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Putting Your Mental Health First In 2021

December 19, 2020 Leave a Comment

Putting Your Mental Health First In 2021

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The difficult year we’ve all experienced as a result of the pandemic has caused millions to struggle with their mental health. The turn of a new year is the perfect chance to regain control.

 

However, it will take a conscious effort to make this happen. Here are seven simple steps that will lead you to success.

 

1| Get your finances in order

 

When thinking about your health, money shouldn’t be the first thing on your mind. In reality, though, there is no escaping the fact that it is the most common cause of stress. As such, regaining control of your finances should be a priority.

 

Whether your earnings have been hit by the pandemic or not doesn’t matter. You should definitely want to cut any financial waste. Comparing home insurance quotes, utility bills, and broadband packages will all help. Analyzing your food usage is another vital step.

 

Remove the weight of financial stress from your shoulders, and your mental wellbeing will see a dramatic increase.

 

2| Attend to physical health issues

 

Physical and mental health are intrinsically linked. So, if you continue to ignore the issues experienced by your body, it will influence your mind. For starters, getting your weight and fitness under control can boost your self-confidence.

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However, it’s equally crucial to consider the issues that are affecting your comfort and quality of life. Take the time to learn more about your hearing loss and potential reversals or management techniques. And don’t be afraid to ask the doctor about your posture.

 

A better physical shape will work wonders for your mental wellness. And it may enhance your quality of life too.

 

3| Improve your home surroundings

 

Having spent more time at home than ever before, it’s likely that you have grown a little tired of seeing the same four walls. So, renovating the home in 2021 isn’t just a move that could boost your property value. It may actively aid your mental health too.

 

The simple ideas often bring the biggest change. A few coats of paint, for example, can make the home look bigger, brighter, and brand new. Making better use of the walls and considering better storage facilities can also have telling upgrades.

 

If your home is blessed with a garden, you can revamp this outside space to add a new dimension to the home. Right now, that time outside is crucial for your mentality.

 

4| Attend to your relationships

 

The pandemic has truly underlined the importance of human interactions in our lives. Sadly, many of those friendships will continue to feel limited during the foreseeable future. Maintaining those digital communications and meeting in safe outside spaces is key.

 

Nonetheless, if you want your mental wellbeing to thrive in 2021, you must pay attention to the relationships close to home. This could mean finding ways to restore the spark in your relationship. Or you may wish to find family-friendly activities to enjoy with the kids.

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If you are still able to work at the office or store, you should also celebrate the work friendships. They can be a real saving grace right now.

 

5| Change your mindset

 

It sounds easier said than done. Nonetheless, when you work on building a stronger and more resilient mindset, you will see massive benefits. It will be a little scary at the start, but the improvements can start to show very quickly. 

 

Tackling the fear of rejection with the 100-day challenge is the perfect starting point. Alternatively, pushing yourself to do something that scares you each day can build that winning mindset. The right frame of mind is truly the most powerful tool at your disposal.

 

Another hugely rewarding step is to turn big milestones into a series of smaller tasks. Each time you pass a goal, it will give you a boost of momentum. Perfect.

 

6| Sleep Better

 

For all of the changes that can be made during the waking hours, what you do at night is the most effective step of all. In truth, this should come as very little surprise given the fact that you spend one-third of your life asleep. Nonetheless, now is the time to take control.

 

You can find out how much sleep you should be getting online. However, it’s not just about the amount of rest you get. The quality of rest is equally crucial. Therefore, you need a good mattress and bed sheets. Similarly, you must try to avoid blue light for an hour before sleep.

 

When your mind and body are well rested, you will wake up in a far better state of mind. Your mental wellness in 2021 will be better than ever.

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If You Want To Move Home, Make Sure You’ve Got Your Finances In Order

October 14, 2020 Leave a Comment

Moving home is not a simple time by any means. There is so much that needs to be done, and one of the most important things that you’re going to have to do is make sure that your finances are in order. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you’re struggling simply because you didn’t think far enough ahead or plan well enough. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do when it comes to your finances. Keep reading if you want to find out more.

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Selling Your Old Home

 

You should think about selling your old home if this is something you’re going to do. It might be the case that you’re simply buying a second property, but for most people, this isn’t going to be true. If moving home depends on selling the home you have now, this is certainly something that you need to know. A lot of people need the finances from their house to be able to move, and if this sounds like you, then you need to do this before you can get started on the moving process. Speak to an estate agent, have your home valued and see what kind of interest you get when you put it on the market. You don’t want to start looking for a new home, find one you love and then realize you can’t move there because your home is proving difficult to sell.

 

Work Out The Mortgage

 

When you do find a new place that you want to live in, you’re going to have to figure out what the mortgage is. Of course, you’re going to need a professional to help you get the mortgage, but that doesn’t mean looking on a site like MortgageCalculator.org to get a better idea of what you can afford is a bad idea. It will help you put into perspective how much you can afford based on what deposit you will have available to put down and the monthly repayments.

 

Remember that if you are buying a home with a higher value than what you currently have, the payments are going to be higher, and you’ve got to budget for this.

 

The Associated Moving Costs

 

Finally, moving isn’t a cheap thing to do, so you’ve got to factor in all the associated moving costs. This means hiring a van to take your stuff from the old house to the new, hiring an attorney or conveyor, an estate agent, cleaning services, and so on. The best way to do this is to make a list of everything that you’re going to need to pay for, find quotes online, and then work it out this way. While it might not be 100% accurate, it will give you a good idea as to what you can expect to pay when the time comes.

 

We hope that you have found this article helpful and now understand some of the ways that you can get your finances in order before you move home. It’s essential that you do this for the success of the entire process so take this advice! Good luck, and we hope that you love your new home.

 

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What To Be Honest About In Parenting

August 27, 2020 Leave a Comment

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When it comes to parenting, there’s a lot of different things that you go through. Not only that, there’s so much that you learn too. Over time, you experience so much in motherhood, that you get to take in a whole range of emotions. Now, some of them are great and you will find that you enjoy the process – but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you may find that you are just not experiencing the best. But that’s okay. Parenting involves so much and the best thing that you can do is to be honest with yourself and others about your emotions. This can be hard but it will also be beneficial. Let’s take a look at some of the areas you will want to be honest in.

 

Feeling Guilty

 

To start with, you have to know that it’s okay to feel guilty. After all, mom guilt is real! If you feel guilty about working or wanting to work, it’s natural. Or maybe you feel guilty about the choices you make or your priorities? Well all of us experience that at some point, and the more you open up about it, the better you will feel. It’s okay to talk about it – you will be surprised how many people relate.

