Every parent loves their children. However, as any parent knows, kids can be very messy to live with. A cluttered home is to be expected when you share your living space with little ones. You don’t have to except living in chaos, however. By using the right techniques and communicating as a family, you too can keep your house clean with kids.
Take a look at some of the best tips for staying on top of the cleaning despite your messy roommates.
Choose Kid Friendly Materials
Unfortunately, accidents happen when you live with children. Things get spilled, splashed, and dripped on regardless of how much you tried to survey your kids. The best way to guard against things getting ruined and stained is to choose kid-friendly materials.
That means choosing flooring which is easily wiped clean. You should also choose furniture which won’t easily absorb stains. Sorry to break the news, but you can kiss white furniture and carpets goodbye for the next 18 to 20 years. Focus on patterns and stain resistant fabrics. Not only will you save money but you may also have a better chance at preserving your sanity.
Clean Up One Mess Before Starting Another
Kids can be more like Tasmanian Devils than human beings at times. In a matter of minutes, they can turn your living room into a hurricane zone. It’s essential to teach them the value of cleaning one mess before starting another.
One of the biggest mistakes that many parents make is assuming their child is too young two know how to clean. However, studies show that teaching children as young as a year old to clean up their mess has effective results. Teach your kids that you are not the maid. If they make a mess, it is their responsibility to put their belongings away.
Give Everything a Home
Just like any organized workroom or garage, every tool has its place. Your house should be the same. In order to avoid clutter, your children should have a designated area for each toy.
Having a system in place will not only make things easier to clean, but also easier to find. The easiest way to keep things organized with very little fuss is to place boxes with the labels throughout the house.
Involve The Kids With Cleaning
The younger your child is, the better. Small toddlers love being able to help out mommy and daddy. Don’t be shy to hand them the vacuum or the broom and get them involved cleaning up. Initially they may make more of a mess than contribute to the actual cleaning; however, it’s a great place to start. As they get older, they’ll know how to properly clean, and you’ll be able to rely on them to help you out around the house.
If a family member of yours has recently gone through surgery, then you will probably feel like you want to help them recover afterward. Especially if you are a close family member, then any actions or activities that you can do to help them be more comfortable and heal more quickly will be sincerely appreciated.
From your perspective, you should know what common problems are after surgeries. You should make it a particular point to keep the house clean. You should know that there is a certain kind of tough love that is appropriate as people are rehabbing after surgery. And, you can even help your family member find a support group for surgery recovery that is outside of the immediate family for some additional social structure.
Knowing Common Problems
It is essential that you know common problems that occur with certain surgeries. If you know these in advance, then you can look out for signs and symptoms that something is going wrong. If possible, you should have various methods for relief from these problems on hand, but if not, at least you’ll know that you should call a doctor as soon as possible. Doctors should be more than willing to discuss all of the possibilities of ideal recovery from the most typical problems that arise.
Keeping a House Clean
After surgery, a family member of yours is probably going to be grumpy, and there is also the chance of infection concerning open wounds. Both of these conditions mean that you should keep your house clean. Pay special attention to anywhere that could have dirt, dust, bacteria, or anything else that might make someone prone to infection or coming down with a disease of some sort. Use cleaners that kill all the bad stuff in the air and on surfaces.
The Right Kind of Tough Love
When a family member is recovering from surgery, they might handle it in a few different ways. Some people are more likely to try and work out their kinks and trouble spots and recover more quickly. Other people might want to wallow in their pain and misery and be lazy. It’s crucial that you create an environment with the right kind of tough love where you challenge them to be better without pushing them too hard.
Finding Support Groups Outside the Family In some cases, you should have your family member find a support group for healing outside of the immediate family. Sometimes your family members are just too close to be helpful. For example, if someone has surgery to repair a shoulder that has been injured, they can find online support groups for people who have gone through similar operations, and they may be more accepting of advice they find there rather than through family members.
