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Creative and inspiring learning corners are great for boosting your kids’ motivation while at the same time sharpening their focus and sparking their creativity.

However, designing one won’t necessarily put a dent in your wallet. In fact, you can try to detect the areas of your home that would otherwise go unused and create a fun and inspiring learning environment for your little one in a rather inexpensive way.

Here are just some of the suggestions for designing an attractive learning corner for your little ones.

Closet as a cozy book nook

This first tip is the perfect reason to finally tackle that one closet full of clothes, toys, and all the playroom clutter and turn it into something practical and functional.

No matter how big or small, an empty closet opens up a world of possibilities, and it’s up to moms to use their imagination and transform it as they deem fit. For example, the existing shelves in the closet can serve as bookshelves for your little ones’ books. If there aren’t any, you can easily build floating shelves by yourself with the help of DIY tutorials. You can also make a bench, and then add colorful textiles and fabrics to make it look warm and inviting. Add a cute lighting fixture to make sure it’s well-lit, throw in a couple of pillows, and put their favorite books on the shelves and voila – you’ve got a cozy nook book where your child can daydream as they dive into the magical world of books.

Under-the-bed study zone

If you’re working with a really tiny room, instead of thinking horizontally – think vertically. Adding new elements requires more floor space, but you don’t necessarily have to take that route in order to create a comfortable study zone for your child.

Instead, put your vertical spaces to good use with the help of a loft bed under which you can place a small desk and a chair. This will free up your floor space and leave more room for shelves, dressers, toy bins, and all the other kids’ room etceteras. You can buy the loft bed and desk separately, but you can also find pre-made loft beds with integrated desks and shelves and use them instead.

A comfy and cozy learning corner

Even an unused living room corner can be transformed into a comfy and cozy kids’ corner with a bit of creativity. And don’t assume right away that you need expensive furnishings to pull this one off.

Sometimes, all you need is a comfy and cozy rug and a couple of practical elements in order to create a kids-only zone dedicated solely to fun and play. You can find a variety of quality rugs online that can serve as the perfect accent piece in a kids’ room while also being a soft and smooth surface for playing, learning, sitting, or simply lying around and relaxing. Whether you prefer wool or some other materials, a quality rug can transform the feel of the room, and with the addition of a simple desk with chairs and a blackboard, it can become a functional and cozy learning corner for your little ones in an instant.

Under-the-stairs homework station

Sometimes, there are those small nooks, crannies, and awkward corners in our homes that we aren’t exactly sure what to do with. If you happen to have a smaller home, every square inch counts, even that awkward space under the stairs.

Don’t let that valuable space go unused – breathe new life into this corner of your home with the help of built-in shelves and desk. Paint the walls in a cheerful hue, include some fun decor items and a pegboard, and be sure to add a height-adjustable chair to create the perfect under-the-stairs homework station for your kid. Sometimes, it’s all about being creative and making the most of what you already have.

A teepee as the perfect kids’ hideaway

Just like adults, our little ones also like to have a space of their own where they can curl up and unwind, letting their imagination run wild. If there’s an empty space in their bedroom, why not turn it into a cozy reading spot?

No need for expensive furnishings here either. Creating a small hideaway for your kid can be as simple as setting up a teepee. Fill it with throw pillows, blankets, and plush toys, and personalize it with banners or Christmas lights. This can serve as the comfy hideout for your kid to read before bed and daydream in, while also acting as a stylish addition that wraps up the room’s design.

Creating a space where your kids can play and study is an essential step towards fostering their love for school and books. Follow these tips to create an environment in which they can play, learn, thrive, grow…and many more!

Christmas is once again creeping up upon us. For this most wonderful time of the year, why not treat the people close to you with some of the tastiest and delicious Christmas treats. Christmas is always a fun time, and this is especially true when you are giving out treats to those closest to you. In this article, we have listed over 15 Christmas holiday treats that you can make and prepare for your family, friends, and people at your office.

The Best Christmas Treats For This Upcoming Holiday

1. Perfect Sugar Cookies: It wouldn’t be a Christmas holiday without sugar cookies. I mean what else are you going to leave Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick?

2. Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites: Cheesecake is great for any time of the year. With this treat, what you will want to do is cut the cheesecake into small bite-size pieces so that everyone can taste the splendor that is cheesecake.

3. Peppermint Bark: Chocolate and peppermint combined together. Is there anything that chocolate doesn’t go good with?

4. Gingerbread Cookies: Run, run as fast as you can. But sorry, Mr. Gingerbreadman, this holiday you will be caught. It just isn’t Christmas without gingerbread cookies.

5. Confetti Party Squares: Yet another fantastic chocolate blend mixed with marshmallows, nuts, jelly beans, and whatever else you can think of.

6. Dark Chocolate Pound Cake: This heavenly cake is a gift all unto itself. You can make delicious drinks and desserts using Monin Syrup or Monin Dark Chocolate Sauce. Check out a recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Monin Dark Chocolate Sauce
• 1/2 cup milk

  INSTRUCTIONS

• Beat butter and shortening, then add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in vanilla and Monin Dark Chocolate Sauce.
• Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add alternately with milk to creamed mixture.
• Bake chocolate pound cake in a greased ten-inch tube pan at 325° for 80 – 90 minutes, or until chocolate pound cake bounces back when touched lightly in the center with finger.
• Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and fresh raspberries if desired.

7. Christmas Light Cookies: Sugar cookies plus M&Ms. Need we say more?

8. Christmas Fudge: For fear of speaking ad nauseam about chocolate—fudge. Enough said.

9. Santa’s Trash Cookies: Sugar cookies combined with Hershey kisses. The best treat to give someone under the mistletoe.

10. Creme Brûlée Sugar Cookies: Tired of the sugar cookies and chocolate? Why not consider these caramelized cookies. Yes, you read that correctly, caramelized cookies.

11. Peanut Butter Blossoms: Peanut butter mixed with chocolate. And no, this is not Reeses Cups.

12. Easy French Macarons: A light, tasty, and delicious treat.

13. Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks: This treat is a very decorative treat. You place three sugar cookies on top of one another. However, in between each cookie lies green frosting to simulate the illusion of a Christmas tree.

14. Christmas Blondies: This tasty Christmas treat is basically just cookie dough that is combined with M&Ms, Hershey Kisses, and crushed up Oreos. Yum!

15. Gingerbread Fudge: A great compliment to go with your cookie dough!

16. Mini Gingerbread Houses: The gingerbread people you will soon devour will need a place to stay until their demise.

17. Reindeer Bait: This tasty assorted mix of pretzels, chocolate, jelly beans, and other sweets is a great snack for the kids.

18. Melted Snowman Cookies: This treat is a combination of sugar cookies mixed with marshmallows.

19. Eggnog: Now, you know we cannot leave this out of our list, or any list. Eggnog is as much as Christmas as, well, eggnog.

There Are So Many Options Available

There are indeed so many more Christmas holiday treat ideas that you can prepare for your office party, your family get together, or to swing by and give your best friend on this most wonderful time of the year.

This holiday, if you are looking to treat those close to you with something sweet, why not consider these tasty treats.

If you need a few more Christmas treat ideas, then check out “40+ Cute Christmas Treats” for a few more ideas. Happy holidays to you all, and wishing you a Happy New Year.

Even though being a mom is one of the most beautiful and rewarding things in life, we can all agree that it can also get extremely stressful at the same time. If you’re a mom who feels stressed out at the moment, just keep on reading because we’re here to help you out. Here are five useful tricks that can help you chill out, so check them out!

Learn your stress signs in the first place

Identifying your stress signs is the first and one of the most important things you should do. Once you figure out how you react to stress, you’ll be able to tune in to your body and understand how it works in stressful situations. Some of the most common stress signs include high blood pressure and increased heart rate that can make you feel dizzy. These symptoms can be unpleasant, which is why many people turn to natural remedies, such as CBD products from companies like Gold Bee and many more, in order to make themselves feel better. Besides these, some moms also tend to get very irritated and impatient while raising their voices at the same time, which can negatively affect their kids. When you notice any of these, you’ll know that you’re stressed out and that you need to calm down as soon as possible.

