If you’re lucky enough to have a big yard, then you have the opportunity to make it a perfect place for your family to gather, play, and relax. There are several things that can make your yard more fun and enjoyable for your family, but to make it family-friendly, you need to think about safety, convenience, and entertainment. So, whether you’ve just moved in, or you’ve decided to make some changes to your yard, here are five must-haves to create the perfect outdoor space for your family. Fencing Creating a safe and secure space for your family is essential, and…
Author: Lizzie Weakley
Has your kid made honor roll this semester? Congratulations! That achievement deserves a special reward. But what kind of treats will make your kid feel extra special? Read on to discover five unique and delicious ways to celebrate your child making honor roll. Movie Night Get the popcorn popping and set up a cozy spot for movie night! Pop in one of your kid’s favorite movies or pick out a new release the whole family can enjoy together. It’s a great way to spend quality time together, and your kid will love being able to pick out their own snacks…
Whether you are a new parent or expecting your first child, keeping your car safe for toddlers is an important part of parenting. While there are many safety features available on the market today, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to toddler-proofing your car. Here are some tips on how to make your car toddler-safe that will help you create a safe space for both you and your little one. Research the Best Car for You and Your Family When looking for the right car for you and your family, research is key. Look…
Planning a large family vacation can seem like a daunting task. With so many people to consider, from young children to grandparents, it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to come up with activities and accommodations that everyone will enjoy. Luckily, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to make your next big family trip run smoothly! Here are five tips for planning the perfect large family vacation. Start Planning Early The earlier you start planning your vacation, the better. You’ll have more time to research different destinations, compare prices on flights and accommodations, and figure out what…
As the temperatures outside begin to drop, people start to think about how they can best heat their homes for the winter. Although furnace prices have come down in recent years, many people are still looking for ways to save money on heating costs. Here are a few tips on how you can do just that. Get Your Furnace Serviced Regularly One of the best ways to ensure your furnace is running as efficiently as possible is to get it serviced on a regular basis. You should have it serviced at least once a year, and more often if you…
Dyslexia can be difficult to live with and overcome. If your child has dyslexia, they may struggle with reading and spelling in the future. Though things may be more difficult for them in the future, you will still be able to help them stay on top of their condition, minimizing its effect and maximizing their opportunities. Help Them with Spelling and Reading If your child is struggling with spelling and reading, there are a few things you can do to help them. You can invest in an online reading program or some type of spell checker software. Additionally, you can…
Sailing with toddlers and pre-teens can be challenging as most parents are forced to choose safety over fun. However, even educational family outings need to be relaxing and fun to make the best memories. When planning, having a checklist handy with boat safety recommendations from safety experts will ensure that your kids are safe on the boat when sailing. Get Another Responsible Adult When setting sail, do not set sail with young children all alone. An extra pair of hands will help coordinate the kids and even spot potential hazards before it’s too late. The supervising adult should be a…
Air Conditioning is a necessary appliance to have in a home. It keeps us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. However, it’s important to know when your air conditioning may need service because many problems can arise with this unit. Here are five of these concerns and how they may affect your comfort and wallet. Dirty Air Filters Many homeowners forget to change their air filters and often go months without doing so. If you don’t change your filter, then your system will operate extra tough and may even break down due to having worked too hard.…
Making sure your home stays warm and comfortable throughout the winter is obviously essential. After all, you don’t want to suddenly find yourself freezing without adequate heat when the worst of the freezing weather sets in. Similarly, you definitely don’t want to suddenly be faced with flooding or water damage. Luckily, there are a number of simple steps that you can take now to ensure you and your family stay nice and toasty all winter long and your home stays free of any potential damage caused by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Have Furnace and Heating Inspected and Maintained Hiring…
All of us have a soft spot for animals, not just pet owners. People who have been associated with pets from long ago treat them like their children or other ordinary family members. In addition to this, parents often make their children learn many lessons through pets. Owning a pet can be fun, but you also have to take care of it in equally important ways for it to live a long, healthy life. However, all pets have different life expectancies. When your pet starts to grow old through the years, the question may start to arise: how will you…
