2020 was undoubtedly tough for everyone. Between the Covid-19 socializing restrictions and the working from home––if working was still a feasible option––people have felt more isolated than ever before. However, whilst most adults silently struggle but rise to the challenge, recent times have been particularly difficult for younger citizens of the United States.

 

For adolescents, trying to navigate the coronavirus outbreak has been especially more challenging due to school closures and a suspension of so many recreational activities. If left unchecked during their particularly vulnerable years, a teenager’s behavior could become erratic and self-destructive through vices such as smoking, alcohol use, or in some cases, substance abuse leading to drug addiction.

Worst Case Scenario––Drug Use, Drug Abuse, and Professional Help

 

With many Americans admitting that they have tried recreational drugs at least once during their formative years, for most adolescents, drug use tends to be a minor––and isolated––incident. Experimentation with controlled substances or prescription drugs is usually part of “growing up.” However, with the lack of distractions thrown into the last year, boredom for some teenagers can mean that the drug use is continuing past experimentation and into an addiction. Whilst the type of narcotics involved is a major health risk, it has little to do with the reasons behind teen drug use, and as such, should not be the main focus of a drug problem.

 

The first step to helping a troubled teen with a drug problem is to recognize that they need compassionate help, instead of punishment. As there is a stigma around substance use, there is likely to be a level of deception and guilt for the young adult using them. Ultimately, the hold of an addiction is stronger than any punitive measure, so remember that the best way forward is positive and therapeutic.

 

If you think your teen is using drugs but aren’t completely sure, then At Medica have created a list of tell-tale signs in your child’s behavior that can affirm your suspicions, and what to do if they are confirmed. You should never accuse anyone of drug use without good reason, and in addition to professional help, you will need to provide good reason to stop.

Gateway Drugs and Where They Lead

 

It’s rare that a teen will immediately turn to harder drugs from smaller, less effective substances. The space between experimentation and drug addiction is inhabited by two factors––reasons why and gateway substances.

 

The latter (gateway substances) may not be illegal. In fact, a couple of the most widespread gateway drugs are legal for adults in the U.S.: cigarettes and alcohol. Obviously, not all smokers go on to take drugs, but there are fewer nonsmokers who partake in recreational drug use than those who also have a nicotine addiction. From the other angle, smoking and drinking, though more mainstream and easier to resource, should never be an alternative to a teen’s drug use.

 

There are alternative healthy habits for quitting tobacco that can involve using other natural substances, however. If you suspect that your teen is smoking or drinking, then be wary of where that can lead, and speak to a physician for healthy ways to break the substance use.

Nipping It in the Bud

 

Despite the coronavirus, there are still plenty of schemes to help troubled teams get back on track going on. Often, these will involve sports or recreational activities with a competitive edge. However, with social distancing, many sports including football, basketball and hockey have been forced to stop for the time being.

 

For years, outdoor-based activities have been the most popular of recreation for teens, and there are still many healthy options to choose from that fall within the CDC guidelines on Covid-19 behaviors. Running, athletics, gymnastics, dancing and swimming (in private pools) are still great ways for your teen to be distracted from boredom and to also stay clear of experimenting with drugs leading to substance abuse.

Moving a senior family member to an assisted living facility can feel overwhelming and intimidating for everyone, especially if they seem a little unsure about the idea. Change can be scary. Assisted living may make them feel incapable and old, which can lead to a bad reaction. However, just because a chapter ends, this doesn’t mean that a new and more suitable one can’t start. To help your senior family member make the right decision for them, you need to do some research together and let them know the pros. So, here are five benefits of moving a family member to assisted living.

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Reduces Loneliness and Isolation

Nothing is worse than feeling alone, especially as you start to go older. Even if you are a supportive family, many senior family members can feel isolated, especially if you lead busy lives and they have lost people close to them. Assisted living can prevent social isolation as it provides a community environment full of people to socialize with. Staff will encourage partaking in social events, which has its benefits.

