Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

6 Tips for Designing a Practical Home Office

Working from home might seem like a great idea, but if you don’t have the right space to conduct your business it can end up a complete disaster. The first step is to designate a particular room in your home that you are going to turn into your home office. The space you choose needs to fulfill certain basic criteria, for example, you need to have a sufficient amount of natural light, as to preserve your eyesight as much as possible. Secondly, you should make sure that the number of electrical outlets in the chosen space is going to fit your needs and finally, you need a functioning door, especially if you have small children who don’t yet have an understanding of what your personal space is.

Now if you have the basics covered, let’s start decorating.

Carefully choose the color palette

Before we go any further into discussing your home office design it is important that we go over the basic color scheme. The color that you choose for your walls will be detrimental for the rest of your decor. Going with a soft lavender or yellow tones might create a soothing atmosphere that will help your clients relax. However, if this is not what you are aiming at, you can introduce dark reds and mahogany tones as a display of power. As you can see, the options are limitless, it all depends on how you want to be seen by prospective clients who enter your home office on a daily basis.

Source Pixabay

Make functionality your priority

In your home office, like in any other office organization is key. You need to have everything you need with you reach so that there is no need for you to constantly get up and move around. The more functional your design is the more work you will be able to get done. So think about what are the essential items you need to have by your side at all times, and then based on that create your home office layout. Consider the amount of storage space you’ll need, what tech is essential and whether there are some items you could do without.

Introduce the right furniture

Now that you have decided on what are your basic needs to create a functional home office space it is time to choose the right furniture to meet those needs. Of course, there are many different desks to consider, and a work desk is a must, it is the centerpiece of your home office and your workstation. However, what if you need to hold a meeting or two, is it going to be enough. In that case, it would be a good idea to own a rectangular flip top table so that you can take it out and easily turn your home office into a real boardroom. Afterward, you can simply store it for next time. Apart from your desk, there are two more essential pieces, first, your chair, a quality office chair is a must as it will provide your back with the right support and at the same time make you look like a real boss. The second is adequate shelving to serve as storage space, you want to display your achievements and present your workload to anyone entering your home office.

Source Pixabay

Make sure you create a space that will motivate you

Just taking a design blueprint straight out of a catalog and applying it to your space might not be the best option. You need to consider the fact that your home office is a direct reflection of you and your character. It is a space where you need to be able to create and work without feeling overcrowded or distracted. So if you like having a beautiful view from your home office, make sure you get one. On the other hand, if you are a great fan of organization and can’t stand working in a messy environment do your best to get the items you need to get this done, from quality stationery and sufficient amount of drawers and cupboards all the way to wall planners.

Get the proper tech

There is no question that this is a must for any home office. You need the tools to perform your tasks seamlessly. From the right computer that can take on any amount of work, you need to get done, to simple office inventory like a scanner or a printer. Yes, yes, you are thinking cords, cords everywhere, but actually, there are some very simple solutions that can help you get those electric cords off the ground and hide them in plain sight. That way your home office will continue to maintain its perfect organization and order.

Source Pixabay

Make it a bit homey

After all, it is a home office, it doesn’t have to be completely void of emotion and character. Add some pictures of your family and friends. You can fill the space with your favorite plants and don’t forget to throw in an art piece or two just to make it that much warmer. After all, it needs to be a true reflection of you and when you come to work every day it is essential that you feel motivated and inspired.

Your home office is now ready, so let the workday commence!

Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. You can find her online writing and giving tips about lifestyle and development at highstylife.com. Find Claire on Facebook and Twitter

7 Ways to Improve Your Chances for a Second Date

Guys, if you want a second date with a woman you need to make sure you have a great first date.

In this article, we’ll show you 7 things you can do on your first date to give you 7 ways to improve your chances for a second date. You’ll find that it’s all about details.

1. Punctual

Picking her up or meeting her on time is a great start to a successful first date. You show her that you value her time as much as you do yours.