 

Needing Help

 

From here, you may find that you often feel like you need help. But maybe you don’t want to admit it or talk about it? Again, this is something that we can all think about yet don’t always act on. Yet, asking for help isn’t a weakness, it can actually be a strength and allow you to get yourself back on track.

 

Wanting Some Me Time

 

It’s natural to want some me time. You can’t be a mom 24/7 – you have to be you too. And there’s no need to keep that quiet. Instead, you should think about vocalizing it so that you actually get the respite you need.

 

Wanting It All To Slow Down

 

It’s safe to say that some days you will wish that your kids could get through certain stages – especially when they are hard. However, that won’t always be the case. You will often think that you just want it to all slow down. So it’s a great idea for you to be able to capture it. Whether you look into baby photography options or keep record yourself, it’s good to be able to document different times. And you can be honest about wishing it would all slow down.

 

Feeling Proud

 

But then also, you’re going to find that you do feel proud and a lot of happiness most of the time – and that’s okay. Sure, parenting is hard and it’s not easy all of the time. But, it’s okay to relish in it when things are going well. Because they do! And you will always feel like such a proud and happy parent. So be honest about the times you are enjoying and what’s going well. Just because your friends or family might be struggling, it’s okay to admin when things are going okay.

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Retiring in the woods!

August 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

Prior to the virus starting my husband started with an idea of selling our home and condo and buying land in middle of no where. We could build our dream home and pool and retire. So we started looking for something that would offer everything we were looking for and finally found our dream property. Of course it came with a neat party barn and the perfect bunk house. The grandsons love to say we are “retiring in the woods”.

We love sitting outside watching the wildlife in the evenings, so my next venture was finding us the perfect, comfy, table and chairs where we could enjoy our view and meals in the evening. I found this table set we have really enjoyed how comfortable it is.

Also, it was so easy to assemble, that I was able to put it together all by myself! But most importantly, it is well built. With three grand sons running around and jumping on them, I love how sturdy the set it.

If you are looking for amazing outdoor furniture sets, or indoor office furniture, I recommend you check out www.zoro.com.  Their variety is amazing.

We intend to spend a lot of time sitting at this table and watching the view for many years, I am sure I will be shopping again soon, as the pool installation and home building is going to start soon!

 

 

 

 

 

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5 Tips While Sheltering In Place

May 7, 2020 Leave a Comment

When I realized back in March we would have to shelter in place due to a virus I was completely devastated. I just started a new job that would require me to be in public and attend events.  This of course has been put on hold until further notice.

I decided to look on the positive side of this and have lived by these tips for the last couple months.

1) Find something everyday to be thankful for. I look back on the day and think about things that I am grateful for. Most of the time it is something as simple as the safety of my family.

2) Time with the family. My husband and I have actually started having movie nights and after being married for 20 years, I feel have talked more the last two months then ever before.

3) Realizing what is important in life. Prior to this, we spent the last twenty years working toward a future and missing out on the now. We have realized the now is just as important as planning for the future.

4) Keep accurate information, there is so much negative news right now we found a great source for accurate information at https://shelterinplacetips.com/

5) Working from home. I have spent a lot of time cleaning clutter and selling items we don’t use. My house not only looks amazing but I accomplished more than I have in years.

Regardless what you do during this time, remember the most important thing is it won’t last forever. We are going to be back soon. I will always cherish this extra time I have had with my family.

How are you spending this time? Do you have any tips to share on how to keep a positive attitude during this shelter in place? I would love to hear your thoughts.

 

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Managing Life on a Smaller Budget

April 9, 2020 Leave a Comment

It can be quite tough to raise a family and run a household, whilst also being economical with a tight budget. From food to utility bills, clothes and more. Costs can easily mount up and become something of a stressful situation. But alas, it does not have to be this way! This article is here t help give you some helpful tips and guidance on how to be more economical at home. 

Image Source, Pexels

Repair Before you Replace

The best way to be more economical is to repair before you replace it. Not only does this reduce waste in the home, and therefore better for the planet. But it also is better for your wallet, with most things able to be repaired. From clothes to appliances. When it comes to appliances, it can be quite tough and scary if one of them starts to sound a little rough. The thought of buying a new one can also be quite scary with many of them being quite expensive. What you need to do is research, and get someone to tell you what the matter with it is. Then, once you know the problem, try and obtain and find a spare part and repair the problem! Not all problems can be repaired, but if it can, it can save a lot of hassle.

Family life can be an Expensive One

The idea of starting a family, or adding another child into the world is a beautiful one. However, unfortunately with that comes many new expenses that you need to be ready for. Something that could also happen, is maybe not expecting a baby but finding yourself pregnant. It can be a scary time. What to do if you are a new parent? What to do if you already have a family unit? Many questions can swirl in your mind. Something that is always the best choice is to do what is best. If you feel you want to go down to the path of something like an abortion clinic then that is your personal choice. Never do something someone tells you, do it because you feel its the best option. There are also a lot of materials on the web on how to prepare for a new baby, and what expenses you need to prepare for. There is also a lot of financial help available to new mothers, so also keep that in mind.

Research and Plan Before Any Treats!

Managing life on a smaller budget does not mean you have to deny yourself and your family fun, exciting experiences. You can still enjoy the occasional treat, it just might be even more important that you thoroughly plan these expenditures so you can factor them into your budget, and you aren’t surprised by any hidden costs! By all means, go to a restaurant to celebrate a birthday, but check the menu beforehand and remember to use a tips calculator to work out roughly how much you’ll be spending before you go. As a conscientious person, you’ll always want to celebrate within your means whilst giving your family the best experience possible, and preparation is definitely the best way to achieve this.

DIY (If you know how!)

Last but not least, DIY! Some people love it, and some people hate it, but something that can be agreed upon is that it is both time and money-saving to do a job yourself rather than wait for a professional. If it involves heavy work, then, of course, it is better to leave the big jobs to someone who knows exactly what they are doing. But, if you just want to paint the house, or do some basic jobs around the house, then these can be easily done by yourself. You can also source the parts cheaply from a variety of stores, and they serve a variety of price points. 

 

So, do you feel after reading these handy tips that you can become a little more economical, whether it is reducing your waste or being a better spender whilst on a budget? Well hopefully these tips have helped you realize how easy it can be to become economical, and it really isn’t that scary to try something yourself, and see the benefits!

