Parenting tips

Parenting tips

Is It Time to Renovate Your Child’s Bedroom?

A bedroom makeover is a great way to refresh a space and give it a new look. You can update the look of a bedroom with new furniture, paint colours, and bedding. A bedroom makeover is also a great way to switch up your decorating style and try out new creative ideas. As your children grow, you may also want to make subtle changes to their rooms to suit their age and interests – or even do a big renovation from time to time. The cost of renovating a room can be staggering. But with a little creativity, some smart planning and some help from technology, you can do it for less. Here’s how to get started.

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What are the Benefits of Redecorating a Kid’s Room?

Redecorating a kid’s room can be beneficial for both the child and the parents. A new look for your kid’s room can help them feel more confident and happy. It can also help them feel more excited about their room and their life in general. It can also mean that their room suits them more as they age and will help to facilitate the different life stages that they go through.

How to Prepare for Renovating Your Kids’ Bedroom

There are a few things that parents should keep in mind when planning their kids’ bedroom makeover. First, make sure that the space is big enough for their needs. Second, make sure that they have enough storage space for all of their toys and clothes. Lastly, think about what kind of furniture they need – which type of bed suits them best?

When it comes to decorating a child’s bedroom, it is important to choose the right colours that they will like. For example, if your child likes blue, you should use blues and greens in the room. Parents should also consider adding a few items to the room such as curtains or wall art to give it a personal touch.

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Photo by Allen Taylor on Unsplash

How to Update your Kids’ Room and Rejuvenate the Look Overnight

The best way to update your kid’s room is by adding new furniture that will make it look fresh and modern. Simple and quick changes to a kids’ bedroom can be done with the help of furniture like bedding, rugs, and curtains. You could try out bunk beds at Cuckooland or go with new bedding and accent colours. If you want to see a significant change in your kids’ bedroom, you should invest in new furniture.

What to Keep in Mind When Renovating Your Kids’ Bedroom?

As a parent, it’s important to make sure that your child is safe and comfortable when they sleep. The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the house, so it should be decorated with kid-friendly design tips to keep your kids safe and happy. But at the same time, it is important to keep in mind that the design of your children’s room should be tailored to their age and personality. A child’s room should also be designed with safety and security in mind.

Tips for Keeping Renovations on Budget for Kids’ Rooms

Keeping renovations on a budget is a big challenge for many families. It is not easy to find the right balance between what you want and what you can afford. A few tips to help you here include:

– Choose timeless furniture pieces that are versatile and can last for years.

– Don’t choose too many colours or patterns in one room because they will be hard to coordinate with each other later on.

– Try to use natural materials like wood and stone instead of more expensive options like marble or granite.

Is it Worth It to Renovate Your Kids’ Room?

If you are thinking about renovating your kids’ room, you should consider the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. The benefits of renovating your kids’ room include making it easier for them to find the things they need and giving them a space where they can grow into. The drawbacks include spending more money than you originally planned to spend and the time it takes to complete a renovation project.

If you are on a budget, then it might not be worth it for you to renovate your kids’ room at all. But if you want your children’s rooms to reflect their interests, personality, or style, it is worth investing in their future by renovating their rooms.

4 Things to Consider When Buying Your First Family Home

It’s finally happened- you’re ready to take the plunge and buy your first family home. This is a huge decision, one that should not be taken lightly. There are many things to consider when buying a home, especially if it’s your first time. In this blog post, we will go over four of the most important factors to think about when making such a purchase. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn everything you need to know about buying your first family home!

Location, Location, Location

The old real estate adage still rings true today- where your home is located is important. You want to make sure you’re in a safe neighbourhood that you feel comfortable with. You also want to think about things like the commute to work, schools in the area, and proximity to family and friends. All of these factors play a role in choosing the perfect location for your new home. Location is key when purchasing any property but especially your first family home. You want to be close to good schools if you have children or are planning on starting a family. It’s also important to be close to public transportation if you don’t have a car or prefer not to drive. And finally, you want to be in a neighbourhood that feels safe and comfortable for you and your family.

