Karissa Tunis

What You Need To Know About Mental Health And Your Child

We all have mental health, and most of us will struggle to feel mentally healthy at some point in our lives. However, for those under 18 years of age, mental health problems can all too easily be brushed off as part of the growing up process. Unfortunately, without an accurate diagnosis, and the support this provides access to, mental health problems can have a significant negative impact on the quality of life, and the future of young people. The good news is that by educating yourself on mental health issues, you can help the young people in your life when they most need it. Continue reading below to learn what you need to know about mental health and your child.

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

The most common mental health issues for children

Just like in the general population, mental health problems often affect people under the age of 18. Unfortunately, sometimes these can be seen as just a regular part of the growing up processes. Oftentimes, that can lead to a delayed diagnosis and help that can provide vital both for well being and achievement in life. With that in mind, being aware of some of the most common mental health issues is important! When you familiarize yourself with what to look for, you then can catch symptoms early on and line up support when necessary.

One of the most common signs of a mental health disorder is self-harm. This is usually a way of coping with intense emotional pain. And it can be linked to other conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder. Depression. And even bipolar. Indeed, while bipolar disorder in children may not be the most common condition, it can very seriously impact their quality of life and future. Therefore it’s vital to have your child assessed by a professional if you think they could have it.

Other more common mental health conditions experienced by those under 18 can include PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and eating disorders. Once again many of these conditions can overlap with each other. For example, OCD and eating disorders are often confused, as is PTSD, OCD, ADHD and BED. All of which underlines how important it is to get the proper help. And it’s crucial to see an expert as soon as possible for a diagnosis.

Some factors increase the likelihood of mental health problems in childhood

The mechanisms at work that cause mental health conditions in children to become apparent are not fully understood. However, some factors tend to increase the likelihood that they will occur. Such factors include long-term problems at school. The death of a friend or loved one. Homelessness. Having to care for an older relative. And having parents that are divorced, or are no longer together.

Therefore if you know your child is dealing with one or more of these stressors, looking out for signs and symptoms of mental health problems can help catch them early.

Some things that can trigger mental health problems in childhood

Some specific events make it more likely that a child will experience mental health difficulties before the age of 18. These usually take the form of traumatic experiences such as abuse. Changing schools. Being bullied. Moving houses. Or even welcoming a new member into their family.

Again, by knowing what these potential triggers are, you can better equip yourself to monitor your child’s behavior and mental health. This way you can offer them support when needed.

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

Ways To Make Your Home More Comfortable

August 27, 2021

Ways to Make Your Home More Comfortable

What if you could take all the stress out of your home? What if it was so comfortable that you never wanted to leave? If this sounds like something you would enjoy, then these tips might be perfect for you. This post will show you how to make your home more comfortable and enjoyable by using a few simple tricks.

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

Ensure Your AC is in Perfect Working Condition

People spend a lot of time in their homes, so ensuring that your AC is up and running perfectly is important. Have you ever been stuck inside on a sweltering day because the air conditioner isn’t working? When this happens, people become grumpy at even the most minor thing like hot coffee or unruly children – imagine how much worse it would be if the air conditioner wasn’t working at all.

One of the best ways to make sure that the AC in your home is always working is to schedule 24 Hour AC Repair and maintenance. If you want to set up an appointment for your AC maintenance, you can call the company, and they will be able to tell you what is best.

Install Smart Home Systems

A smart home system can make your home more comfortable and efficient. You’ll be able to control the temperature, lights, locks, and sound from one app on your phone or computer without having to go back and forth between each device.

In addition, smart home systems can provide additional home security and convenience. For example, you can use a voice assistant to lock the door or turn off lights when you’re not at home. In addition, smart appliances like refrigerators will send notifications when they are running low on food so that you know what needs replenishing before leaving work for the day.