Can Help with Finances

Elderly people can find it difficult to keep up with all of their bills and online payments as they grow older. They are also more susceptible to scams. Debt can pile up easily and quickly. This could get your senior family member in financial trouble and cause unnecessary stress. If they make the decision to move into assisted living, they will be able to manage their finances easier and keep their savings safe.

Offers Peace of Mind

Moving your senior family member to assisted living will give you both peace of mind. You will know that they are in safe hands with 24/7 healthcare available to them and plenty of people to make friends with. They will also be able to rest comfortably knowing this. To reassure you and your senior family member, there are considerations to make and questions to ask the staff and residents.

More Focus on Fun and Independence

Many seniors are put off moving into assisted living because they don’t want to lose their independence. However, residents in these communities are usually more independent and have more fun. This is because the customized care services and assistance ensure residents can do what they want to do, when they want to do it. There are also many fun activities and social events for them to take part in.

Safer and Better-Quality Living

Everything about assisted living is safer. The facility will be secured and there will be people on-site at all times. Transportation is readily available and safe, which is perfect for seniors who struggle to drive or can’t afford to own a car. There are great facilities on-site, like a gym and fun classes, which can improve quality of life. Residents can also get delicious and nutritious meals cooked for them.

Communication is key when it comes to making a big decision like this one. At the end of the day, it is your loved one’s choice whether or not to make that decision, you just need to support them and provide them with all of the information that they need to reassure them.

While moving yourself from one home or city to another can be an ordeal, having a family that you’re uprooting can make this whole process even more complicated. But while you might be dreading breaking the news to your kids, having this conversation early and in the right way can make things go much smoother for everyone involved.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for talking with your family about an imminent move.

Get Yourself In The Right Mindset Beforehand

Chances are that you’ve given yourself some time to come to grips with the reality of your move. And while you might be excited or hopeful, you may also be nervous or even upset about what this move could mean for your family. But while having all of those emotions is normal, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got yourself under control before you talk with your kids about moving.

According to Carrie of DistanceParenting.org, your kids will be able to tell if you’re not feeling very good about your decision to move, even if you’re trying to hide it. Because of this, they might feel negatively as well. So to do your best to avoid this, make sure you’ve gotten yourself in the right mindset about your move before talking with your family.

Expect Big Emotions

Once you’ve said your piece about your upcoming move, you should then give your kids time to express what they’re feeling about this news.

As far as the response from your kids, Dr. Sarah Ramsi, a contributor to Psychology Today, shares that there’s a chance that your kids will be upset or feel other big emotions when you tell them what’s going on. In this situation, the best thing for you to do is to allow them to express whatever it is they’re feeling and validate that you understand them. In time, things should calm down as you work through this process together.

Don’t Let Them Think They Have A Say If The Decision Has Been Made

Sometimes, parents come to their kids talking about an impending move before things have really been decided. If this is your plan, and you’re trying to get your kids’ thoughts on the matter, make sure you actually take what they’re saying into consideration.

On the other hand, Diane Schmidt, a contributor to The Spruce, shares that if the decision has already been made, don’t let your kids think that they have a say in the matter. Rather, let them know that you’re here for them if they need anything or want to talk but that the move will be happening regardless.

If you’re thinking about moving soon but are unsure how to best bring this up with your kids, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you with this conversation.

As a parent, one of the best things in life is when your kids start sleeping through the night. Not only does this mean that your little one is likely getting better sleep, but you’re able to get some solid sleep now as well. However, if your toddler isn’t sleeping through the night yet, or isn’t doing so consistently, you may find yourself desperate to make this happen.

To help you in doing this, here are three tips for getting your toddler to sleep through the night.

Go Back To Classic Sleep Training Techniques

When your toddler was a baby, you may have tried some sleep training techniques meant to help him or her learn how to soothe themselves back to sleep. And while you might have thought that sleep training was over, this isn’t always the case.