Size Matters

Another important factor to consider when buying your first family home is size. How big of a house do you need? Do you want a lot of bedrooms and bathrooms? Or are you looking for something more modest? It’s important to think about the size of your family now and in the future when making this decision. You don’t want to end up with a house that’s too small or too large for your needs. Size is an important consideration when purchasing any property but especially your first-family home. If you have children or are planning on starting a family, you’ll want enough bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone. On the other hand, if your kids are grown and gone, you may be looking for something smaller and more modest. It’s important to think about the size of your family now and in the future when making this decision, so you end up with a house that’s just right. You can look at a few display homes to get a feel for what size will suit you best.

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Your Budget

Of course, one of the most important things to consider when buying your first family home is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on a new home? You’ll need to take into account your current income, debts, and other financial obligations when making this decision. It’s also important to remember that there are other costs associated with owning a home, such as property taxes, insurance, and repairs. Make sure you factor all of these things into your budget before making an offer on a new home.

Maintenance and Upkeep

Another thing to keep in mind when buying your first family home is the maintenance and upkeep that will be required. Owning a home is a lot of work! You’ll need to mow the lawn and make repairs when things break. If you’re not prepared for this, it can be a big shock. Make sure you are ready and willing to take on the responsibilities of owning a home before making an offer.

These are just a few of the things to consider when buying your first family home. It’s a big decision, but it can also be a lot of fun. Just make sure you do your research and take your time before making an offer on a new property. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect home for your family.

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4 Top Tips For An Exciting Family Holiday

A family holiday is an exciting time to enjoy quality time with your family. However, it isn’t a small feat to pull off, as many people find it overwhelming. Several factors guarantee that your family holiday will go on without a hitch. From knowing where to travel, the best way to travel, and making those exciting life memories last forever, here are four tips for planning an exciting holiday for your family. 

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Select the right holiday spot 

It isn’t easy to choose a holiday destination for your family. Imagine the feeling when your kids want a winter location to enjoy the snow while you want to lounge and unwind in the sun somewhere. Your budget and how long you intend to stay are other factors worth considering. To choose the right destination, make a list of the interests of every member of the travelling party. Whether it’s hiking, seeing historic sites, or having some fun time at the beach, paying attention to the small details can be useful for selecting the best places and activities that appeal to everyone.

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Know your budget 

Vacation costs vary greatly based on where you stay, mode of transport, the number of people you are travelling with, and your planned activities. While the average Brit pays less than £4000 per person, families, especially large ones, can expect to pay more. It can be useful to determine how much money you are willing to spend on the holiday. However, don’t forget that you will return to real life after the holiday. You can’t afford to blow your entire savings on a once-in-a-lifetime family trip. Therefore, set strict spending limits and stick to them. This could mean reducing one budget area to satisfy other needs, including emergencies and unforeseen costs. 

Consider transportation 

Having determined how much you are willing to spend, it is now time to figure out how to get to the destination. Many families wonder whether to fly or how far they can drive, especially when taking a holiday to a theme park. Unfortunately, there is no set mileage limit for driving versus flying. You can use Google maps to determine the quickest route via scenic locations if you’ll go by car. If you have driven or flown with kids and didn’t enjoy either, measure flying costs vs the benefit of reduced travel time. You may be better off taking a road trip. In that case, ensure your vehicle is up to scratch. For example, if you are taking a road trip in a Mini, you can find specialist technicians at any Mini dealership to put your car in excellent condition for an amazing experience. 

Prioritise health and safety 

The safety and well-being of kids are a primary concern for every parent, and holidays are no exception. There are a few things worth considering, including the availability of doctors or healthcare at your proposed destination. It is vital to know any required vaccination if you travel out of the country. Travel protection plans are usually advised for family and other travel types. This way, you can protect your family from the unexpected, including medical expenses, trip delays or interruptions and cancellation fees. 

If you want to have a perfect family holiday, begin planning before you leave. Paying attention to these details should ensure a terrific, stress-free family holiday for the entire family.

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Family Challenges Every Parent Needs To Prepare For

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Almost every loving parent wants to raise a happy family and reap the benefits of happy family life. One way to achieve this is to know and prepare yourself for the challenges of raising a family. Being a parent comes with numerous challenges, from raising kids to dealing with health issues and financial constraints. Parenting today also offers newer challenges, especially as society continues to change and newer demands, requirements, and new parenting styles emerge. If you’re preparing to be a parent soon, here are some challenges you can expect to face. 

