Guest Author Bio: Kristin Louis runs Parenting WIth Kris, a parenting blog about strategies to flourish in different aspects of parenting. 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

When your home is on the market, keeping it in its best shape is an important aspect of making a good sale. That can present quite the challenge when your time is filled with work and kids. Let’s look at some of the tricks you can use to stay on top of things until a buyer signs on the dotted line. 

Declutter With Ease

Unless you’re planning to hire a professional, you’ll need to handle decluttering. According to A Fine Parent, decluttering can be easy if you develop a workable strategy that includes the kids. It’s essential to identify the main sources of clutter and tackle them one at a time. 

Laundry can be a huge source of clutter so how about doing it daily? It’s also a good time to donate clothing in good condition. Toys are another major issue when it comes to clutter. To get this under control, use a few well-placed storage bins and encourage your kids to donate toys ones they no longer play with. 

While this can all feel overwhelming, bear in mind that decluttering can have a positive impact on getting your house sold. It makes the home seem larger and it’s easier for buyers to see themselves in the home.

Clean Everything Thoroughly

The last thing your potential buyers will want to see is a dirty house so prepare for a dive into deep cleaning after you’ve decluttered. According to Care.com, deep cleaning is far more detailed than a regular tidy-up, so it’s best to take on one room at a time. 

For example, when you’re cleaning the kitchen, you’ll need to wipe down the cabinets and vacuum the refrigerator vents. The countertops and pantry will also need your attention. At this time, your kids might be most helpful in cleaning up their own rooms. While they might not be able to deep clean, they can certainly make things easier for you by clearing up the room and dusting. Of course, if it’s just too much to handle, it could be good to call in the professionals.

Maintain Cleanliness 

You might get ample notice for open houses, but you never know when your real estate agent might call to facilitate an impromptu tour. To make sure your house is always ready, Money Pit suggests adding a few quick cleaning hacks to your bag of tricks. Include things like a fast post-showers bathroom clean each morning and using baking liners to keep your oven free from gunk. 

You can also get the kids in on the action by assigning them age-appropriate tasks for keeping the home clean. Two and three-year-olds can help with dusting and making their beds while six to eight-year-olds can help you by putting away the laundry. Just make sure to keep a reminder handy so they know when their chores need to be done.

Have a Plan for the Open House

You probably already have a hectic schedule so the last thing you want is to have a long list of tasks in your head for an open house. This can be easily solved by keeping a checklist handy that reminds you of what needs to be addressed. 

Before buyers can have a look at your home, for instance, make sure you’ve secured your valuables and gotten rid of any off-putting scents. You’ll also want to make sure you’ve maximized the lighting in your house so buyers can see it at its best. 

While it might be tempting to hear what buyers have to say, it’s best to leave the house with the kids and take any pets with you. To keep the kids occupied, consider taking them for a walk or on a picnic in the park, and keep a few travel games in the car for inclement weather.  

Keeping your home in tip-top shape for tours and open houses can be difficult when you have children, but it’s not impossible. While you can hire professionals for the heavy-duty jobs, it will be up to you to maintain a clean, clutter-free house. Don’t shy away from getting the kids involved, and strategize carefully. With these little tricks, your home will be sold in no time.

Author Bio: Alexis Hall runs SingleParent, a site that provides parenting advice for single parents.

Financial planning is crucial at any stage of life, but it is particularly important for parents who have children to support. It’s essential to plan for the future, a rainy day, or the event of a death or emergency. Financial planning isn’t something you should regret not doing in the past or put off for the future — it’s for the here and now. If you’re not sure where to start, this article will discuss some financial planning essentials that can get you going in the right direction. 

Life Insurance

Financial planning is indeed about your present and future, but it’s also about providing for your loved ones after you pass. Spend some time researching term life insurance, determine the length of the term you need (for instance, 10, 20, or 30 years), get quotes based on your current life situation, and research premiums (most policies offer guaranteed level premiums). With term life insurance, you can be sure your beneficiaries are taken care of with a guaranteed payout. If you’re a single parent, this will be especially crucial knowing your child has financial stability for health, education, and general well-being. You will rest easier knowing you have a plan in place.

Retirement 

The daily hustle and bustle keeps most parents focused on the present or the immediate future. Oftentimes, this means retirement is overlooked. It’s crucial for parents to look beyond school-aged children, extracurricular activities, college tuitions, and the current needs and plan for the day when an income is no longer coming in. For parents on a tight budget — especially single parents — retirement planning may seem like a feat, but it’s possible.

