Karissa Tunis

Free Printable Trick or Treat Door Signs for Halloween

Free Printable Trick or Treat Door Signs for Halloween

My kids absolutely love going trick or treating! The costumes, the candy, and getting to explore the neighborhood… what’s not to like?! Join in on the Halloween fun this year with these cute, free printable trick or treat signs. Get access to all 20 designs and choose your favorite to hang on your front door. Frame it, tape it, do whatever works for you!

Free Printable Trick or Treat Door Signs for Halloween

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For more on this topic, check out the full Fall Fun collection

How to Teach Your Daughter to Shave Her Legs

Is you daughter asking to shave her legs? Or is she at the age where you are ready to have a conversation regarding this topic? While not all girls want to shave, or will even choose to do so, it is important to let her know that it is an option. And it’s vital to teach her how to safely do this task before she decides to explore and try it on her own. Below are tips for teaching your daughter how to shave her legs when the time is right.

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

Shaving Statistics

In 1920 a woman cut her leg shaving and it made national news. At the time, it was so shocking that someone would have actually tried to shave on purpose! However, by 1950, it became the norm for woman to shave their legs.

Many people contribute this shift to the beauty industry after they began campaigning that a woman’s body should be smooth like her face. Over time the clothing styles changed as well to show off more skin, and a bare leg was considered more attractive. According to recent studies, up to 95% of woman were believed to have shaved up until the early 2000’s when the trend began to slightly decline. Now it’s estimated that over 80% of woman, and even 30% of men, shave their legs for various reasons.

Reasons to Shave

Appearance. Plenty of women, and even men, choose to shave or “manscape” in order to maintain their preferred appearance.
Sports Advantage. Having a smooth body can help an athlete move faster, especially in the water.
Skin Care. Shaving can help exfoliate the skin.
Wound Healing. Sometimes a doctor will need to shave an area to properly clean and care for a wound.
Tattoo Preparation and Display. Tattoo artists often shave the area before they can begin the ink.

Cons to Shaving

Shaving can cause inflamed hair follicles, itching, ingrown hairs, and razor burns. Using a dull blade can increase your chance of getting a cut or having skin irritation. And improper technique is often the culprit for many of these issues. That is why teaching your daughter how to shave her legs properly, and with the right tools, is essential!

How to Teach Your Daughter to Shave

Since your daughter will be using a blade, or an electrical razor, it is recommended that you show your daughter how to shave – verses her exploring on her own. If you are uncomfortable demonstrating, there are plenty of videos online that you can direct her to as well. However, it’s a good idea to view them first to be sure they cover all of the basics and safety aspects.

Electrical Razor

Some electrical razors work best with dry legs, and others can be used in the shower. So make sure you both read the directions thoroughly before its first use. Especially since the wrong type of razor around water could be dangerous!

Manual Razor

While the market is flooded with tons of options for blades, I recommend looking for something that is made for teens and/or sensitive skin. If you choose a razor that has many rows of blades, or advertises to have the closest shave, this could potentially result in more cuts. Instead, consider starting out with something that offers a guard or a buffer to help reduce the chance for injury. Did you know that there are razors out there that have a thin mesh wire over the blade? And there are razors that have a moisturizing bar which can be another great option!

Once your daughter gets more experience, you can always explore other options. But it is better to start with something safe and easy to use when she first attempts to shave her legs.

Safe Razor Recommendations

GO HERE to purchase via our Amazon Affiliate Link

How To Begin Shaving Legs

Once you read the directions for her new razor, you will need to set up the space. Will you be doing this on the bathroom floor? Or sitting on the side of the bathtub? Consider laying out a clean towel, some water, shaving gel, and lotion all within reach.

You may want to consider exfoliating your legs to start. Exfoliating not only feels good, but it also helps to ensure a closer shave. But if her goal is just to trim, or if she is using an electric razor, then this step is definitely not needed.

