not the same as self-esteem. In a culture where we value standing out and being special, where average people need to believe they are above average, self-esteem hinges on determining one's value through self-analysis. Self-compassion, on the contrary, is blind to value. You're already enough as you are.

We must teach our children to feel compassion for themselves simply because they're human. Practicing self-compassion allows our kids to observe, acknowledge and learn from their mistakes without feeling shame, all without regard to external circumstances or skill levels.

Making mistakes is essential to your child's success

If we can teach our children to view mistakes as opportunities, to embrace their mistakes and to practice self-compassion, we give them powerful and exponentially rewarding gifts. They will inevitably find more success and genuinely make the world a better, kinder place.

Join Renee on a mission to teach children invaluable skills including resilience, self-compassion, how to take on anxiety and much more at Gozen.com

Originally published on YourTango.

Donald Trump's first major international trip hasn't been without its issues, and today's meeting with Pope Francis was definitely no exception.

More: New Footage Suggests Melania Just Avoided Donald Trump’s Hand for a Second Time

Trump and the pope don't exactly have the friendliest history — when Pope Francis called Trump's idea for a Mexican border wall un-Christian, Trump's response was a very vindictive statement about "if and when" ISIL attacks the Vatican.

We all know that Christian ideal to forgive and forget, but we're going to give the pope a pass for all the shade he threw at Trump during their meeting — the guy fully deserved it for that ISIL statement. First, the pope was subtle, giving Trump a book about protecting the environment in the face of climate change. Then, he went for a more obvious dig, asking the president if Melania Trump keeps him plump by feeding him treats. And finally, there's this photo:

More: Billy Bush Is Trying Really Hard to Earn Everyone's Forgiveness

How is this even real life? Obviously, Twitter brought the jokes about that insane photo, because just look at it.

More: Did Melania Really Swat Donald Trump's Hand Away?

So, Trump and Pope Francis: not BFFs. Putting them in a room together may result in threats of terrorist violence against the holy city, but also one of the greatest diplomatic photo opportunities of all time. Worth it? We can't decide.

Sweet, tart and chewy, Skittles and Starburst have always been a couple of my favorite classic candies. Yesterday while vacuuming, I found a still-wrapped yellow Starburst under the couch, and even though I haven't bought Starburst in months and had no idea where it came from... I ate it. Yes, that's how susceptible I am to their lure, and no amount of cat hair and dust was going to stop me from popping that hidden gem in my mouth.

So, I'm basically going berserk after hearing that Starburst and Skittles both have new Sweet Heat flavors coming out. We've seen mainstream spicy candy in the U.S. before, but usually the heat they're packing comes from cinnamon, which, let's be honest, is kinda meh. These new candies combine tropical fruit flavors and chili, seemingly getting inspiration from Mexican candies like Pulparindo (a totally addictive tamarind leather that's somehow simultaneously spicy, salty, sweet and sour).

More: 33 Totally cavity-inducing candy names

And the manufacturers of Skittles and Starburst aren't just adding spice to the original flavors — they're actually introducing new ones. Sweet Heat Skittles will feature Fiery Watermelon, Blazin' Mango, Flamin' Orange, Sizzlin' Strawberry and Lemon Spark. Starburst will introduce Fiery Watermelon, Strawberry Mango, Flamin’ Orange and Pipin' Pineapple.

I can say with confidence that the Strawberry Mango sweet heat Starburst is probably going to be the best thing to happen to American candy in generations, and the best part is, they won't even cost you that much to try. Each pack will be sold for about 99 cents, while the big bags for sharing will retail for around $3.19.

So start saving your allowance, kids, because when these babies are released in December, I have a feeling you'll want to stock up.

More: Skittles' New Mother's Day Ad Is Horrifying

Seems a bit like torture doesn’t it? Preventing someone from having an orgasm? “Edging,” (also known as a “prolonged orgasm”) is a popular form of sexual performance in the BDSM community.

What’s known as the “superior orgasm” by many in the kink community is a method in which an individual withholds their orgasm — by affirming control over the body, the individual can choose when to come, whether it’s up to their partner or themselves.

More: 31 days of orgasms: The masturbation challenge your body is begging you to take

Edging takes place at the cusp of an orgasm right when you’re about to come and then choose to stop yourself. As humans, we seek instant gratification, which may paint edging as a horrible experience. For many, it may come off as teasing or denying yourself the orgasm that you deserve. However, edging can create a prolonged orgasm if done correctly and over the course of several moments of withdrawal.

To begin experimenting with edging, it’s recommended you start by practicing solo. Restraining oneself can seem torturous — it takes a great amount of control to compartmentalize the situation.

First, understand how important slow breathing is in the situation. Imagine your yoga technique and breathe in slowly while focusing on the inhale and breathing out in a long, drawn-out release. This breathing technique can help you focus on the moment and on masturbating successfully with an orgasm in mind.

