Earnest Parenting » Home Management

7 Steps to Help Prepare Your Yard for Winter

Melissa Cameron — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:18:37 +0000

The leaves have turned and fallen to the ground, as the air has a familiar chill. This can only mean one thing. Winter is nearby.

After getting over that shock, but before pulling out the boots and mittens, the yard and outdoor living area needs to be winterized. If not, you risk damage to things such as the outdoor furniture, plants, and grill.

I have put together some steps that will help your yard and outdoor space survive the winter, no matter how mild or fierce it may be this year.

Hibernation for the Yard

Applying a fertilizer to the yard will help protect it during the winter months. It will also prepare it for the upcoming spring season.

There are two good options. You could buy a fertilizer from the store. However, there are the chemicals to consider, especially if you have young children, or pets. It’s not a bad option, if you stay off the lawn for the time period it suggests.

The other option is to chop up your leaves with the mower, so they go right back into the ground. However, don’t leave them in their whole form to remain on the grass during the winter. This could damage the grass, rather than fertilize it. This is the option we go with at our house, because we don’t want to worry about the kids staying off it.

Protect the Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor spaces can be designed beautifully with nice patio dining sets, garden furniture such Oxford benches, or outdoor kitchens. If you have made this type of investment, then you should also take precautions for winterizing these items.

In states that have a lot of snow, furniture should be brought inside to protect them from the elements, if possible. If not, covers that are designed for winter protection would be a wise investment.

Prepping the Perennials

Perennials need some special attention going into the winter season. The best thing to do with perennials is to pare them down a little before winter, to avoid foliage disease. If the plant is healthy to begin with, there is no reason to cut it all down.

Any foliage that is left on the plant is a magnet for birds, as they will use it as food during winter. I read up on how to best winterize my outdoor plants through books and websites. There is a lot of helpful information out there to know the precise steps to take.

This is also a great time to plant new bulbs for spring blooming. Some of the most popular bulbs to plant in the fall are:

Tulip
Daffodil
Crocus
Iris

Plant the bulb in the ground during the fall, and you will have beautiful blooms in the spring.

Sprinkler System Blowout

Sprinkler systems will have water that has remained in the system, even if it hasn’t been used in a while. It’s best to have this blown out for the winter, especially in more severe climates. If you don’t, the pipes could freeze and ruin your system.

This is something that can be easily done on your own, or hired out for minimal cost. My husband does ours, but I have seen it advertised for under $40 which isn’t bad to stay dry and warm.

Disconnecting Hoses and Drain

Outdoor hoses should be disconnected from your faucets, and drained completely before winter comes. Just as with the sprinkler system, the remaining water can freeze and ruin the hoses.

Also, they make insulated covers for outdoor faucet heads, which is especially recommended if you live in an area that tends to have a lot of below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice.

Trim the Trampoline and Toys

If you have a trampoline in the yard, it’s best that you take special care of it for the winter. The frame can be left intact and left where it is, but the springs, jumping mat, and pad should be taken inside for the winter.

Elements such as snow and ice can be very damaging to these parts, leaving your children vulnerable in the spring.

We like to place all of our outdoor toys away for the winter, with the exception of the wooden playset because that is not mobile.

Enhance the Yard with Storage

It seems that storage sheds and other storage options have come a long way in appearance. They can actually add character to your property with the available designs. This is great because so many things need to be stored such as the lawn mower, gardening tools, patio umbrella, and lawn toys.

Some of the sheds look like mini barns, which looks amazing with homes on larger properties. Besides our shed, we also have an outdoor wood storage bench, which doubles as extra seating.

In Summary

If you take these extra steps to winterize your property and your outdoor items, you will be able to enjoy them for many years to come.

Hopefully I have given you some good tips in how to winterize your outdoor living area, so you can have peace of mind, knowing it is all protected.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer, who through her articles, provides valuable tips and advice for her readers, often on how to save money, or ways make our lives easier. Melissa is in her early 30’s, married with 2 young children, living in Austin Texas. She loves to search the internet for new ideas and deals, and just recently discovered Twitter.

Earnest Parenting: helping parents get their yards ready for winter.

