6 Truths About Helicopter Parents
My parenting style can be best described as a hybrid mashup—a combination of authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. But if one parenting style was to surface and all others sink, at the end of the day I would emerge a predominantly helicopter parent. The term "helicopter parenting" was coined back in 1990 by child development researchers Foster Cline and Jim Fay in their book, Parenting With Love and Logic. Helicopter parents, according to the official definition, take an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of Read more
How to Plan the Ultimate Staycation
Who wouldn’t want to take a vacation every month, or even every weekend? Unfortunately for most, there isn’t room for a trip in the schedule—or budget. Plus, as most holiday vacations prove, it can be exhausting and overwhelming to coordinate a family trip out of town. That’s why many people in need of a small getaway take staycations instead. Staycations allow you to relax and do fun activities with your family, all without the expense of travel or booking Read more
Top of the Tingles: The ASMR A-List
Relaxation. Euphoria. Tingling. These are the words used to describe the result of an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR, trigger. In a piece I recently wrote for Sanity & Self, I describe the concept as "the physical response to auditory, visual, or tactile triggers, usually a tingly sensation similar to feeling chills. Think of the goosebumps you might get when someone whispers into your ear. That’s ASMR. Most experts attribute ASMR’s relaxing sensations to the release of endorphins, Read more
Self-Discovery Questions to Ask Yourself Each Day
In today’s uber-connected world, it’s so easy to get caught up in your phone wherever you go. Whether you're responding to work emails, organizing your kids’ schedules, or updating your Instagram, the hours can fly by before you know it. While this is certainly convenient, it can become unhealthy if it turns into a habit. Because we’re all so busy, your mental health could be suffering and you wouldn’t even know it because you’re too preoccupied to pay attention Read more
For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home — which is why it’s the perfect place to implement clean, eco-friendly habits. Going green is on trend today because it can be healthier for your household and good for the planet. Why not start doing your part in the room you use the most by replacing chemical disinfectants with natural alternatives such as baking soda and lemon juice? Read more
If you’re an environmentally conscious person and have the means to buy a home, you have a lot of options to make your property greener. You can add solar panels to your roof, invest in energy-efficient appliances or build from the ground up using sustainable materials. If you’re renting, however, you may feel as though your choices are limited. Whether you rent or own your home, there are many simple solutions you can use to help conserve our natural resources, plus save some money on your utility bills. Read more
Wondering how you’re going to keep your little ones busy over the Presidents’ Day long weekend? Coupon Chief has you covered with these free printable activities you and your kiddos can do together! Whether you print them out to keep your littles entertained while you run errands this Presidents’ Day weekend or do them at home just for fun, these activities will teach your kids a bit of American history, important money-counting skills, and creative writing.
Grab the printables for free by visiting the Coupon Chief blog –- be sure to check out their collection of Presidents’ Day deals while you’re there! Read more
It’s undeniable that being a parent adds a variety of complicating factors (and huge positives) to many of life’s challenges — and moving is no different. Moving with kids can be daunting as a parent, you worry about how they will react how they’ll make new friends or adapt in general. It’s widely accepted by health professionals that the older a kid is the harder it likely is for them to come to terms with moving. Read more
For many, technology improves the comfort and quality of life. It makes it easier to obtain information online, check email, and chat with friends from all over the globe. However, parenting in this digital age is associated with many challenges. Online child predators, cyberbullying, and identity theft are notable concerns for all parents. Using parental-control apps can help keep your children safe. Read more
Whether you’re buying your first home or you’ve been away from the housing market for a few years, it’s good to be prepared ahead of time. After all, it can be difficult to know what a seller means when the house sports an “as-is” label. With that in mind, here is what you need to consider when buying a home in today’s market. Read more
Trekking across a winter landscape can be a tricky endeavor. From snow blanketing the ground to temperatures dipping into the negatives, winter creates issues with safety and navigation. Pets must also deal with winter. Although many are covered in fur and have pads on their feet, pets and cold weather present some unique challenges. For example, dogs like Mutt Mulligan, the new TurfMutt Foundation spokes dog, enjoy sniffing, exploring, and digging in the winter wonderland. But there are some simple steps pet owners need to take to ensure their fur babies are safe and healthy during the cold weather months. Read more
The love we have for the members of our family goes far beyond a group hug or cooking their favorite meals. And while it is important that we let them know how much they mean to us, often it isn’t very easy to come up with more significant ways in which we can express our appreciation for those special people in our lives. While small gestures go a long way, there are several bigger picture ways in which we can show our admiration. Read more
