Graduation from high school or college is a massive accomplishment and one that deserves to be thoroughly celebrated with friends and family. If you have someone in your life who is about to graduate from school, or you’re preparing to graduate yourself, you’ve likely thought about throwing a graduation party to commemorate the achievement. 

Graduation parties can be a great way to let loose and recognize the hard work you or someone you care about put in to reach this milestone, but they also require a special amount of planning. To avoid any stress in planning your graduation party, follow these steps to build an experience that will be remembered for years to come.

Set a Budget

While you may want to go all out when planning a graduation party, it’s best to set a solid, reasonable budget that will ensure everyone has a good time and you still have money in your bank account when the dust settles. Get a rough estimate of how much you’ll need to spend on food, drinks, and entertainment, as well as any venue charges if you plan to rent out a space.

If you’re concerned about costs, consider co-hosting the party and sharing some of the responsibility with another friend or family member. Two heads are often better than one, and bringing another mind into the planning process could result in a more memorable party than what you may have planned.

Build Your Guest List

Once you’ve established a rough budget, start building a guest list full of the people you’d like to share this wondrous achievement with. Whether it’s exclusively family members or a combination of friends and family, you can’t go wrong with a guest list full of the people you love.

Choose a Location and Party Time

Now that you know who’s coming to you or your grad’s party, it’s time to decide where everyone will be celebrating. Many graduation parties are thrown in a backyard alongside a big barbecue, but you could also hold it at a formal restaurant or another rented space. 

Once you decide on a location, you should then select a start and end time for the party so your guests can expect how long the occasion will be. It’s also important to choose a date for the party that your guests will be available on, such as a weekend or a holiday like Memorial Day.

Pick a Theme, Decorations, and Party Favors

Establishing a theme for your graduation party can be a great way to add a layer of fun to the event and inform your decorations and any graduation party favors. Whether it’s a minimalist theme or you go for something outlandish and grandiose, it will make your party stand out and give guests something to remember it by. 

Graduation party decorations are fairly easy to come by in the months leading up to the end of the school year, as many other families are planning celebrations at the same time. And graduation party favors can be found at many outlets, including companies that specialize in custom candy and food orders.

Plan Food and Entertainment

While it may seem like something that needs to be planned first, it’s important to save any food or entertainment planning until the very end. These elements of your party are often the most expensive, and you’ll want to fully understand the tastes of your guests and the overall theme of your party so the food and entertainment will work with both.

Buffets are often a popular choice for big graduation parties, and hiring a catering company can take some of the stress out of preparing food yourself. As far as entertainment is concerned, photo booths, karaoke machines, and lawn games such as cornhole can liven up the occasion.

Celebrate!

Congratulations! Not only have you or your grad made their way through the trials of schooling, but you’ve planned a graduation party that will commemorate the accomplishment for years to come. Now all you have to do is wait for the guests to roll in, party the night away, and look forward to whatever significant achievements may come from here on out.

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Many parents are choosing to homeschool their children, whether to have more control over their child’s education, to have a more flexible lifestyle or because it suits their family better. If you want to start homeschooling your child, use these tips and tricks to help you get started.

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Stick To A Routine

Keeping to a routine will prove invaluable when you start homeschooling. Your routine should include some breaks where you can plan some fun things to do with your children. Try to keep the structure of your days in line with a traditional school timetable as much as you can, even if you aren’t using the time for academic studies. 

Let Children Learn At Their Own Pace

It’s best if your child has some control over their timetable. The luxury of homeschooling is that children who understand a concept more quickly aren’t held back, and those who need more time will have a chance to fully understand their work, with support from tools like Soapbox Educate. 

Make Your Child The Teacher

Letting children teach stops the learning process from becoming boring and helps to keep them interested in their studies. 

One of the best ways to do this is to find the national curriculum online and go to a specific topic that your children need to study. Compile the resources that they will need and ask them to go away for an hour and write notes and draw pictures related to the topic. Once they have done this, ask them to come back, and present what they learned to you. 

The benefits of this are that they will get a sense of achievement, and will retain the information without learning in a traditional manner. 