Clinical sexologist Rena McDaniel says,  “Often, we rush towards the supposed finish line of orgasm with little thought and even less attention to sustained pleasure. Edging is a great way slow down and enjoy the journey.”

More: What 7 Women Wish Their Partners Knew About Getting Them Off

It takes women on average four minutes to reach an orgasm during masturbation. While this is something that is celebrated (hell yeah for getting yourselves off), it’s also something that should be avoided with edging. The key during edging is to slowly build yourself up as you utilize toys — finding the right one might take some experimentation — and test your limits.

Once you feel yourself getting ready to climax, drastically switch what you are doing to your body. Move your body or move your toy to another position in order to alter the pressure point. The point of no return is when arousal turns into an orgasm. The physiological responses to this moment include contractions and vibrations. Pay attention to signs that you are reaching your PNR. These can include shallow breaths, tightening of muscles, pleasure increase and a desire to push down.

McDaniel says edging “causes you to maintain sustained attention on pleasure, which signals your brain to increase blood flow to all of the important bits.”

Becoming comfortable with your PNR should be practiced during masturbation. Edging isn’t easy the first time you try it; it takes practice. That’s why working on yourself is important before moving on to another human in the flesh. Once you understand your PNR, you can stop yourself from going beyond this point and properly edge.

When you’re ready to play with someone else, make sure to find someone that you’re comfortable with sexually. Communication is huge when it comes to edging. Whether it’s verbal or physical (i.e., moving their hand or sex organ away) communicating is the only way that your partner will know you’re about to be close to coming. Men and women can both edge, which makes the experience a suitable method to try out between partners. Edging can be a way for you to introduce dominance into the bedroom and control when and how your partner will orgasm. This form of control can also help your partner last longer, resulting in an orgasm that you can experience together.

More: Can I Get Addicted to My Vibrator?

Since edging takes some time, make sure to have your lubricant close by. The concept of edging may seem frustrating, and some people may take longer than others to achieve a successful prolonged orgasm. If you’re someone who has a difficult time having an orgasm, edging may seem like a waste or a sexual privilege. Edging is paired with a form of sexual entitlement.

However, you deserve the most superior and most prolonged orgasm of your life. It takes practice. It takes time. It isn’t the easiest way to come, but once you achieve it, you’ll never look back.

By S. Nicole Lane

Originally published on HelloFlo.

If you watched even a little bit of Monday's premiere episode of The Bachelorette, you don't need me to tell you that Lucas Yancey, aka the Whaboom guy, is the actual worst.

More: Things I Yelled at My TV While Watching The Bachelorette Premiere

He's obnoxious (and not even in the entertaining-for-TV way), cocky and clearly not there to woo Rachel Lindsay, who is an angel and deserves nothing but the best. It took all the other guys in the house approximately 3.4 seconds to ascertain that Yancey might not be there for "the right reasons," and his Instagram pretty much confirms that.

It shows him as an aspiring actor whose Bachelorette run is at least his second stint on reality TV. There's always that one who's just in it to be on TV, but we never expect to pick him out the second he steps out of the limo. Then again, most of them don't come wearing a T-shirt screen-printed with their own catchphrase.

Yancey's Instagram also reveals something else, though: that he's kind of a giant dick. BuzzFeed combed through the guy's feed and found a super-douchey, body-shaming post from June 2015. He appears to have deleted it since the internet caught wind, but Yancey, honey, this is why God gave us screen shots.

More: Meet the Men We'll All Be Watching Rachel Date on The Bachelorette

The post shows the front page of People magazine featuring plus-size supermodel Tess Holliday. In the caption, Yancey wrote, "This probably should help #McDonalds stock go up. Being fat is the new thin. Who cares about #diabetes."

In the comments, Yancey doubled down on being an asshole, responding to a friend's comment about being surprised he wasn't getting "most shit" for the post by writing, "Bring on the shit. I'm sure this cover chick has a lot of it."

More: ABC Backtracks on 1 Bachelorette Contestant's Transphobic Comments

Yancey made it through Week 1 by scoring Lindsay's final rose of the night, which I'm sure Lindsay gave him of her own accord under no pressure from producers at all. Here's hoping he keeps acting like a complete moron and gets sent home ASAP.

In a time of terror and uncertainty for so many people who were affected by the suicide bombing that took place at Ariana Grande's Manchester concert, the singer is reportedly doing what she can to make things easier for those who were affected by the tragedy.

More: During the Manchester Attack, Ariana Grande's Mother Helped Concertgoers

Twenty-two people died and 59 others were injured in the attack when British national Salman Abedi allegedly detonated a bomb in the lobby of the arena where Grande played moments after her concert ended. Now, an authorized fan Twitter account for Grande is alleging she is reaching out to the families of those who were killed and offering to cover the costs of the victims' funerals.

