Lilac City Momma

Lynn

3 Tips For Keeping Your Kids Safe When Playing Outside

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Protecting your kids is your top priority as a parent. However, there needs to be some kind of balance between allowing your kids to learn on their own and be independent while also ensuring that they stay away from harm and danger.

This harm and danger can present itself to your children at any time and in any location, including when they’re playing outside or even in your own backyard. So to help ensure that you’re making fewer trips to the emergency room due to an injury, here are three tips for keeping your kids safe when playing outside.

Protect Them From Water Hazards

While water features make any outdoor area seem more natural and beautiful, they also can be hazardous if your children get into them without adult supervision. Because of this, it’s important that you always watch your children when they’re outside in any area where water is present. Keep in mind that this doesn’t just mean pools. Little children can drown in just a few inches of water, so even puddles or areas where water collects can be dangerous.

For your older children, Dr. Karen Gill, a contributor to Healthline.com, advises that you teach them how to swim as well as making rules about never swimming alone or without someone else there to supervise. While these rules might seem overprotective to your older children, they could just save their life in a potentially dangerous situation.

Prepare For The Environment

Another way that kids can get injured or hurt when outside is if they aren’t prepared for the environment in which they’ll be playing.

According to Lisa Freedman, a contributor to Parents.com, this means that your kids should always dress appropriately for being outdoors in whatever weather that day may bring. This includes wearing a coat and gloves in the winter and wearing light clothing and sunscreen in the summer. You should also be aware of any insects in the area that your kids need to protect themselves against.

Set Playground Rules

Whether your kids are at school or playing at the park, they will likely spend a decent amount of time on playground toys. And while manufacturers try to eliminate risks, if your kids don’t follow certain playground rules, they could wind up getting very hurt.

Dr. Kate M. Cronan, a contributor to KidsHealth.org, recommends that you set playground rules that your children are to follow if they will be allowed on these toys. Your rules should include things like not roughhousing, using slides correctly, avoiding toys when they are wet, and more.

If you want to ensure that your children are as safe as possible when playing outside, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you accomplish this.

Ways To Prolong The Lifespan Of Your Home

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When you finally have the chance to own a home, you naturally want to do all you can to preserve the structure’s integrity. You may plan to live in the space your home provides for several decades, so it’s crucial that you know how to properly protect your investment.

Don’t let your safe space become unsafe simply because you have a lack of knowledge. Start training yourself now, and check out a quick look into a few ways in which you can work to prolong the lifespan of your home.

Perform your own yearly inspection

It is responsible homeownership in action to take a thorough look at the inside and outside of your home once per year. It’s wise to stay in the know about the condition of your home’s nooks and crannies, so take some initiative.

Walk around the exterior of your home at least once a year to make sure there isn’t any new damage developing. You may see something that could be a potential issue. Take action immediately to fix the issue, and you will save yourself money in the long run.

Defend against a settlement of pests

It’s wise to take proper care of your home in terms of defending against pests. Dealing with a termite infestation could be quite a challenge.

It helps to keep a watchful eye for the possible signs and symptoms of a pest problem. The quicker you can nip the issue in the bud, the better off you’ll be.

Stay ahead of water leaks

Water is a natural enemy of the preservation of your home’s structure. You have to work to keep things dry under the roof, and there are many different issues to consider.

Make sure your roof is in good condition. Check plumbing and piping regularly for issues, and always keep your gutters and downspouts free from debris buildup.

Check for gaps around windows/doors

Gaps around windows and doors can cause a range of issues inside of your home over time. Take the time to test for efficiency.

If it’s clear that you don’t need a test, just replace the windows and doors in your home. The investment is well worth the protection that high quality windows and doors can offer your home’s interior.

Make a call before you dig

If you decide to enhance the outdoor spaces of your home, it’s wise to make a quick inquiry first. Dial 811 to get an accurate evaluation of where the gas and water lines run through your yard, so you don’t create a catastrophe by trying to upgrade.

Properly treat exposed wood

The exposed wood your home sports needs to be treated every so often to make certain the weather in your area doesn’t break down the integrity of the materials. Take an interest in the durability and wear/tear of your home’s exposed wood, and do what it takes to keep them properly sealed.

 

How to Make Money from Cleaning Out Your House

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If you are about to embark on a spell of spring cleaning then you might be dreading the sheer amount of work it’s going to take. Instead of simply taking everything down to the junkyard though, take a moment to think about whether or not you might be able to get some cash for your trash.

Hold a yard sale

It’s a simple but effective idea that has worked for many people over of the years. You might find a lot of old toys, exercise equipment, artwork, or old records that you don’t want anymore when you’re clearing out your storage space. While these items might no longer mean anything to you, you’d be surprised at how many other people might be interested them. Holding a yard sale is a good way to try and make a bit of extra cash from your old belongings before throwing them out.

Identify antiques

Before you get rid of your belongings or put them up for sale, make sure that you haven’t stumbled across anything of value. There might be some hidden antiques in your attic that could make you some serious money. Antiques come in many forms, for example, a typewriter, a piece of furniture, even a rug could be worth a lot of money. Somewhere like the Orientalist Rug shop can provide cleaning and valuation services, and may even be a potential buyer of your unwanted rugs, and there are many other antique dealerships that can help you to find a good price for your other items.

Cash in on scrap metal

If you come across any pieces of metal that are otherwise useless to you, taking it to your local scrap yard could make you a few dollars. Different metals have different values. It also depends on the weight of your metal as to how much you get paid, so if you don’t have a lot it might not be worth it; but if you do, it could pay a nice sum.

