Karissa Tunis

How to Raise a Confident Child

There are plenty of different things that determine how successful a child will be in their adult life, but there are arguably none as influential as their confidence levels. Having plenty of confidence can make up for shortcomings in other years. Conversely, lacking confidence can result in even the most talented of individuals failing to reach their full potential.

Some children seem to have naturally occurring confidence, but that’s not usual. And in fact, it’s worth helping to instill confidence in your child, even if you think they’re naturally confident — some people are good at simply suggesting they have confidence. Impressions can be misleading.

Happily, there are a bunch of things parents can do that’ll slowly but surely nudge their child’s confidence in the right direction. We’ve rounded up some of the best and most effective — not to mention some of the easiest — strategies. Take them on board, and you’ll be giving your child the best possible chance of developing into a confident adult, and you simply never know what that might lead to. It’s not an exaggeration to say that confidence is one of the best gifts that a parent can give their child.

For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection

Encourage Autonomy

OK, by this, we don’t mean encouraging them to do everything on their own. You’ve still got to parent them! What we mean is that, whenever possible, your child should have the freedom to do things on their own. Individuals (and that includes adults) gain confidence by understanding that they are capable people who have the capacity to do things themselves, and your child won’t understand that if you’re constantly doing everything for them. Plus, this approach also lightens your load — if your child packs their own school bag, then you don’t need to.

Accepting Failure

Nobody wants to fail, but learning how to accept failure is a key part of gaining confidence. Teaching your child that not every pursuit will end in success — and that that’s OK — can help them to develop a positive relationship with their goals and outcomes. Plus, aside from simply helping your child to reframe failure into something positive, this can also spur them to put in extra effort the next time around. Not convinced about this approach? Then take a look at the failures of some of the world’s most successful people. They would never have eventually made it if they didn’t have the confidence to carry on moving forward after experiencing failure.

Mental Well-Being

An individual’s confidence level depends, in large part, on their overall mental well-being. Even generally confident people can struggle if their mental health isn’t as healthy as it should be.

Helping your child develop their mental well-being can improve their confidence in countless ways. It can change how they speak to themselves, help them develop their barriers, and give them the fortitude to take bad days in their stride. Ultimately, healthy mental well-being can give your child the slight edge they need to achieve — and maintain — confidence.

Teaching your child the power of breathwork, meditation, and yoga as early as possible can give them the platform upon which their confidence can grow. Plus, those activities also offer a wide range of other advantages.

Trying New Things

Your child will have things that they’re already great at, and that can be extremely useful for building confidence. However, developing confidence also depends on stepping outside of our comfort zones and trying new things. Doing so can show your child that they’re capable of so much more than they originally thought. There’s no shortage of confidence-boosting activities that your child can do, too. Signing your child up for karate classes or having them join a sports team can do wonders for their confidence levels, for instance. You could also encourage them to learn a musical instrument, which can be a confidence-booster and also unlock a passion that stays with them for the rest of their lives.

Praise Positive Traits

We spoke earlier that helping your child have a healthy relationship with failure is a good way to build their confidence. Another way to develop their confidence is to praise positive attributes, which focuses on the process rather than the end result. For instance, you may praise them for showing imagination when they were doing their English homework, or simply praise their perseverance when trying to work out a math problem. Just note that this praise should always be genuine; children tend to tune out if they’re being praised for every little thing.

Manage Your Worries

All parents worry about their children, and there’ll be times when you want to micromanage whatever it is they’re doing just to ensure that they’re safe and do things correctly. However, it’s best to be at least a little mindful of taking control of situations. While you might have the best of intentions, to your child, it might be a signal that you don’t fully trust them. Your child won’t always get everything right, but there’s a lot to be said for trial and error. They might not get it right at the first time of asking, but with a little bit of guidance, they’ll be likely to be successful the next time around. That process includes them in the process, rather than having things done for them.

Invest in Your Own Confidence

Finally, keep in mind that your child is going to learn more from you beyond just what you tell them. Your behavior will have a huge impact too. Confident people are more likely to raise confident children; those with low self-esteem are more likely to raise children who have confidence issues. As such, one of the best ways to encourage your child to have confidence is to invest in your own confidence. This is more than just something that you’ll do for your child, too — you’ll also benefit! There are real-world, tangible benefits to working to increase your confidence levels, the biggest of which is that it’s simply easier to reach your full potential when your confidence levels are sky high.

