Parenting Tips Archives - Page 6 of 36

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Facts for Kids

October 12, 2020 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing educational tips on Ruth Bader Ginsburg facts for kids. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was appointed to the United States Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton 1993. She was the second woman to be appointed to the high court. You may ask what is the United States Supreme Court?

Supreme Court Facts for Kids:

The Supreme Court settles arguments in America.
It is the top court in the United States Government.
It currently has 9 judges.
The top judge is the Chief Justice.
Supreme Court Judges are judges for life.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan picked the first woman Supreme Court judge, Sandra Day O’Conner.
The Judiciary Act of 1869 decided the number of judges to sit on the Supreme Court would be 9.
The Supreme Court Judges must use previous judgements throughout history and current laws to decide cases for America.

First, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a petite woman. She was 5′ 1 inches tall and weighed 110 pounds. She reminded me of my grandmother who was also petite. Although petite, she carried a lot of weight in the judicial field. She fought for equality, and became one of the most admired and revered Supreme Court Justices in American history.

Justice Ginsburg’s mother called her by her middle name, Ruth, to avoid confusion with other classmates named Joan. Here are a few other facts on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Facts for Kids:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg given name was Joan Ruth Bader.
She was born on March 15, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York.
Justice Ginsburg was of Jewish descent.
Ruth had 1 sibling, an older sister named Marilyn, who passed away when she was a baby.
Her mother passed away before her high school graduation.
Ruth graduated Valedictorian from James Madison High School.
She attended Cornell University and later attended Harvard University Law School.
Ruth transferred to Columbia University and graduated with a law degree. She tied with another student for graduating first in her class.
She later taught at Columbia University.
Ruth married Martin Ginsburg in 1954.
She was the mother of a daughter named Jane and a son named James.
Ruth had difficulty finding a job because she was female after graduating law school.
Her nickname was the “The Notorious R.B.G.” a moniker of The Notorious B.I.G.
Her favorite music was classical.

More Ruth Bader Ginsburg Facts for Kids:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg won five cases involving women’s rights.
Ginsburg wrote the ruling that required the Virginia Military Institute to admit women or lose its state funding.
She loved the Opera.
Another Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, was her good friend.
Ginsburg had 4 grandchildren.
In addition to attending the Opera, she loved movies, golfing, water skiing, horseback riding and reading mystery books.
She loved the composers Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini.
Fishnet gloves and unique collars were a part of Justice Ginsburg’s fashion statements.
Times Magazine named Justice Ginsburg one of the “100 Most Influential People” in 2015.

Justice Ginsburg had difficult finding a job in the 1960’s because she was a woman. Even though she held degrees from Ivy League schools, her gender held her back. The fact that she was pregnant was used against her also. When her employer found out she was pregnant; she was demoted. Throughout the years she fought for equality, and won 5 cases for women’s rights.

Justice Ginsburg was also notorious for the collars that she wore on the bench or to State Addresses and Inaugurations. She told Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, “You know, the standard robe is made for a man because it has a place for the shirt to show, and the tie,” she said. “So Sandra Day O’Connor and I thought it would be appropriate if we included as part of our robe something typical of a woman. So I have many, many collars.” Her favorite was a lace collar from South Africa. Justice O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court.

Finally, I hope that you have learned a few things from our Ruth Bader Ginsburg facts We also have a word search puzzle, coloring pages and Supreme Court Fact Sheet. So, there’s something for everyone. You can download the activities here.

Filed Under: Education, Printables Tagged With: homeschool resources, kids educational activities, kids printables, Ruth Bader Ginsburg facts

How to Make Your Home Economical

October 5, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to make your home economical. There are a lot of things that many of us have to consider when living in the modern world. But, there are probably few more significant than the impact that we all have on the world around us. There’s a good chance that you’re conscious of trying to reduce your environmental impact. But, there may be one place you haven’t really thought about, your home. If you’re looking to lessen your impact on the environment then your home is a perfect place to start.

How to Make Your Home Economical:

Water storage

For most of us in the developed world, water is one of those things that we often take for granted. From watering the lawn to washing the car to taking a shower. It’s often easy to use far more water than you really realize. But, the truth is that the amount of water that many of us use is pretty ridiculous. Storage tanks are a great option if you want to reduce the amount of water that you use. Check out this model from The Tank Factory. The water in a tank like this might not be useful for everything, but it can make a huge dent in how much water your home wastes.

