The Home Spun Life

Why Family Should Eat Dinner Together

December 2, 2013 by thehomespunlife_jd22w3

Family dinners are sometimes looked upon as hectic and frustrating; however, there are several good reasons why families should eat dinners together such as strengthening the ties between family members. Talking, catching up and spending time with loved ones, can be a great and comforting way to end the day.

Family dinners lead to healthier food choices

Some studies have been done that show that when families eat dinners together, the meals are more well-balanced, with more fruits and vegetables and fewer fried foods and soda. In addition, evening dinners also have larger amounts of key nutrients like iron, calcium and fiber.

Better Grades for children and opportunities for new foods

It is important to note; there is a direct link between higher academic performance and dinner with family.

1. It seems that dinner with family is not only more nutritious but also a motivating factor in helping children to do better at school.
2. In addition, dinner with the family is a golden opportunity for children to try different foods.
3. Often when different foods are eaten in the evening, they become foods that are served more often at dinner time.

Happiness and dinner with the family

Keep in mind; dinners with the family may also lead to greater happiness within the family unit. When children eat with their parents on a regular basis, they are more likely to have better mental health and be emotionally stronger than when eating meals at a restaurant. In addition, research has also shown that when teens ate regularly at meals, they were more likely to have good manners, communicate better and be adjusted.

Save money; eat at home and have more control over portions

Thousands of dollars are spent each year eating out; in some cases, up to $3,000 dollars a year or more. Every time you eat out, it adds to your food budget and before you know it, it is taking a huge amount of money from your monthly and yearly finances.

1. Most importantly, the average meal you eat in a restaurant has at least 60% more calories than a meal that comes from your home.
2. Keep in mind; portions that are served in restaurants continue to grow. Just take a look at what is being promoted on TV and magazines for fast food and sit-down restaurants.
3. When you combine these facts with how eating at home affects our diets, then you may come to the conclusion that it is healthier to eat at home. And, by eating at home you feel less stress.

To conclude,dinner with the family is sometimes looked upon as hectic and frustrating; however, there are several good reasons why families should eat dinners together such as strengthening the ties between family members.

Home Improvement Tips

April 14, 2013 by thehomespunlife_jd22w3

A home is not just a place that you live in and spend quality time with family and friends, but it is also an investment. Home improvement is about making it better, be it for a newly built or an old house. Improvement increases home value and also prevents damages for a house requiring repairs.

What are the things that you should consider when improving your home?

• The budget and the funds you are willing to spend.
• If the improvement requires a contractor, choose a contractor with the necessary permits and licenses.
• Get quotes from several home appraisers and compare the quality of the work and service fee.
• Getting a plan is important as it outlines what needs to be upgraded, the materials to be used and how long it will take.

Several things can be done to improve a home. Below is an outline of what many homeowners do to upgrade their habitats.
Decorating the interior.

Home décor reflects the personality of the owner. Repainting a room or using wallpaper in a home can give it a new and fresh look. Home accessories and furniture can make a big difference in a home. Windows can also make a rather dark and uninviting room vibrant. Various types of windows can be incorporated to complement the home décor. Upgrading the floor either by using tiles or wood may help in brightening the home.

Exterior Improvement.

Home exterior is the first impression people get before they get inside the house. Landscaping can change the appearance of a place. Whether it is in planting flowers and trees or shrubs, pruning and trimming hedges or mowing lawns an environment can look beautiful and inviting. Exterior lighting, maintaining sidewalks, extending living space through improvement of decks and patios, gives the exterior a finer look.

Replacement of the front door and the garage door.
The front door can transform the whole look of a home. Adding a working bell and using appealing materials and color for the door can improve the home in a unique way. The garage door also boosts the home appeal and increases the home value.

Kitchen Remodeling

The kitchen is referred to many as the hub of the home. It plays a significant role especially when one wants to sell the house. Kitchen remodeling services may involve repainting or replacing cabinets, getting a new floor and countertops. Replacing kitchen faucet can give the kitchen a radiant look.

Incorporating or replacing the Heating and cooling system.
The system helps in bringing more comfort to a home and also saves money. It eliminates air pollutants as some efficient systems can also humidify the home. The latest technology incorporates a programmable thermostat that works automatically. It is important to maintain the system through cleaning of the air vents, air filters and air ducts.

Adopting energy efficiency techniques
The heating and cooling system is one way of saving energy. Insulation can help keep the home warm during winter and cool during summer. Another way is by allowing more natural light into the home and using energy efficient light bulb and thus reducing carbon footprint.

Keeping Your Family Safe

December 28, 2012 by thehomespunlife_jd22w3

There are some very easy tricks and techniques that you can use to keep your home and family safe. Having a good home security system is important, and having an alarm system is important, but there are many options for good, strong security systems. Here are just a few important things to consider about keeping your family safe.

1. Keep your doors locked at all times.

Many times, a simple door lock is a deterrent. Thieves who aren’t intent on doing a lot of hard work will sometimes check the doors to residences. If your door is locked, they’ll simply move on to the next residence, looking for a door that’s unlocked. Try and teach your children to lock the door, and if you and your children have separate schedules, make sure they have copies of the house key as well.

In addition to making sure the doors are locked, make sure there’s no easy access through the windows. This could mean locking your windows if you’re by the first floor or a fire escape, or just reinforcing your windows so nobody can get in or out.

2. Invest in home security signs and alarms.

Many people have found that simply having a sign and warning about home security is enough to deter thieves. Others have found that the process needs to be more stringent. Investing in a home security alarm is really important, and a great deterrence. If anything does go wrong, the company is notified and can notify you as quickly as possible.

