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Family Activities Learning Life Our Family

3 Ways Going Remote is Good For Families

As much of the world has employees working from home and children learning virtually, life seems to be a bit uncertain. Whether you are enjoying the remote lifestyle or you’re hating it, it is something we are all dealing with. Luckily, there are a few reasons that going remote is good for families.

Location is a primary concern when it comes to choosing workplaces and schools. In fact, it’s not uncommon for families to consider moving for work or school. Living closer to places of interest can give parents and children a better chance of finding high-quality education and employment. Now, however, location doesn’t seem to be so important.

Some parents were already familiar with the advantages of remote schooling by enrolling their children in online charter schools. Online charter schools have been integral to the homeschooling experience for many families, even before the pandemic.

Unlike the unexpected digital teaching approach that many traditional schools have had to implement in 2020, online charter schools have already mastered the art of providing high-quality digital education. They provide access to some of the best teachers in the world, making the location of staff and students irrelevant.

Consequently, they have become more popular during the covid crisis since safe and effective schooling methods have been essential. It has been a rocky road for most of us, but going remote isn’t all bad. There’s much to gain for families who choose to remain in digital work and school environments.

How Going Remote is Good For Families

1. It Fits into Your Lifestyle

According to a survey, most Americans want to keep working from home. This includes even after covid vaccines are safely rolled out to the population.

Working at home makes employment and education an integral part of your lifestyle, without causing disruptions. For many parents, their kids’ school schedule is one of the major issues when it comes to maintaining a full-time job. When parents have to see their children off to school and then be there when they get home, it is hard to work full time.

With going remote, however, parents can work in the morning before their kids leave (or start their virtual school work). Plus, parents can continue working after they get the kids home for the day. This gives parents the opportunity to work more hours while still being an active, supportive parent.

Think about it this way – if you aren’t remote and have to go to the office every day, are you able to be there for your kids while still working full time? You may be able to, but the majority of Americans are struggling with this. Going remote can change that, however, because you can be there for your children WHILE bringing in a full-time income. Win-Win, for sure.

While flexible work arrangements are available in some places, it’s easy to see how digital technologies can eliminate disruptive schedules for parents and children. 

If you are a work-from-home parent, read this post for Easy Tips on Working From Home With Kids.

2. It Helps Separate Households Share Custody Rights

When families do not live together, such as divorced or separated parents, it’s tricky to make everybody’s schedules fit. More often than not, one parent gets most of the custody rights, ensuring the safe continuation of education for their children.

However, when you replace physical schools with online institutions, both parents can share custody rights equally. It’s a new challenge for family lawyers, but many are willing to embrace it for the sake of families.

Additionally, it can also change the approach to the whole settlement process – you can see more about it here to understand how going remote can make the transition easier for children. In a remote world, there’s no need to worry about changing jobs or schools when one parent moves out. 

3. Going Virtual Makes Time to Explore Together

Families that travel together stay together. It is a silly statement, but one that is true. Sharing memorable experiences with your partner and children strengthens your bonds.

In the past, traveling has been extremely limited for families due to time constraints. Children only get so much time off school, and adults get even less time off work. This makes it difficult to plan long trips or to truly explore the world.

With going remote, however, there is no need to plan trips around school breaks and week-long vacations from work. Plus, when you travel during school breaks, tourist areas tend to be expensive and crowded. If your family is remote, you can plan these trips anytime of the year.

Of course, you will still have to work, but if you can take a longer trip, it wouldn’t matter if you had to spend time working during it. So, in this case, going remote is a good thing! It doesn’t matter when you embark on a trip, which saves you money and unnecessary stress! 

There is still a long way to go for families to get used to going remote for employment and education. We are only at the start of the path! But, there are already plenty of advantages that could improve our lifestyles and family lives.

We are on a learning curve to make our world safer and better for all, and perhaps digital workplaces and schools could play a significant role in that. If you have been against going remote, I hope these reasons that going remote is good for families will help change your mind!