Once the skin is prepped, cleaned, and ready for the razor, it’s important to remind her to make long strokes slowly, and explain that you do not need to push hard. You may want to even demonstrate on one of your own legs before allowing your daughter to try on hers. Depending on your daughters age and maturity level, you might need to help her, or even do it for her the first few times. But once she becomes comfortable with it, and has properly shaved her legs in front of you, then she should be ready to tackle this task whenever she chooses to do so in the future.

While eventually your daughter might opt to shave with just soap, starting out with shave gel is a great idea as it can provide a thick lather and help reduce the chance of razor burn or leg rash. Then after shaving, show your daughter how to rinse off her legs and razor before patting everything dry with a towel. And then be sure to offer her some lotion or oil to soothe her skin.

Free Printable for Positive Affirmations

Shaving Over Kneecaps

Shaving over kneecaps can be tricky, so don’t forget to explain to your daughter how to handle this area. Explain that when shaving around the knee cap, it can be helpful to fully straighten your leg and gently shave over it. Then curl your leg and lightly go over it again depending on how your skin folds. Keeping your skin tight and flat will help reduce nicks, so you may need to move and adjust to get a perfect shave.

Steps for Shaving Your Legs

Prepare Your Space
Exfoliate Your Legs
Apply Shaving Gel or Oil
Slowly Make Long Gentle Shaving Strokes
Bend Knees If Needed for a Flat Surface
Rinse Legs and Pat Dry
Use Lotion or Oil to Sooth Skin

Conclusion

Remember, not all girls will want to shave, and that’s ok! It’s their body, and some girls are proud of their hair. As their parent we want to encourage them and help build their confidence in any way possible. But we also want to make sure they know their options, and how to go about it safely in case they ever decide to give shaving their legs a try. We hope after reading this article, you will have a better understanding for how to teach your daughter to shave her legs.

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

10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained While You’re Working From Home

It’s no secret that working from home can be a challenge, especially when you have young children. In addition to trying to get your work done, you also have to keep your kids entertained. If you’re struggling to do that, never fear! We’ve got 10 great ideas to help you out.

However, before you implement any of them, here are some tips to make things work.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

Tips to Keep Your Kids Entertained While You’re Working From Home

Try to set up a designated area in your home that’s just for your kids to play in. This will help them stay focused and less likely to wander off and start causing trouble. If you don’t have an extra room that you can use, try setting up a screen or some other type of barrier to create a physical boundary between your work area and their play area.

Choose activities that won’t disrupt your workflow too much. For example, if you’re on a video call, it might not be a good idea to have your kids play with loud toys nearby.

Set a schedule so that your kids know when they can ask you to play with them and when you can’t do it in any way. This will help them understand that even though you’re home, you’re still working.

Give them a specific task to do each day. For example, Monday could be a “tidy up day” where they have to clean up their toys before they can start playing with new ones. Tuesday could be a “creative day” where they have to make something new out of old materials.

And now, onto the play ideas!

Play Ideas to Keep Your Kids Entertained While You’re Working From Home

Below are 10 play ideas to help keep your kids entertained while you are working at home.

Puzzles & Lego

Puzzles and Lego are great for kids of all ages and can keep them occupied for hours. If you have younger kids, get them a simple puzzle with large pieces. For older kids, consider getting a more challenging picture with multiple small parts.

Legos are also a great option because they can be used over and over again. They are also a great way to encourage kids to use their imagination and be creative. Plus, there are multiple video lessons on Lego’s YouTube channel on building various stuff. If you have several kids, you can even turn it into a competition to see who can build the tallest structure or the most interesting creation.

Drawing & Painting

Another great option is giving your kids some art supplies and letting them go bananas with them. This could include coloring books, blank paper, crayons, markers, etc. You can also set up an easel or art desk if you have the space.

If you want to take things a step further, you could give them a specific topic or challenge to work on. For example, you could ask them to draw a picture of their favorite animal or make a collage of their favorite colors. You could also turn it into a game by hiding objects around the house and having them draw or paint what they find.

Play-Doh

Sculpting with Play-Doh is another great way to hold kids attention. If you don’t have any Play-Doh at home, you could also use modeling clay or even make your own.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to Play-Doh. You could give your kids a specific challenge, such as making an animal or a building. Or you could let them use their imagination and see what they come up with. Either way, they’re sure to have fun!

