Creating that Homework Haven

It's the beginning of September and most kids are back in school and over the first few days of introductions and instructions on how the school year process is going to go. Now the real school year begins, homework is going to start showing up in your child's backpack and thus the questions, How do I get my child to do their homework and how do I help them. We all know that hard work and dedication are keys to every student's success, but so is having the right environment to do homework. Children can truly benefit from working in a quiet haven away from distractions where they can be comfortable and productive.

According to Realty Times, You can help your child create a homework haven. All you need is a dedicated space that can be kept clean and organized, that is large enough to hold your child's projects, and that is out of the way of household traffic and other distractions. Sometimes this is a simple as a small desk in their room or maybe even a study or office space for them to use. 

 Start early

If your child learns good habits as soon as he or she is old enough to start getting homework, there's a greater chance of learning more, performing at a higher level and getting work completed more efficiently all the way through school.

Teach by example

Your own work-space should have the same characteristics that you want for your child -- a quiet, adequate, well-organized place to concentrate and get all tasks completed. If you have a study, it's a great place to keep your work-related electronics, supplies and storage. Keep your desk clean and organized and show your child that preparedness saves time. If a study or study desk isn't available, you may have to improvise and clear the kitchen table for a work-space. 

Homework space needs to be dedicated and away from televisions, phones, conversation and other distractions.Education.com suggests renovating a closet or building a nook on a stairway landing where your child can escape from noise and maintain focus. Simply remove the old contents and set up a good computer station, light, and space to spread books and materials.

Children enjoy having your company. You can coordinate your bill-paying, reading or other non-distracting activities with homework time, as well as make yourself available to assist.

Get organized

According to time management expert Dr. Donald Wetmore, an unorganized desk leads to a productivity loss of 1.5 hours per every eight hours, or almost 20% of working time wasted. Young children may not know where an assignment is if it's buried under other homework, and may miss turning in an important project. They'll also waste precious time if they can't keep one project separated from the next.

To organize your child's desk, make sure everything has its own place to go; homework papers need to go into a filing system for storage or easy retrieval for later study, craft materials like glue, scissors, etc. need their own cabinet, drawer or bin, and pencils, pens and paper need to be easily accessible and well-stocked at all times.

Put what's most important within the easiest reach, recommends Productivity501.com. That means your child should be able to instantly grab what he or she uses most often.

Scholastic.com says your child's homework haven needs to be large enough to spread out for projects and book reports while also being at a good height for comfortable studying. Good seating will come in handy; a chair with adjustable height can keep your child studying without worry.

Six Ways Your Home Can Improve Your Mood

According to Realtytimes.com, for must of us the idea of being happy is tied into being comfortable, loved and the sense of security. Did you know you can create an environment of happiness in your home just by surrounding yourself with a few key things? Check out these six ways your home can improve your mood.

Come on, get happy!

1. Soft geometry

Soft geometry is one of the elements of "neuroarchitecture," a hot new field of design…using emerging research on how factors like light, space, and room layout affect physical and psychological well being. The premise is to consider how each feature of the architectural environment influences certain brain processes such as those involved in stress, emotion, and memory," said Oprah. "Soft geometry…is the use of curves instead of hard edges on counters, furniture, and cabinets to help nurture contentment and well-being. The reason has to do with your peripheral vision and is linked to a primitive part of the brain called the amygdala. Everything need not be rounded—that gets very tedious. But if the key pieces and places are curved, that makes the body relax.

2. Color

Certain colors are said to have the ability to make you hungry, relaxed, energetic, and, yes, happy. "One easy and effective way to change your moody outlook is to brighten up your life with color," said She Knows. "Research has proven how color therapy, or chromo therapy, is a natural way to lift your spirits."

Vibrant colors like yellow and orange "will fill a room with excitement and warmth... promote joy and laughter and also aid in improving focus. The more surrounded you are with rich colors, the happier you are! Pastel colors, such as lavender and pinks can help you manage stress because these soft, soothing colors foster calm feelings."

3. Light

Natural light is a known mood lifter. If your place is dark, think about ways to brighten it up. Sheer curtains instead of heavy draperies can filter in light, but if you need a more potent solution, try skylights. These Solatube skylights are an easy and more affordable option than a traditional skylight. Overhead lighting complemented by abundant task lighting can also help brighten up a room.

