Stay at Home Wife and Mother

Home and Family from a SAHWM's Perspective

How to Get the Best Night’s Sleep

Many individuals struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Many factors contribute to them not sleeping well. However, there is absolutely no doubt about the fact that if a person does not sleep well, this affects their entire life. If a person does not sleep well just one night, they are usually crabby and cranky the next day. They perform poorly in school and at work. If a person does not sleep well over a long period, their health will begin to suffer. Not only will their health suffer, but their work, school, relationships with others, and other things will suffer as well. An individual may even begin to put on weight because they are not sleeping well at night.

There several things an individual needs to consider if they have not been sleeping well. The very first thing they need to think about is their sleeping environment. Even though each individual is different, there are several things to look at that will contribute to a good night’s sleep for everyone. First, if the room is bright, take steps in order to make it dark. Second, if the room is hot, find ways to make it be at a comfortable temperature, preferably a cooler one. Third, look at the bedding that is used. Make sure that it is comfortable and appropriate for your particular needs.

The bedding that you choose and that will help you get the best night’s sleep is going to depend on your particular needs. For example, if you have back pain, you may need a firm mattress. On the other hand, if you experience neck pain, you might need pillow inserts that provide more support. It is very simple to purchase pillow inserts wholesale online in order to help you get the appropriate neck support. Closely examine the sheets and blankets you use in order to be sure that your skin is not becoming irritated or they are not too cool or too warm for your sleeping environment.

Many individuals experience health problems that cause them not to sleep well. If after looking at your sleep environment and making improvements you are still not able to sleep well, it may be time for you to schedule a physical examination in order to see if you have any health problems that are making it hard for you to sleep well at night.

From Alarms To Zip Code: The A To Z Of Home Security

Home security is one of those things we know we should care about but that always seems to escape attention. The midst of a busy life running a home and helping our kids, it slips to the back of our minds. It is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security, with every day that passes without an incident confirming this.

It goes without saying, however, that this is not an area you should skimp. The items you possess, the very property that you live in and the safety of your family all depend on it. Therefore, it is time to bring it from the back of your mind and give it a starring role, in handy bite size form. The alphabet is a valid teaching method at any age, so what better way to start the ball rolling?

A is for… Alarm

An alarm is an investment you are unlikely to regret. It gives you security when you are away from home and acts as an effective deterrent.

B is for… Basement

It is possible to gain access to a house through the basement if you have windows. These should be as locked and secured as any other window in the house; make sure the locks of childproof also.

C is for… Cameras

It may seem a little 1984, but the presence of security cameras like is a huge deterrent for potential thieves.

D is for… Darkness

Crimes are more likely to occur at night. If you have a limited budget or time, then focus efforts on those that will protect during the hours of darkness.

E is for… Emergencies

If you are in bed at night and think you hear a disturbance, what will you do about it? Run through the scenario and think of how you might react.

F is for… Foliage

Gardening can make your house less attractive to burglars if you install thorny bushes or roses near entranceways.

G is for… Gates

If possible, protect your yard with gates – even the non-electric kind offer more protection than having none at all.

H is for… Heights

Store your valuables in not easily accessible areas.

I is for… Illumination

The brighter your home and garden are lit, the less attractive it is to thieves.

J is for… Join

neighborhood watch sign

Neighborhood Watch Sign. Image Source

Find out if you have any neighborhood watch schemes to join, which can provide an extra layer of protection.

K is for… Keys

lock and key

Lock and key. Image Source.

If you keep a spare key outdoors in case you are locked out, make sure it is well hidden. Don’t buy specialist products meant to disguise the key; burglars are aware of them and know what to look for.

L is for… Locks

A single lock is not enough for the main doorways to your home. Install extras and use chains as well.

M is for… Manual

There’s no point having an alarm or security camera if you don’t know how to use it. Read it thoroughly and contact the manufacturer if you have difficulties.

N is for… Nighttime Sweep

Get into the habit of doing one final security sweep before going to bed. Check locks and windows, put on outdoor lights and arm the alarm if you have one.

O is for… Outside Perspective

brick house

Brick House. Image Source.

Walk and look at your home from the outside. Does it look tempting to a burglar? Try to see it from the other perspective and close down any problems you notice.

P is for… Possessions

Try to keep valuable items shielded from view through windows, either with curtains or with blinds. This step is particularly important on the ground floor.

Q is for… Quick

How quickly can you respond if you notice there is a problem? Designate an area of your house as a safe space, and keep a cell phone and charger in there for use only in the case of emergencies.

