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Want To Teach Your Kids About Recycling? Here’s How To Do It!

There’s no denying that recycling is something that we all try to do. Even in small ways, we want to help divert waste from landfill sites and incinerators. These days, it’s quite easy to recycle a variety of materials. Plus, there are plenty of free recycling centers that one can use.

As a parent, it’s important to set a good example for your kids. One way of doing that, of course, is by promoting recycling. Now, you might think that recycling is a dull subject to talk about with your children. But, you can teach them about it in a fun and engaging way! Here’s how to do so:

Make some personalized recycling bins with your kids

We all know that children love to express their creativity. One way to do that is by creating personalized recycling bins with them. They can paint and decorate them how they want. Letting them take the lead here will encourage them to recycle. How? The answer is simple: you are letting them be responsible for something.

Create bins by category such as paper, plastic and so forth.

Turn recycling into a game

There are many craft projects you and your kids can do with recycled items. Paper and glass are just two examples of recyclable materials you can use for all kinds of projects!

Do some composting

Children love to wander around the garden and help their parents do some gardening. Composting is a way to recycle organic waste and use it to help your plants grow. Your kids can help in that process and find out how it all happens.
If you and your kids want to learn more about recycling, take a look at this infographic:

infographic Credit To Bay Wide Hauling

4 Key Things You Need to Know About Home Plumbing

Home plumbing might not be the most scintillating of subjects to discuss, but it is worth knowing your stuff in this area. We rely so heavily on our plumbing systems, and they work so well, that we often don’t even remember that they are there. They just get on with the job that they were designed for. But even small faults in the system can lead to inconvenience and lost money. Read on to find out the four main things about your home plumbing system that you need to know.

Not Just For Water

When we think of home plumbing, what comes to mind immediately are the taps and sinks in the kitchen and bathroom. Maybe the shower. But it’s wise to remember that your plumbing doesn’t just bring the water to your home. But it also removes liquid waste from your home too.

This is in two main forms. Greywater, which is water used for washing. Then there is blackwater, which is the liquid biological waste produced by humans (You get the idea!).

If something goes wrong with your graywater drainage, then you can expect an inconvenient flood. Then you will have to pay to get it all cleaned up and the damaged repaired. Obviously, a blackwater leak is a much more serious problem and can cause a health risk and not help you keep your family safe and well. Of course then there is the practical and monetary inconvenience on top of the health concerns too.

It Needs Regular Maintenance

That is why it’s essential to make sure that you home plumbing system is given regular checks to ensure that it is functioning properly.

It’s much better to get a residential plumber to come out if you suspect there might be a problem. Don’t wait for all hell to break loose, remember it’s much easy to fix a potential issue than to clear up all that mess if a pipe blows.

A Leaky Tap Can Cost You

understanding plumbing in your home

You know that dripping faucet that you have been meaning to get around to bust just haven’t had the time? Well, would you be surprised if I told you that it could be costing you up to $100 a year? A dripping tap will lose 180 litres a day! This is 66,000 litres a year believe it or not! That’s why it can end up costing you so much money.

Of course, if your tap is leaking a constant dribble you can time that figure by three. Even if you are not on a water meter, remember that it is environmentally unsound to leave a dripped tap unfixed. Its 66,000 – 198000 litres of clean water that have to be processes, filter and sent to you home that are going to waste!

Don’t Waste Graywater

Talking of wasting water, did you know that greywater is completely acceptable to be used to water your plants! It doesn’t have to go straight back into the water system as soon as the washing is done. You can siphon it off to water your grass and flowers. This can save a huge amount of water as you are using one lot of water twice.

Always Use Protection: Why Insuring Your Things Makes Sense

insuring your family

Our house, our car and our pets are our biggest investments in life. Let’s not scare ourselves silly here and start totting up how much the children cost! It makes sense to protect the things we invest in, even if we think nothing will happen to the swanky bit of gadgetry we have bought. If you don’t, you’ll only curse yourself when something does go wrong and if you have to pay out to fix it.