For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection

3 Financial Management Tips to Make Your Business More Profitable

As a business owner, you’ll have quite a few areas to look after and manage. Many of these are vital, with your business finances being one of the more notable. When they’re properly looked after, they could help to make your business more profitable.

But, this can be one of the more complicated areas to look after. Countless people get stressed out about it. It’s easy to see why.

This isn’t a position you’ll need to settle for, however. By using a few financial management tips, you could make it a whole lot more straightforward than you would’ve thought. It’s just a matter of actually putting the time and effort into them.

Three of these could have more of an impact than you would’ve thought. They’ll offer more and more benefits in time.

For more on this topic, check out the full Saving Money collection

Take Advantage of Bulk Orders

You’ll need to buy more than a few supplies to help run your business. Naturally, exactly what you’ll need depends on the type of business you run. If you have a medical business, for example, you could need nooglutyl for mental performance research.

No matter what, you can still take advantage of positive habits with this. Focusing on bulk orders can help more than you’d think. While that means spending more per order, it’ll cut down on the individual cost of each unit. You’ve no reason not to put the effort into it.

Keep Good Business Credit

There could be plenty of times when you need to take out business loans. When done right, these can help you fuel your growth more and more. But, they’ll usually have a significant impact on your finances, especially when you consider the interest on the loan.

But, you can minimize this quite a bit. By maintaining solid business credit, you can keep this interest as low as possible. To do this, make sure you’re paying all invoices – and any loans you currently have – on time. It’ll have a lot more of an impact than you’d think.

Focus on Expenses & ROI

You’ll always have more than a few expenses to take care of. These will focus on the essentials to run your business. Since you can’t get rid of these, it’s worth making sure you’re getting the best possible return on investment with them.

The higher the ROI with your expenses, the better. While this means making a few calculations, it’s worth it. It’ll help you figure out if you need to make a few changes. If the ROI is too low, then you could need to find alternatives, like different suppliers.

You’ll always want to make your business more profitable, and more than a few areas play a part in this. One of the more important is your finances. But, these can be quite complicated to actually look after.

By focusing on a few financial management tips, however, you could make it more straightforward than you would’ve thought. Once you’ve put the time and effort into them, there should be a whole lot less to be stressed about.

For more on this topic, check out the full Saving Money collection

How to Encourage your Kids to Find a Sport they’ll Love

If you want your kids to love sports, then there are a few things you can do to try and encourage this. If you’re not sure where to start, or if you want to make sure that you are making sport feel fun, then this guide will tell you everything you need to know.

For more on this topic, check out the full Sports collection

Play With Them

The first thing you need to do is try and play the sport with them. Do what you can to make it fun. It may be that you kick the ball around, or that you simply play a game of catch. You can also practice cartwheels in the yard if you want. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you do, because as long as you are making it fun, then you are doing the right thing. Your child can learn so much from just watching other people as well, so take them to a ball game and have them see how things work.

Give your Child Space

You might also want to give your child a bit of space to learn. It’s perfectly fine for them to be a little awkward, and it’s fine for them to try and still learn along the way. There is no doubt that your child will make mistakes as well. Your job is to try and focus on having fun and to help them learn new skills. You should also make sure that you are not pressuring them too much to win. If you can do this while supporting them, then you will notice a huge difference in their development.

Be Positive

Keep everything positive as much as possible. If you are constantly shouting, or if you are throwing your hat on the ground all the time, then this is not good for you and it’s not good for your child. If you can, you need to try and model positive behavior all the time. Achieving this means you can be a good coach, keep your cool, and make sure that you always respect other people.

If you want to help yourself create your team, then it may be that you create some custom baseball lineup cards as a way to show your child what being on a team is actually like. This is all a good way for you to show your child what it means to be on a team and how everyone has their place. If you can do this, then you will be able to show them how positive sport can be and how much fun they can have by playing it.

Of course, it’s also a good idea for you to try and check in with them after a practice. Ask them how they are feeling, and if they had fun. You also need to ask them what could have gone better, and if they felt as though they were supported during it. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier to get the result you need.

