By Erin Mezle

As the coronavirus pandemic rapidly turned the “new normal” household into hubs for all daily activities, Summer 2020 now means moving parent’s offices, kid’s camps, vacation destinations, and virtually everything under one roof. Although this dynamic could forge family bonds, it can also ignite the already heated stresses and struggles facing many Americans during this difficult time – making optimal home climate control a critical key to keeping their cool as temperatures heat up this season.

Recent studies show how our increased togetherness can significantly disrupt domestic bliss. In fact, research suggests that people forced to live in quarantine conditions face a greater risk of anxiety, depression, anger, irritability, insomnia and post-traumatic stress symptoms. And, despite feeling close to their children during the pandemic, 61% of parents say they have shouted, yelled, or screamed at them at least once over the past 2 weeks, according to a University of Michigan study. Further, married and engaged couples in quarantine are fighting more with only 18% of surveyed couples reporting satisfaction in communication with their partner, according to survey conducted by publication The Knot and app Lasting.

When temperatures – and tempers – rise, a dreaded “Family Thermostat War” can ensue. And, of course, should a unit break and you find yourselves looking for good ac repair in indianapolis, or wherever you are, you may find yourselves more hot and bothered than usual, and with no idea as to how to stop this until the repair can be done.Following are some useful tips to help you save money on utility bills and keep your family cool.

Of course, homeowners could always consider getting a new air conditioner installed in their home if they wanted. They’d be able to find plenty of ac installation companies that can come and do the job safely for them. Or better yet, they could get an entire HVAC system. That could help them during the winter time as well. That would allow them to make their home cold or warm, depending on the weather. To get one of those installed, homeowners should consider contacting Express Plumbing Heating & Cooling (Read more about them here). That should allow the family to stay cool throughout the summer.

• Ease Into Electric: According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25 percent on your energy bill. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space. To make sure that this practice is safe for use, the installation of a refrigerant leak detector from companies like https://nevadanano.com/optimal-refrigerant-leak-detector/ may be considered by the company installing the initial compressor.
• Get “Smart” About Climate Control: When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system.
• Voice Your Preference: Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature more closely, allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.
• Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless system. That will allow you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don’t spend a lot of time. This will multiply savings as you’re not only needing less cooling but you also gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.
• Try Low-tech Fixes: Simple changes can have a big impact. Try to use heat-producing appliances – stoves, irons and dryers – at night or early morning. Switch to LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs – which consume 90% more power. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check existing caulking and weather-stripping for gaps or cracks.

Achieving a sense of peaceful co-existence in your increasingly crowded, multi-functional home does not need to make your family members hot under the collar. If a new system is right for you, many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government. To learn more or find a contractor near you, call 888-888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com.

There is no denying that the range of mobility equipment that is available to help elderly people and those with mobility issues today is getting better and more diverse all of the time. There are now so many different options for people to choose from, from power chairs to mobility scooters. However, it has not always been this way. With that being said, in this blog post, we are going to take a look at some of the most significant advancements and inventions in the market of mobility products over the past ten years. So, let’s take a look…

There is only one place to begin, and this is with the wheelchair. Of course, we are not indicating that the wheelchair is a recent invention. In fact, we do not know when the first wheelchair was invented. The first one that we know of was made for Phillip II of Spain in 1595 by an unknown inventor. However, there have been a lot of significant advancements over the years. This is especially the case since we have entered the digital age. Wheelchairs can do more than ever before. Of course, electric wheelchairs represent the most significant change in the market in recent years. The first motorised wheelchair actually came on the scene in 1916. Nevertheless, over the past ten years, we have seen the functionality of electric wheelchairs increase by a monumental degree. For example, a lot of wheelchairs available today enable you to elevate the height of your seat so that you can reach high and hard to reach areas in the home. Businesses have been working hard to ensure that their electric wheelchairs can be the perfect mobility aid, leaving no stone unturned.