Make sure to stay physically active

Exercising is a very effective way to combat stress and take a break from your everyday routine, so make sure to be physically active. Even a brisk 15-minute walk can do wonders for your body if you don’t have enough time to go for a gym workout, so go for it as soon as you wake up and you’ll see what we were talking about. Apart from that, you can also pick an activity you can take part in as a family. Some of the available options are biking, swimming, and hiking in the woods near your hometown. Needless to say, exercising is one of the best ways to chill out and cope with stress, so don’t forget to give it a try!

Rely on natural remedies

When it comes to dealing with stress, we must say that aromatherapy is one of the most powerful natural remedies that can lower your stress levels and relieve anxiety. Even though it probably seems a bit silly, smelling soothing civizliedhealth.com essential oils can be extremely helpful, so start with lavender oil that can calm your mind and improve the quality of your sleep. The same goes for lemongrass essential oil that can promote relaxation and reduce the symptoms of anxiety. On the other hand, you can also opt for quality marijuana concentrates, which are getting increasingly popular among moms these days. These are known for helping you relax and sleep better, as well as for relieving pain, so give them a fair shot and you’ll see why more and more moms are relying on them! 

Schedule date nights with your husband

Yes, we know that having a romantic date night with your husband is often an impossible mission, but you know what? You don’t have to spend a bunch of money and plan for a luxurious date – instead, find some time to spend it alone with your significant other, no matter where you are. This means that you can go for a walk in a park, watch a rented movie, or simply sit in the car in your driveway with a glass of wine and some cheese. Yes, we know that it seems funny, but you’ll quickly realize that spending time alone with your partner makes a huge difference. So, stay happy and stress-free and your kids will certainly appreciate that!

Don’t stop socializing

When a woman becomes a mom, she often tends to neglect her social needs and dedicate her time to her family only. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to spend time with your partner and kids, but you should remember that socializing should be an extremely important part of your mom’s life, too. Relationships with your close friends can help you restore balance and reduce your stress levels, so don’t neglect your best gals once you become a mom. Just try to spend more time with people you feel comfortable with and you’ll do a fantastic job!

As you can see, there are so many things you can do to help yourself relax and successfully lower your stress levels. If that’s your ultimate goal, all you need to do is to stick to our five useful tips and you’ll surely accomplish it, without a shadow of a doubt!

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Witnessing your parents grow old, lose their strength, and eventually even their independence is never easy.

Still, they seem to cling so hard to keep it, even when you’re unsure whether they are still capable of living on their own. Studies show that 90% of older adults prefer to live in their own homes, and unless they are completely incapable of deciding, we can only respect such a choice.

But there are ways we can help them out in this new stage in their life and make it less risky for them. Read on to find out what you can do and how you can make this new situation easier for both sides.

Home Adaptations

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We’ve all heard the gloomy statistics: one in four people older than 65 falls during a year, while every 19 minutes an elderly person dies as a result of such a fall. With age, mobility tends to decline, and the last thing your parents need is an injury.

To help your parents keep their independence as long as their health permits, one of the first things to consider is whether their home needs some adjustments. Even if your parents don’t have any critical issues with their mobility at the moment, talk to them about taking preventative measures.

Here are a few suggestions about adjustments you can consider:

• Eliminate doorsteps.
• Modify doors and hallways to make them wider.
• Try to minimize the use of stairs by having a stairclimber or creating a single-level living space.
• Ensure the stairs are clean and protected with non-skid treads.
• Make sure the floor and all the pathways are clear to remove tripping hazards.
• Add necessary changes to the bathroom: modify the bathtub into a step-in shower, add non-slip surfaces inside and outside the shower, grab bars, a shower chair, a raised toilet, etc.
• Add extra lights and make the current ones easier to access.

If one of your parents has dementia or some other cognitive impairment, they’ll need more support to be safe at their home, so you will have to take some extra measures.