2. Be a gentleman

Open doors for her, even the car door if she’s receptive. Allow her to order first. Even if she looks hot, control your expressions. Try not to stare at her. It could make her uncomfortable.

3. Table Manners

Some guys forget that they’re not at home. Don’t just woof down your food, and try not to make a mess. Part of enjoying your dinner is about leaving out the sideshow.

4. Enjoyable and Tasteful conversation

You probably know enough about your date to make small talk. Find some common interests that you have with her. It could be work, hobbies, favorite music or TV shows. There’s bound to be something you can talk about, maybe for quite a while. The best way to start a conversation is by asking open-ended questions, so don’t just drone on about yourself!

Whatever you do, keep sex out of this conversation. It could be a real turn off.

5. Personal interest

Basically, you want to treat her like a friend. If you end up marrying this lady one day, you and she are going to be each other’s best friend.

If she has something stressful going on, and she feels comfortable, draw her out and really listen. Yep, we said it – listen. Resist the temptation to solve her problem. She may just need to unload. Let her.

6. Let your yes mean yes

If you tell her you’re going to do something, keep your promise. For example, like many women, if she wants to be brought straight home, bring her straight home. Period.

If you have another stop to make afterward, tell her before the date. Who knows? Maybe she’ll go along, but don’t surprise her.

Any deviation could chuck your second date chances out the window.

7. Respectful goodnight

Remember, the woman you marry one day is going to be your friend for life. Treat her like one. Don’t be too anxious to get a goodnight kiss. If she asks you to, don’t throw the gentleman out of the way. Keep it short, sweet and respectful.

As far as second dates go, it could be as simple as asking, even at the end of your first date. If it hasn’t come by now, maybe this is your chance to find out.

In Closing

So it really isn’t so tough. Don’t make it any tougher. Just follow these tips, have a great first date, and we’re sure you will get a second date.

Finding Your Dance Confidence

When you first start dancing, it’s easy to struggle with your confidence. You might not know the best way to even get started if your confidence levels are so low. While there is no cookie-cutter solution for feeling ready to break out your best dance moves, there are simple ways you can find your own dance confidence. Whether you’re a new dancer or you’ve been dancing for years, self-consciousness can strike at any time. Here’s how to find your dance confidence so you can show your best moves to the world!

Image via Pexels

Dress for Success

If you’ve ever heard the tip “fake it till you make it,” take it literally by investing in the right dance outfit. It might sound weird, but it really does work! If you look confident you can trick yourself into feeling confident! Review dancing blogs and recent trends to see what costumes are hip at the moment. Then search for the best dance costumes from Alexandra Costumes or another high-quality retailer to find the perfect outfit for strutting your stuff! Even if you don’t feel your best, you’ll at least look your best!

Practice Good Posture

Standing up straight is proven to lead to greater feelings of confidence. Take a hint from this science by evaluating your own dance posture. Even if you feel the music, you might notice yourself hunching over or making yourself smaller. Hold your head up high! Stand tall and proud! The more you work on your posture, the more confident you’ll feel. Not to mention your dancing skills will improve!

Dance with a Group

Dancing alone is intimidating, even for experienced dancers. Whether you’re planning to perform at an event or you’re just practicing, having a group with you can take the edge off of any dance routine. Not only will being with others help inspire you to do your best, but you don’t have to worry about being the center of attention if something goes wrong. Starting with a group of dance friends is a great first step in your quest for dance confidence!

Image via Pexels

Stick to the Basics

Have you ever skipped too many steps too fast and found yourself completely overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Bring it back to the basics by practicing your basic moves. If you find yourself too stressed by the idea of taking that next step in your dance level, it’s okay to take a moment to practice the basics. Even the best dancers need to refresh themselves about the basics of movement, steps, and balance. These are a great way to practice, and you’ll gain confidence in your abilities as you go!

