A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Your Kids Busy at Home During COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way kids play and interact with one another. Although the end of the pandemic seems to be in sight, keeping children entertained and out of trouble for the past year has been an ongoing battle. Eventually, families start to run out of new things to try that don’t require going outside.

Reexamining your strategy to entertain your kids will go a long way toward making the remainder of the pandemic more bearable for everyone. Simple steps like allowing moderate amounts of social media and keeping laser printer toner on hand for print activities go a long way toward giving your kids the freedom to entertain themselves.

Arts and Crafts

Online schooling has made an effort to include art activities and education, but parents can add more. Tap into existing supplies at home or buy new ones to give your kids something innovative to try. 

You don’t necessarily need to buy entire kits or tools designed for only one type of surface. A few acrylic paint colors go a long way since they can be mixed and applied on wood, canvas and t-shirts and old sneakers, paper, cardboard and more. You can use glue to add new dimensions to projects or even make slime.

Encourage older children to watch online tutorials to learn new art skills. For younger children, a fresh stash of coloring pages can keep them occupied. Instead of running to the store to search for new coloring books, keep a stash of paper and printer ink on hand.

Have a supply of Canon printer ink or a similar brand ready for printing photos for scrapbooking. Young creative minds will love the opportunity to create their own colorful photo album featuring their family and friends.

Favorite Subjects

Kids who are less artistically inclined can still incorporate their interests into their games and online time. Students with an appreciation for science, history, language arts or math can take deep dives into specific niches that don’t get explored in-depth in school curriculums. For example, you may find that your budding young scientist has a particular interest in gemstones, rainforests or deep sea creatures.

There is a massive range of online educational games and even more apps for tablets and smartphones. Look for games that have a multiplayer or competitive angle to them to keep your child engaged. Join them when your schedule allows, even if it’s not your favorite subject.

You can also branch out into less-academic subjects like travel, sports and current events. Kids of any age can start researching places they want to travel and create a collage of their favorites. Many museums and other institutions have moved some of their features and exhibits online during the pandemic, so encourage your kids to find ways to digitally explore new places.

Siblings, Cousins, and Friends

Just because your child needs to avoid in-person contact doesn’t mean they can’t interact in other ways. Video and phone calls are great ways to stay connected without losing the ability to show things to each other or even play games.

Video calls take up a lot of internet bandwidth, even on Wi-Fi, so you may need to set limits or ask your kids to schedule their calls, so everyone gets a turn without interruption. Phone calls are a great option as well, especially since so many providers now give unlimited minutes for smartphones.

Sibling interactions can be a challenge if they are prone to fighting or have wildly different interests. Instead of forcing bonding time, it may be better to allow them to cool off as needed, and then come back together to play when they’re both in the mood. A quiet activity like a craft may also help smooth things over without forcing interaction.

Allowing Social Media

Social media serves as a necessary connection between your child and others during this pandemic. Although there are important age limitations to consider, allowing some amount of social media helps give your child exposure to different opinions and ideas.

Facebook is one of the safest ways for teens to stay connected since parents can easily see who they’re connected with. Thanks to its restrictions on mature content, Tumblr may be another good option for teens who want to connect with fans of TV shows, books, movies, games and more. Both platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13, and parents should still make sure to talk to their teenager about the dangers of communicating with strangers online.

For younger children, try one of the moderated social media apps specifically designed for children. Some allow kids to post their own artwork and blogs, but since everything is moderated, it requires minimal parental oversight. Sites that allow kids’ art and writing gives them something to do other than browsing through others’ content, so they’re an excellent choice for encouraging creativity.

If you want to create a more curated experience for a large group of family or friends, consider setting up a Facebook group or a Discord server. Older relatives will probably be more familiar with Facebook, but Discord has more functions for video calls and streaming games, making it more popular with teens.

Taking Breaks

As the weather gets nicer, you can find even more activities to do outside. If you don’t have a big backyard, try to take the family to a park, outdoor event, farmer’s market or another environment where they can get some fresh air and feel less isolated. Even a weekly outing can make a huge difference in a child’s morale and energy levels.

Keeping children occupied may be an ongoing struggle, especially when children miss major social milestones and events. It’s important to continue to listen to your child if they have interests they want to pursue and give them a viable alternative if something isn’t possible due to cost or logistical constraints. With some patience and creativity, you can weather the last few months of the COVID-19 pandemic and make the most of your time at home.