What are some of the reasons you think going remote is good for families? Tell me about it in the comment section!  

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Adulting For the Home Home How To

How Can You Keep Your Home In The Best Condition Possible?

Keeping your home in the best condition possible is important for a number of reasons. The first is that it means you aren’t going to have to spend a fortune and a bunch of time sorting it out later on. This will be helpful if you want to move or if something gets damaged. The second is that it will make your home a much nicer place to live.

Keep Your Home In The Best Condition

While it may seem like a daunting task that you would rather ignore, it is best not to. You’ll be happier that you have a nice home, and it won’t be such a headache later on. Luckily, there are some easy things you can do to keep your home in the best condition possible.

How to Keep Your Home In The Best Condition

Fix What Is Broken

If something is broken, you need to fix it. It might not always be possible to do this right away, but there should be some kind of solution in place. For example, if there has been some flooding or other water damage, a company such as Delta Restoration Services will be able to provide the solution that you need.

Or, it might be something else such as a problem with the roof. You might be able to fix it yourself, or you may need to call a professional depending on the extent of the damage.

The same goes for things such as the washing machine or dishwasher. As long as you have a plan in place, then you’re on the right path to keeping your home in the best condition possible.

Keep It Clean

Another thing that you need to do is to keep your house clean. You never know when you are going to have unexpected house guests, so your home should always be clean.

It might feel like a nightmare in the beginning, but once everything is clean, you will feel better. Make sure you keep up on it to avoid having to spend hours on it again later.

Clean up often, make sure nothing is left lying around, and vacuum or sweep once per day. Of course, there are other things like shampooing the carpets that can be done less frequently. 

It’s the little things that are going to make a big difference. When you keep up on the little things, you are doing yourself a huge favor.

Make sure that everyone who lives in the house is helping out, though, and this includes the kids. When only one person does it, this is where the downfall usually happens. One person cannot be responsible for keeping everything clean.

Make Cost-Effective Improvements

Finally, one of the best ways to keep your home in great condition is to improve it in a way that keeps things efficient. Using a Solar Panel Company is a great way to do this. Generating your own energy can help you to run your home at a better cost, and you’re doing your part to be renewable too.

How Can You Keep Your Home In The Best Condition Possible

If you follow these tips, you are sure to keep your home in the best condition possible. By fixing things when they are broken and keeping your home clean, you are sure to have a home that you love. If you have already done these things and are looking for decor options, check out this blog post for home decor lovers.

What are some of the ways you make sure that your home is in the best condition possible? Tell me in the comments!

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Adulting Decor For the Home Home How To

6 Easy Tips for a Happy, Healthy Home You Will Love

We all want to create a comfortable and relaxing home for our families, whether it’s interior design hacks or eco-friendly changes. There are many ways to create a happy, healthy home, to enhance both physical health and mental well-being. All of these tips are simple and inexpensive changes that you can use to improve your lifestyle.

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***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Tips for a Happy, Healthy Home

1 . Cleanse the Air

To create a happy, healthy home, the first thing you should do is improve the quality of your air. First, keep your home well ventilated, opening doors and windows often.

Next, invest in an air purifier or Air Scrubber, which can remove harmful toxins and allergens from the air. There are many different types of air purifiers out there, which is why it’s best to check out a few reviews, such as this Bissell review.

Alternatively, house plants can also cleanse the air inside, removing chemicals such as trichloroethylene and benzene.

2. Remove Excess Clutter

A little clutter never hurt anyone, but an overwhelming amount of clutter can contribute to feelings of stress. This makes it difficult for you to relax at home.

To banish the clutter from your life, go through your items, and keep only things that you actually need or love. To embrace the minimalist lifestyle, these resources may come in handy:

3. Recycle Food Waste

To create a healthy and environmentally friendly home, try recycling your food waste by creating a compost pile. When you recycle your food waste, you’ll be contributing less waste to landfill sites.