Stay Energized

If you’re tired and unmotived, you probably aren’t going to be dancing your best. While you shouldn’t overload yourself on things like energy drinks, you shouldn’t be wandering around your dance studio feeling like a zombie come to life! Treat your body kindly by drinking enough water and eating energizing foods throughout the day to keep your energy levels up. Listen to your body and know when it’s time for a break!

Let Go of Perfectionism

A lot of dancers tend to be perfectionists. It’s easy to think even the best dancers are perfect, but make peace with the fact that this is not a reality. You will make mistakes. This is just a part of being a performer and an artist. Mistakes are a great way to learn, and it’s okay if you aren’t perfect all the time. It’s more important to do your best and give it your all than to always be perfect!

Practice Performing

Sometimes the best way to overcome your lack of confidence is to just put yourself out there. If the thought of performing scares the wits out of you, it might be time to just bite the bullet. There are ways to practice performing without the same levels of pressure of a real event! Join a performance group to practice your stage work or find a studio near you with local performances. Even these small steps make a big difference!

Dance Like Nobody is Watching!

This old cliche rings true for your confidence. If you’re dancing for yourself, you’ll feel your best. Remember you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Think back to just how passionate you are about dance. If you’re inspired by the music and the movement, nothing else matters. Even if you’re in front of a big crowd, dance like nobody is watching! That’s when you know you’ve found your dance confidence!

Start The School Year Off Right, With A Back To School Party!

One of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child, is a love of learning. This starts with reading and teaching and showing enthusiasm when a child learns something, even before they are school age.

An involved and dedicated parent can open a magical world of learning in a young mind. This gift grows with the child and transferred into everything the child does.

Therefore, it is not surprising that a parent who shows excitement and spirit about an upcoming school year, has a child who is eager to push ahead into the new school term.

One way a parent can show spirit is to give the child a “back to school” party!

They can invite the neighborhood children as well as the children in the prior years classes.

Create a time capsule and let the children contribute a memory of their family vacation activities or summer dance camp in form of an item to bury until next year.

The party can feature relay races, toss games, and pictures from the prior year on a screen. You can have small door prizes, such as school supplies, a custom designed T-shirt or a backpack.

Open the conversations about what to expect and any changes that may occur.

Bring the party together with a creative “back to school” theme candy buffet. This replaces traditional snack tables with a cost effective and fun way to build excited children.

Create a backdrop. For a back to school theme, consider a tablecloth hung on the wall behind the table. The cloth should be in the school colors and decorated with school jerseys, pom-poms, the school, mascot, and the school name. Place a six to eight foot table in front of the backdrop and cover it with a matching or alternating color.

Use six to eight assorted, clear jars to hold the candy. Keep your candy in 2 – 3 color hues and mix or layer the candy in the jars. Use tongs to small scoops to dip the candy and provide small bags for take home goodies.

You will need a centerpiece, a stack of books, with an apple and ruler makes a cute centerpiece. An alternative for jars is the Solo Cups with peel away “chalkboard” labels.

You can stage your candy in these cups and scratch the name of each candy directly on the cups. Use glue dots and smaller cups or boxes to raise and lower the Solo cups for a more attractive table. Plastic spoons (large) make good scoops for the Solo cup table.

Buy the candy in bulk. You will need about eight ounces of candy per guest.

Have a variety of candy, keeping in mind that you may need a few for the child with food allergies. Suckers, M & M’s, Skittles, Tootsie Rolls, Chocolate kisses, gummy worms (bears and rings), Gumballs, cotton candy, nerds ropes, and Pop Rocks are popular choices. Marshmallows and pretzels are good for filling in empty spots while adding variety.

If you go into the new school year with excitement and hope, your child will too. Yes, there will be fears and things they are nervous about, but they will have an overall mental picture that all will work out. They will feel your support and that makes all the difference. So, start the year off right with a cool “back to school” party and help them see the promise of tomorrow.

