If you are a parent of a teenager, you might find yourself worrying about how to talk to them about the prospect of attending college. For parents of high school students, the thought of discussing college can be as daunting as treating nerve pain without nerve pain cream. Trying to figure out when and how to start helping your child plan for college can feel overwhelming. Between studying for tests, applying for scholarships, and getting the best grades possible before the big day – it feels like there’s so much pressure on teenagers to make wise decisions about their future. Letting go doesn’t have to be a frightening experience however – talking with your teen about their personal aspirations and plans after graduation is an exciting time that should be approached with enthusiasm. With this blog post as a guide, let’s discuss different ways you can begin talking to your child about college in order to set them up for success!

1. Start the conversation early

Talking to your child about college when they are young is the best way to ensure that the idea of going to college and the important role that higher education can play in their future is the key to ensuring that your child is open to the idea of attending college. While it might not seem necessary to speak to your child about college until they are a teen, the truth is, the conversation should begin as early as possible.

2. Discuss the importance of higher education and the opportunities it can offer

Teaching your child about why going to college is important and not just expecting them to go is important. Be transparent about the opportunities that a college education can provide, and the obstacles that they might encounter as an adult without a degree.

3. Explain different types of colleges and what to look for when making a decision

Having discussions with your child about their future goals both in and out of the classroom can help them to identify the type of program they should look into during their college career, and can make the process of narrowing down a few schools to apply to a little bit easier. It can be overwhelming for your child to make the decision about attending college, so these types of discussions can help.

You have so much on your plate for the day ahead. You have to drive your child to soccer practice, schedule a move with www.blacktiemoving.com, balance the checkbook, contact your realtor, go grocery shopping, and make dinner. This certainly sounds like the life of a busy mom!

We’re here to offer 5 time management tips for busy moms to help you out. 

Make Sure You’re Organized 

If you’re a busy mom, it’s crucial that you keep everything organized. Organization is an important time management skill for busy moms. Effective organization allows you to find whatever it is that you need in a fast and effective way. By doing so, this will save you a lot of time in the long run as you won’t be tearing apart the closet to try and find your child’s soccer uniform. 

Delegate Where You Can 

As a busy mom, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. So often, moms will feel that delegating tasks makes them less worthy or less of a mom. This is absolutely not the case. In order for you to be the best mom you can, you need to take advantage of opportunities that can help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed or stressed out. Delegating tasks, where needed, are an effective way to prevent this from happening.  

Prioritize What You Need to Do 

In order to master the art of time management skills as a busy mom you have to learn how to prioritize your tasks. Whatever it is you must get accomplished each day differs regarding importance and how much time you have. An easy way to effectively prioritize your tasks is to create a “to-do” list. Write out your tasks in order of least importance to highest importance. Try and get the more pressing tasks done first and save the easier or less important tasks for later.

Create a Schedule 

A schedule is a mom’s best friend when it comes to time management skills. You are busy with multiple errands, obligations, and activities you need to get to throughout the day. In order to make sure that you stay on track, you’ll want to create a daily schedule. You can get as detailed as you’d like with it, but the basics will do. Creating a schedule will make your life so much easier and help you manage your time in an effective way.

Allow Yourself a Break

Even if you’re a supermom, you need to give yourself a break sometimes. Try and set aside some time each day to relax and focus on yourself. By taking regular breaks, you prevent feeling overwhelmed or stressed throughout your day. In turn, this makes it to where you can go about your day with more focus and energy. It’s also not a bad idea to give yourself a “day off” a few times a month. Schedule some days where you can practice self-care – like a spa day or a brunch with friends. You deserve some time for yourself for all that you do!

Everybody knows that buying a house is one of the biggest and most expensive decisions you’ll make in life. Most homes to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and many people need to take out a mortgage to pay for one. This means you could be living in a home and paying down the mortgage for the next 30 years (if not longer). Consequently, you definitely don’t want to rush into homeownership without asking a few questions first. So, in today’s guide, we’re going to take a closer look at 5 important questions to ask before buying a home!