Health Care

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Most elderly persons take their medications daily, and it’s important to be sure that they are following the doctor’s directions. Especially when there are some clear signs of cognitive decline, impaired vision, or decreased mobility, which could result in their inability to follow their routine completely on their own.

If you notice any of those, make arrangements with your parents to go to their next doctor’s appointment together, and get more information on their health needs.

Also, try to find a solution that your parents will find suitable, whether that includes using pillboxes that they will keep right next to their bed or a phone call to remind them to take their meds.

Sometimes your parent is going to need even more support, including the presence of a caregiver – their spouse, another relative, or a professional, so it’s important to have such care arranged on time.

You also need to be prepared for the cases of emergency, should your parents need to be taken care of as soon as possible. Talk to them about installing a medical alert system for seniors, so that you can rest assured that they will get help and assistance immediately.

Meal Preparation

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A healthy diet is essential for the physical and emotional wellbeing of your parents.

If they live alone, your parents will eventually need some support with their grocery shopping and meal preparation to be able to maintain a proper diet.

There is also a number of ways you can accommodate the kitchen to better fit the needs of older adults, and make everything, including cookware, more accessible.

Meals on Wheels can also be a solution, but if they still don’t feel like choosing such an option, fortunately, you can have food delivered to their doorstep. Either way, you’ll save them, or yourself, the trouble of driving and waiting in long lines.

Emotional Wellbeing

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Living in their own home can make your parents happy only if their social and emotional needs are met too. Social isolation and loneliness are not uncommon in people of a certain age; as a matter of fact, more than a third of older adults in America admit to being lonely.

These factors pose a great risk to their quality of life and may result in many health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, depression, cognitive decline, etc.

These are the issues you also need to address when caring for your elderly parent, and they’re just as important as caring for their physical wellbeing.

Talk to your parents about how they spend their days. If you find that they are mostly homebound and that they lack interaction with others or meaningful activities, look for ways to provide them with support in being socially active.

At the end of the day, the thing that matters the most to our aging parents, aside from maintaining their dignity and independence, is knowing that they’re loved and cared for. Sometimes a simple phone call or a message to ask them how they are and whether they need anything will be enough to brighten their day. Make sure to do that every day, no matter how busy you are.

Road trips can be great fun for the whole family, but only if done right, meaning that you have to be well prepared. Your trip will definitely be less enjoyable if you leave home without some of the essential things for you and, even worse, your kids. So, here are some things you should pack and prepare for your road trip in order to make the best of it.

Your car

OK, your car isn’t really something you pack inside a suitcase or a box, but it’s definitely the first thing you have to prepare before even thinking of going anywhere. Your family’s safety always comes first, so you have to make sure your car is in perfect condition and comfortable enough to drive you to wherever you’re going and back. Take it to a garage to have it checked by a mechanic, clean it properly before your trip, make sure you have the best tow bar installed for your camper if you are traveling with it, and don’t forget to get good car insurance. In case you own an older or a smaller car or if something is malfunctioning in it, renting a car could be the best option for you. In most cases, rental cars are newer, well maintained and very comfortable, meaning that your trip could go much more smoothly than if you took the trip with your own car. 

Proper clothes

Before packing your clothes, check the weather forecast for the area you’re visiting and pack accordingly. However, be ready for unexpected weather changes, since those are known to happen and can ruin your trip if you’re unprepared. No matter how hot they say it will be, bring some warm socks, a sweater or a jacket for each of you and don’t forget umbrellas or raincoats in case of rain. If you know you’ll do some walking, bring two pairs of shoes each. One should be comfortable women’s sneakers and the other a quality pair of waterproof shoes for longer periods of hiking. Finally, have a change of clothes for your kids at hand, in case something gets spilled while on the road.

Technology and useful gadgets

Photo by Cynthia del Río on Unsplash

If you know you’ll spend a significant amount of time in your car, you should make sure your kids have something to do.