How To Keep Your Bathroom Spotlessly Clean

The bathroom is one of the oft-used rooms in your home that, somehow, gets dirty faster than all the others. Mere days after wiping everything down, you probably find yourself asking, “How did this sink get so grimy? I could have sworn I just cleaned it.” Cleaning a bathroom is certainly an ongoing job, but it’s a job that needs to be done and should be done well. To make your life a little easier, here are some tips for how to keep your bathroom spotlessly clean.

Clean Every Surface

In a bathroom, you must regularly wipe down basically every surface, including counters, mirrors, showers, and toilets. On most surfaces, like countertops and showers, a general bathroom cleaner and a soft cloth or disinfectant wipes will get the job done. For mirrors or glass shower doors, you’ll want to use a glass cleaner that won’t leave unattractive streaks. Scrub toilets with disinfectant toilet bowl cleaner and a toilet brush, then wipe down the outside with disinfectant wipes.

Tackle the Big Jobs

Inevitably, you’ll encounter a few bigger jobs while cleaning, like stubborn hard water deposits or mildew that has sneakily grown on the inside of your shower curtain. For these types of jobs, you’ll usually need something stronger than everyday bathroom cleaner—use either a heavy-duty bathroom cleaner specifically for that purpose or a solution that includes vinegar, which will break down tough stains.

Eradicate Excess Moisture

Have you ever noticed mold or mildew growing on your sinks, shower curtains, or even the walls of your bathroom? This is because bathrooms, especially full bathrooms with showers, notoriously accumulate tons of moisture. To get rid of excess moisture, turn on the exhaust fan in your bathroom every time you shower. That way, you won’t have to deal with getting rid of mold, mildew, or peeling wallpaper down the road.

Stay On Top Of Cleaning

Once you’ve done all that hard work to clean your bathroom, make sure you stay on top of cleaning it, so it actually stays clean. Now that you know how to keep your bathroom spotlessly clean, you should be able to do so easily! Make a cleaning schedule and perform smaller tasks, like wiping down surfaces and cleaning the toilet, regularly. Performing tasks like these daily or weekly will keep your bathroom cleaning from becoming a huge, day-long chore.

Guest Post - 10 Essential Products Every Home Needs in 2021

When it comes to your home, it’s important to consider form and function. Make sure that your house is filled with items that not only help you be productive but improve your overall health and wellbeing. You don’t need to undergo a major home improvement project to change up your space. 

Here’s a list of the ten best products that your home needs in 2021. 

1. Kitchen Knives

When was the last time you replaced your old kitchen knives with new, sharper ones? A dull knife can absolutely ruin your cooking and eating experiences, not to mention, duller knives take longer to cut and may actually shred your food instead of chopping or slicing it. Take a look at your current kitchen knives, from your steak knives to your cooking knives. While they may not be broken, consider whether or not they work as well as they used to.

While you can always sharpen your knives, you can’t completely return them to their former glory. Instead, look at the ways your kitchen has changed over time. Maybe you’ve gotten new cupboards or changed the color scheme. Replace your knives with new ones that match your kitchen’s aesthetic so that your knives look like they belong. 

2. Robot Vacuum 

The most famous brand of robot vacuums is Roomba®, but there are tons of other brands on the market. These robot vacuums can help keep your home dust-free and can be especially beneficial for homes with pets. While these vacuums aren’t as powerful as your traditional vacuum, they lessen the need to vacuum as often. They’re also not designed for serious messes, but they can offer you protection from dust and any crumbs that you might have let fall onto the floor. 

3. Pet Feeder

If you have pets, a pet feeder can help you manage your dog or cat’s eating habits. There are tons of pet feeders and food dispensers available, and some you can even manage remotely, which means that you can feed Fido while you’re at work. These automatic feeders can help you ensure the health and wellness of your pet while you’re away from home. 

You can also find pet treat dispensers that come with a built-in camera so that you can train your dog or cat while you’re on the go. You can also watch them through the camera when you miss them while you’re away. 

4. A Solid Air Conditioner

We’ve been at home a lot more lately, and having a well-working AC unit to cool your home is pertinent, especially in the summer months. In order to decide what would be the best AC unit for your home, you’ll want to know the square footage of your house. That way you’ll be able to calculate the number of BTUs your space needs to cool down your home when it gets too hot outside. 

5. Light Dimmer Switch

You don’t have to change out the lighting in your home to change its ambiance. Simple as can be, a light dimmer covers your light switch so that you can have dimmer control for smart lights. These can also be controlled via an app and prevents anyone from disabling your smart lights by accidentally flipping the switch out of habit.

