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Whoever said that you should only invest in one home in your life clearly has never been an empty nester! While it can be exciting having your kids go off and form their own life and grow a home for themselves, sometimes, if their presence is away, the home just feels big, maybe way too big, so it might be time to downsize your home. While sure, large homes are great, at the same time, they just have a way of making us all feel lonely. 

Maybe it’s time for a change; usually, when your kids make a big change in life, it never hurts to make one yourself, right? Besides, when it comes to downsizing, it’s usually more financially beneficial, too. So, here are some signs that it just very well may be time to downsize your home. 

There’s Too Many Unused Spaces

For a lot of people, it’s almost like it’s a luxury to have unused space in the home, but is this a luxury that actually does any good? Probably not! So, if you find yourself surrounded by empty bedrooms and unused spaces, it’s a clear sign that your current home may be larger than necessary. In general, downsizing allows you to create a more efficient living space tailored to your current lifestyle.

The Maintenance Cost is Getting Pretty High

For those of us who live in an older house, you’ll definitely want to pay attention. In general, large homes often come with higher maintenance costs. If you’re noticing that maintaining your current home is becoming a financial burden, downsizing can alleviate the strain on your budget. Seriously, you’ll save on stress and so much money, too. A smaller home typically means lower utility bills, property taxes, and maintenance expenses.  It can very well be a very positive thing to try out!

Yearning for Freedom

While no one necessarily needs to live in a smaller home in order to have freedom, both of them usually go together hand in hand. So, to put it simply, empty nesters tend to travel frequently or even maintain seasonal residency if they live in a small home. This is usually the case because most folks tend to find that a smaller home is more manageable.

If you’re yearning for freedom and adventure, then by all means, you have the right to chase it! You can even just rent a home or buy something new, as they both can be assessed the same way. Downsizing can offer the freedom to lock and leave without the worry of maintaining a larger property during extended absences, and it’s incredible!

You Want a New Chapter

Honestly, a new chapter essentially means new beginnings, and who wouldn’t want that?  It allows for a fresh start, the chance to redefine priorities, and the freedom to pursue activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Hands-down, you definitely deserve this new beginning, and you owe it to yourself to have it. 

You Want a Low-Maintenance Life

Needless to say, big homes come with way too many responsibilities. Over time, those are going to become fairly unappealing. So having less to clean and less yard work can be pretty refreshing as you age. 

It’s a hard world for anyone under the age of 18. It’s a hard world for people of any age, but specifically, anyone who is still growing and developing! Being surrounded by images of perfection and being glued to your phone screen is a deadly combo, and trying to get your teen out of the habit is nigh on impossible. That’s why it’s so crucial to open a dialogue around self-image, and how it changes as we get older. Here are a few ways to get the conversation started without being met with groans and slammed doors. 

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Mention What You’ve Noticed

It’s easy to see when a teenager feels bad about their self-image. They wear clothes that are baggy or hide their figure, they spend a lot more time in their room than they used to, they don’t go out with their friends quite as much, and they might even eat less than usual. 

As a parent, get involved at this point! Head upstairs and see if they want to chat. If it was me, I’d mention what I’d noticed, and ask if something has happened to make them feel bad about themself. No pressure, but just let your teen know you can be spoken to about it. 

Let Them Know No Image is Shameful

No body image is shameful – simple as. Nothing they see online is really real either, as there are a million different tools you can download these days to change the way you look in photos. 

And if they’re constantly being targeted by images that represent little to nothing of what they look like, it’s best to talk to them about why that occurs. Everybody feels bad, and everyone can feel shame, but who really says that a body shape is wrong? No one! 

Bring Up Their Unique Qualities

Every person in the world has something special about them. If your teen is struggling with that idea, and wants so desperately to fit in but feels like they can’t, do your best to remind them. They’re unique and they still have a lot of growing to do. Bring up some of their unique features and talk about how interesting these make them. 

If they’re wearing clear braces but their teeth are in great condition, or they get lower grades but have a very artistic mind, or they don’t have the kind of body shape they see everyone celebrating on Instagram, remind them why uniqueness is good. You are who you are, and there’s a lot more you can dedicate your time and attention to than unrealistic ideals! 

Limit Their Screen Time

Finally, sometimes you’ve just got to rip the offending item away! Limiting screen time is a great way to get their mind off of a negative self-image, so try to lock down social media access for at least an hour a day. 

A teenager’s self-image can fluctuate wildly. Help them bring it down to a stable level. 

