Budget Friendly Ways to Handle Common Back-to-School Disasters

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Photo via Pixabay by Workandapix

by Janice Russell

Preparing for back-to-school can be an exciting time for the entire family, especially if you have a child who is going for the first time. However, it can also be very stressful trying to make sure everyone has all the supplies they need and worrying about how to pay for everything. Figuring out a way to get it all done without breaking the bank is important, so it’s a good idea to learn all the tricks of the trade, including how to use coupons and cashback opportunities to save money on all the things your kids need to have a successful school year.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can handle anything the new school year brings your way that won’t eat into your budget. From learning the best ways to take care of last-minute clothing disasters to helping your little ones do well in class, there are many things you can do to ensure that you’re not left in a lurch once school gets underway.

Keep reading for some great tips on how to handle any back-to-school disaster that comes your way.

Keep everyone rested

The first few weeks of the school year can be difficult on kids of all ages, in part because they have to get used to a new schedule. It’s important to make sure your little ones get good rest each night so they can be their best selves at school. Excessive sleepiness can lead to concentration issues and irritability, leaving your child unable to keep up in class.

If your little one has trouble falling and staying asleep at night and there’s no obvious reason for it, their mattress might be to blame, especially if it’s a sibling’s old hand-me-down with five or more years of wear and tear. If it’s time to replace it, look for coupons for stores like Macy’s, and save even extra by shopping their “deals” section.

Make clothes shopping easy

Back-to-school clothing shopping can be stressful, especially if you’re on a budget and have more than one child to buy for. Look for online promo codes for retailers like Old Navy, an already budget-friendly shop, which will help you buy everything you need without overspending. This will be especially useful for last-minute issues, such as when your child needs an extra uniform shirt by tomorrow.

Make homework easier

There are only so many things you can do to help a child with their homework; it’s important to make sure you let them do their own work, but it’s hard to watch them struggle to get it done. One of the easiest–and most cost-effective–ways to help them get their homework done is to create a distraction-free area for them to sit and work. It should be well-lit and be outside the flow of traffic inside the home, and a comfy chair will help your child focus. Look for a nice desk that will have room for all the supplies they need, and don’t be afraid to add some calming, kid-friendly decor. Kohl’s has a great selection, and in addition to their famous Kohl’s Cash promo, you can also earn up to 6 percent cash back shopping there.

Help your child enjoy school

It’s not always easy to help a child have fun while they’re learning; some kids have an easier time adjusting to a new schedule and meeting new people than others. If your child starts to have a hard time getting up in the morning or makes excuses to try and stay home, there may be some anxiety involved. It’s important to look for ways you can help your child have a healthy relationship with school; you can read on here for more information.

Going back to school can be a major transition for everyone, but finding ways to prepare your kids for the coming year while saving money will help ease stress and make the process much easier. Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this time by getting enough rest, as this will help you handle anything that comes your way.

Clearing Negative Energy From Spaces & People

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By Medical Intuitive Abbi O’Neill

Sunday, July 22     1 – 3 pm    $30

Do you feel negative energy in your home or your work space? Do you feel as an empath you pick up negative energy from other people? If you try to help or heal people, do you feel heavier and sadder afterwards?

This class will show us easy ways to clear that negative energy – in your home, at work, in your own body. It’s all energy. As empaths we may feel the energy more strongly, but with energy work we can easily clear it and protect ourselves. Crystals, sage and affirmations are powerful but this way of using light is even more powerful and can create permanent protection and positive energy for you.

Abbi will be doing a limited number of private sessions before and after the class. email bari.smhas@gmail.com to schedule an appt. $75 per half hour.

Abbi sees energetic blocks in chakras which create illness, and does channeled readings which dissolve the blocks.   Her work is designed to restore the flow of energy in the chakras to help heal illness and deeply entrenched behavioral problems. This work can heal emotional traumas, past lives, and cut cords with people or situations that are draining.

The class will also include an exercise to clear physical space of negativity, and how to stop a negative monologue in your mind.      Call 949.752.5272          RSVP on Meetup         

How to Prepare When You’re Expecting a Child with a Disability

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By Emily Graham

Preparing for a new baby is a big job. Most parents find that with each new day comes a challenge when making sure their lives and homes are ready for a child. When you’re expecting a child with a disability, there are many more considerations to make, as well as many more chances for stress and anxiety. It’s important to make sure you create a good plan so that everyone will be as prepared as possible. Think about medical expenses, insurance plans, and how to make sure your home is safe and comfortable for your new arrival.

