General – Page 2

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...]

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...]

4/20/2020 By Magnolia Potter Leave a Comment

How to Ensure the Elderly Are Taken Care of During Social Isolation

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way of living for nearly everyone in the country (and around the world). Currently, 95% of Americans are under some kind of stay-at-home order. The goal of these lockdowns is to flatten the curve and stop the spread of the virus while giving healthcare workers a chance to catch or keep up with those already infected. Unfortunately, seniors have been identified as being more susceptible to Coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of the deaths caused by COVID-19 so far have been people over the age of 65. It’s incredibly important that the elderly stay home and away from others who might carry the disease. But if someone you know and care about is older, they … [Read more...]

4/2/2020 By Magnolia Potter Leave a Comment

How to Make the Most of Spring Break Staycation With Your Family

Spring break is typically the perfect time for a family vacation. After being cooped up all winter, it’s normal to want to head out on a road trip, or fly somewhere tropical, or take a cruise. Traveling is actually important, and it can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, this year is a bit different for most families — not just in the U.S., but around the globe. The coronavirus pandemic has created a new way of life for many people. Schools across the country have closed with some choosing to stay closed for the remainder of the year, impacting over 55 million students. Travel has also been impacted thanks to the CDC’s recommendation to practice “social distancing.” Many states … [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...]

3/18/2020 By Magnolia Potter Leave a Comment

The Data of Online Safety for Children

Children today are growing up in an era unlike any other — they’ve never known a time without the internet, streaming services, social media, and more. The average child spends roughly 3.5 hours online each day. While the ability to research topics instantly, complete homework online and talk to friends around the globe is phenomenal in some aspects, there are definitely some downsides. Rates of suicide and depression in children and teens are higher than ever before, attention spans are dwindling and cyberbullying is a pressing issue many kids face on a daily basis, but what does the data say about online safety as it pertains to children? If your child has access to the internet, you should be well-versed on the dangers and … [Read more...]

2/24/2020 By Magnolia Potter Leave a Comment

How Concerned Should Parents Be About The Concussion Crisis in Sports?

Image Source: Unsplash With researchers continuing to gather more evidence on the links between sports and concussions, parents should be wary about signing their children up to participate in activities such as football and ice hockey. It’s no secret Americans love sports, but brain injuries have become a top concern for players, coaches, and parents. Tragic stories of dementia, neurological conditions, and even suicide mean the bright Friday night lights can no longer blind those charged with young athletes’ well-being to the very real consequences of the concussion crisis in sports. From Pee-Wee football to the NFL, players are sustaining head injuries that could lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy … [Read more...]

2/10/2020 By Magnolia Potter Leave a Comment

Before and After: Dealing With the Aftermath of an Accident

Image Source: Pixabay When you first got your driver’s license, it probably felt like your car was the ultimate freedom, that amazing rite of passage that signaled you had grown up at last. Now your car is the thing that makes it possible for you to live your busy life, getting to and from work, chauffeuring your kids from place to place, running your never-ending list of errands. You hop in and out countless times a day without even thinking. By now, your car has just become an extension of yourself. That is, until it isn’t. The reality is that every time you get into your car, you’re barreling down often crowded highways and interstates at 40, 50, or even 70 and 80 miles an hour in a multi-ton missile. According to current … [Read more...]