Is this enough space for my family?

Even if you and a spouse are just planning to move in by yourselves, you should always plan for the future. Do you want to have kids? What about pets? Will your parents need to move in with you when they get older? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you’ll need to make sure that the house is big enough for your current and future family. Moreover, you’ll need to make sure that it’s big enough to fit all of your possessions. And once you’re ready to move everything into your new home, remember to contact the experts at Black Tie Moving for help!

Is this a safe neighborhood?

Nobody wants to live in a neighborhood with a bad reputation. So, do your homework on the area before you sign the papers. It’s very difficult to back out of a mortgage later on, so if you don’t like the neighborhood once you move in, there’s not much you can do about it. If you have kids, living in a safe area with good schools is especially crucial.

Can I afford this house?

Naturally, you should always do a thorough review of your finances before buying a home. Assuming that you’re getting a mortgage, the lender will review your finances before you can be approved. However, just because you get approved for a loan doesn’t mean that you will be able to afford it 5, 10, or 20 years from now. Therefore, it is vitally important to consider your current and future finances when shopping for a home.

Am I getting a good rate on the mortgage?

At the moment, mortgage rates are much higher than they were just a few years ago. Even getting an interest rate that is one percentage point higher could mean spending thousands of dollars more over the life of the loan. So, always shop around and even consider government subsidies to get a good rate on your mortgage.

Can I see myself living here for the next 30 years?

Many mortgages are fixed at 30 years, which means you will need to consider your long-term plans before making a decision. If you’re unsure about a home, you should think about what you really want for the future. Do you see yourself living here for 30 years or more? If not, why? Asking these questions will help you decide if a home is right for you.

Did you like this guide on 5 important questions to ask before buying a home? If so, be sure to check out some of our other articles on 3 Kids and Us today!

No one likes the harsh realization that our parents are aging and need a helping hand to grow old comfortably. 

The older they get older, the less independent they seem to become, and the more likely they are to reject assistance.

Below are some quick tips to help you!

Treat Them With Respect

First and foremost we must treat our parents at this stage of their lives with the utmost respect. 

Talk with them and discuss your ideas or ask for permission with any big decisions needing to be made. 

If they decide that they do want your help a good place to start is by going along to their appointments with their regular doctor. 

As your parents age, it is challenging, and the last thing they want is to be a burden on their children. 

If they’re physically able to take care of themselves there’s no need to suddenly start discussing mobility aids. 

Do not be disrespectful towards your parents or interfere in their business without their consent. 

Safety Always Takes Priority

If you parents are finding it tough to get around the house however, it might be a good idea to start looking at some possibilities. 

Companies such as Age UK Mobility provide home visit services where they come and evaluate your parents home for possible upgrades. 

These can be anything from handrails to walk in showers or baths. These simple yet effective changes to your parents home really help with keeping their independence. 

If stairs are in the home you can look at getting an assistance device such as a stair lift, which allows them to use the stairs. 

What about maintaining the garden? Is that something they can do or should you look at other options. Just because they’re old doesn’t mean you can let the gardens go. 

If getting groceries is difficult for them perhaps it’s time you look into home delivery or one of the many options available today. 

Be Supportive In Any Way Possible

You should be as supportive as possible towards your parents both physically and mentally. 

Being unable to drive or to remember things can have a serious impact on a seniors self-esteem. 

Consider encouraging your parents to develop new hobbies or meet new friends. Always ensure that they have reliable transportation to get around when possible.

Learn To Communicate With Their Specialists Or Doctors

Eventually the time will come where you will have to take care of their health or manage medications. 

The importance of having a good relationship with their healthcare professionals is paramount. Nobody knows when an unexpected situation might occur, so you must be prepared. 

Take notes when talking to their doctors and have them saved in your phone for reference. 

Make sure your parents understand what the Doctor is explaining and that any instructions are clear to both you and them. 

Be sure to keep track of their legal documents and medical information, and remember to follow up with your doctor’s instructions as older parents often forget their dosage and medications.