What is the Role of Parents in their Children’s Education?

Source Pixabay

Being a parent requires quite a unique set of skills and responsibilities. They are beyond counting and it’s hard to put them all on paper. New things keep arising as kids get older and it’s practically impossible to be ready for every situation that may come your way. However, like any other parent, you probably do have some priorities when it comes to your responsibilities. Of course, making sure your child is healthy, happy and genuinely a good, honest person that has an education which will enable them to have a decent life. However, once you set goals for your children, a new question arises: “How much can I meddle without causing a counter-effect?” This question is particularly important when it comes to education. Are you allowed to influence your child directly if you see they’re making a huge mistake, or should you just step aside and watch them hit a brick wall? Unfortunately, nobody knows the exact recipe as it’s not the same for each parent and child, but there are some aspects you can consider that can help you make a decision and ways to be an influence subtly and effectively.

Teach knowledge-thirst

The key is to start on time. It’s never too early to teach your child about learning and wanting to learn, especially since babies have a natural urge for wanting to know about the world around them. All you have to do is make sure to keep them interested in all sorts of things as they become older. If you’re wondering how to do this, there are a number of mind-stimulating games for children of all ages, puzzles, memory games, strategy games, and many others. However, you need to take part in these games, too, because your child needs to see the way they work and how much fun it actually is.

Source Pixabay

Pay attention to preferences

Parents have a nasty habit of wanting to pass their ambitions onto their children. Some of them are lucky enough that it turns out their children do have the same interests, while others can end up in tears as pushing your children too hard and in a direction they don’t want to take can lead to a complete disaster including dropping out and giving up on everything, as well as mental instability. However, there’s nothing wrong with having high hopes for your child. It’s just that you need to forget about your desires and focus on your child’s. Once you establish this, it’s absolutely OK to do your best to encourage your child to on their way to getting into Ivy League. This involves a lot of moral and financial support, but it’s definitely worth it.

Teach them how to learn

Some parents find it easier to cope with their child’s learning problem simply by doing it instead of them. This is a huge NO for all the parents out there. You need to help your child resolve the problem, not do it instead of them. Yes, it’s harder and it demands more time and effort, but it’s your own child, so you need to make time for this type of activity. Try to be there for all sorts of activities, observe and remember how your child learns. You need to see if your kid is a visual, auditory or a kinesthetic learner. After that, you should show them some learning methods accordingly. Many educational problems stem from one’s inability to learn or ignorance about which learning method is best for them.

Source Pixabay

Don’t overwhelm them

It is understandable to want the best for your child, but the hard part is to be able to look at your child objectively and determine their potential. It’s not easy, perhaps not even realistic, but once you make your peace with the fact that your child is not perfect and that’s OK, you’ll be able to see things more clearly. Under no circumstances should you push your child to the limit. This will only cause them to shut down completely and give up on everything. So, if you want your child to learn a new language, play sports and also play an instrument, perhaps you should consult them first and then introduce these activities gradually, just so you could keep up with how long they can run the gauntlet. If, on the other hand, your kid does have great potential and can work under all these conditions or, what’s more, finds them stimulating, go for it, just make sure to keep track of the situation at all times.

There are no 100% success rates when it comes to parenting or recipes for parenting. The general advice is to spend as much time with your children as you can and be observant and caring. Sure, you can and should consult people and books, do research, but in the end, you are the one that knows your child best and you should be the one who has the final say. After all, you’re the boss and you love your child the most, so we’re sure you’ll be able to make the best possible decision.

About the author

Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. She enjoys life to the fullest in the healthiest way possible and loves to share her insights into the lifestyle, parenting, education, and entrepreneurship. Feel free to reach her on Facebook and Twitter.

