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Stop The Mess – Three Ways to De-clutter Your Child’s Bedroom

I will be the first to admit that the holidays can be a seriously messy season. Usually in our household, the mess starts around November and doesn’t stop until the decors are neatly packed and stored in the attic for another year. I’m not talking about regular household mess, but we have those, too. I am pertaining to all the garbage that seem to accumulate within the house during this season – from candy wrappers that are remnants of the kids’ trick or treating to the gift bags and toy boxes that arrive in the house together with my in-laws and other relatives.

Don’t get me wrong, I welcome the gifts and the holiday visits. However, after all our loved ones ride their cars out of our driveway, I am usually the one who has to clean up after the wrappers and tags from gifts. This is by no means an easy task as the children get a substantial number of gifts from their aunts, uncles and grandparents. Over the years, I have learned to form a system when it comes to the mess during the holidays, particularly in my kids’ rooms. As a mother, I felt the need to share some ideas on how to de-clutter rooms to other mothers out there who might need these ideas just as badly as I did years ago. So, to all mothers out there, listen up…

  1. Put up shelves. Since I’m not handy with tools, I asked my husband to do this for me. We had to get those wood planks from our local home improvement store; they have those that are perfect as shelves. You may or may not need to sand them, it depends how rough the planks’ surface are. My kids have a collection of storybooks that they received from my parents and sisters, so we put them all in there. If one of them wants to read one, they need to inform us since the shelves are out of their reach. That pretty much controls at least a quarter of the mess in their room.
  2. Contain them. This is another helpful way to de-clutter your child’s bedroom and it works best with toddlers and preschoolers. At that age, they tend to scatter all their toys around the house and just leave them everywhere when they lose interest. I have found plastic veggies in my shoe once and another one in the bathroom. Basically, what we did was purchase those plastic boxes with lids on them. We placed their toys in boxes and just gave them one box-full of toys to play with. It may not sound that efficient, but we were able to lessen the mess by doing that. That way, they don’t scatter all their toys around the room. I also saved my husband from stepping into LEGO parts and for anyone who has had that misfortune, you know how much that actually hurts.
  3. Donate. This is not an easy thing to do and I understand it. I watched Toy Story movies from 1-3. Believe me, I understand. However, it is a sad reality that kids will outgrow their toys and rather than leave them to gather dust, we donate them. It wasn’t easy at first and you just have to let them understand that other kids with no money for new toys would love to play with their discarded toys. This also goes for clothing. Plus, the feeling of accomplishment you’ll feel when you see your kids saying goodbye to their well-loved toys knowing that they will cheer other children up is priceless.

There you have it, folks. I’m sure some of you have used these methods in the past with varying success. While the task can be quite daunting, I find that it’s really just a matter of reaching out to your children. Talking to them and making them understand how important it is not to make a mess in their rooms is something that parents must not neglect to do. While the above methods have all worked out for me, it will not be possible without my children’s willingness to work with us.

Do you have other ideas on how to de-clutter your child’s room? Share it with us by commenting down below.

Volunteering is Beneficial for the Whole Family

The benefits of families volunteering together are substantial.  Of the adults, teens and children who volunteer about 75% report being more physically, mentally and emotionally healthier than those who don’t.  They have lower levels of stress and are better able to manage it.

Volunteering can teach life skills such as time management, teamwork, effective communication, goal setting and developing compassion for others.  Family members are working toward a common goal, which leads to them functioning better as a unit. They’re more likely to feel that life has a purpose, and develop a deeper connection and commitment to their community, family and friends.

Families who volunteer together may be more productive at and satisfied with work and school.  The experience is a good addition to a resume and gives an edge over another candidate who doesn’t have it.  And it’s a given that good colleges are looking for more than test scores and grades on applications, volunteering is a must.

In addition to all these benefits volunteering together can also address an on-going issue for today’s families, “With everyone going off in different directions how can we spend some time together?”  A sound strategy for getting children and teens invested in it is to get and keep them involved in the decision making, even young children can contribute.  Be open-minded to their interests and don’t dismiss nontraditional ideas.