6. A Better Bed and Quality Pillows 

Your bed is essential for your sleep. Unfortunately, most of us don’t purchase new mattresses or pillows as often as we should, which can result in poor sleep quality and pain. A shoulder relief pillow can take the pressure off of your shoulder if you’re a side sleeper so that you can sleep more soundly at night and wake up with less pain. 

Did you know? Your pillow can actually be a health hazard. Many people use the same pillow for decades without taking proper care of it. Dust, mold, and more can get trapped in your pillow without you realizing it, which can be a health hazard to you and your family. If you haven’t properly cleaned your pillow in a long time, do it ASAP. If you’ve never cleaned your pillow, it might be time to look for a new one that can improve your sleep and your health. 

7. Security Cameras

Security cameras for your house connect to your Wi-Fi and are an affordable way to watch your home when you’re not there. You can even record images and videos of suspicious activity. These cameras also alert you of movement so that you know exactly when there is a suspicious person outside your home. 

Wi-Fi enabled security cameras can be used indoors and outdoors so that you can have a clear view of your home. You can also use them to keep an eye on your pets!

8. Smart TV

Smart TVs are high resolution that improves the contrast of your television screen, making your television shows and movies come to life. They also offer benefits that other televisions cannot, such as voice control and access to a number of channels without the need for an antenna or cable service. Some smart TVs even provide web browsing and access to your stored media content. 

9. A Laptop Table

Working from home or any place other than your office just got easier. With a laptop table, you can adjust the height of your laptop to make it easy to use just about anywhere. You can even use it on top of your home desk to make it a stand-up desk or in bed when you need additional comfort while you work. Laptop tables can improve your posture by allowing your back, arms, wrists, neck, and shoulders to align properly no matter where you choose to work. 

10. An Elliptical (Or Other Exercise Equipment)

While some people enjoy going to the gym, others don’t have the time to drive to a new location for a workout. An elliptical can provide you with a total body workout without the need to leave your house. These machines are available at all different price points, so you can choose one that works for your space and budget. Not a fan of the elliptical? You can try a stationary bike that folds up to be stored away in a closet when not in use. 

Author Bio

Matt Casadona has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. He is currently a contributing editor for 365 Business Tips. Matt is passionate about marketing and business strategy and enjoys the San Diego life, traveling and music. 

Keeping Your Plants and Garden Clean and Healthy

It’s time to think about getting back to the land—namely, the plants around your home. Plants grant a fresh, natural beauty to your home while providing plenty of fresh air. But while they seem independent, they need your help to look good and thrive. Give your indoor and outdoor plants a makeover! Here are tips for keeping your plants and garden clean and healthy.

Spring Cleaning! But Wait...

If you garden, you probably get the hankering to pull weeds, trim plants, and turn over the soil on the first pleasant day. Resist the urge. Hundreds of species of insects—including bees, caterpillars, ladybugs, and others—are hibernating in your garden’s soil and plants. Let the temperatures linger around the 50-degree mark for a week before you start digging and cutting. Give all those wonderful pollinators and pest-eating bugs a chance to wake up! When you start cutting, consider leaving the trimmings off to the side for a few days before disposal, just in case any are still napping. Hold off on mulching until the ground dries up a bit so as not to trap any bugs that can help your garden grow.

Clear the Way!

When it’s time to clean up, make sure you remove any leaves that have fallen into your garden. You should remove dry leaves in fall, of course, because they can collect, get damp, and permit the development of harmful plant diseases that can hurt new growth in the spring. Likewise, remove any winter mulch you laid down in the fall. Look at shrubs, bushes, and similar plants and inspect them for damage. Clip off the damaged parts to prevent insect infestation or disease. Pull all the dead annual plants, and trim away the dead parts of your perennials. Slip on your gloves, pull the weeds that are starting to pop up, and trim the edges of your garden against encroaching grass. It’s a tough job, but it all pays off at harvest time—plus the wet, post-melt soil makes it all easier to do.

Another way to prevent insect and pest manifestation from running over your plants is by using nets as protection or fence. This will also discourage birds from roosting too close and feeding on your plants or creating nests.

Indoor Plants

When keeping your plants and garden clean and healthy, don’t forget the ones inside. If you maintain an indoor garden through hydroponics, you already ensure your system is clean and runs efficiently, protecting your crops from disease and more (and if you don’t, you really should). However, it’s easy to overlook potted plants. After all, they’re like furniture—they’re beautiful but blend into the background. Even so, they need more than the occasional watering. Gently dust them with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush, and wipe down larger leaves with a wet cloth. Handle them with care, and don’t use cleaners that can prevent the plants from breathing. Trim dead leaves and stems, and clear the pot of any dead matter that can attract insects and promote mold or mildew growth.