Family breakdowns, relationship problems, and single-parenting

It’s probably safe to assume that no well-meaning person builds a family, hoping it will all fall apart soon, but it happens. Family breakdowns and separations are becoming even more common than you think. Therefore, it’s important to know what to do when you find yourself facing the possibilities of divorce, single-parenting, or child custody issues. In every case, your first and best attempt should be to find solutions to what’s threatening your marriage. However, you can always consult experienced solicitors in family law to assist you if these family issues arise. 

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Combining work with parenting

Many households deal with major challenges in their career as they struggle to juggle the demanding responsibilities of work and parenting. While your prime objective for working may be to keep your family clothed, sheltered, and fed, you don’t want to devote all your attention to work. Children, especially, need the constant presence of their parents to offer them the emotional support they need through various phases of their lives. You should learn how best to balance work requirements and family life so that one does not adversely affect the other. 

Dealing with expectations

Every parent had some expectations of what their family lives would look like. You want your children to do well in good schools, a stable financial life, a nice family car, and frequent family vacations. But family life does not always turn out the way you dreamed of or expected. Expectations are great, but you need to make sure that they are realistic and attainable. 

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    Lack of emotional bonding

    A lack of emotional connection is another thing many parents struggle with concerning their families. Several things can lead to this, including a lack of time, job, and stress, to mention a few. Failing to spend time with your family or connect with them emotionally has several consequences, especially for your children. For example, children may refrain from sharing their troubles with their parents and can easily go astray as a result. 

    Financial issues and quality of life 

    Financial issues are some of the main challenges many families face, especially when children come into the picture. Debt and money issues have resulted in many families falling apart. With the current standard of living going up worldwide, many families are beginning to face a lot more financial pressure than they used to. This has affected the quality of life of many families. 

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    How To Care For Elderly Parents On A Busy Schedule

    One minute you are a child, and the next, you are a grown adult with many responsibilities weighing on your shoulders! One of the challenging tasks you might face as an adult is learning to care for ageing parents while trying to have a successful career and build your own family. With a staggering 79% of adults feeling stressed at least once a month, how are you possibly going to find the perfect balance? Striking a balance might seem like a distant dream to you and many others. However, these tips will help you find a routine that works for you and your family. 

    Set your priorities and develop a plan

    It’s easy to get overwhelmed when juggling your work with caring for your family and elderly parents. However, before you begin to panic, it’s always better to create an action plan. There are many things you must consider. Do your parents have regular doctor’s appointments? What errands do you need to run for your home and theirs? You can write down all these tasks and try to visualise everything to help you organise better. 

    Once you’ve created a schedule, it will be easier to know what you have to prepare for. Thanks to modern technology, you can even set reminders to all parties involved to keep them abreast with plans and schedules. If you have other siblings or relatives to help, you can all sync your calendars to know who is responsible for what task and when. 

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    Speak to your employer

    It can be hard finding the perfect balance between being a dedicated worker and a dedicated child. Given how busy work environments can get, it does affect how often you get to connect with your elderly parents. If you’re in such a situation, a good way to solve it is by talking openly with your employer to find a more manageable solution. 

    Ask your employer if it’s possible to adjust your working hours or if remote working options are available to give you more flexibility. Sometimes, having these conversations can be nerve-wracking. A good way to prepare is by listing out your primary duties and how you intend to make these adjustments work for you and your employer. 

    Hire a caregiver

    It would be better to hire a domiciliary caregiver in certain instances where you can’t care for your elderly parents. You should consider this option because instead of placing your parents in a home, you can have them cared for right in the comfort of their homes, giving them a sense of belonging. Depending on what services you require, a home caregiver can perform various tasks, including ensuring your parents take their medicines regularly and providing light housekeeping services. Apart from medical care, they also provide companionship to your elderly parents. 

    Your parents’ health and care matters, so you must research thoroughly to find the best home care possible if you are considering this option. A qualified caregiver must not only have a good reputation but should have also completed the mandatory training for domiciliary care to be qualified to care for your parents. 

    Make time for yourself

    It’s easy to lose yourself when trying to care for your parents while balancing work. However, you must set time aside for self-care. You can take care of yourself by exercising to release stress and eat well. Learn how to take breaks at work and home to clear your mind and relax. 