Household Items

Perhaps you have just installed some swanky air conditioning to get you through the summer months. Or maybe you have invested in a new washing machine and dishwasher. Or it could be that you have moved into an older house, and you are not sure of the quality of the appliances that are already there. If so, it might be wise to invest in a Home Warranty. This type of warranty covers all the things your home insurance doesn’t. It will secure you against anything from plumbing issues to appliance breakdowns. And also electrical repair to garbage disposal replacement. We don’t like to think that things can go wrong, but if and when they do, it can be costly. If you take up a home warranty deal, you will only pay out a set trade fee and all covered repairs will then be made. Bear in mind that home warranties cover normal wear and tear of appliances and systems in your home. They won’t cover pre-existing problems, damage from pets or cosmetic issues. Do your research and get some quotes on annual fees and call out charges. If you have lots of expensive equipment in your house, then a home warranty is most probably a good call. Better to have peace of mind than be left with a huge leak or broken air-con in the summer.

Your Car

Your car may be used to get you from A-B, or it may be used daily for a long commute and the school run. Regardless, always make sure to take care of your car and protect it. It’s a big investment and bills can be astronomical when things go wrong or if you have an accident. Make sure you have secured a good insurance deal that covers you for accident, theft and fire. Research the best deals around and make sure you have substantial cover for everything. If you are borrowing someone else’s car also make sure you are protected. Also get your car regularly serviced and regularly cleaned. This will give your car more longevity and give it a better resale value if you ever trade it in. Don’t forget to carry your driver’s license at all times, and especially if you are travelling abroad and renting a car too.

Pets

Oh, how we love the very bones of them! Whether you are a cat or dog lover, our pets give us so much joy. It makes sense to get them insured incase they get a serious illness or fall prey to an accident. In the long run, pet insurance far outweighs medical bills, if it comes to that. It’s so much better to be protected than not. Insurance not only covers illness and accidents but also emergencies. Most companies will pay up to 90% of your vet bills which can be a huge burden off your shoulders. Ensure your pets get the best medical care by insuring them against all the ills of the world. After all, they’re one of the family too!

How to Encourage Your Child’s passion for Music

Music has always played a major part of my life. As a young girl I used music to get through difficult times during my teenage years. Today it’s a bigger part of my life because I have kids. My love for music (All Genres) has been passed down to my three kids, especially my oldest. Anything and everything from the ABCs to little monkeys jumping on the bed, they love it and relate to it in their learning. My oldest is 6 years old and has been playing the drums since he was two years old. It’s been awesome watching him make melodies and sing songs from his memory or made up. I know that music has changed over the years and will only continue to do so as time goes on.

my six year old drummer

When my son was five we decided to try drum lessons and we realized how quickly he learns beats and sounds. He was at a level of a nine year old. AMAZING! Natural talent that I never had. Myself or my husband never played any instruments, and this little one took off in a way we never imagined. I was so proud and honored watching him as he looked at all the tools and supplies of a drummer. It was something I will hold in my memory forever.

We have taken a step back from lessons for now, but the wonderful thing is he is still making sounds with anything he can find. A coffee canister, a drum pad, pretty much anything that has a loud sound. We have always tried to encourage to his passion for music. We have diligently tried to let him learn on his own with very little push from us. Sometimes as parents we try too hard and push are children so much to succeed that we lose sight of the more important things. Which is his love for the music.

Giving our kids the tools they need to succeed at their passion is our mission as parents. My son the drummer will need tools like the Rock N Roller Cart for all his musical needs. As my son continues to grow so will his passion. Hopefully he will learn to love different types of music and sounds to explore. As his mom I am so excited to watch him learn and get better. It’s exciting. The journey continues…

How Behavioral Therapy Changed the way I discipline my children

Positive behavior through Behavioral therapy

First thing first, we all have been that raging lunatic at Target or the mall. All of our kids have had these moments in public or at home while your bestie is visiting. It’s all about how we as moms handle ourselves and deal with the behavior. There is no right or wrong answer, however there are tools to assist us in the long road of tantrums. So don’t worry, your normal. Even though that lady staring at you seems to think differently.