Have Comfortable Furniture

If you are looking for ways to make your home more comfortable, one of the most important things you can do is focus on having furniture in your house that fits your and your family’s needs. Having uncomfortable furniture will contribute to a lack of comfort throughout every room in the house. This includes everything from sofas and chairs to beds and dressers. If you find that your furniture is uncomfortable or doesn’t match the style of your house, then it might be time for an update.

Have Regular House Maintenance

If there is something that you know needs doing in your home maintenance-wise, try to schedule it when the weather isn’t going to cause any problems. For instance, if you need someone to come and inspect your air conditioning unit because it’s been making some funny noises lately, don’t do this during the peak of summer when the temperatures are likely to be over 90 degrees.

By scheduling regular house maintenance, you can make your life easier and more comfortable because it will help prevent problems from happening in the first place instead of fixing them all at once when they do happen.

Make Your Home More Comfortable

A home should be one of the most comfortable places you can be. That’s why it is essential to make sure that your house or apartment has everything you need.

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

How to Trick or Treat Safely

Tips for How To Trick or Treat Safely

Trick or treating is such a fun time of year for little kids, and even those big kids that still enjoy dressing up and collecting treats! And while most families will enjoy this yearly tradition, there are a few important tips that everyone should remember to help ensure that this special night is safe and fun for everyone! Continue reading below for tips on how to trick or treat safely this year, and scroll down for a FREE Trick or Treat printable.

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

How to Trick or Treat Safely

Here are 10 tips to help you and your family trick or treat safely this year. While some years may be easier then others depending on your kid’s ages, and who they want to trick or treat with, the same advice typically applies.

Stay With An Adult

I know it is tempting for kids to run off with their friends, and I know sometimes parents become distracted chit chatting with neighbors. However, in order to keep all the kids safe, it is best to have a responsible adult present at all times. It may be easier to divide and conquer by age groups, or by groups of friends. But hopefully between everyone involved you can be sure there is at least one set of adult eyes on your children.

Plan A Safe Route

Some neighborhoods are known for handing out the best treats! If it’s not your own neighborhood, be sure to map out a route ahead of time to avoid getting lost, or repeating the same loops. Also, if you do have older children that you are allowing to have more independence, it’s helpful to map out their route ahead of time as well. This way you know exactly where they are, and can have a designated meeting spot every hour, or at the end.

Look Both Ways Before Crossing The Street

I know this sounds basic, but kids oftentimes need a dozen reminders no matter their age! It’s also a great reminder for adults too as there may be a lot of kids to keep your eye on. Remember that just because your family is out trick-or-treating, it doesn’t mean everyone else is. There will still be traffic as people head home from work, or head out to activities.

Be Careful Near Lit Candles

Many costumes come with fun capes and layers. And since most of us don’t typically wear this type of attire, we can easily forget that we need to keep an eye on our parameters. It would be terrible for anyone to catch on fire! So be careful and keep an eye on the costumes around anything lit.

Never Go Into A Stranger’s Home Or Car

It sometimes shocks me just how trusting people can be on trick-or-treat night! Remember, if you don’t know the person handing out candy, then they are a stranger (even if they seem nice). Reminding your kids about stranger danger ahead of time can be done in a light-hearted, non-scary way; but it is always a good reminder.

Free Trick or Treat Safely Printable

Adore Them wishes you a happy and safe Halloween filled with many yummy treats!

Print and share this FREE Trick or Treating printable with your children, family, neighbors, and friends

Carry a Flashlight or Wear Glow Stick

Even though we start trick-or-treating while it is light outside, it does become dark before we get home. Because of this, it is very important that kids are easily spotted by others. Not only will this help the adults to keep a better eye on them, but it will also help cars on the road. You could even consider adding reflective tape to your child’s costume.

Only Walk Up To Well Lit Houses

If the lights are off, then that house is not participating with trick-or-treat. Not only do you waste time walking up to these homes, but you also run the risk of upsetting your neighbors. Also, if the area is not well lit, then it does provide a safety issue. Someone could easily trip on a walkway that is dark – especially if there are steps. Or there is potential for other mishaps. So focus on the houses that are bright and clearly participating with trick-or-treat safely.