    If you feel the strain or are at risk of burning out, don’t be embarrassed to ask for help from your friends and family. They can watch your parents so you can take some time to unwind and get back into a routine. It also helps to talk to a professional or a trusted friend about how you are feeling. Sometimes, talking about what stresses you out is a good way to vent your frustrations. 

    Involve your kids

    If you have kids, you probably know how fond they are of their grandparents and vice versa. Your parents will love spending time with their grandchildren, and talking and bonding with them will improve their mental health and make them healthier. And if you have older kids, you can ask them to help you whenever you are in a tight bind. 

    Caring for your parents while juggling work and other important aspects of your life can take a toll on you. Fortunately, these tips will help you find the right balance to get things under control and help you give your parents the best life possible.

    How to Prepare Your Teenager for a Residential Trip

    Residential Trip
    Image Pexels CC0 License

    Heading off on a residential trip is the highlight of the year and an event that creates memories your teen will never forget. Now travel restrictions have eased, students have the opportunity once again to enjoy fantastic trips to destinations around the world. From skiing in The Alps to Madrid student trips for teens studying art, there are a whole host of destinations ideal for a college residential. Educational trips help to enrich students’ learning in many ways and provide the opportunity to experience different cultures and try new things. If your teen has a trip coming up and will be away from home for a few nights, you may be wondering how best to prepare them for this exciting experience. Here are some top tips to help prepare your teen for a residential trip:

    Ensure You Have All the Information

    While not every teenager is unorganised, you may not want to rely on them to relay crucial information about the trip. Finding out the details, such as arrival and departure dates and the equipment they need to take, is something you may want to research yourself so you know what is happening. As you will inevitably be the one paying for the trip, it is a good idea to find out the payment schedule as soon as possible so you can ensure you know when each amount is due and avoid any nasty surprises.

    Residential Trip

    Start Shopping Early

    If loads of kids will be taking part in the trip, it is a good idea to start shopping for equipment early. Shopping sooner rather than later is the best way to ensure you get bargains and avoid paying more than needed for the equipment. Buying equipment at the last minute will always mean you pay over the odds, so the sooner you get your equipment list and start shopping, the better.

    Speak About the Trip in a Positive Way

    Teenagers can sometimes be reluctant to try new things and leave their mates behind for a few days to go on a trip. Speaking about the trip positively and encouraging them to take part may help and make it easier for them to get the most from this fantastic experience. 

    Make Sure They Help With the Packing

    While it may seem easier to tackle the packing by yourself, getting your teenager involved is essential. Packing their stuff will ensure they know exactly what they are taking, making it less likely anything will be left behind when they come home. Although your teen may protest they are too old for name labels, ensuring that they have their names written on their belongings is vital to avoid anything getting lost.

    Avoid Rushing on the Day of the Trip

    Ensuring you leave for the meeting point in plenty of time is vital to avoid any panics on the day of the trip. So, getting your teen up early and leaving with enough time to spare to allow for any traffic along the way is essential.

    7 Tips To Make Buying Your First Home Easier

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    Image Credit: ArtisticOperations from Pixabay.

    Buying your first home is a rite of passage for many people, but it sometimes seems out of grasp. If you’ve gotten to the point where you’re finally able to do so, you mightn’t know how to buy your first home.

    With all of the complications and hurdles involved, it’s easy to see why it might seem overwhelming. By following a few simple and effective tips, however, you can minimise all of the stress involved with the process.

    While there’ll still be some work and effort involved – unfortunately – it could be more straightforward than you’d first think. Seven particular tips should help with this quite significantly.

    How To Buy Your First Home: 7 Top Tips

    1. Compare Loans

    Mortgages will be one of the larger aspects of buying your first home you’ll need to consider. For some homebuyers, they’ll be relatively easy loans to get, but they’ll be more difficult for others. The trick to this is to compare options before settling on a particular mortgage.

    By doing so, you can get a much better interest rate on the mortgage, which makes it much more affordable. While this means putting in a bit more time and effort, the savings you’ll see will be more than worth it.

    There’s no reason not to compare options.

    2. Be Careful With Estate Agents

    Speaking with a real estate agent is an effective way to make buying your first home easier. You shouldn’t simply stick with the first one you come across, however. Agents and brokers come with fees you’ll need to be aware of. One option could charge drastically more than another.