One family, of self proclaimed non-running couch potatoes, organized a 5k walk/run for a son’s terminally ill classmate.  They enjoyed the experience so much they do it as an annual event, donating the money to a different charity each year.  Another family adopted the local no-kill animal shelter as their project.  The 5 year old’s job was “petting coordinator”, which she was quite diligent and serious about.

A Greek proverb states, “A civilization flourishes when people plant trees under which they will never sit.”  Families flourish in the same way; think about creating a tradition of volunteering for your family today and a legacy for your descendants of tomorrow.

Nicole Abbott – writer, educator and psycho-therapist

Kid Proof Your Home Office

Here are a few tips to kid proof your home office if you are a work from home mom:

1. Keep as few wires as possible reachable to little hands. That means position your furniture to cover outlets so wires are not exposed and inviting little hands to pull at them. Also, you can get cable covers and wire clips to hold several wires together.

2. Keep as much away from the edge of surfaces where little hands can reach. For instance, keep your computer monitor far back and when you are not using your keyboard put it above your monitor if possible. Also, unplug your printer and fax machine when not in use so that even if little hands get on them they can’t do much damage.

3. Your file cabinet will be hard to keep organized if your little one keeps getting into all the papers. The easiest solution is to get locks for the drawers. However, be careful that they cannot lock themselves in the drawers.

These are a few inexpensive tips to help you if you are trying to earn extra money at home. Of course the ideal would be to lock your office door when you are not working and only work when your little one is not around. However, this is not always practical and therefore I hope these simple tips are helpful as you set up your home office.

Spice It Up! – Herbs and Spices You Should Stock Up In Your Shelves

“If you are careful,” Garp wrote, “If you use good ingredients, and you don’t take any shortcuts, then you can usually cook something very good. Sometimes it is the only worthwhile product you can salvage from a day; what you make to eat. With writing, I find, you can have all the right ingredients, give plenty of time and care, and still get nothing. Also true of love. Cooking, therefore, can keep a person who tries hard sane.” ― John Irving, The World According to Garp

Do you love to cook? Perhaps planning to learn? Does the idea of stocking up your shelves with spices with names you can’t even pronounce properly sound intimidating to you? Well, you’re not alone. I believe most people who are still starting up with their journey to the wonderful world of stews, spices and stoves have found that choosing the basic spices quite daunting. After all, you don’t want to spend that much money on saffron ($2,000-$10,000/pound) while you still don’t know what it does and therefore would not even know where to use it.

As someone who has once faced the task of feeding a small family with what little knowledge I have had with cooking – basically limited to three ways of cooking eggs and nuking ready-made dinners – I want to impart some advice: learn while it’s still early. In this article, I will attempt to share with you the basic herbs and spices that you should get while you’re still learning to cook. I’m no expert, mind you, but over the years, I have gained some knowledge of cooking, so I feel compelled to write this piece. Get your paper and pen ready and let’s begin…

  1. Bay Leaves. Typically sold dried, bay leaves give off that aromatic scent, which makes it ideal for stews and marinades. You will need to remove this from the food before serving.
  2. Cayenne. This has got to be one of my Top 5 Must-Haves when it comes to spices. Cayenne is made from tiny spicy red peppers. It gives off that extra kick you want in your dishes without interfering with the overall flavor. It’s also ideal for boosting your immune system and a great ingredient for a healthy juice recipe.
  3. Parsley. It’s a no-brainer that the world’s most popular herb would make this list. Afterall, parsley is both great for pasta and pizza, plus it’s healthy too! As a source of anti-oxidants, you can never go wrong by stocking up on parsley.
  4. Garlic Powder. I find it strange that I’m not a fan of garlic, but a huge lover of garlic powder. I love marinating barbecues in it; I love it with my bread. If you love grilled food as much as I do, then you should definitely get yourself some garlic powder.
  5. Basil. I have a basil plant – that should pretty much tell you how much I adore the herb. It’s great for soups, pasta and meat – how can you afford not to have it?

There you have it – the basics – at least according to me. Some people might have more herbs and spices in their list, but to each his own. As you grow more confident in your cooking skills and become more willing to try experimenting on new recipes, you will find that your shelves will also have more jars and packets of spices with varying flavors and textures. Who knows? It has not happened to me yet, but you may one day have enough reason to take a deep breath while you order saffron from the spice shop. Good luck!