Know Your Town’s Trick Or Treat Curfew

This is important because you don’t want to show up too early, or stay out too late. Again, this could upset your neighbors, and you could have some disappointed kids. So know when the start and end time is for your town and neighborhood’s trick-or-treat.

Ask Your Parents Before Eating Candy

Of course every kid wants to indulge in as much candy as possible, but they might need a clear limit before they end up with a belly ache. Not only can too many sweets lead to tooth decay or cavities, but it can also cause constipation or other stomach issues.

Don’t Eat Treats with Opened Wrappers or Homemade Goodies from Strangers

Having an adult examine all treats is a must! While we would like to assume that everyone loves our kids as much we do, it unfortunately is not the case. I know it is rare for someone to tamper with things they shouldn’t. But you also can never be to cautious. Numerous health experts, and even the FDA recommends avoiding anything that has an open wrapper. And definitely avoiding homemade treats – especially if your child has any food allergies! Checking out your kids goodies only takes a few moments. And it can provide the perfect opportunity to congratulate them on their impressive stash! But these few extra minutes can help ensure that your child and their treats are safe to enjoy.

Trick Or Treat Safely Printable

We hope you found these tips helpful! As a quick reminder we created a free printable on how to trick or treat safely. Print it out and share with your family and friends. Trick or treating can be safe and fun when you are prepared! Scroll back up to get your free printable!

Trick or Treating is supposed to be an enjoyable experience for the whole family. However, the weather, tired kids, or high expectations can ruin that experience. But there is a solution! Watch Shari’s video for her advice on how to ensure that your next Trick-or-Treat experience is a success!

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

Co-Owner: Karissa Tunis

Karissa Tunis is the co-author of Parenting while Working from Home, co-owner of AdoreThemParenting.com, and co-owner of the family event company Milestone Family Expos. Through these ventures she has been able to share inspiring, heartfelt insight with large audiences both within local communities and across the country. As a work-from-home mom of four children, Karissa understands the need for family-focused organization and time management. She consistently provides insight into child behavior that has helped fellow parents achieve their goals of calmer, happier homes. Karissa also makes it a priority to soak in all of the southern specialties that Charleston, South Carolina, has to offer with her husband and their children.

Contact: Karissa@AdoreThem.com

How to Choose the Perfect Costume

If you take a look on the Internet, you will see that there are plenty of fun dress up costumes for children and adults. However, narrowing down your search can be difficult. Of course you will want to make sure you look different from everyone else at the party, and that your outfit impresses. So, keep on reading for some top tips on how to choose the perfect costume.

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

Consider the Theme

There is only one place to begin, and this is with the theme! Take Halloween costumes as an example. If you are going for a scare factor, you could always go for the typical witch or zombie costume. But if you want to create your own unique look, you can use fake blood, face paint, and clever accessories to ensure you fit in with the theme.

If your event is happening at school, or you are looking for a school inspired look, school spirit shirts are a great option to complete your look.

Go for Comfort

Looking the part is important! However, you need to be comfortable too. You won’t enjoy the event you are going to if your outfit is giving you hassle all evening.

Price Compare

Price is also important when looking for the perfect costume. Of course, you want to wow everyone! But you probably don’t want to spend a fortune. Set a budget from the beginning and be sure to account for accessories. Also, remember to be mindful of going for anything that looks cheap and tacky – just because it isn’t expensive, doesn’t mean it is the right option.

[Read: 3 Tips to Save Money on your Halloween Costume!]

Check the Weather

You should also take a look at the weather forecast if you and your child are planning on going outdoors. You will want to make sure your outfit is light and breathable if it is warm, or that it can easily accommodate layers if it is cooler outside.

Read the Reviews

It’s also advisable to read reviews before purchasing, as this will give you a good indication as to what previous buyers thought of the outfit.