For more on this topic, check out the full Sports collection

Helping Your Kids Navigate the Cost of College

If you’ve got a teenager under your roof, you’ve probably already noticed: college brochures multiply like rabbits. One day, you’re stepping over Lego bricks, and the next, you’re tripping over glossy pamphlets showing impossibly photogenic students studying under perfectly lit trees. And then reality hits: How much is this going to cost us?

The cost of college in the U.S. is not just a “price tag” anymore; it’s a small fortune wrapped in financial aid jargon, hidden fees, and enough acronyms (FAFSA, EFC, COA, Pell) to make your head spin. But before you throw in the towel and tell your kid to take up goat herding instead, know this: there are smart, strategic ways to manage it. Let’s walk through how to help your kids (and yourself) navigate the wild world of college costs without losing your sanity, or your retirement fund.

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Teens collection

Start with Real Talk About Money

First things first: have the conversation. Yes, the dreaded money talk. Sit your teen down, maybe over pizza (bribery helps), and lay out what’s realistic. Are you able to contribute to tuition, and if so, how much? Are they expected to chip in? Will they need to work part-time during school?

It’s far better to have this conversation early than to wait until acceptance letters arrive and everyone falls in love with a school that costs more than your house. Setting expectations early teaches your kids financial responsibility and helps them make smarter decisions about where to apply.

Know the True Cost (It’s Not Just Tuition)

One of the biggest mistakes families make is assuming tuition = the total cost of college. Nope. Tuition is just the tip of the iceberg. Add in room and board, textbooks (which somehow cost more than a small car), lab fees, meal plans, transportation, and yes, those sneaky “student activity” fees nobody talks about until you’re signing paperwork.

Encourage your student to look at the Cost of Attendance (COA), which colleges are required to publish. That’s the real bottom line, and it often looks scarier than the tuition number alone. But being armed with the full picture is the only way to make wise choices.

Scholarships: Free Money on the Table

This is where your teen’s hustle pays off. Scholarships are essentially free money, and there are more out there than most people realize. Sure, the big, flashy ones get all the attention, but thousands of smaller, niche scholarships exist – everything from being left-handed to writing essays about duct tape prom outfits.

Encourage your student to treat scholarship applications like a part-time job. Even winning a few small ones can add up and chip away at the bill. And unlike loans, scholarships don’t come with interest attached.

FAFSA Isn’t a Four-Letter Word

Okay, technically it is, but not in the bad way. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the golden key to unlocking grants, work-study opportunities, and federal loans. Even if you think your family earns “too much” to qualify, fill it out anyway because you know what? Many colleges and states use FAFSA data to award their own aid.

Pro tip: file as early as possible. Financial aid is often a bit of a first-come, first-served buffet.

Community College: The Smart Starter Move

Here’s something not enough families talk about: community college can be an absolute game-changer. Starting at a community college for the first two years and then transferring to a four-year school can cut tuition costs in half (sometimes more).

And let’s be honest, most 18-year-olds don’t know what they want to do with their lives anyway. Spending those exploratory years at a lower-cost school can save thousands while still setting them up for a bachelor’s degree later.

Side Hustles and Part-Time Work

Yes, your kid is in school to study, but a little part-time work never hurt. In fact, studies have shown that students who work a manageable number of hours (say, 10–15 a week) often perform better academically – they learn time management fast.

Encourage your teen to look into on-campus jobs, tutoring gigs, or even online freelance work. Every dollar earned is one less that needs to be borrowed.

Savings and 529 Plans

If you started saving for your kid’s education when they were still toddling around in diapers, pat yourself on the back… you’re already ahead. A 529 college savings plan is one of the most tax-advantaged ways to stash cash for school.

But even if you didn’t start early, it’s never too late to set aside some savings. Encourage your teen to contribute too, whether it’s from a summer job or birthday money. Even small amounts can help soften the blow.

Loans: The “Handle With Care” Option

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: student loans. They can be both a lifesaver and a burden. Federal student loans generally have better terms and protections, so they’re the best first option.