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6 Best Organic Gifts for Baby and Toddler Rooms

Melissa Cameron — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:14:53 +0000

(Editor’s note: Melissa has some ideas to manage allergies naturally this post. Thanks Melissa!)

Looking for that extra special baby shower or toddler birthday gift? Giving special furniture for their rooms not only is a great gift for them, but a wonderful gift for their parents as well.

Before buying any furniture for a baby or toddler’s room, consult with their parents. You don’t want to buy something they already have, unless you can improve it in any way. If they or their parents have allergies, or are concerned with the dangers of synthetic or farm raised materials, offering to buy organic versions of some of the bigger items will be very welcome.

Because I have seasonal allergies, and am affected by the synthetic materials used in many children’s toys, children’s and adult clothing, and bedding and furnishings I always buy organic. I make my own natural remedies for allergic rhinitis, because I don’t want to add chemicals to my body.

It only makes sense for me to go with organics, but a lot of my family members and friends have seen the great benefits of natural materials. At first I felt funny about asking friends if they would like a crib, bassinet or crib bedding made from natural materials. Now I am completely comfortable with it. I can explain many of the hazards of the chemically treated fabrics and plastics used in commercial non-organic items.

The Hazards of Non-Organic Bedding and Furnishings

The fabric materials you want to stay away from most are acrylic, rayon, triacetate, nylon and polyester. Also any items with wrinkle-resistant, fire-resistant, static-resistant, stain-resistant and permanent press are also bad. They sound like great ideas, but all of the above resistances are created through the use of chemicals and even Teflon, a chemical the EPA deems hazardous and cancer-causing.

These products have been known to produce symptoms often un-noticed or misdiagnosed as common illnesses such as sneezing, headaches, stomachaches and things like that, but can also cause serious diseases such as immune system damage, hormone disruption, behavioral problems and of course, the aforementioned cancer.

My list of the 6 best gift items for infant and toddler rooms is:

Chairs

Workbenches

Beds

Tables

Changing tables

Highchairs

What to Look for in Organic Furnishings and Bedding for Kids

Look for natural fibers made from organic cotton, hemp, silk, wool and cashmere. For furnishings eco-friendly, and organically made bamboo and cork are excellent choices. Unfinished hardwoods are good as well, but not as eco-friendly because hardwoods take so long to regrow.

I look for all natural herbs to make my hay fever remedies. Natural materials are just easier on the system, as well as cleaner and safer. I look for the same natural ingredients used in any dyes to color organic linens and furniture.

At first I was worried that as my girls got older they would feel funny having all-natural, organic clothing, toys, furniture and eating organic foods. They don’t though. In fact, they told me they are proud to tell all their friends about the differences when anyone does ask about it.

That makes me proud as a parent. I know I am teaching my kids to live healthier, and as the great Greek dramatist, Menander said in the 3rd century, “Health and intellect are the two blessings of life.”

I know for me, I’m happier when I feel better. I also know that living better and cleaner is better for my kid’s concentration levels and learning ability. That’s 2 for 2: healthy and intelligent. Happy is just a pleasant side benefit.

About the Author:

As a mother of two girls, and busy wife, Melissa Cameron has developed healthy and natural ways to deal with her allergies. By using natural remedies for allergic rhinitis, and organic foods, clothing, toys and cleaning supplies around the house she is able to stay energetic enough to also be a full-time work from home freelance writer. She lives with her husband and girls in Austin, Texas.

Earnest Parenting: Tips for parents who want natural materials in baby’s room.

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3 Tips for Getting Children to Help with Housework

Amy LeForge — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:06:47 +0000

Editor’s note: please welcome Sandy’s advice for getting the kids to help around the house. Thanks, Sandy!)

For years I struggled with motivating my children to help me clean the house. As soon as I said the two magic words “cleanup time” they all disappeared. My oldest would grab a book and hide on the couch, the two middles would run outside to their bikes, and I would be left with the baby and the mess. I tried doing charts, and giving monetary rewards, but after a week either it lost its appeal or the cost was too big.