[Read: 50 Fall Themed Activities for Families]

Pick Your Costume’s Supplier With Care!

While it is quite easy to find a costume supplier, this does not mean that they will have the range you are interested in. Or the means to supply your selection at short notice. This brief section below looks at other factors to consider.

Things to Consider

It’s important for a supplier to have a large enough inventory to cover all events. From Christmas, to Halloween, and everything in between. The range of costumes available should be appropriate for the occasion and available for delivery as soon as the order is placed.

It also pays to enquire if the costume available can be customized. Do they offer options for different ages? Could boys or girls wear it? The ideal assortment should be imaginative and practical.

If you are buying in bulk too, look out for the best discount options available. Just because you are buying costumes for a party does not mean you have to pay a fortune for it.

As a matter of fact, the best suppliers also provide free delivery to customers. Before ordering the products online, check out the returns policy. If the garments delivered do not meet the essential standards, it should be possible to return them and get a full refund. Lastly, find out whether the outfits come with accessories, or whether they need to be bought separately.

Choosing the Perfect Costume

Hopefully these tips will help you avoid any ordering mishaps. Happy Shopping!

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

Adapting Your Home For Your Child’s Disability

Providing a safe and secure environment for your child at home is something all parents strive for. If your child has additional needs, or requires special care for health conditions or injuries, making your home safe for them extends far past the typical baby proofing most parents put in place. In short, you become a parent and a safety expert as the same time. But the goal remains the same. – To allow them to live their lives in a house that supports their development and changes as they grow. Continue reading below to find out how to adapt your home for your child’s disability.

For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection

Modifying Doorways

One of the biggest concerns for many parents is having accessible rooms in their home. This allows for more unrestricted movement, especially if you have a wheelchair user in the house. For many, they first focus on adjusting the communal room in the home, such as the family room or kitchen. You will also want to consider the external doorways. If you cannot widen your doorways, consider which doorways would have the most impact and opt to make those changes first.

Aids and Supports

For external doorways, the addition of a wheelchair ramp will allow them ease of access in and out of their homes. Along with wider doorways you will also want to consider handrails, hard floors, lowered faucets, door handles, accessible storage, or countertop heights if possible. It is the attention to these small details that will pay off when making any changes.

Remove Obstructions

Children who use mobility aids, or have visual impairments, will have a hard time moving around if they encounter certain home accessories or furnishings. Secure any loose rugs, remove obstructions from in the line of sight and make sure no wires are lying where they could be tripped over. Remove low-lying items such as coffee tables to remove extra trip hazards.

Keep things in the same place so your child knows where to find them. And have an easy access point where they can help themselves to snacks or food in the kitchen. You will also want to make it easy for them find their belongings such as coats, shoes, backpacks, and so on.

Extra Lighting

Another item to consider is installing extra lighting, or change the lighting you use in your home. Whether you need to make things easier to dispense medications, assist with visual impairment, or make the house easier to move around; consider how each room looks and feels and adapt the lighting accordingly.

Accessible Bathroom

Being able to use a bathroom and bathe is something many people take for granted. If you want to invest in one area of your home that will make another big impact, choose your bathroom.

There are many different adaptations you can make in your bathroom. However, you will want to tailor them to your child’s needs, as well as create the perfect accessible bathroom that works for your whole family. From higher toilets, allowing for plenty of room to change, and a bath transfer system. These type of systems allow for options for children who need more significant support when bathing, such as walk-in baths, lower sink basins, and comfort handles to aid sitting or standing.

It is important to remember that your child needs will continue to grow. And as such, your changes and adaptations will need to grow with them in order to offer them continued support through their childhood and beyond.