Crafting

Crafting will work great for older kids, as they know how to use scissors, staplers, and glue without cutting, stapling, or gluing themselves. Younger kids will need some help, but it can still be done. There are all sorts of easy crafts that both younger and older kids will enjoy: from easy sew and no-sew projects to origami.

If you have several kids at home, it might be best to set up a little crafting station in one area of the house so that they can all craft together. This way, you can work nearby (or in the same room) and still keep an eye on them. And, if they make a mess, it will be contained to one area! Win-win.

Playing pretend

The best way to have your work done and spend time with your kid is to “hire them as an intern.” Get them a desk, stationery, and a to-do list for the day. They can pretend they use their fake laptop, doodle in a notebook or even do their homework. This way, you get to maintain your work schedule, and they get to feel like a big kid!

Film-making

This one takes a bit of preparing, but can be so worth it in the end. Write a script with your child, assign roles, and get filming. They can be the star, the director, or even the cameraman. This is a great way to spend an afternoon, and you might be surprised at their creativity. If they are old enough, they can even do the editing themselves if you have a spare computer. The Mac’s native solution is simple enough for kids to use, plus, you can alternatively install iMovie for PC, which is also pretty user-friendly.

Playing outdoors

If you have a backyard, set up a water table or sprinkler for them to run through. Or, if you live near a park, send them on a nature scavenger hunt! They can look for things like leaves, sticks, flowers, and rocks. This is a great way to get them moving and exploring. Just make sure to apply sunscreen and insect repellent before they go out.

Learning

There are tons of great educational apps and websites that can help keep kids entertained while also helping them learn new things. Look for things that are age-appropriate – some great options include the Starfall website for younger kids and the BrainPOP for older kids.

Practice being a ninja

The main thing about ninjas is that they are not supposed to be seen or heard. This can be a great game to play when you are trying to focus. Set up some obstacles in your living room or backyard and see if they can make it through without being seen or heard. The quietest ninja wins!

Unstructured time

If your kids are old enough, you can also give them some time without any schedule and leave them to their own devices. This could look like setting up a fort in the living room or playing with their favorite toys. Just make sure to check on them periodically to make sure they’re staying safe.

Conclusion

These days, more and more people are working from home. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering how to balance between completing your job tasks and taking care of your kids. By setting ground rules, creating a daily schedule, and planning some fun activities for them to do independently, you’ll be well on your way to managing both.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

10 Different Poses to Capture for a Family Photo Session

Taking family photos is a lot of fun, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. That is why we put together an entire collection with tips on how to style, dress, pose, and more, to help you better prepare. We want you to enjoy this special moment as you capture your family in a way that will be remembered forever. And we want you to be proud of your photos, and get the most out of your investment. So that is why we partnered with professional photographer Angie Englerth, to bring you expert advice. Below Angie recommends getting at least these 10 poses during your family photo session.

Print out our free printable below and hand it to your photographer during your next family photo shoot 🙂 And be sure to check out the rest of our collection for more Photography Tips!

Poses For Family Photo Session

This printable is created with tips from Angie Englerth
For more on this topic, check out the full Photography Tips collection

No matter if you are having photos taken to frame on your wall, or to share – you will always appreciate capturing these moments as a family! If you decide to share your photos online, consider using an Instagram post maker, or some other tool to enhance your social media posts.

And for more on this topic, check out the full Photography Tips collection

Featured Contributor: Angie Englerth

I am Angie, a wife and mama to two sweet little boys! I’m a portrait photographer in Lancaster county capturing the journey to and through motherhood. I believe that women look the most gorgeous when pregnant and I want them to feel the same way about themselves. My goal for each maternity session is for mamas to realize just how beautiful they are. I also enjoy capturing little ones while they are still little. All the details of newborns, from the tiny toes to the milk bumps on their nose, are my absolute favorite!

Work from Home Tips – How to Balance Your Personal and Professional Lives

Work from Home Tips

For decades, a person who was going to work would literally have to leave their house and go. They would depart their home early in the morning, spend their day elsewhere (be it an office, a shop floor, a factory, or similar), and then return to their abode in the evening. As a result, they were able to keep their personal and professional lives separate, because no one was working from home.

