Building Blocks for a Support System with Family Members

When you are a member of the family, there are some unspoken ‘requirements’ that come along with it, and it can vary from time to time. Perhaps your family makes a big deal about birthdays or getting together for the holidays. Perhaps your family really likes to take care of each other and be supportive in all aspects of life. Perhaps you have an extended family that is quite distant, and everyone prefers it that way; all families are different. But having a support system in your family, from immediate family members to extended family members, can be something that is really helpful as we all go through life. 

There is a lot of research into this kind of thing, and that most family research does actually suggests that having healthy and supportive families, will consist of a few things. This post will delve into those things, to see if you can better improve the support system that you have in place with your family, whether that is immediate family or extended family.

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Share appreciation

It is so important to show members of your family that you care about them. Thinking a little closer to home, if one of your children does something great at school or a great homeschool project, then make sure you let them know. The same goes for a spouse or partner; they get a promotion at work, tell them how proud you are of them. Expressing appreciation is something that really helps to strengthen family relationships. 

Improve communication

Communication is something that a lot of families do actually find hard, especially with life being busy and pulling us all in different directions. This can be even more tricky with extended family, as a result, as there is physical distance. But supportive families tend to promote some safe and direct communication. Talk to your children, partner, and even parents and siblings about how much you love them and want to support them. Then when something comes up down the line, like health challenges, for example, you’ll all be more likely to share. Then you will all be more open about talking about the issues at hand, like deciphering the facts about hearing aids together or knowing what the best course is with a sick and aging parent. Keep communication open and honest and that could be all of the support that you will ever need to have.

Problem solving skills

When you are a parent, you will have the chance to show your children some ways of doing things and how to handle certain situations. Children do learn from their parents a variety of different things, but they definitely learn how to best interact with the world, as well as dealing with challenges. So model your behavior in a positive way, and then they can learn in a positive way what they should do. You may need to help occasionally, but generally, giving them the chance to solve their own issues will help them later in life. 

Top Tips For Handling Neighbors Who Are a Nuisance

When you are living around other people, you expect a reasonable level of peace. It’s a bonus if your neighbors are the kind of people to offer to invite you to a cookout or who would clear snow from your yard in the winter. Unfortunately, if you are living nearby to those who are quite happy to make life difficult, it can really put a downer on the perfect home you’ve bought. There’s nothing worse than the awkward silences, cross words and averted eyes when you are going into and leaving your home. 

The problem is that confrontation can make a situation worse and not knowing how to handle it can be a problem. Whether the issue is with overly loud music played at unreasonable hours or a dog locked into the house that won’t stop barking all day long, resentment can build to dangerous levels. In some situations, it’s easy to divert the anger and resentment and resolve the whole issue with a conversation. In others, it’s not so easy and requires the help and advice of Takajian & Sitkoff to help to mediate the discussion and keep things civil. No one has to love their neighbors, but a level of calm civility that will enable you to live side by side without any tension building up. So, how do you deal with neighbors that make you feel uncomfortable?

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• Firstly, it can help to understand what your rights are. Some people have irritating behaviour, but is the behavior dangerous and becoming a genuine issue affecting your life or the life of your family? If it is, then there is a problem that may be bordering on illegal. Playing children who are screeching throughout the day may be annoying, but that’s not illegal. However, extremely loud music or noise disturbances that go long into the night may well be bordering on criminal behavior.
• Next, the most sensible thing to do is to have a calm conversation with your neighbor. Are they deaf and can’t hear how loud they’re being? Are they aware of their behavior being annoying? A conversation can get across your point of being disturbed without any animosity. It may be a simple case that they are unaware of the situation. You don’t have to march around there; waiting for a passing opportunity equals no pressure.
• If you don’t feel you can approach your neighbor, write them a letter instead. It doesn’t have to be formal, but it does need to be polite. It also gives you the chance to avoid a face to face confrontation. 
• If all these lines of communication don’t work, you can take the conversation in front of a mediator and manage the dispute that way. It’s essential to seek legal advice here, especially if you feel the situation won’t change. You don’t have to live anywhere you feel uncomfortable, but you equally shouldn’t have to move away because of their behavior. 

Living in peace is the goal here, so start with the tips above and go from there.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Accidents in the Home

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While domestic accidents are not an everyday occurrence for every family, they can easily happen due to carelessness. Luckily, being precautious can prevent accidents occurring to those who are most vulnerable, including children, disabled individuals and the elderly.