A new addition to the family might require a larger vehicle than what you currently have. That sedan just isn’t going to cut it. You might even need to upgrade to something with more seats, such as a third-row SUV or mini-van. But what exactly should you buy? How do you go about finding such a vehicle? Let’s look at a few ways to find the right vehicle for your expanding fam. Primary Vehicle Usage What will you be using this vehicle primarily for? Is it a daily driver? An off-road adventurer? A little bit of both? If you are…
It’s that time of year again! Students all around the world are either graduating or simply finishing up another school year out of the many more to come. You may have noticed that places have gradually started to open back up. For example, social distancing mandates have begun to lift and in-person schooling is becoming somewhat of a normality again. As a parent or guardian, you may be hesitant or perhaps opposed to sending your children back to school in the fall due to the current world climate as it is a cause for concern. Going forward, here are some…
Those who are aging and those with aging family members and friends should consider making positive lifestyle changes to facilitate aging related issues. Senior citizens want to remain active, healthy and independent as long as possible. However, it is wise to think of their needs including safety, comfort and quality of life as time goes by. Home is where the heart is and where people feel the most comfortable, safe, and in charge. Everyone concerned must realize that with aging comes the need for assistance to maintain the lifestyle we’re used to. Senior citizens don’t want to be a burden…
Concerned homeowners are taking action to protect their homes from natural disasters. The steps that you should take to prevent a disaster are simpler than you think. Preparing for a storm has to involve preventing and reducing damages to your property. Here are a few suggestions to stormproof your house. Remove Flying Debris Some damages to your house are caused by flying debris. Remove any light objects that can be lifted up and tossed by the wind. Most hurricane storms exceed wind speeds of 70 mph up to 150 mph. Hurricane winds that are powerful enough to rattle windows can…
Like adults, children should get annual medical checkups by specialized practitioners. These professionals can screen them for medical problems or refer kids for more detailed evaluations if needed. Not every child will need several doctors each year. However, a doctor should perform regular checkups on several aspects of their development as they grow. General Checkup An overall general exam, sometimes called a well child visit, enables the doctor to obtain parental information about the child’s health and any observed symptoms. The doctor then conducts a physical exam, including weight and height, to determine if the child is progressing normally. During…
Selling a house consists of steps that nearly every homeowner is familiar with. The process has become more complicated with the ongoing pandemic in 2021. The rules have changed slightly for anyone interested in selling a home nowadays. Find a Real Estate Agent A good real estate agent has several favorable qualities to look out for. You want a good, fast communicator who responds promptly to your emails and phone numbers. You need an agent who’s experienced in selling your type of house and can prove it. Additionally, an agent has advanced knowledge of sales and knowing how to negotiate…
Looking forward to warmer temperatures? While waiting for summer, this is a great time to inspect key areas of your home for household problems and schedule maintenance or repairs. Here are some important areas that may need attention. HVAC If your heating system is working well, you probably haven’t given much thought to your air conditioner. But you don’t want the AC to give out just when you’re ready to start using it. Schedule an HVAC maintenance visit and let an expert make sure everything is working efficiently. Ask for AC service specifically, so that the unit can be checked…
Losing an immediate family member, whether it’s a spouse or child, is traumatic. When you want to receive compensation through the legal system, know about the legal rules and restrictions that you face. The state laws differ in regards to how the claim is handled, too. Learn more about the recommended steps needed to file a wrongful death claim. Review the Statute of Limitations There are many claims that must be filed within a certain span of time. File a wrongful death claim as soon as possible and know that the average statute is two years. In some jurisdictions, the…
Before you know it, springtime will be here. You may be planning seasonal events for the summer holidays or just want to spend time around the house relaxing and enjoying your home. Start getting things done to have your home ready by the time warm weather rolls around. Check out these important areas to make sure your spring home will be comfortable and maintenance-free. Clean Your Basement Inspect your basement and get rid of any accumulated junk or rubbish. Old newspapers, broken furniture, and unused appliances can be donated or hauled away to free up usable space. Check for signs…
Few people want to learn the hard way that their hot water is no longer working. During the winter, you want the comfort of hot water that lasts for the entire season. Many water heater problems can be fixed by yourself or by hiring a professional. First, learn the main reasons why you’re having trouble heating water properly in your home. Insulate Your Pipes Cold weather often affects the temperatures in your water heater. Freezing air will enter metal pipes and freeze the water, causing your heater to work harder than necessary. A common tip is to insulate your water…