3. Consider getting a dog.

Consider getting a dog as a family pet. Dogs are a great deterrence to thieves and would be robbers. If you do choose to get a dog, make sure that you put up signs and warnings that you have a dog.

Studies have shown having a sign warning you have a dog is almost as effective as having the animal. The dog doesn’t have to be a guard dog, almost any dog is a deterrent. Make sure to get a dog who is good with kids if you have kids.

4. Teach your children about “stranger danger.”

It’s highly unlikely someone will walk in your home and kidnap your child. Often, your home is a safe place. Make sure, however, that your child knows which people are your friends.

Make sure that your child knows that they can come to you if they have any questions. Make sure to tell your children that if they see anyone entering or exciting the house that they don’t recognize to tell you immediately. Keeping your family safe is important, and educating your children on how to stay safe is also important.

5. Don’t live in fear.

Although our world can be dangerous at times, it is important to remain calm. It is important to follow basic safety techniques and procedures. Doing these will ensure you and your children are as safe as you can be.

Conclusion

There are some very easy tricks that you can do to keep yourself and your family safe. If you follow these tricks, you should likely have no problems.

Finding the Right Pet

July 22, 2012 by thehomespunlife_jd22w3

Adding a pet to your home can be a wonderful thing to do. They keep us company, entertain us and just overall make us happy. When the decision is made to have a pet, it is one that should not be made lightly. A lot goes into having a pet and all of that work is not for everyone. There are many options out there for which pet to choose and considering those beforehand will help make the decision process that much easier.

Curb Your Impulses

When trying to decide which type of pet to get, take a trip to the local animal shelter. Go in with an open mind and see all of the pets there. Spend some time with each type of pet and see what interests you. You may find that you enjoy the sound of the birds or that the cats are too wild for you. Ask questions of the workers at the shelter to help with your decision. Hold and pet any animal that interests you. The more time you spend with the animals before purchasing one, the more educated your decision will be.

Home and Lifestyle

The type of home you live in and how you live your life will be huge factors when it comes to a pet. The pet you choose will need to fit into the home you live in. Certain dog breeds are very hyper and need lots of space to run. Some birds are very loud and may disturb neighbors. Your work and work schedule may also be a deciding factor. If you travel a lot, pets will need to be cared for while you are away. If you have children, you will need to make sure you choose a pet that is kid friendly.

Care and Maintenance

All pets need to be cared for and tended to. It will need to be decided who will be responsible for certain things involving your pet. Who will take the pet outside? Who will feed the pet and water it? If you work long hours, you may need to look into having a pet sitter stop by. If you have a nanny, you may need to add those chores to their job description. All of these responsibilities need to be factored into the decision-making process.

Budget

As with anything else, a pet does cost money. There is the upfront cost when you are initially purchasing the pet and then there are also recurring expenses. Food will need to be purchased regularly. If a pet is sick, medication may need to be purchased. A pet will need to be taken to the vet periodically. All of these expenses can add up and need to be budgeted for.

Owning a pet can be a wonderful experience but it is a decision that needs to be made by looking at all that is involved. Not all pets do well in all situations so it does take some time to choose the right pet for the right situation. Having a pet is a long-term commitment and can be one of the best decisions ever made if done right.

How to Improve Family Relationship

September 22, 2011 by thehomespunlife_jd22w3

When it all boils down to it, family comes first. There’s no way around it. Your family is the backbone to your being. You need to treat them with the utmost love and respect. However, there are times where life gets busy with school and work that it can get a bit difficult to make time for the more important things. When you improve the quality of life with your family, it shows in other sectors of your lifestyle. It’s all about having the right balance between everything so there’s more harmony. Here are some tips to help improve your family relationship.

Do More Family Activities

One of the keys to a good relationship is doing things together. Whether it’s a weekly thing where you and your kids go to an event on Saturday, or have a family night on Thursday or Friday, it helps keep engaged. You get to share in laughter and fun you wouldn’t have otherwise during the week. This is a good way to bond and share things. You shouldn’t be just strict parents or lay down rules all the time. You should show a bit of fun and enjoyment because you and your kids need that after a busy schedule. This kind of activity helps you draw your family closer and increase the like and love factor. Keep this in mind when you feel things become stale.

Communicate with Each Other

Whether something is bothering you or your kids or there needs to be changes made, you need to speak on things. You should keep things so distant from your family that it begins to eat you up inside. No. Have a family meeting and get things together under one accord. This will help to ease the load and also build character during tough times. Even if it’s something small like doing a set of chores, this will help the family become more responsible as a unit. You can spread the work out and it’ll make things easier to manage in the household.

Have a bit of “me” time

We all grow tiresome of the same routine. Why don’t you go out for a jog or enjoy some time with your friends? This is healthy because we all need time away. It helps ease your mind and it gets you to moving in some other direction that makes you appreciate your family more. At the end of the day, you should still be able to do some of the things you liked to do when you didn’t have a family especially when they only enhance your life.

Be Patient

Not everything is perfect. Sometimes, a family member may make a mistake. It’s okay to be angry but then you should talk and find out what happened. There’s a certain trust and care that goes into being patient. It’s harder for a family member to reach out when they think you’re constantly judging them. Show that you care and love them no matter what happens. This way you can deal with trials and tribulations much easier.

These are just a few ways you can improve your family relationship. It takes time and patience to build with your family. However, it can be one of the most rewarding things in your life.