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Planning A Funeral

March 23, 2020 Leave a Comment

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Funerals cover a wide range of different options. It could be that your loved one left specific instructions about what they want to happen after they have passed away. However, not everyone knows what they want, or has planned ahead for their own funeral. This is why those who are left behind are often confused about the options for funeral services and how they can do their best for their departed loved ones. A popular choice is to hold a service and have the burial in a church setting. Could this be right for your situation? 

 

What Are Your Choices?

If a Church based funeral is the route you want to take, for instance, do you know what different options you have? Simply choosing to have a religious service is the first step, but there is more to consider for funeral services. Not all funerals have to take place within an actual church, for instance. Equally, neither you nor the deceased needs to have been a regular churchgoer to benefit from a church funeral – they are available to anyone. You can choose which type of service to have, which might be a religious, a humanist or a civil one. Some people leave details of this when sorting out their will and probate with a company like bopprelawfirm.com. Speak to the experts at your chosen funeral home company, who will explain each type and help you decide what’s best. 

 

A funeral can take place in four different locations, namely a church, a cemetery, a crematorium, or a green or woodland burial site. Whichever you choose, a church minister can take the entire funeral service, or you can combine a church service with additional prayers or important words at any of the other places listed. Something to consider when you arrange any kind of funeral is the music that will be played, assuming music is wanted at all. Hymns are an obvious choice for a religious funeral, but the music of any kind is usually welcomed. It is often best to speak to the minister in charge at the funeral venue to ensure that your choice of music is something they will want to play. 

 

How Can Family And Friends Be Involved?

For many people, a funeral is a chance to say goodbye to someone they have loved very much in life. At funerals, it is possible for friends and family to be involved in the planning of the arrangements, and also on the day itself. One way in which they can be involved is to make a speech (known as a eulogy when given in praise of someone who has died). It could be that one family member writes the eulogy while another reads it out on their behalf. Or perhaps a reading is more appropriate – it can often be easier for those left behind as it is not quite as emotive as a eulogy. 

 

A reading could be a religious piece, a poem, or perhaps a piece of prose that the deceased particularly enjoyed, or that links to their life in some way. No matter what is chosen, it is a lovely addition to any funeral service.  Family and friends who may not feel comfortable in standing up in front of people to speak may want to organised a monument or memorial after the event, and it is worth speaking to the funeral directors who are helping you as they will be able to give advice about this and much more.

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How to Enjoy Weekends as a Family

March 12, 2020 Leave a Comment

Is there anything better than spending time as a family? You’re creating memories, having fun, bonding, and more. It’s the gift that just keeps on giving. Alas, given how busy we all are, sometimes it’s just not all that possible during the week. There’s work, school, sports clubs, and so on to take care of. Thankfully, we have the weekend, which provides the perfect opportunity to spend time together. While there’ll be weekends where people are busy, every now and again it’s worthwhile crafting the perfect weekend to enjoy as a clan. But how? We take a look at how to do it below.

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Have a Relaxed Morning

 

Everything’s all go, go, go during the week. At the weekend? Things should be a little more relaxed, and that all begins with how you start the day. Make sure that schedule for Saturday morning is clear, so you have nothing to do but to enjoy the gift of the weekend. That’s not to say that everyone should stay in bed for hours upon hours, oh no. There’s something magical about everyone congregating in the living room in their pajamas, with cartoons on the television for the kids, coffee in the mug for the parents.

 

Fuel for the Day

 

During the week, it’ll be dinner that’s the most important meal of the day. On the weekend, it’ll be all about breakfast. A big and nutritious breakfast will provide everyone with the fuel they need to go on adventures in the afternoon (more on that later), and can simply be a delicious way to get the weekend off to the best possible start. So look at making an extra effort to make it perfect. Set the table, prepare a tasty meal, such as scrambled eggs with sour cream followed by fruit, and enjoy. Spending some time enjoying a meal with the family is one of life’s gifts, so make the most of it.

 

An Adventure

 

Now that you’ve had the perfect morning, it’ll be time to have some fun! Saturday afternoons should always be spent outdoors (unless it’s raining of course), so plan something good. It doesn’t really matter what it is, so long as it’s fun! One particularly recommended activity is to visit a natural park close to you. There’s nothing like going on an adventure in the outdoors with the family, and you’ll also feel like you’ve done something with your day.

 

Saturday Night Fun

 

After all that fun, what will you do with Saturday night? Given that you’re probably pretty tired now, it’s best not to make too many plans. It could be that you just get takeout food and throw on a classic family movie for everyone to enjoy. 

 

Sunday Goodness 

 

And then onto Sunday, which presents a pretty fantastic opportunity to do…nothing at all. It’s a day of rest, when people can do whatever they want. Try to make a big Sunday lunch for everyone though, to round off a weekend that’s been wholesome, tasty, and fun.

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5 Signs You’re Ready to Start a Family

February 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

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As you grow older, you’ll start to get asked by various family members and friends ‘when will you settle down and have kids’? The question that everyone dreads no matter if you’re male or female, it’s something that you might not know just yet. It takes a while to feel ready to have a family – and it’s a stage that’s different in everyone’s life.

 

One person might want to start a family the moment that they get married or are in a relationship, whereas others want to either wait a few years or do it solo. This decision is up to you. Don’t ever feel pressured into having a family if you aren’t ready. Even if every other person that you know in their twenties or thirties is having babies, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right move for you.

 

If you’re thinking that it might be the next step to take, however, it can be a very exciting time. There tends to be several signs that you’re ready – and here are five of them:

You Have a Strong Support System 

 

Having a baby is a huge responsibility – and one that you will need a hand with every once in a while. From watching your little one so you can sleep to looking after them for a while so you can get out and visit friends, you want a strong support system that’s there to help you when you need it.

 

Whether it be your partner or your family and friends, a strong support system is crucial. Without it, you could feel as though you’re alone in the journey and you’re exhausted with what motherhood or fatherhood has brought with it. So before you have a baby, ensure that you have this.

Your Life is Stable 

 

Before bringing a baby into this world, make sure that your life is stable. From having a home to a good job, you want to have the best environment possible to bring a little one into. You want your baby to thrive, so you must be in the best position possible in order for this to happen.

You Have the Responsibility

 

If you’re an incredibly responsible and caring person, then when you feel as though you are physically and emotionally ready, it could be time to have a baby. As you can care for yourself, you’ll be able to look after your newborn with ease. 