Electrical Safety

Our homes are our safe haven but can also unfortunately be a place where accidents can occur. While serious accidents and fatalities are uncommon, it is always important to consider the dangers and actively try to prevent them. Ensure that your wiring installation in your house is checked for safety every five years at minimum, replace worn or damaged appliances, and never overload electrical circuits.

Prevent Slips

While it may seem unlikely, slips and falls in the home can be hazardous. To reduce the risk,  mop up water that has been spilt on hard floor, and always ensure that pathways and stairways are clear of toys or clutter. This is also a useful step to take in preparation for potential emergencies such as fires and extreme weather where you need to escape quickly. 

Car Safety

It’s well known that car accidents can be devastating, and you may need a car accident lawyer to take legal action. Howr, it’s reassuring to know that you can take multiple steps to prevent any accidents. It’s important not to neglect the golden rule of buckling up, ensure your children have done the same if they are able to do so themselves, and to use a child safety seat for younger children.  Keeping your car maintained is equally as important in the prevention of car accidents. Most crucially, never drive while under the influence or allow someone to.

Safety in the Kitchen

Kitchens can pose a large threat to younger children if it is not made safe. To make your kitchen an area that is out of harm’s way, ensure that sharp tools such as kitchen knives are kept out of arm’s reach of children, such as in higher drawers. Similarly, keep medication and dangerous liquids such as bleach in a high place, or consider purchasing a container which you can lock and keep your potentially hazardous items secure. To prevent burns, always keep the handles of your cooking pans facing away from you so they can’t be easily grasped by children.

Safeguard the Risk of Fires

Fires can destroy your personal belongings, cause damage to your home, and can also be lethal. There are several leading reasons for fires, but also several measures that can be put in place to prevent them from occurring in your home. Ensure that candles, portable heaters, matches, lighters are always monitored around children, and kept away from flammable liquids and items in the home such as furniture and curtains. Be watchful of cooking pans, and never leave them unattended or overheating. You can greatly reduce the risk of a fire by installing a smoke detector ideally on each floor of your home. Additionally, if you have fire doors, check that they are shut at night, and that exits inside your house are not blocked in case you need to get out quickly.

Tips to Avoid the Dread of Spring Cleaning

(image from: https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2019/05/the-medical-minute-six-tips-for-safe-spring-cleaning/)

Winter has all but passed us by, and spring is just around the corner. With the new season, it is time to start thinking about spring cleaning your home. Spring cleaning is important for everyone, especially if you are someone who is prone to suffering from allergies. You owe it to yourself and your family members to enjoy a clean that is more than just the surface. But, you do not have to dread spring cleaning. You just need to find a way to organize and implement the cleaning. So let’s look at some spring cleaning tips to get your home in shape and allergy free, and be sure to put appliance repair London Ontario on your to do list. 

Start with a schedule

Scope out your home. Find which areas need the most work first. What areas do you usually skip during normal routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start. Though it does not really matter where you start, having a plan in place for how and when you are going to tackle each room will help you stay focused and motivated. Try looking online for spring cleaning checklists or templates to make this even easier. 

Time to declutter

Taking some time to reduce clutter makes you more efficient and helps you to stay organized. More than that though, clutter has the ability to influence your mood. It can signal your brain that work is not done. It has been shown that a disorganized home can add to your stress level. Add the stress to how much inhaling dust is hard on your body, and it can all take a toll. If you find that decluttering is too hard, try organizing the way you are going about it. Take it one room at a time, and focus on what you really need in your home versus what can stand to be trashed or sold. 

Start from the top

Since spring cleaning is such a deep clean, it is important to start from the ceiling and work your way down. Doing so forces debris downward and keeps you from having to redo cleaning and dusting that has already been done. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get the cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans. After the ceiling, work on tables and furniture, then focus on cleaning the dust and debris from the floor. This is more efficient and it will save you time. 

Carpet Cleaning

If you are like many other people, you probably do not have a vacuum with the capacity to deep clean your carpets. This is important because you do not want to simply vacuum and wash your hands of the situation. At least once a year (spring cleaning is great) you should get your carpets deep cleaned. You can do this through carpet cleaning services like Chem-Dry of Richmond, or rental services at your local grocery store. Whatever you choose, make sure you are able to get your carpets treated and free of debris and dirt. 