In fact, we have recently seen stair-climbing wheelchairs introduced onto the market. Standard wheelchairs, whether they are electric or manual, can often have trouble when it comes to terrains that are rough. This is something you do not need to fret about with a stair-climbing wheelchair. Not only can it navigate any sort of terrain, but these sorts of wheelchairs use self-balancing technology to go up and down the staircase as well.

One of the most impressive inventions in recent years when it comes to mobility aids has to be the Kenguru Electric Car. For many years, wheelchair users have been able to drive vehicles. However, they have usually had to get out of their wheelchair and be transferred to the driver’s seat. This still requires the help and assistance of a carer or a loved one, and so it can still feel like you are restricted. This was until the Kenguru Electric Car came onto the scene, of course. This car enables users to simply move into the vehicle in their wheelchair, meaning you do not need to get out of the vehicle or the wheelchair. Mobility Aids are supposed to be making lives easier for those with mobility issues, and newer innovations aim to do exactly that. The different types of aids used by a person should be taken into consideration when making new designs for such vehicles. This car is only considered a community car. This means it reaches 25 miles per hour, and therefore, it is suitable for any nearby errands that you need to run.

Another significant invention that has happened in the past ten years is the invention of the DynaVox EyeMax. This utilises eye-tracking technology for reading books, watching television, computing and speaking for individuals that have limited mobility. The camera will track the eye movement of the user. This means all you need to do is gaze or blink at the device and this will enable you to use this product. Pretty great, right? There is a huge assortment of apps and tools that are available for individuals that require assistance with communication.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how mobility aids and equipment have changed and developed over the years. As is the case with any product, it is always going to be improved and made better. However, when it comes to mobility equipment jin particular, there have been massive leaps that have been taken. It is all about making sure the user does not lose their independence and that they can get from A to B in comfort and without any hassle. With that being said, if you are someone who has mobility issues, it is certainly worth browsing the different products that are available so that you can find the perfect solution for you.

Shopping whether it’s for groceries, gifts, home decor items, or otherwise can be stressful when you have a little one’s safety to look after. Every parent has a motto (or a few) they follow. One of those is probably “safety first.” Your baby’s safety is your top priority, whether at home or on the go.

One way to keep your baby safe when shopping is to simply do it online, it’s convenient and even cheap if you use the likes of a Raise special offer. No place is safer than the home and you can drop everything to attend to your baby at any time should anything happen.

However there are some things you can’t get with the click of a button, or perhaps you can’t wait a few days for that item to arrive. For that, you need to brave the outside world. But have no fear, follow our simple tips so you can have safe and stress-free shopping trips with your baby.

1. Take reasonable health precautions.

During a time when many of us are more aware and concerned about germs, one way to keep your baby safe while shopping is to take necessary health precautions so they don’t get sick.

The first thing you should do when you arrive at the store is to wipe down the entire shopping cart with disinfecting wipes. Many stores right now are wiping down carts for you, but feel free to bring your own wipes and give it another good wipe down. Also, use a cart cover. Shopping carts aren’t just dirty, their seats are uncomfortable and unsafe. A cart cover acts as a 360-degree germ barrier while also keeping your baby safe and comfortable. If you are only getting a couple of small items, consider wearing your baby and using a basket instead of a cart.

Another safety tip, that’s especially true during the coronavirus pandemic, is to shop during off-peak hours. Experts recommend shopping when stores are less crowded to limit your potential exposure to sick people and germs. Current data shows that early morning is the least busy time to go grocery shopping.

2. Know where to put your baby.

You shouldn’t place an infant carrier on top of the shopping cart. It won’t be secure, and it can make the cart top-heavy, causing it to tip over. One U.S. study, conducted over 21 years, found that 66 children a day were sent to emergency departments for shopping-cart related injuries, with falls and cart tip-overs being two of the top injuries.

So where do you put your baby? Some parents use a baby carrier or stroller. Some parents place an infant car seat in the basket of the cart, but the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend doing that. Plus, it takes up a lot of room so there’s not much space for groceries. Several stores have Safe-Docks, a universal infant car seat docking station, on their shopping carts that allow caregivers to safely strap their baby in their car seat to the cart. Another useful invention is the shopping cart hammock, which as its name suggests is a little hammock that securely attaches to the cart and suspends your baby across the cart so they’re safe, comfortable, and out of the way for groceries. It’s made to hold a baby or an infant car seat, with safety straps to securely hold both.