Since my son was dual diagnosed with ADHD and High Functioning Autism we have been undergoing extensive in home behavioral therapy. It’s a super busy week for us, even though it’s technically summer break. I have seen improvements and I have seen more struggles than before. But overall it helps and only works if you maintain routine and consistency. Now I am finding my two younger children are learning from it and their behavior patterns are changing as well. As I started going through this therapy with my son I realized something…I’m totally in control. I need to allow him to feel he is control without being a crazy screaming lady. There is a way, there is hope and here’s my story.

So I’ll start at the beginning. This diagnosis has been a huge blessing to our family. Without it, I would’ve never realized I needed help. I would have not recognized the potential my son has and how to help him thrive in his little life. Although it’s difficult to hear it’s something that needed to happen. So what does therapy consist of? Positivity, positivity, positivity! Everything is aimed toward making him feel good and ultimately making your life easier. I have found that this is the simplest form of motivation. They feel better about themselves when they know they are doing something good/right. I have found yelling and screaming only scares them, rather than focusing on the positive behavior they are displaying. So what if there isn’t anything positive going on? Redirect. If he is yelling, screaming, or hitting, redirect the negative behavior and turn it into a positive. They feel they are in control but you still are.

So I’m going to include some tips on how to do this. It’s something every parent should know, not just those of special needs.

Token/Reward Chart:

Token Chart to encourage positive behavior

The one we use is laminated and made with Velcro so it’s easy to remove and add smiley faces as needed. Once they earn all the smiley faces they can win prices or rewards. I do a daily, weekly, and monthly reward. They need to see the long term value in good behavior. I have recently started using an App called 123 Token me (I’ll have a review up on my site very soon). This app is so great and wonderful tool to encourage your child to be involved in tracking his behaviors. SO far so good, even though all of the other tools work just as well.

This or that:

I like to use this method because it still gives me complete control of what I want them to do. For example, “Feed the dog, please” I usually get an I don’t want too response. So I tell them you can feed the dog in 30 seconds or one minute. This shows them that they have options and they feel like they have control over the task. Regardless if it’s done in 30 seconds or one minute it still gets done and everyone is happy.

Timer:

The timer is my best friend! You can use this for anything, and I mean anything! Set the timer for sharing and taking turns. I also use the “this or that” method as well. It’s now becoming second nature with the timer in our house. We use it for everything. Start small with one or two minutes, give them the option to have more time but only three times this gives them a limit and they will ask for more time all day long. They can use their “more time” option throughout the day or all at once, you give them the choice.

Make them work for the things they want:

You can have your child work for anything! Make them clean the toys for a snack of their choice, everything can have a reward. Showing them the importance of working for things is beneficial to getting the behaviors you want for your child. I post up pictures around the house or I buy the toy he wants in advance and show him what he will get if he gets all his stickers for the week. It’s a great tool and really works. I use this color chart (the idea came from my son’s Kindergarten teacher). It works so well for all of my kids. Once they end the day on Green or Purple they get a reward. This is another great visual aide for them to see their behaviors and the consequences they render.

Routine:

calendar for visual aide to see good behaviors.

I have said this before and I stand by it. Setting a routine is crucial for results. It’s very difficult to keep schedules consistent, especially if you have other kids to tend to. Making a calendar and daily routine will help and eventually will be second nature to the children.

Always focus on the Good:

You can turn things around by changing your own behaviors. For me what has been the biggest struggle is thinking about the negative “I’m so frustrated” or “this is never going to work”. Don’t get me wrong, this is not an easy habit to break. You basically have to re-train your though process. Every time my son is acting up, I remind him what his reward is. Once he’s reminded he instantly starts changing the behaviors, sometimes it take more than one reminder and this is OK too.