If your toddler has started waking up at night again, or hasn’t completely gotten the hang of sleeping through the night, Julia Savacool, a contributor to Fatherly.com, recommends that you go back to some of the classic sleep training techniques. Specifically, you may want to try simply revisiting your child in their room if they wake up at night. When you notice on the baby monitor that they’re awake, go in briefly to help them calm down and then leave so they can fall back asleep on their own. While this might take a while to seem effective, it can help your child learn to go back to sleep quickly after waking up during the night.

Create The Right Sleep Environment

One reason why your toddler might have a hard time sleeping through the night could be because their room isn’t set up for the ideal sleep environment.

To create the optimal sleep space for your child, Marygrace Taylor, a contributor to What To Expect, recommends making sure that your child is physically comfortable by not being too hot or too cold. Also, you should consider adding a fan or other white noise machine in their room to block out any sounds that might be waking them up.

Be Consistent With Sleep Habits

What you and your toddler do prior to going to bed can have a big impact on how well he or she sleeps through the night. Knowing this, it’s vital that you’re consistent with your sleep habits.

Ideally, the Cleveland Clinic shares that your toddler should be going to sleep and waking up around the same time every day. Additionally, you and your toddler should go through the same routine each night leading up to going to bed, whether this means taking a warm bath, reading a bedtime story, or singing nursery rhymes.

If you’re having a hard time getting your toddler to sleep through the night, consider using the tips mentioned above to help everyone start to get more rest.

Owning a home is both a grand adventure in life, and a pain in the neck, depending on what day it is. There is the independence, the freedom to perform DIY fixes or renovations sans permission, and the overwhelming sense of achievement knowing that you have a place that you can truly call your own. But then there is the flip side, which is normally felt by beginner homeowners, in which you constantly ask yourself “what on earth do I do with this place?!”

 

After you have paid your monthly mortgage installment, your electricity bills, your water bills, and restocked the refridgerator and cupboards, there tends to be little money left to spend on yourself, or on accessories for your home. That is, until the next time you receive an income, and then, the monthly expenses shrink your bank account once more. But surely there must be a way to make a home your own and have some money left over as well. The answer, of course, is yes, and here are some budget friendly homeowner tips, to get you started.

 

 

First, get those bills down!

It’s nice having money to spend, but what’s nicer is not having to spend so much in the first place. Instead of looking to cut your outgoings, how about saving a little bit on them instead?

 

Energy bills, particularly in the UK and Northern Ireland, are seemingly on a constant hike. No sooner have they gone up in line with the annual rate of inflation, that they increase because of a tariff change or company merger. It’s a silent antagonist too, as you tell yourself that this is the last year that you will use an energy or electricity supplier, only to find that you have automatically renewed your contract with them by ignoring their quiet reminders. Change has been a long time coming, but now is the moment to put your foot down and get those bills lowered.

 

 

The good news is that there is help out there to find you a better deal on your energy charges, and it comes in the form of comparison sites like Moneygains. This is a company that lists and then compares the cost of electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland, helping residents to find better deals and make more informed choices as to which suppliers they should use. Although they are currently only covering the NI market, their growing success is at a rate that suggests it won’t just be Northern Ireland electricity that they will be comparing before long.

 

But no matter who you use to compare your bills, whether that be in Northern Ireland, or not, finding a new tariff that is cheaper and better for you will leave you with more money in your pocket.

 

 

Need a fancy new painting? Do it yourself.

Before we get into this, no one is suggesting that you go around your house and splash different colors of paint all over each wall, in some loose style that is more muddled, than Monet. But regardless of whether you being an artist is a pasttime or has passed its time, it is actually possible to add some colorful decor without breaking the bank, simply by doing it yourself.

 

 

Artistry websites like Paint Loose are offering more than custom paintings for you to purchase, (which, incidentally, would not be a bad idea, as they are of an incredible standard and worth more than the asking price), as well as artist supplies. In addition, the Houston-based painter sells DIY art and painting kits, and hosts online videos on how to make up your color palette.