When making plans that include your entire
home, you need to understand that these decisions have an impact on your entire
family. Therefore, every decision that you make needs to be family-friendly or,
at least, family-beneficial. Finding such upgrades is not that difficult; you
just need to know what you’re looking for. If aiming for those upgrades that
are visually pleasing and add some aesthetic value to your property, you can
further narrow down this field. With that in mind and without further ado, here
are six aesthetic and family-friendly backyard ideas for you to consider.
1.
Making a garden path
The simplest and the quickest way to add some
functionality to your backyard is to make a path that goes straight down its
middle. The choice of materials will determine the budget, as well as the
visuals of your garden. A simple path made of pea gravel can be done with as
little as $6 per square foot, while a path made with stone pavers can cost up
to $25 per square foot. Keep in mind that a garden path doesn’t take a lot of
maintenance; if anything, it reduces the area that you have to mow every week.
Moreover, an average garden path can last for decades, which means that it’s an
investment definitely worth making.
2.
A fire pit
While this may not sound quite family
friendly, you need to understand that a fire pit is completely harmless when
the fire is out and when it’s on, it’s usually supervised. As for the fun
activities, roasting marshmallows with your children late
at night is just one of the ideas that could come to mind. You can also install
a grill on top of it, thus using it for barbecue. A fire pit can be covered
when not used in order for it not to be a slip hazard.
3.
Installing a spa pool
There’s really no way to add more luxury to
your backyard than to install an outdoor
spa pool, thus transforming your home into a luxurious villa in an
instant. Such a thing is great for both personal use and household parties,
which means that they’ll turn your home into the epicentre of the neighbourhood
(if this is something that you’re interested in). Installing a spa pool doesn’t
cost nearly as much as you would imagine and it adds quite a lot to the overall
value of your property.
4.
Providing some shade
Your seating area or a deck may be completely
useless during a blazing summer day or soft rain. Moreover, any kind of rain
might be enough for you to rush out and cover your outdoor furniture. Worse
yet, it might limit your choice of furniture to the most rudimentary and most
resilient pieces. Needless to say, this will hurt the aesthetics of your
backyard quite a bit. Protective shade can be achieved in several ways: from a
simple parasol all the way to an elegant and pragmatic retractable awning. It’s
up to you to pick the one that suits you best.
5.
Making a mini-playground
If you want your kids to put down their smart phones
and start playing outside, you need to stop asking or commanding them to do so
and start giving them a reason to do so. One of the solutions is to make a small playground in your backyard. A
seesaw, a swing and a sandbox are all that you need but, should you wish to go
an extra mile, you could always install some soccer goals or make a miniature
baseball field. Your plan had better be in agreement with the interests of your
children and their own aspirations.
6.
Constructing a treehouse
The last thing you might
want to try out is to pick the strongest, most dominant tree on your property
and decorate it with every kid’s dream-come-true – a proper treehouse. This,
nonetheless, is a tad more ambitious project and may require you to set up a
scaffold or even find some professional help. Keep in mind that the safety of
your children depends on the structural integrity of a treehouse, which is why
you need to invest quite a bit in the construction.
Conclusion
In the end, you should bear in mind the fact
that it all depends on the impression that you’re trying to make and the effect
you’d like to achieve. If you want your household to look like a home and not
just a depersonalized property, each of the above-listed family-friendly ideas
will do the trick.
Every once in a while, people need
to spend their hard-earned money to renovate their homes, but as much as the
renovation seems exhausting, it needs to get done so you’ll avoid potential
problems and the mess that comes with home repair. When you have kids, things
can get more complicated. Here are the tips on how to go through a home
renovation when you have small kids:
1. Make a plan first
Before you go fully into panic
mode, make sure to take a deep breath and make a plan. Being prepared is the
key when you have kids running around. Talk to your partner and repairmen about
the scheduling. Then, make sure that the kids have somewhere safe to stay, so
they can continue with their everyday activities while the renovation is in
process. Also, prior to the beginning of the renovation, move all the furniture
and other things to a place where they won’t be damaged or misplaced by
accident. Having a plan to follow can be extremely helpful in keeping track of the progress.