But what if the federal aid doesn’t cover everything? That’s where private student loans sometimes come into play. They’re offered by banks and other lenders and can help bridge the gap, but they often require a cosigner and may come with higher interest rates. They’re not evil, but they should be used carefully, kinda like hot sauce. A little can go a long way, but too much, and you’ll regret it.

Compare Schools Beyond the Sticker Price

Here’s a sneaky trick colleges pull: they show you a terrifying sticker price, but after grants, scholarships, and aid, the actual amount you’ll pay could be much lower. Sometimes, a “more expensive” private school ends up cheaper than a public one after aid is factored in.

Encourage your student to compare net costs, not just sticker prices. Many schools even have “net price calculators” on their websites to help you run the numbers.

Teach Financial Literacy Along the Way

Helping your kid get into college is one thing; helping them survive financially once they’re there is another. Teach them how to budget, track expenses, and avoid the credit card traps lurking at freshman orientation. (Nothing says “bad decision” like signing up for a

… free T-shirt and a 29% APR.)

If your kid leaves home knowing how to stretch a dollar, resist impulse purchases, and understand the difference between “need” and “want,” they’ll be way ahead of most adults. Honestly, that’s a life skill worth more than any degree.

Don’t Forget Mental Health in the Money Stress

Let’s not sugarcoat it: money stress can weigh heavily on students. Juggling classes, jobs, and financial pressure is a lot. Make sure your teen knows it’s okay to ask for help, whether that’s from you, a financial aid counselor, or a school therapist. Remind them that their worth isn’t defined by their bank account or the size of their student loans.

Helping your kids with their college finances is not just good for their bills, but great for building their life skills too, so get to it!

For more on this topic, check out the full All About Teens collection

Comprehensive Elder Care Solutions for Aging Loved Ones

August 18, 2025

As loved ones grow older, their needs can change. They may need more help with daily life or health care. Many families look for ways to give them comfort, safety, and dignity.

Most adults will need some form of long-term care during their lives. Knowing the choices early helps you plan. It can also make life better for everyone involved. Uncover all the facts as you read ahead.

For more on this topic, check out the full Senior Care collection

What Elder Care Means

Elder care is not just about medical help. It is about making life safe and pleasant. It can include health care, help with daily tasks, and ways to keep the mind active. The goal is to help seniors live well while keeping their sense of control.

Health and safety are the main focus. This might mean regular doctor visits, managing medicine, or having fast access to help in an emergency. But it also means meeting emotional needs.

Spending time with others, joining group events, and having hobbies can prevent loneliness. Good elder care gives seniors choices. Even when they need help, they should be able to make decisions about their lives.

Common Elder Care Options

There are many ways to give care. Here are some.

In-Home Care

Some families choose in-home care. This allows seniors to stay in their own homes. Helpers may cook, clean, assist with grooming, or provide company. It offers comfort in a familiar place.

Assisted Living

Assisted living is another option. Seniors have their own space but can get help as needed. They also have access to social events and shared activities.

Nursing Home

For those with serious health issues, nursing homes offer care all day and night.

Trained staff handle medical needs and daily tasks.

Respite Care

Short-term care, also called respite care, is for when family caregivers need a break. It makes sure the senior is safe and cared for while the caregiver rests or handles other duties.

Choosing the right option means looking at the senior’s health, habits, and wishes. Each type of care has benefits.

Making a Personal Care Plan

The best care starts with a plan made for the person. Every senior is different. The plan should include their health needs, daily habits, and personal likes.

Health check-ups can track progress and find problems early. Support for memory issues may be needed for those with dementia. Access to counseling or mental health care can help ease sadness or worry.

Physical activity, even gentle stretching, can keep the body strong. Plans should be flexible. Needs can change over time, so care may need to be adjusted.

Picking the Right Care Provider

A good provider is key to quality elder care. They should have a strong record of trust, skill, and kindness. You can visit the location, talk with staff, and look at senior community reviews and testimonials to learn about other families’ experiences.

The right provider will not just meet health needs. They will also treat the senior with warmth and respect. Good communication between the provider and the family makes care more effective and less stressful.

Giving Peace of Mind

Choosing elder care is about more than safety. It is about helping someone enjoy life in later years. The right support lets them stay active, connected, and respected.

Planning early can reduce worry for families. It can also give seniors a better sense of security. With the right care, they can face each day with comfort and hope.