    If you want to keep your costs low, then you’ll need to compare options before working with a particular real estate agent. When you’re doing this, you should keep a few other factors in mind, such as how much access to the local market they have.

    The more comfortable you feel with them, the better they should be.

    3. Stick To Your Budget

    Having a budget before you start looking for a home or mortgage is vital. You should know how much you can afford to pay back on the mortgage every month. As simple as that is, it’s something quite a few people overlook. That’s especially true if the bank offers a mortgage higher than originally asked for.

    If that happens to you, think twice about it. A higher mortgage involves paying it off for longer. You could also end up having much larger repayments to make. These could be outside of your monthly budget. Should that be the case, the mortgage is worth saying no to.

    Stick to your guns and make sure you can afford the mortgage you take.

    4. Don’t Be Afraid To Negotiate

    When a homeowner lists their property for sale, it’ll come with their ideal selling price. That doesn’t always mean that’s exactly what they’ll get. The real estate agent would’ve likely informed them that they’ll need a little wiggle room to close the sale. They should expect to come down somewhat before the property sales.

    That means there’s a certain amount of room for negotiation. While this varies from property to property, go into this by being open to negotiating. The more open you are to this, the more you could end up saving.

    Starting with a lower price from what the owner is asking is recommended. There’ll be a bit of back and forth, so you’ll end up going above this. You’ll still be lower than the initial asking price, however.

    5. Pick The Right Neighbourhood

    It’s natural to focus specifically on the property when you’re looking for your first home. No house exists in a vacuum, however, so you’ll need to pay attention to the neighbourhood that it’s in. You’ll need to figure out whether or not it’s somewhere you’d like to live.

    That could be relatively easy if you already know which neighbourhoods you already like or don’t like. If you’re unsure, however, it’s worth spending some time in a neighbourhood before you commit to buying.

    If there are local cafes and restaurants, it could be worth visiting these and seeing what they’re like. Visiting the neighbourhood at different times and on different days is also helpful. It lets you get the general vibe of the area while figuring out whether it’s somewhere you’d like to live.

    You’ll get a much better sense of the neighbourhood’s character when you’re doing this. Nobody wants to move into a new home, only to find the neighbourhood is completely wrong for them. Don’t forget to visit during the weekend and after work to get an overall sense of what it’s like.

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    6. Know Your Costs

    When you’re putting together a budget and figuring out how to buy your first home, you’ll need to know what your costs are. There are three main types of costs you’ll need to be aware of. These are:

    • Down Payment – This’ll be the most obvious cost of buying a new home and is unavoidable. While this can vary depending on the overall cost of the home itself, it’s an unavoidable part of buying a home. Your mortgage will also have an impact on this, as most financial institutions have a minimum percentage to pay.
    • Closing Costs – These are the expenses you’ll need to pay when you’re finalising the sale. They typically range between 2% and 5% of the home’s overall price, but you could negotiate with the seller to get them to pay some of these.
    • Move-In Expenses – Quite a few people overlook the costs involved in moving into your first home. You’ll need to move furniture, turn on utilities, and much more. Make sure you have enough money set aside for these.

    Once you have an in-depth knowledge of the costs you’ll need to pay with your first home, you’ll be better able to budget for it. You can then narrow down the choices you have on offer. It’ll be much easier to find homes to view and put an offer on.

    7. Get A Preapproval Letter

    Getting a mortgage can be a difficult and stressful process. It’s not something you should leave to the last minute. Getting it out of the way early is recommended, and you can do so by getting a preapproval letter from your lender.

    These are agreements to give you a mortgage under specific circumstances. You can then use this as evidence that you can afford the home you’ve put an offer on. It makes this much easier once you’ve entered negotiations with the seller.

    While the bank could still end up turning down your mortgage application when you eventually apply for it, that’s unlikely. You should get this done as soon as you start home shopping.

    It lets you narrow down which homes you look at based on whether or not you can afford them.

    How To Buy Your First Home: Wrapping Up

    If you don’t know how to buy your first home, it seems like a stressful and daunting process. You’ll have to view countless homes, put in more than a few offers, negotiate, and more. It’s easy to see why many people get stressed out about it. And that’s without even mentioning the financial side of things.