2. Keep tools and other dangerous things far
from children
There are probably people who
think that having their kids around handymen and their tools seems like a good
idea because kids can play and learn something at the same time. Even if the
people you hired seem nice, please keep in mind that they’re not there to teach
but to work. Some people think that their kid looks cute posing for a picture
holding a wrench, but the truth is, kids are supposed to be away from
screwdrivers, drills and other tools that are generally unsafe for children.
It’s important to let handymen work in peace while your kids need to be
preoccupied with different activities.
3.
Make plumbing a priority
When your pipes are in good condition, you can breathe a sigh of
relief. Having running hot water 24/7 and no leaky taps are crucial when your
kids are small. That’s why you need to ensure that there are no cracked and
faulty pipes that can cause leaking and bursting. If you need to fix your
pipes, then it wouldn’t be bad to consider pipe relining instead of the usual digging work. This type of fixing
pipes is beneficial as it doesn’t require digging and it’s also affordable,
clean and time-saving. Taking out the old pipes to replace them with new ones
can take time and leave behind a big mess. When your kids are around, you
should always aim for quicker and cheaper solutions.
4. Renovate when the weather is nice
If possible, try organising your
renovation when the weather is warm and nice. Aside from not having to freeze
in the cold and rain, you can also take your kids to a nearby park while the
repairs are underway. Besides, you can open the windows to let the fresh air in
which can make the work much easier for everyone involved. When you need to
deal with all the craziness, it’s always simpler to have a nice place to go to
such as a zoo or a playground close to your house. Spring and summer are the
most popular season to renovate, but it’s important to make all the
arrangements before the busy period.
These tips above will help you get started on
planning your home repair and also help you do it efficiently even if your kids
are small. It’s essential to keep your kids entertained, but whatever you do, make sure you’re always
organised and well-rested.
Whether you are a
parent of a child who will just be starting school for the first time this
year, or you have a child who is a few years in and still in the primary
grades, it’s clear that the early school years carry a lot of weight and
importance in a child’s life. They will be learning incredible amounts,
building a foundation of knowledge that they will build upon the rest of the
school years, and of course making friendships and expanding their social
skills.
Of course, you want
the very best for them, and that includes getting the most possible out of
those early school years. This means limiting the negatives and ensuring that
the majority of their experiences are positive ones. Unfortunately for some
kids this comes easier than others, and for some those early years can be bumpy
to say the least.
Rather than sit on the
sidelines and hope that things work out in the end, there are things that
parents can be doing to help kids experience as many positives as possible.
Here are some tips and advice that can help you navigate the early school
years.
Get Involved Whenever Possible
One of the biggest
tips for parents is to engage with the school community and get involved
whenever possible. This includes things such as going to orientation nights,
back to school events, parent-teacher conferences, getting involved in the
parent council, and volunteering whenever possible. The more involved parents
are, the better the understanding they will have of the school environment, the
teachers, and the students. It also helps to keep the lines of communication
open so teachers can feel comfortable contacting you with any issues and vice
versa.
Access the School Calendar
Nowadays many schools
have their own websites which are great for learning helpful information like
upcoming events, contact information, and the daily schedule. What you’ll also
want to do is access your child’s classroom calendar. If it isn’t posted
online, be sure to ask for one.The classroom calendar will give you important
information like upcoming field trips, classroom presentations, upcoming tests,
special event days, and more. It helps your child to stay organized and also
start to take responsibility for themselves as they can refer to that calendar
in order to prepare for the upcoming day(s).
Create a Morning and After School
Routine that You Stick To
Speaking of creating
that sense of responsibility,parents also need to create a morning and after school routine that the whole family
sticks to. This means getting kids off to school on time each and every
morning, making sure they are prepared for the day with everything they will
need. After school, it’s a good idea to have a set homework time where kids
understand they need to complete their work before they can go play, watch TV,
and have free time.
After a busy day at
school, many parents find it useful to give kids a bit of down time when they
first get home. This allows them to decompress, chat about their day, have a
snack, and then they can tackle homework.
For parents who both
work, and therefore the kids won’t get home until dinner time, that schedule
can be much more tight, but it’s still important to set it up and stick with
it.