Praise:

You can give praise for any good behavior you see going on. For example, “I like the way you are sharing” or “that’s a great job” and give a high five. This will show them you are paying attention and focusing on the good you see rather than the negative. I found a great tool of different ways you can tell your child good job, it has helped me so much so I don’t sound like a broken record. You can find it here.

These are some of the things I am learning through Behavioral Therapy. It’s really been a huge blessing to me. It helps you recognize and change your own behaviors to help your child through theirs. Keep in mind that things may get worse before they get better and to be patient through it. Always ask for help because you are not alone in this. Everything will work out if you maintain consistency and stand your ground.

I know it sounds like a very tedious process, but trust me it really works. This journey isn’t easy and it takes all of your energy and dedication. But I have found myself being less of a raging screaming mama and more of a mom who is in control of her home and kids. It’s a work in progress that’s for sure. But I believe and have faith that it will help our family in the long run.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to share this post with someone who needs the tips. Let’s keep striving for mommy success and together we can make a difference.

Why People Love to Hate Their Garages

Ah, the garage, the most neglected room in the house. You might not even see it as a room, but just a place that is a pitstop for all the thing that you need to throw away? We do not tend to treat our garages with a lot of love. It’s easier to ignore them. But what a lot of people forget is that with a few simple changes and tweaks, the garage can become a valuable and useful part of the home.

They are cold and dark

Picture here

I think that one of the major reasons why people love to hate and neglect their garages is that they are often cold and dark. Its rare to have a window in the garage and most just have a very basic concrete floor, which is practical but not very comfortable. All these things add to the sense that the garage is just a holding ground for storing stuff rather than a room that be can utilize in the normal way. But don’t forget that some people convert their garages into games and family rooms to give the kids more space to play in.

garages-428636_960_720 garage

To complete a successful garage conversion, you will need to deal with a few issues. Firstly check the lighting. If you can install a window, then do so. Otherwise get some natural type lighting to make it more pleasant. Unless you are blocking the door up, you will need to check that it is a tight fit and doesn’t let in any drafts or leaks. The best way to do this is replacing your old garage door. Choose oak garage doors for a more rustic feel or go with gloss metal for a modern touch. It’s a good idea to leave the garage door in place, when you are converting, because it can affect the resale value of your home if you do not.

They are a good dumping ground

Another reason, people love to loathe their garages is because they use them as a dumping ground for all the stuff they haven’t got room for in their house. If your garage looks more like a rubbish dump than an organized outside room, then it’s easy to start to hate it. The solution to this is to get seriously organized.

machine-690190_960_720 Machine

There are lots of ways that you can choose to organize your garage. You can stack labeled plastic boxes around the outer edge, so you have plenty of storage, but the car can still fit in. You can also erect shelves for cardboard boxes. Some neat garage organization ideas I’ve seen on Pinterest include a peg board tool table. This allows you to have all your tools out on display but in a neat and tidy way so they are organized and always to hand when you need them. Another great way of organizing the garage is to use lidded bins like these from Ikea. They are perfect for storing pet food and recycling and can be stacked to create more space.

‘And This Bed is Just Right’ Said Goldilocks: Tips For Choosing The Right Mattress

Luckily Goldilocks only had to sample two beds until she found one that was ‘just right’. But for the rest of us it’s a bit more of a drawn out process, as there are so many things to take into consideration. It’s such an important decision, and knowing you’re going to be spending hours of your life on it for the foreseeable future can add pressure to the whole bed buying experience and leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed.

It doesn’t help that going into a shop to buy a bed can be a bit of a nightmare, and there are 4 ugly truths about mattress stores. You don’t get much time to test each one before making your purchase, delivery times can be slow, the sales advisors can be pushy and there’s not likely to be a refund policy. So if you get your mattress home, sleep on it for a few nights and decide it’s not for you, well you’re pretty much stuck with it. Here are a few tips to take into consideration before taking the plunge, so you can make the most informed purchase possible.