Some old-fashioned travel games will probably be enough for a while, but you should also have the option of a fully charged tablet computer for them to watch their favorite cartoon or two. Bring some board games that you will enjoy and maximize the travel hedonism! A good DnD game can spark your imagination and, let’s all admit it – it’s more than fun. If you are a DnD lover, D20 Collective is the site to keep an eye on! 

As for the adults, the driver will probably need a good GPS system and maps for navigation, which you can all download on your phone. You should also bring a car charger or several of them, along with a power bank and a few other smart gadgets, such as a foldable hairdryer, or things like kids’ travel pillows and earplugs for when the driver wants to rest for a while and the children refuse to be quiet. 

Snacks and drinks

Depending on how long your trip will last, you should start with finding an appropriate cooler for storing your food and drinks adequately. A smaller, soft one will do for one or two days, while for longer trips you should invest in a hard-shell one. Packing enough provisions is essential to avoid your kids becoming hungry and nervous. Slice or chop some fruit and vegetables into bite-sized pieces and pack them in plastic containers or bags. Similarly, prepare enough nuts, pretzels, crackers and granola bars to last at least a few days, so that you don’t have to turn to unhealthy food from gas stations and diners along the road. You can even pack some sandwiches for the first day, but don’t forget that they’re highly perishable. Finally, as far as drinks are concerned, nothing beats water, so bring a reusable bottle for each of you and a gallon of water to refill them. 

Emergency items

If you’ve traveled with your family before, you know that you never go on a trip without bringing some of the basic medicines and toiletries. Start with some ibuprofen, cortisone in case of bug bites, some bandages and plenty of hand sanitizer, and in case any member of your family suffers from motion sickness, get something for that, too. Furthermore, a first-aid kit you have in your car should be brand new, so that you have everything you need in case something happens, while you can also expect that each of you will require some paper products such as napkins, toilet paper, tissues, and even wet wipes at some point during your trip, so load up on those as well. To top it off, bring a thermometer, just to stay on the safe side. 

So, once you pack wisely and get your family in that car, you can fully relax and the fun can start. 

Dignity holds a special place in human nature – people would rather part with anything but dignity. If you have elderly parents, you know that engaging with them and trying to improve their lifestyle is like walking a tightrope with their self-esteem in your hands.

There’s only so much you can do, and you have to meet them half-way. If you have a hard time finding ways to improve your elderly parents’ lifestyle, here are three major tips on how to keep it graceful.

Clean out the household together

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A majority of retired individuals prefer to age in a familiar environment – namely, their home. One of the hallmarks of a functional home, especially if elderly people live there, is orderliness.

While the luxury of chaos could have been allowed up until a point, this is a time when it would be wise to help your parents clear out their stuff. This might be one of the foundational factors in improving their lifestyle, but it will probably take a lot of time.

The key aspect of the endeavor is to involve your parents as much as you can and negotiate with them about what to keep and what to donate or recycle. We know how the baby boomer generation was enamored with collectibles, but they represent nothing but hazardous clutter.

By cleaning out all of this stuff, you will create a pleasing home full of breathing room. Since you’ve involved your parents in the cleaning, they’ll pretty much remember where everything is now and, let’s be honest, the entire household, including the yard, simply looks better.

Just remember – to keep it graceful, discuss every group of items with your parents so they’ll know that their decision counts. This is important even if you’ve pretty much decided about certain things.

Encourage their walks with friends

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Physical activity and socialization are the cornerstones of health and longevity. They are also major contributors to the cognitive performance of elderly people. This is why you should encourage your parents to venture out into the neighborhood and visit their friends.

You can suggest that they go on walks with their friends and enjoy a breezy afternoon in a local park that offers ample seating opportunities. By doing this, you will kill two birds with one stone: your parents will spend more time with their peers as well as get some quality exercise.

The walks are particularly important. If they have not ventured out of the house or the backyard for the day, and they generally dislike physical exercise, it might be a good strategy to invite them for a walk with you, and use this opportunity for a heart-to-heart.

The more they are engaged in a conversation, the more likely they are to forget that they are walking before the tiredness settles in. Naturally, you have to familiarize yourself with their limits first and avoid pushing them beyond that.