Any efforts you make to go green can help you to create a healthier home for you and your family. Whether you shop second-hand or use water-conserving devices, every little bit helps.

4. Create a Vegetable Garden

Growing your own vegetables can help you live a healthier lifestyle. You’ll learn new skills and get nutritious food. Plus, gardening is very therapeutic.

To help you learn how to create a lovely vegetable garden, try using apps like Veggie Garden Planner, or Garden Plan Pro. 

5. Banish the Chemicals 

To make your home a little bit healthier, take a look at the products you use, and banish the chemicals from your life. Choose non-toxic eco candles, or replace conventional cleaning products with eco-friendly cleaners.

You should also pay attention to the products you use on your skin. Many of them contain chemicals, which should be avoided.

When choosing your cosmetics products, use apps like ‘Think Dirty’, to help you make healthier and greener choices.

6. Decorate to Boost Well-being 

When you’re decorating your home, try to make changes that will boost your well-being. Choose artwork that depicts the natural world, helping to create a calm atmosphere.

When painting your rooms, choose calming colors such as muted greens or rustic greys. Hang up photographs of your family and friends, and choose soft furniture for maximum comfort.

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Taking these steps to ensure a happy, healthy home for your family will make all the difference. Even if you can’t implement all of the ideas, trying a few of them will help immensely.

What are some of the ways you create a happy, healthy home for your family? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To

2021 Designs That Will Complete Your Kitchen And Home

Upgrading your home often takes time and money. You could troll through pages of inspirational content but sometimes, you just can’t find what is going to be right for you. There are ways you can figure out which 2021 designs to adapt to your kitchen and home, however.

With a custom home builder, you can make decisions that do fit you perfectly. Let’s say you are looking to upgrade your kitchen to modern appliances and give it a general fresh feel. It’s important to know the types of tones and styles that you like the most. It may be hard to pick exactly, but here are some ideas to get you started.

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Source: Unsplash

2021 Designs To Adapt To Your Kitchen And Home

A Work Triangle

In the kitchen, it is important to have a work triangle – refrigerator, sink, stove. Comfort and accessibility between the elements will create comfort at work. Drawer for pots under the stove, our spice rack close and available, cutting knives and the like.

Make sure that all the things you use will be arranged in a convenient and accessible way within easy reach. The lighting should also be arranged in a functional way. Continuous lighting about one foot from the end of the cabinet line will make it so that when you open the drawers, you will see exactly what they contain.

Plan According to Your Exact Needs

Just before starting kitchen design, it is most important to understand your needs. Consider whether you cook a lot or a little. Is life lived in the kitchen or is it used for food only? What are the needs in terms of storage, characterization of the seating, and other important things? Figuring these things out ahead of time will give you a space that will meet all your needs.

Make it an Exciting Experience

Today, design and cooking are a social experience in themselves. You likely don’t want to be in an enclosed space, so the kitchen design changes and it is part of the whole house. It should be open and appealing to everyone, and also allow everyone to enjoy the cooking experience. So, design the kitchen in an open and inviting way.

2021 designs for the kitchen, 2021 designs for the home, 2021 designs, home design 2021
Source: Unsplash

2021 Designs are Taking Hold For the Home

In recent years, the concept of ‘power wall‘ has become a very strong trend (literally) in the field of interior design. This means investing in one prominent and central wall leads to the creation of a special atmosphere in the space. But this trend, it seems, will give way in 2021 to something more fluid, more integrated, and more inclusive.

In 2021, you will see more and more uniformly painted spaces, and not just one prominent wall. Life in Corona times has left us at home and pushed some of us into harmony. 

One of the most prominent trends that was born in the pre-Corona period, but intensified greatly thanks to it, is a return to nature. This includes an understanding of the importance of using natural and recycled materials, alongside a growing discussion on sustainable design. A sustainable design is a simple design, accessible to all and not very sophisticated.