Nowadays, things have changed, and working from home has become a standard part of the modern world of work. A popular choice for both employees of a business and entrepreneurs who are running their own companies. Working from home has really gained popularity, and has even moved into the mainstream. This change is largely seen as hugely beneficial! However, there could also be potential consequences for combining your personal and private life at home.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

The blurring of personal and professional life

Anyone who works from home can find themselves experiencing a number of problems, such as…

Focusing on “work time” when domestic chores need to be completed. If chores need to be done, it can be very tempting to just quickly get them done before sitting down at your desk. – Even if that means eating in to your allotted work time. When working away from home, this temptation does not exist.

[Read: Managing It All When Life Gets Busy ]

Lack of definitive “finishing time”. Working away from home always provides a definitive stopping point. When a person leaves their job for the day, and can literally no longer work as they can when on the clock, it helps them turn their work mode off. Even if they wanted to try, they’d need to make the journey to an entirely different location. But when working from home, there’s no such division. This makes finding the balance between work, home, and play difficult as people can technically work just as well at 1:00am as they can at 3:30pm. It’s also easy to pick up emails or answer a quick call from the sofa when trying to unwind and watch TV. So the professional world soon encroaches on their personal time even more.

Home stops being a haven. At home, people might have a business line that rings with clients. They might receive work-related mail to their home address. And they might even host client meetings at their own property. This could result in you no longer feeling that your home is a haven from work, or a retreat and a sanctuary that allows you to unwind and relax.

Work from Home Tips

Thankfully, it is possible to manage all of the above issues and keep your personal and private worlds very distinct – even if they share the same physical space. Use the tips below to help separate your personal and professional lives when you work from home.

Develop a chore schedule.

Learn how to organize your focus each day! This way you will be less likely to feel you have to stop working in order to quickly tidy up, start a load of laundry, or wipe down the kitchen. Instead, you can tell yourself the chore will be dealt with as per the schedule. This should reassure you it won’t be forgotten and allow you to focus on your work.

Free Daily Planner Printables

Set a finishing time every day.

At the start of every day, decide when you’re going to finish, and then make sure you do so. Set an alarm if necessary so that there is no risk of working over your assigned time.

Opt for different devices.

If at all possible, completely divide your tech. Have one smartphone and computer for work purposes, and a second smartphone and computer for your personal life. This way, when you finish work for the day, you can turn the “work” devices off. Lock them away if needed, or preferably keep them somewhere out of sight.

If your role requires you to manage a team, you may want to even consider monitoring software for employees.

Separate your work from your home.

You may be working from home, but that doesn’t mean your home is your work. Opt for a cellphone rather than an installed landline. Use a virtual address and mailbox service provided by the likes of physicaladdress.com to give you full control of what business mail (if any) is delivered to your home. And lastly, consider co-working spaces for client meetings. Thankfully there are lots of options out there that will allow you to rent a conference room for a day, an hour, or a desired length of time.

Work from Home Tips

When working for an employer, or running your own business from home, the risk of your personal and professional lives becoming blended is significant. However, the measures above can help to address this issue and ensure that a sensible, healthy division is always maintained.

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

How To Make More Space In Your Lounge

September 25, 2022

How to Make More Space in Your Lounge

It’s only normal to want your home to look and feel its best, and decorating for a space that isn’t ideal for you may be tremendously exciting and force you to be creative. However, because of its small size, decorating a small living room might be challenging. You’ll undoubtedly make a ton of blunders along the road, but small living rooms may appear quite chic when properly styled utilizing a few easy techniques. Keep reading for ideas to make more space in your lounge.

For more on this topic, check out the full Family Home collection

Mirrors can help create the appearance of spaciousness

There are innumerable creative opportunities to take advantage of in little, frequently ignored locations. Using ornamental mirrors to provide the appearance of greater space is the ideal place to start. When correctly positioned, mirrors can make a cramped space feel open and breezy. Choose numerous mirrors to reflect all of the light in the living area for a dramatic effect. The mirror will reflect the most light and instantly provide depth if you install a large or many pieces on the wall next to your largest window. However, if your living room seems small and lacks windows, try hiding a tall mirror behind pieces of furniture to give the appearance that another room is expanding beyond.