Be Available to Help with Homework
Speaking of homework,
you also want to be available to help them with any homework questions they may
have. Sometimes they just need that bit of moral support and confidence. While
helping them is useful, you don’t want to over-step and end up doing the
homework for them.
You’ll also want to be
sure that you have a dedicated study space that is comfortable and quiet so they can do
their homework without interruptions. It should be free of distractions such as
the TV. Kids need to be able to focus on their work. It is advised that
elementary school aged kids take a break after 45 minutes of homework. This
gives them a chance to relax and re-focus.
Consider a Different Type of School
and Learning
The traditional way of
learning involves kids sitting in a classroom listening to what the teacher is
telling them. While this may work just fine for some, it’s not a one-size fits
all solution that works for every kid. This is why there are other options
available such as project based learning schools.
Pear Tree Elementary
is an example of just such a school that uses a student-centered teaching
method. In this type of learning environment, kids work in collaborative groups
in order to research/investigate, ask questions, and come up with solutions.
It’s all about hands-on learning, which can enhance the learning experience and
help expand their social skills. The teachers take on the role of facilitators
of the group, and really create a much more active learning environment.
The skills they will
pick up can prove to be incredibly useful if they choose to go onto to college
or university later in life.
Chat with Kids on a Regular Basis
In order for parents
to get an idea of how kids are coping with school, and if they are getting the
most out of it, you also want to chat with them on a regular basis. Even with
high test scores and glowing report cards, that’s still not enough to paint the
full picture. You will also want to learn about friendships, any sports or
clubs they are taking part in, how well they are connecting with their teacher,
etc. There is a lot that goes into shaping that school experience.
Setting Them on the Track for Success
By taking an interest in
their early school years and doing what you can to promote a positive learning
and social experience, you will in fact be setting your child on the track for
success, not just in school, but in life in general. The early school years
truly set the foundation for what’s to come.
Developing a healthy
lifestyle for your kids while they are still young is essential for proper
growth and development. Additionally, it plays a role in preventing many health
issues such as obesity, tummy aches and diabetes. And the good habits you teach
them now will help in shaping their future decision making. This article
highlights six key tips you can apply as a parent to promote a healthy
lifestyle for your kids.
Encourage Physical Activity
The benefits of
physical activity for children are numerous. Some of them include improved
cognition, reduced risk of diseases, improved mood and behavior, strong bones
and muscles, reduced risk of depression and other mental disorders, and weight
control.
According to the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services’Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans, younger kids
aged three to five should be physically active throughout the day. Older
children aged six to seventeen should be encouraged to do sixty minutes or more
of moderate to vigorous physical activity including muscle strengthening,
aerobic, and bone strengthening activities. Recommended activities for three to
five-year-olds as per the guidelines include hopping, throwing games, bicycle
riding, tumbling, skipping and hopping.
Provide Them with a Balanced Diet
Just like adults, kids
too need a balanced diet. Kids’ diets shouldn’t be complicated, they just have
to be balanced. All kids, except those on special diets for medical reasons should
have carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables daily. Limit
the intake of added sugar, deep fried foods, and saturated fats.
One mistake that
parents make is forcing certain food choices on their kids. This makes the
child hate meal time and have a negative attitude towards food. The better
approach would be to expose your child to a variety of healthy foods and allow
them to choose. For instance, there are children who hate broccoli but wouldn’t
mind a bowl of spinach. Instead of forcing such a child to eat broccoli which
is good for vitamin C, let them eat spinach which is another source of vitamin
C. Explore different varieties of healthy foods and meal time will be so much
more fun. Finally, don’t forget to educate your child on the benefits of
healthy eating.