Most of today’s parents juggle housework, demanding jobs, and parenting young children all on an already overextended plate. I very often work and clean until frustration mounts and then I erupt in a shouting match. But this is an unhealthy burden to be shouldering solo. An efficient parent knows how to delegate jobs and most importantly how to motivate the entire family. Thankfully, I have older relatives and friends who have inspired me and gave me ideas to encourage my children.

Paste a smile When Mom is happy, the home is happy. When I am in a positive frame of mind the little people in my life want to be around me. All I then need to do is show them what to accomplish in order to feel a connection with me. A quick way to alter the mood in the home is to listen to music. Music lifts everyone from the doldrums and is a quick injection of happiness.

Talk is Priceless Often, while we are doing our chores I will bond with my children by engaging them in talk. My time is limited and I realize my limitations so whenever possible I strive for the gold. If we are in close proximity doing activities, we might as well count that as quality time. Now, I don’t always have the extra mental energy to so this and I recognize my limits but this is my aspiration. If your brain is mush and you can’t think of anything to talk you can always teach your kids. If I have lots of little objects to gather we will count them using different languages, or I will show them how to count in tens. If your children are older you can do advanced math while cleaning the kitchen.

I want my children to be independent when their time comes. To accomplish that goal I educate them in Home Economics 101. When we do the weekly grocery trip I demonstrate comparison shopping. When we unpack the groceries I explain why I bought that specific item and what the use is for. Whenever possible I impart some of my “wisdom” to educate my family.

Educate according to their Path When delegating jobs I offer a choice of two. More than two choices overwhelm and confuse young children. For my active boys who have lots of energy to burn, I select chores like vacuuming the carpet. All children enjoy using the bagless canister vacuum cleaner because of its child like appeal, especially boys who simply adore objects that move and produce noise. The bagless canister vacuum cleaner is a often used parenting tool in our family home.

You do not have to be supermom to have a clean home. By delegating the household chores and everyone pitching in you will enjoy living with family.

Earnest Parenting: tips for getting children to play along with housework.

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Plan Ahead to Get More Time in Parenting

Amy LeForge — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:27:22 +0000

(Editor’s note: Please welcome Shelley’s very sage advice for those of us who need more time. Thanks, Shelley!)

Planning Ahead Creates More Time – No Magic Needed

Have you ever wished there were more hours in the day to get things done?

Would it make any difference or would you still be wanting more?

See, I don’t think its a matter of having more hours in the day. After all, we all get the same time allocation. And yet so many do so much with their 24 hours.

After all, JK Rowling managed to create her first Harry Potter book when she was a single mom and short on money.

I think it comes down to using your time effectively.

This was bought home to me more clearly when it came to buying gifts for people I knew or for my children’s friends.

Moms are busy and time-poor, that’s a given. Having time to browse for gifts is a luxury only a few can afford.
I was like that too. I used to buy all my gifts last minute because I didn’t have the time to spend thinking about what these people close to me would have really preferred.

Having 3 young children and the extra taxi-drivers job that is part and parcel of shipping children to and from school and then to extra-curricular activities means most of your time is taken up on the road.

If you’re a work at home mom, like I am, your time is even more constrained. You feel frustrated and angry most of the time because there is not enough time to do both: bring up children and try to get a business off the ground, let alone worrying about the other million things in between such as household chores, cooking and buying gifts!

Using Car Time to Plan Ahead
I went from being a rushed-off-her-feet mom to a calm and efficient mom who managed to do things on time. In doing so, I created what was impossible: more time.

Huh?

You know that waiting time you have in between extra-curricular activities, when you are waiting in your car for your children to come out of their classes? I used to use that time to take a quick nap.

Now, I use that time to plan events and make notes and to-do lists.

I plan my time and I am prepared for anything that heads my way.

Anniversaries, birthdays, the twins’ 2nd birthday party 3 weeks from now, the Halloween party – you name it, I’m ready for them.

I will have bought and wrapped presents for all calendar events (this is what I like to call them) and if we are hosting a party or an event, I’ll have bought supplies weeks in advance, apart from perishables such as food.

I have all these dates in my phone. And I have action lists in my handy notebook. It contains a mini-plan for dealing with each calendar event.

By using this “car downtime” whilst waiting for my children to finish their activity, I am planning what needs to be done tomorrow, what I need to buy on my next trip to the mall, what I need to look for online.