For more on this topic, check out the full Tough Times collection

5 Tips for Staying Organized Through the Holidays

The holidays are fast approaching. And, if your kids are like mine, then they are busy making their holiday gift wish-lists! However, as I walk around our house, it’s obvious that we already have more than enough. Sure I understand that unwrapping a new toy is very fun and exciting; but the truth is, that we have many more wants than actual needs. It’s a very privileged position to be in, and one that I do not want to take for granted! But how can I give my kids the joyful holiday experience of Christmas morning, and finding that Santa has visited these good little children, but without bringing in more clutter? Read below for my 5 tips on staying organized through the Holidays, and keeping your sanity. Stress less and enjoy this special Season even more!…

Helping Your Adult Children Without Going Broke

One of the first lessons to learn in parenting is that it doesn’t stop just because your children have turned 21. They are always going to be your children. And you are always going to be their safe space. Some children need to rely on their parents long after the college years. And one thing that you’ll notice after you’ve spent years paying for your kids, is that they will still need to rely on you sometimes to pay off everything else. Keep reading below to learn how you can still help your adult children, without going broke.

For more family advice, check out our Parenting Advice topics and collections

Helping Your Adult Children

There is sometimes the need for older parents to help their adult children. It’s not that you haven’t taught your adult children how to budget, but we all know that life throws a curveball from time to time, and they will call on you for help. As parents, you will be able to do that. However, you have to learn how to do it without going broke yourself. You don’t want to bankrupt yourself to help your kids – even if you do love them! You can point them in the direction of Rockwell Legal Group if things are getting too much for even you to cover. But there are so many ways that you can continue to help your kids even after they’ve flown the nest. So, with this in mind, here are some of the ways that you can help your adult children to get through their own money struggles.

Create a Budget

Sit down with them and work on their budget. It doesn’t matter if they’re 30 with their own children, if they’re coming to you for help. No matter their age or circumstance, they will appreciate having you help guide them through a deep dive on all of their finances. Talk about income their income. Then help them calculate the money coming in and going out. Sometimes they might be embarrassed about you seeing all the mistakes they may have made. Reassure them that you still love them, and that you can help them out of the rut they’re in. This won’t always involve you handing over your cash, but helping them to navigate their own is valuable.

Career Advice

If you were successful in your profession, it might be hard for you to relate to career struggles. But if your children are struggling, they will appreciate any help that you can offer with resumes and lining up job interviews. Or you could even help them word a letter to ask for a raise.

Childcare

Some families are being crippled by the high cost of living. Even if they are a two-income family, paying for childcare fees on top of everything else adds up quickly. If you can afford to help out with the kids, offer to do so! You can take the financial burden off their shoulders while spending quality time with the grandchildren at the same time.

Offer Money

If you can afford to offer them cash, offer it – but ONLY after you’ve helped them with their budget and figured out a appropriate spending/payment plan. You can still support them – just don’t end up bankrupting yourself to do it.

For more family advice, check out our Parenting Advice topics and collections

Tips to Find a Babysitter that’s a Great Fit!

How to Find a Babysitter that You Love

Having 3 kids close together is so fun! But it can also be a bit overwhelming at times, especially in those early years. Whether I need an extra hand to get things done around the house. Someone to watch the kids so that I can run a few errands. Or even just someone who allows me to finally have some “me time”; I have been fortunate to find amazing babysitters to help us out! Read below to find out what steps I followed to find and hire the perfect babysitter.

I am often asked a lot of questions around this topic from friends (probably because they know I have the best sitters in town 😉 – “Where do you find your sitters? How do you know who to hire? What questions should I ask a potential babysitter?” And so on…..

So here are my tips for hiring the right person to care for your children, and the benefits of hiring a nanny….

How To Stay Healthy When Your Kids Are Sick

Sometimes kids get sick despite all the good you try to do to stop it from happening. Your job as a parent is to nurse them through their ailment and bring them back to full health as soon as possible. However, this can be tough if you catch the same bug that’s going around. It’s far better to try to stay as healthy as possible so that you can look after your little ones and get on with your work. Below are tips for how to stay healthy when your kids are sick.