When your baby is able to sit up without support, they can ride in the seat of a shopping cart. Always make sure the cart has a working safety belt, and snugly strap your child in before you start shopping.

3. Follow shopping cart safety rules.

Along with not placing an infant car seat on top of a shopping cart or putting your baby in the basket, here are some other shopping cart safety rules to follow:

• Use a cart’s safety belt.
• Don’t leave your baby unattended in a cart while shopping. Babies are magicians – they can get out of and into anything in a matter of seconds.
• Don’t let your baby stand up in a cart.
• Don’t let older kids climb on or ride on the outside of a cart.

And while not necessarily a rule, another good thing to remember is to give your child plenty of attention. All the sights and sounds of a store can cause sensory overload. Be sure to regularly stop and talk to your baby, make eye contact, give them a hug, etc., to give them comfort and emotional security while shopping.

What other tips do you have to safely shop with a baby?

When faced with a family emergency, life as you know it can change in an instant. It can be hard to cope with something that might have an impact on the whole family, but there are ways to help you cope with this situation. Here are some tips for dealing with a family emergency.

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Find Out What’s Happened

Whether it’s a family member passing or getting into trouble with the law or in an accident and ending up in the hospital, it’s important to get all the details first. By finding out all the relevant information, it’ll likely help you to understand what has happened and what you need to do to help with the situation. It might be having to plan a funeral or help that family member with PI lawyers if they’ve gotten themselves into an accident where they could potentially sue or claim compensation. The only way you can cope with a situation like this is to find out everything needed before you move forward.

Inform Your Workplace

There are a lot of family emergencies that can warrant you taking time off work and for some, it can be an extended period of time in which you need to take off work or a temporary break. A lot of companies will offer a grace period for circumstances like this, and there will be options available if you need to take more time off on sick pay, for example. However, it’s really important to inform your workplace of what’s gone on so that they know what’s happening and they can make their own accommodations to cover you whilst you’re away. This can certainly be something that can definitely help to give you the time you need without worrying about your workplace.

Check In On Other Family Members

When a family emergency happens, all family members can end up being impacted by what’s going on. It’s good to get the advice and support from those who are going through the same but also for you to check in on other family members too. It’s important to have that communication happening so that no one feels like they have to be alone with their thoughts all the time. It’s something that might be a struggle for everyone, even yourself but being there for others is certainly going to help you and your family through this tough time.

Gather Additional Support

Additional support can certainly be a good way of giving your family the crutch it needs to make it through whatever situation is presented. Whether it’s getting help from friends or seeking professional help to some extent. Never be afraid to reach out to those around you, especially as they’re likely to be able to help you in some way.

Coping with a family emergency isn’t easy, and there’s certainly going to be challenging times. Use these tips to help find ways of coping and to further aid the situation you’re going through. Everyone will have a family emergency at some point, and it’s important to come together at that moment to support one another.

One of the things many people will take from the coronavirus outbreak is the need to take better care of their health. From exercising more and eating better to building up a strong immunity, healthy living and self-care is more important than ever. And that goes for your oral health too. During emergencies, it is imperative to get your urgent dental needs addressed by the dentist in Grand blanc.

It’s easy to neglect your oral health when you’re busy worrying about everything else, but taking care of your teeth and gums is just as important. With the right care and attention, you can enjoy your brightest smile yet!

Here are some tips for taking care of your teeth that will help you develop some new habits.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Start afresh and get excited about your teeth

A fresh start with your oral hygiene is the perfect way to get excited about the transformation that’s to come. Think about the problems you have or goals you want to achieve. Do you suffer from sensitive teeth? Perhaps you’d like straighter or whiter teeth? Whatever your aim, there are ways for you to achieve it.

Start by investing in a new toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash/floss. There are formulas out there to help address common concerns and help you care for sensitive teeth or tackle tough staining. 