This trend has evolved from raw materials, which have been perfected over the years into combinations that fit the everyday lifestyle. Green and eco-friendly materials that are simple and unsophisticated such as straw, which started out in rugs and baskets, now go into elements on walls and textiles. These elements are found in the natural plaster, recycled wood cladding, and more. It is these materials that bring us home and comfort us.

Has Covid Shaped Our New Design Trends?

Another trend that will be seen in the 2021 designs is the use of calm and peaceful shades. This has a direct connection to the Corona Virus Pandemic, and to the mood and optimism we so desperately need at this time.

Pastel pink, for example, transmits a delicate and sensitive optimism. It connects to natural materials and vice versa – wood and iron for example – and together they form a complete and harmonious look. This harmonious look brings with it both softness and innovation.

A narrative of simplicity, serenity and convergence will be expressed in both materiality and color. This is achieved by using basic raw materials (wood, straw, terracotta, bamboo, jute, and rattan), recycled materials, and a great deal of DIY.

One color palette that reflects peace is earth tones such as a sand color, aqua shades with an optimistic and hopeful saturation, and shades of green that will symbolize environmental trends in the world. Add in some bright colors that will stand out even when things seem dreary to symbolize happy optimism.

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Using these tips and following the new trends for 2021 designs, you can create a peaceful space that you love. Make your home a place you always enjoy, and a place that helps you forget about your problems.

What are some of your favorite ways to design your space? Are you changing things up for 2021? Let me know in the comments!

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Adulting For the Home Home Life

4 Easy Ways to Make Your House Feel More like a Home

As the old saying goes, “there’s no place like home.” In many ways, our homes are the places that we turn to for comfort, rejuvenation, and even inspiration. Our homes are where we spend some of our most cherished moments with the people closest to us, and they are where we refine our sense of who we are. For these reasons alone, you must make your house feel more like a home.

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Taking care of your home is so important, and there are many things that can contribute dramatically to making your home feel more like a home. You can make it the kind of place where you enjoy spending time, and where you and your family can thrive.

Perhaps you have just moved into a new home and haven’t quite settled yet. Or, maybe you just aren’t quite happy with how you relate to your existing living space. Either way, taking steps to help make your house feel more like a home is essential.

How to Make Your House Feel More Like a Home

1. Get a Pet

There are many brilliant upsides to getting a pet – especially for families with young kids.

For one thing, getting a pet such as a new Labrador puppy, from a responsible breeder such as https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca, can immediately fill the home with a rich sense of innocent, jubilant energy, while simultaneously allowing every member of the family to participate in the wonderful aura of enthusiasm that results from this.

For another thing, pets – for many families – symbolise the real solidification of a home. They complete the “white picket fence” dream of what a family home should look and feel like.

In addition to all of this, pets can teach all sorts of valuable lessons to all members of the family, but especially to children. Lessons concerning things like responsibility, to give just one example.

2. Personalize Your Home with Things that have a Personality and a Story

There is certainly a kind of allure connected to the simple and streamlined aesthetic that you will find in many home décor catalogs these days. But, there are setbacks to filling your home with this type of furniture.

The things you fill your home with will dramatically affect how the place feels to you, how you perceive it, and how capable you are of relating to it. If everything in your home was mass produced in a factory, there’s a good chance you will feel alienated from your home.

This is because for a living space to really feel like a home, it has to feel like something that you have a relationship with. Something that has character, personality, and that is personal and relevant to you – rather than just being something broadly utilitarian and pretty.

The more you can ensure that the objects in your home are more than just “objects,” but that they have a story and personality – or, at least, can develop a story and personality over time – the more your house or apartment will come to feel like a home.

3. Get Your Home in Order and Keep it That Way

No matter how great your house may be or how many meaningful items it contains, it will be hard to feel comfortable in your living space if it is messy, and chaotic.

While “comfort” isn’t exactly the same thing as your house feeling like a home, it is at least a significant factor to consider. If you find yourself in this situation, it can be difficult knowing just where to start. You may even struggle with getting the energy and momentum to step forward and begin the process.