More efficient appliances

We all need appliances. Many of our appliances use more power than you might expect. The best way to avoid this without giving up on them entirely is to be on the lookout for the most energy-efficient appliances available. When you replace your appliances, make energy-efficiency a priority.

A change in your behavior

If you really want to make your home a more economical space then one of the best things that you can do is simply change your behavior. Simple things like making sure that you’re turning off lights and electronic devices that aren’t being used. Additionally, not endlessly using the A/C or heating when you could simply open a window or put on an extra layer of clothing. These are small things, but the truth is that they help to achieve a more economical home.

The truth is that if you want to become more economical and reduce the impact that you’re having on the environment, you’re probably going to have to make some sacrifices. And sure, most of us would rather avoid little inconveniences where we can. However, the truth is that reducing the impact that we have on the natural world is simply too important to ignore for the sake of being able to live a more comfortable and convenient life. You don’t have to give up all of your comforts, but learning how to strike the right balance is always important.

Filed Under: Shopping Tips, Technology Tagged With: economic tips, how to become economical, making your home economical

Tips on Puppy Separation Anxiety

September 27, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on dealing with puppy separation anxiety. During your cohabitation with a puppy, various behavioral problems will occur. One of the biggest problems you will have with your new puppy is separation anxiety. By understanding and recognizing the anxiety, you will be prepared to take the steps to deal with and prevent the situation.

According to studies by a reputable animal behavior clinic, younger loyal friends are usually affected. Therefore, please deal with this issue immediately. Many people will have to leave their dogs to go to work or to take care of the kids. So, it’s good to spend time with your puppy so you can get to know their behaviors beforehand.

Different types of dogs have different needs. For example, if you want a Labrador Retriever you may want to have a little look at https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/lab-puppies-for-sale. You can get to know a little about the needs of a Labrador and how they develop. However, separation anxiety can be shared in younger dogs, but it can also affect older dogs.

What is Separation Anxiety?

Whether we are dealing with a puppy or an adult dog, the stress of separation occurs at a specific time. This could be from the time you leave him alone at home until the time you return. The symptoms vary; however, the dog will be frightened to sit at home alone. Well-known zoologists who specialize in animal separation anxiety have given an interpretation of it. They say that although we can not know what the dog has in mind, anxiety as the equivalent of a panic attack.

So, if you are a responsible owner of a new puppy learn how to lay the foundation for a well-adapted and well-behaved dog. Training, socialization, and cage training will contribute to the reduction of stress.

Unfortunately, anxiety is something that presents unique challenges. It is not just about occasional crying when you leave home or discover a torn sock when you return. It also goes beyond the classic boredom or a small disorder of your dog. Separation anxiety is the result of a great deal of stress.

The destruction of a pillow or the accidents during which dogs defecate has nothing to do with separation stress. So, make sure these events are not the result of inadequate training. Also, consider these things: are you sure your dog understands good manners even when you are not present? Is he well trained to go to the bathroom? Make sure you know how your dog behaves in your absence by using video recording. If you have to see a specialist, you can show them the evidence.

What causes separation anxiety? It is not yet completely clear why some puppies are more prone to separation anxiety than others of their age. However, there may be a number of reasons for separation anxiety. For example, never leaving your dog alone or having traumatic experiences like those found in dog shelters can cause anxiety. Even a traumatic event in your absence, such as someone breaking into your home, can lead to anxiety. The truth is that each puppy’s personality plays a vital role.

Other causes have to do with daily life changes, such as a sudden change in your schedule. Additionally, moving to a new home or the sudden absence of a family member can cause stress. The absence can be death, divorce, or a family member heading off to college. Research has shown that a possible cause of anxiety can also be a lack of daily exercise. So, prevention and treatment at the onset is essential.

The first signs in a pup

Unfortunately, there is no one sign of anxiety. Dogs can experience stress in many ways. As a result, one or two of the incidents below may not be signs of separation anxiety in puppies. However, if your dog shows multiple symptoms often, he may be suffering from separation anxiety. Below are some behaviors that your dog may exhibit:

Excessive barking or screaming.
Accidents at home – urine or defecation.
Destructive behaviors such as chewing or digging, especially around doors or windows.
Behaviors that indicate stress include slow walking, crying, or trembling while you are away or preparing to leave.
Excessive salivation or shortness of breath.
Desperate, desperate attempts to escape the house resulting in serious injuries.