More: We're with Ariana Grande — Selena Gomez is so much more than Justin Bieber's ex

Publications like The Independent cannot verify these claims, however, since Grande's team neither confirmed nor denied the claim. Considering her actions since the bombing, it doesn't seem to be out of character for her. Soon after the tragedy, she tweeted that she was "broken," adding, "from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have the words."

Immediately after the bombing, Grande returned to her hometown of Boca Raton, Florida, and she's still there. That's making many people think she canceled the rest of her tour in the aftermath of the tragedy, but that hasn't been confirmed, either.

More: ISIL Claims Responsibility for Manchester Attack at Ariana Grande Concert

Regardless of whether the tweet is correct, we hope Grande is doing something to heal after a horrific attack that she clearly feels some responsibility for, even though it wasn't her fault. Whether that's relaxing at home or donating money to the families of the victims, we just hope she's able to find peace.

If you’ve been in a relationship for longer than a hot minute, you know that not all romps are created equal. There’s the lazy morning sex when neither of you can be bothered to do anything athletic, the I’m-so-mad-at-you-but-I-love-you action after bickering and the energized sex that can happen when you're in a new place together. While sex isn’t the solution for all relationship problems, intimacy can build your connection, release frustration and get you both to calm down, stat.

“Sex can be a tremendous resource for managing emotions, coping with stress, reducing heart rate, regulating breathing, grounding yourself in the present and connecting with others,” says therapist Angie Gunn, clinical social worker/therapist and sexuality expert at Talkspace. “Sex can also be a resource for more complex challenges like relationship conflict, boredom or feeling distress in your life.”

Here are some ideas and inspiration from sex therapists, who say these moves can fix (almost) any problem — y'know, at least for an hour or two.

You’re feeling bored in your relationship

When you’re just a few dates in, you get a little zing from every touch, kiss and eye-lock. But when you’ve been together for years, those tried and true positions with your partner might get the job done, but not thrill or satisfy you.

That’s why Coleen Singer, resident sex expert at Sssh.com, an erotic entertainment website for women, says that introducing a fun kinky game into your routine can be an effective way to get curious about your partner again. She suggests recreating the time when you actually were near strangers and pick up one another at a bar, complete with introductions and buying a round of drinks. You’ll reignite those waves of electricity you felt in the beginning. Want to take it a step further? Singer suggests getting a hotel room for the night to really create that ‘sex with a stranger’ sensation instead of going back to your place, where the laundry and dishes await. (Not sexy.)

You’ve been bickering a lot

Disagreements are a natural, normal and even healthy part of being in a committed relationship. No matter how much you love one another or how many passions and interests you have in common, disagreements are inevitable. It's how you navigate those heated moments that can make or break your union, and if you want to release some steam in a healthy way, Singer suggests trying rough, intense sex.

“This can include mutual spanking, hard and enthusiastic penetration and even a bit of BDSM if that’s something you both agree to try,” she says. Key word: agree. Consent here, as always, is required, so be sure you discuss what your boundaries are before getting rough — we're not trying to get into Big Little Lies territory, here. “The sheer physicality of rough sex can shed some built-up emotional tension between you. Just be careful not to go overboard with this technique and establish a safe word so you can put on the breaks if anything becomes uncomfortable or painful.”

More: 7 Things That Aren't Normal in Bed & How to Handle Them

You have PMS

That time of the month may not exactly be when you’re feeling your sexiest, but it might be when you’re most in the mood for a little bedroom playtime. Your body could be hungering for connection because orgasms are a natural way to alleviate annoying cramps. “Period cramps put your body under a lot of stress, leading to more pain and mood swings," says Singer. "When we orgasm, the body releases oxytocin and dopamine along with other endorphins that can ease any PMS and period-related pains. Those hormones are far stronger than any over-the-counter painkillers."

The best sex move for this situation: whichever one gets you to the finish line the fastest! Don't bother with complex or new positions — just do what feels great, even if it's quick. Not only will the sexual success help you release physical pain and tension, but it’ll make your partner feel accomplished and proud that he or she made you feel better (and satisfied).

You can’t sleep to save your life

No matter how many melatonin tablets or meditation techniques you try, for whatever reason, insomnia has your hands tied. Periods of restlessness and difficulty getting shut-eye are usually caused by an uptick in stress at work or emotional challenges in your relationships. One super-effective way to stop your mind from racing is — you guessed it — to have an orgasm.

“Sex and orgasms boost the production of oxytocin, which helps you and your partner emotionally bond and curbs cortisol, which induces stress,” Singer says. “These hormonal changes leave your body in a relaxed state, making it easier to fall asleep. As a bonus, estrogen levels after sex and orgasms also increase, which can enhance your REM cycle for a deeper uninterrupted sleep.”