Ensure They Get Adequate Sleep
Enough sleep for kids
is essential for growth and development, heart health and mental health among
many other things. The National Sleep Foundation sleep time recommendation as of May 2019 is as follows:
14-17 hours for newborns (0-3 months)
12-15 hours for infants (4-11 months)
11-14 hours for toddlers (1-2 years)
10-13 hours for kids aged 3-5 years
9-11 hours for kids aged 6-13 years
8-10 hours for teenagers
But how do you get
your child to sleep for the recommended hours? Consider setting strict rules
and adhering to them, creating a bedtime routine, getting your kids to bed
early, avoiding meals shortly before bedtime, turning off the TV and other electronics
a few minutes before bedtime and avoid stressing the child before bedtime. If
you are doing everything but your child still doesn’t get enough rest, this
could be a sign of a sleep disorder. Some of the signs to look out for include
sleeping a lot during the day, snoring, bedwetting(especially if the child
wasn’t doing it before), nightmares, sleep walking and restlessness.
Give Your Child a Massage Once in a
While
Any child can get a
massage regardless of the age. However, for younger kids, the massage has to be
very gentle. Massage can be done at home by the parent or you could have a
professional massage therapist do it for you. Consider a spa day for the entire
family where the kids get gentle massages and the parents get a deep tissue massage. However, before you take your kids to a
massage spa, check whether the spahas professionals who have specialized in pediatric
massage. Also, check whether their products are safe to use on kids.
Massages will help
your kids to relax and this can improve the quality of sleep they get.
Additionally, massaging the young ones can help ease digestive issues such as
gas, tummy aches and constipation. Other benefits include decreased risk of
injury for children involved in sports, pain relief, easing growing pains and anxiety
relief. When it is the parent doing the massage, the baby-parent bond is
strengthened and the child feels loved and cared for.
Teach Personal Hygiene Early
Good personal hygiene
is essential for health. Teaching your kids about personal hygiene early is critical
because kids come into contact with dirt and germs a lot. Thus, if they are not
aware how to care for themselves, you will be dealing with endless illnesses
and diseases. Some of the things you should teach your kids while they are
still young include washing hands before touching food, proper bath techniques,
dental hygiene, washing hands after using the washrooms, and hair and skin
care.
Promote Dental Health
Proper oral care from
a young age will prevent cavities, loss of teeth and uncomfortable dental
procedures for your kids. Proper dental care entails brushing twice a day,
visiting the dentist regularly for checkups, flossing daily, using the right
dental products and eating a balanced diet rich in calcium and phosphorous.
Your child should start dental visits a few months after the first tooth comes
out. This is usually before the first birthday. On your first visit, you will
get tips on how to clean the baby’s teeth and mouth to prevent dental issues.
You should brush your
child’s teeth until they are six years of age or up to when they can do it well
by themselves. However, when the child is old enough to hold a toothbrush,
allow them to brush for a minute as you instruct them and then take over and
clean the areas they didn’t reach. To keep them interested, involve them when
picking toothbrushes and toothpaste at the store, educate them on the
importance of dental health and set up some daily reminders to brush and floss.
As you teach your kids
healthy habits, remember you are their role model. Thus, set a good example by
making healthy choices in your life too.
t
The average weight of a woman aged 20 and above is around
170 pounds. While this may vary according to a person’s height, age, and other
factors, women normally weigh more when they are pregnant.This is because when
a woman is expecting, her partner and family members shower her with love and
care to make sure both the mom-to-be and her child are healthy. More often than
not, this love and care is in the form of food, especially because you are going
to be “eating for two.”
This also poses a challenge once you have walked out of the
delivery room, because now you have to shed all that excess weight that was
gained over the past nine months. While it is true that women can lose up to
about 12 pounds soon after giving birth, for many, the wait is longer and
requires quite a bit of effort. After all, it did take nine months to put on
all that weight, but there are a few things that women can do to shed the
post-partum weight. So, for those women who are wondering just how they can do
that, you can use these
tips for losing the baby bump.
Exercise
This is a no-brainer. Since you’ve spent the past nine
months minimizing your movements, now’s the time to get your body back to its
pre-pregnancy state. And the best way to do that is by regular exercise, either
at the gym or at home. Although, hitting the gym is probably a better idea. You
can also start by trying out light exercises, such as walking either at the
park or on a treadmill. Women who are looking to lose weight after giving birth
are also advised to try out some abdominal exercises which will target that
baby bump.
Plan out your new daily exercise routine and stick to it.