According to the latest scientific studies, the above symptoms are why many dog owners abandon their dogs. This is quite unfortunate as separation anxiety can be treated with some simple, essential tactics.

Dealing with puppy separation anxiety

It is devastating to return home with damage caused by your anxious loyal friend. However, it was just as devastating for them. Your goal should be to resolve the dog’s anxiety by teaching him to have fun. Or, at least be able to be calm when alone. You may already be doing this through your puppy’s training, but consider these methods appropriate for treating anxiety.

Take a look at the following tips:

Exercise – Exercise will not completely cure your puppy’s separation anxiety. However, it is an excellent way to prevent and treat stress. First, make sure your puppy is getting the proper exercise for his or her age. Larger dogs, in particular, have a tremendous amount of energy to consume. Therefore, a dog who used plenty of energy playing and walking with you is more likely to stay calm when you need to leave. Second, do not neglect the “spiritual” muscles of your puppy. Training sessions, puzzle games, and mind games are all excellent choices. Mind training can be as tiring as body training, but it can be quite enjoyable and fun.
Your Dog’s Independence – It is very important to be comfortable when you leave or return home. Greet your dog lovingly but do not be overly diffuse and emotional. Stay calm without big outbursts of love because your dog will start anxiously waiting for such outbursts, and their stress will continuously increase. Also, if you find damage or accidents when you return home, do not punish your dog. If you do the opposite, you will add stress and the problem instead of decreasing; it will grow even further.

Many dogs feel more secure and comfortable in their cage than when they are alone in another part of the house watching you leave; however, other dogs panic at the idea of the cage. Test the cage and see if your dog’s stress will decrease or stay. Remember, the goal is not to leave your loyal friend locked in a cage all day as a solution to separation anxiety. Your real goal is to keep your dog safe as well as your home while teaching them how to have fun staying alone for a while. It’s time to start enjoying life with your new pup and appreciating the life you are creating together.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: dog training tips, family pets, new puppy tips

Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

September 14, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing shopping tips on gift ideas for Mother’s Day. All mothers deserve to be treated well when it’s a special occasion. Whether it’s her birthday, Mother’s Day Christmas or any other event, you want to make sure she gets a gift that shows how appreciated and loved she is.

Whether you’re buying a gift for your own mother or even for your daughter, there are lots of gifts to show them they are amazing. In addition to physical gifts, you could consider experiences or even favors that will make her happy.

Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day:

Gifts Made By the Kids

When you want to give a mother a special gift, getting her children involved is always a good idea. If you’re an adult in their life, go with them to buy any material needed to make the gift. You can even help them make something. This can include a painted mug or drawing. If you decide to go shopping together, have the kids be on the lookout for other gifts mom may like. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to learn how to shop for someone else.

Photos and Paintings

Photos and paintings are excellent ideas for creating memories. Additionally, they can be displayed in the home. You can take favorite photos and have them turned into painted portraits. You could also book a photoshoot or get a gift voucher for a photo session. Professional family photos are great, but not everyone wants to spend money on themselves in that way.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

Instead of giving a gift that has a one-time use, consider gifts that just keep giving. Monthly subscriptions are a great example. For example, if you sign someone up for a subscription for chocolate, wine or a magazine, they don’t just get one gift, but keep getting nice surprises the length of the subscription. How about a gift that can be used over and over. An e-reader or new bag are perfect gifts. Give gifts that can reused. Your gift could range from an e-reader to a new bag. Gifts that last a long time and can bring someone lots of pleasure will always make a good gift.

Some Personal Time

Most moms crave a little time to themselves. This can include relaxing at home with no disturbances. It could also mean going out with some friends. You can help by offering to babysit, take the kids out for the day, or arranging for mom to do something fun.

If you know a mother who deserves a treat, be sure to pick from our special gift ideas for Mother’s Day. Better yet, don’t wait for the next special occasion to come around, get her something just because.

Filed Under: Shopping Tips Tagged With: gift ideas, gifts for moms, holiday gift ideas, mother's day gift ideas

Tips On Raising Confident Children

September 8, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on raising confident children. There’s nothing you’d like to see more than your child happy and confident, right? We all want our kids to be at their best mentally, physically and socially. It starts at home, and it starts while they are you. Teach them early, and it will stay with them throughout their childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Although we love them regardless of their condition at any given time, we want them at their best should at all times.

