Brooke Faulkner

9/28/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Resources for Veterans and their Families Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

No doubt about it: service members and their families are a breed apart. They are braver than most. But in the face of a global pandemic, even our nation’s best and bravest could use a little extra support. Because not only are we staring down one of the most significant public health threats we’ve seen in more than a century, but we’re also struggling with an economy ravaged by nationwide lockdowns. In the face of massive job losses, increasing economic hardship, and the threat of a second surge of the virus, veterans and their families are increasingly in need. But there are abundant resources available to protect the heroes who have devoted their lives to protecting us. Help With Housing Homelessness among … [Read more...]

9/8/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Decluttering Summer and Getting Ready for Fall

For many of us, autumn is a beloved season. There’s just something about the crisp air, sweet smell of decaying leaves, and overabundance of corn mazes that warms our hearts. And the transition into autumn is the perfect time to clean and organize our homes. After all, who wants to settle into sweater weather in a cluttered home? There’s a world of difference between cozy and crowded. It may sound strange (since there’s quite a bit of work involved in the process), but decluttering is actually a form of self-care — and it’s a great one to engage in during times of transition. Cleaning and organizing the house almost seems purifying in a weird sort of way, and it puts your brain in the right place to handle the hustle and bustle of the … [Read more...]

8/14/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

The Dangers Of Enabling Your Children

Few would argue with the fact that a parent, more than anyone else, should have their child’s best interests in mind. The fascinating thing is, this concern for offspring can manifest in a shocking variety of ways. Everything from old-fashioned “tough love” to excessive leniency can be interpreted as a parent trying to give their child the best life possible. In the 21st century, this overt desire to focus on the wellbeing of the younger generation has led to a common phenomenon: the “enabling parent.” Defining an “Enabling” Parent With so much variation in parenting styles, it’s important to begin with a quick rundown of just what an enabling parent looks like. While the term is flexible in nature — as are just about all … [Read more...]

8/6/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

How To Organize and Freshen Up Your Home

Whether you’re working remotely, homeschooling your kids, taking some personal time to maintain work-life balance, or in between jobs, there are plenty of reasons to find yourself suddenly spending more time at home. The quarantines created by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 served as a stark reminder of how difficult it can be to remain cooped up at home for weeks and months on end, especially if your home is a mess. If you’re dealing with a cluttered, unorganized, or otherwise disorderly homefront, here are a few suggestions for ways that you can strategically freshen up your spaces — particularly if you have a chunk of time on your hands with which to do so. Start By Stepping Back Slowing down is one of the best ways to … [Read more...]

7/18/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

The Dangers of Surveillance in the Name of Safety

They’re everywhere. Mobile devices in every hand, cameras on every street, and hordes of eager consumers clamoring to claim the latest tech device. To be sure, technology has made our lives more convenient. Today’s tech is even being heralded as a frontline weapon in the war against the coronavirus. But at what cost? We See You Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, big data was using the latest tech to gradually erode personal privacy. In recent years, millions of camera-equipped drones have taken to the sky. On the ground, video surveillance systems, from doorbell cameras to streetcorner CCTVs, are getting to be about as ubiquitous as pimples on a teenager. And that means that when you leave your house, you’re almost … [Read more...]

5/15/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Boost Your Teen’s Self-Esteem: Encourage When It’s Needed Most

Whether it comes through observing a teen hanging their head at a social gathering, hearing them disparage their ability to do their homework, or noticing them excessively bragging to cover up insecurities, every parent has that moment when they realize their teenager is struggling with low self-esteem. If you’re familiar with the feeling, here are a few tips and suggestions for different ways to approach boosting your fledgling adult’s self-confidence. Encourage the Journey, Not the Destination One of the biggest ways that a parent can suppress and discourage their child is simply by putting unreasonable expectations on them. Start by stepping back and analyzing your own posture towards your child. Are you always pushing them to … [Read more...]

3/25/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

How to Help a Friend in Need

Everyone has a friend in need at one time or another. The widespread panic and quarantining of the coronavirus in early 2020 is a perfect example of a time when individuals that are hurting or scared simply need help. This help can come in a variety of different ways including providing emotional, and even physical support, depending on the situation. If you have a friend in need, here are some suggestions and considerations for how you can go about advocating for your loved ones. Always Put Yourself in Their Shoes First When you hear that someone is hurting, it’s often tempting to rush off and “help” them as soon as possible. This help typically revolves around what you think you would want in a similar scenario. Instead, … [Read more...]

2/6/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Lifestyle Changes That Will Keep Your Family Healthy in 2020

Have you been putting off making changes that could improve your family’s health? It can be difficult to implement lifestyle changes, especially when you have young children in the house, so you may put off those changes until the time is better. But that “right time” never does quite arrive. With the start of the new year, the best time to make those changes? It’s right now. Take advantage of a fresh start in 2020 and make this the year you improve your family’s health. Set some health goals for your family, whether it’s getting more active, eating better, or prioritizing your mental health for increased happiness. These goals will give you something definite to work toward this year, and the following changes can help you to meet … [Read more...]

1/28/2020 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

The Pros and Cons of Working in the Gig Economy

It’s likely you know or have heard of at least one person within your social network who has a flexible working arrangement. It could be they have the luxury of working from home a few days a week, or perhaps they’re full-on freelancers. This schedule may be enviable to someone who works full-time in a brick and mortar building. Who wouldn’t want to have the flexibility to work from the comfort of their bed during the workweek? This growing trend of freelance and short-term work is also referred to as the gig economy. Forbes recently pointed to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report that noted 35% of the U.S. workforce in 2018 was gig workers. By 2020, the number is expected to jump to 43%. So why is nearly half of the American … [Read more...]

12/17/2019 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Holiday Driving With Family: Opportunities for Bonding and Learning

During the holidays, you could end up doing more driving than usual. You’ll likely be visiting family and friends you haven’t seen in a while who live a bit of a drive away. On the other hand, maybe you’ve planned a family vacation out of state and are going to need to drive thousands of miles to get there. Long car rides can be tedious for both the driver and the passengers. If you have kids, especially, you may want to keep the complaints to a minimum and keep them engaged. Long car rides can create opportunities for learning more about yourselves and one another. Continue reading to discover opportunities for bonding and learning during long holiday drives. Improve Your Driving No matter how many years … [Read more...]