Utilize light-weight drapes to enhance the light

Curtains have the ability to drastically change the look and feel of a room by adding color, pattern, and a cozy atmosphere. If you’re looking for the ideal curtain for a small living room, put function before style in your considerations. Why not replace yours, which are heavier and come in deeper colors, with the lighter fabric to let more light into the room? To let in a ton of natural light and boost a room’s brightness, choose white or pale colors.

A window seat provides additional sitting

Utilizing a window niche as a miniature living room with a window seat is one way to make the most of a limited space. You may wish to choose thin, elegant furniture that takes up less visual area when choosing the right seat. The eye is tricked into believing the room is less congested by these pieces of furniture. This transforms into a lovely refuge that makes it simple to read, talk, or simply sit and take in the scenery and sky when topped with simple plush cushions.

Reduce your furniture purchases

Any piece of furniture that takes up very little visible space will appear to open up a space. For instance, experimenting with size and proportion, such as by using a lower couch with thin arms and a tightly padded back, can help give the room a sense of volume. In any case, sleek, low-profile furniture, especially sofas, won’t visually overwhelm or dominate the room. Instead of a conventional sofa and coffee table, you can utilize two loveseats or ottomans. Compact apartment spaces benefit from the lightweight design and tiny scale because they improve traffic flow and provide you more arranging possibilities. You can also look to get a tv mounting service so you don’t need a tv unit and you can have your tv on the wall.

For more on this topic, check out the full Family Home collection

4 Things To Do Before Traveling To New York With Kids

New York is a state and city for everyone. Kids and adults will surely have wonderful days, with an infinite list of fun things to do during their visit. It’s a concrete jungle, that’s for sure, but it doesn’t mean that your days will be confined only to city life as it is.

If you’re planning on staying only for a few days, you’re likely to have a busy schedule. Especially since you’d want to maximize every minute of being in the city and not miss any spot to visit. Moreover, if you’re traveling with kids, preparing for it well enough before you hop on that flight or get on the road to New York is essential.

As with any other travel destination, traveling with kids in a hustling urban destination can be daunting. Your worries will be through the roof, no matter how exciting the prospect of a vacation to New York may seem. Once that vacation date is set, gear up with your to-do list so you can wipe the stress of traveling with kids away, and focus more on the good parts.

With that in mind, consider doing these things first before traveling to New York with your little ones in tow:

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

Familiarize Yourself With The Subway System

New York is a busy state, that’s without a doubt. During peak hours, the traffic may get so bad that it’ll take so much of your time to travel by taxi. If you’re a big family, it can also be inconvenient and costly when your group may have to be separated into different cabs.

That being said, one of the best ways to go around New York is to walk when you can. However, if the distance is too far, there’s the option to take the subway. It’s efficient and also very practical. And so, once your trip to New York is finalized, aside from looking for sights to see, start studying its subway system too.

Furthermore, learning about the city’s public transportation can also be helpful if you’re traveling to New York by train. For instance, if you’re coming from Boston, you can book Amtrak Boston to NYC tickets and arrive at Penn Station, which connects to the NYC subway. From there, you can start exploring the city.

Get Travel Insurance

Be it to New York, or elsewhere in the world, travel insurance isn’t something you should skip now that you’re traveling as a parent. You have more heads to account for, particularly your little ones. And, given the wild nature of children, the likelihood of an accident here and there is always very high. The last thing you’d want is to face a hefty hospital bill in an expensive city like New York.

This is where travel insurance comes in as your umbrella of protection. The cost of getting one is generally smaller when you compare it to the potential expenses in an untoward accident. You may not use it anyway. But if you did, then at least you know you’re safe.