There’s no stage of parenting that’s easy. Well, maybe when they’re fully grown and out of the house things are easy. But that’s not really parenting — by that stage, you’ll have done your job. The different stages of parenting come with their own challenges. Take your teenage children for example. The teenage years can be a tough one because it feels like your kids are becoming different people — and that’s because, in many ways, they are. 

Those years can be difficult for you. They’re even more challenging for your kids. In this post, we’ll run through some handy tips that you can take on board to help them as much as possible. 

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Give Them Space

Your child will likely be going through some things from time to time. They’ll be moody. They’ll be happy. They’ll go through a whole range of emotions, often within a single day. Being a good parent to teenage children involves knowing when to give them space. If they want to lock themselves away in their bedroom for a few hours, then it’s normally just best to let them. They’ll come out eventually.

Make Yourself Available

Your teenager will be a whirlwind of emotions. They’re going through changes that they don’t understand themselves, and that’s not easy. While they’ll do things that very much require discipline and all that, it’s important to primarily take an emotionally available approach. That means that they feel comfortable coming to talk to you about whatever it is that they’re going through. They’ll be going through it anyway, and wouldn’t you prefer that they come to you to talk, rather than just battling through it on their own? Your teenager won’t always take you up on the offer, but they’ll appreciate knowing that you’re there for them.

Plan For Their Future

When your kids are little, it can be difficult to imagine them as adults. When they become teenagers, you can see that it won’t be all that long before they’re out there on their own. As such, it’s important to make plans for their future. This can take various forms. You may take out life insurance for parents, so you know that they’ll be financially secure in case something happens to you. It may also involve putting money to one side for when they’re older. Even encouraging them to follow the passions that may one day be their career can be highly valuable.

Be Understanding

Your teenagers are going to mess up from time to time. They’ll get things wrong. After all, who doesn’t at that age? By remembering what you were like as a teenager, you can put yourself in the right frame of mind to deal with the fallout. Of course, sometimes you might really need to lay down the law, however!

Keep the Family Fun

Your teenagers will have other things on their minds than having fun as a family. However, though they may pull away in some moments, it’s important to keep those family traditions alive. They’ll appreciate them when they’re older. 

Grandparents play an important role in our lives, and it’s essential that we provide proper care for them as they age. Taking good care of your grandparents isn’t just about physical assistance but also emotional support, companionship, and offering a listening ear whenever needed. Below are some tips to help you provide the best possible care for your beloved grandparents. 

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Utilise Home Services:

Many seniors prefer to remain in their homes if they are able. To make this a reality, consider utilising services like Home Care Assistance, which can provide caregivers who can help with basic tasks like shopping and cooking, as well as more involved activities like medication reminders and personal care.

Motivate Social Activity:

Social activities can help seniors to stay mentally and physically active. Encourage your grandparents to join a local senior centre, which may offer weekly activities like art classes, and outings for lunch or dinner. If in-person visits are difficult due to mobility issues or the pandemic, virtual group gatherings and social media can provide excellent alternatives.

Offer Companionship:

Just because your grandparents may be unable to do certain activities doesn’t mean they don’t want companionship. Make sure to spend time with them regularly and listen when they tell stories about their past – it will likely bring back a lot of memories and make them feel valued.

Address Unmet Needs:

As our grandparents get older, their level of independence may diminish, or they may begin to experience additional health issues that require extra help. Be sure to assess your grandparent’s needs regularly so you can provide the necessary care and support. This could mean hiring a professional caregiver or arranging transportation to and from doctors’ appointments.

Address Safety Concerns:

Ensure that your grandparent’s home is safe by checking for any potential fall hazards like loose rugs, slippery bathtubs, etc. Make sure their living space is well-lit and that their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

Create Meaningful Experiences:

Spending time with your grandparents doesn’t have to be boring – create meaningful experiences together like gardening, playing board games, or looking through old photos. These activities can provide quality bonding time and offer your grandparents some much-needed relaxation.

Stay Connected:

It’s important to stay connected with your grandparents even if you are not able to visit them in person regularly. This can be as simple as a phone call or video chat or sending cards and care packages. It will let them know that they are loved and appreciated.

Providing good care for your grandparents isn’t always easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding. By taking the time to assess their needs and providing emotional and physical support, you can ensure that they lead a healthy and fulfilling life as they age. With patience, kindness, and understanding, you can make a world of difference in your grandparents’ lives. Your effort will be remembered and cherished for years to come.