A Few Tips for Turning Your Home into a Positive Home-Schooling Environment

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There are many reasons why you might choose to homeschool, with many of the most common specifically having to do with the fact that you want to ensure that you are as active as possible in the lives and education of your children, and that you can help to nurture their minds, while also inculcating the right values into them, instead of trusting a state institution to do that job for you.

In many parts of the world, homeschooling is illegal, or stands on a shaky legal footing, which means that it’s all the more important to appreciate this right if you are able to exercise it.

But homeschooling a child is a fairly complicated process, and certainly involves a bit more than just having the right collection of books at hand, and reciting lessons at your offspring for a certain number of hours each day.

Among other things, a positive homeschooling experience will tend to rely to quite a significant degree on the home itself being turned into a positive homeschooling environment.

So, here are a few tips for turning your home into just such a positive environment.

Ensure that all the required conveniences are working and are within easy reach, while simultaneously reducing the distractions

There’s a delicate balance to be struck in a home, in order to ensure that your child has access to all the basic and necessary amenities and luxuries, in order to prevent them from being distracted, or feeling disheartened – while also trying to adequately limit the number of distractions that might take them out of the “zone.”

Typically, this will mean ensuring that all the standard household conveniences are up and running as intended, and this may well require that you are quick on the ball when it comes to contacting a washer repair service, or other expert tradesmen, if something does break down.

Food should be easily accessible, the temperature should be kept to a reasonable and comfortable level, and there should be enough engaging activities on offer to make break time appealing.

At the same time, though, you need to ensure that the TV isn’t on in the background, video games aren’t within easy reach, comic books aren’t strewn all over the place, and there are as few distractions as possible, in general, that could disrupt your child’s attention.

This is a delicate balance to strike, but it’s critically important to get right. One great way of resolving this is to have certain areas of the home set-aside as dedicated “homeschooling spaces” – and meticulously managing the items that are allowed into those spaces.

Keep the home very tidy and organised, and reduce clutter as much as possible

Have you ever tried being very productive and focused in a severely messy and topsy-turvy environment?

If you have, you already know that it is extremely tricky, if not outright impossible. Human psychology is such that we all look for markers of stability and familiarity in the environments we’re occupying, and if we can’t see evidence that those environments are “under our control,” so to speak, our anxiety levels go up, and we remain in a more highly “guarded” state.

Put differently, the state of your home environment typically corresponds with your mental state – messy and chaotic home equals messy and chaotic mind, while tidy and orderly environment equals tidy and orderly mind.

Since your child is expected specifically to do difficult and engaging cognitive work while being homeschooled, it’s important that the environment you’re operating in should be as orderly and structured as it possibly can be.

Take the tidying and decluttering seriously.

Set aside a dedicated area for homeschooling sessions, and avoid letting the outside world intrude on it at all, if possible

There are certain environmental and ritualistic “triggers” that just put you in a certain state of mind, in a hurry, without you even having to think about it.

Likely, when you sink into the warm embrace of the sofa after a long day at work, your mood automatically skyrockets, and you instantly start looking forward to the shows you’re about to watch.

By the same token, when you sit down at your desk at work, you probably “snap” into a work-focused mindset, pretty readily.

Ultimately, you want to create something very similar to this for your child, during their homeschooling experience.

The best way to achieve this is likely to be to set aside a dedicated area of the home, for homeschooling sessions, and to avoid letting the outside world intrude on it at all, if possible. If you can dedicate an entire room to homeschooling – as a kind of “study” or “classroom,” all the better. But even if this isn’t practically possible, you should nonetheless have a certain desk that is used exclusively for homeschooling work, and nothing else.

5 Things to Keep in Mind so That You Buy the Best Tools for DIY Projects

Simple home repairs are best done by using hand tools. The home tasks are unlike those in a commercial setting, where the load of work demands for more complex power tools. There are many types of tools that you can use on your DIY projects. When buying them, it is advisable to pay attention to the 5 tips of finding the best tools for DIY projects. By getting the right tools for your DIY project, you will have an easy time handling basic home repairs. 