The best positions to try at this time are intimate missionary or spooning sex, where your bodies are completely intertwined while still allowing for the stimulation you both need to reach orgasm. If your partner happens to be out of town when your sleeplessness hits, consider getting a vibrator or giving porn a chance. “Masturbation is one of my go-to tools for sleep struggles," says Gunn. "Creating a calm, dark, quiet space while prepping your favorite literotica or porn can be great. If you lie in a position you'd normally sleep in, orgasm can be a nice transition to dozing off." It's a win-win.

You’re struggling with body image

Just like sleep cycles ebb and flow, so can self-confidence. Whether you’re stressing about a bloated post-dinner belly or hormonal breakouts, most of us have days when we're not feeling our finest. Next time you have one of these moments, Gunn suggests taking a second to get out of your head, where negative thoughts are plaguing you, and instead celebrating your unique appeal. “Stand in front of the mirror and take sexy pictures, stroking yourself and appreciating all the beauty that lies within you," she says. "If you're up for it, send these pictures to your partner if you can count on him or her to appreciate and praise you." You can even challenge yourself to keep the lights on or have sex in view of a mirror where you'll be able to see your own pleasure as it happens, which might help take the focus off looks and onto feelings.

Singer adds that it’s healthy to open up the conversation to your partner and explain that you’re not loving being naked right now for whatever reason. She or he can help navigate modifications to your romps, like changing the lighting or focusing on the moves that make you feel best. “Sex researchers note that women who considered themselves ‘good in bed’ had a much better body image than women who didn’t, even though they were the same weight," says Gunn. "Ultimately, sexual competence creates body confidence and vice versa.” 

You’re stressed AF at work

Even if you love your job most days, high-stake deadlines can leave you feeling completely drained when you step outside of the office. You might be so exhausted that even making out feels like a lot of energy, so Singer says to take your sexual exploration to the a.m. instead.

Whenever you know you have a busy workweek coming up, plan ahead and squeeze in a quickie once or twice before heading to the office. That can help alleviate anxiety from the time you wake up, allowing you to be fully recharged and refreshed to tackle those back-to-back meetings and presentations with confidence. It will also put you in an overall mood, meaning you don’t snap in the afternoon before you’ve had your 4 p.m. Starbucks fix.

Life just sucks RN

We've all experienced the ups and downs of life — and probably witnessed how it can affect libido too. One month you might score a promotion and go on a killer vacation, while the next you could be fighting with friends, dealing with work drama and feeling pretty down. When you don’t feel like anything is going right and everything just feels hard, turn your attention to the bedroom, where Singer says consistent sex can help keep your mood level and your spirits high.

This is the time when you want to break out your sex bucket list and start checking off the hot things you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t. Even if you can’t control the pitfalls you’re facing, you can at least look forward to having outdoor sex on a rooftop or acting out the schoolgirl fantasy you’ve harbored.

If nothing else, planning these sexy adventures will give you something to look forward to and a way of distracting yourself from day-to-day dreariness — even if it's just once or twice a month that you and your partner go the extra mile to make sex extra-memorable.

More: What 11 Happily Married Women Wish They'd Known as Newlyweds

Law and Order: SVU fans (i.e., everyone), the season finale is clearly going to be a doozy!

More: Law & Order: SVU Proves Fake News Can Have Very Real Consequences

It's going to blow so many of our minds, the show's star and executive producer Mariska Hargitay can't even keep her mouth shut about it before it airs.

Hargitay was on the red carpet at her Joyful Heart Foundation Gala this week, and couldn't resist spilling just a little bit to reporters about the two-hour finale, which airs tonight. Don't worry, though — no spoilers!

"I've got to tell you, it's so good," Hargitay gushed. "It's compelling; it's absolutely frightening. It's a rough episode, and I am so incredibly proud of it."

More: SVU's Latest Episode Could Very Well Save Victims IRL

(OK, now some mild spoilers ahead.)

The two-part episode starts off with "American Dream," a segment about a Muslim family that loses a daughter to a hate crime. There's a witness to the crime, but that person ends up getting deported, leading to charges against the suspect being dropped. The second part of the finale, entitled "Sanctuary," follows the public unrest that turns violent as detectives work to find the evidence that will put their suspect back behind bars.

Peter Scanavino, who plays Detective Carisi on the show, has also spoken out about the upcoming episode, but also without revealing much to fans. He described the finale as "gruesome," adding, "it's some pretty horrible people that we have to track down."

He continued, "There's a lot of frustration involved in terms of trying to do what's right… It's two hours, just settle in and say, 'That's going to be the night,' and just watch."

More: Law & Order: SVU Fans — the Time Has Come for a Stabler & Benson Reunion

The season finale airs on NBC tonight beginning at 9/8c.