Think About Ditching The Springs

Probably the biggest decision you’re going to have to make when choosing a mattress is between foam and springs. If you’ve always gone with springs, trying a memory foam mattress might feel a bit weird because it’s so different. You even might think you don’t like it much at first. But research has shown that memory foam mattresses perform better in terms of support, weight distribution, relief from pressure points and overall quality of sleep. Springs lose 16% of their support in the first year alone, and so a bed that can feel very comfortable at first has the potential to go soft and springy quite quickly. It always comes down to personal preference though, if you really feel like springs suit you better then that’s the right choice for you.

Take your weight into consideration

This might be something you haven’t even thought to factor in, but your weight and build should influence what you buy. Some beds and mattresses will have weight restrictions, and others will wear out quickly if you or your partner are heavier. It might be a case of needing a higher density mattress that supports you better if you opt for memory foam, or a firmer sprung mattress if you opt for classic springs. Most mattresses will have an upper weight limit of around eighteen stone, so if you’re around or over this weight choosing correctly will mean your bed and mattress lasts you for the right amount of time (seven years, this is when everyone should change their mattress). If you and your partner are very different weights or prefer very different levels of firmness, it’s possible to have a custom mattress made where each half is different and then zipped together.

finding the perfect mattress

Think About The Size of Your Room

It’s tempting to go for the biggest bed you can find, and although a bigger bed will offer more comfort (especially if you have a wriggly sleeper beside you at night) you may want to consider if it will fit in your space. Will you fit your bedside tables at either side, and will the mattress go up the stairs? If you live in a flat or have an awkward hallway, opting for a rolled memory foam mattress may be your only option. They arrive vacuum packed and tightly rolled a bit like a duvet so are easy to maneuver around awkward bends. They then gradually expand when you roll them out to the size of a full mattress. Alternatively, as with the custom mattress you may need to go for something that splits into two, and can then be zipped together when it’s in the room. Be sure to measure hallways and factor in any tight turns to the room you’re putting it in before buying your mattress.

Invest in quality

While a high price tag doesn’t always equate to good quality, in most cases you will get what you pay for. The bed, and the mattress in particular is one area where you really don’t want to skimp, by doing so you’re only going to set yourself up of years of uncomfortable nights. Be aware that these things do tend to be expensive, have a look at price points online and work out roughly at what price you’re happy to go to. You’re better off waiting for sales and discounts rather than buying cheaper models, and so if your budget is low perhaps wait for the January sales or seasonal sales. A more expensive mattress is likely to be made with better quality materials and been subject to better research and testing so will last you longer. You’ll actually save money in the long run where you’re not having to replace it as soon.

6 Home Design Problems And How To Fix Them Quickly

Dinner Table

No matter how much time and money you put into your home decor, you’ll notice the one thing that isn’t quite right. Your home could be almost perfect but that one tiny detail nags at you. Here’s how to put it right with the minimum of fuss.

A Room Without A View

While you can control what goes on inside your rooms, it’s not always possible to control the outside view. If a room has a less than desirable view, this can ruin the whole effect. However, you can disguise an unattractive outlook with wood blinds or similar. They can enhance the room and provide a warm and inviting aspect. At the same time, the view outside is obscured.

Bicycle bookshelf

Not Enough Storage Space

If you don’t have enough storage space in your home, it’s likely that items are out on display. This can look cluttered and untidy. There are several steps you can take to reduce this.

The first step is to maximize the space available. Make the most of the whole room. Look for areas that haven’t been utilized. For example, above doors or above kitchen units. Consider adding shelving and storing items that are not needed on a daily basis.

Buy furniture that has several functions. Eg., a coffee table with built-in storage space. Or an ottoman that doubles as extra seating.

Purchase furniture that can be folded away when not in use. This will provide you with functionality when it’s needed and space for the rest of the time.

decor and interior design.

Unsightly Flooring

If your flooring is unsightly or in need of repair, a quick fix is to add a rug. Choose something that complements the room and distracts from the floor underneath. This works well in any room. It can hide old, worn linoleum or disguise a carpet you don’t like.