Another effective way of losing that post-pregnancy baby bump is to start doing
pranayama, which is very effective for toning your stomach and abdominal
muscles. Whatever exercise you choose to lose the weight that you’ve gained
during the previous months, it is important not to overdo it and exert your
body. A good rule of thumb is to start off slow and light, then pick up the
pace as your body gets used to daily workouts.
Try to Stay Calm
This is a big one. While some stress is normal in our
everyday lives and during pregnancy, too much of it can have an adverse effect
on both you and your baby. Studies have shown that prolonged
stress during pregnancy can increase the chances of having a
low-birthweight baby and also raise the likelihood of having a premature baby.
Other health complications that may arise due to high levels of stress include
high blood pressure and heart disease. So, it’s easy to see that stress is
nobody’s friend.
While many women and their loved ones focus on avoiding
stress during pregnancy, keeping high levels of stress at bay is even more
important post-pregnancy. This is mainly because high levels of stress cause
the body to release a stress hormone called cortisol that shoots into the
bloodstream. This leads to further stress and irritability, fatigue, and you
guessed it…weight gain. In short, having high levels of stress post-pregnancy
can hinder your efforts of losing the baby bump, while causing all sorts of
other health complications. To avoid high levels of stress, try to get as much
sleep as you can, which is going to be hard to do anyway. A good way of keeping
your body rested is to sleep when your baby does. This will give your body the
extra boost of energy it needs and will keep your body from producing the
stress hormone cortisol due to high levels of stress and anxiety.
Have a Massage
Many women go to get manicures and pedicures because it’s
beneficial for the health of our nails. A massage can do the same thing for
your body, i.e. help you get rid of the belly fat you have gained during
pregnancy. This is because a massage can specifically target certain cellulite
laden areas in your belly and abdominal area where you need to lose the excess
weight.
Getting a massage is also great for the overall health of
your body since it improves the body’s metabolism, which in turn, helps in
weight loss. Opting for a massage after your exercise routine can be especially
beneficial since it will not only aid in increasing your metabolism to burn
excess fat, but it will also help the body recover quickly after a grueling
workout by tending to those sore muscles.
Watch Your Diet
You may have had given yourself the permission to munch on
whatever you got your hands on during the past nine months because you were
after all, feeding two people. However, you are now back down to one person
again – you. This means you have to cut down on your diet and start eating
small and smart. That being said, you should never wait until you’re famished
to eat because you will only end up eating more food than usual.
The idea of watching your diet is to make sure you have a
good balanced diet that gives your body the nutrition it needs without having
to consume too many calories. This is one of the reasons why many women prefer
to consult with a nutritionist post-partum to figure out the best diet plan for
their needs. While you’re at it, you should also stay away from sugary treats,
which will slow down the weight loss process. You can replace those sugary
snacks with healthy fruits or dry fruits. Stock your kitchen cabinet up with
low fat snacks that are high on fiber that you can go-to whenever you get the
munchies. Some
other things that you can do to get rid of that post-partum baby bump is to
try yoga and aerobics, drink lots of water, and consult with your doctor or
dietician.
Perhaps it feels like
your home is crying out for a major renovation, but you can’t afford a big
project. Maybe your home feels dated, but you don’t know what you can do
without spending a fortune. Or maybe there are a few things that annoy you that
you’d like to fix. Fortunately, you don’t have to pour a lot of money into the
property to alter its look, feel and function. Let’s take a look at how small
modifications could change the way your home looks and feels.
Start at
the Bottom
Flooring makes a big
difference in any home. Broken tiles, scuffed floors and threadbare rugs make a
home feel worn out. You can replace the existing floors for relatively little
money, and it can change the feel of an entire room. Dark wood floors make the
space feel modern. Light colored carpets and tile make a room feel more
spacious. And any updating of the floors will improve the value of the home.
Another thing you
could do is add some floating floors as well. These types of floors are very
easy to install and can give your floors that new hardwood feel without
breaking the bank. Luxury Vinyl Tiles are also a great option. But don’t be put
off by the name; LVTs vary greatly in price and you can find some for any
budget. LVTs are made to replicate the look of materials like marble and hardwood,
but without the costs. They also give you the chance to have something that
looks like wood floors in the bathroom with no risks of warping.