4 Unfortunate Events That Can Show Your Kids the Value of Resilience

Life can be unbelievably tough, with unfortunate events happening to even the luckiest of people. One of the most important lessons that we can teach our children is that of not giving up when things go wrong or start to become difficult. As parents, we always try to teach our children to be as proactive as possible to avoid problems. This simply is not always an option as unplanned bad things happen to everyone. The reaction of us as parents has a much larger impact than the event itself in many cases. The following are events and how to react to them to show teach your kids about resilience.

Fired from a Job

One of the worst feelings in the world is being fired or laid off, especially when you have a family to support. This can send a person into a deep depression where they feel helpless. Don’t be the parent who does not get out of their pajamas because of a setback. Get up early each day and start working on finding a new full-time gig. Your resume needs to be updated ASAP as sending this out a multitude of times will increase your likelihood of receiving an interview. Do not get discouraged if your first few interviews do not go as planned as they can be considered practice for other upcoming interviews. If you aren’t sure that your resume looks great, take a look online at a few resume examples for inspiration

Health Problems

Chronic health problems or injuries in the family can change the way the entire family lives. Dealing with injuries or disease can be extremely frustrating alone, but this compounds when you add the responsibilities of being a parent. If you are injured in some type of accident, it is important not to put off physical therapy. Show your children that even though you might be down, you certainly are not out. Toughness is something that many parents do not teach these days, but it is necessary to be a success in life. Constantly complaining about an injury or condition will teach your children that you are powerless against certain situations. Therapy might be needed for your children in these cases though as health problems can impact everyone’s lives.

Relationship Problems

Relationship problems, for the most part, should be kept from the children as it is a form of stress no child should have to deal with. Working on your communication skills can be a great way to show your kids that relationships are work. Healthy relationships do include fighting, but it is best to do this in private. Do not be ashamed if you have to go to family or relationship counseling as this shows you are working your hardest to remedy any problems. Fighting in the family can be very common, so it is important to take the time to try to mend these problems. Far too many families become disjointed due to members not being able to forgive or a grudge being held so long that now it would be uncomfortable to resume a relationship.

Financial Issues

Financial issues can lead to quite a bit of fighting even in the calmest of households. This is not the time to give up but rather the time to show your kids how hard you and your significant other can work. Picking up a second job is not as difficult as many people think it is especially freelancing thriving unlike ever before. A few hours a day of work can make a huge difference in a monthly budget. One job simply is not enough in many circumstances for people to live the lifestyle they desire. Use financial issues as a teaching point in order to teach your children fiscal responsibility. Far too many people are not taught to budget in a correct manner leading to them mismanaging their money.

As you can see these are just a few of the many situations where you can show your children not to give up. Resilience really is just the refusal to quit even though things might not be going well. Instilling this in your children not only will help them for life, but they can also teach these qualities to their friends as well.

Great Thank You Gifts for Your Family and Friends

Source Pixabay

Are you completely and utterly clueless about what to buy for your family member or friend for a special occasion? If you had a busy week, you probably are. But no matter how busy we are, we can’t let our tight schedule affect our relationships with our friends and family. Luckily for you, we might have a solution. Being that everyone is different, maybe not every gift suggestion that we’re about to present will work in your case. However, you will surely find at least one that will push you in the right direction.

Pierced vase

Nothing says thank you for a beautiful friendship more than a home décor vase. A cleverly designed vase will remind your friend or family member that the relationship between the two of you always shines bright and will continue to do so. Being that it will be a constant reminder of your friendship, it would be ingenious to add a custom marking on it – for example, a personal note or a statement of your choosing that commemorates a particular situation you encountered with them which made you even closer. It’s always good to have one such item adorning your home.

Source Pexels

Magic card

If you have a family member or a friend who is a practical type of person, then you must think thoroughly about what gift to get them, right? You can’t just buy anything for them, especially not something they have no use for. So why not get them a prepaid visa card? This way they’ll have the freedom of getting themselves what they really want instead of depending on you to make the right choice. They might even cherish the friendship you have even more thanks to this gesture. They’ll be able to buy the perfect present for themselves, which you might never think of.