Look into 401Ks, IRAs, and investments. This should come before you save for college funds or new cars for 16th birthdays. As parents, we want to give the world to our children, but loans and scholarships are available for colleges and your child can work for a new car, but not planning for your financial future can put you and your children in a tough spot. 

Disability Insurance  

Disability insurance can mean the difference between getting into debt or financial freedom, living in a subpar assisted living facility or getting the care you need and deserve, losing all your assets or having a financial cushion. We can’t prepare for every injury or malady, but we can prepare for their financial effects. The catch is that you must have proper coverage before the incident giving rise to the disability occurs. 

If you’re dependent on your salary, don’t wait. Do your research, and then find the best quotes that provide the most coverage. Short-term disability insurance will cover three to six months of lost wages at a rate of about 60 to 70 percent. Long-term disability insurance will provide coverage from two years to retirement age at a rate of about 40 to 70 percent of your salary. 

Savings

The general rule of thumb is to put about three to six months worth of expenses in an emergency/rainy day fund. Its purpose is to give you a safety net when the unexpected happens (Murphy’s law says it will happen). Any money above that emergency fund should be used to pay down all debt. Once the debt is paid off, you can then invest away — making passive income and have a little fun while doing it.

A solid financial plan will take the holistic approach, considering all of your needs, your family’s needs and your goals. It will include things we didn’t discuss like health insurance, home insurance, car insurance, umbrella insurance, health savings accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, college accounts, and mutual funds. It will also include the basics we did discuss, such as life insurance, retirement plans, disability insurance, and savings. It’s never too late or too early to make your plan and start achieving your goals.

Photo Credit: Burst

Photo courtesy of Burst

Author Bio: This article is a guest post from Ashley Taylor at disabledparents.org

Nearly 4 million babies are born in America each year. Increasingly, some of these children are born through the help of assisted reproduction methods like surrogacy. Surrogacy is a practice where intended parents work with a gestational surrogate who will carry the baby to term. According to the Council for Responsible Genetics, the number of babies born to parents through surrogacy jumped 89 percent from 2004 to 2008. Undoubtedly, the rise in surrogacy results from the fact that it has helped so many parents overcome their fertility struggles, realizing their dream of having children of their own.

If you’re unable to conceive, surrogacy can help you embark upon the journey of parenthood. Whether you’re unable to conceive or have been experiencing fertility issues, surrogacy might be an option for you. Even if you’re not looking to become a parent yourself, keep reading for ways that you can help other intended parents achieve their dream.

The Basics of Surrogacy

There are two different types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogates are artificially inseminated using the surrogate’s egg, making the surrogate the baby’s biological mother. These days, traditional surrogacy is less common (and often illegal) than gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate remains unrelated to the baby. By using their own egg and sperm, the intended parents can become biological parents. Third-party donors can also provide an egg or sperm if needed.

Getting Involved

Whether you’re an intended parent, surrogate, or egg donor, here are some ways you can become involved in the miracle of surrogacy:

1. Egg Donors

Parents can be matched to a third party called an egg donor if there’s no intended mother or the intended mother is unable to provide an egg. All egg donors must pass a thorough screening process and psychological exam. Donors receive monetary compensation, although the greatest payment is knowing you’ve helped someone else achieve their dream of parenthood.

According to Circle Surrogacy, parents can expect to pay associated costs including careful donor screening by social workers and psychologists; payment to the egg donor; and complications insurance. Parents will also pay agency fees for coordination of the egg donation process from start to finish, including legal fees, insurance, in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, and travel expenses.

2. Gestational Surrogates

Becoming a surrogate is a major, life-changing experience. After all, you’re helping bring life into the world while blessing someone else with the gift of parenthood. To accomplish this dream, surrogates undergo fertility treatments, IVF, and thorough screenings.

Because pregnancy takes a physical and emotional toll, talk to your doctor to confirm you’re healthy enough for pregnancy. If you decide surrogacy is for you, talk to local agencies about how to apply and what to expect. Is surrogate compensation legal in your area? If so, how much will you be paid, and how much will it affect your ability to work?

3. Intended Parents

Through surrogacy, intended parents can achieve their lifelong dreams of raising their very own child. Surrogacy is increasingly prevalent in the United States among parents who’d otherwise be unable to start or grow a family on their own. According to Health.com, this type of assisted fertility is an option for couples struggling to conceive, same-sex couples, and women who’ve experienced pregnancy loss. You can choose a trusted friend or loved one to carry your baby, if you want, or be matched with a well-screened surrogate.