Go Green for Spring Cleaning

Your entire goal is to start spring off on a clean note, so don’t ruin that by exposing yourself to chemicals and toxins that can be avoided. A steam cleaner is a great green product for spring cleaning. You can use it to clean your microwave, tile, hardwood floors, kitchen appliances, bathrooms, and some outdoor areas. Since steam cleaners rely on hot water vapor, they are 100% natural and chemical-free solutions. If you don’t want to buy a steam cleaner, the best natural combinations for cleaning is white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and water. 

Don’t forget the walls and windows

It is pretty typical for people to clean their floors, but they can easily forget about the walls and windows. But, not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces. Take a damp towel and wipe down the walls and blinds (top to bottom). Take the screens out of your windows and wipe those down as well. When it comes to cleaning the actual window, a steam cleaner and squeegee are great for reducing water spots and keeping windows shiny. 

The kitchen and bathroom are important too

Don’t be afraid of cleaning your bathroom. There are plenty of ways to clean them quickly and hit the trouble spots. Some common trouble areas that you may run into include:

    Bathrooms:

• Change your shower curtain (at least the liner)
• Go through your makeup drawer and medicine cabinets and throw away items that are expired or not used
• Clean out the bathroom fan (this can hold a lot of dust and other unpleasant items). The fans ventilate moisture during showers and remove odors and vapor. They help keep the bathroom air clean and safe for use.. 

    Kitchens:

• Wipe down the cabinets
• Clean out the pantry and fridge. Wipe down the shelving and throw away items that are old or expired
• Use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner on your stainless steel appliances to avoid scratching or marking the surfaces. 

Clean the air too

Replace your furnace and HVAC filters. This is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of spring cleaning. By replacing a standard filter with a new, more robust one, you will be healthier and happier as you enter spring. They catch small and irritating particles that can make you unhappy and cause respiratory issues. This is an inexpensive way to make sure you are breathing clean and healthy air. Also consider getting an air purifier to help get rid of the dust of winter.

Spring cleaning can be stressful and daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Organize the way you want to tackle the process and have a plan so that you can get through it without too much of a hassle. Your house (and body) will thank you.

Independence As You Age: What You Should Know

Getting older can mean a lot of things - it can mean becoming wiser and more content with what you have, but it can also mean losing independence in some cases. If you’re worried about getting older and losing your independence, this guide will help you. 

1. Stay Active 

Start by staying active - start now, right where you are. The earlier you start to take care of your body by exercising, the better. You’ll not only live a longer life, you’ll enjoy many other benefits. You’ll improve your posture, improve your mental health, and be able to stay mobile for longer. Those who exercise tend to experience fewer problems getting around later on in life. How can you stay active now? Start walking more, then consider adding in an exercise, like swimming. You don’t need to be hardcore to experience the benefits of exercise. Just make sure you enjoy it! 

2. Keep Your Brain Stimulated 

It’s important to keep your brain stimulated as well as your body. Do crosswords, do puzzles, and find other things you enjoy. Read, and make sure you keep your mind active in as many ways as possible. Certain games may be able to help. Get into the habit of doing a few things that are good for your brain every day. You want to keep your focus and memory as sharp as possible. 

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3. Accept Help When You Need It 

You can’t be too proud to accept help when you get older. Sometimes, you will need it. Learn to accept it when you need it now. Even get used to asking for it! Most people you know will be more than happy to help you if you ask them for help. Whether it’s help babysitting or pet sitting, or even help clearing out your junk, make sure you ask. One day, you may need to look for an at home caregiver so you can keep up your quality of life. There is absolutely no shame in needing help from time to time. 

4. Use Technology 

You may not consider yourself somebody who is up to date with technology, but getting used to it will mean being able to stay in touch with those you love better. Get used to Skyping them, sending texts, and other means of staying in touch. It’ll really help - especially when you have grandchildren who love texting! 

5. Search For New Hobbies

Never be afraid to try something new. Age is not a good reason to avoid trying new things. You can continue to learn and grow until the day you die. Try something you’ve always wanted to try. Go to a life drawing or craft class. Try something wacky you never even knew existed! 

6. Aim To Meet New People 

Meeting new people will ensure you stay social as you get older, as loneliness can be a real problem. Go to coffee mornings, even smile at strangers. Try to stay in touch with people that mean a lot to you - don’t get into the mindset that nobody cares. Everybody has their own stuff going on, but keeping in touch is important. Make an effort!