You Have the Finances 

 

As aforementioned, you need to be stable in your life before you decide to have a baby. This includes your financial situation. It’s no secret that babies cost a lot, from all of the things that you have to buy before you give birth to bringing them up over the years. 

 

If you’re unable to naturally have a baby, you’ll also have to think about the other ways that you can have a little one – along with the prices. For example, if you’re looking to have a baby through means of an egg donation or an adoption, look at the prices and how much you’ll have to save. 

You’re Ready For The Change 

 

This might seem obvious, but it’s perhaps the most important point on this list. You need to be in a position in your life in which you feel ready for a baby. As mentioned above, this can happen at any time throughout your life and is something that’s different for everyone. 

 

If you’ve started to have the initial feelings, think it through, plan it out and talk to your partner. If you’re both ready, then you can start to truly consider it.

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How to Help Your Kids Through a Divorce

February 7, 2020 1 Comment

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Divorce isn’t easy for anyone. When there are children to think about as well, this can make it even more difficult. Children may not understand exactly what is happening or why it is happening, and you want to do the best you can to help them through this scary and challenging time. If you have no idea how you can help your kids through this situation, try not to worry too much. We have some ideas below to provide you with some helpful information, so you can figure out the best way to help your child through this.

 

Both Parents Should Still Be Involved

Your child loves both of their parents, and even though you and your partner have decided not to stay together, it doesn’t mean that your children should not be able to see one of their parents just because one parent can’t stand the other one. It is important to remember that both parents have the right to continue to spend time with their child. If one parent is not letting the other parent see their child, for example, a mother is not letting the father see the child, then there are resources that can help with father’s rights.

 

How to Tell Them 

Having a conversation about your divorce with your children is not going to be easy, but it is something that has to be done. In terms of what to say, it will vary depending on the age of the child. You will want to be open and honest about what is happening. Another good idea is to have both parents present when you are telling them about it and to make sure that you tell the child that it is not their fault as well as preparing them for the idea that there will be changes.

 

Helping Kids After You Tell Them

After you have told your children what is happening, you want to be prepared for what to do next. Children can react in many different ways to the news that their parents will no longer be together, but make sure you let them know you are there for them and that whatever they are feeling is ok. You also want to convey to them that they can talk to you about what is happening when they feel that they are ready. They may have questions for you, so you also want to prepare for this possibility. Finally, make sure to let your children know that this is an ongoing conversation, so they won’t feel scared to bring it up again or ask more questions if they think of others later on.

Throughout the divorce process, things such as trying to keep a consistent routine and continuing to support your children are essential. If, in the divorce process, you end up having to go through a custody evaluation, you can look into resources to find out helpful information for going through that process. Remember that although this is a difficult situation, you will get through it.

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It’s Time To Stop Letting People Take Advantage Of Your Good Nature

January 27, 2020 Leave a Comment

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Being a genuinely nice person is something that should be celebrated. Sadly, there will always be a number of people ready to take advantage of you. Worse still, it’s likely that you’ve allowed them to get away with it for far too long. Now is the time to put an end to those problems.  

 

Your first step is to identify the biggest culprits before taking the necessary steps to prevent any further problems. Here are four examples that deserve your full attention. 

 

1| Friends & Family 

 

Admitting that a loved one is taken advantage of you is tough. However, a little honesty goes a long way, especially when followed by a commitment to stand up for yourself. 

 

Knowing when a relationship needs to end can be very liberating. Other examples include spotting a sibling or friend that borrows money and asks for favors without offering any in return. Essentially, any friendship or relationship should be mutually beneficial. 

 

As you get older, you appreciate the fact that quality is far greater than quantity. A small circle of people that enrich your life is the answer. Every single time. 

 

2| Employers 

 

Your employer is the person that gave you the opportunity to earn money. As such, it’s natural that you may let the odd mishap slide. But you must not ignore mistreatment. 

 

This can manifest itself in many ways. Whether it’s pursuing action after a work injury or seeking your entitled holiday leave or overtime pay doesn’t matter. Having the confidence to ensure that you are treated fairly in all situations will unlock huge rewards. 

 

Another example is when you aren’t getting paid a suitable fee. A little research will show what people in your role expect to get paid. Don’t be afraid to seek the raise you deserve. 

 

3| Companies 

 

Most businesses will be quick to correct mistakes when it works in their favor. When it works in yours, though, they are often far less willing to make a noise. So, you’ll have to do it instead. 

 

Service providers often sell excessive packages. Run a broadband speed test. Check your 4G usage. Understand whether your existing home insurance packages have you covered. This info will allow you to contact the suppliers and seek a customized plan to suit your needs. 

 

If a company is unwilling to budge, don’t be afraid to take your business elsewhere. After all, the existing company clearly isn’t that interested in your best interests. 

 

4| Colleagues 

 

Colleagues can take advantage of your good nature in many ways. One of the most common, though, comes from stealing your ideas. You must not let this happen. 

 

Computer tech allows you to make a record of your ideas and input. Do this privately, and be ready to fight injustice when they try to take credit for your work. Or if you run a business, you should use copyrights to protect your innovations. Allowing others to profit is not an option. 

 

There are plenty of additional situations where strangers can take advantage. Whether it’s at work, on the road, or at your child’s club events, stamp it out. You are strong.

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3 Rules For Keeping Your Kids On The Straight And Narrow

January 6, 2020 Leave a Comment

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It’s the phone call that every parent dreads.

 

“Hi mom, I’m currently at the police station. Please help!”

 

On hearing the news, two questions will inevitably come to mind.

 

  1. What have they done?

 

  1. What have I done to allow this to happen?

 

Of course, you probably aren’t to blame at all. Thanks to that blessed thing known as free will, our children have the freedom to behave in ways according to their choosing. Still, that can be of little solace when our children get into trouble, be they of junior or adult age. 

 

All hope isn’t lost, of course. Your children can still be put on the right path, despite the actions they have already taken. There are some excellent law firms out there too, so the legal consequences could be mitigated. Check out the services of Takajian & Sitkoff as just one notable example. So, despite the stress that follows after that one phone call, life can return to normal. 

 

Still, the best course of action is to prevent that phone call from ever happening in the first place. While your children do have free will, as we said, there is still much you can do when they are very young to keep them on the path that is straight and narrow. 

 

Here are some suggestions.