Loved this post? Check out the rest of our blog for even more great content!

For more on this topic, check out the full Senior Care collection

Things To Consider When Looking For A Nursing Home

August 11, 2025

Considering a nursing home for yourself or a relative? Taking the step to move into a nursing home is a really big decision and one you don’t want to take lightly. You need to make sure you’re sending them to the right place, that they will be comfortable and that it fits into the budget you have. In this article we take a look at some of the top things to consider when looking for a nursing home. Keep on reading to get inspired and find out more to ensure your relative is as happy as possible when moving out of their house.

For more on this topic, check out the full Senior Care collection

Check it suits their specific needs

The first thing you need to check when looking for a nursing home is that it suits the needs of the person going. Some are more medical and better at specific treatments or conditions, while others are a bit more relaxed and there for assistance with getting around and retaining independence without needing too many specific treatments or other plans. Ask the care home in advance if you have any particular needs that need to be met, and how well their facilities can cater and look after this.

Go for a tour and check it has the right feel about it

Sometimes a place can look perfect online if they have good marketing and photography, but you get there and it just doesn’t have the right feel. Ensure you go for at least one visit before signing up, where you can get a feel for the place and see what it looks like in real life. You can check out the rooms and facilities, as well as meet the staff that work there. You want to ensure you or your relative has the most positive experience, particularly as you can hear stories in the news about abuse in nursing homes. If this does happen, you need to speak to compassionate nursing home abuse lawyers who can get you the compensation you deserve.

Consider the location

Location is another important factor to consider – you want the nursing home to be close to other relatives so you can easily meet up and not be lonely. You might also want it to be near a local town, the beach, or with walks nearby so you can get out and about without having to drive anywhere if you want to stretch your legs.

These are just a few things for you to consider when looking for a nursing home. You want to make sure you or your relative feels comfortable and happy there and it is the right fit for their needs. Moving out of the home you live in already can be a big deal, so having a place to move into that feels relaxing, friendly and comforting can make the world of difference. What are some top tips you have for looking for a nursing home? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.

For more on this topic, check out the full Senior Care collection

Being Proactive with Your Child’s Education

Being Proactive with Your Child’s Education

No matter what their grades are, no one knows their successes and challenges like we do as their parents and care-takers. No one will speak up for our child like we can. So we need to remember that. And we need to also remember the fact that teaching our kids is a team effort. It’s between school, home, and everyone that is involved in their life.

So speak up, get involved, and be proactive with your child’s education!

For more on this topic, check out the full Back To School collection

Be Proactive with Your Child’s Education

It is so important to be proactive with your child’s education as we head back to school. At the start of each school year, we’re able to turn over a new leaf! We can help our kids feel excited about this upcoming year, and their future as a whole.

However, I know from experience that if there are any concerns with your child’s education, it’s extremely important to be proactive.

It is easy to fall into patterns and routines. And it’s easy to hope that things will resolve on their own…

“Sure, My kid is a little behind, but they’ll catch up on their own eventually.”

“Eh, My kid seems a little bored in class, but maybe something next month will spark their interest.”

“It’s hard because my child doesn’t seem to be enjoying school, but they’ll get used to it.”

We tend to simply hope that things will work themselves out without us parents having to step in. And I get it! As parents, we already have so much on our plates. We are busy and overwhelmed and exhausted. But… ignoring these concerns is only going to lead to bigger problems down the road.

Education they Deserve

We do need to make sure that our children are getting the education that they deserve. There are supports available to your child to ensure that they are receiving a valuable education. In education law, they often use language that expresses that all children have the right to learning a year’s worth of academic material over the course of a school year.

If your child is already ahead and not learning anything new from the classroom curriculum, they are not learning and growing on the trajectory that they deserve.

When your child is struggling in a certain subject area and not truly understanding the material, they are not learning and growing on the trajectory that they deserve.

If your child is struggling emotionally and is feeling too overwhelmed to consume the material being taught, they are not learning and growing on the trajectory that they deserve.

And while the solutions to these problems cannot occur overnight, we should at least start advocating for our kids sooner rather than later. Communications and potential evaluations can take a lot of time. There will be meetings and emails and paperwork. Plus, there are things we can do at home, including helping with additional learning that could include Orton Gillingham phonics, for example.

