Archive for March 9th, 2008

Parenting Tips for Finding a Sitter

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
by Rashel Dan

It’s not unusual to find both parents working. There may also be times when you have to attend functions as a couple. In both cases, you may need to leave the kids with someone trustworthy.

Of course, you’d want to work efficiently or have a night of pure unadulterated fun without having to constantly worry about what’s going on at home. The usual way to go is to get a sitter. The process of getting a sitter however probably is not that simple. What do parents have take note of when picking a sitter?

Start as Soon as Possible

Look for a sitter immediately as soon as you have plans of going out. This means planning all your night outs, breaks, work commitments ahead of time. This is to ensure that when you decide to study your sitter options, you have more time to study qualifications and be discriminating.

Study All Your Options

Naturally, you want to get the best sitter to ensure your kids’ safety. A relevant tip therefore is to look at all your options. You can look for sitting services in the paper. Just make sure that the services you choose are ones which conduct some form of background check on their sitters. Another good parenting tip on this aspect is to advertise with your local community organizations or groups. One of the best thing to do however is to ask close relatives and friends to recommend some good sitters.

Ask For a Lot of Things

When you’re done looking for sitters and there are already applicant for the position, start a good screening process. Ask the right questions. Many highly recommend asking for references and actually checking and calling on those references. You should also consider a lot of questions during your interview with potential sitters.

The length of experience as a sitter, the ages of kids looked after, the training in CPR or other relevant training are some things you may want to inquire about. Make sure the applicant sitters know what they should do during emergency situations like the child choking or falling down the stairs.

Take the Time to Observe

Take the time to observe how the candidate sitter interacts with the kids. One parenting tip is to see if the sitter seems naturally comfortable with the kids and vice versa. Another thing to do for additional safety is to install nanny cameras.

Ask the Kids

Ask the kids on how it was with the sitter. You can ask them to describe what they did that day, if they enjoyed being with their sitter, what new things their sitter taught them and what other things their sitter has been doing. Be sensitive to such warning signs as discomfort among your kids when you ask them sitter related questions and bumps and bruises in inconspicuous parts of your child’s body.

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Remodeling Tips for Small Bathroom Designs

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
by Torrie Cantor

Small bathroom designs are easy to come by. Limited space does not necessarily mean limited creativity. Here are some top ideas for small bathrooms.

Pick Light Colors

Colors make lasting impressions. Small bathrooms should always avoid dark, heavy colors. These can make your bath seem both assuming and smaller than it is. Light, pastel colors on the other hand with small designs are perfect. These colors create the impression of spaciousness. These are also the colors that can make any room fell fresh, airy and relaxing. Mix and match pastel colors for your floor, walls, cabinets and fixtures.

Use Corner and Overhead Spaces

Make use of unused spaces. The key is to make the most out of these small unused areas. You could for example push your bath tub and toilet to the wall to ensure that no remaining unused space at the back remains. You can also use corners for a hanging sink and a corner shower booth. Overhead spaces can still accommodate cabinets, hamper hooks and racks. As much as possible, keep the floor space free except for your tub, shower stall and toilet.

Choose Smaller Bath Items

Select small bathroom accessories. Bath fixtures don’t come in single sizes. If you do not have a family of giants, then you can settle for a smaller toilet, bathtub and sink. Do make sure though that you have fixtures that you are comfortable using. Consult the biggest member of your family when picking the smallest possible fixture available.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors are important accessories for a bathroom. Small bathrooms would look perfect with unadorned mirrors. Extremely small bathrooms might have to do with small round mirrors. Small baths though that aren’t exactly too cramped could use wide mirrors that stretch across walls. It may not be obvious to some but mirrors are design accents that are more than just functional. These reflective surfaces will help make your bathroom seem larger.

Get Lights and Windows

Just like mirrors, lights can also help extend the perception of space. As much as possible, natural light sources should be preferred over artificial ones. Windows over bathtubs or overhead openings bring in not just light but a breath of fresh air.

Choose your night lights well. Opt for generous light fixtures that aren’t just limited to the center of the room. Attach dimmers so you can adjust light options when you are in the mood for subdued lights.

Think Minimal

Limit your bathroom items and accessories. As much as possible, stick to only the essential items that a bathroom should have. Move magazine racks, extra cabinets, excess hampers and towel racks from the bathroom.

Small bathroom designs may be hard to imagine. They need not zap your creative energies though. With a little imagination, you can easily convert a small bathroom into the dream haven you have always wanted.

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