Kim Kardashian is far from the only celebrity to speak out in support of Ariana Grande and the 81 people killed or injured during the terrorist attack at Grande's Manchester concert. But Kardashian may be the only one being criticized for doing so.

More: Ariana Grande May Be Involved With Each Manchester Attack Victim's Funeral

Soon after the tragedy, Kardashian took to Twitter to share her sentiments.

Later, she posted a photo of herself, Kendall Jenner and Grande at a concert with the caption, "Concerts are supposed to be a place where u can let loose & have fun. So scary to not feel safe in this world. @arianagrande I love you."

Kim Kardashian gets backlash for tweets about bombing 3

Kim Kardashian gets backlash for tweets about bombing 3

Kardashian wasn't the only celeb to post a photo of herself and Grande in the wake of the tragedy. Many others did, including Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato.

More: Ariana Grande May Be Involved With Each Manchester Attack Victim's Funeral

So did people just not notice that Grande was in Kardashian's photo? No matter what happened, people need to settle down. Kardashian's tributes are as meaningful as any other celeb's, and she didn't deserve to be bullied into taking the photo down.

Remember the old days, when if you wanted to order delivery, you'd pick up a takeout menu and actually call someone? (Ah, nostalgia.) With on-demand delivery apps, it's a brave new world where you just click a few buttons and your food is en route. An introvert’s dream, no speaking required.

For some of us (*raises hand*), sometimes just opening a new window or app has started to feel like work — but life's about to get even easier. Facebook has activated a new feature where you can now order food directly through the app or website. No need to leave Facebook messenger. No need to stop your political diatribes on friends’ walls. Everything in life, from pizza to politics, seems to become increasingly streamlined.

More: On-demand food delivery service in London only takes 25 minutes

The feature is showcased via a hamburger app icon that already appears on your newsfeed. Click where it says “order food,” and it’ll direct you to a list of restaurants that participate within your area. If you're traveling, it’ll direct you to local restaurants in that area. Sure, the list isn’t as expansive as Seamless yet, but give them time. This is the future.

The order food option on Facebook is powered by Delivery.com or Slice, so the options you get on these apps will be reflected on Facebook, and you can use your ordering app for either pickup or delivery.

But let's be real. If you're ordering food on Facebook, it's because you're too lazy to open another app, so clearly you're gonna be choosing delivery. No judgment!

More: Amazon is now delivering takeout straight to your doorstep

Is it us, or did the last 11 months go really, really slowly? Think about it; 11 months ago, Obama was president, Carrie Fisher was alive and we had no idea what Westworld was. That's how long we've waited for this Game of Thrones Season 7 trailer. And it's finally here.

On first watch, the trailer confirms that the final season of the show will be all-out war, from literally all sides. We'd do a rundown of all the different sides, their characters and their motives, but if you aren't caught up on that, maybe just stick with The Bachelor, which has less backstory (he's a bachelor).

Since we don't have new GoT episodes for another six weeks (oh my God!), we just watched the trailer on repeat a few billion times. Here are a few things we noticed only upon seventh glance.

More: Quiz: Even If You’re a Superfan, You Probably Can’t Beat Our Game of Thrones Quiz

This season, women rule

Game of Thrones has always offered viewers a huge number of strong women characters, but now that every plotline is coming to a head, it's clear that women aren't just equals in this world; they are ruling. As the cast of characters continues to die at alarming rates, mostly females have come out on top (and many have their eyes on one throne or another). Season 7 will be all about which woman can best the others — and again, in perfect GoT style, there are too many to name.

Cersei is still rocking her insane power-hungry mother-in-mourning look

Remember how Cersei looked in Season 1? Long, flowing blond hair, ornate and colorful gowns and all surrounded by living, breathing children? Yeah, that person is long gone. She's been replaced by crazed badass Cersei, who seems to wear nothing but black and diamonds and who has kept her pixie cut of shame. Is she cold and hard enough to keep control of the Iron Throne, or has her time come to be reunited with her seeming hundreds of dead relatives? Also, will the old witch's prophecy come true? We'll find out in the next 14 episodes spread over the next two years.

Whoa, the Red Keep has a huge map of Westeros!

In case you start to get confused about where each army is and who is killing who, the producers have decided to gift us with a huge, walkable map in the Red Keep that we've never seen before. It looks pretty sweet, and Cersei is already walking all over it just like she walks all over anyone who gets in her way.

There also seems to be another battle map pictured in the trailer. At first glance, it looks like the table that Stannis Baratheon had a few seasons ago, and maybe now Dany is using it from her new base at Dragonstone?

Hey! There's Brienne!

The first five times we watched the trailer, we couldn't find our favorite loyal sword-swinging heroine, Brienne of Tarth. But then on the sixth watch, there she was. She's back at Winterfell adding much-needed muscle to Jon Snow's forces.

The Red Woman is in Exile... with Dany?