 

#1: Spend time with them

 

The more time you spend with your kids, the less opportunity they will have to put a foot wrong. So, rather than let them loose on the streets on the weekend to do their own thing, do something with them on the weekend instead. Go camping with them, take them to a sports game, or anything else that will bring about family bonding. Of course, time together isn’t only about distracting them from boredom and the risk of wrongdoing. You will also have more time to teach them lessons about morality, be that with the words you speak or the actions that you role model to your children. And on that point…

 

#2: Be a good role model

 

Your children are never going to learn positive life lessons if you are less than ethical yourself. If you pay little credence to traffic laws, fiddle your taxes, verbally attack your neighbors, or do something else that can put you on the wrong side of the law, no matter how small, then your children are going to pay attention. You’re not perfect, of course, but you still have the free will to be that better person, so keep yourself in check for the long-term benefits of your children. 

 

#3: Address any issues quickly

 

If you can spot any issues within your family, deal with them promptly. So, if you get the sense that your children are hanging out with the wrong people, for example, or if they start to behave in ways that are less than moral, make sure you intervene. Hold family meetings, speak to your children’s teachers, and have those all-important sit-down chats with your child to remind them of the consequences of their actions. Your children will still have free will to do what they want, of course, but at least you will have done something rather than nothing to put them back on the right path. 

 

Parenting isn’t easy, and there is no guarantee that your children will be the little angels that you want them to be. However, by paying attention to the rules we have listed, you might be able to circumnavigate the risk of future trouble.

 

Let us know what you think, and please share your advice with us.

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Signs That Tell You To Get Your Eyesight Checked

October 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

Our bodies are never perfect, and that’s something that doesn’t get any better with age. There may come a time where your eyesight health becomes compromised, so what are the signs that tell you to get your eyesight checked?

 

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Friends Are Telling You You’re Squinting A Lot

Squinting is something that you might not notice yourself because it’s something that can simply be a tick in your body or that you’ve been doing for a while in order to see a little more clearly. It can seem obvious when you know why, but at the time, you may not relate it to the point that your vision may have worsened. Your friends and family, though, are going to notice it because they see your face probably more times than you see it. So if you find a friend or family member making a comment on the fact you seem to be squinting more frequently, this could certainly be a major sign that your eyesight needs testing, and perhaps your vision is affected in some way and to some degree. It might not even warrant having glasses, but it’s worth checking either way.

 

You’re Getting Frequent Headaches

We all have headaches, and they can be brought on from a variety of different things. Perhaps it’s too much alcohol the night before, a lack of water, not enough sleep, or staring at the screen for too long. To touch back on the habit of squinting, this can be a contributing factor to headaches. As you’re squeezing your eyes, that’s a lot of pressure to put on your head over an extended amount of time, so much so that it will end up hurting. This will likely be the cause of any frequent headaches that you get. Of course, if it continues, then it’s always worth seeing a doctor, but you might find that a trip to the opticians might be what’s required.

 

Family History

One thing that might be clearly obvious if you have family members who are alive and wear either glasses or contact lenses. When it comes to Medicare Nationwide, they can cover trips to the opticians, whereas typical medical care may not have the same cover.

 

Things Seem Slightly Out Of Focus

Your vision is something you need and will use constantly. From the moment you get up and stumble sleepily into the bathroom and the last thing at night when you crawl into bed. There are likely to be plenty of signs that your vision is impaired, but one that you’ll notice the most once spotted is that things will seem slightly out of focus. This is the thing that will usually cause you to squint, and the way to spot it the most is when you’re looking at text. Whether it’s on the screen in front of you, a sign up ahead whilst driving or down on paper. If it looks fuzzy to you and you have to concentrate on reading it clearly, there’s definitely something wrong.

 

If any of these signs are apparent to you right now, then go get checked out.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: , , , ,

Fun Things To Do As A Family On The Weekend

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

As the weekend rolls around, it’s an opportunity for you to relax after the working week and for the children to have fun after a week of learning at school. However, sitting around all weekend can be wasteful and although a rest is needed, having fun with your family is important. Here are fun things to do as a family on the weekend. 

 

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Get Some Education

Education is beneficial to a child’s development, and it can dictate what your child does as a career when they grow up. Their level of education will decide on what college they get into and what career options are available to them. Therefore, any parent wants to give their children the best opportunity to do anything they wish to do. So the more life experiences and knowledge you offer them, the better. You can all get a bit of education in the form of a popup museum that may be local to you. With museums, they can offer a wealth of knowledge that can even be new to yourself. It’s great to do as a family because you can chat about what you’ve learned afterward and you can spend hours at a time in a museum.

 

Visit A Theme Park

A theme park is the ultimate day out, and whether you’re children enjoy going on roller coasters or not, there’s a ride that’s tame enough for anyone. Just being in a theme park is exciting enough because it can create a certain atmosphere that can lift anyone’s spirits, especially with theme parks like Disneyland existing. Make the most of your day by venturing out as early as possible. That way, you have the whole day to yourself, and if you’re trying to save money, packed lunches are a great way to ensure you don’t need to leave earlier than planned.

 

Have A Picnic

Talking of food, a picnic is a great family activity to do together, particularly when the weather is nice. Head down to the local park or even outside in your back garden. As long as you’re getting some fresh air, that’s all that matters. Try to create the spread together as a family, and this can help build up skills within the kitchen for your children too. Get a soft blanket or towel and spend the afternoon eating, kicking a ball around, or just relax. You can also try removing any electronic devices to have a mini detox. 

 

Throw A Games Night

And finally, there’s always a family games night. It’s something that you can make as a tradition for the family. Perhaps it’s a specific game, or something different that you play each weekend. It’s a great way of getting everyone together and encouraging a little competitiveness between family members. It also teaches them to play fair and to know that winning isn’t always the point, it’s the taking part that matters most.

 

Hopefully, with these tips, you can fill up your weekend with lots of fun activities for you and the family.

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The Growing Dangers Of Raising A Family

September 18, 2019 Leave a Comment

Raising a family is something you’re either going to have been so passionate about from a young age, something you feel like you’ve been forced into, or perhaps even something you’re being thrown into right now. Either way, most of us are going to end up raising a family, whether you feel like you’re ready to or willing to. For the most part, raising a family is going to be one big happy memory. The love that they will bring into your life is like nothing else, and the way that you see the world will change because of them. All of the sudden you won’t be bothered about the trivial things you used to be bothered about, and you’ll have an interest in things that you never thought possible. Because from the moment those newborn baby eyes look straight back into yours, and you feel that loving connection, you’ll be hooked on the life they give you. Even through the times where you’re in tears of tiredness, fits of rage, or stages of doubt, you’ll always end up having that passion to make their life incredible. But with all of this, becomes a deep desire to provide and care for them, more than you will have ever done in your life before. So, to make sure that you’re only experiencing all of the lovely things we started off with, we’re going to show you some of the growing dangers of raising a family.