With some new products to use and something to aim for, you can help yourself get motivated to enjoy a better oral care routine.

Get into a good routine

To help you achieve your smile goals, you’ll need to master the basics first. There are some basic tips for taking care of your teeth and gums which include:

• Brushing twice a day
• Reducing the amount of sugary and acidic food in your diet
• Flossing regularly
• Avoid smoking

These are habits the whole family can learn to easily stay on top of oral health. A solid dental hygiene routine will keep plaque at bay and limit the need for dental treatments.

Take advantage of the different tools that are out there

There are a lot of great tools out there now to help you take care of your teeth. Electric toothbrushes, air flossers and even whitening tools can help take some of the effort out of maintaining your teeth, with excellent results. 

There are even eco-friendly toothbrushes available for those who want to be more sustainable at home. Do some research as to what’s available and invest in some incredible new tools for your teeth.

Enjoy simple home solutions

If you want to transform your smile, there are a lot of options available to you to help you do it. From teeth whitening to invisible braces, it’s easier than ever to get the smile you’ve always wanted.

Before, you’d have to go through a dentist for these types of treatments, a process which can be long, complicated and expensive. Now there are home kits available that will help you transform your smile from the comfort of your own home. At-home veneers can save you a lot of money on the average cost of dentures, with at-home aligners also making it easier for you to enjoy your dream smile. With everything done at home through the mail, you haven’t got to worry about leaving your home.

Make regular appointments with your dentist

Many common dental problems can be avoided by taking the right steps towards better oral hygiene. There are some things, however, that only a dentist can do. Going to the dentist regularly will help make sure your teeth are all healthy and in order, raising any issues at an early stage. While many people are afraid of the dentist, it’s important that you set a good example for your children by showing them that a visit to the dentist is a positive thing.

Even between check-ups, you should keep an eye out for any pain or sensitivity that’s out of the ordinary. Book an appointment if you need to so that you can get an issue resolved sooner rather than later. Many dentists have payment plans to make it easier to budget for any treatment you might need. If you have any concerns or anxiety about going to the dentist, let them know – they’ll do what they can to put you at ease! 

Taking care of your teeth is important. It can help you boost your confidence while also preventing other health issues. For just a small effort each day, you can enjoy healthy teeth and gums and enjoy your best, brightest smile that will be sure to dazzle everyone you meet!

Unlike any other precious gems, opal jewelry represents a remarkable nature’s masterpiece. Opal gems are purposely one-of-a-kind stones because of their amorphous character, thus their specific outlook is so unique to the world. Caring for this specific mineraloid is extremely vital since with good care and proper maintenance opal gemstones can last a lifetime and can easily be handed over from generation to generation, and make wonderful stones for custom engagement rings and the like as well due to their beauty and unique nature. Cherish and take care of your opal gemstone with these simple steps and you will have meticulously valued jewelry for eternity.

• Caring and cleaning opal jewelry

Regardless of what type of ornaments you may have, caring for and cleaning jewelry at home might require patience and dedication. This is especially true for opal gems. Never wear opal rings, bracelets, or necklaces when you are playing sport or doing some excessive outdoor work as you can damage the stone, or even knock it out. Solid opal rings found at MoonMagic have been a dazzling engagement option for many newlyweds, so it’s advisable to take off the engagement ring when you are doing some physical work not to get it caught on something. Cleaning opal jewelry is simple. Only use warm water and mild detergent and a toothbrush to clean the jewelry all around. Don’t use any harsh abrasives or chemicals. Don’t use water and don’t soak doublet and triplet opal gems, just wipe them softly with a damp cloth.

• Caring for solid opals

The name “solid” opal derives from being a stand-alone stone, which means that you have an individual precious stone consisting solely of opal material. Solid opal is a soft, naturally cut, and polished stone that should be taken care of with caution. The most important thing is to take off your solid opal jewelry whenever you are doing some manual labor like gardening or moving furniture as it can easily get scratched or broken. However, the most essential thing is that solid opal jewelry handles water perfectly, so there is no need to take your solid opal ring or pendant off when you are having a shower or a swim in the sea. Only make sure that you avoid extreme weather conditions as this mineral is prone to cracking on scorchingly high or freezingly low temperatures.