Messy Shelves

If you room looks messy because of the shelves, there is a simple way to reduce the clutter. Items that are aesthetically pleasing can be kept on display. For the rest, place them in baskets or containers. Opt for stylish designs that match the rooms. Store like items together, to make it easier to locate them. This will also provide you with additional storage space.

food and serving

Disguising Old Counter Tops

If your counter tops are old, and you don’t want to replace the whole unit; there are several options. You could paint the surfaces to change the appearance altogether. Or, you could cover them with vinyl. A simpler solution is to opt for a large chopping board. This will cover the majority of the surface and hide the pattern or texture you don’t like.

tiles

Update Tiles

If you don’t like the tiling but don’t fancy replacing them, update them instead. You can paint over them using a tile paint. Or, you could invest in some tile stickers. This will change the look completely. If it’s the grout that is the issue, you can also buy grout paint. Marks and stains can be covered with a quick coat of paint.
Regardless of your design dilemma, there’s usually a simple fix for it. You don’t have to go to great expense or spend lots of time. Often it’s the simple touches that make the most impact.

Creating A Personalized Space for Your Kids In The Home

My goal as a mom is creating a personalized and individual space for the kids in my home. This can be anything from having their own dishes to their favorite seat at the dinner table. This is great for kids especially in a big family.

Here are some Ideas:

Different colored cups for kids

Buy their favorite colored mugs and plates. These little things go a long way and make a difference in your home and keeps sibling fights to a minimum.

Personal space for School aged boy

Another thing I do is decorate their walls with their favorite things. You can add posters, stickers, pretty much anything to make it their own. This is a great way to maximize the space in your home.

individual space for baby boy

Individual space for a girl

You can check out PrintGlobe.com custom promotional items to create personal items for your kids.

DIY: Quick Fixes That You Can Make Around the House

Home ownership can mean a lot of things. You are investing in a property and hope to make a great return on your investment. It can mean security and having somewhere for your family to live. It also means that you will have to spend some time to keep the property looking good and in good working order. Owning a home sure means a lot of investment of time, as well as money! There are plenty of quick little things that you can do around the house. None of which will eat into your weekend or take up lots of time. They make a difference to the overall running and feel of your home, so they are certainly worth doing. Here are some quick examples, to show you how easy it can be.

DIY and Repairs

image

Things That Squeak

If you have lots of squeaky things in the home, now is the time to sort them all out. If you have doors that squeak, it can take a few minutes at the most, to sort it all out. Using some oil or even something like Vaseline can stop the squeak. Rub it on the hinges and the noise will be gone. You can also use wax on squeaky wooden drawers. If you have an old dresser that is making noise, rub candle wax over the squeaky drawers. It stops them from making the noise, but they still work just the same.

Untidy Skirting Boards

Skirting boards are near where we walk, so it is understandable that they get a few kicks and marks along that way. You could give the skirting boards a quick lick of paint if they need to be brightened up. You could also seal the edges if they have come loose a little bit. Make sure you use some durable and stretchy chinking, to make a long lasting seal. Go to Weatherall.com/chinking/ if you need anything else to help with the job.

removing wallpaper

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Peeling Wallpaper

You might panic when you see the peeling wallpaper. You might be thinking that the whole panel is going to fall off, and the whole wall’s wallpaper will need to be replaced. Most of the time this is not the case! Using a small amount of wallpaper paste and using a small paintbrush, you can apply wallpaper paste to the peeling edges. It doesn’t take long to apply. It will just need a little bit of pressure applied as it starts to dry. Just make sure that you smooth out any forming bubbles with a dry and clean cloth.

Stains and Limescale
In the bathroom and kitchen, you might be getting a buildup of stains and limescale. It can be tough stuff to get rid of! They need more than water to clean it away, and bleach doesn’t do the trick. So something like lemon juice mixed with baking soda, to form a paste, can work really well. eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions has some other natural cleaning remedies that you could use around the home.

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