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It’s Just So Expensive!

 

One of the most expensive times to raise a child is during the first year. But this is only because it can be so hard to get used to money management when you haven’t had to do it before. Because even though it might seem like it’s all easy to do, the prices just keep going up and up, and as time goes on, the money you’re bringing in will go down. Most companies will allow a certain amount of maternity leave, and then another certain amount of time with reduced pay. But then it will be you on your own for a few months, or maybe even more depending on how long you’re planning on having off. But it’s something you get into the swing of doing, and you will eventually learn how to budget your money, even if that means you’re going to miss out on some of the luxuries you once used to love. As time goes on, new expenses will come into your life that will lead you to feel that raising a child is so financially draining. When they get into high school years, you’re going to go through the stage of having to pay for their uniforms, and then having to pay to repair them, and then having to pay for their school lunches. So realistically, no matter what stage in their life they’re at, it’s going to test your money management skills, but with good management and compromises, it’s going to be so easy for you!

 

Horrible Dangers We Hate To Think About

 

It’s so easy to want to keep your children wrapped up in the little bubble that you’ve kept them in since day one, but it’s not always as easy as that. Sadly, there are now more and more cases of criminal offences involving children, and they just prove how hard it is to keep our bundles of joy safe. One of the growing dangers that we’re noticing at the minute, is through social media. There are two big dangers here. Teenagers and young children who are being allowed to use social media are now being groomed by pedophiles who are posing as fellow young teenagers into a meeting. Luckily, a lot is now being done to combat this, and members of the public as well as police officers are now posing as teenagers to catch these criminals out. It’s so hard to police this as a parent without being overbearing horrible parent, but it is something that needs to be done. You should always have an idea of who they’re talking to, who they’re meeting, and generally what they’re doing until they’re at an age where they don’t need you anymore. Bullying is also another massive problem that needs to be dealt with, and social media is definitely fueling it. It could be anything from a hurtful messages on a picture, to daily bullying through messages. But again, as long as you have some sort of control over their social media accounts until they reach at least 16, you should be ok! 

 

When They Go Out Alone

 

It’s so nice for your children to finally be allowed to go out on their own. It’s that sense of freedom that they just have to have at some point, and it’s up to you as to what age you let this happen. But letting them go out alone definitely does bring their own set of dangers, and one we want to talk about is dangers with the roads. You can teach them all you want about road safety, but silly things happen when they’re out with their friends. From playing games in the road such as chicken, to simply cutting it fine with trying to get to the other side of the road to see their friends. AssuranceAmerica is just one company who is promoting the dangers of the roads, with them noting that the number of children seriously or fatally injured in road traffic accidents rapidly rising. So as much as you can, try to make sure they’re leaving your home with safety in mind, and always coming back safe!

 

If They Start To Hate You

 

It’s more of a case of when they start to hate you, rather than if they start to hate you. When they get to those teenage years and hormones are flowing, it can be so easy for a divide to be created between the two of you, and for what you might see as hate to grow. But hate is such a strong word, and it’s more them rebelling against the rules that have been there since day one, and your dying need to know what’s going on in their life. So, as much as you possibly can, make sure that you’re giving them all the space they need to be their own person. Take an interest in their life, but don’t be so pushy that they feel like you’re overbearing. Try and reduce the ground rules a little bit, and allow them to become their own person. The more you battle them at this age, the harder it’s going to be to carry on the strong relationship that you once had. Don’t become that pushover either. It’s about finding the perfect balance of being that authority figure, and a friend they can come and talk to when they’re in need.

 

A Family Being Torn Apart

Whether this has already happened to you or not, it’s more common to see children coming from a broken home than it is from a whole one. So many children are the product of a failed marriage, and depending on how you handle that, it can seriously affect their life. So, make sure that you’re keeping anything civil in front of your children, no matter how nasty it might be getting behind closed doors. Focus on coming up with a system that’s going to support you as a family still, and make sure that you are still doing things as a family, rather than leaving them hardly seeing a parent still.

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Single Mothers – It’s Okay To Enlist Help

September 4, 2019 Leave a Comment

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If parenting is one of the hardest jobs out there (and it is), then it’s not hard to imagine how doing this alone could be one of the most challenging things anyone could experience. However, many single parents take care of their children brilliantly, and are shining examples of the unconditional love that parenthood brings.

 

However, it can sometimes be that single parents are unfortunately happy to denigrate themselves, to believe they do not deserve help. Sometimes, they have been told these very things by unsupported parents or other guiding figures, and the wish to go against that advice and help their child become raised in a loving environment is more important than anything.

 

It’s fine to enlist help if experiencing this yourself, particularly if you do not know which way to turn. In fact, it is absolutely essential. When we think of this we often think of our child having to be taken over by some kind of child protective service, but enlisting help needn’t be anything as extreme or unnecessary as that.

 

Let us see what those practical solutions could be to make your life just a little easier.

 

Legal Assistance

 

Unfortunately, many single parents are there because of the ineptitude of their previous partner, which may not have showed itself until your beautiful child was here and in need of care. But there’s no reason why you should have to take this treatment. Finding legal assistance to defend yourself, utilizing a child support calculator to ensure you are being paid the amount you are due and keeping the records of correspondence or previous issues may denote the need for a restraining order, or perhaps a healthier means of setting up contact with said defunct parent. When you are assisted legally, you have a better chance of keeping yourself supported in the manner you deserve.

 

Family & Friends

 

It is not a great sin to ask for your parents to babysit while you experience some fun with your friends, or have a night on the town. Many mothers can feel absolutely terrible about needing some time to let their hair down, but actually, this can keep them sane and comfortable. That’s not to say that motherhood is some kind of crazy venture that leaves people distraught and unable to function, but a little break from any intense issue is fantastic now and then. Even if it’s just an evening to read, soak in a bath and watch a movie, this could be appropriate.

 

Care For Yourself, Too.