At the end of the last season, creepy but likable priestess Melisandre was banished from the Wall. In the trailer, we see her at Dragonstone of all places, where she and Stannis spent the first few seasons. Since we also glimpse Daenerys at Dragonstone in the trailer, we have to conclude that the Red Woman is teaming with the Dragon lady. Those are a lot of strong, bold, frightening women on one side. We might put our money on them.

Uh-oh, we can see Arya's breath

Arya has returned to Westeros, and she is officially trained as a totally awesome Faceless Man/assassin. We know she still wants a lot of revenge, but we're not sure where she'll start. The clip of her in the trailer, though, is a bit troubling since she seems to be in a cold climate and we can see a puff of her breath. In prior seasons, seeing your breath is a really good sign that there's a White Walker around. Hope she has Needle close by.

More: Game of Thrones' Season 7 Trailer May Have Just Confirmed Daenerys' Plotline

Is that a lion falling over?

Near the end, we can see a lion piece being knocked over on a map. But what figure is knocking the piece over? And does it depict a plan or an actual outcome? We will have to watch and see.

What we didn't see

When it comes to these trailers, what we don't see can be just as interesting as what we do see. What didn't we catch any glimpses of in the 90 seconds of magic that was the Season 7 trailer?

• No Night King or White Walkers. OK, we're kind of glad we didn't have to see any of that super-scary stuff, but, um, where are they? We'd like to keep track of them, thanks.
• No Jorah Mormont. He was suffering from the terrible greyscale disease at the end of the last season. Could that be his super-gross arm we see for half a second in the trailer?
• No Bran. OK, we admit this is our least favorite storyline now that Hodor is gone, but we are still a tiny bit concerned about Brandon and Meera. Especially since Bran now has to deliver some super-important info about Jon Snow's parents to him.

More: 6 Musicians Who Made Guest Cameos on Game of Thrones Before Ed Sheeran

What's your hot take on the Season 7 trailer, and what are you doing to pass the next six weeks?

In our Q&A series, beauty experts address your most bewildering issues. Have a beauty-related quandary of your own? Submit your question in the comments below or via Twitter.

Question:

How much hair loss is normal?

Answer:

Seeing a lot of hair whirling down the shower drain? Don’t freak — yet. “Hair loss in women is, to a certain extent, normal,” advises leading New York-based hair restoration specialist Dr. James C. Marotta. “The average woman loses between 50 and 100 strands per day, even up to 150 in some cases.”

But if you really feel like you’ve started to lose an excessive amount of hair each day, Marotta recommends this trick: “Take about 60 hairs between your fingers and pull, running your fingers through your hair. Usually between five and eight hairs, which is normal,” he says. “An excess of 15 hairs, however, is not as common and means you are losing more hair than you should be.”

Here’s the deal, says Marotta: “For most, 90 percent of the hair on your head is in the growing phase, while about 10 percent of your hair is in the ‘resting’ phase, meaning that 10 percent will fall out and leave room for new hair growth within a certain period of time. If you are losing more than 15 hairs per pull, it likely means more than 10 percent of the hair on your head is in the ‘resting’ phase,” he explains. “While this still may not be a true cause for concern, it would be a good idea to ask an expert about what to do to halt this process.”

Even if you find that you are losing quite a bit of hair, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern. “The cause of excess hair loss can be as simple as too much stress or a lack of vitamins,” Marotta says, “so it’s important to take a look at your lifestyle when hair loss becomes an issue.” He does warn, however, that “hair loss can also become prevalent due to hormonal, immunological and infectious issues,” so no matter what, a trip to the doctor is never a bad idea, if only to ease your anxiety.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Heads up, parents: Graco is recalling over 25,000 car seats due to the discovery that eight convertible car seat models may provide inferior restraint in a car accident. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration determined that children using certain Graco's My Ride 65 car seats may be at greater risk of injury.

"During a test of the individual harness restraint component, the webbing on certain My Ride 65 convertible car seats did not meet federal requirements for breaking strength," was Graco's Facebook statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, Graco is notifying consumers who may be impacted."

If you have a My Ride, you'll want to check immediately. The recalled models are:

• 1871689
• 1908152
• 1813074
• 1872691
• 1853478
• 1877535
• 1813015
• 1794334

Graco dealers will provide affected consumers with a free replacement harness according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, with a recall expected to start July 17, 2017.

More: Popular infant car seats recalled

If your car seat is one of these recalled model numbers, contact Graco at 800-345-4109 to inquire about a replacement harness. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov to find out more.

Angel Camden of Virginia was struggling — big time — with parenting her 4-year-old son, whose behavior had taken a turn for the worse. (Pretty sure we can all relate.)

The problem: Angel could feel her behavior taking a turn for the worse too. Worried that her frustration and anger with her son would affect him negatively in the long-term, she searched for help online. And she found an idea that really hit home for her.