Despite those obstacles, the best thing you can do for transforming how your home feels overnight is to dive into the cleaning and organizing process. Make sure that there is a place for everything, and that everything gets put away.

From there, you will be able to see, feel, and appreciate the unique and beautiful features of the place that had been obscured before.

4. Develop Routines to Create a Sense of Happiness and Meaning Each Day

Your home is much more than a place where you simply sleep and eat in between going to work or school.

It’s meant to be a place where you flourish, and where you can get in touch with yourself and appreciate some of the small pleasures of everyday life.

One thing you can do to make your house feel more like a home is to come up with routines that can introduce a sense of happiness and meaning on an everyday basis.

This might mean having a family breakfast each morning at a beautiful dining table, or it may mean sitting on your porch with a cup of coffee before starting the day properly. It could even be as simple as enjoying a good book in your favorite chair.

Your home is supposed to be a special place where you can truly let go. You should be able to relax and enjoy the time you spend at home. This means finding a way to make your house feel more like a home is essential.

What are some of your tips for making a house feel more like a home? Do you have any simple daily routines that help you find pleasure in your home each day? Tell me in the comments! I’d love to hear about it.

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Classroom Family Activities Learning Toys and Games

5 Educational Board Games To Play With Your Kids

Playing board games with your kids can have many benefits. Board games can get your kids away from the screen and allow you to enjoy some family bonding time. On top of this, many board games can have educational benefits while still being very fun.

Educational Board Games To Play With Your Kids

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Best Educational Board Games to Play With Kids

Chess

Chess is one of the oldest board games that is still played today. It’s a great game for teaching problem solving and strategy skills. In order to win, you need to keep track of all the pieces on the board while planning your moves ahead.

On top of traditional chess boards, there are chess boards available in all different themes from Harry Potter chess boards to Disney chess boards. You can teach chess to kids as young as 6 as this guide explains, although older kids are likely to appreciate the game more. Chess is a 2 player game, making it better suited to one-on-one time. 

*If you are looking for board games for younger kids, check out this post: 12 of the Best Games For Kids

Scrabble

Scrabble encourages players to earn points by forming words. On top of being a great game for expanding your child’s vocabulary, Scrabble helps kids to develop math skills through adding up points and forming patterns. Plus, it helps with teaching forward planning.

You can play Scrabble with up to four players. As with chess, older kids are likely to appreciate Scrabble more.

If you run out of word ideas, don’t worry. There are lots of tools online that can help you play scrabble better such as this word unscrambler tool.

Monopoly

Monopoly encourages players to buy property around a board until one person owns all the property. It’s a great game for teaching kids money management because in order to win, you need to be able to budget well and take calculated risks.

On top of the classic version of Monopoly, there are now many other versions themed around everything from Star Wars to Pokémon. You can play Monopoly with up to eight players, making it ideal for large families.

Qwirkle

Qwirkle is a game that involves matching colors and shapes using tiles. On top of helping to build logical skills through patterns, Qwirkle is a great game for teaching strategy much like chess or Scrabble (in fact, it’s a bit like a combination of chess and dominoes).

The game is easy to set up and can be played by all ages. Up to four players can play Qwirkle at a time. 

The World Game

If you’re looking for a game to teach geography skills, The World Game is the perfect option. Players compete to find the strongest fact about a country and win.

In doing so, players learn trivia about various countries from capital cities to flags. The game also teaches map orientation, helping kids to work out exactly where countries are in the world. It’s suitable for players of all ages and can be played with up to five players. 

Educational Board Games To Play With Your Kids

Learning doesn’t have to be boring, and you don’t have to force it on your kids. By finding the right ways to help them learn, you can have fun and bond while doing it. Board games are the perfect thing for that because they are fun and educational.

What are your favorite educational board games to play with your kids? Tell me in the comments!