 

As a new single mother, your time is going to be fraught. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important to care for yourself, too. You have your own needs, and if you ignore yourself it will only have a negative impact on how irritable you are. Purchasing an exercise bike for ten to fifteen minutes of exercise in the morning, eating healthy foods and adopting a meal plan Sunday routine to save time through the week can truly help you reduce stress and maintain yourself. It’s in this way that you are strengthened over time, just as you need to be.

 

With these tips, we hope the burden and beauty of single motherhood can be just a little bit easier to deal with or comprehend. You’re doing a fantastic job.

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Six Ways to Profit From Your Land

August 29, 2019 Leave a Comment

If you live in a rural area and have plenty of extra land available that you’re not using, then it’s possible to turn it into a form of passive income that is surprisingly lucrative. If it’s land you no longer have time to look after or land that’s in a very desirable area, then here are six ways that you could potentially profit from your land.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/sYffw0LNr7s (License CC0)

 

  1. Renting your land as garden plots

 

There are a lot of people that wish they had a larger garden. If you’ve got a lot of land lying around with no real use then there are probably a lot of people that envy you right now. One way you could profit from your land is to simply rent out sections of it as a garden plot where others can use it to grow crops, flowers or anything they want.

 

  1. Contact large businesses

 

There are actually many ways to profit from your land through other businesses. For instance, you may want to contact a cell tower attorney if a company has approached you regarding building a cell tower on your land. Even if there’s currently a cell tower near your home, it could be possible to renegotiate your contract for more money.

 

  1. Offer storage

 

Whether you build a large shed and give locals the option to store their belongings inside or even just outdoor storage such as parking spaces, storage can be a great way to profit from your land. You’ll need to check for local pricing for storage if you want to maximize profits.

 

  1. Raise animals and set up a petting zoo

 

This is quite a lot of effort but ultimately a fun and interesting way to make money if you have a passion for raising animals. It could be cows, goats, chickens or pigs–if you’re willing to keep these animals healthy and raise them, then it could be turned into a lucrative venture.

 

  1. Building up a local playground

 

If you want to do something nice and give back to the community, then it’s possible to set up a local playground for kids and families. You won’t get any money from this immediately, but you could use it as an attraction for other services like your produce or by hosting events and charging organizers a small fee.

 

  1. Let campers onto your land for a fee

 

If you own a large open space near a lot of other nature attractions such as rivers, lakes and forests, then giving campers the option to set up on your land for a price is a great way to make a bit of money. Set up some toilets and you have a fully-functional and attractive camping location.

Your land is your own and you’re free to do whatever you want with it, but it’s worth considering these ideas if you’re ever in need of a bit of extra income for a minimal amount of work.

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A Pup Really Could Be Your Entire Family’s Best Friend!

July 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

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Chances are that if you’re reading this post, you have some sort of interest in introducing a canine companion to your family unit. This could be one of the best decisions that you have ever made. Dogs make perfect pals and can also benefit your children greatly too. Kids with pups tend to be much kinder, healthier, calm, and comfortable. So, if you think that a four-legged friend could well be the perfect addition to your family, here’s absolutely everything that you need to know in order to meet their wants and needs!

 

Food

 

Dog food is widely available and tends to be sold in almost any supermarket or corner shop. This isn’t all too surprising considering so many of us have canine companions. But not all dog foods are created equal and believe it or not, some will prove a whole lot better for your pet than others. Seeing as your dog is entirely dependent on you when it comes to eating a healthy and balanced diet that meets all of their nutritional needs, it’s extremely important that you don’t just throw down the cheapest or most convenient feed in their bowl each morning or night. You need to do your research to find what’s best! Another thing to bear in mind is that every breed requires different portions of food. A Yorkshire Terrier, for example, will require different portions to a cockapoo. So, do a little research regarding your dog’s breed and how much they should be eating. If you’re ever in doubt, consult your vet. They will be able to tell you whether your pooch is a healthy weight or not and will be able to recommend exact portion sizes for them as a unique individual.

 

Grooming

 

All dogs have different coat types. However, generally speaking, there are six main coat types that you should familiarise yourself with – smooth, double, silky, wool, wire, and combination. The type of grooming that your pooch will require, as well as the length of their hair, will ultimately determine what grooming regime you will have to carry out for them. Most shorthaired molting breeds will only require an occasional bath at home. This is relatively simple to carry out yourself, as long as you are particularly careful around their eyes, and try to avoid letting the water running into their ears or mouth. Your vet can then clip their nails and take care of their anal glands. Long haired or non-molting dogs are likely to be a little more tricky, as their fur doesn’t shed, so will grow and need trimming. Curly haired dogs’ fur is also more prone to matting and will need to be brushed out. For these kinds of dogs, a trip to a professional groomer is preferable. These specially trained individuals will know how to wash, brush, and cut their fur into shape.

 

These are just two responsibilities that you will need to take on in order to keep your pooch happy and healthy! So, keep them in mind and ensure that you can cater to the breed you’re interested in before taking a new family member on!

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The door is open, come on in!

August 15, 2017 Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Bestway and BraVoMark. All opinions are mine.

About a year ago my husband and I bought a condo on the water in South Texas. We looked and looked until we found a big 3 bedroom 2 bath condo that would fit our family.

Since our children are all gown and we have three young grandsons, we felt this would be a good size to accommodate them, visitors and extended family when they come to visit.

BOY WERE WE WRONG!!

It wasn’t long till we figured out, we stilled needed an extra bed or two for when everyone comes to visit. So I did a little research on a comfy blow up mattress that can survive multiple uses. That is when I discovered the Fortech Airbed (Queen) with an AlwayzAire Pump from Bestway  this mattress is so comfortable, our guest now end up requesting it over the beds!  Our guest and family are staying longer and we couldn’t be happier!

This is the easiest mattress to blow up and deflate when we need to store it in the closet for the next use. This is the best blow-up mattresses I have tried, they are really durable and comfortable! We are so happy to have found a solution to our “running out of room and beds” issue.