Look for
Little Upgrades that Make a Big Difference
Look for the little
changes that could make a big difference in the atmosphere or usability of a
space. For example, you could update the lighting in your kitchen with modern LED fixtures. Under-cabinet lighting improves visibility of
work surfaces and gives the room a sophisticated atmosphere. Soft-close hinges
mean that the drawers and cabinets won’t slam shut. This could increase your
peace of mind, since little fingers can’t get pinched. If you already have
bright lights in the living room or bedroom, consider putting in a dimmer
switch so that you have more options than on and off.
If you have young
children, consider having a vanity step installed in the bathroom. Children can
pull it out when they need it, and it stays in place until put away. A vanity
step is much more stable than a step stool for children and will look like a
drawer when it is not in use. Because it is readily stowed away, it won’t
create a trip hazard for visitors. When your children outgrow the vanity step,
you can convert the niche into a toe kick drawer for extra storage.
Go for
Curb Appeal
First impressions
matter, whether it is the way you look when you arrive at a job interview or
the impression the exterior of your home gives visitors before they even reach
the door. This is why you should ask yourself what modifications are perfect to
increase curb appeal if your intention is to sell the house. At a minimum, it
means cleaning up the yard and making the gardens look nice. It may require
replacing the tired looking front door and the cracked windows. But the most
important part is making sure that there are no signs of negligence. If there
are some missing pavers or the siding is dirty, make sure that you fix those
and give your siding a good powerwash. It’s really important to pay attention
to details as little things could send off red flags for prospective buyers. If
you want more ways to increase your curb appeal, you can learn more here.
Create a
Clean, Usable Space
Clutter creates
stress. It makes it hard to clean a space as well. You can start by getting rid
of all the beauty tools and half-empty containers that should be thrown out.
Then you can free up counter space by putting in soap dispensers. You could add
a second dispenser for lotion if someone in the household uses it often.
Gadgets are an
indispensable part of modern life, but they often collect in a cluttered mess
on desks and dressers. One thing you could do is add a built-in charging
station. They could make a great addition to your kitchen or home office,
though they can be put in any room of the house.
Add Stone
Veneers
Stone veneers are
veneers that are made to replicate the appearance of a brick wall. Having brick
installed inside the house is a large project, and could set you back a bit.
Stone veneers, on the other hand, are much easier to install and less costly. You’ll
have tons of options to choose from as well. They could be a great choice if
you want to accentuate a fireplace and give it more of an authentic rustic
look.
Give Your
Bathroom a Quick Facelift
Bathrooms are
notoriously expensive to renovate, but you don’t have to turn it upside down if
you want to give it a second life. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could
always use old or reclaimed furniture and turn it into a vintage vanity.
Something as simple as
getting a bigger mirror and framing it could make a world of difference. You
could also change the faucets and go for something more modern. And consider
changing the handles and towel racks as well if you want to complete the look.
Don’t forget the windows either; choosing a nice bathroom curtain with a fun
pattern that fits with the bathroom’s color palette won’t go unnoticed.
These few simple
suggestions will enhance the feel and functionality of your home and won’t cost
a lot of money or require much time to do. Make sure that you consider these
options if you want to improve your home without breaking the bank.
Springtime is when
you’ll be required to invest the most time and work into preparing your lawn
for the rest of the year. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it will be rather
simple to maintain your lawn once you get all of the “spring cleaning” done and
out of the way.
Warmer weather means
that the family and friends will want to spend more time in the yard.
There’s no harm in making it a more comfortable place to inhabit. Here are a few tips to prepare your yard for
springtime oohs and ahhs.
Check on the state of
your mower
Depending on the size of
your yard, your mower may have a big job ahead. If your yard is larger
than the average space, you may want to consider hiring professionals
to tend to your lawn. Mowing 40
acres of land isn’t really the way you want to spend the summer.