Even if the constant, everyday nagging that they should walk more and socialize might become tiring for you, just remember that you are investing in the future. It is a long-term strategy to keep your parents as healthy and happy as possible for as long as possible.

Keep the family together

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At the end of the day, carefully cultivated family relationships are our most valuable testament. The most cherished contribution to your parents’ dignified lifestyle is an effort to surround them with as many family members as possible.

However, you’ll notice that this turns out to be a balancing act as well since your parents might require some relaxing alone time now and then. Make sure to discuss the family visits with them before coordinating anything. They’ll likely hope to spend more time with their grandchildren than anyone else.

In addition to family gatherings, by organizing a reliable in-home caregiver, you’re practically guaranteeing that your parents never feel abandoned, or consider themselves a burden on the family.

Conclusion

Thankfully, we live in an age when eldercare is developing rapidly, and new methods of aiding our parents with dignity are cropping up all around. Still, one motif never changes no matter the time and place – and that is the aspiration of the retirees to age with dignity, grace, and surrounded by the love of their family.

This is why, no matter what technology, medicine, and eldercare devise, it will always come down to what you can bring to the table as a responsible adult.

The basement is usually the space most people don’t use on a daily basis, except for storing their junk. But, if you want to make this space functional and give it a purpose, you can convert it into a home office. This is something all working moms need, especially when they’re chasing deadlines. Most of us prefer working from home and feeling comfortable while trying to solve complex work-related issues. But, working from home also means you’ll have to deal with so many distractions – from your kids to the TV, and everything in between. This is one of the biggest advantages of the basement because it’s secluded and your family won’t be able to interrupt you while you’re working. So, how can you turn your basement into every mom’s perfect home office?

Inspect the space

Many homeowners have serious problems in their basements so it’s important to deal with potential repairs in the beginning. Check the insulation and waterproofing because these two issues can cause serious damage, especially if you redo the space before moving into it. In addition to that, flooring and ceiling are also a major risk if you haven’t been taking care of your basement properly. 

Mold spreads quite easily in the basement, so keep that in mind as well. Since you’ll be spending lots of time here, you need to think about your health and take care of any potential leaks that can cause mold. Even if you get everything fixed, invest in an air purifier just to make sure the air quality is at the highest level.

Insist on comfort and practicality

No matter how big your home office is, you need to remember that comfort is the key to productivity. That means you won’t be able to work unless you invest in some comfortable and ergonomic furniture. Think of it as a necessity for your health because all working moms are exhausted all the time, so sitting for hours in improper furniture might not be good for them.

For starters, think about adding a spacious desk that’s practical and functional. In addition to that, you’ll want to pair it with a suitable chair which will turn into the center of your workspace. If you want, you can even add another cozy chair where you can take a break, read something, or meet your business associates.

Basement entrance

If you don’t have doors on your basement, you need to think about investing in one. There are two possible problems if you opt for an open concept. First, your family will always be interrupting you, thinking you’re free to hang out and spend time with them. Secondly, you’ll be surrounded by so much noise that you won’t be able to focus on your work.

By adding doors, though, you’ll create a designated space which you’ll use only for your work and nothing else. You can always use practical barn doors that will add a stylish note but also serve as a practical room divider. If you have a big basement, it will also allow your family members to use the space without getting in your way.

Think about the lighting

The main problem when it comes to the basement is the lighting, especially if you want to give this space a new purpose. You can try sectioning the space and adding different types of lighting which will allow you to have plenty of light wherever you need it. Create one big source of lighting on the ceiling and use that as a primary source that will cover the entire space. 

In addition to that, think about all the parts of the basement where you’ll need light – your desk, the storage area, the reading space, etc. – so don’t be afraid to maximize the lighting when you need it. in the end, be sure to create multiple lighting sources, just to ensure your office is properly illuminated.

Projects like this one will help you utilize the free space you have in your home and make it functional. Having a home office in your basement will give you all the privacy you need in order to get all of your jobs done without interruptions, so it’s definitely an idea worth looking into.