 

Having artwork on the walls of your living room is one thing, and not having to spend a ridiculous amount of money on them is a bonus. But having your own artwork adorning your home, which you put together on a budget? That’s worth a try, at least.

 

 

Bring some life into the home.

Having a selection of plants, and live plants at that, is one of the most cost effective ways to spruce up a home. But fresh flowers and houseplants do far more than look beautiful, and bring life into the space. Greenery, whether that be indoor plants in the front room, or outdoor plants in the garden, have a range of other benefits. They promote mental wellbeing, as well as naturally purify the indoor air, and increase your homes curb appeal should you plan on moving home later.

 

 

Especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, florists and plant sellers such as Lively Root, are offering house plants delivery to your door, with the option for free shipping too. If the time you have to look after your new houseplant is limited, then there are variety to choose from that are considered low maintenance. Snake Plants, for instance, are indoor house plants that require indirect or low light, and not a lot of water, meaning they are easy to care for. If you have a bit more time on your hands, then get yourself some colorful Orchids and ensure they are in the best place to receive lots of sunlight, and are pest free.

 

But Snake Plants and Orchids are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is available for budding planters. Finding house plants that are altogether a cheap and lovely addition to any home is easy.

Watching a loved one get older is never pleasant, but with your help, they can choose the best retirement accommodation to support them through their golden years. If you have an elderly loved one who is in need of a more suitable home life and more support in their older years, there are various retirement accommodation options and communities to choose from that will ensure they are comfortable and supported. Here are some of the main factors to consider when choosing a retirement home for your loved one.

Independence

Independence is one of the key factors to consider when choosing retirement accommodation for an elderly loved one. Most older people will prefer to stay as independent as possible and it’s important to make sure that they can do this. Studies have shown that older people who get to retain as much independence as possible tend to be happier and less likely to suffer from mental health problems like depression. Keep this in mind when choosing an independent or assisted living facility. Assisted living may be more suitable if your loved one needs some support as these facilities tend to allow as much independence as possible while having employees on hand to help around the clock.

Location

The location is another key factor to think about when choosing a retirement facility. Most people will want to find a retirement facility in the local area to make it easier to visit their loved one as much as possible; however, their preferences should also be taken into account. Perhaps your relative has always wanted to live in a certain area – it’s worth considering any retirement facilities here so that they can spend their golden years in a location that they really enjoy.

Activities

It is also worth considering the activities and events that are on offer at the retirement facility of your choosing. Both independent and assisted living facilities tend to offer a wide range of things to do from on-site gyms and swimming pools, art and cooking classes, book clubs, competitions and games, and much more. Think about the hobbies that your relative already enjoys and speak to them about anything that they would like to be able to try.

Reputation

Not all retirement facilities are created equal, so it’s important to do your research before making a final choice. An online search should bring up information about the facility along with online reviews written by current and past residents and their families. Make sure that the facility you choose has a strong reputation for being supportive and providing a safe, calm, and happy environment for the residents.

Support

Finally, consider the type of support that your relative needs and what is available at the facility. A completely independent living facility might not be ideal for somebody who needs a caregiver to visit daily, for example. Different facilities offer different levels of support from having staff on-site around the clock who can respond to calls, to caregivers who visit at various times of the day to help residents with various tasks. If your relative has any medical needs, ensure that the facility has suitable healthcare staff on-site.

If your loved one is ready to move into a retirement facility, there are many factors to consider to help them choose the right one.

Life in modern times can be exhausting, as busy schedules make the days compact. Doing the work for your children demands plenty of time & energy. However, it does not count in quality’ family time’. Spending quality time with one’s family has become challenging in the modern realm, yet it remains the only way to deepen the bond among family members. In between providing for the children and fulfilling their needs, parents often lose the joy of spending quality time with their little ones.

Here are ten hacks to save some time from everyday responsibilities and spend it with one’s family.

1 – The Gap Years

One integral aspect of family planning is that it provides families with better bonding between parents and their children. But unfortunately, many of us forget the real value of quality time, and instead, we stress over ‘building the future’ for our children.