If you would like an opportunity to win a mattress check out their awesome, fun Facebook giveaway:

Check them out on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ BestwayUS/

ABOUT FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY:

• Purchase an ALWAYZAIRE bed from Walmart.com or Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/ip/ Fortech-17-Queen-Airbed-with- Built-in-Alwayzaire-Pump-and- 3-Preset-Comfort-Levels/ 104304279)

• Take a photo of yourself using the bed or next to it. (Be fun and Wacky)

• Post your photo under the comment section of @BestwayUs Facebook page contest post to be entered to win a SaluSpa Miami (retailed at $369.99)

• Bestway will be picking 5 Winners September 15th

Product Information:

Built to last, a Fortech Airbed (Queen) with an AlwayzAire Pump from Bestway is one of the greatest top-tier airbeds you can find. This uniquely engineered airbed provides you the best of two worlds, durability and comfort in one! Made of dense polyester fabric and durable high gauge material, this airbed provides high levels of strength. A Fortech Airbed is 75% more puncture resistant and 150 times more impervious to scratches than a normal PVC airbed. With a built-in AlwayzAire pump, the bed inflates in 150 seconds so it is ready for bed when you are. The pump has an easy, one click operation with 3 options for airbed firmness. The settings are easily displayed, even in a darkened area, with the soft back light. Once you’ve chosen your level of firmness, internal sensors detect air pressure continuously and the silent pump engages to maintain constant firmness throughout the night. With a canvas-feel on the surface and sides plus a sturdy Y-beam construction, this airbed provides the perfect pairing of comfort and support. In addition, the unique top surface and surround frame design offers advanced support and helps to eliminate roll offs. When you are ready to store away, it easily deflates – simply place your flattened bed in the included carrying bag for easy transport and storage. A great night’s sleep is in the air with a Fortech Airbed with an Alwayzaire Pump.
This queen size Fortech airbed measures 80in. x 60in. x 17in. (2.03m x 1.52m x 43cm). Includes built-in 110-120V~ electric AlwayzAire pump (ETL approved) which continuously monitors and maintains air pressure. Inflates in 150 seconds. Clear, user-friendly pump panel. Easy, one click operation. Three options for airbed firmness. Internal sensors constantly detect air pressure and silent pump engages to maintain constant firmness. Soft back light easily displays level settings even in a darkened room. Great for indoor use, with canvas-feel fabric top, sides and bottom. Unique rib and surround frame design offers advanced support and helps to eliminate roll offs. Designed with sturdy Y-beam construction. Includes one airbed and one travel bag.
– Feature 1 Queen size airbed with Fortech material is 75% more puncture resistant and 150 times more impervious to scratches –
– Feature 2 Built-in 110-120V~ electric AlwayzAire pump (ETL approved), continuously monitors and maintains air pressure
– Feature 3 Clear, user-friendly pump panel with easy, one click operation and 3 options for airbed firmness
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Get An Easier Home Life By Doing These 4 Things

June 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

The family home is more than just a house. It is the center of operations for the family unit, and even the busiest families spend a great deal of time there. But is your home setup to work for you and your family in the best way possible? Or it causing you unnecessary stress? Read on to find out.

Improve safety

One thing that can cause anxiety and stress in family life, which can contribute to frayed tempers and difficulties is concerns about safety in the home.

This can be inside safety, as in any dangers that might be problematic to the residents like steep stairs, scolding hot water, and slip and trip hazards. It can also refer to security issues such as window and door locks, burglar alarms, and the like.

Obviously, each issue needs to be identified and sorted according to what would be most useful. Inside issues can often be resolved by making small changes such as installing corner bumpers to sharp edges. Or laying rug grip to stop slips and trips, especially helpful if you have lots little ones that sometimes forget that they shouldn’t run indoors.

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Security issue can be a little more difficult to resolve, although things are finally getting easier with the many smart systems now on the market.

One thing to consider is installing CCTV that you can monitor from your phone or laptop. Even when you are out of the country for an added layer of a piece of mind. Also, upgrade windows to contain the best anti-tamper security features to ensure you minimize the risk of a break in as much as possible.

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Replace beds and mattresses  

One thing that we all need is sleep, and without enough of it, we can get stressed and ill. But getting the right amount of quality unbroken sleep is something that eludes many of us. This can be due to lots of different reasons that may need our attention such as an uncomfortable bed, too much light, or getting too hot in the night.

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In particular, getting too hot in the night can seriously affect the quality of our sleep, making it hard to nod off and difficult to not wake up throughout the night. But what can be done about this?

Well, one thing you can do is to change your mattress. This is because some mattresses are much worse at retaining the heat from your body during the night than others.

This is an issue that many people find with memory foam mattresses, but luckily there are now products out there like Nectar mattresses that include a cooling effect. Meaning that they will make it a lot easier to get a good night of unbroken sleep, even in the warmest of conditions.

Something that has the knock on effect on improving your mood and health, so you can be ready for any challenge the family and life throws at you the next day.

Eat at the table

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An incredible small change that you can make to get an easier home life is to bring the family together once a day around the dinner table. Eating a meal at the table instead of on our laps on trays can help improve your family life in all sorts of ways.

Firstly, it allows you to take your time over eating, enjoying your food, and even brings added awareness so you can stop eating when you are full.

Secondly, it a great time to devote to family life, where you can have conversations and catch up with each member of the family. Also checking on how they are doing and offering support if necessary.

Also, this will have a positive effect as you will feel more connected with your partner and kids, and the will feel the same. Giving this undivided attention can also really help when you have children, as then they don’t feel they are fighting for your focus.

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Get organized

There are many home and family blogs out there, extolling the avenues of being organized. All with lots of great tips on how to do. However, not many of the actually explain why being organized is going to make your home life easier.

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It’s because when you know where things are, and you have space to actually live in, you and the others around you are going to be less irritable and less stressed. Thus minimizing arguments.

Also, it’s important to remember here, that being organized isn’t an excuse to be regimented and inflexible. Being organized does take some focus and effort, but it should be done in a compassionate and measured way. As if you are spending all of your time and energy getting everything to be perfect, you will likely create more stress and uncomfort for you and you family. Something that negates the benefits of doing it in the first place.

Get on top of the cleaning

 

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By getting on top of the cleaning, I don’t mean that you have to spend your afternoons off on your hands and knees with a scrubbing brush. Yes, they say cleanliness is next to Godliness, but no one wants to grow up in a home that they are terrified to drop a crumb in, or that has plastic on the couch.

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In fact, the same aware but relaxed attitude applies to cleaning as it does to organization. If you hold on too tight, you won’t get the desired result of stress reduction due to living in a pleasant family home.

Instead, set a reasonable schedule that you can set down and pick up according to how busy you are and your energy levels at the time. It can also help to get the rest of the family to help you.

As not only does this get them to appreciate the work that goes into keeping the family home clean, meaning they will be more careful generally. But it also gets them in a great habit for later on in life as they aren’t going to expect that the magical cleaning fairy will come along and do it all for them when they move out.

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