Alternative Education Paths for Your Children

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Deciding how to educate your children isn't always easy to do. You can take the standard route and put them in the public school system, but what if you think that it's not the right choice? There are alternative education systems and philosophies out there, and perhaps one of them could be a better choice for your child. To find the best option, you will first need to explore what's out there and understand the benefits that they might be able to offer your child. Here are some of the options that might be available to you if you're considering alternative education.

Montessori

Montessori schools follow the philosophy of Dr Maria Montessori. They allow students to freely explore their interests and the lessons that they find most enjoyable. If you choose a primary Montessori day school for your child, you could help them benefit from a balanced education. Montessori schools help children to develop a passion for learning and knowledge, engaging their senses and encouraging them to think and question. Montessori schools are available at different levels, although most options are for students up to middle school. Some Montessori high schools are also available, although there are fewer options.

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Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an option that many parents consider as an alternative to the standard school system. It allows you to educate your children in the way that you want to, while having control over their schedule. Homeschooling offers many different approaches, so it's not exactly one type of alternative schooling. You can decide how you educate your children, which might include giving classroom lessons, using online materials and various other resources. There are many different ways to teach your children and decide what you want them to learn and why. It allows you to be more involved in your child's education.

Unschooling

Unschooling is related to homeschooling, and some people might say it's the same thing. Unschooling is defined by a lack of curriculum or standards, allowing students to do what they want. It's driven by the child's interests and often doesn't have any routine, structure or schedule of any kind. There is no testing or exams, or other measuring of progress. This might be something that you consider if you are able to devote a lot of time to being involved in your child's education. It could also be a good choice for your child's early development rather than their later years.

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Forest Kindergarten

If you're looking for an alternative option for your child's kindergarten, a forest kindergarten is a great option. This type of kindergarten involves almost entirely outdoor activities, allowing children to explore the outdoors and learn through playing. The American Forest Kindergarten Association is a good place to learn more about where these types of kindergarten can be found and the benefits they offer. They often have smaller class sizes, child-led learning and will run in almost all weathers.

If you think standard education might not be right for your child, especially while they're young, there are other possibilities to help you find the right path.

Financially Surviving When Too Sick To Work

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Getting sick can take a toll on your finances as well as your health. This is particularly the case with long-term sickness in which you may miss out on an income for weeks – and sometimes even months. Some employers may be able to offer sick pay for a limited time, but this may still not be enough to survive on. Other forms of financial helps are often needed in these circumstances. Fortunately, there are lots of different forms of financial help to consider.

Look into federal/state benefits

In the case of chronic sickness in which you may be expected to be ill for several months, it’s possible that there may be benefits that you’re entitled to. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SSI (Supplementary Security Income) are two federal benefits that are both worth looking into. Eligibility for such benefits can depend on the requirements of your state. There may also be other benefits offered by your state – by doing your research, you can find out more about these.

Take up odd jobs online

If you’re well enough to use a computer, you may be able to make some money online by taking up odd jobs. There are lots of ways of making money online including completing surveys, writing blog posts and even doing people’s online shopping for them. Sites like Fiverr are great place to find these odd jobs.

Sell your clutter

Got any unwanted possessions in your home that you could sell for cash? This could be another way of making some money while you’re ill. You can put these items up for sale online and get buyers to pick them up from your home using the likes of Gumtree. This could be a useful way of selling these items if you don’t have the energy to take them to second-hand stores.

Know your legal rights

There may be cases in which you can make a legal claim and earn some compensation. For instance, if you were injured in a road accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s possible that you may be able to make a personal injury claim. There are companies such as J. Alexander Law Firm that can help you to make these legal claims. If you win your claim, the compensation could be enough to live off while you recover.

Talk to your family and friends

Don’t be too proud to ask for financial help from family or friends if you desperately need it. Even if you borrow money from them, it’s better than having to resort to a loan. On top of offering financial help, these people could be needed for running errands while you’re ill.

Get help from local charities

In the case of certain illnesses, there may local charities that can step in to offer some financial support. Do some research to find out about charities in your area and try applying for charity funding.

Do You Need To Make Changes To Your Relationship? The Things To Consider

Sometimes we can find that our relationships can take a bit of a beating. It isn’t something we intend to happen, after all, marriage or a commitment of having children together is something that we don’t take lightly. However, the strain of life in general and having children can take its toll on the relationship, which in turn can mean that you start to worry about the cracks are starting to show, and if they are repairable or not. With that in mind, here are some of the changes that you could make to your relationship to help you smooth over the cracks. 

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Go on date nights

One of the obvious ways that you can rekindle the romance in your relationship is to start thinking about date nights. Going on a date together takes you right back to the beginning of the relationship where you are expecting the unexpected and getting to know one another. It gives you a reason to spend time together, a chance to dress up for one another, and actually take the time to plan and prepare for a date night. It could be a nice meal out, a day trip somewhere, a coffee date or even a date at home when the children are in bed. Lighting the candles and actually making an effort with one another every once and a while will really help you remember the reasons you fell in love in the first place. 