    By following each of the above tips, however, you can make it much easier. Though you’ll still need to get through more than a few things, you won’t have a problem getting it done. Keep the end result in mind and focus on satisfying it’ll be once you’ve bought your first home.

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    Keeping Your Home In Tip Top Condition Is Easier Than You Think

    Keeping your home in tip-top condition can be easier than you think, you just need to take the right steps to make this possible. For a lot of people, this sounds like an absolute nightmare because we all hate cleaning and maintenance, but it’s got to be done. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to make this an easier task for you, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.

    Your Home
    Pic Source – CC0 License

    Survey Before Purchase

    The first thing that you should do is make sure you have a survey completed on the home before you purchase it. While this is something that needs to be done prior to purchasing the home, it’s still very much relevant. The reason for this is that if there are hidden problems in the home that you were not expecting, then you become responsible for them once you own the home and that isn’t fair. That’s going to make your life harder, not easier, and it’s going to cost you more money that you shouldn’t have to spend. So, if you get the survey done, you will know about all of these beforehand and can make a conscious decision as to whether you’re going to take this on, or whether you want to make a different offer.

    Keep Your Eye On Things

    When you live in the home, you have got to be keeping your eye on things as much as you can. You don’t want problems to start getting out of control, as this is only going to lead to more issues. For example, if you have a leaking pipe and you don’t notice, this can lead to a burst pipe, it can lead to mould, or even wearing away at the material it’s leaking on. You need to get in touch with the most trusted plumber in your area and get them to your home as soon as you can.

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    Clean As You Go

    If you clean as you go, then there is going to be less work to do after a couple of days or a week. While you might not feel like you have the energy to do this, do you have the energy to do a big clean every few days either? It makes your life so much easier, and it means that unexpected company isn’t going to be a problem as your home is in the best condition it could possibly be in. It will take a bit of adjusting to, but you will get there if you remain consistent.

    We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you should do to ensure that keeping your home in tip-top condition is as easy as possible. While it will never be a completely easy task, these things will make it easier for you, ensuring that you won’t run into as many problems as other people. We wish you the very best of luck with this.

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    Which Florida Cities Do Retirees Like the Most

    Florida is a gorgeous state that seems to be built out of nothing but long shorelines and vacation towns: but what’s it like to live here as a retiree?  Whether you’re planning a retirement in the distant future or you’re ready to move now, these are the top reasons why Florida is a great place to retire: and where in the state you should go! 

    Why Retire in Florida?

    If you’re not from Florida or haven’t visited, you might be unsure why this state is such a hot choice for retirees.  The main allure is the warm weather that will keep you active and outside year-round.  Although cold weather can be nice: it’s harsh on joints and can leave you stuck inside doing nothing but watching television.  Retiring in an area where you can make the most of the entire year ensures you don’t have to waste a second.

    On top of this, Florida has so much to do you could never get bored!  From fun theme parks to fantastic sports like golfing and scuba to the countless museums and art galleries: there’s truly something here for everyone.  

    Sarasota

    Just south of Tampa is this gorgeous city that’s become the top hot spot for retirees!  From the gated communities, waterfront homes, and luxury hotels to the countless things to do and see: you’ll fall in love with Sarasota as well!

    Retirees

    Tampa

    Tampa is one of the best-known cities in Florida, but it’s also one of the most expensive.  Although the cost of living here is around 23% lower than that of NYC: it’s still pricy compared to the rest of the state.  The humid summers can reach 90 degrees, but this is a gorgeous city that’s able to weather any storm! 

    Fort Lauderdale

    This gorgeous beachside city may be a dream come true for retirees!  Although Fort Lauderdale houses for sale can be expensive: many say it’s worth it for all of the perks you can find here!

    This has been a popular vacation and retirement area for years now, meaning that it’s better outfitted for older community members and can take care of you when you need it to.  You can enjoy everything from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment!

    How to Pick Your City

    If you like the idea of each of these cities but aren’t sure which to go with, consider a few different points.  Not only should the city be affordable and able to easily be moved into: but it also has to be a location where you can find things to do and enjoy.  Each of these cities has a different personality that will fit a different retiree, so consider how much of that speaks to you and what you need when you’re ready to move.

    You could find paradise by retiring in Florida! 

