Take the New Year Challenge - Week of January 23

Monday, January 23, 2012

If you want to be all the woman you can be; if you want to be a better lover, a better parent, a better financial taskmaster, and a healthier person, you need to make some sacrifices.

Resolutions are passé — action, true action and true satisfaction will come from setting challenges for yourself, setting timelines, and making them work.

Over the next several weeks, All Woman will present a set of challenges to you, approvedby our experts, that are designed to change your life.

Keep checking this space each week for your new year challenge.

Your Children

Assignment: Plan for your child's future education today.

Despite the fact that your child may just be in kindergarten, basic or primary school, there is no better time to start planning for that child's college/university education than now.

"Effective parenting begins with planning for children," Marcia McCausland-Wilson, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association said recently. "It is very important that we give them the tools (to access and perform well in school so it is very important that we plan."

A number of banks now offer savings geared towards saving for your child's education that will be made available when it is time for them to enter high school, college or university.

This week, ask your bank about saving for your child's future education then open an account strictly for that.

"And it (the savings) will be ready for you when your child gets to high school or college," McCausland-Wilson said. "Some of them are pretty easy; you can start with $500 or $1,000."

Your Finances

Assignment: This week visit an investment company and ask questions.

Many times persons do not invest simply because they believe investments are only for the rich. But this is not so. Learning about investment and the various aspects to it could make a difference in your financial growth.

"Many people do not take the time to learn about investment," Denise Williams, vice-president of marketing at Mayberry Investment Limited said. "But 99 per cent of the time you have to get up and go into an investment company and ask questions. These companies do not always come to you."

Williams said everything requires effort and learning about investment is no different. And the important thing? Investment can begin small.

"You can start an investment with $5,000 per month and it will make a difference," she said.

Your relationship

Assignment: Create a fantasy box where you and your spouse can place slips of paper highlighting those secret moves you have been wanting each other to try.

Communication is key in every relationship, but who says that you have to communicate verbally all the time? Do you want to add some spark to your lacklustre love life? Well, try creating a fantasy box where you and your spouse are able to slip in a note stating your secret fantasies. This can be extremely helpful if you are shy about verbally describing to your spouse what it is you crave in bed, or outside for that matter. When you feel the fire ebbing in your love life, consult your box for some advice on how to make your relationship sizzle.

"Fantasies help to teach you something more about your partner," explains sexologist Shelly-Ann Weeks.

"Writing it down kind of takes you over that hurdle of fear and nervousness because you get a chance to write it the way you want it to sound and look at it and edit it and say exactly what you want to say in a more relaxed way," she said.

She noted too that while the couple might not get to act out the actual fantasy, they do create opportunities for couples to talk about their love lives. Couples might also be able to tweak them in such a way that they are just as effective at bringing them closer.

Your Health

Assignment: Set an appointment for you and your spouse with your doctor.

Planning to change your lifestyle this year? Well, kick start your plan by visiting your doctor for a proper check-up. Even if you consider yourself healthy, you can never tell what is happening with your body. Women are highly susceptible to medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, for example, so allay your worries and fears by doing your check-ups as soon as possible.

It is important that you also encourage your husband to do his medical as well, since the status of his health can affect your relationship. While you are at it, get tested for STDs too.

This is something gynaecologist Dr Charles Rockhead encourages couples who are in long-term or short-term relationships to do. He believes they ought to get tested for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), syphilis, herpes and Hepatitis B for example.

Dr Rockhead said not enough emphasis is placed on HPV, which is a serious sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.

Syphilis can cause sores on the genitals, anus or mouth or a rash on the body, while herpes is highly contagious and can cause discomfort or aggravation while also weakening the immune system, thus increasing the chances of getting HIV. Herpes can cause brain damage, blindness or even death in newborns.

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Take the New Year Challenge - Week of January 23