And it has made the world of difference to my life.

Using your calendar and a to-do list to plan might seem like a small thing and perhaps because of this it is so easily overlooked.

We all have access to calendars and phone calendars and to-do lists but do we actually use them?

Once I started to, I quickly found that I had more time the better organized I became. I went from dealing with each thing as it arose to someone who was much calmer and well prepared for whatever was heading my way!

Let me tell you, it is far better to plan ahead than to fight fires as they arise.

And this year? I bought most of my Christmas presents when Christmas 2010 ended. Amazon had great deals on toys and gifts once the Christmas season was over and I was able to buy lots of things at fantastic prices!

During the year, I kept my eyes and ears close to the ground and shopped around, buying a few things a little at a time, as online stores had promotions and offers.

I have a few more things to buy but pretty much, I have done most of my Christmas shopping and it’s not even November yet!

Sure, the kids will want some new toys that have just come on the market and I’ll be able to get those because I have already saved quite a bit by buying lots of gifts at low prices.

Trust me, try planning for the next holiday. You know when it is, so now just circle in your calendar a date a month before that. Make a plan of what needs to be bought and start taking action.

You will find that it is easier to be in control of your time rather than let time control you and be a last minute shopper.

Shelley Kim is the mother of three beautiful children and the founder of 1stToysOnline.com

Earnest Parenting: help for parents who need more time.

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5 Traits to Develop for Effective Work at Home Parenting

Amy LeForge — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:10:12 +0000

Please welcome Carol with some wisdom for parenting while working from home AND keeping your sanity. Thanks, Carol!

When you work and you have kids, what you really have is two full-time jobs. Throw in a daily commute and it’s no wonder you’re lacking sleep and you can’t find a minute to yourself. While having a family certainly necessitates having two incomes these days, it may not require you to leave the house and head out into the corporate world each day. Many parents are finding ways to work from home so that they can realize a more flexible schedule and virtually manage two aspects of their life simultaneously.

However, working from home is no day at the beach. Juggling kids and clients is no easy feat, and you may find yourself torn between spending time with your family and devoting yourself to your job. You can do both, though, and rather successfully, if you develop a few traits common to effective work-at-home parents.

1.Motivation. This can be the biggest challenge when you’re working from home because you’d probably rather play with the kids all day than work. And without the restrictions of an office (regular hours, a supervisor keeping tabs, and so on) it’s all too easy to get into the bad habit of putting things off until the last minute. Your family life will slowly and surely eat away at your work time if you let it. But keep in mind that the reason you’re working is to provide for your children, and the fact that you’re at home gives them easy access to you all day, even if you’re working on a project.
2. Dedication. You might think this is similar to motivation, but there’s an important difference. Motivation is the reason you do something; dedication is what keeps you going when your motivation wanes (and it will, over time). Part of being dedicated to making your role as a work-at-home parent work for you is setting professional goals and creating plans to reach them. While you certainly don’t want your work to take over your life, you also don’t want to earn a bad reputation because you simply can’t muster up the willpower to meet your deadlines. In short, you must find ways to keep yourself going.
3. Separation. One of the best things you can do to make work-at-home parenting a sustainable venture is to create clear boundaries between work and family. These should be both physical and temporal. This means you should confine work activities to your home office space and to specific hours. Obviously, schedules are going to change when you’ve got kids underfoot, but at least map out a schedule and try to stick to it as much as possible.
4. Organization. When you’re running a home and an office out of the same space, you must be organized in order to keep the two from intermingling. So designate spaces for everything (from kids toys and craft supplies to separate work supplies), set up fixed shelving that is tamper proof label the shelves so that you can find items quickly and easily, and add stackable bins to keep everything neat and tidy. It may sound like overkill, but the alternative is chaotic clutter.
5. Good attitude. This is essential to any difficult undertaking. A little levity can get you through a lot of tough situations and help you to deal with the stresses of balancing your family and your work. So try to keep a positive outlook in everything you do and you’ll be a lot happier and more relaxed in the long run.

Carol Montrose writes for SeaReach, a manufacturer of labels, tags, and security documents.

Earnest Parenting: helping work at home parents maintain sanity.

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