Moving to a new house is a challenging experience and it might surprise you to learn that the season at the time plays an important role. Moving in the winter is a very different proposition to one in the summer, and with that in mind, let’s take a look at when is the best time to relocate.
The Summer Holidays
If you are lucky enough to be able to choose when you move, the summer has to be the top of the list. Schools are out for a couple of months, which means the kids can help with the moving, and with pretty much guaranteed good weather, a summer move is always preferred. Getting settled into your new home a month before Christmas is an ideal time to relocate, which gives you the chance to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the new residence. In the event you are moving to Queensland, contact Vic Palmer Removals for removals in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as they are very experienced and are affordable too.
Regardless of the distance involved, avoid setting the move dates during Christmas or any of the other holidays, such as Easter and Australia Day, as the traffic will not be favourable. Weekends are preferable to some as they don’t have to take time off work, while moving on a weekday might see a little more traffic, it will likely be a little cheaper than a weekend. If the relocation is inter-state, it is important that the removal contractor has the necessary resources, which should include container packing.
If you have kids then the move should be set for a time when they are on holiday, which will allow them to help and they won’t have the pressure of homework to worry about. The two-month summer vacation provides the perfect window to move house, and with the children allocated tasks, the move will be a trouble-free operation. By tying the move in with the school holidays, your children’s education will not suffer, and besides, they will enjoy the experience and get some first-hand experience in organising a project.
Sourcing the Right Removalist
Like any industry, removalists have their busy and quiet periods, and their rates might differ, offering a discount if you book during their quiet period. It pays to compare a few companies before making a final decision, unless you have been given a great recommendation. The removal contractor would typically offer a range of packages – with the option to have them do the packing – and there is something to suit every lifestyle. Choosing a well-established company ensures they have the necessary resources to handle the project, and if you have any questions, there should be all the information you need on their website.
Most people are not in a position to choose when they move, so it is often pot luck, yet for those who are in no hurry, planning a summer move is by far the best time.
Becoming a grandparent for the first time is such a special thing in your life. Not only do you get to see your child become a parent, but you get to welcome a new baby into the family, and the dynamic can really change. And when you think about how you are going to be as a grandparent, it is good to take some time to think it over. Are you going to be a good grandparent, or perhaps plan to be a great grandparent? What you want to make sure that you aren’t, is that you aren’t a grandparent that actually makes the life of the new mom and dad worse. You want to be there to make things easier for them as they adjust to this new stage of life, rather than making it worse.
If you want to go down as one of the best grandparent around, then here are some tips to help you know what the best ways to help will be. Is there anything else that you would add to the list?
Now this isn’t so that the parents can go wild out on the town, because let’s face it, this isn’t something that a new mom is going to want to do, especially in those early days. But they are going to want to take a bath or have a shower, or even go and get a massage or hair cut. Knowing that they will be able to do all of that without the stress of a crying baby can be a wonderful thing. You get baby cuddles, and it is something that is actually going to be a lot of use to the new parents.
Help in the Home
In a similar way, just coming over to help around the house can be as good as a break for a new parent. If they are able to nap or simply sit and feed their baby or have cuddles while you help to do dishes or fold laundry, is such a good way to be useful to them. You are lightening their load, quite literally, and it means just one less thing on their list of things to do. We know that grandparents aren’t just housekeepers, but in those newborn stages, if you really want to be helpful, then little things like that can make such a difference.
Keep Quiet
It can be hard to keep quiet about some things, but unless you are asked for your advice or opinion on something, then it can be a good time to let your child and their partner figure things out by themselves. They need to decide what kind of parenting route they want to take and what they do or don’t decide is going to be up to them; not you. Times are different now too from when you will have been raising a baby, so just let them do what they want to do. If they ask for help or advice on what you would do with something, then go for it by all means. But if you aren’t asked, then don’t just give unsolicited advice. Even when it is meant with the best intention, it can make sleep deprived new parents feel like they’re doing things wrong or being judged, which is not what you want.
It can be a good idea to read up on a few things, though, so that you are best equipped to know how to help or what the right things to buy for the baby are. For instance, an article like this one, Newborn Skin Peeling: What Causes It And How To Best Treat It, could be a good thing to share with them if this is becoming an issue with the baby. Then it helps them to make a decision, because through the lack of sleep they are unlikely to feel inclined to be doing all of the research. So be informed; just don’t go telling them what to do when it isn’t your place to do so.
Don’t Post Photos Without Permission
In the day and age that we now live in, it can be so tempting to share pictures of your new grandbaby as often as you get to see them. But even though you are a grandparent, you are not their parent. So you need to ask for permission. They be fine with it all and will have let you know. But if they aren’t happy with images being shared, then you do need to respect their wishes. Just get some printed out to have at home to show your friends, rather than sharing online.