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

Wash Your Hands

The idea of washing your hands after you use the bathroom, when you’re cooking, after you do anything or touch anything dirty, has been reinforced since we were all little. There’s a reason why our parents and teachers kept telling us to do it (and why it’s probably a habit still today); it works. Washing your hands can reduce the likelihood of you catching a bug or cold from your child by up to 50 percent.

However, a quick rinse is not what we mean because that just doesn’t work effectively enough. You need to scrub your hands for around 20 seconds using warm water and soap if you want to rid yourself of the germs that could make you sick. For added security, you could use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer too. These can be great if you need to wash your hands and you’re nowhere near a sink.

Boost Your Immune System

The healthier your immune system, the less likely it is that you will catch whatever it is that’s going around. That means eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and taking vitamin supplements if you need to. It also means keeping yourself as healthy as possible.

If you smoke or drink too much, then quitting is your best option as these things can seriously compromise your immune system (plus, they’re not a great way to be a role model for your kids). If you find that giving up alcohol or drugs is hard on your own, look for help from somewhere like American Addiction Centers. It will be worth it.

No Sharing

We know you’ve spent a long time trying to get your kids to share nicely. But when they’re sick, it’s best if they just don’t do it at all. The more things they want to share around, the more chance it is that one of those things is going to be their sickness bug.

Less Cuddling

This is a hard thing to do, especially when your child is unwell. But if it stops you from getting sick, then you must do it. Simple viruses can’t travel beyond around three feet, so you don’t have to stay in a different room; just don’t get too close. If your child needs soothing, then you could make up a hand signal that signifies a hug. And if you want to kiss them, try the top of their head rather than their mouth. Tell them you love them as much as you can. The illness will soon be over, and you can get back to normal with everyone feeling great.

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

5 Fun Activities to Keep Your Kids Happy All Summer Long

When it comes to keeping the kids amused when you are working from home, it can be a tough one. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways that you can keep them busy for hours. Here are 5 fun activities to keep your kids busy for hours at a time and boost their creativity all summer long.

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

Put them to work

No, we don’t mean that they need to fill out the tax returns for you. Although, if they are good at math, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to pass that job off. What we mean is give them kid jobs to do and create a little world. Kids love to dress up and pretend to be grownups. Help them create a world with cardboard boxes, corrugated plastic signs, and simple toys for hours of amusement. You could create a little market so they can go shopping. Dust off those old clothes that you don’t wear anymore, and throw them in your kid’s dress-up bin. Your children will love dressing up and using household items to create their own backyard home.

Check out: Free Pretend Play Printables for Kids

Pavement art

Depending on where you live, you could send your kids outside to decorate the local area with some pavement art. Keep in mind, some housing associations don’t allow this, so you might need to keep this in your backyard. But a large supply of chalk and some imagination can keep the kids drawing for hours. And if you have some free time, then you could join them and show off your own art skills. The best part is, some water will wash the chalk away so they can have a clean slate to draw on every day.

Racing track

Do you remember when you were little and how you were probably out all day on your bike? You probably don’t want your own kids disappearing for hours, but there is a way to keep them pedaling their bikes for a long period of time. Designing a race track on your driveway or patio can be great fun as you can make it as big or as small as you need it to be. You could even get them to mark it out with some chalk so they don’t forget where they are going.

Knights and forts

Keeping with the fun backyard play, you could create a different type of world. Cardboard forts are a great way to get your kid’s imaginations fired up. And it doesn’t have to be limited to forts. You can create body armour, swords and shields, and hobby horses. After they have created their knight outfits, they can paint them with their favorite colors before heading off into battle. If you organize this enough, you could have them creating their world of make-believe all summer.

Write their own stories

You will not get handed a New York Times bestseller, but you will definitely get something amusing from your kids. Writing their own stories is a great activity that will boost their imaginations and their language skills. And if there is one thing that you should know about writing, practice makes perfect. You never know, you might help mould them into bestselling authors one day.

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