Costs and programs vary by clinic and location so you’ll want to save money in advance while researching your options. Reproductive laws also vary so talk to a lawyer before making a decision.

Whatever speed bumps you’ve encountered along the way to pregnancy, you’re not alone. Surrogacy is one increasingly-popular way to achieve your parenthood dreams. Although it might require some extra planning, you can experience the joys of having a child. Even if you’re not an intended parent, you can still help countless other people bring their parenthood dreams to life by donating eggs or becoming a surrogate mother.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Author Bio: Alexis Hall runs SingleParent, a site that provides parenting advice for single parents.

If you are a single parent, you have one of the toughest jobs out there. You may be juggling work, dating, and getting the kids to all of their practices, and the world expects you to do this gracefully and with a minimum of help.

However, if you take a step back and look at the big picture, it pays to stay in shape. After all, you need to keep up your strength and energy levels just to get through a typical day. But where do you find the time, energy, and money to stay in shape? Read on for some tips on how to manage it.

Organic Exercise

Really, the best exercise is what you can get without going to a gym or taking a lot of time out of your day. Many people have sold us on the idea that we have to get up at five in the morning and go jogging to stay in shape.

You don’t have to do that. Consider how you get to work. If you have a 10-minute or less drive, it might be just as quick to bicycle to work. You won’t have to search for a parking space, and you will avoid even the worst traffic jams. If you aren’t into bicycling, ask yourself whether you could get up earlier and walk to work.

Once you are at the office, use the stairs, not the elevator. This may give you up to fifteen minutes of exercise a day. Walk, don’t drive, to lunch or after-work drinks with friends. According to NBC, walking is the most underrated exercise, but it’s great for balance, all-over body strength, and stamina.

There are also a lot of benefits to running, if you are up for that as well.

Look at weekend errands from the point of view of exercise opportunities. Could you and your children walk to the child-friendly pizza shop? Could you walk to the convenience store for that gallon of milk? Running errands on foot or on a bicycle often takes only a few minutes more than driving, and you are saving money on gas that you can then spend on exercise equipment. The most important thing is to find something fun and stick with it — whether it’s yoga, jogging, or just walking.

Dumbbells

One of the easiest and cheapest workouts is lifting weights. Hold on, there! We’re not necessarily talking about bench presses at a gym or devoting a whole room of your house to racks of barbells. One- to five-pound dumbbells (also known as hand weights) are portable, don’t take up a lot of room on your shelf, and are surprisingly versatile. You can crunch a dumbbell in odd moments, such as while you’re on the phone with your mother or while on hold with a company.

You can take a dumbbell to work and do a few quick presses while you’re on a break. Dumbbells don’t draw a lot of attention to the fact that you’re working out at the office, and you can do a two-minute workout at your desk when you’re stressed.

If you are incorporating more walking into your life, take a couple of dumbbells with you and add an arm workout to your walk. Dumbbells make your walk more of a heart workout while building upper body strength.

Kettlebells

If you want to kick your weight lifting up a notch, many fitness gurus swear by kettlebells. These weights sport a handle that improves your grip strength and builds up total body strength.

Kettlebells are really heavy, so you have to be careful with them. A kettlebell workout should take place on a mat or outside on grass or sand so you don’t damage your floors. It’s a good idea to get a trainer to show you how to use them.

Start out by sliding the kettlebells off the rack or shelf and controlling their fall to the floor. Then, raise yourself and the weights into an upright position. Go easy starting out in order to avoid pulling a muscle.

Finding the time to exercise might not be as difficult as you think, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a healthy body. You can even purchase some simple equipment and create a home gym for your workouts. By incorporating exercise into the rhythm of your day, you will be surprised at the results you get.

Photo via Pixabay

Author Bio: Alexis Hall runs SingleParent, a site that provides parenting advice for single parents.

Working out can be a drag, especially if you have a busy lifestyle and, like many single parents, have to carve time out of your schedule to fit in exercise. After a long day of work, taking care of the kids, or driving back and forth to various activities and extracurriculars, you’ll likely need a little motivation to fuel your desire to work out. It can get boring when you’re doing the same thing over and over again, so why not switch it up?

The key is to mix up your routine and stick with things you know you’ll enjoy doing. That’s right, working out can actually be fun if you know where to start. It also helps to have an accountability partner, so invite a friend, family member, or even the dog along when you’re working up a sweat. Getting the family or a friend involved will help you stay motivated and will make the workout seem less monotonous. Depending on the type of workout, your kids might be able to join in too for a little family fitness.

Here are some of the best budget-minded tips to get creative with your exercise routine.