• Caring for doublet and triplet opal gemstones

Unlike with solid opal jewelry, you should take off doublet and triplet opal gemstone jewelry whenever you are about to have contact with water. Doublet and triplet opal stones consist of different layers glued together, and if you soak them with water they might fall off. What is more, if water even slightly infiltrates a doublet or triplet opal stone, it will turn “foggy or greyish” and may even change its look. Of course, this won’t happen the very second you get caught up in rain or accidentally have a shower with your doublet opal ring. What might also affect the cement that holds the protective crystal cap of doublet or triplet opal gems is extremely hot or cold weather. Don’t wash or clean them with hot water and detergent, and avoid wearing them in sub-zero temperatures.

• Storing your gems

If you want to prolong the lifespan of your opal jewelry, the best piece of advice is to store them nicely when you are not wearing them. Whenever you don’t desire to wear an opal ring or bracelet, just place it in a padded cloth bag or cushioned box for protection and store it away. To prevent water coming out of this unique mineral and drying out due to humidity reasons, put your opal jewelry in a cotton wool bag with a few drops of water, and your opal will last forever.

Inspect your jewelry meticulously and always take proper care of them according to the above-mentioned tips and you will keep them safe, shimmery, and gorgeous for years to come.

Coping with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Knowing you can’t bring someone back is heartbreaking, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep their memory alive.

One way of dealing with grief is finding solace in celebrating that person’s life, honoring their memories and keeping them close to you. We’re fortunate to live in an age where there are always new and creative ways to remember those that we love. Whether you choose one thing or you choose them all, you’ll find some great ideas and inspiration for ways to celebrate someone’s life and help you keep their memory close to you too.

If you’re looking for some ideas to celebrate the life of someone special, here are special ways to remember loved ones lost.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Celebrate their life in pictures

Photographs are an excellent way to remember someone. Now that the majority of people have smartphones, it’s been even easier to capture special moments and take plenty of shots of the people we love. There are a lot of options for what you can do with them to help you remember your loved ones.

Remember to back-up your phone’s photo collection with cloud storage – that way you won’t lose them and you’ll be able to free up space to take even more amazing photographs.  

Create a photobook

A photobook is a wonderful way to bring together all of your best photos, especially those that you’ve put together on your phone. Simply select your favorites, create the layouts and then the photobook will arrive at your door! Check out some of the best photobook companies and choose one that will help you celebrate some special memories.

Photobooks also make a wonderful gift, so you could have some extras made to share with other people who were close to your loved one.

Frame your favorite 

It’s nice to fill your home with photographs and beautiful prints. Why not select your favorite photo of your loved one or your family together and have it framed professionally? As a lovely piece of artwork for your home, you’ll always be able to look at them and remember them fondly.

Professional framing can be expensive, but it’s a price worth paying to have something memorable to look at on your walls.

Have a drawing made

A beautiful painting or drawing of your loved one is something you’ll be able to hold onto and will look beautiful in your home. You can easily commission a local artist or someone online to draw from a photograph, Find someone with a style you love who can help you create something extra special for your home. 

Make copies of family photos

Remember that it’s not just you who will be grieving for someone. Making some copies of different family photos and sharing them with others can be a wonderful thing to do, helping them with their grief too. It’s easier than ever to create exact copies of original photos, helping to preserve them and ensuring that more than one person can own and enjoy them.

Scatter their ashes somewhere memorable

If your loved one was cremated, you have the opportunity to scatter the ashes somewhere memorable, somewhere they would’ve loved. Many people keep the ashes, or at least part of them, but with the rest, it could be a nice moment together to remember your loved one and help with the grieving process too.

If you can, try to find out someone’s wishes before they die. They might have an idea of where they’d like their ashes to be scattered, allowing you to honor that as another way to celebrate them after their passing. 