To learn more about getting the best tools for your home, head over to Best Tool Reviews. 

The ease and comfort of using the tool

As far as handheld tools such as hammers, saws, mallets, chisels, and nut drivers are concerned, the diameter of the handle will determine how easy and comfortable it will be using the tool.  As a result, tasks such as chiseling or hammering that require a lot of force are best done using a tool with a handle diameter of about 1¼ to 2 inches. This is because you can easily wrap your hands around them to get a good grip. With that, you will be able to exert enough force to complete the task.

The grip span

Just the way the diameter of single-handled tools determines their comfort, the grip span of double-handled tools determines their ease of use.  Therefore, it is advisable to go for double-handled tools such as pliers, snips, cable cutters, stem cutters, and others with a wider grip span so that it can be easy using the tool.  Furthermore, such tools do not cause a lot of fatigue on the user. For the best effects, you should choose double-handled tools with open and closed grip spans of 3 and 2 inches, respectively. But for tools such as tweezers and tongs which help in holding small items, it is recommended to go for the ones with a grip span of between 1 inch when closed and 3 inches when open. 

Consider the work space

If you are looking to do repairs in a small work space, consider getting ergonomically correct tools that fit in such spaces. Smaller spaces often call for power tools with handles that range from 1 to 2 inches. Such tools are easy to use because they can be held by hands but not pinched by fingers. Tools designed for smaller spaces come with a better grip that enables you to complete the job in less time. Furthermore, they cause less stress on the body. It is also important to ensure that the length of the tool that you are using matches the space in your work space. If you choose long tools, you will not be able to reach components that you need to work on. Therefore, you should choose short-handled tools for this type of work.

Price and quality

As you look for the best tools for DIY projects, it is important to consider the quality of the products. Generally, high-quality tools often come at a higher price. However, you should buy tools that fall within your budget.

By following the above tips, you should be able to find the best DIY tools that are perfect for your repair projects.

5 Amazing Tricks That Will Help With Your Roof

Roof repairs are so simple and yet so difficult.

Unlike most other home repairs, roof maintenance also brings a factor of safety into play. It is no joke climbing onto a slippery roof after a big storm! This is precisely why we urge homeowners to act with caution. Still, that doesn’t mean you should sit idle and let your roof rot. There are lots of different things you can do with it thus increasing its life span. You don’t have to be good repairman in order to safeguard your roof.

Today, we invited the roofing experts from Do It Right Roofing Vancouver to give us 5 crucial tips to follow at all times:

1. Always be proactive

In most cases, damage to your roof can be partially averted or reduced by having a proactive stance. Any type of damage should be immediately addressed; sections of the roof tend to decay together so the last thing you want to do is sit on your hands while your shingles are crumbling one after another. Gutter damage can cause leaks and affect the integrity of your home, smaller damage to the chimney can lead to bigger repairs and so on.

2. Get the safety items

Protection is everything when it comes to the roof! Commonly, homeowners will climb on it after a strong storm. They would have to check its state. This is when climbing is most dangerous. The roof tends to absorb liquids and it becomes moist and slippery. An accident can happen in a split second. In order to avert this, make sure to get just the right safety items. Besides that, you should also have a toolbox with all the necessary items that will help you with fixes.

3. Check the mold

Mold and algae are some of the most common issues for roofs. Homeowners usually think they are harmless and that these plant organisms are more of an aesthetic issue. This isn’t entirely true. Always remember that mold has a certain weight; as a patch becomes larger, it will start weighing down the roof. Ultimately, the material will become brittle and the whole area will start sagging. But besides that, it can also lead to some health hazards. It is especially nasty if it starts spreading. Make sure to address this issue as soon as possible as this is a minor thing that anyone can do.

4. Trim the branches

Most homeowners in the USA have trees in their backyard. While amazing during spring and summer, trees are really annoying during autumn and winter. The branches may start hitting your windows and side of your house while leaves can lead to clogged gutters. Ideally, you should make sure to trim the branches whenever you can. Pay extra attention to fallen leaves during autumn and clean your gutters more frequently during this period.