Of course, it’s also important to make sure you take care of your own physical and mental well-being once your child arrives. Being a new parent can be stressful and changes most lifestyles pretty drastically, so you’ll want to do everything you can to help you and your partner get adequate rest, eat well-balanced meals, and look after your overall wellness.

Keep reading for some great tips on how to get started.

Prepare Your Home

It’s never too early to start thinking about safety in the home. Talk to your doctor about what your child’s needs will be and start making changes to your house accordingly. You might install ramps, change out door knobs for handles, add soft lighting, or make the bathroom more safe and accessible by installing a grab bar and seat in the shower. Even if your child can’t use these things for a little while, it will help the entire family get used to the changes more easily if they’re made early on.

If the changes your home needs are out of reach, it may be best to think about moving. Look for accessible homes in your area, and keep in mind that the average listing price of a home in Irvine, California, is $999,000.

Get Organized

Getting organized from the beginning will help you reduce stress as you navigate parenthood, so keep all paperwork related to your child’s birth, medical records, and even dates of doctor’s appointments together in one place. Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every doctor your child sees; this will be necessary should you need to apply for disability insurance on behalf of your child. Go here for detailed information on how to prepare for a meeting with the Social Security Administration.

Start Thinking About the Future

While no one wants to think about leaving their family behind, it’s important for parents to start planning for the future as soon as their child is born. Individuals with special needs often have annual medical expenses, or they may need care if living alone is not an option when you’re gone. There’s a lot to think about and consider — such as starting a special needs trust — but you will have much more peace of mind if you start planning for your child’s future needs now.

Plan Ahead

When you’re expecting a child, it’s important to plan ahead for a few weeks after his arrival so you’ll be comfortable. This might mean preparing several meals to freeze that can be heated up quickly and easily, getting lots of rest, turning your bedroom into a sanctuary by adding blackout curtains and soft bedding, and getting in some exercise to ward off lethargy and stress. By taking care of yourself now, before your baby comes, you’ll be better able to handle all the things that parenthood throws at you.

Preparing for a child is a big job, and it takes a lot of patience and planning. Your home, schedule, and physical and mental health will likely all see some changes, so it’s important to practice self-care as often as possible. By starting early, you can ensure that you and your partner will be ready for anything that comes your way.

 

What is Neuro Design and Why Should We Care?

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By Dr. Janet Woods

Neuro Design is the art and science of how we are affected visually and psychologically by design. For hundreds of years architects and scientist have been exploring the connection between ourselves, our spaces and the things we collect and why. The term Neuroarchitecture is also used to describe how our brain interacts with buildings.

In our home, how we design and style our space influences our emotions, and has a direct impact on our subconscious. The Chinese have known this for centuries and created Feng Shui so that people can live in harmony with nature and prosper. Feng Shui is based on how energy flows through a space and uplifts our energy.

Why Should We Care?

 Neuro Design is more expansive. It explores how we feel, what motivates us, and how we react to certain stimuli. Knowing how to use the principles of Neuro Design will allow a person to excel in life.

Here are some aspects of your home which deeply affect your body, mind, and spirit,

  1. The colors used in your home have a vibration and frequency. Certain colors can stop us such as the color red because it is used in stop signs. While the color yellow is uplifting because it mimics sunlight. Texture is associated with how things feel when we touch them. Rough textures repel touch, while soft textures invite touch. (either use “touch” twice or take it out completely)
  2. Lighting can be used to highlight, or the absence of it can make a space unappealing.
  3. Sound alerts us when to run in the other direction, or the joy of hearing our favorite music.
  4. Culture plays a key role in the interiors we grew up with and the ones we acquire.

Neuro Design may seem complex and involved. Also where does one learn about the subject? Exploring the internet and reading Interior Design, or Feng Shui books can be confusing. Finding an expert can be difficult, as there are only a few people certified as Neuro Architects and Neuro Designers. But fear not, you can learn this on your own and start creating your own inspirational spaces.

The Art of Life Institute, a nonprofit educational facility has been providing courses on Neuroarchitecture and Neuro Design since 2014. Classes are taught in the evening and weekends and are also open to the public. Graduates from Art of Life Institute’s certification program have gone on to create interior and exterior spaces for CEO’s, Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurs, small business and home owners.

For more information please visit the Art of Life Institute website at www.artoflifeinstitute.com

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