Encourage Participation

Another way you can ensure they get the education they deserve is by encouraging them to participate in boarding school sports. Sports have been known to be incredibly stimulating and helpful for brain development, while providing kids with ample social opportunities. The list of benefits associated with participating in sports are endless, but all of them will equip your child with all the necessary skills they need in order to succeed in their academics as well.

Encouraging your child’s active involvement in sports can also lead to recognizing their efforts through award ribbons, which serve as tangible reminders of their accomplishments and further boost their confidence and motivation. These ribbons symbolize success, pushing them to strive for excellence both on the field and in their academic pursuits, ensuring a well-rounded and fulfilling educational experience.

Advocating for Our Kids

Starting the process in partnership with the educators and administrators at your school does not have to be a painful process. As parents, we can open the lines of communication. We can share our observations and insights about our own child. And we can advocate for a positive partnership moving forward.

Sure, we can’t move heaven and earth for our children (as much as we’d like to). But we can (and should) advocate for them and their education. The sooner we start asking questions, the sooner we find helpful answers. So if you’re having concerns, start being proactive with your child’s education today. And, if you want to get more involved with your child’s school, maybe its time to even consider working in their building through sen jobs.

Back to School Collection

Back to School is always a weird time of year for families. Everyone is on varying levels of dreading going back, and/or looking forward to it. Oftentimes, it’s a mix of both! And since this transition is something that we have to do every single year; it’s a good idea to seek out some strategies to help make things go as smoothly as possible!

In this collection we are covering the topic with lots of Back to School advice, tips, and suggestions from both expert professionals and seasoned mothers! Enjoy topics on how to help the whole family adjust back to school, 3 ways to prepare for the first day of school, a free morning routine printable, guidelines for accomplishing homework, homeschooling, and more!

Best of Luck!

For more information, check out the Back to School & Education Options collections

Everything You Need To Know About Hearing Aids

Whether you are about to start wearing a hearing aid for the first time, or you have been wearing one for a while, it’s important that you know all there is to know about them. This will help you to get the most out of them, and will mean that you are much more likely to be able to really make use of them. In this post, we are going to discuss just some of the things that you might need to know about hearing aids which can help a lot with all of this.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection

There Are Numerous Types

It’s a good idea to get acquainted with the type of hearing aid you have, because there are a number of different types out there for different purposes. You have behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, for instance, which sit behind the ear and connect to an earpiece, and are good for most kinds of hearing loss. You also have receiver-in-canal (RIC) which can be a little more discrete, although not as discrete as in-the-ear (ITE) types. The type you need will ultimately be decided by an audiologist.

Signs Of A Need For A Hearing Aid

If you are wondering whether or not you might need a hearing aid, there are some common signs that you might. For instance, you might find yourself frequently asking others to repeat themselves, or you might need the volume on the TV or phone turned all the way up. Perhaps you are struggling to follow conversations in noisy places. Other people might notice these signs before you, especially those close to you such as your partner or work colleagues. If so, a visit to the doctor could be in order to get your hearing checked out.

Key Features

There are a number of key features that you may want to look out for, including directional microphones, which help you to focus on voices in front of you, as well as noise reduction features and bluetooth connectivity. There are also more modern additions such as how smart assistants connect with hearing aids now, and you usually have custom programming and other such features too. Understanding how these features all work is going to be hugely important for your hearing aid to work as well as possible for you. So it’s important to know about them as early on as possible.

Maintenance & Care

Hearing aids do require that you take care of them, and it’s vital to make sure that you are doing all you can to keep on top of this. That will include cleaning them regularly, removing wax and moisture and ensuring that you are storing them in a dry place overnight. You might also need to replace some filters and domes as required, and recharge batteries regularly to keep them topped up too. All of these are vital for ensuring that the hearing aid continues to work as it should, so make sure that you are ready for that if you are due to have a hearing aid.