During the first eight years, a child is in his/her ideal age to establish a bond of affection and assurance with the parents. Hence, it is crucial to utilize the most of this time as it shall never return.

Besides showing the value of this period, this practice also accentuates the importance of family planning.

2 – Refreshing the Schedules

The key to healthy family life is healthy habits. Some habits are having family lunch on weekends or visiting the elder ones on a particular day. Whereas the practices include putting the devices away during the Sunday lunch, teaching the kids how to play croquet, or calling it a day at work after spending some time on a random day; demand a bit of will and effort.

However, such customs might lose charm as time passes and could no longer provide for quality time. Thus, rejuvenating the routines might be a better option. Maybe the kids want not to sit through the boring dinner and are looking to get away as soon as possible. Try a change of setting. For instance, planning a meal to an intriguing location, an all-day fishing trip, or a surprise bonfire with the kids can add color and value to the monotonous routines.

3 – Tap into Their Enthusiasm

The children’s enthusiasm serves as a lead for parents to follow. As toddlers, they desire their time to be spent observing the world around them. As they grow, they need a company for all their adventures and quests. Sometimes, reading with your kids at a library or assembling the Lego blocks might well be the thing that they are longing-for! If a kid enjoys dancing more than anything else, parents must give in to the child’s passion and also allow themselves to immerse themselves in it. This activity would give their children a sense of feeling that their choices matter and their interests are prized. The companionship between the family members becomes healthier as time progresses.

4 – Unplug During Meals

The eating table is perhaps the best place to chat and lose the worries of the day. Unplugging during mealtimes adds up to the quality family time you are longing-for. Nowadays, it is hard for working adults to lose the tech; however, it is mandatory to detach yourself from the outside world to reconnect with the family. If your phone sneaks its way onto the dining course, then no way you’re winning at spending quality time with your family.

5 – Create Inescapable Situations

With the advent of technology, routines have become swamped. Kids sometimes have to be forced to participate in family outings. But one way to make it possible is to create situations that would compel them to stay; for instance, taking them to their favorite sports match or grocery shopping with the family. Also, exercising together is a form of activity proven scientifically to formulate a strong bond between partners. According to experts, performing physical activities together adds to the relationship between individuals as it builds up the excitement and consumes a considerable amount of time productively.

6 – Take Days Off to Escape

Vacations are the time of the year when you can invest full attention towards your family. Use this time to escape reality for a while and heal your family’s left cracks created due to overwhelming routines. Quality time spent with your family shows them that you cherish the bond and give your best to bridge the gaps.

7 – Never Say No to an Adventure, No Matter How Small

It could be demanding to take time off for big holidays, as modern times make even the weekends saturated. Finding time for instant adventures could be less strenuous and always on the cards. By being creative about it, you can plan mini-adventures every once in a while to let your family not feel deprived of your time and attention.

8 – Teach the Kids, and Let the Kids Teach You

The warmth of spending quality time with our families, especially with the children when they are young, stays forever. As we age, we learn to perform our chores and activities with perfection. Before the kids lose their unique imperfections and creativity to the societal norms, let them teach you the bliss and glee of life. Spending time with toddlers can give adults the joys of wonder, enabling us to view the world in fairy tale strata, only if we pay attention. When you assure the children that their clumsiness taught you something, they would be confident enough to trust you with their fears in the future.

9 – Let Your Family Know That You Trust Them

Taking children into confidence shall pay you in the long run. As you get busy fulfilling responsibilities and could hardly find little moments to spend with your family, take a break now and trust them to take care of you. The easiest way to do so is to let your kids try a soup recipe or clean the house for you. Letting children navigate during drives also adds to their confidence and encourages them to trust you.

10 – Be a Child

Sometimes we are so occupied trying to be adults that we forget we were once young too. Free time might never become quality time if your family does not feel comfortable in your presence. Give freedom to the child inside you so that your family feels secure and comfortable in approaching you for their tales and adventures. It promises the quality time you’ve been seeking desperately with your family.