Confidence is massive in a person’s life. If you’re not feeling good about yourself and the situation around you, then you’re probably not going to perform well or have a good time. It’s important that children experience and feel confidence at a tender age. Those experiences and feelings will determine how their mind works when they’re older. The person you are today and the embedded default feelings you go to are literally a direct result of how things went when you were a little kid.

Being a confident example for your child is imperative. Teaching them to be confident is easy when you know what to do.

Raising Confident Children:

Be Positive Around Them All The Time

If you’re constantly positive around them, then they’re going to feed off of that kind of energy. People, including yourself, will react to the stimuli around them. You may not realize it, but you’re the result of the people around you. This includes family, friends, co-workers etc. They all play a part in forming your opinions, beliefs, and feelings.

If you’re constantly optimistic and positive around them, then they’re going to grow up thinking that’s the best (and only) way of approaching things. If you’re a miserable, negative person, then they’re going to pick up those kinds of mannerisms. Kids taking in information like a sponge at a young age. And, it stays with them forever. Make sure you’re giving off the correct impression – it could be very significant.

Keep Them Active And Exercising

People need to be on the move in order to feel good about themselves. They may be a select few that can lounge around all day and stay content, but the majority need to be up and moving. You don’t need to become a drill sergeant, but getting them up and out of the house will do them good. Today, kids are stuck inside in front of a computer screen or TV. So, make sure they’re moving around enough. Keeping active makes the brain release chemicals that make us feel more positive and happy. Getting tasks done also feels a lot better than sitting around achieving nothing!

Teach Them About Respect

If your child learns about respecting another person, they’ll get to know the ins and outs of respecting themselves. . When it comes to confidence, a lot of the issues are social ones. If your kid knows how to behave when around other people, then they’re going to be in a better boat than, say, a socially awkward youngster. This kind of competence can then lead to even more confidence as they grow into their impressionable teenage years.

Get Professional Help

If you feel as though you might not be able to do this on your own, then you can always get assistance. There are many practitioners that deal with the minds and bodies of children. So, a little research will be beneficial. If they need pediatric speech therapy, then it’s worth considering. It could end up benefiting them in a big way as they grow. It could be the difference between a confident adult, and an overly anxious and shy one.

Teach Them the Fundamentals Of Life

If they early about being healthy and stable, your child will stand a better chance of being confident in many things. A lot of children are never taught how to do basic things like domestic chores and shopping. Sadly, they end up having a lack of confidence as adults. If you teach them these very basic and fundamental aspects of life, then they’ll be a lot more competent and confident.

I hope my tips on raising confident children has been beneficial. Start early and be consistent. You will be able to sit back and watch you child grow into a confident and productive human being.

Filed Under: Character Building Tagged With: confidence in children, parenting advice, raising children, teaching confidence

What to Look for in Assisted Living Facilities

August 18, 2020 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing empowerment tips for those looking for assisted living facilities. As our parents age, there may come a time when we have to consider assistant living facilities for them. Also, poor health, accidents or other issues may force your or another love one to move from their homes or apartments to assistant living. Many people wonder where do I start in finding a facility? What do I look for in a facility? Will I or my love one be safe? With my tips, you can feel empowered and confident in finding the right facility for yourself or your loved one.

First, assisted living facilities must have that homey and cozy atmosphere. This is the first thing that must be considered. The community must be able to provide the comfort and other requirements for a home. But, there are other important factors that must be considered too.

Tips for assisted living facilities:

Location

First, and one of the most important factors to consider is the location of the facility. The distance from your home to the facility should be a major consideration. You want the facility to be close enough to ensure you can arrive promptly in cases of an emergency. And, for visits and meetings. Family should be able to visit regularly without being stopped by the distance. Furthermore, the facility should also be near essential amenities such as grocery stores, pharmacies etc.

Services

Next, determine what services are provided by the facility. For older adults, different services are needed. Aside from great dining services, there must be a wellness program available. Ask if there are medication management support and housekeeping. There should also be a good program for fitness and exercises. Just as important, facilities for emotional support should also be available.

Amenities

So, assisted living communities that allow small pets are perfect for older adults. This is one of the options that can help them relax and become happier. The facility should offer different activities as well. Does it offer pampering options. This can include a hair salon to stress-reducing massages and walking paths. Being able to sit outside and enjoy nature and fresh air is imporant. Having amenities for health and relaxation is imperative.