For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection

3 Steps To Follow When Buying A Vacation Home For Your Family

August 6, 2025

If you have a bit of money saved up and you are wondering what to do with it, you should consider buying a vacation home for your family. Not only is it a great way to spend your savings, but it also provides you with a special place to call your own. Where you can make some great family memories. And if you ever decide that you want to take a spontaneous trip, you will have that property there waiting for you. It’s also a great investment for your future because the value of the property will increase over the years. You can also use it to earn extra income by renting the property out when you and your family are not using it. The house can also be passed down to your children when they are older, so it’s an investment for their future as well.

However, owning a second property can be a lot of work. So it’s important that you think carefully about your decision. If you think that a vacation home for your family might be the best way to invest your savings, here are a few important tips to keep in mind.

For more on this topic, check out the full Moving Tips collection

Choosing The Right Location

Finding the right location is the most important thing when buying a vacation property. If this is going to be a property that you and your family use on a regular basis, it needs to be somewhere that you all enjoy going. If there are places that you have visited a lot of times before, that’s a good place to start. Consider whether the family will still enjoy visiting the same location in a decade or more, especially if the kids are young right now. It needs to be a place that has things to enjoy for the whole family, even as the kids get older.

However, when you are choosing a location, you can’t just think about the places that you want to visit because you also need to think of the property as an investment. If you choose a place where property prices are going down or a place that doesn’t get that many tourists, your investment will decrease in price over the years. If you rely on renting it out to help you manage the mortgage, this will leave you in a tough position. Before buying a property, do some research into the local markets and see how property prices have fluctuated over the last few years. When you start viewing properties, you should always take the advice of a local real estate agent because they will have good knowledge of the local property market.

When you have a location in mind, don’t jump right into buying a property. Take another trip out there and spend some time exploring. When you visit a location with the potential of buying a property there, you will see it in a different light and it will help you to make the right decision.

Deciding On The Type Of Property

Once you have decided on a location for your vacation home, you need to decide on the type of property that you want to buy, and there are a lot of factors to consider. If you want a property that your family can use for generations to come when you have grandkids, you’re going to need a lot of space. In that case, you may decide to go for a spacious house, but there are some downsides to that. Buying a large property is going to be very expensive so you need to consider your budget and make sure that you can realistically afford to pay both mortgages. A large house also requires a lot of maintenance, so make sure to consider that cost as well. If you are renting the property out, you may need to hire a property manager to make sure that it is ready for guests.

House Verses Condo

If you want a low maintenance option, you could consider these apartments for rent in McKinney when you’re planning to visit the city, or explore purchasing a condo instead. In most condos, there will be a maintenance team and although you have to pay a fee for it, it does make life easier for you. You will still be responsible for managing your own property in the condo but all of the common areas will be well maintained at all times. A condo is also much smaller and easier to handle. There are some great condos that have excellent amenities, like swimming pools and gyms, which you would have to pay a lot more for if you bought a house.

The other benefit of apartments and condos is that they are more secure. Any intruders have to get past outer gates before reaching the door to your property and many complexes have a security guard on site at night. This means that you don’t need to worry about the safety of your property when you are not there.

Consider The Running Costs

When people are calculating the cost of buying a vacation property, they often forget about the running costs. There is a lot of maintenance to do on any property and you have the utility bills to consider as well. It is important that you think about this when you are deciding on a property to buy. If you go for an older property, there are a lot of potential problems to be aware of and they can be expensive. You may need to deal with faulty wiring or remove dangerous materials, which is why it’s vital that you have a survey carried out before you buy so you can make an informed decision.

Even when buying a modern property, you need to know how much it will cost to run. A new property will be more energy efficient than an old one, but some are much better than others. When you are viewing properties, always ask the seller if you can see some utility bills to get a good idea of how much your monthly running costs will be.

Consider your budget

Unless you’re got millions of dollars to spare, you’ll likely need to set a budget. This is important to do before you start looking at properties. You may have enough savings to buy a property in cash. If not, you’ll need to consider your loan options.

A loan can allow you to spend less upfront, but you’ll need to be able to keep up with monthly repayments. Being prepared to rent out your vacation home to other guests could help you to cover the mortgage. There are many specialist loans out there for those who plan to use their property as an investment such as this DSCR loan.

When buying a property abroad, consider whether it may be better to apply for a local loan. This will need to be paid for in the local currency, but could be cheaper and easier to get approved than using a lender in your own country.