Show An Interest In Your Child’s Work

Take an interest in what your child is studying. If parents engage with topics and tasks, this will inspire children to work harder. 

Keep Active

Making sure that both of you and your kids spend some time exercising is a great way to keep you feeling motivated and productive. If you don’t have access to an outside space, there are plenty of exercises that you can find online that you can do indoors. Try out the YouTuber Joe Wicks, who has lots of online PE classes, designed for kids of all ages. 

Have An Outside Person To Mark Your Child’s Work

Ask someone who isn’t a family member to look over your child’s work. At school, your child would get structured courses with regular assignments marked by a tutor, which encourages them to do their best work and gives an unbiased and experienced guide to progress. 

Limit Screen Time

It’s a good idea to set ground rules early on for children about how much time they are allowed in front of a screen. Try to avoid letting your kids spend all day on their phones or laptops, especially if they are looking at social media, as this can fuel feelings of isolation and anxiety. 

It’s easy to get stuck in a design rut when it comes to kids’ bedrooms. After all, they’re constantly outgrowing clothes, toys, and furniture, and their taste in décor changes almost as quickly. 

Photo by Josh Hemsley on Unsplash

So if your little one’s room is in dire need of an update, here is just the solution: a mini makeover. With just a few simple tweaks, you can transform your child’s space into a stylish haven that will grow with them for years to come.

Here Are Some Great Tips On How To Give Your Child’s Bedroom A Makeover:

Create A Focal Point

Every room needs a focal point—a spot that visually draws the eye and sets the tone for the rest of the space. A https://mattresstopperjudge.com/best-smart-beds/ bed is usually the best candidate for this role in a child’s bedroom. But, to make it really stand out, opt for a statement headboard or frame it with a pair of playful curtains.

Incorporate Fun Colors And Patterns

Kids love color, so don’t be afraid to go bold when choosing paint colors and fabrics for their bedroom. Instead, look for eye-catching prints and patterns that will add personality to the space. And don’t forget about storage! Colorful baskets and bins are a great way to add both style and function to a child’s room.

Bring In Natural Elements

Nothing makes a room feel cozier and inviting than some greenery. Potted plants are an easy way to add life to a child’s bedroom, and they can also help purify the air. If you’re not much of a green thumb, try using faux plants or flowers instead.

Add Some Personal Touches

One of the best ways to make a child’s bedroom feel like their own is to incorporate personal touches. Display their artwork, collectibles, and other treasures prominently in the space. And don’t forget about the photos! A few family snapshots or pictures with friends will make your child feel right at home.

Invest In Quality Furniture

While it’s important to get furniture that your child will love, it’s also important to choose pieces that will stand the test of time. Look for well-made, solid wood furniture that can be passed down from generation to generation. And if you’re on a budget, don’t forget about thrift stores and yard sales—you can often find hidden gems at a fraction of the cost.

Keep it organized

A child’s bedroom should be a haven of peace and relaxation, so it’s important to keep it tidy and organized. Encourage your little one to put away their toys after playing, and create a designated spot for everything from clothes to books. Label everything with pictures or words to help your child know where everything goes.

Make it comfortable

From the bedding to the lighting, every element in a child’s bedroom should be geared towards comfort. Choose soft, cozy fabrics for the bed and windows, and opt for gentle lighting that won’t hurt their eyes. You might also want to include a few personal touches, like a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, to make the space truly feel like home.

This review is written specifically for parents who are searching for the most successful homeschooling programs for their children. You can use the recommendations below to prepare your high school student for the SAT or get extra lessons for students of all grades with some knowledge gaps. All programs are adapted for your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

K12

K12 can be a true substitute for regular school, offering complete curricula in many subjects, including math, world languages, English, science, or social studies. You can find free public school courses here or enroll in one of three fee-paying private schools. All teachers are certified by the state. You can also choose from additional educational tools such as summer schools, hobby clubs, an electronic library and more.

E Singapore Math

Singapore Math has been proving its worth among European and American students for years. The unique curriculum trains practical skills in math and logic that will be useful not only in exams, but also in everyday life. On the site you will find sections for teachers, parents, and students, including homeschoolers. After registering, you can choose from four educational programs depending on your goals.