Type of Care

Naturally, assisted living for people of faith should be able to provided for older adults. So, check out reviews and stories from reliable people. How do they assist older adults? Do they provide all the necessary care and attention needed. How do they deal with emergencies? These are the important questions that can help you rate the type of care being provided.

Payment Options

Additionally, understanding the cost associated with the facility is imperative. You will be investing in your stay at the facility. As a result, make sure you understand what needs to be paid. Ask about payment options available. Furthermore, ask about any costs not listed once you become a resident. Also, ask if long-term insurance and life insurance policies can be used. Ask about the upfront cost, the monthly rent and other services that must be paid. This will give you a clear understanding of your out of pocket expenses.

Visiting Hours

Family should be able to visit older family and loved one when they want or need to. This is also the case in assisted living facilities. Ask about the visiting hours schedule. You can make use of this as a basis for comparison with other facilities. Choose the facility that provides flexible visiting hours. This way, family members won’t have to choose between visiting family or doing another activity.

Areas to Socialize for Residents

Last, every person needs the company of others. This is why finding a facility with areas for socialization is important. Socializing is one way to make residents feel comfortable in their new environments. Social areas must be relaxing and comfortable. Take a tour or of the facility so you can actually see what’s happening in the facility.

The need of the clients must be the first thing that every facility should focus on. The center of their services and amenities must be their clientele. There are those that provide better services and amenities as compared to the other. However, it may cost more to have better service and amenities. So, assess your needs or the needs of your family so you can make a good decision. Comfort should be a top priority.

Filed Under: Health, Safety

Homeschooling Tips for Beginners

July 29, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on homeschooling tips for beginners. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 has affected the world in a detrimental way. Especially, our children’s education. Having a formal classroom setting is beneficial to children from an intellectual stand point as well as socially and emotionally. However, many parents have opted to homeschool their children rather than take a chance on sending them back to a formal school setting and getting sick.

So, we opted to homeschool my grandchildren during the last 3 months of the school year. We made a few mistakes, but for the most part we were successful and they loved being taught at home. I have a few tips on what we did to make the new endeavor successful.

Here are a few homeschooling tips for beginners:

Keep Their Regular Schedule – First, if your children attended public school previously, but you have decided to homeschool for the upcoming school year, keep their current schedule. Get them up the same time you would normally get them up to attend school. Have them eat breakfast, brush their teeth, wash their face and get dressed as if they are going to school. Give them a time on which they need to be down stairs and ready to start their day. We had them get their clothes out the night before and have their bath, teeth brushed and PJs on by 9:00 pm.

Prepare a Space for Them to Learn – Just like we as adults need an office space to work in, kids need a comfortable environment where they can learn. Look for classroom desks for cheap if you can. I found several on yard sale sites. Good Will and Salvation Army are a few other places to look too. A coat of paint will give them new life. If you are unable to locate classroom desks, purchase a card table. Many come with chairs and they are great when the kids need to spread out. If that is not an option, clear the kitchen or dining room table.

Also, make sure you have good lighting and windows in the room if possible. Turn off the electronics unless they will be used for research or on-line activities. You want to create an environment where they can concentrate. Pencil sharpers, highlighters, crayons, scissors, pens, notebooks, notebook paper etc. should be available. Empty cans from dinner products make great houses for the pens, highlighters and pencils. Check out baskets or trays at your local Dollar Tree or Goodwill to hold paper and other craft products.

Purchase a chalkboard if possible. You may be able to find one at of the on-line yard sale sites. Brides who used them for their weddings are great sources. These are great for working out math problems or writing the assignments where they can reference if needed.

Organize Lessons – Furthermore, get creative and think of ways that will engage your children. Check out this post on putting together Strategic Homeschool Lessons. Planning lessons and activities will make it easier to convey goals to your kids. Furthermore, decide if you want to do printables, watch videos or do on-line activities for the assignments. Print any printables out the night before. Make sure videos work before class.

Choose Quality Lesson Plans – Check out sites that offer quality curriculums for the grades that you will be teaching. The site should be geared toward complete homeschool curriculums. You will want lessons in math, science, history, reading, spelling & more. Also, look for sites that offer arts and crafts too.

Consult Other Homeschoolers – If you’re new and unsure of yourself, join a homeschooling group. If you don’t want to join a group, consult another parent who homeschools and ask for tips. Homeschooling is not new, there are parents who have been teaching their children at home for years.

