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| How to Make Moving Easier on Your Kids |
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| August 01, 2011 - News Shorts |
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(ARA) - When adults decide to move, it's often to pursue an exciting opportunity or discover a new place. But for children, moving can be much harder to understand, as often they've only known one place as home.
As you travel through adulthood, the unknown becomes more alluring, but it's because you've been through major life changes before. That's why it's important to take some steps to make this major transition easier on your kids. Here are some tips from the moving experts at Penske truck rental for helping your children adapt to a new place, along with some practical moving advice for families:
* Open a line of honest communication. It can be hard to tell your kids that they'll be moving, but making sure that they know they can talk about how they're feeling about the move is important. Try to keep the conversation positive by telling them about all the fun things they'll be able to do in their new home, but acknowledge that they'll feel some sadness about leaving their old one.
* Help them say goodbye. Organize a going-away party for your children and their friends, and work with the parents of their friends to gather contact information so they can keep in touch after you move.
* Take inventory. Take a minute with each child to go through toys and clothes to see what can be donated. By letting them help with these decisions, you can eliminate any angst that might come if they realize something they wanted was left behind when you get to your new home.
* Pack a first-day box. Have each child pack a box of things that they will want the first day you move into your new home, like favorite toys, books or stuffed animals. Have the movers pack these boxes last so they are the first thing that is unloaded when you arrive. If you are moving a long distance, have each child pack another bag with items to keep them entertained during the trip.
* Form a moving team. Creating roles for your older children so they can help you move can make your move go quickly and smoothly. If possible, arrange for somebody to watch your younger children so you can focus on moving tasks. Hiring movers can also help take some of the pressure off you so you can tend to your children. Your younger children may also be thrilled by the chance to see the moving truck up close, so take the time to show them.
* Help them feel at home. Showing your children new parks and other attractions in your new community will help them feel excited about their new home. Plan ahead to get them enrolled in activities with other children so they can quickly make new friends. However, be sure to explain to them that making new friends takes time, so they aren't discouraged if it doesn't happen for them right away. Communicate with their teachers to see if there's anything special you can do to help your children feel more comfortable at school.
By doing the little things to help your children cope with the tough parts of moving, you'll put them in a position to acclimate themselves to their new home quickly and easily. For more helpful moving tips, visit www.pensketruckrental.com.
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| Use Color to Revamp the Look of Your Home |
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| August 01, 2011 - News Shorts |
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| | (NAPSI)-Choosing a new look for your home can be a liberating, rejuvenating change that will pay off in the future. By choosing the right color, you can express yourself, freshen up an old look and increase the value of your home. According to a recent Cost vs. Value Report conducted by Hanley Wood, LLC, an exterior makeover -such as installing fiber cement siding-can be a great investment, returning more than 83 percent of the project cost upon resale. Here are several tips to help you increase the value of your home while boosting curb appeal: ? Go Green. Color choice can affect the energy efficiency of your home. Darker colors absorb the sun and therefore warm the home, while lighter colors reflect the sun's rays, keeping the home cooler. This is an important consideration depending on the amount of sunlight your home is exposed to on an average day. ? Get Back to Nature. Look to your natural surroundings for inspiration. For example, in a wooded area, vivid greens and browns can help blend the style of a home with its environment. In an urban setting, bright, eye-catching colors can help to offset the sometimes drab hues associated with city living. ? Go Back in History. If your home is from a certain historical period, play off that history. Find old pictures of your house or neighborhood to use a historically accurate color scheme. Try to select shades that were used at the time your home was built. This will add character and a certain amount of authenticity to your own little historical treasure. ? Visualize the Finished Product. The ColorView free online tool at www.certainteed.com lets homeowners picture their home complete with new color. You can even mix and match colors of roofing, siding, trim, rail and deck to choose the perfect style and look. ? Make a Lasting Impression. The darker the hue, the more likely it is to fade over time, especially with homes exposed to direct sunlight. CertainTeed's Monogram vinyl siding offers consistent quality and variety with over 40 colors and wood-tone blends. ? Look Up. The roof accounts for roughly 40 percent of the exterior appearance of the home, so it's important to consider roofing shingles. CertainTeed's Presidential Shake Shingles deliver the charm and character of hand-split wood shakes with the durability and strength that preside over wood in virtually every surrounding. From aged bark and charcoal black to weathered wood and chestnut, the shingles are available in a wide array of dynamic color options and textures to match your home's unique style. You can have a new home at the old address with paint and perhaps some shingles.
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| Get Rid of Household Hazards |
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| June 30, 2011 - News Shorts |
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| | Make safety a priority in your home when you clean. Here are tips to help: Living Room/Dining Room * Secure all bookcases, shelving and heavy furniture. Place heavier items on lower shelves and in bottom drawers. * Many houseplants are poisonous and pots are heavy, so keep them out of reach of little hands. * Use plug protectors for all unused wall outlets. Bathroom * To prevent bathwater scalds, set the thermostat of your hot water heater no higher than 120 degrees F. It takes just three seconds for a child to sustain a third degree burn at 140 degrees F. * Always request child-resistant packaging for medicine, but go a step further by making sure medicine cabinets are locked at all times. Even items that may seem harmless can be dangerous to a child. Kitchen * Keep sharp knives and other utensils well out of reach and make sure that knife blades are pointing down when placed in a dishwasher's cutlery basket. * When cooking, always use the back burners, turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and keep hot foods and liquids away from young children. * And make sure microwaves are out of reach of children as well; the vast majority of microwave burns among children are serious scald burns. Bedroom * Make sure cribs are properly assembled and meet current safety standards, and that crib mattresses fit snugly. * According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, infants and young children can die from accidentally strangling in window cords. The Window Covering Safety Council reminds parents and caregivers of potential window-cord dangers and urges them to make the right choice and use only cordless window products in homes with young children. Owners and renters should replace all corded window coverings made before 2001 with today's safer products. Visit www.windowcoverings.org for a free retrofit kit or call (800) 506-4636. (NAPSI) |
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| Landscape Lighting |
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| June 30, 2011 - News Shorts |
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Offer a warm welcome, provide safety and security and increase the value of your property with a custom outdoor lighting design. Homeowners spend tens of thousands of dollars on beautiful landscaping, yet only enjoy it during the day. Well-planned landscape lighting can add depth and a sense of luxury to your home. * First, view your home and outdoor areas from the edges of your property. Consult with a landscape lighting expert. * Decide which features to highlight. * Soft, diffused lighting along driveways, walkways and stairs provides safety and security and welcomes guests. * Strategically placed lighting in trees or under the eaves illuminates larger areas. * Properly positioned ground fixtures highlight natural elements, textured walls or favorite statues. * Conceal light sources behind shrubs or flowerbeds, if possible, so you see the effect, not the fixture. Learn More View videos and articles, see more than 500,000 unique lighting products from Capitol Lighting, plus get expert advice at www.1-800Lighting.com/landscape or call (800) 544-4846. The easy-to-navigate site even has a "Smart Shopper" feature to provide price comparisons from competitors to ensure you receive the best value. (NAPSI) |
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