Conclusion

Finding ‘more time’ is nothing less of a miracle in today’s era. While families already find themselves under duress for not bridging the gaps created by busy schedules, more time will not heal. Ensure that you convert the ‘more time’ into ‘quality time’ that ensures an unbreakable bond among the family members.

Take three deep breaths. You’ve got this. And this is why.

The holidays make up some of our best memories. We roll out our favorite traditions and those family recipes we’ve been dreaming about all year, the ones that have been passed down through the generations.

Best of all, we spend time with the people we love best.

So it’s worth the effort! But, let’s get real. it isn’t worth sacrificing your wealth–mental or other.

The preparation alone can be exhausting, especially if you have children. The trick is to plan ahead–for your shopping expeditions and for the big day itself.

Get the Children Involved

The first thing you want to do is to hype up the day to your kids. Your success with this will depend on their ages and personality. If you involve them in the planning and get them excited, then they might be more patient when you’re shopping and cooking.

• Have them plan a game to play or let them color in the place setting with markers.
• Buy them a new outfit they can’t wear until the big day. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but get something they think is special. Presley Couture, kids boutique clothing, has lovely twirl dresses and dress-up clothes, too, if you want to let your child be a princess on the day. Their Mickey-type mouse ears are also as fun as can be and make a nice bribe.
• Talk about the menus, especially their favorite foods. If they’re old enough to help at all, that can be a huge deal for them. I often have children man the toaster the day before, toasting the bread for the stuffing.

While You’re Shopping

You are a brave soul! Let’s talk shopping,

Make sure you have the gear you need. You can make a kid-friendly list with pictures of what you need to buy, and if your kids are old enough they can check things off the list as you go.

If they’re younger, bring toys you can clip onto their clothes or baby carrier. Only go shopping after they’ve just eaten and aren’t cranky and sleepy.

For bigger trips, get someone to watch your little one. Take turns with another parent, if you need to.

Prepare Your Menu

Hopefully, you’re not doing all of this alone. But either way, you can save yourself a lot of stress by spreading out the cooking over weeks instead of just a day or two. This way, you can make some dishes when your child is asleep.

For instance, you could choose a pie you can freeze or choose other freezable desserts. You can freeze unbaked berry pies and then put frozen into the oven when the time comes. Pecan pies can also be frozen or baked ahead of time.

Cranberry sauce is also a great make ahead recipe, if you like to make your own.

This recipe for freezable rolls comes from King Arthur’s Flour. Make them and freeze them uncooked., and then on the day you need them, let them thaw and rise and stick them in the oven. You can make them two weeks ahead of time.

For recipes that you usually make last minute, you can sometimes make them earlier in the day. For instance, you can make mashed potatoes and keep them warm in a slow cooker. Pour a thin layer of unsweetened cream on top to keep the potatoes from drying out. When ready to serve, just stir it in.

For recipes that have to be made on the day, besides potatoes, I like to chop all my vegetables the day before and put them into Ziploc bags. Then I put all the Ziploc bags in a separate grocery bag labeled stuffing, etc.

If you do most of the work ahead of time when your child is least likely to interfere, you can make Thanksgiving a much less stressful day.

For Travel

Make sure you have all the right gear. Double what you think you need in diapers, changes of clothes and toys. You can leave the extras in the car if you’re embarrassed, but you’ll still have what you need nearby if your first set of supplies doesn’t cut it.

A decent stroller is essential. Ergobaby makes decent, durable strollers. I particularly like that they transition from a baby to a toddler stroller. Let doting relatives take your baby for walks, weather permitting.

Holidays can be stressful, but if you plan ahead, everyone will be much happier. You’ve got this!

With the COVID-19 pandemic having closed schools, stopped children playing in parks and isolated them away from friends and family, it is perhaps no surprise that the reliance on technology has accelerated. One month into the pandemic showed a 70% increase in US traffic on apps and online services that are targeted at kids.