Towpath Trails High School

Today we are highlighting an alternative school system. Towpath Trails High School in Akron, Ohio has 3 branches and is an alternative high school that is a leader in helping students graduate with an alternative career path focus that can lead students straight into good-paying jobs.

Towpath Trail High School is a free, public charter school that has been providing school choice to Akron’s youth since 2012. Towpath Trail High School has been so successful that it now has two satellite locations-one on Canton Road in East Akron and another location opening soon in Barberton. The students of Towpath Trail are provided with the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and an industry-recognized credential in a safe and flexible learning environment. Career pathways that are currently offered to Towpath students are Construction, Phlebotomy, State Tested Nursing Assistant, and Patient Care Technician. Business and Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing will be offered as well. 

An exciting development in the career tech programming offered at Towpath is that the school was recently awarded a YouthBuild grant through the United States Department of Labor. YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational opportunities for teens and young adults. YouthBuild students split their time between the vocational training work site and the classroom, where they earn their high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for postsecondary training opportunities, including college, apprenticeships, and employment. YouthBuild includes significant support systems, such as mentoring, follow-up education, employment, and personal counseling services; and participation in community service and civic engagement.

Towpath Trail High School also provides exceptional academic instruction.  Towpath exceeds standards overall on the state report card for community schools, which includes measures such as test passage and graduation rate.  Class sizes are small, and students are encouraged to work at their own pace.  Teachers tailor their instruction to each individual student, meeting them where they are and providing they need to progress through the curriculum. Towpath Trail High School also has a strong culture of safety and belonging for both its students and staff. Throughout the last ten years, Towpath has developed and maintained partnerships with community entities to provide on-site counseling services and mental health services to any student who needs them.

If you are looking for a school that is career-focused and places the safety of staff and students at the forefront of a quality education, Towpath Trail High School has a place for you.  All three locations are currently accepting students ages 15-21.  Call 234-542-0102 for more information or to schedule a tour.

New Year, New Look – Four Decorating Ideas For Your Home

The new year is often associated with change – a time to put the negativities of the past and change for the better. People are often inclined to change something in themselves at the start of the year – from something small like getting a new hair color to something substantially larger, like changing careers or planning to get married to their significant other. We have all done it at some point since we believe there should be progress in ourselves or at least there is hope for progress, so why not include the look of our homes in that change as well?

In this article, I will share some decorating ideas that will hopefully spark your creative side. I should say that not all of these ideas are trendy and whatnot, some of them may even be classics in their own, but if you have not applied them in your home, the change can be beautiful. If you have not tried them, I encourage you to do so. If anything, the new look should be an interesting change in your humble abode.

  1. Go green. Plants can instantly change the look of the room. Plus, they take in carbon dioxide and help produce oxygen. I’m sure we have seen those small plants placed in bathrooms. What’s the first thing you notice? I myself have always noticed that the room looks more alive. Most of us don’t have picture perfect bathrooms worthy of being featured in magazines, but we can add color and life just by adding a plant or a terrarium. It’s not just for bathrooms. Terrariums look great on desk tops and since they can be small, they don’t take up much space.
  2. Pick a theme. If you have a bit of extra budget and time, you can pick a theme for some rooms in your home. Do your children love the beach? Why not pick a nautical theme for their room. Decorate it with anchors or a ship’s wheel and pick some starfish-printed curtains for them? Make sure that the room does not get too cluttered with the same stuff. Gold looks wonderful and classy in a living room, but too much gold will make it look overpowering and quite tacky.
  3. Frame it up. I’ve always told my friends that living in the digital age has made it easier for parents to take snap shots of their little ones any time of the day. We all have our favorites and the ones we won’t touch with a 10-foot pole. Get those pictures printed in a bigger size and have them framed. They look especially nice on staircase walls. After some time, you will see how your baby has grown over the years and you can look at the images wistfully.
  4. Lights. It’s no secret that lights and their settings can instantly make a difference in a room and a person’s mood. Sunlight in the morning looks cheerful and happy; dim light looks romantic. There are many affordable chandeliers in the market today and you can even make one of your own if you’re handy with electrical wires. This does not just apply to living rooms and bedrooms. You can even change the lighting in your kitchen if you think your overhead light is too bright. 