ABCmouse

Here you’ll find engaging tasks and puzzles for children ages 2 to 8. The educational process is built on fun and inverse games, so you won’t have to force your kids to study. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised at the cost of your subscription, for only $10 a month you’ll have access to 10 educational levels with 850 lessons in reading, math, science, social studies, music, drawing and painting art.

Time4Learning

The website offers programs for complete online homeschooling. Depending on your child’s age, a subscription will cost $20 to $30 per month, and the fee for a second and subsequent child will be about $15. For that price, you’ll get access to hundreds or thousands of lessons, activity sets, workbooks, tests and quizzes, including offline work. In addition, parents can monitor learning and assess their children’s progress using a variety of methodological tools.

Connections Academy

This website is great for parents who want their child to not only attend an online school, but also be able to socialize through peer channels. For example, this school has online hobby clubs and regularly holds live meetings and events for its students. As for instruction, it is based on state standards and is completely free, as are textbooks and learning materials. Many activities that are part of regular schools, such as career counseling, are also included.

Khan Academy

If you’re looking for a free training program, Khan Academy, a non-profit organization, is your best bet. There are tons of video tutorials and quizzes designed for kids from kindergarten through 12th grade (and even more). You don’t have to worry about the quality of the education offered, because the work of this organization has won many awards. In addition to the standard curriculum (including CAT preparation), you’ll find additional subjects such as computer programming and animation, personal finance and entrepreneurship, art history, college admissions, and English as a second language.

edX

This educational resource is designed to prepare high school students for CAT and college. Many of the world’s top institutions and universities, such as Harvard, NYU MIT, Oxford and Australian National University, offer over 2,500 college-level programs. Some are suitable for preparation for university entrance exams, while others are suitable for independent study and for obtaining college transfer credit. Others can be studied under the guidance of instructors (many of whom have doctorates). The website offers courses across the arts and humanities, STEM fields, music, computer science, education, and so on. Most of the courses cost zero, but you have to pay about $50 for a certificate of completion. Also check out edX projects like MicroBachelors or Global Freshman Academy, which allow you to start at the college level.

CK-12 Foundation

The emphasis of the curriculum here is on math and science, although you can find material on other subjects such as writing, spelling, and social studies. However, if you’re looking for additional knowledge in the exact sciences, from arithmetic and earth science to calculus and engineering, this website would be a good place to start. The curriculum includes playful and interactive activities, so many difficult topics are explained in a fun and not boring way.

Conclusion

All parents want to give their children the best possible quality and useful education. We have given you some recommendations about online schools, among which you will find the best option based on your goals.

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The process of moving house is already a stressful one, so you don’t need to complicate it with disorganized packing. Packing up your old house can be challenging, especially if you have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. Fortunately, it does not have to be this way. From making a plan to effective packing, here are some top tips to help you pack better, so your house move can go as smoothly as possible. 

#1 Declutter your home

Before you even think about packing up your home, you should invest time in decluttering your space. This will make the process of packing much easier and ensure you do not take unused or unnecessary items to your new home. This will enable you to have a fresh start in your new property, and reduce any stress and clearing out you have to do later down the line. 

On occasion, there may be items that you don’t use, but don’t want to throw away. Many households will instead invest in a storage unit. There are plenty to choose from, with great deals such as the first month free storage. This is a great way to clear out your home, and better prepare yourself to move house. 

#2 Be prepared

You should try to pack as far in advance as possible. Make a list of all the items and belongings in your home, and categorize them into items you need to use, and those that you don’t. You can make a schedule of dates that you should start packing certain items that can stick to.

You can start by packing seasonal items such as clothes, and items that you are not going to need before you move, such as old books and ornaments from around the house. Make a list of the essential items that you should not pack away, so that you can ensure you have them with you on the day, such as paperwork, medication, toothbrushes, etc. 

If you plan to use any moving companies, then you should get these booked in nice and early, to ensure there are no delays or higher costs when it comes to moving. 