The same goes for pictures of the family too. It won’t be the first time that a new mom has had a photo put up of her online, when she is in hospital having just given birth. Unless you have asked and it has been approved, that isn’t likely to be something that anyone wants to have posted of them online. So be respectful and get permission.
As you are likely to remember, becoming a parent for the first time, while magical and lovely, it is utterly life-changing. It can turn their whole world upside down, and it isn’t one of those things that you can really prepare for either; it is never how you imagine it will be like. So while the new parents will be feeling overwhelmed and getting used to their new normal, it is a good idea to make sure that you are doing all that you can to reassure them. Tell them they are doing a great job and praise the positive things that they are doing. It can mean a lot, for sure.
Spot Signs of Postnatal Depression
Acts of Service
As has been said, having a baby is life changing. And for new moms, the baby blues is really common. But if it is seeming like more than that, then it is an important thing for the people around the new mom to check in on her and check that she is OK. To her, a new mom, she is unlikely to make the connection to feeling down or unlike herself to postnatal depression. So if you think that you can see some signs, such as lack of motivation, lack of bonding with the baby, and so on, then it can be a good idea to talk to her about it. Simply letting her know that she doesn’t have to feel like that all of the time could be enough to help her to seek medical advice. It could be just what she needs to hear but she wouldn’t have got to that conclusion on her own.
It can be easier to perform acts of service when you live close by as you can quickly call and say you’re going to the store and asking if there is anything that they need. You could even just drop by with a homemade meal from time to time, just to lighten their burden. But wherever you live, there are things that you can do to be of service and to show them that you care. Sending things in the mail, or simply an email or text to let them know that they are doing a great job can be all that they need and can make their day much better. Knowing that they’re not in this parent business alone can be all that they need to know to help them.
Sisters are the bride’s built-in best friends. They have always been by the bride’s side. And the wedding day is the time when brides need them the most. Sisters act as peacekeepers in the time of havoc and mental stress. They usually keep everything in control because they know the bride so well. They help you with shopping for wedding dresses, bridesmaiddresses and much more.
They sustain the peace in the bridal suite while keeping an eye on the preparations. Along with that, sisters are excellent for moral support. They can pacify the bride’s worries while keeping the wedding guests happy. To fully understand and embrace the duties of a sister, read the following to know how the sister can help:
1. Start the Day In her Vicinity:
The calmness of the morning of the wedding day denotes the calmness before the storm. If the bride’s sister wakes up in the vicinity of the bride, then she can control a lot of things just by checking in with the feelings of the bride, and calming the nerves of the bride. And reassuring the bride, the sister can do a lot. So this time is important for the bride. After this, she will get no peace of mind until the ceremony ends.
2. Always Be Ready:
Brides heavily rely on their sisters and bridesmaids for an emergency. At this point, if the sister shows any resistance then the bride can easily succumb to the stress. So the sister must be mentally prepared to step in on any and every moment. Be it an emotional crisis or a physical mishap, the sister must be ready to tackle it.
3. Point Person:
Between the time of the wedding and the start of the bridal dress-up, there can be a lot of confusions. People may want their queries answered. At this time guests reach out to the bride. The bridesmaid may approach with some problem in their bridesmaid dresses. So the sister must prevent any of the confusion approaching the bride. The sister should become the point person for the bride.
4. Make Sure she’s Fed and Hydration:
Nervousness and cold feet can catch the bride’s hunger and thirst. It is the responsibility of the sister of the bride to makes sure she’s well fed unless the sister wants the bride to faint while she’s walking down the aisle. Also, the sister must make sure that she’s properly hydrated and at ease. Order her lunch and keep a track of her fluid intake.
5. Keep a Track of her Things and Time:
Brides are too overwhelmed with the function. Because of this they may keep their things everywhere. They may lose their essential items in the chaos. It is the sister’s responsibility to hold on to her things. Like her phone, her charger, her purse etc.
Along with this, brides may even lose track of time. So the sister must keep the time in check. If needed, she should use alarms. Alarms will remind the sister of the lined up schedules.
Wrapping-Up:
Bride’s sister is a literal life-saver. She does everything to bring mental, physical and emotional peace upon the bride. The sister should not forget to have fun. To all the sisters and bridesmaids-go get clicked in your amazing bridesmaid dresses.
Is there ever a good time to adopt a dog? There are a few cues you can look for in your family if you’re trying to work out whether now is a good time to introduce a new member of the family. GetYourPet.com is the online pet adoption community where people who want to adopt a pet connect with people who need to rehome a dog (or cat).
Adopting a pet is certainly one of the most rewarding experiences. Beyond the belly rubs, kisses, and cuddles, adopting a dog is essentially giving that dog a second chance at life, love, and happiness. One breed who knows the trials and tribulations of adoption better than any other breed is the pit bull. Also known as the American Bully, American pit bull terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier, these powerful dogs boast a troublesome yet inspiring past however, as a former ‘Bully Mom’ I can tell you that they are some of the sweetest and most gentle animals you will ever meet. GetYourPet.com can help you find the perfect Pitbull for your family!