Your home is your sanctuary, so it’s crucial for your well-being that it looks like a place you want to be in at the end of a long day. Don’t neglect it and try to make it look pleasing with the resources that you have so that when you come home after a day outside, it will welcome you into the comfort of its arms.

New Year Celebrations Across The Globe

Champagne, blowing of horns and the New Year Ball – these are as familiar to most Americans as Santa Claus – and symbolizes festivity probably just as much as Jolly Old Saint Nicholas himself does. On the 31st of December, thousands of people gather around Time Square in New York City and millions around the country stay tune to their televisions for the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Since this will happen in a few days’ time, I felt compelled to write a piece on the New Year traditions from around the world.

Have you ever wondered what other people from different continents do while we’re counting down the last few seconds of the clock and even as we’re toasting champagne glasses with all the good cheer that we hope to have all year ‘round? Well, wonder no more. In this article, I will attempt to shed some light on just how other people from across the globe celebrate the coming of the brand-new year.

First off, I will begin with myself. For one thing, I didn’t grow up in the United States. I was born and raised in Asia, and to us, the New Year should be celebrated with a bang. Literally. Aside from blowing party horns, I grew up to the tradition of clanging pots and pans to make a lot of noise. This will supposedly ward off evil spirits so that we can have a fruitful year. The Chinese people do the same thing, only they use firecrackers. Needless to say, they should be lit up by sober people. You don’t want to light up a firecracker when you’re in your cups. Seriously. It’s not worth losing an arm over.

Another tradition related to the New Year has something to do with food. Again, in my case, 13 round shaped fruits should be present at the table. The Chinese celebrate their New Year by eating sticky treats called Nian Giao. The Irish have their pastry called bannocks. The Dutch serve their famous olie bollen for the celebration. Brazilians eat lentil soup. In Spain, one must eat one grape for each of the twelve times a clock strikes at midnight. These foods are usually consumed for good luck in the coming year.

Then there are the others. Wearing pink underwear brings forth good fortune in love. Jumping nonstop when the clock strikes 12 will make you taller in the coming year and since I am vertically-challenged, I have actually done this in the past. Wearing polka-dotted clothes will mean you will have a prosperous year.

From writing down bad things that happened during the year and burning that paper to burn away bad luck to wearing white to breaking old dishes on friends’ doorsteps, we surely have a lot of strange traditions associated with the New Year. Whether you choose to follow these or not, remember what the New Year is about: a fresh start to become better and a chance to move on from the negativities of the past.

May you truly have a Happy New Year!

Tis the Season to Be Stressed

There are a lot of articles written and advice given during the holidays about how to handle stress.  Google “holiday stress” and there’re thousands of pages of information. While the holidays can be a difficult time stressful situations occur throughout the year and it’s important to develop a long term plan for dealing with them.

The best strategies to use while the stressful situation is occurring are ones which can be done anywhere at any time.  They’re simple, immediately applicable and unobtrusive.

The best way to handle stressful times is to find out what works for you, practice it and do it consistently.  People are unique and different things work for different people. There’s no one size fits all strategy.  In some combination use the following ideas to craft an individualized plan.

 

* Breathe – Inhale for a count of 5.  Hold for a count of 5.  Exhale for a count of 5. Hold for a count of 5. Repeat 5 times.

* Physical activity – Do something physical, it’s a great way to relieve tension.  Bathrooms are great places to do toe touches, jumping jacks or run in place.

*Affirmations – Create a few short, positive sentences you can keep repeating to yourself.

* Quiet Time – Take a 10 – 15 minute time out.  You can find quiet places once you start looking for them.

* Gratitude List – Make a mental list of the things you’re grateful for right at that moment.  Don’t complicate it, look for small things.  Gratitude lists don’t have to be full of big life affirming issues, being grateful for a comfortable pair of shoes is good too.

Remember, the idea is to find the right combination of techniques which work for you.  You’re trying to establish a strategy for a lifetime, so be patient and give them a fair trial over a reasonable period of time. If none of them work there’s always the Internet.

 

– – Article contributed by Nicole Abbott – writer, educator and psycho-therapist.