#3 Use the right equipment 

When you pack up your items, the type and quality of the equipment that you use will make a huge difference to the efficiency of the process. Once you have made a list of all your belongings and how they need to be organized, you should consider what equipment you will need to get them to your new house. For smaller items, you will most probably just need to invest in a range of different boxes. Make sure you use the right boxes for the right size and weight items, for example, pack the heavier items in smaller boxes, and lighter items in bigger boxes. This will make it much easier to move on the day. 

For furniture and heavier items, you should consider if you need additional help or equipment, such as a forklift, a moving truck with a ramp or more. 

Moving house does not need the added stress of an unorganized packing process. Implement these top tips to make your moving day smoother and more efficient.

Your bathroom is one of the most important spaces in your home, but it’s also one of the most neglected. This is likely because homeowners tend to spend more money upgrading social spaces or the areas that guests are likely to spend a lot of time in. As a result, they don’t often budget for bathroom renovations too.

Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash

However, there are plenty of simple (and cost-effective) ways to upgrade your bathroom. Here are some great ideas to get you started! 

• Keep it clean. The easiest way to spruce up your bathroom is to simply keep it clean and free from clutter. Thankfully, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to clean your bathroom, making it look good as new. For example, you can make your own bathroom cleaning products that help you break down the build-up of mold and mildew. 

• Change the showerhead. If you’re less of a bath person and prefer a shower to wake yourself up in the morning, then a shower upgrade is necessary. However, this doesn’t mean you need to replace the entire shower, as the issues you’re facing may be due to the showerhead itself. For example, if you are experiencing problems with water pressure, then the right showerhead can help to improve the flow of water considerably. You can find the answer to more questions like How Can a Shower Head Affect Water Pressure? here.

• Prioritize repairs. When giving your bathroom a makeover, it’s easy to focus on improving how the space looks. For example, you might want to replace the tiles in favour of a new design or shade. However, you should always prioritize repairs, especially if they could lead to issues further down the line. Remember, there are also some repairs that can save you money in the long run, especially if you deal with them sooner rather than later. While there are some tasks you can handle yourself, you should also make sure you hire the experts when it comes to more complicated tasks, such as plumbing, that require specialist support. 

• Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. You do not need to overhaul the entire room in order to drastically change how the bathroom looks. In fact, the key to any home makeover actually lies in making small yet impactful changes through accessories and furnishings. For example, you could purchase a pillow for your bathtub so that you are able to relax and unwind in style. If you’re working on designing a home that works for the whole family, you should ensure everyone gets a say during this time. 

Go for a splash of color. Adding a splash of color to your bathroom, be that through accessories such as towels and candles or through your tiles, is another simple yet effective way to transform the space. Furthemore, studies suggest that using bright colors when designing your home can also lift your mood. This means that they’re the perfect fit for your bathroom, especially if you want to start off your day with a positive mindset.

You do your best to live a healthy lifestyle. You eat healthily and work out regularly, but for some strange reason, you always feel sick and can’t seem to put your finger on the cause. Believe it or not, your home can make you sick if you’re exposed to indoor hazards and toxins. Toxins are responsible for many health conditions and affect your body’s ability to expel them. That’s why it’s important to ensure that your home is free from such elements. That said, here are some common toxic sources and what you can do about them. 

• Cockroaches and dust mites

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Cockroaches do not only offer an embarrassing and disgusting sight in any home; they are also a common cause of toxins. While they may have low toxicity to non-target organisms, these unhygienic scavengers produce debris such as body parts, saliva, droppings, and old shells that can trigger allergic reactions. Beyond that, they can also spread bacteria in your home. House dust mites have also been linked to different types of asthmatic symptoms. 

The best way to get rid of these toxic agents is to clean your home regularly, declutter, and invite expert pest control services if your situation is out of hand. 

• Asbestos and toxic molds

Exposure to the asbestos in the home can occur through its presence in the flooring, drywall, pipes, and siding. Also, attic insulation in older homes can contain asbestos that could leak through cracks in the ceiling. Asbestos can be even more dangerous to your health if you don’t know how to safely remove and dispose of it. The safest way to get rid of them is to work with a licensed asbestos removalist. 

Certain molds can produce toxins. Otherwise called black mold, toxic mold grows in places with excess humidity or dampness. It can also begin to grow after a devastating disaster such as a flood. In such cases, you can hire a disaster restoration company experienced in mold remediation to safely rid your home of mold.