    Florida is Made for Retirement

    Florida has everything from warm weather year-round to soothing beachy vibes, so there’s nothing holding you back from this paradise!  Consider checking out Florida soon and considering it for your retirement.  

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    Board Games I Loved Playing As a Child

    Does anyone remember the iconic board games you used to play as a child? They even made those travel-size ones so your parents could entertain you on the aeroplane. Maybe as an adult, you have a life-sized chess set ( I really want one of those regal-looking chess tables, except I don’t know how to play!). Someone, please tell me in the comments, that they have battleships. Or operation? 

    In this post, I am going to delve into why we loved playing these games so much as children. And also why we remember them so fondly. 

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    The benefits of playing board games 

    Teaches you patience

    For anyone who ever participated in a family game of monopoly, you will appreciate the level of patience required. This game can cause ongoing family disputes. Let me know in the comments below whether this game has ever caused you a family rift.

    Playing a game of this nature requires small moves in order to lead to a bigger goal. Like goal setting as an adult. With the end result meeting your goal. Bring the winner, or make progress. Depending on how you look at life. Or how competitive you are.

    You experience winning and losing 

    We are in the process of teaching my little one, life isn’t always about winning. It’s a hard lesson to learn, even for an adult. 

    Playing board games will teach her about being both the winner and the loser. Hopefully how adults process these emotions, and how to act accordingly when each one of these eventualities happens. 

    Teaching a person that it isn’t always about winning, but it is about making progress and participating, is one of the best lessons to learn.

    They help you meet new people

    In recent years, the rise of board game cafes and other social spaces offering board games makes me happy. Hopefully, holiday lets might bring them back soon, now we are in a somewhat post-pandemic phase. I used to love checking into our holiday cottage and searching for the board games cupboard. 

    Does anyone remember the World Of Warcraft centres? You only have to take a look at Twitch or YouTube to realise the gaming industry is huge. However, I am still a fan of the old iconic games, and whenever we show my little one them, she is too.

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    Playing board games enhances creativity and self-confidence

    I am a huge fan of any activity which increases creativity and self-confidence. Board games can be particularly beneficial for quiet individuals and connecting with young children, as a way to focus their minds and allow conversationAs an introvert myself, I love being part of something but also have a chance to sit back and take in what all the other players are doing.

    Board games increase brain function

    It is well known that engaging in play assists in practising essential cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, decision making, and higher-level strategic thinking. These are all measures my little one’s nursery and the school put in place for her to attain. And also essential skills we want to equip her with, as parents.

    Encourages laughter

    The twists and turns in any board game, or forgetting to take your turn in monopoly, can create laughter throughout the participants. And we all love an activity which creates laughter. 

    You can play board games anywhere at any time

    There are no restrictions on your time when playing board games. You can practice by yourself, and lose yourself in learning how to master the game. Or you can spend hours trying to beat your opponents. I personally love any activity which allows you to lose time and immerse yourself in the experience. The world can be a scary place and escaping into a game can help your mental well-being.

    In the world of tech, it’s also easy to play on your computer or phone. Maybe bring back some of those fond memories, play on a tablet with your child or partner and reap the benefits listed above. 

    Board games promote family time

    Family time is something I am a huge advocate of. I’ve recently changed my circumstances to enable more time with my little one. And as a family, we try and do a few creative activities each day. Even when we have tablet time, we try to make this as interactive as possible and purposefully pick programmes and apps which allow for learning and development. 

    Help children understand how adults think 

    Toddlers love to mimic the world around them and it’s how they learn. What better lesson than sitting down and witnessing the critical, analytical thinking involved in a board game? It’s a valuable lesson we must teach our children. 

    My fond memories from childhood

    I still remember the joy and anticipation I felt each time I played operation at my grandma’s house. Such a simple game brought hours of fun. It allowed my grandma to join in, but probably also sit comfortably (something anyone caring for children needs to be able to do – as a must. As a parent, I realise that now).

    Battleships was another one of my favourite games and I would play with my dad and my grandad. When remembering these moments, they are etched in my mind so vividly. And I remember the pure joy attached to the moment.  

    Final thoughts 

    What are your fond memories from childhood?

    Tell me your favourite board game. And whether you play these online or with the physical item? Do you love to do both?

    I would love to hear from you in the comments below. 

    playing as a child