Take up yoga

Yoga is a great way to get in a workout because it can be done from home with a DVD. Learn all the right moves, stretch those muscles, and work up a sweat in the morning before work, or after dinner. Or, if you want to be more social, you could take up a class and invite a friend to join you. Yoga not only strengthens the entire body, but it also focuses on meditation and mindful thinking, which can help relieve stress and anxiety. You can also find yoga videos online for free through sites like Yoga with Adriene. Need some gear to get started? Kohl’s has plenty of stuff to get you started, and you can use Kohl’s promo codes to help you save money.

Dance

Throw on some music and a pair of comfortable shoes and get to movin’. Dancing is a great workout and can either be done at home or at a class with a partner. Ballroom, swing, and hip-hop dancing are all wonderful workouts. If you’re interested in all of the latest moves, there are countless sites that provide excellent tutorials for free.

Dust off that bike

Unless you live far away from the nearest town, the chances are good that you could afford to lose the car a couple of times a week and ride a bike to run errands or even to work. Bike riding is great exercise, not to mention environmentally friendly. If your bike needs a little TLC, save some money by purchasing used parts to get it back in working order.

Use what you have

You don’t have to belong to a gym in order to get in shape. Use what’s available to you at home or at the office; go for a run up and down the stairs, or take a brisk walk around the block. Use a wall to steady yourself for squats, or invest in a stability ball to help you with stretches. However, if you’re still nursing, you might benefit from a nursing sports bra to help keep you comfortable during those at-home workouts. Thankfully, many companies offer great savings and promotions on nursing bras to help keep the costs as low as possible.

Exercise for a cause

It might be helpful to feel exercise is beneficial to someone else. It can be very motivating to know that you’re making a difference, so consider signing up for a walk or run for a charity. Training for such a task won’t be easy, but these things can give you a renewed sense of purpose.

Think back to your childhood

Sometimes, the things we did for fun as kids can be the best ways to get in shape as adults. Think hula hoops, jump ropes, and skates, and get your own kids involved. Heck, even strapping on your goggles for some games in your backyard pool or local community pool are great exercise. These options are great ways to spend time with your loved ones and burn some calories.

Although you might have parental responsibilities on your shoulders, it doesn’t mean you can’t find the time to take care of yourself. Look for ways to exercise where and when you can, and use some cost-saving methods to bring it all in under budget.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

This article is a guest post from Ashley Taylor at disabledparents.org

There’s always a certain amount of unknowns when you’re expecting a child. They will have their own personality, their own quirks, their own schedules, and their own physical, mental, and emotional responses. Welcoming a new child is an exciting time, but it can also be scary and stressful. If you’re a parent expecting a child with special needs (physical or mental), there are added worries and concerns on top of it all. This article will address certain concerns particular to parents of a special needs child and can help you prepare for your new bundle of joy.

Preparing Your Home

A young child entering the home means the home will need to be baby-proofed once he or she starts moving about. Outlets need to be covered, sharp edges of furniture need to be padded, locks installed, and baby gates put up. If you’re expecting a child with physical or mental disabilities, however, some extra precautions may need to be taken. If your child will have to use monitors or other devices, you’ll want to speak with EMS and your baby’s doctors prior to your baby’s arrival on how the devices will work and how EMS will respond. Some people with special needs greatly benefit from a service dog, which can provide physical assistance with things like balance, retrieving items, and alerting in case of an emergency. Service dogs also prove to be therapeutic for the whole family. However, it’s best to consult with your doctor and your child’s doctors to prepare specifically for your baby.

Understanding Medical Coverage

Children with special needs have extra costly medical concerns that can be mitigated through insurance and public benefits. Families with children who require public benefits will need to be in contact with the governmental agencies early on to get information and start applying. If you have private insurance, take out your policy and fully examine what is covered, what providers and specialists are available to your child in network, what therapies are covered, and what the appeals process looks like. The more you educate yourself on what resources are available and what services are covered, the less out-of-pocket expenses you will have.

Planning Ahead

Just as all parents plan for big events in their child’s life, you will need to financially prepare for unexpected medical costs associated with your child’s disability. You’ll want to save for your child’s future care, but in doing so, ensure that such savings don’t prevent them from accessing any public benefits. Depending on your child’s diagnoses and what care is and will be required, you may want to consider whether you can downsize, what assets are needed, whether your career affords you the flexibility to attend to your child’s needs or whether you can hire a caregiver, and your income and expenses. Taking a thorough look at your finances and implementing change early on can save you from added stress in the future. This may also include purchasing a life insurance policy, perhaps one with final expense coverage that will pay for your funeral and other expenses to help alleviate those worries at the time.

