Q: Make sure you have all your supplies ready before giving your kitten a flea bath. You do not need special flea shampoo. In fact, flea shampoo may not be good for a young kitten's skin. You will need the following to shampoo your kitten for fleas: Two towels. Tweezers or a flea comb. A mild cat shampoo. A plastic bag or a garbage bag. Lay down all your supplies near the sink, tub, or container where you're bathing your kitten. As kittens are small, you can probably use a large mixing bowl or something similar rather than a sink or tub. Choose a quiet location where you can close the door. Keep some treats on hand to reward your kitten for behaving in the bath. Fill the tub, sink, or bowl with warm water. Make sure the water is cool enough that you can comfortably touch it with your bare hand. Get your kitten used to your touch before the bath. Gently pat the kitten all over its body. Rub behind your kitten's ears, on its head, and sensitive areas like the paws and belly. This will prepare your kitten for your touch during the shampooing. Dunking your kitten in the water may be traumatic. To keep your kitten calm, dunk its feet in the water first. Praise your kitten and talk to it in a soothing voice to keep it calm. Wait until your kitten is used to having its feet wet before proceeding.
A: Gather your supplies. Set up the bathing area. Prepare your kitten for the bath. Get the kitten's feet wet first.

Q: Once weekly, apply a drying mud or clay mask to your face. Mud or clay masks absorb excess oil from your skin and tone and tighten your pores. While green clays absorb more oil, white clays are better for sensitive skin. Egg-white masks also can firm your skin and soak up excess oil. Lemon juice and mango are common ingredients for face masks. You can purchase masks in health stores or make your own. For one type of homemade mask, use facial clay (like bentonite) and witch hazel. Do not use pottery clay. Add one tablespoon witch hazel to one teaspoon facial clay; stir until they are blended. Additionally, add two drops cypress oil and two drops lemon oil for fragrance and to help control overactive oil glands. Relax and wear the mask for ten minutes or until the clay is dry. Rinse it off. Although it might seem counterintuitive to apply oil to your face, some natural products like argan, coconut, or jojoba oil can reduce oiliness. By applying oil, you can trick your skin into thinking it already has produced enough oil. Using oil then stabilizes your body's oil production. A mixture of lavender and neroli essential oils (derived from orange blossoms) can act as a skin cleanser and toner. Tea tree oil is also effective at reducing oily skin. Non-alcohol toners help tighten your pores. Although toners are not essential to a skincare regimen, they help many people. You can purchase toners in drugstores or make your own. Use toners after you wash your face. Soak a cotton pad in the toner and dab it on your face. Use it twice daily for two to three weeks. After week three, apply it once daily. Be sure to use the toner only on the oily parts of your face (e.g. forehead, nose, and chin). You can make your own toners at home. Toners restore the skin's natural pH balance, which hard water can disrupt. Witch hazel, thyme, lavender, sandalwood, cucumber, and basil are all effective toner ingredients.
A: Use a face mask. Apply natural oils. Utilize a toner.

Q: Respect your spouse's relationship with their mother, but explain your needs for personal space and autonomy. Make your needs clear, and name specific issues that need to be addressed. Keep your tone positive, and remind your spouse that you don't blame them for their mother's actions. For example, say, "I understand you're close with your mother, and I don't want to get in the way of that. However, I need boundaries. It's not okay for her to come over unannounced or criticize my parenting skills." Bring up your feelings as soon as possible. You'll have an easier time handling issues without conflict if you address them sooner rather than later. Let your spouse know that you get how rough it is being in the middle of the conflict. Emphasize that the relationship between you and your spouse is separate from the conflict between you and your mother-in-law. Say, "I get that you're in a tough position. I don't want you to feel like you have to choose between me and your family. I love you, and these issues shouldn't drive a wedge between us." In addition to explaining your needs, ask your spouse how they envision their mother's role in your lives and how best to deal with the issues you are facing with them. Work with them to find middle ground that satisfies you both. For example, your spouse might not mind if she pops in unannounced, and wants her to be a close part of your lives. You could have her over for weekly dinners to satisfy your spouse's needs, and require her to call ahead before visiting. Compromise with your partner, but make your needs clear. Tell them, "I'm happy that you're so close with your parents, and I want to support that. But I'm your partner, and I need your support, too. Maintaining our privacy doesn't mean you can't have a close relationship with your mother." Once you've come up with solutions, your spouse should have a talk with their mother alone. Bear in mind it's your partner's responsibility to address problems with their parents. If they're hesitant, explain that they need to take the lead, just as you would if there were an issue with your parents. Say, "You need to be the one to tell your mother to give us some space. If you ever have an issue with my parents, then I'd need to take the lead. Be assertive but respectful. Tell her that we're not shutting her out, but we need to set boundaries." From establishing boundaries to handling criticism or disrespect in the moment, your spouse should defend you. Married partners' primary loyalties are to each other. Make sure that your spouse takes the lead in enforcing boundaries and responds to their mother before you have to. This may be more effective than you saying something. If your mother-in-law puts you down, your spouse should calmly say, "Please don't insult Sam like that. When you disrespect my spouse, you disrespect me, and it's not okay." If your partner doesn't have your back, tell them, "We're a team, and I'm hurt that you didn't defend me when your mother insulted me. I don't want to put you in the middle, but you need to stick up for me."
A:
Explain your feelings to your partner. Tell your spouse you understand they're in a tough position. Work with your spouse to come up with clear boundaries. Ask your spouse to have a conversation with their mother on their own. Remind your spouse that they need to have your back.