Decide In Advance On The Iconic Attractions You Want To See

Unless you have so much time in New York, you may not be able to go through and experience all the attractions in the city. There are many, each of which can be categorized according to your preferences. But most importantly, you have to factor in the kids’ age and interests. That way this also becomes a fun and memorable vacation for them. Otherwise, if you visit one museum after another and the kids don’t understand anything, you may struggle with tantrums and uninterested children.

Balance it out, so there’s something for everybody. Moreover, listing and deciding in advance on what you want to see and visit in New York lets you plot your schedule. This can help you build an itinerary and the budget you’ll be spending on sightseeing. If you’re on a budget, you can insert a few free attractions in New York, as there’ll also be plenty to choose from.

Involve The Kids When Planning

If your kids are old enough to speak out on matters like what they want to see in New York, get their ideas too. The more involved they are in the planning process, the higher the hype and excitement will be. Plus, it can give you a chance to get to know your children more as you have insights now on what they also want to see and do in the Big Apple.

Furthermore, the kids’ involvement in the planning phase doesn’t include the itinerary only. You can also go as far as asking the kids for help in packing their bags and things. You can intentionally teach your kids how to pack and unpack, especially when they’re of an age where they can do this themselves. That’s one less chore for you to do when the kids are trained to be responsible enough to help.

Now You’re Ready To Enjoy New York

New York can be intimidating for any traveler, especially those with very young children. It’s every bit what you’d expect from an urban jungle. So the crowds, vehicles, and even the noise may be very daunting. Particularly to travelers from cities or states that aren’t as busy.

But, with proper research and preparation, you won’t have to let those scare you away from New York. The tips above can help you prepare well enough for it, so your holiday will be more fun and memorable than stressful.

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

Gift Ideas for Your Child’s Teacher + Free Printables

Gift Ideas for Your Child’s Teacher + Free Printables

Gifting to your child’s teacher can be hard. You want to show your appreciation for all the work they do but have no idea what they like or need. Most likely, your child’s teacher doesn’t need another “Best Teacher” mug. To make gifting easier for teacher’s appreciation week or a teacher’s birthday, we have curated some tips and teacher gift ideas for getting your classroom hero something they will love.

For more on this topic, check out the full Gift Giving and Back to School collections

What does your child’s teacher really want?

There are some simple ways you can determine if a gift would be fitting for your child’s teacher.

The gift should fit into one or more of the following categories:

Practical: The gift should be something that the teacher can actually use, such as a gift card.

Simple: The gift doesn’t have to be store-bought to be amazing! Something as simple as homemade goodies can show their teacher how much you appreciate the work they do.

Thoughtful: A personal gift, such as a necklace with the teacher’s monogram, will let them know that they are special to your child.

Meaningful: Homemade keepsakes and cards are always special for teachers to get. Especially, if it includes photos of their students from throughout the school year.

If you want to get more information on your child’s teacher before purchasing them a gift, consider sending your child with a teacher gift questionnaire in their notebook.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

5 Gift Ideas for Your Child’s Teacher

These teacher gift ideas are perfect, as they are fun, unique, and easy to add personal touches to.

Throw Blanket

A cozy throw blanket is a simple gift idea that can be kept in the classroom or taken home. You can never go wrong with this gift. Plus, throw blankets are easy to personalize to a teacher’s preferences with unique designs and different sizes.

Gift Cards

You cannot go wrong with a simple gift card. A gift card to a local boutique or a coffee shop is a simple way to show your appreciation. Make this gift a bit more personalized with an adorable gift tag.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

Holiday Plant or Succulent

If you are looking for a simple gift to give your child’s teacher before school ends for holiday break, consider a plant or a succulent. These last way longer than traditional flowers. Add a cute plant tag to make the gift extra special.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

Custom Phone Case

Here’s something that ticks all the right boxes on what to give your kid’s teacher. A cool personalized phone case is all things practical, simple, and meaningful. They’re able to use it to protect their phones and, at the same time, remember its significance every time they flip out their phones.

Some fantastic design suggestions that’ll make them go “aww” include a monogram of their name, class picture, or a simple “Best Teacher Award” statement.

Cute Notebooks

A cute notebook makes for a great teacher gift! Teachers love notebooks, especially when they are personalized. Not only can they use notebooks for school, but they can also use them for journaling while at home.