R is for… Roll blind

For the lower levels of your house, blinds make life more difficult for anyone trying to peer inside than curtains.

S is for… Storage

Particularly in the garden, always lock any storage boxes you own and keep the keys in a separate place. Even if someone is able to get to them, at least make it difficult for them to be opened.

T is for… Telling Friends and Family

If you are going to be out of the house for an extended period, tell the people you trust and ask them to keep an eye on the house. If you are going on holiday, house-sitting is a wise investment.

U is for… UV Light

UV LED Fluorescence

UV LED Fluorescence. Image Source.

If the police do manage to track down stolen goods, it can be difficult to prove who owns what. Mark expensive electrical items with a UV pen and your initials, so what is yours can always be identified should the worst happen.

V is for… Vigilance

Being aware of your surroundings is vital. Learn what is normal for your neighborhood and report anything that falls outside of those limits. Talk to neighbors frequently to see if there are any reports of crime patterns developing.

W is for… Windows

The lock that comes with the window is not sufficient; always install extras and keep the keys hidden within the house. It is not advisable to store window keys outside of the home; keep them internal.

X is for… eXtra

Alertness stamp

Alertness. Image Source.

(Okay, cheating a little bit here…) The more effort you put into these things, the better. If you’re tempted to think you’re going too far, then be aware that the extra steps could make all the difference.

Y is for… Yelp

Make sure your children know to make as much noise as possible should they notice anything untoward. If they see something suspicious, always take their claims seriously.

Z is for… Zip Code

The area you live in can dictate how home security issues might trouble you. Check local alerts for any possible issues that have been identified so you can up your guard and know of any threats. It is good to just check local news reports at least once a month for anything that might have occurred near you.

Avoiding Hefty Heating Bills: How To Heat Your Home For Less This Fall

When it comes to heating our homes, most of us are interested in ways to reduce bills. When the colder weather comes, we often face a quandary. Do we put the heating on all the time and face the music when the invoice arrives? Or do we try and save money and tough it out instead? With these handy hints, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Here’s how to heat your home for less this fall.

Plug any gaps

There’s nothing more frustrating than heating your home for all the warmth to disappear through gaps under doors. Before the cold weather arrives, take a tour around your house, and note down any problems areas. It may be possible to seal window frames and build up gaps underneath doors. Alternatively, you can use thick curtains and draft excluders to make your home more watertight.

Investigate insulation

Insulation can make a massive difference to your heating bills. If you have insulation in cavity walls and lofts, you can save a fortune on heating, as the warm air cannot escape. In some cases, there are grants available for insulation. Contact your local authority office for more details.

spray-polyurethane-foam-application

Heat the rooms you use

Do you work at home? Do you spend all your time in your study during the day? If so, you do not need to heat the whole house. Using innovative products from companies like Bulletproof Heating, you can heat a single room. When the kids are back from school, or you’ve finished work, you can then turn your central heating system on.

Use a thermostat

Using a thermostat controls the temperature of your home. Once you’ve set the temperature, the heating will only come on if it drops your desired level of warmth. Most people set the gauge at around 18-21 degrees in the fall/winter. If you don’t have a thermostat, you can also use individual controls on radiators. You can set the level higher in the rooms you use most frequently and lower on those you use rarely.
thermostat

Book a boiler service

Is your heating system slow or dated? If so, you may be paying more. If there’s an issue with your boiler, it may not be as efficient as it should be. Booking regular boiler checks will help to ensure your system is working properly, and you’re getting the best out of it. If you have a very old boiler, it may be worth replacing it with a newer model.

Use a radiator booster

A radiator booster is a device that is designed to circulate warm air around the room. This is an excellent option if you have a small radiator, or your radiator is positioned behind furniture or on an external wall. The booster accelerates the speed at which warm air is pushed out of the radiator. It should also reduce heat loss through an external wall.

Nobody wants to spend the fall shivering at home with as many layers on as possible. Heating your home can be a pricey affair, but there are ways of saving money. Hopefully, these tips will help you stay warm without the worry of hefty heating bills.

Biggest Productivity Foes

Do you know the top 10 productivity killers? Although a June 2015 Career Builder survey asked employees about the workplace productivity killers, some of these are applicable to us, stay at home wife and mothers, as well:

  1. smartphones and texting
  2. internet
  3. gossip
  4. social media
  5. email
  6. coworkers dropping by
  7. meetings
  8. smoke or snack breaks
  9. noisy coworkers
  10. sitting in a cubicle

As I’ve mentioned, most of these apply to us, SAHWM, too. Do you think that hobbies like playing a guitar bought at guitar center nj can also be considered as a productivity killer? Or is it just a way to relax after too much work?