Communicate

Communication is one of the biggest issues many couples have these days. They struggle to actually talk to one another, and when they do the topics of conversation are probably the same. It will be about logistics and the children. So don’t let that be an issue for you and instead take the time to enquire about the other person's day. It could be that you show an interest or actually talk about yourself as well. It could make a big difference to how the other person feels. 

Don’t take drastic action just yet 

When the cracks start to show, it can be so tempting to think that the relationship is doomed. You may think there is no way out and perhaps want to seek out legal representation for a collaborative divorce or at the very least some advice. Of course, this may be a viable option and certainly may be better for the whole family, but before you take drastic action, make sure that you start to think about some of the ways you can try and repair the situation first. 

Find some common ground once more

Finally, if you feel like youa have nothing to talk about, then why not think about trying to get some common ground between you once more? Maybe you could start a hobby together, or get invested into a boxset on the TV. Whatever it is, finding the common ground gives you something to talk about and move forward with. 

Let’s hope that these tips help you when it comes to making some changes to your relationship. 

Buying a Caravan

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If you are looking to purchase a caravan then one of the most important decisions you need to make before you can even begin searching is where to purchase the caravan from. There are lots of online caravan dealers available at present and it is not as easy as going for the first one you lay your eyes upon. If you want to buy a quality caravan then it all starts with locating a quality company. Thus, keep on reading to discover how to choose the best online caravan dealers. 

The first thing you must do is take a look at the range of caravans they sell. You need to make sure there is a comprehensive selection available. After all, this is the only way you will be certain to find one that is suitable for you i.e. in terms of the size you want, the brand you have your eyes set on or the budget you have set. Do they help with maintenance and storage? Perhaps they sell a frame carports or can advise on a company that does? In addition to this, it is always a good idea to go for a company who sells new and used caravans. You never know what fantastic deals may be on offer in the used section. Nevertheless, if you cannot find what you are looking for then you know you have an excellent selection of new caravans to choose from. 

In addition to this, you should also be certain the caravan dealer has a good reputation. Read reviews left by individuals who have already purchased from the company before for their travel needs. This is the best way to get an honest assessment of the dealer; the service they provide and of course the caravans they sell. Those companies with a bad reputation will easily be sniffed out as you will dig up a wealth of angry customers complaining and warning others not to use the dealer in question. 

It is also a good idea to go for a dealer who sells a wealth of caravan accessories as well. After all, you are likely to want to purchase a selection of different accessories to enhance your vehicle. You could, of course, buy these from another e-store, however not only would this be inefficient but how do you know the parts are going to be compatible with your caravan? If you buy everything from the one place then you will have the information needed to make the right purchase and ensure your accessories are right for your caravan. 

Aside from the points that have already been mentioned, it is always an advised idea to go for a company with a lot of experience and years in their locker. By doing this you can be assured that they have been providing a stellar service. How else will they have survived for so long? Not only this, but you can be certain that they will have built up the best contacts in the industry and thus their products will be the best of the best. 

Use this article as a guide and you are assured to be able to find the best caravan dealer for you. Don’t underestimate how crucial this is; it is not as if a caravan is a cheap purchase after all! 

Remodelling Your Kitchen On A Budget: Top Tips

Along with the living room, hallway, and bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most used parts of your home. In fact, some may say it is the very heart of the house. It is where family meals are cooked, where homework is done, where heart to heart chats happen, and comforting drinks are poured. But what happens when this vital part of your home becomes less chic and more shabby? It is time to think about giving it a remodel - and that can cost a lot of money.

Fear not, however, as here we look at a few ways of remodeling the heart of your home on a tight budget. Read on to find out more:

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Keep Your Existing Appliances

It can be tempting to buy all new appliances when doing a full kitchen remodel, but if there is nothing wrong with your existing appliances, keep them. New ones can take a massive chunk out of your budget, which can go towards nicer flooring or tiles, for example. It is really easy to sort out problems with appliances now as well - Whirlpool parts are readily available online for you to repair jobs yourself and save yourself a whole load of cash.

Refresh rather than replace

In the same vein as above, refresh your existing cupboards and cabinets instead of replacing them. Sand them down and paint them in a new color - make sure it is suitable for a kitchen environment and your kitchen will look completely different.

Jazz things up with new paint and curtains

Changing the color of your kitchen will always feel like a huge change, and best of all, it is a change that can be done in a day for just a few dollars if you decide to do it yourself. New curtains or blinds also make a difference. They should be replaced periodically as they will absorb all of the cooking odors and grease, but upgrading them and matching them to your newly painted walls and uncycled cabinets and cupboards will give the room a whole new lease of life. You could also hang a couple of cute pictures or quirky signs and dot some potted plants about.

Add a fancy backsplash.

Adding a tile backsplash is one of the most cost-effective ways to change the whole style of your kitchen. Not only will the change be dramatic, but it is relatively easy to swap out old tile for new – or add a backsplash where there was not one before. As long as the material you’re considering is dirt and water-resistant, don’t be afraid to use it.

Wishing for a new kitchen is one thing, but actually paying for one is an entirely different kettle of fish. While it might be worth the splurge to get your dream kitchen, there are plenty of simple upgrades you can make in place of a full-fledged remodeling job if you are working from a limited budget.