Sanitation Essentials

Sanitation is always important in the classroom, especially post-pandemic. Making your child’s teacher a basket with classroom sanitation essentials is something necessary that your child’s teacher would appreciate. To make this simple gift more special, tape these sanitation labels to each item in the basket.

[ Access to all FREE PRINTABLES is at the end of this article ]

Showing love to your child’s teacher through gifting is a great way to thank them for all the work they do, especially in our post-pandemic society. Like with all gifting, it is the thought that truly counts!

For more on this topic, check out the full Gift Giving and Back to School collections

Practical Tips For Moving With Kids

September 21, 2022

Practical Tips For Moving With Kids

Moving can be daunting for your kids. Leaving their friends, school, old home, and other familiar settings may not be pleasant. Research indicates that the impact of moving can be worse for kids over 5. Despite this, you can help your kids adjust to the change and even embrace it with the right steps. Here are a few you can leverage when moving to your new home to achieve the desired outcome.

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

Be transparent with them

Admittedly, you are the parent and can decide when or not to move without explanations. However, keeping your kids out of the loop may be more harmful than beneficial. Suddenly breaking the news may be met with outrage and even resistance. And no wonder they may not desire to leave behind what they’ve always known. Instead of keeping your move a secret, open up to them about your decision. You can expect them to express their initial disapproval, but be patient and listen to them. However, giving them a heads-up can help them come to terms with the inevitable change. As a tip, tell them earlier to help them prepare for it. This way, they can make the most of the time left with their friends and other things they love.

Involve them in the process

Another way to spark their enthusiasm is to involve them in the process. Except if they are infants or toddlers, your kids can help in every stage. For starters, seek their opinions about your new home before purchasing it. You can make it more fun by researching various houses with them and holding a vote to decide which option they like best. Consequently, allow them to pack their boxes (if they’re older) to give them ownership of their part of the relocation. You’ll also find it helpful to give them a packing list to make it easier. You also want to encourage them to choose how they want their rooms to look, so keep this in mind.

Homebuyer Checklists – Free Printable Bundle

Homebuyer checklists free printable bundle graphic with blue background

Go on a leisure trip to your new neighborhood

Visiting your new home and neighborhood is essential to ensure that you and your family are safe. However, it can also be a great way to introduce them to their new life. And what better way to achieve this than to turn it into a leisure trip? Make it a point to explore other areas after seeing your home and introducing yourself to your neighbors. For instance, you can visit the parks, ice cream shops, restaurants, etc. This can leave a good impression in your kids’ minds and motivate them to move in quickly.

Give yourself time to plan and prepare

Moving can stress you out if you don’t plan early. Not only will you deal with packing boxes, emptying, and cleaning your old home, but you can also expect going-away parties, neighbors and friends stopping by to say goodbye, etc. Therefore, you’ll find it helpful to start packing earlier, so keep this in mind. While at it, you can make arrangements with a credible household moving company to ensure that your things arrive on time.

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

Buying a New Home? Free Printable Bundle + Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender

September 20, 2022

Homebuyer Checklists – Free Printable Bundle

The journey of buying a new home can be an exciting milestone—but there’s also a lot of details to navigate and stay on top of in order to make that journey a success. If you’re new to the territory, one of the most important steps you want to tackle is understanding how your mortgage works—and finding a mortgage lender you can trust.

Working with the right mortgage lender can make a huge difference in finding the best home loan to suit your unique needs and financial situation. But if you’ve never worked with a mortgage lender before, you might be unsure of what questions you’ll need to ask to make sure you’re getting the best possible loan option and securing the right deal for your family.

To help you navigate the process, this printable house hunting binder designed by FHA Home Loans is packed with all the crucial questions you should cover with your lender, plus checklists to keep all the information you gather organized and easily accessible. A home buying journey might feel daunting to some, but simply knowing how the process works—and being able to keep track of it all—can make a world of difference!

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

Homebuyer Checklists – Free Printable Bundle

For more on this topic, check out the full Family Home collection.