For many teachers and carers, managing a child’s screen time was an already pressing concern prior to COVID-19, with negative effects of screen time disrupting early childhood development. Here are a few ways to manage children’s screen times effectively, with the constraints and limitations of the ongoing pandemic in mind.

Creating a Schedule

It is important to be realistic when setting targets and managing the amount of time that your child will use technology, given that some schools are delivering lessons online and a video call to friends or family could be the only way for your child to keep in touch with others beyond the household. When deciding a screen time schedule, keep in mind the ‘essential’ tasks that must be completed online, and ensure that there is still time for your child to have their own ‘personal’ time on the device. Your child should feel that they are still able to have some access to play a game, stream a video or talk to friends because they could instead do these activities during a time that has been designated for online school activities. With this in mind, make sure that the schedule includes plenty of breaks and pauses between each screen time session.

Organizing Activities Offline

During the pandemic, working from home has become normalized, and so many families have added childcare and teaching to their job description. Whilst it is necessary to create boundaries with your children during working hours so that you can still earn money, consider spending your breaks or lunch hours outside in the garden or on a walk. This will encourage your child to put down their device, engage in physical activity, and ensure that they are still interacting and engaging in conversations offline. Where possible, try to organize a different offline activity each day with your child, once you have finished work. This could actually help you use your own time more efficiently, with activities such as making dinner together, playing a sport or washing the dishes. By doing such activities together, your child will feel more engaged and less likely to pick up their device.

Using Online Time Effectively

Even if screen time usage is not a problem for your child, you may wish to ensure that this time spent online is being used efficiently, by encouraging them to use educational apps or games that will mentally stimulate them. This technique can also be applied to video streaming devices, by finding engaging programs that will help your child learn new skills or develop their existing skills, whether this is numeracy or language.

Above all, you should be realistic in implementing any measures or attempts to manage screen time. As a parent or carer, you know how best your child learns new habits. Like with most things, you may need to implement changes gradually, so that your child can adapt and integrate the new changes into their lifestyle on a permanent basis.

At a certain age, every parent begins to wonder if it’s time that they can start leaving their child home alone for a short period of time. Generally, the most serious concerns from parents are whether their child will be safe and whether their child will be able to keep their home safe. But while adults may have certain tools that they can use to protect themselves, kids need to be taught how to be safe and responsible before they can be left without parental supervision.

To help your kids get ready for this time, here are three tips for leaving your kids home alone.

Start Small

Once the time comes that you think your child is ready to spend some time on their own, meaning they’re both old enough and mature enough, you should ease your way into making this change and adding on this responsibility.

According to ChildWelfare.gov, the very first time you leave your child home alone should only be for a very short time. This will allow your child to see what it’s like for them to be at home by themselves or with the responsibility of younger siblings without a parent there to supervise. After just a short time, you should return home to see how things went for your child. This could unearth issues with spending time alone that you hadn’t thought of before and can help your child better prepare for longer periods of time that they might need to be on their own.

Teach Them How To Handle Certain Unexpected Situations

Ideally, nothing exciting would ever happen while your child was home by themselves. However, because that’s not the reality of the world we live in, there are certain unexpected situations that your child should know how to handle if they’re going to be left on their own.

Some scenarios that you should go over with your child before leaving them alone, according to Dr. Steven Dowshen, a contributor to KidsHealth.org, could include things like calling and speaking to a 911 operator, how to arm and disarm your home security system, how to use a fire extinguisher, what to do if a stranger comes to the door, and other situations.

Build Up Their Confidence

While your child might be excited about the idea of being in charge, being on their own can also be scary.

Although you might be feeling nervous about the thought of them being unsupervised and on their own as well, Lynn Perkins, a contributor to the Huffington Post, recommends that you do what you can to build up their confidence before you leave them. Share with them how you know they’ll be fine, will make wise choices, and have the knowledge and ability to keep themselves safe.

If you think your child is ready to be left home alone now, consider using the tips mentioned above to prepare everyone involved for this big step.