Commemorate them with jewelry

There are all kinds of things that can be done with your loved one’s ashes today. Ashes can be turned into jewellery to make a precious item you can carry with you and pass on so that you can remember your loved ones all of the time. Take a look at some cremation jewelry from Memorials.com to see what’s available. As a unique way to remember your loved one, you’ll be able to hold them even dearer to you.

Visit their favorite places

One way to always remember someone who has left us is to visit their favorite places. Whether it was a cafe around the corner, or a country they loved, you can honor their memory, and even create some new ones, by visiting their favorite places. 

Plan some special trips and make sure your travel is done right to help you have the best time and be able to enjoy the things your loved one enjoyed too.

Cook their favorite dishes

You don’t have to make grand gestures to be able to remember someone. Sometimes it’s the simple things like cooking their favorite meal that provide a nice, simple way of honoring their memory. Whatever their favorite dish was, you know it will always be special the next time you make it.

Talk to people about them

Some people find it difficult to share memories about those that they’ve lost, but sharing those special memories helps keep the person alive. From telling children about their grandparents to talking to your partner about someone close to you, it will be wonderful for you to remember those stories and pass them onto someone else.

Make a video

Videos are another great way to remember special moments. We capture videos on our phones all of the time, and there could be plenty of footage of your loved one to help create something special. An application like Adobe Spark makes light work of creating videos, helping you to add in captions, photos, music and more alongside video clips to create something special and meaningful.

Create a playlist that reminds you of them

Music is very powerful, and it can help you think back to some special moments that you can remember time and time again. By creating a playlist that reminds you of someone special, you’ll be able to put it on and think of them, even if it is painful at times. Some of the types of songs you could include are:

• Their favorite song/s
• A song that reminds you of them.
• A song they used to sing often
• Songs that were popular when they were born
• Songs with their name in
• Happy songs

It might be difficult at first, but soon you’ll be filling that playlist with some incredible tunes. 

Write down some treasured memories

A fear of forgetting is something many people experience when it comes to losing someone. To help you remember, why not write it down? Writing some memories, thoughts and feelings into a book or an online space could have many benefits, while also helping you record those special moments. Writing it all down could be very therapeutic for you, and a good way to process your grief if you struggle to speak to others, or you simply want to work through your issues.

It’s never easy to deal with someone’s passing, especially if they were close to you. While it helps to talk to others about what you’re feeling, it’s important to be able to work through your grief – and that’s where the above ideas can come in handy. Whether you choose one idea or several, it will be comforting to know you have some special ways of celebrating your loved one and making sure that they’re always in your thoughts.

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All children have different characters, and while your friend’s child might be non-stop talking, yours is simply quieter. It’s still important to make sure you build healthy interactions and improve communication in your family. Here are six tips on how to encourage your kids to open up and create more natural communication.

Don’t bombard them with questions

When your kids get home from school, greet them calmly and lovingly. Don’t bombard them with questions about their day, or concerns about their homework and being late. Instead, greet your children with joy and tell them how happy you are to see them. Welcome them back home and later on, when they’re more relaxed they’ll be more likely to confide in you about their day at school. 

Give them time to admit they’re wrong

When they’ve done something bad avoid scolding when your child begins to open up to you about it. Your children might try to avoid being reprimanded by lying. If you keep your cool and give them the space to confess, you will be able to develop more honest communication between you.

Be patient with discipline

Kids need to understand the consequences of their actions and not just be afraid of screaming and shouting. Building healthy communication can help you to get through to them. Discipline is one of the most difficult parts of being a parent, but with patience, you can build mutual trust and respect.

Be a good listener

It’s challenging to always manage to give your children your full attention. As a parent, you will inevitably be pulled in different directions, and pressures from work, home life, and other family responsibilities can be overwhelming. One thing you can do is try to prioritize when you’re at home together. Try not to get distracted by the TV or your cell phone and become a better listener.

Seek professional help

Perhaps a family session or child therapist would be a good idea if you’re really struggling with communication. A professional could help your child open up about any issues, and build strategies to work through these.