4. Texture

We are tactile people, and a combination of textures can also help our mood. "Slipping beneath a soft blanket or burying your toes in the sand evokes certain feelings," said Up Your Property Value. "Use texture in your decorating to achieve the same effect. A shag rug thrown over a hardwood floor is a surprising contrast for bare feet. The feel of chenille upholstery can be comforting, compared to something more formal, such as leather. Add texture to any wall with textured wallpaper or a faux-finish painting technique, and choose window treatments that reflect your desired mood as well. Some people like the crisp, clean lines of wooden blinds, while others prefer a billowing sheer curtain."

5. Pets

One of the quickest, most effective, and most satisfying ways to improve your mood at home is to add a pet. "Pets can be calming stress-fighters," said WebMD, and can also:

• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce stress
• Increase opportunities for social interaction
• Improve a baby's immune system

"Babies raised in families that have pets may be less likely to get allergies and asthma, some studies show," said Web MD. "It has to start early, ideally before a baby is six months old. Babies with dogs or cats at home have fewer colds and ear infections during their first year than babies living in pet-free homes, one study found."

6. The green stuff

Not ready to take care of a pet? How about a plant? "Houseplants are popular as decorating accents, bringing natural color to a room and softening hard corners. The biggest benefit, though, is your health," said Make It Better.

"Plants can reduce stress, clean the air, and help increase "oxygen for better breathing, which "can reduce drowsiness during the day, improve sleep at night and reduce the occurrence of headaches."

CURB APPEAL FOR YOUR HOME ON THE CHEAP

Written by Jaymi Naciri on Friday, 28 March 2014 4:14 pm 

      When you spend all your time inside your house, it's easy to forget that what's on the outside is important too. Whether you are getting ready to sell or are just looking to make some critical improvements, improving your curb appeal is easier - and less expensive - than you may think.

     "There are dozens of small, inexpensive home improvements that you can do to your house to add instant curb appeal," said DIY Network. "Adding curb appeal to your house not only makes it easier to sell, but it also gives your house that nice and finished look."

     With a few bucks and a little elbow grease, you'll be standing out front with pride. Redo your front door. Want an instant pick-me-up for your curb appeal? Paint your front door. And while you're at it, spruce up your hardware too. "Your home's front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal. Make a statement by giving your front door a blast of color with paint or by installing a custom wood door," said Better Homes and Gardens. "Clean off any dirty spots around the knob, and use metal polish on the door fixtures. Your entry should also reflect the home's interior, so choose a swag or a wreath that reflects your personal style." The finishing touch: a clean, modern welcome mat.

Replace your light fixtures

Old, tired light fixtures can make a house look, well, old and tired. Changing them out is an easy fix "that can be found anywhere from $20 and up," said DIY Network. New light fixtures can modernize your exterior, but remember to "consider both the style of the light fixtures and the function of them. You want your light fixtures to be able to adequately light up your entryway to your house and make it safer. Also, look for light fixtures that have the same mounting system as the current ones that you have to save yourself some time on this home improvement project.

Add lighting to your landscape

If your house is still dark at night, adding "low-voltage landscape lighting makes a huge impact on your home's curb appeal while also providing safety and security," said Better Homes and Gardens. Wiring can get pricey, and solar stake lights that can be found at Target or Home Depot for just a few dollars apiece to line your walkway.

Bring in the Flowers

Plant some flowers along the walkway or in beds near the front door to introduce some color and freshness to the exterior of your home. If you're not able to plant flowers in the ground, "a few container plants placed by the front door or hung from your porch's ceiling will give your home a friendly, finished look," said This Old House.

Pour the Mulch

According to MSN, one of the cheapest ways to jazz up the look of your yard is by laying down some mulch. "Mulch will cover up a multitude of sins, and the darker it is, the more effective it looks," they said. "Mulch makes an area look freshly landscaped, and it also saves water by reducing runoff and conserving soil moisture."

Get on the fence

Chipping paint or wood, fading from the sun, and water spots can make a fence look dowdy. "People don't pay enough attention to fences, but they are the biggest constructed element in your yard," said MSN.

If it's time for a fence refresher, it's easy to do it yourself. MSN recommends "using a semitransparent stain to even out signs of repairs and to cover stains and discoloration. Pull together the look of the yard by using that same stain to upgrade other wood structures on your property, including benches, rails, decks, steps, sheds and playhouses."

For more inspiration, see Front Door.