5. Call a friend

No matter what you’re doing, it is recommended that you do it with a friend or neighbor. Having a friend nearby provides additional safety. It also ensures you won’t make any mistakes or forget something. But, having another set of hands is also important in a functional way. For example, when you climb on the roof, one of you should hose it while the other should go to the attic and check if the water is leaking. This is the best way to check the integrity of the roof and whether or not you need to make some fixes.

Conclusion

As you can see, doing roof repairs can be both easy and fun. It is very important to follow some basic principles so you don’t get hurt. But besides that, you should be fine!

10 Health Problems To Look Out For As You Get Older

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As we get older, certain health problems can become common. Some of these can be the result of lifestyle choices, whilst others may be the result of natural wear and tear. Here are a few common health problems to keep an eye on as you get older.

Arthritis

Pain and stiffness in the joints could be a sign of arthritis. This is when the joints become inflamed, usually as a result of a breakdown in cartilage. More than a quarter of the population is thought to suffer from arthritis at some point in their life – most often in later life (although some people can develop it when they’re young). It can be hereditary, however it can also be caused by being overweight or by continuous repeated actions. There’s no cure for most forms of arthritis, but there are ways of slowing it down and reducing pain such as staying active, avoiding stress and looking into various forms of pain relief.

Cataracts

Noticed that your vision has been getting a little cloudy? This could be a sign of cataracts. This eye condition result in the lens of the eye thickening up. It can occur naturally through aging, although certain activities can increase the risk of developing cataracts such as smoking, not wearing sunglasses in the sun or consuming too much sugar (it’s linked with diabetes). A cataract can be removed through surgery. Ignoring cataracts can lead to blindness – it’s best to catch them early and see a doctor as soon have concerns.

Hearing loss

If you’ve noticed you’re straining to hear people in conversations or that you’re continuously turning up the volume on your TV, you could be starting to lose your hearing. Hearing loss is common in older age – the nerve cells may develop wear and tear naturally over time, although regular exposure to loud noise can increase the risk. Hearing loss can usually be corrected with a hearing aid. Don’t be put off by hearing aid costs – there are lots of cheap deals out there and some clinics even offer free hearing tests. Without a hearing aid, you could cause greater strain on the ear and develop further hearing loss, so it’s wise to get checked as soon as you notice a problem.

Diabetes

If you’ve been feeling weak, unusually hungry/thirsty and keep getting the urge to urinate, you could be suffering from diabetes. This is common later on in life, although it can occur at any age. Diabetes causes the body to stop producing insulin correctly, often as a result of weight gain and high blood sugar levels (it can be genetic, although in such cases it will usually develop as type 1 earlier in life rather than the largely lifestyle-affected type 2). By eating healthily and losing weight, you can manage diabetes and even cure it in some cases. It’s worth seeing a doctor if you’ve noticed any of the symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease

A number of nervous system disorders can develop later on in life. A common condition is Parkinson’s diseases, resulting in tremors and rigid muscles that can make many physical tasks very difficult and sometimes impossible as the condition progresses. This is the result nerve signals no longer working properly. Although there is no cure, physiotherapy and medication can help to manage Parkinson’s and slow it down. You should see a doctor immediately if your suspect you may have the condition.

Osteoporosis

If you’ve been breaking bones more easily and suffering deep pain (particularly in the spine or knees), this could be a sign of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis results in weakening of the bones. Whilst it can be genetic, a few lifestyle choices such as heavy drinking, smoking, having a poor diet and doing little exercise can increase the risk. You can rebuild bone density with medication, a calcium-heavy diet and by doing low-impact exercise.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis causes difficulty breathing, wheezing and sometimes a sore throat. It can be caused by viruses, but in most cases it is caused by breathing in harmful particles. Smokers and people that work of live in places with poor air quality are most likely to develop bronchitis later in life. Sufferers of chronic bronchitis are often advised to stop smoking — something that many people are struggling a lot less with now that they can make use of e-cigarettes and vape juice like the stuff you'll find at the online smoke shop — and use inhalers. Those that ignore symptoms of bronchitis may end up permanently on oxygen, so it’s worth getting a diagnosis as soon as you notice breathing difficulties.