Preteen Vaccines

Quick, tell me something that you need to give to your child on his or her 11th birthday? Nope, it’s definitely not a John Mayer guitar, unless you really want to do that, it’s something that they may not like but need: vaccines.

You may think that vaccines are only given to babies and young kids but that is not the case. When your child turns 11 or 12, they will be given another round of shots to protect them from serious diseases.

Ask your child’s healthcare provider about the following vaccines on his or her next medical checkup:

  • HPV – prevents human papillomavirus
  • meningococcal conjugate – prevents bacterial meningitis
  • TDAP – prevents tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis

You may also visit the CDC website to learn more about vaccines and immunizations for you and your family.

Caring for Your Driveway

It may seem like it, but your driveway is not going to last forever. Even asphalt driveways suffer the consequences of harsh weather and the weight of the cars driving on them. Your driveway is very important to the value of your home. A driveway is actually a luxury in some areas. You definitely should not take your asphalt driveway for granted.

Maintenance

There are some DIY things that you can do to protect your asphalt driveway. The most common thing is probably sealing your driveway. Sealing it on a regular basis will help it last longer by preventing it, and the ground under it, from being damaged by weather. It depends on the quality of the sealant that is used, but most people seal their driveways at least every three years to help extend its life. Many people perform the task once a year.

The Ground

The ground under your driveway is very important to its lasting quality. Improper soil will cause the driveway to break apart and crack more quickly than driveways that are laid on top of proper soil. If you are having problems maintaining the structural integrity of your driveway, you may want to employ the services of a driveway repair professional to come and look at it. Taking care of the group underneath of your driveway could be the long-term solution that you need for a great looking driveway for years and years.

Add-ons

As you get older, your family begins to grow. This means that you are going to need more space to accommodate all of the cars. An add-on is also a great place to put an outside basketball hoop or a play area for kids. You may be surprised at how much value an add-on to your driveway can add to the overall value of your home. You may also be surprised at how cheaply this service can be obtained.

Professionals

If you feel that your driveway may need blacktop driveway repair you should contact professionals as soon as possible. Driveway problems will always get worse before they get better. Most professional asphalt companies will come do an estimate on your services at your home free. It is important to get multiple estimates on the service that you want so that you can find the company that is right for you. Some projects can be done by homeowners and some are better left to the pros.

Why Use Drug Testing Kits?

drug-testing-kitOnce only offered through hospitals, private companies and clinics, rapid drug testing kits are useful for job screeners, parents or anyone who needs fast and accurate results. They are easy to use, private, affordable and quick.

For Employers

In an increasingly competitive job market, it is essential to ensure your workforce is not under the influence. Influenced workers may cause accidents and compromise the safety of the workplace, creating opportunities for lawsuits or millions of dollars in damages. Mandatory drug testing is quickly becoming a standard practice for employers worldwide but the cost and turnaround time is often prohibitive, especially for independent business owners or those with a small workforce. When used as an employee screening tool, rapid testing kits can give you fast results at a fraction of the cost that some companies offer, saving you money in the long run.

For Parents

Occasionally teenagers and adolescents may fall into the wrong crowd. Drug use, addiction and convictions can quickly erase a promising future or even end a life, so it is important to keep kids on the right track and treat all drug use as a serious problem. Some teenagers need to be monitored to ensure they stay drug-free and parents and guardians can use rapid drug tests to catch illicit drug use. This allows time to intervene and create a treatment plan before heavy addiction occurs and lives are ruined. Random drug testing of teenagers that exhibit a high probability of drug use may actually avoid drug use because they don’t want to be “caught” and punished, or it may catch illicit drug use and save a life. Rapid drug test kits can be an invaluable tool to parents and caregivers with high risk or addiction-prone adolescents.

For employment purposes and as guidance, rapid drug testing kits are a useful tool that can help clarify what drugs, if any, are in the kit user’s system. When utilized for personal testing, rapid drug test kits bypass the hassle and offer privacy and accuracy so you can easily analyze and address the results. In addition, rapid drug test kits are offered at a lower price than the usual drug tests offered at hospitals, doctor’s offices or clinics and they have a quick turnaround time, making them easy, efficient and cost effective.