If you’re worried at all your child is going through a serious issue such as bullying or anxiety contact a counselor or virtual therapist. It’s important to recognize the signs and seek expert advice if you have any doubts or concerns. 

Spend quality time together

Daily and uninterrupted time together will help you form a much stronger bond. Prioritize your time together and make sure you make time for it, even though it’s a challenge with work constraints. Try to keep in mind your end goals. Painstakingly sitting through their favorite video games and be patient with their ups and downs will be worth it. They will really appreciate the time together. 

Next time you’re waiting for your child to finally communicate, be patient with them, and try these tactics. Parenting is challenging sometimes but you need to be the leader of the conversation and the grown-up. The results will be rewarding.

Image Source: Pixabay CC0 License

While COVID-19 has done a good job of helping us forget it, modern life is usually hectic. Once normality returns, those stresses of busy careers and other commitments will be bigger than ever. Coming home to a relaxed home environment will make a world of difference.

If this sounds like an attractive prospect, the five ideas below are just for you.

Upgrade Your Home Security

It’s impossible to truly relax if you’re burdened by the knowledge that your home is vulnerable to attacks. Therefore, investing in better security should be the first thing that any homeowner looks to do. In today’s climate, though, it’s not all about the protection from local thieves and intruders. Virtually all homes are now connected to the internet via multiple devices, which is why cybersecurity is crucial. Nobody likes the thought of hackers listening in or gaining unauthorized access to their files. Prevention is the best form of protection. I recently learned about Mobile Threat Defense and since using my phone, I have been a lot more careful.
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Build Outdoor Tranquility

The garden is a perfect venue for introducing a little peace into your life. There’s nothing better than relaxing on a sun lounger with a cold drink, and maybe some BBQ food. Experts at Arizona Shade Sails can install the overhead coverage needed to achieve added privacy on your patio. It also provides the versatility to enjoy the sun and shade in a responsible manner. A small water feature can add a source of calming sounds while vibrant flowers are another great addition. If you don’t have the luxury of the outdoors, you can bring the outside in! Materials Travertine tiles add a layer of luxury to any tired kitchen space, and bringing in some extra aspects of the outdoors in, such as plants and hanging baskets, will create that sensation of tranquility where it counts!

Create A Screen-Free Zone

Technology plays a major role in all of our lives. However, there is such a thing as having too much of a good thing. Therefore, a designated area that does not use TVs, smartphones, or tablets can make a big difference. Music players are fine. Whether it’s a full room or a corner of the garage doesn’t matter. Having a comfortable chair, a good book, and the chance to shut off from digital screens is ideal. Just be warned that the added relaxation may lead to an increased number of naps throughout the week…

Focus On Bath & Bed

The evening routine of bath and bed is a time for your body to prepare for rest. After a long day of working and parenting, this is your chance to relax. Bathroom specialists like MTI can help you find the perfect bathtub or shower for an evening soak. Many people use this time to wind down from the day with their choice of beverage, and some people even use cannabis products to relax their minds. If you do not have a bathtub, maybe it is something you need to seriously consider. Call your plumber kamloops (or the one in your locality) to check the plausibility of getting a tub for your bathroom. Relaxing can, of course, take different forms. And whether you are spending your evening time reaching for a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or even a double chamber bubbler – make sure to spend these last hours of the day doing things you enjoy. Meanwhile, you should take the time to find a mattress firmness level that suits your personal preferences. When these key features are in place, you will see noticeable changes to your sleep patterns. In turn, your home will seem a far happier place to be.

Keep It Organized

Nothing raises stress levels like spending hours looking for misplaced items. On a similar note, while going over your home with a vacuum or steam cleaner will certainly improve the feeling of your space, nobody wants to spend all of their free time cleaning the property. Therefore, it’s imperative that you opt for an uncluttered approach to interior design. Organizational skills can extend to e-billing or automated cleaning tools, like robot vacuums. The concept of feeling relaxed is an issue that is largely linked to your mindset. Naturally, then, gaining a sense of control is one of the best breakthroughs of all.

Ah, and relax.