• Aluminum 

Aluminum is a common metal found in homes. From cooking pans to beverage containers, many basic household items are made of or contain aluminum. But some research also shows that aluminum is a neurotoxin, proven to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s diseases and other issues with memory and cognition. While aluminum is usually not harmful, exposure to high levels can affect your health. 

Experts recommend avoiding using aluminum baking dishes, foils, and cookware when cooking acidic materials or cooking with high heat. That’s because aluminum can vaporize into the air and your food. 

• Tobacco smoke

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Using tobacco in your home for long periods can be very dangerous to your health. Smoking tobacco in your home too often can affect your indoor air quality and increase your risks of various respiratory infections, lung cancer, and other lung problems. The only way to prevent this form of toxin from your home is to keep tobacco smoke away, so keep this in mind. 

The bond between a mother and her daughter is one of the most magical things in the world. The love a mother and daughter have for each other is precious. Some things are difficult to express, yet they can be felt.

It can be difficult to navigate the ever-changing mother-daughter connection. You might go shopping with your daughter and have a good time, or you might simply sit with her at home and listen to her tell you about her great goals and plans. But there will be days when your daughter will not listen to you or might disobey you. It might seem like your relationship is crumbling at the time, but you know deep down that your daughter loves you. Yes, she may act strangely but she will grow out of it! 

Which Type of Mother-Daughter Duo Are You? 

A girl’s relationship with her mother can have an impact for a lifetime on her self-esteem, self-worth, sense of identity, and capacity to establish friends. You might know that children that are encouraged and complimented by their parents (appropriate praise, of course!) grow up to be self-assured adults. Who doesn’t want that? If a child’s parents do not value them, they may seek validation from others.

When a girl reaches the age of adolescence, she often looks up to her mother. Her mother serves as a role model for her, and she aspires to be like her. However, a mother-daughter relationship can have many ups and downs. There are a variety of factors that might jeopardize their harmonious relationship. Whatever the reason might be, a mother-daughter duo can fix anything! This is exactly what we love about this duo. 

But do you know there are types of mother-daughter duos? If you’re curious to find out which category you fall in, find out here:

The various mother-daughter duos:

• The BFF duo: This duo is like the best duo. If your mother is your best friend, there’s no way a girl will look for another best friend. This has its perks too! It assures you that your mother or daughter will always be there for you when you need support, counsel, or someone who would listen. *Happy tears*
• The Control Freak: It might be difficult to differentiate between dominating and intertwined mother-daughter relationships. Both, however, are not the same. While a supportive mother may encourage her daughter to improve her grades, a controlling mother will stifle her interests and wants. Some people may even try to justify their actions by claiming to be protective. It confines the youngster, limits their potential, and robs them of their independence. Hmm *Bummer*
• The Discard Dismisser: In this type of problematic mother-daughter connection, we have observed one-sided rejection. The dismissive action may be motivated by apathy or the mother or daughter’s inability to please. It makes people crave acknowledgment and appreciation for the time and effort they invest into the connection – are we sad or are we sad?

Even if mother-daughter relationships are held to the greatest standards, they may not always live up to them. Fortunately, there is always hope, healing, and progress to be made.

Nature therapy, often known as Eco-therapy, is founded on the idea of using nature to help in our healing, particularly psychologically. 

With nature therapy, we get to spend some time outside of our bubbles. You can go for a walk in the park, ride a bike through a meadow or just look at a rainbow after the rain. Just like your childhood times. 

Did you know there are about 5 types of nature therapy? If not, let’s talk about them! 