Conclusion to Buying a Vacation Home for Your Family

If you keep these things in mind when buying your vacation property, you will be able to find the perfect second home for your family.

For more on this topic, check out the full Moving Tips collection

Creative Pool Games for Kids and Adults

July 29, 2025

Nothing says summer like splashing in a backyard pool, but after a few laps and cannonballs, even the most enthusiastic swimmers crave new ways to have fun. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, a birthday bash, or just looking to liven up a lazy afternoon, creative pool games are the secret to making memories that last. The best part? Many of these games require minimal equipment—just a sense of adventure and a sparkling clean pool, thanks to top-rated pool pumps that keep the water fresh and inviting.

For more on this topic, check out the full Summer Safety & Activities collection

Why Pool Games Matter

Pool games aren’t just about passing the time. They encourage physical activity, teamwork, and laughter for swimmers of all ages. For kids, games build water confidence and coordination. For adults, they offer a playful escape from daily stress and a chance to connect with friends and family. And when your pool is maintained with top-rated pool pumps, you can focus on fun, knowing the water is safe and clear for everyone.

Classic Games with a Twist

Marco Polo—Glow Edition: The classic game of Marco Polo gets a modern upgrade with glow sticks or waterproof LED lights. After sunset, toss a few glowing objects into the pool. The “Marco” player, eyes closed, tries to tag the “Polos” guided by sound and the faint glow. It’s safe, exciting, and perfect for warm summer nights.

Treasure Hunt: Scatter weighted dive toys, coins, or colorful rings at the bottom of the pool. Give players a time limit to collect as many treasures as they can. For older kids and adults, make it a relay race or assign point values to different objects for extra competition.

Pool Volleyball: String a net across the pool and use a beach ball or inflatable volleyball. Teams can be as big or small as you like. The water adds an extra challenge, making dives and saves more dramatic—and more hilarious.

Sharks and Minnows: One player is the “shark,” starting in the middle of the pool. The rest, the “minnows,” line up at one end. When the shark calls “Minnows, cross!” everyone tries to swim to the other side without being tagged. Tagged players become sharks for the next round.

Games for Little Swimmers

Duck Push: Give each child a rubber duck or a floating toy. The goal? Push the duck from one side of the pool to the other using only your nose! It’s silly, safe, and perfect for younger kids learning to swim.

Ring Toss: Float hula hoops or large rings on the water’s surface. Kids take turns tossing small pool toys or balls, aiming to land them inside the rings. Adjust distances for different ages and skill levels.

Pool Noodle Races: Each player straddles a pool noodle and races from one end of the pool to the other. Add obstacles or require racers to pick up floating objects along the way for extra challenge.

Games for Teens and Adults

Water Basketball: Install a floating or poolside basketball hoop. Teams compete to score baskets, with the added resistance of water making every shot and block more challenging.

Volleyball Tag: Combine volleyball and tag: if you miss a shot, you’re “it” and must tag another player before they serve the next ball. It’s fast-paced and keeps everyone on their toes.

Synchronized Swim-Off: Divide into teams and create a short synchronized swimming routine. Use music and props for added flair. The best routine—judged on creativity, humor, or coordination—wins a prize or bragging rights.

Safety and Cleanliness: The Role of Top-Rated Pool Pumps

No matter how creative your games, safety and water quality come first. Top-rated pool pumps ensure your pool water stays clean, clear, and free of debris, making it safe for all ages to play. Regular maintenance and proper filtration mean you can focus on fun instead of worrying about cloudy water or hidden hazards.

Tips for Hosting the Ultimate Pool Game Day

Set clear rules for each game and remind everyone about pool safety.
Keep plenty of water and snacks nearby to stay hydrated and energized.
Offer shaded breaks with umbrellas or a poolside cabana.
Supervise children at all times and ensure non-swimmers wear floatation devices.
Rotate games to keep things fresh and include everyone, regardless of swimming ability.

A pool is more than just a place to cool off—it’s a stage for laughter, competition, and connection. With a little creativity and the peace of mind that comes from using top rated pool pumps, your backyard can become the go-to spot for unforgettable summer fun. So gather your friends and family, dive into these games, and make a splash this season!

For more on this topic, check out the full Summer Safety & Activities collection