Piggy bank

Do you have a friend who dreams of going to an exotic place but isn’t able to save money for a trip of that sort? Then why not gift them a piggy bank? Make sure that you choose a piggy bank of appropriate size and shape so that it suits the person in question. If you really support them and their aspirations, this will surely help them achieve their goal. While they are collecting money for their exotic trip, they’ll think of you and won’t dare to spend their money on something else. It would be a shame to break an item of such sentimental value just so they can spend that money irrationally.

High-end toolbox

Having a crafty friend who helps you with all your repair and crafting issues is neat. They can help you by building something as simple as a kitchen table, or even by repairing your car or a home appliance. But how do you repay them? It’s simple: get them a high-end toolbox. They’ll appreciate it, even more so knowing that this is kind of a thank you gift to repay them for all the favors they’ve done for you. It is a perfect gift for them, you simply can’t get them a better one.

Source Pixabay

DIY illusion mirror

Is your best friend a home décor geek? Are they constantly thinking of new ways to enhance their home interior without investing too much money in it? Then now is the time to shine and create a unique gift for your friend. You can handcraft an illusion mirror or a never-ending mirror with ease. All you need is a good tutorial and the right set of tools. You won’t even need much in terms of required materials. All you’ll need is an LED tape, a perfectly-sized mirror, a piece of glass, some car window tint film and the will to connect the pieces together. If crafted well, the tinted film will act as a two-way mirror, creating an LED light-illuminated path into the unknown.

Separation Anxiety and Clinginess in Babies

By 6 months of age, a baby’s awareness has usually developed enough that he or she starts to notice when people- their parents, in particular- are gone. Once a baby has started to realize this, separation anxiety often starts from. Separation anxiety can appear in the form of clinginess- crying when you leave the room or are out of your baby’s sight. Sometimes, in extreme cases, the anxiety starts once your baby catches wind that you might be preparing to leave.

Typically, this clinginess is a phase. Regardless, however, it can be hard for parents to deal with as they feel guilty for leaving their child in such an upset state. If you’re stuck battling separation anxiety, have no fear! There are tips that you can use to help kick clinginess to the curb, and we’ve made a list of some of the best below.

Stay calm, cool, and collected.

It can be frustrating and stressful to deal with a fit of tears and rage each time you leave the room, go to work, or step away to use the washroom. Staying calm through times like this can be hard to do, but if you can manage it, it will prove to be effective in battling these upsetting episodes.

Keep yourself calm by taking long, deep breaths and by stopping and counting to 10 if you need a few more seconds to calm down. Don’t yell at your child or raise your voice- doing this will only make matters worse and make your child more upset, and in turn, stress you out more.

Reassure your child.

Before you leave, spend a few moments to reassure your child that you’ll be back and that they’ll be okay while you’re gone. Something as simple as saying “I’ll be back soon, I promise” can do wonders to put a child’s mind at ease.

Even if your child is at an age where they don’t understand what you’re saying, your voice can provide comfort and reassurance.

Make separation quick.

Like ripping off a band-aid, the longer you draw out the process of leaving, the more it hurts your child. When you must leave, and your child starts to get worked up, give them a hug and kiss, tell them you love them, and then promptly take your leave. Although the sounds of your child crying will follow you out the door, they’ll recover from the episode more easily because the event was done and over quickly.

If it’s a young baby with this problem, do the same thing as you would with an older child- a quick hug and kiss and then leave without lingering.

Come up with a goodbye routine.

To make goodbyes as easy as possible, come up with a short goodbye ritual. This can include a high five, a hug and kiss, or a rocket ship around the room, as long as it is quick (as mentioned above) and easy enough that you can be consistent with it each time you leave.

The ritual should be simple and fast enough that you can stick to it even when you’re in a rush. Once you come up with a good routine, be sure to stick to it faithfully- both you and your child will benefit from it. Goodbye routines give your child something to expect and make him not surprised when you leave.