5 Types of Nature Therapy

There are various sorts of therapies since nature therapy programs can include a variety of activities. Some examples are:

• Adventure Therapy: This is for all the adrenaline seekers out there! It’s an activity where you explore nature individually or in a group, such as mountain climbing, rafting, and hiking to name a few. Something that refreshes your soul, allowing you to look at nature differently. Who wouldn’t love that?
• Animal Assisted Therapy: This helps you so much in healing when you develop a therapeutic relationship with animals such as dogs. Well, you know what they say about dogs. They are human’s best friends, and you sure love a fluff ball running around in your garden just waiting to give you all the hugs in the world! 
• Arts and Crafts: This form mixes natural elements with innovative crafts. You may utilize your artistic abilities to paint in your garden or a park. This category also encompasses the use of natural materials such as clay, grass, or wood as a source of inspiration for your art. 
• Dark Nature: This type of activity takes place in the dark when you are just randomly lying down in the grass, stargazing. Let’s be honest, this sounds fun, and we are in all for this! 
• Farming Therapy: While in this type you might be petting a few animals on a farm, planting, or just watering the plants. A big treat for animal lovers! 

Benefits of Hanging Out with Nature

Being outside isn’t simply a myth; it’s actually beneficial to your health. Here are some reasons why spending time outside is beneficial.

• You Feel Happy: We’ve heard a lot of people vouch for this – being in nature does wonders to your moods. Instantly lights up your mood when you’re just outside randomly looking at the clouds. 
• You Concentrate Better: A break in nature improves your concentrations level! Guess why? As it enjoys a much-needed respite from everyday life. So leave your worries behind and go take a hike! 
• Nature Reduces Stress: Being in nature or even just in the neighborhood taking a walk without worrying about anything can reduce stress in your body!

Keep You Youthful: Are you also worried that you won’t age gracefully? Taking that walk outside might make you think otherwise. 

Giving and taking is an important part of developing and sustaining strong friendships. At times, you may be the one providing comfort, and at other times, you may be at the receiving end. 

Friendships can be strengthened by expressing your concern and appreciation for them. It’s just as important for you to be a good friend as it is for you to have great friends. We all have different types of friendships with different people where we face a lot of ups and downs as a friend. But have you ever thought about nurturing your friendships? If not, we got your back!

Quality not Quantity 

The first and foremost way to nurture your friendship should always be to make fewer but real friends. It’s difficult enough to maintain one or two friendships, but maintaining a dozen “best pals” can be tiring. Think about which of your connections brings you the greatest joy and devote additional attention to maintaining those bonds. Allow casual acquaintances to remain as casual acquaintances.

Let’s be honest, if you have three real friends who love you and understand you the best, why would you need ten different people for that? 

Be Kind

We cannot stress this enough when we tell you that kindness goes a long way in any relationship. Don’t you think the same? Successful relationships are built on the foundation of kindness. Consider friendship as a savings account for your emotions. This account gets credited with every act of kindness, and statements of gratitude, while criticism and negativity deplete it.

Be a Good Listener

As much as your friends are there for you to listen to your rants, they are expecting the same from you! Randomly ask about what’s going on in their life to keep a check on them. Be sympathetic when your friends share specifics of terrible times or experiences, but don’t provide counsel unless they specifically request for it. Some of your friends are only looking for your shoulder to keep their head on! After all, we all need someone to tell us it’ll all be okay, don’t we? 

Show That You Can be Trusted 

Forming good friendships requires being responsible and dependable. Ensure you keep the promises you have made to your friends because that’s what real friends do! When you and your buddies discuss confidential information, keep it private instead of going on and telling it to other people. 

Make Some Time for Your Friends

Yes, your schedule is already jam-packed, but you still need your girl-gang (or bros). What’s better than a gossip session with your friends? We all need a reality check from time to time! There will never be enough hours in the day to do everything you need to do, but you must schedule time for friends where you can rant about all your day-to-day situations and get the most realistic solutions.

Don’t Take Things Personally

When a friend cancels, it’s usually due to a lack of availability or personal concerns. Instead of assuming the worst-case scenario, such as “I’m unlikeable,” recognize your worth. If someone consistently disappoints you, you may not want to invest in a long-term friendship with them (they aren’t worth the heartbreak!).

Remember That Most People Are Nice

If you had a terrible childhood, you might not have seen the best characteristics of human nature up close and personal, and you may be fearful of rejection. 

Although the world is filled with suffering and rage, most individuals are empathetic and enjoy assisting others. It’s exceedingly uncommon that someone appears to have it all together; instead, it’s a successful disguise. On the other side, human nature’s imperfections bind us together and maybe a major source of support and encouragement.