Make Lunch Fun – Next, get as creative with lunch as you do with their lesson plans. Review on-line menus from school and ask what their favorites meals were. Make them. Find ways to make sandwiches interesting if you have small children. Have lunch outside on the patio or picnic table. Check out these yummy carrot recipes for kids.

Include Outside Activities – This can include walks, nature hunts, jumping on the trampoline or just relaxing for a few minutes. But, set a limit just like they have in school. If the weather is nice have them plant a garden, feed the birds or make a snowman if the weather is cold. Why not make snow ice cream or find cold weather experiments to add to your science agenda. The possibilities are endless. A car ride can be a great activity too.

Create a Zoom Account – Last, set up time for your kids to interact on-line with other homeschooled kids. It doesn’t have to be for a long period of time. Just a few minutes to break the monotony, and make sure they are interacting socially with other children. They can play or just have a conversation. This is a great way to remove the feeling of being isolated from other kids. If possible, coordinate with other parents on having a Zoom class. This can be set-up for spelling, reading etc. Again, get creative.

Most importantly, make learning fun. Nothing will distract your children faster than boredom. My daughter actually made Fridays a half day. That really excited my little darlings. They were able to use that time to play educational games on-line or release their stress however they wanted. The kids loved Mrs. Clark’s, their mother, school. Finally, I hope these homeschooling tips for beginners have been beneficial, and you will implement a few.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: educational tips for kids, homeschooling tips, teaching children to read

How to Revamp Your Home

June 26, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing home decor tips on how to revamp your home on a budget. If your home looks as tired as you feel staring at those uninspiring walls, then perhaps it’s time for a revamp. Or maybe you just need a change? They say it’s as good as a holiday.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to revamp your home. You can breathe new life into your living space without breaking the bank. So, get in touch with your creativity and check out our tips on how revamp your home below.

How to Revamp Your Home:

Fresh Paint

Your walls are a canvas of possibilities. You can repaint your entire house, or focus on a room at a time. Step out of your comfort zone and try out new paint colors, or even an accent wall in the living room.

Alternatively, pick out an item – a chest of drawers, an old bookshelf, a kitchen table – anything, and paint it. Preferably in a contrasting color that compliments the rest of the room. It makes a world of difference, and you’ll get to decide how much to spend.

Save the Siding

Siding in need of some TLC affects the overall appearance of your house. Evaluate the extent of the damage, and see if you can replace or repair the worst parts.

Whether you have vinyl, stucco, aluminum, or wooden siding, by fixing a few panels, you’ll get rid of that eye-sore and improve your exterior’s look. It will improve your home’s look and maintain your house in the long run.

However, if the damage is beyond redemption, then it’s worth asking a specialist to conduct a site visit. This will give you an idea of how much it’ll cost. So, either way your efforts won’t be in vain.

Refinish & Replace

Bring dull cupboards and shelves back to their former glory by applying a refinish, or opt for two-toned cabinets to introduce a burst of color into a dull space.

Give your kitchen a fresher look, by replacing that century-old appliance with a new one. Do the same for other household items like rugs, throw cushions, or even bedding.

Liven Up Living Spaces

Invite energy into a tired corner with gorgeous artwork, or a vase of fresh flowers. Lamps are fantastic choices, too. You can easily replace a lifeless lampshade with a more modern one.

Shop around for bargains and see what other beautiful, inexpensive things you can use to spruce up a drab area.

Revamped, Refreshed, and Renewed

Giving your house a facelift doesn’t need to cost a fortune. A fresh coat of paint does wonders, while repaired siding makes a massive difference, too. Small changes like a refinished cupboard, a replaced appliance, or a pop of color will liven things up and revamp your home – all without burning a hole in your pocket.

Filed Under: Shopping Tips Tagged With: home maintenance, home update ideas, home update tips

Tips on Searching for a New Home

June 16, 2020 by Rhonda Gales 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing advice on searching for a new home. Whenever you develop the need to invest in a new property, whether this is due to relocation for work, school, or the need to increase space, it can be a very stressful. Searching for the right place takes time. And, the potential to lose money throughout your project can increase anxiety levels even further.

Fortunately, there are several simple steps that you can take when purchasing a new home. Find out more about how you can uncover the perfect property in no time. Furthermore, you can uncover the best tips and tricks that can bring balance and efficiency to your search.