Dementia

Have you noticed yourself getting more forgetful or getting lost in familiar places? This could be an early sign of dementia. This notorious condition becomes more of a risk as people get older – as much as 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia. Over time it can develop into serious loss of memory until the sufferer may not even recognise relatives or their home. Many people are scared to get a diagnosis due to dementia being incurable, however catching it early has its advantages – a number of lifestyle changes may be able to slow down symptoms. Exercising, keeping a healthy diet, reducing stress and engaging in problem-solving activities may slow down and even reverse dementia if caught early. Please link here for guides to support those looking for extra help, including fully accessible tech for those living with Alzheimer's.

Cancer

Many of us know of someone who has had cancer. In fact, 1 in 3 of us will suffer from cancer at some point in our lives. The exact cause of cancer is unknown, but it has been strongly linked with various unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, eating the wrong food, exposure to chemicals and too much exposure to UV light. Nowadays there’s so much support and treatment available for those with cancer – whilst it’s a leading cause of death, half of cancer cases are cured (usually those caught early). There are many signs of cancer, which are worth reading up on so that you can spot symptoms early.

Heart disease

Heart disease is the biggest killer. Chest pain, breathlessness and nausea are common symptoms of heart disease. When diagnosed early, it can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. The most common causes are stress, smoking, heavy drinking or being overweight. Heart disease is something you don’t want to ignore and you should see a doctor as soon as notice any symptoms.

The Kerrie Show's Take on Swim Lessons

Originally published August 3, 2017

I just wanted to park that loaded question somewhere for you to ponder and comment on. I have now graduated 5 kids to Swimming Status ... mostly by myself but with some help from their dad and even a tiny bit of help from their grandmother, my mom. I can't tell you how many hours I spent catching jumping kids and making sure kids did not drown. Applying sunscreen, packing pool bags, making sure we had goggles and towels and toys and balls and dive sticks and snacks and cash for the occasional snack bar drink or nacho.

I contend that if you are a stay-at-home mom and like to swim, teach your own kids how to swim! Save your money and your time and your stress and don't do swim lessons*. You are the best teacher for your kids in most cases. You know them best. You have this cool things called intuition and instinct (hopefully!) that help you teach your kids and care for them and know what they need.

Every now and then I like to parent by common sense and realized I could teach my own kids how to swim. Not by pushing them or pressuring them. By going to the pool with them on a regular basis whether I felt like it or not. By waiting until they were ready. Go figure. 

Joel was ready when he was 7 and we were in a pool in Phoenix where you can have a ring floatie (something you can't have at our local pools). The security of the ring floatie helped him figure it out over the course of three weeks. The other kids learned around the same time, with the exception of the two youngest ... they did it faster. Sam was going off the diving board at age 5 and it freaked me out entirely but that's parenting for you. 

No hate comments if you did swim lessons. I just like to do junk myself and save money and drive time. And I like the pool, so it made me the perfect candidate to be Swim Teacher Mom. There wasn't a lot of teaching involved ... mostly just playing. Which is how I like to homeschool also (wink).

P.S. We live in the Midwest, so it's not like we are at the pool 365 days a year. These days you might find us with a 3-month membership to our indoor pool, but when I was teaching the kids to swim it was just 3 months in the summer, baby!

Michael

Callie

Joel, Samuel and Eva

*Full disclosure: I schlepped some of the kids to swim lessons when they were tiny, around 2006, and it was kind of a waste ... they mostly just wanted to hang and play in the pool with ME and not mess around with some strange teenager. Conversely, if I want to learn how to ride a bike like a professional, I'm not going to pay someone to teach me when my own husband can teach me for free. Then I can figure out the rest.

*Obviously, if your kids are star swimmers and want to learn cool junk like how to do neato dives from a professional, get them some classes! If they just want to swim in a recreational way, then DIY.

Photos from August 2013 taken at our local pool

UPDATE: now it's summer 2019 and all my kids can swim just great and we have our own backyard swimming pool!