Practice time apart.

Practice having time apart from your child. Send him or her to a playdate, or to grandma and grandpa’s house, or allow a friend or relative to care for your child for a short amount of time so that your child can get used to being without you. It’s a good idea to practice this before your child starts preschool or daycare to avoid problems with dropping them off.

This can be used with babies, as well. Babies get used to being around their parents just as much as older children do, so allowing someone else to take care of them for even an hour can put a bit of healthy distance between the two of you.

Plan for slow introductions.

If you’re in need of a babysitter so that you can have a much-needed date night with your significant other, plan to have the babysitter arrive a few minutes before you need to leave. Spend these extra minutes engaging with both the sitter and your child. Doing this will allow the child to see the babysitter as less of a stranger and help him or her to feel more comfortable.

Your child might still cry when you leave, but they will be less likely to be inconsolable after you’re gone if they know the person they are left with.

Conclusion

Clinginess is babies and young children are nothing to be ashamed of. It’s normal for children to be reluctant to part with their caregivers. Even if your child suffers from this anxiety, using the above tips and tricks can help to ease the discomfort of it and make saying goodbye as simple as saying hello.

Author Bio

Nancy Shaw is the founder of HiFiveBaby where she writes about common problems encountered by parents and how to deal with them, motherhood in general and FAQs about babies, toddlers, and kids. She provides a scientific and medical basis and also her personal experience as a mom to a wonderful toddler. Now you can explore the joy of parenthood with ease!

Expert Q&As About Safer Pest Control Around Your Children

There is nothing more than any parent wants to do more than protect their children. And for their young ones to feel secure. Whether this is from the Boogey Man or something more realistic like the dangers from household pests. It’s also important to keep your children safe from the effects of the methods you use to control pests.

When protective parents are concerned, pest control technicians often have to answer the same frequently asked questions, because, as caregivers, we all want to make sure our children aren’t being exposed to dangerous pest control methods.

We know you all have a lot of concerns about this topic, so we asked London experts Empire Pest Control what their most frequently asked question were, in particular, those questions coming from parents of young children. Listed below are a handful of questions that are heard most often…

Do professionals always use pesticides? I’ve heard that they are dangerous.

Pest killing chemicals are strong and do have the potential to be dangerous if they are used incorrectly and misapplied. If you absolutely need them, your technician will advise you on when it is safe to enter your home after treatment, and what precautions to take.

However, pest controllers aren’t always as eager to use these chemicals as most people are led to believe. There are lots of different techniques available to them that involve little to no pesticide use at all.

I don’t want to use dangerous traps or poisons with young children around. What do I do?

The riskiest traps around children are spring trap and snap traps, where little fingers might get hurt if accessed. There is also potential harm from baiting traps with poison or leaving down food laced with rodenticides. In terms of traps, live capture traps baited with peanut butter present little harm to children. If you must use poison, you can also get traps that lock and the bait inside is only accessible with a key.

What are other chemical-free options available for a pest infestation?

The method that has proven safest yet effective for rodent control is to deter them with ultrasonic plug-in devices and strong scents. An essential oil can be used or fabric softener sheets, as mice are very sensitive to strong smells. Bed bugs can be eradicated completely with a high enough temperature.

A completely non-toxic program for bed bugs combines the use of your washing machine’s high setting and professional heat treatments for the whole house. Most pest companies aim at providing the most environmentally friendly solution possible nowadays.

Do I need to be careful around some home pest control remedies?

Be mindful when using some essential oils around children and pets, as the oil can be a health hazard if ingested internally or when it makes contact with their skin or eyes.

To some pets, some homemade solutions and essential oils can also pose a serious health risk, so check with a vet before using them in the environment.

I’ve heard about prevention but I’m not sure what that involves. What can I do?

The best way to put a stop to a pest infestation is to start with exclusion and prevention. Find all the access points pests can use around your home and seal them up.