On her Facebook page, she posted, “Today, I tried something new. Something that required me to exercise patience with my oh so testy 4 year old. I wore 5 rubber bands on my wrist from the time I got up, to the time I tucked him in just now.”

She explained that the five bands represent her anger. Each time Camden expresses a negative reaction, she shifts one band to the opposite wrist.

To earn the band's return to the "good" wrist, Camden said she must "do 5 kind/positive things" with her son: "dance party, singing a song together, reading together, etc."

More: Could you be a toxic parent — and not even know it?

Camden stated on Facebook that she was intrigued by the experiment because she'd read that every poor reaction from a parent requires five positive ones to rebalance the relationship — and the importance of positive everyday interactions with kids in their early brain development has been proven again and again in scientific studies.

Although the rubber band method of positive parenting is nothing new, Camden's personal experiment received a huge response. Her Facebook post was shared more than 43,000 times — underscoring how many of us parents struggle to keep our temper in check with our kids.

Camden doesn't plan to remove the elastic bands anytime soon.

"I'm going to be using this method until it becomes a habit and basically turns into an auto pilot ritual," she said. "I've found myself so incredibly stressed out, I beat my head against the wall daily because I don't understand why my 4 year old insists on being disrespectful and a non listener."

More: I don't want to be an angry mom

She continued, "I was to the point of crying at least every other day. I have finished the day with all 5 bands on the original wrist. I'm very proud of myself for exercising patience with him. I know it's only day 1 but I'm hopeful this will help our communication skills and our relationship."

You guys, hair washing is confusing. We grew up being taught to wash it every day, and then later we learned you should probably only be sudsing up a couple of times a week — and to be honest, we’re still pretty confused about how to wash your hair correctly when it comes to the actual process of cleansing (the “no ‘poo method” floating around the internet certainly isn’t helping things).

Using the correct techniques can make a world of difference in your hair’s health, bounce and shine — but if you’re making some common mistakes, you could be damaging your lovely locks without even realizing it. We asked two of New York’s foremost hair pros, hair stylist Nunzio Saviano of Nunzio Saviano Salon and Kyle White, lead colorist at Oscar Blandi Salon, to share their best tips for lathering up — and doing it the right way.

1. Start with a rinse

Just like your laundry needs a rinse cycle before you add detergent, hair should be thoroughly wet before you add your shampoo. “Hot water will open the cuticle, which is good for removing any dirt or product trapped in the hair,” says White.

Another bonus: “When your hair is rinsed in warm water, it loosens the oils through the scalp and opens the cuticle so it is able to absorb the oil” in your conditioner, says Saviano.

More: This New $7 Dry Shampoo Truly Transformed My Hair

2. If you have long hair, condition first

Yes, really! “If you have hair beneath the shoulders, protect fragile ends from drying out and further damage by running a small amount of conditioner through them and lightly rinsing before any shampooing. This will not only keep ends healthy, it will fill any holes in the cuticle with moisture, making it smoother and boosting shine,” says White.

3. Lather up — but only at the scalp

“You only need to shampoo the hair at the scalp, particularly at the nape,” Saviano says.

White agrees. “The best way to lather up is from roots to ends. The hair closest to the scalp is the youngest and will inevitably be the oiliest, while the end of the hair is the oldest and usually [the] driest, most fragile part of the hair.”

Don’t use more shampoo than you need; both Saviano and White say that a quarter-size amount of shampoo is enough. If your hair is particularly long or thick, go ahead and double that.

4. Be gentle!

Friction can permanently damage your hair’s cuticle, leading to breakage and frizz. Think about washing your hair like you hand-wash your delicates — very carefully.

“Start your lather at the roots,” says White. “Increase blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair growth by using vertical strokes with medium pressure.” Don’t use circular motions, which can tangle your hair.

Next, “Smooth the lather over the ends in a straight stroking motion,” White advises. “Do not scrub the fragile ends or use a back and forth motion like you’re washing a rag on a washboard.”

5. Don’t rinse and repeat

Despite what the instructions on the back of your shampoo bottle may say, there’s no need to wash your hair twice.

“Avoid stripping the hair by doing one shampoo only, which is usually sufficient,” says White. “Unless the hair is extremely dirty and the first shampoo didn’t produce a lather.” In that case, go ahead and lather up one more time.

6. Add conditioner from the mid-lengths to the tips

After you’ve rinsed out your shampoo, “squeeze some of the water out of the hair before you put in the conditioner,” says Saviano. “Then clip your hair up and finish showering, leaving the conditioner rinse-out for the final step of your shower.”

The longer the conditioner stays on your hair, the better it absorbs. Don’t put conditioner at the roots of your hair; the natural oil from your scalp is more concentrated there.