When You Feel Like There’s Something Missing
Do you feel like there’s something missing? You don’t necessarily need to decide to have another baby to complete your family. Many people believe that a family isn’t complete without a canine companion to top it off. Just watch films like Marley And Me, and you’re bound to see why dogs are so loved and make a real part of the family. Sure, you wouldn’t want a dog that behaves like Marley, but it isn’t difficult to see how much they still loved him. If you’ve never watched this film, make sure you have tissues stockpiled.
When You Feel Your Kids Could Benefit
Your kids can always benefit from a dog, providing you choose a breed that suits your budget, lifestyle, space, and other factors. Here are just a few benefits your kids can enjoy from a dog:
A companion and best friend
Support
Stress relief by petting a dog
Stay active and get outdoors more
Teach responsibility
Be more compassionate and empathetic
These are just a few benefits your kids could enjoy when you decide to get a dog. Studies show that families with dogs are also much healthier in general! If your kids get bored, don’t do much outside, are short on friends, or don’t really like getting outside, a dog could potentially change all of that.
When You Want to Encourage Your Kid’s Development
Whether your child is developing at a regular pace or a fairly slow pace, getting a dog could encourage their development like never before. Allowing them to be the one in charge of making sure their new dog has food and water when needed, they’ll also feel like they are needed! Dogs can encourage children’s development in so many ways.
You Want To Get Out Of The House More
If you don’t get out of the house much right now, be warned: a dog won’t necessary change that. You might get one with good intentions, but it could easily be a false start. You get the dog and think that this will make you a more active family, but alas, the dog just gets under-exercised. It’s a good idea to get outside a bit more first, and then get the dog to encourage your new lifestyle. Some dogs don’t need as much exercise as others, so make sure you get a breed that will suit your activity levels.
When You’re Not Expecting Changes Any Time Soon
It isn’t fair to get a dog right now if you’re moving soon, or if you might lose your job, take a pay cut, or something like that. You should be pretty stable before you decide to get a dog, as changes like this can be hard on them. Plus, you’d hate to have to give them away to another family if you can’t afford them anymore. Not only is it heartbreaking for the family, it’s heartbreaking for them too.
Kitchen remodeling projects can be fun. You
can give your space a modern look and pull it out of the last century.
Depending on how extensive of a remodeling you want to do, though, things can
get expensive in a hurry. You’ll need to take a look at the money you have
budgeted, and then see how much it’s going to cost to cover everything that you
want to be changed. You might need to make some compromises, or you may decide
to do the work piecemeal so that you don’t need to pay for everything at once.
You can look at sites like https://www.rtacabinetsupply.com/support/project-estimators.html
to get some idea of what specific projects will cost, but for now, here are
some estimates of various kitchen upgrades.
New Backsplash
The backsplash for your kitchen is the paneling behind your stove or sink that protects it from splashes. If yours is old and worn-looking, it can be one of the things that gives the kitchen a drab or outdated look. Getting rid of your old backsplash and installing new tiles can run from a couple of hundred dollars up into the thousands. It depends on how fancy of a style you choose to get. It’s also going to be cheaper if you decide to install it yourself, which is not difficult. However, the average cost of backsplash and installation will probably run from $400 to $600.
New Floor
If the laminate for your floor is discolored or some of
it is cracked or peeling, that’s another way for your kitchen to look like it
needs an upgrade. Depending on the size of your kitchen and the quality of the
new laminate that you use, you’re probably looking at a cost of about $2,500 to
$3,000 for a 500 square foot kitchen. Larger kitchens could run as much as
$5,000 or $6,000.
New Cabinets
New cabinets for your kitchen can make the
whole place look new, especially if you go with a bright-colored wood or you
use a bright stain coupled with lots of natural light from the windows. You
might expect to pay $3,000 or $4,000 for 150 square feet of cabinet space, or
25 linear feet of cabinets. If you go with semi-custom cabinets, that will cost
you more, likely $6,000 to $9,000. However, some people decide to splurge on
the kitchen, especially if they fancy themselves master chefs and want to show
off when people come to visit. They might go for custom-made cabinets, in which
case they may shell out $15,000 or as much as $20,000.
There are all kinds of other improvements you
can make to your kitchen, like new lighting, the installation of a new range
hood, the running of a new water line for a refrigerator ice maker, etc. If you
get it done all at once, it’s going to cost you a bundle. However, on the plus
side, if you use the same contractor to do all that work, they will likely give
you a discount. You must ask yourself how much you can afford, and also how
fancy you’re willing to get with the building materials.