This will solve a huge part of the problem without needing to use any chemicals. Keeping things clutter free and spotlessly clean is also paramount. Eliminating the attraction for pests of food goes a long way. You can always hire a pest control service like Averse Pest Control and make sure to leave this job to professionals in order to have a clean home.

What steps can I take to limit my child’s exposure to my pets’ pests?

You can purchase pet collars that prevent fleas and ticks. Keeping your garden well maintained also helps the fight against pests like ticks, fleas that pets bring in. Following a great pest prevention routine coupled with a professional pest management program will keep you pests pets at bay. Treating your pets for fleas before the fleas become an infestation in your home is crucial.

We hope that answering some of these questions has helped you begin to learn about ways to manage pest control situations in the most effective way without worrying about the health and safety of your children.

The Value of Physical Therapy For Your Kids

Many fall into the pit of thinking that physical therapy is only for the elderly, in order to help them regain lost function and retain some degree of independence. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Anyone who is dealing with an injury or health issue may require some degree of physical therapy. As explained by chiropractoratlanta.com, “Pre-surgical physical therapy is a necessary component of car accident recovery programs, helping patients undergo surgical operations without the risk of suffering physical complications.

In some cases, following through with physical therapy before a surgical operation can help prevent this procedure from happening, depending on how soon you are able to receive treatment.” The same applies to children, though your approach may be different considering that their bodies are still growing. Here is how physical therapy is important for children and the best way to go about getting it.

Physical Therapy: Why?

Physical therapists, on top of treating many different people, treat many conditions as well. When it comes to children, generally any situation where movement is limited in daily activities may cause a doctor to recommend a physical therapist. Some examples include:

sports injuries
developmental delays
cerebral palsy
genetic disorders
orthopedic disabilities/injuries
heart and lung conditions
birth defects (such as spina bifida)
effects of in-utero drug or alcohol exposure
acute trauma
head injury
limb deficiencies
muscle diseases

How long your child actually needs physical therapy will depend on the nature of their condition and what the end goal is. For example, when dealing with a sports injury or even an infant having some trouble beginning to walk, you may only need a few sessions in conjunction with some other support. However, if you are grappling with disabilities or severe developmental delays, you may require both more time and more frequent visits. Your therapist will help set out a plan for you to figure this out early on. Of course, if things go a certain way during the progression of said plan, they will be able to help you adapt.

There are many different ways that your child can get physical therapy treatment, and in many cases, it will be a combination of different techniques and practices that help your child reach their goals. A therapist may help them to train to build strength in an injured area, or use flexibility exercises to increase their range of motion. In some cases, there may be room for different types of therapy like aquatic therapy or improving circulation around injured areas. There is no one single type of therapy you have to choose.

On top of this, there may be a teaching component as well. A physical therapist will generally provide some exercises your child can work on at home, as well as safety and prevention guidance if needed. Physical therapists also regularly interact with medical, psychiatric, and school personnel if this is one part of a more comprehensive treatment plan for your child.

Finding The Best Physical Therapy

Now, with all these benefits in mind, it begs how exactly you find the best possible option when it comes to your physical therapist. Part of the good news is that you have plenty of places to choose from. Physical therapists work in a variety of different places, including hospitals, private practices, fitness centers, and research facilities. Neither one of these are any better than the others, but when it comes to your children, you may want to go somewhere familiar. If this means somewhere you have had therapy done before or can get a recommendation from with someone that you trust, that’s great. If not, you may need to do a bit of research on your own.

As a start, you may want to take a closer look at the education your therapist has. Recently, the field has evolved to the point that all therapists have a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. There will also be some degree of post-degree education, such as continuing education, certifications, specializations, and/or residency programs. Does your therapist have a specialization in a certain area? This may be worth noting as well.

When it comes to the actual search, you have several resources to choose from, including your medical insurance provider or the American Physical Therapy Association’s website