7. Finish with a cold-water rinse

“Cold water will shut the cuticle tight, sealing the shingle-like outer layer, which will cause it to reflect the most light and give off the most shine,” says White.

More Hair Washing Tips…

Use a shampoo and conditioner that’s made for your hair type. If your hair is dry, choose moisturizing products. If you color your hair, opt for color-safe formulas. “Volumizing” shampoos tend to leave hair drier, so they’re best for fine hair types that would be weighed down by more moisturizing products.

How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type too. If you have oily or fine hair, you may need to shampoo daily. Normal or dry hair can lather up closer to three times a week.

Filter your water. White recommends using a shower filter, such as the T3 Source Showerhead, since it “removes rust and minerals from water that can dull color, and deposit on blondes making them dark and muddy.” (We’ve tried it, and it also made our hair super-soft.)

More: Beauty Hack: Add Sugar to Your Shampoo for Perfect Hair

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

The victims of the Manchester attack and their families have a strong ally in Harry Styles, who paid tribute to the victims at his Mexico City concert. A Manchester native, Styles' speech to the audience indicated that this attack felt personal because it hit his hometown and community of people he cared about. It was, in my opinion, one of the most heartfelt tributes in the wake of this tragic event.

More: Harry Styles Is Definitely Not Talking About Taylor Swift on His New Album

On Tuesday, Styles paused his Mexico City concert to give a speech to the crowds. He recognized that some of his fans had flown a long way to be there, thanking them for their dedication, and he also recognized the severe losses of the families of victims in the attack.

Courtesy of BuzzFeed and in collaboration with one concertgoer, video of the Styles tribute is available to watch.

In the video, Styles starts off by saying, "I just want to say one thing before we start. Thank you so much for being here tonight. I know a lot of you have flown a long way. I really appreciate you being here. When I booked this show, I wanted to celebrate with you guys. I've played some of my favorite shows in Mexico, and it felt right to come and celebrate with you, but tonight doesn't feel like a night to celebrate. Last night, there was a tragedy in my hometown of Manchester, and I have been left with a hole in my heart."

More: Harry Styles Wants to Be the Timberlake of One Direction With His New Music Teaser

He continued, "I went to my first show in the arena, and I've had some of the best experiences of my life playing in Manchester," he continued. "We have a choice, every single day that we wake up, of what we can put into the world, and I ask you to please choose love every single day. I promise that we will be back very soon to Mexico with a full show, but tonight, if it's OK with you, we're going to play a small acoustic set. I hope you understand, and I hope you'll join me in a moment of silence for the victims and for the families of the victims in Manchester today. Thank you for understanding. I love you very much."

More: Harry Styles Album Cover Is So Hot Because It's Not Like the Rest

Styles was one of the first celebrities to tweet out thoughts and prayers in the wake of the attack on Monday, May 22. It's clear that his heart is and always will be with his hometown, the city that he loves, and the residents who make that city great. It's also so touching to see that Styles is so readily available emotionally to pay tribute to the victims. Hopefully, this gesture and these words of his can provide some comfort to the families of the Manchester attack victims and the residents of Manchester.

When veterans return from service, we picture one of their first stops being to a medical facility to ensure that any injuries or conditions are treated. But what about a trip to the dentist?

The reality is that more than 21 million veterans across the U.S. today are struggling to find affordable dental care. Of those, fewer than 10 million are enrolled for VA health benefits and more than 1.2 million lack health insurance altogether. Not only that, but in order to qualify for full VA dental benefits, veterans have to be 100 percent disabled, have been a prisoner of war or have a service-related injury to their mouths. In other words, many veterans are excluded from coverage.

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Stephen Leon was one of these veterans. As a member of the National Guard, Leon received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star when he thwarted an attack on 8,700 sleeping soldiers in Afghanistan in 2011, which included gunfire, hand grenades and two suicide bombers attempting to break into the barracks he was guarding. But once he returned to his native Boston, Leon faced an endless barrage of hardships and at one point, was on the verge of homelessness. Despite the setbacks, Leon persevered and now helps fellow veterans, including volunteering at a local suicide hotline.

When Dr. Melissa Thompson, a dentist in the Boston area, heard about Leon’s work, she surprised him with free dental care to help with his recovery and thank him for his service.

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Starting in 2014, Thompson decided to branch out, making dental care available to as many veterans as possible. Once a year, Aspen Dental offices across the country — that’s almost 450 offices in more than 30 states — provide free dental exams to veterans as part of its Healthy Mouth Movement. Since the program started, more than 12,000 patients have benefitted from more than $7.6 million in donated dental care.

“For so many people, dental care falls to the bottom of their list,” Thompson explained. “I just want all veterans to know that it’s open to all of them — we hope that they have the courage to give us a call.”

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This year, the event will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Any veterans who would like to participate can visit HealthyMouthMovement.com or call 1-844-ASPEN-HMM.