Better Parenting for Great Results

Let’s forget that your kids are your “kids” for a moment. Instead, what if they are long-term projects that blend a bit of art, some science and a lot of vision and effort on your part? What you would get is a realistic approach to bringing up wonderful men and women. This is not to say you should not have an emotional connection also, but those emotions should be one of several driving forces to do a great long term job raising them.

The most difficult part of this is actually letting go of the ego somewhat. You have to commit to getting better and being in charge of the outcomes, even if they are not necessarily what you would like.

No one will argue that a first time parent will make some goof ups but with each child, a parent becomes much better at handling situations and being focused on stuff that are definitely more crucial. Yet, the first kids often turn out fine anyway, because humans are adaptive and resilient.

Self Improvement Tricks to Becoming a Better Parent

Find instruction on what is possible. For instance, AllProParent.com offers totally free parent training on how to attend higher education ahead of time and complete a full bachelor’s degree at no cost. It also has the strategy to how top level sports athletes are built.

Join an Facebook group of parents focused on high achievement kids. This will be parents who are proactive and trying to boost outcomes from an early age. You can learn a whole lot and draw inspiration from groups like this.

Never stress about a single day. You will get very good days and terrible days. Take a break and return the following day better than even. One day off is just not going to undo your time and efforts.

Remember to have a real reason, not simply “because I said so” – “Because I said so” is what people with no parenting plan say. It really is grasping at straws and using the excuse that you need to demand respect. Earned respect is far more powerful.

Whether you use online groups, on-line parent education, Vimeo or local in person groups, make sure you keep learning and getting better. And have a real plan and end result you are trying for, as outstanding is less common unintentionally.

The best advice is to begin early and keep pushing towards your goals in a calm, steady and intentional manner. When your kids grow up this way, they are used to it and they expect nothing less than high acheivement from themselves, and your job is easier.

Home Dehumidifier Fundamentals

When built properly along with the proper air conditioning and air-flow, a cellar should stay fairly dry. But some basements are particularly vulnerable to dampness because of the inadequate design and air flow. Dampness like this is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, specifically in basements where old publications, clothes, magazines and suitcases are saved.

Once the humidity level will go over 50%, water vapor in the atmosphere can cause furniture to warp, humidity to condense on wall space and flooring surfaces and promote expansion of mildew. It will likewise speed up wood rot. Family members with allergies will find a basement dehumidifier is vital to lessen the medical dangers associated with toxic mold and fungus.

But prior to going off to buy a basement dehumidifier, consider using some time to check out the reason behind the high moisture, and then fixingthe underlying problems. For example, your home should ideally be the very same temperatures as the rest of your residence, rather than an isolated heat sector. Try adding weather conditions-stripping to the home doors and windows. When the home is uninsulated, you must weigh the expenses of adding insulating material against those of operating a basement dehumidifier.

Keep in mind if you have a variety of basement issues, you may want to call a Basement Waterproofing company as they sometimes offer services and include basement dehumidifiers for free or a reduces price. It never hurts to ask.

Buying a cellar dehumidifier will need just a little organizing. Be aware of cubic footage from the cellar space that it will be going to. Also you will need to decide on obtaining a permanently put in system versus a portable dehumidifier. An other shopping point is always to take into account are the dimensions of the device- will it easily fit into the room you are planning for it? Also bear in mind that some designs are noisier than others, so ask for a demonstration before you purchase.

A dehumidifier operates on a single concept that chillers and air conditioners do. They pass the humid air flow more than a bank of cool coils and during this process get a good portion from the dampness via condensation. This condensation drips off the coils into selection pockets inside the dehumidifier. Meanwhile the dried out ventilation, warmed somewhat from the extraction of humidity, is instructed from the system back into the space. Thus the moister is greatly reduced.

Since the dehumidifier is incorporated in the cellar and out of the way, lots of people overlook it but it may need servicing. It is essential to vacant and clear the selection compartment in the unit periodically, normally it will likely be vulnerable to bacterial growth. Some businesses manufacture basement dehumidifiers which have no internal assortment container, but merely a hose that may be run to a flooring empty, and these really are a perfect answer to the situation as they need less frequent attention.