Either way, the lawn
needs to be mowed twice a week. Mowing only once a week allows the grass
to grow too long. Allowing the grass to grow long is actually detrimental
to the overall health of the lawn. You don’t want a patchy
presentation.
Do a bit of spring
cleaning
Spring brings about the
time to clean up all of the damage done to the yard during the wintertime.
Winter can be rough on a yard, so it’s important to clear the land of excess sticks and limbs left behind by the cold weather.
You could do some pretty
gnarly damage to your lawnmower by not being thorough when you are cleaning up
your lawn. Make sure you cover every square foot for the safety of
yourself and your equipment.
Decide if you want to
plant
If you want to plant
flowers and other enriching elements in your yard, you will need to get started
on the process now. Planting in the middle of the summer is far too hot
for your landscaping efforts to survive.
You’ll waste time and
money if you plant at the wrong time. Now is the time to consider
planting your perennials and some common garden elements.
Work to create a
comfortable outdoor space
The best thing about
having a yard when the weather is warm is having
a place to sit outside. It’s
therapeutic to enjoy the sunshine and greenery in your yard. It’s also
good to have a place to sit when friends come over for a barbecue.
Consider lighting
options
Soft lighting in the night
is not only a great mood setter. Lighting is helpful for safety and
moving around after dark. You probably
won’t want to move inside when the sun sets, so consider the placement of yard
lighting.
No matter if you’re a morning person or not, the truth is that
morning is a beautiful part of the day to truly relax and ready everything that
awaits you at work or play. Here are four great morning tricks that will help
you feel more energized—so check them out and take your morning routine to a
whole new level!
Set your alarm earlier than your usual time and have a healthy breakfast
Waking up earlier than usual can be more
beneficial than you can imagine, so try setting your alarm at least 30 minutes
earlier than normal. It will allow you to ease into the new day and start it in
a more relaxed, laid-back manner, rather than in a hurry to finish everything
before you head out. You’ll also get a chance to have a healthy homemade
breakfast and enjoy those peaceful moments on your own, giving you more energy
to pump you up for the upcoming busy day at work.
Prepare for the next day the night before
Even though procrastination has its place, the truth is that it
can be a self-destructive habit as well—so don’t leave your preparations to the
last minute. Try preparing for the next day the night before, so you are not
rushed and stressed out getting everything ready in the morning. Come up with your
outfit the evening before. Sort out all documents and paperwork. Get mentally
ready for that upcoming meeting or presentation. This step may seem
unnecessary, but it will help take away stress so you can manage your morning
more easily.
Light a scented candle and meditate
Meditation is one of the best ways to improve your mental
health and overall well-being. In fact, it’s a huge part of mental fitness – one of Happy Living’s
the seven foundations of happy. Meditation lowers anxiety and stress levels while
increasing mental strength and focus, helping you feel energized in the
morning. Heighten the experience by lighting some of your favorite scented candles or turn on your
quality fragrance diffuser that can continuously scent your home for months.
Scents like orange blossom, lemongrass, vanilla, or sandalwood allow you to
relax even more while meditating, so don’t skip them and see what we were
talking about. The only thing left is to find a meditation playlist on YouTube
to start your day off on the right foot.
Stay away from your smartphone as soon as you wake up
Yeah, we know that checking emails,
texting back friends, and scrolling Instagram/Facebook feed is what many of us
do the first thing we wake up, but you know what? Give you mind some time to
awake naturally. Stay away from your phone and gadgets for a bit, say a half
hour at least. Spend some time with yourself, awake from the inside out. Make
yourself a cup of tea or coffee, cleanse your face and apply your favorite DIY
mask. Have a hot shower, get dressed, and put on some makeup before heading
straight to work. When that’s done—when you’ve taken care of yourself—then go
ahead and check email and Instagram. Trust us when we say that you’ll instantly
feel better, more at peace with yourself—which is what matters most, right?
Each of our four morning tricks will help you feel more
energized—even if you didn’t sleep that well or you’re nervous about that
upcoming business meeting. If you give our morning tips a try, we’re confident
you will make it happen!