Tips on searching for a new home:

Make A Plan

Planning your move in advance is a great way to reduce your stress levels. Having a clear schedule in place makes it much easier to head in the right direction. Simply jot down what you would like to achieve and by which date. For example, finding the perfect property within a 3 month period. Making a plan is a great motivator to inspire you to move forward.

Enlist Professional Help

One of the best things that you can do to reduce stress when searching for a new home is to enlist professional help. There are so many different specialists that can support you through every aspect of your journey. Many likely have years of experience to make the process as simple as possible. From trusted estate agents that you can approach for help to essential mortgage teams such as those over at https://altrua.ca who can cover the legal side of things. There are so many unique and talented companies that are ready and waiting for your call. So, don’t try to battle such a huge task on your own.

Take Time Out

Although you may feel it necessary to completely throw yourself into your new home search, it’s a good idea to take some time out to focus on something fun and unrelated. Having unrealistic expectations can cause extreme upset and disappointment if things go wrong. This could potentially cause you to put off making your move. Doing something such as indulging in self care will be the perfect break from searching for a new home. It can help you gain clarity and focus whenever you do decide to channel your efforts into your new property search.

Reducing stress while searching for your new home has never been so simple. So, make the most of the tips detailed above! And, remember to make a plan that will motivate you to carry on, while enlisting professional help to support your goals.

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Shopping Tips Tagged With: home ownership, new home tips, purchasing new homes

Helping Your Teenager Through Tough Times

May 30, 2020 by Rhonda Gales 3 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on helping your teenager. As a parent, we never want to see our children going through tough times. While challenges in life can be beneficial for their long-term development, that doesn’t make it any easier to watch them go through it. It’s in our nature to want to help them, and make their lives a little easier. Especially, when they are still young.

Tips on helping your teenager through tough times:

Start a Dialogue

Perhaps the best thing you can do is try to start a dialogue with your teenager. Sit down and have a chat with them. Learn what’s going on and how they are feeling about it. Some teenagers are more than happy to have someone to vent to. Others will want to keep things to themselves and not answer your questions. In this scenario, do your best to be understanding and don’t pry. Just let them know you are around if they want to talk and occasionally offer again.

Starting a dialogue is the best way to learn about your child’s life and how you can help. Avoid reading a diary or just guessing about what’s happening in their life. If you can get it straight from your child, this will be better for everyone involved.

Offer to Help

Once you have a better idea about what’s going on, you can look for ways to help. You may not be able to fix their problem entirely, but you may be able to lend a helping hand. For example, if they are struggling with schoolwork, you can offer to help or get a tutor. Or, maybe you can let them off the hook on their chores for the week so that they have a little more time to get their work done or relax.

Another way you can help is by providing them with some tools to help themselves. For example, if they are regularly stressed out, you can offer books on stress management or meditation. Being a parent is about teaching your kids to handle problems. This will ensure they are equipped to handle problems when they are out of the nest. So, think about the ways you have solved similar problems. Do some research online, then make some educated suggestions.

Provide Distractions

Sometimes your kids just need a distraction from whatever problem they are facing. If you want to help them, look for something that will distract them for a while. For example, if your teen has been spending the entire weekend studying for final exams take them out for ice cream. Or, make a trip to the mall.

Maybe your teenager is currently in a fight with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Rather than having them spend all day inside upset about it, offer to take them to a movie. Sometimes getting your mind off things for just a few hours can help to put things in perspective and change your mood. It’s important that you teach your kids not only how to solve their problems, but how to have fun.

Give Them Space

Sometimes, there’s just nothing you can do at the moment for your teenager. They don’t want to talk, they don’t want your help, and all your attempts at a distraction are ignored. At times like this, it may just be better to give them some space. We all need our own time and space to work things out and teenagers are no different. Let them shut themselves away in their room for a day, then try to help them out again the following day.

Seek Additional Treatment

Finally, sometimes your teenager will be facing an issue that requires more than a day at the movies. Teenagers can face some very difficult times, and when this happens, they may need professional help to get through it. If you find that your child is really having a hard time, look for a therapist they can talk to or consider teen residential treatment. Being a good parent often means getting your teenager the help they need, even if it doesn’t come from you.

We hope you use a few of the tips the next time you’re helping your teenager through a tough time. There’s no simple solution to helping your kid – all you can do is be there for them and try different things until your teen is feeling better.

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: parenting advice, parenting teens, raising teens, teen advice