Revamp it

If you’re a hands-on or skilled craftsperson, you might want to consider whether you can fix up that old item yourself and reuse it in the house. Can a broken chair leg be fixed so that the chair can be used again? Or could that dull table be sanded down and given a new coat of paint? If you’re no stranger to a sewing machine, are there any old drapes or clothing that could be fixed? It might be more of an effort to carry out these tasks, yet if you find the time and you have the skills, it could save you a lot of money rather than having to purchase new items for the house. Even if you don’t want to keeps these items for yourself, revamping them will mean you can make more money if you choose to sell them.

Take these points into consideration next time you have a big clean out of your home, you’d be surprised at what your old possessions are worth!

 

Ideas for Decorating Your Kid’s Bedroom

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Decorating a child’s room can be a creative and fun task. You might be decorating a nursery for a newborn or maybe it’s for an older child; either way the playful and imaginative nature of kids allows you to indulge in your creativity, too.

Paint a mural

Mural’s look stunning when they are done properly, and they can be wonderfully personal touches to a child’s bedroom. It could be a scene from their favorite book or movie, or one of yours if you’re painting for a baby. If your child is old enough, it could be fun to ask them to describe or draw a scene for you to recreate on their wall. You don’t have to be artistic to do this; you can even hire a professional painter if you feel your drawing skills aren’t up to the task.

Get durable flooring

It’s no secret that kids can be heavy-handed and heavy-footed. It’s a good idea to get durable carpets or wooden flooring that won’t end up being worn out quickly and leave the room looking a mess. Thick carpets might be a better choice, as they tend to keep the room feeling warmer and cosier. Plus, they are less likely to get scratched up by the kids and their toys. Shop around to find the best quality and pricing, places such as carpet suppliers London are a good place to start.

Furniture

Find some fun furnishings to bring a playful touch to your child’s bedroom. Princess beds can be a great feature in a little girl’s bedroom if she’s into fairy tales. There are also some great bunk-beds that are available for kids that include storage and desk space where they can draw, write, or enjoy their favorite hobby.

Create a quiet hideaway

Everyone needs quiet time, kids included. You can create these calming spaces in their bedroom in various ways. Buying a tipi-style tent is a popular choice, and can be fun for them to use if any of their friend comes to sleepover, too. If you’re a bit better at DIY, there’s always the option of building them a playhouse or den for the corner of the room. If there’s a built-in closet space that isn’t needed, this too can be transformed into a safe haven for the kids to read and play quietly alone or together. Of course, you don’t have to make one yourself, you can always hire a professional to do so.

Interactive walls

Interactive walls do wonders for helping with your kid’s development, and can be used as a brilliant learning resource. Some walls are more encouraging of artwork—wallpaper that can be put up with patterns that they can color, or plain paper they can paint on. This paper doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture, as you can tack it to plaster-board if need be. Chalkboards or white boards might be easier to manage. Magnets are another option; both can be used for math or literacy activities.

Incorporating some of these ideas into your kids’ rooms could result in endless fun for them, as well as being an enjoyable project for you.

 

 

Ten Top Tips for Surviving Christmas

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Christmas is one of the best times but it is also one of the most stressful. In order to survive the festive holiday period, be sure to take note of the top ten tips for surviving Christmas.

  • Make A Budget

Everyone knows that Christmas can be an expensive time of year; the best thing you can do to keep the costs low is to be organized by creating a budget. Write down a list of the people you need to buy for and write how much you plan to spend on them next to their names. Refer back to your list when looking for presents to make sure you’re staying on budget.

  • Keep It Simple

You don’t need to spend a fortune to make Christmas special. It can be easy to get caught up in what you should be buying in terms of food, presents, and decorations. Keep it simple.

  • Write A List

Make the most of to-buy and to-do lists. Write a list of all the things you need to get done over the holiday period in order of importance and tick off what you can. This takes the stress away by making your mind a little less jumbled.

  • Take A Break

Remember that it is your Christmas too, take some time for yourself. Whether this is going out for lunch with your friends or doing something by yourself, make sure you give yourself a much-needed break.

  • Treat Yourself

Christmas is all about giving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself while you’re buying for other people. F Jewellery is a good place to start, choose something that will brighten up your day too.

  • Not Everything Has to Be Perfect

With the rise of social media, you are bombarded with photos of extravagant Christmas decorations and glamorously dressed tables. However, you don’t have to match these standards. Try to remind yourself that everyone posts what they want other people to see, no one will be posting photos of the mess after opening presents or all the dirty dishes in the sink. Don’t compare your day to someone else’s highlight reel.

  • Say ‘No’

You’ll be bombarded with invitations to go to parties, dinners, and gatherings. If you haven’t got the time or the mental space, you can say ‘no.’ Don’t feel obliged to partake in everything that you’re invited to. Everyone will understand as it is one of the busiest times of the year.

  • Indulge

Stop thinking about the diet and treat yourself this Christmas. Enjoy eating without feeling guilty; the diet can start another time!

  • Exercise

While it’s amazing to indulge over the holidays, remember to take care of your body too. You don’t have to do a full-body workout but have a walk with your family to get outside and get your body moving. It’s not about losing weight; it’s about keeping your body happy and ready for the day.

  • Just Have Fun!

Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t stress. Relax and have fun! Christmas should be about spending time with your loved ones, so don’t get so wrapped up in trying to make everything perfect that you forget what’s really important.