Taking Time for Yourself

Parenting is exhausting, and that exhaustion can become overwhelming when you have a child with special needs. It’s important that you plan to take breaks when you can and have some personal time, whether it’s a nice bubble bath, exercise, or a weekend getaway. Your child’s care will only be as good as your own, so you’ll need to make your self-care a priority. Early on it it’s critical that you build a network of support and have conversations with people you trust to care for your child when you need to get away. Join a support group of parents with children with special needs who you can relate to and lean on for advice. Self-care and community are important tools for both you and your entire family.

Expecting a child with disabilities comes with its challenges, but preparing ahead of time as much as you can will make life a little easier. You can prepare by taking steps to adapt your home to your child’s needs, educating yourself on insurance policies, procedures, and benefits, preparing financially, and planning for your self-care. There is no way to be fully be prepared for your child with special needs, but there are steps you can take to equip yourself with all you need to embark on this journey.

Author Bio: Ryan Howard runs SmartParentAdvice, a site that provides parenting advice for moms and dads. Ryan writes about all of the different ups and downs of parenting, provides solutions to common challenges, and reviews products that parents need to purchase for babies and toddlers.

Becoming a parent for the first time is an emotional roller coaster. On the one hand, it’s a fun, exciting new chapter in your life. On the other hand, it’s overwhelming and stressful. One of the biggest concerns for new parents is SIDS. SIDS takes the lives of 3,500 infants each year in the US, and creates a ton of anxiety for many more parents. While you might not be able to completely stop worrying about this, you can at least mitigate your risk by creating a safe environment for sleep.

Where To Sleep

One of the biggest factors in infant sleep safety is location. Babies should sleep in cribs or bassinets that meet all of the latest safety standards. Sofas should be avoided as there is a higher likelihood of suffocation for babies sleeping on a sofa. Similarly, infants that sleep in the same bed as an adult are 40 times more likely to die from suffocation. While sleeping in the same bed might feel safe since you can keep close tabs on your little one, it’s actually quite a bit riskier than having them sleep in their own place. This is particularly true if the bed has soft pillows and loose sheets.

Back Is Best

Until they start rolling over on their own, babies should always be put down to sleep on their back. In fact, even when they do start rolling over, it’s still a good practice to put them down on their backs initially. While tummy time is important for babies’ development, it’s not a safe way to sleep. Instead, tummy time should only be done when baby is awake, and only with close adult supervision.

Safe Sleep Tips

Dressing your baby for a good night of sleep is one of the keys to sleep safety. Overheating can be a serious risk for infants. So, you will want to make sure your baby is warm, but not hot. Your little one’s face and head should never be covered.

Pacifiers have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. So, it’s not a bad idea to offer one to your baby when it’s time to sleep. Don’t worry if it falls out after sleep has set in. There is no need to replace it.

Breastfeeding has also been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS. Even 2 – 4 months nursing lowers the risk significantly. If you are able to go for 4 – 6 months, it helps even more.

Monitors have been the topic of some controversy when it comes to sleep safety. A lot of parents feel a lot better when they are able to glance down at a screen and check on their little one. However, it should be noted that monitors have not been proven to decrease SIDS risk. So, while they might make you feel better, you shouldn’t rely on them exclusively. Instead, you should periodically poke your head into your baby’s room to check on him or her.

Final Thoughts

While concerns about SIDS can be a major source of anxiety for new parents, worrying is not always productive. Instead of dwelling on this risk, my advice is to do everything in your power to help ensure your little one is sleeping safely. Then, try to get back to enjoying parenthood.

Photo credit: Pexels

This article is a guest post from Ashley Taylor at disabledparents.org

Raising a child is a fantastic opportunity to help a little person experience the world. According
to Psychology Today, many children who grow up with disabled parents learn unique and
powerful life lessons that help them be more interdependent and empathetic. If you have
disabilities and are expecting a new baby, you’re about to experience a lot of changes. Here’s
how you can best prepare for them.

1. Research equipment

You’ll be stocking up on a lot of equipment to help you care for your little one. Whatever you
purchase, don’t just go for the first shiny object that comes your way. Look up online reviews for the best products that fit your needs. Look for items that are adaptable and can serve multiple purposes. It’s best to research baby products on a reviews site like this one before dropping a lot of cash on them. Having a baby is expensive, and you want it to be worth it.

2. Make mobility easier

Mobility limitations are one of the most common forms of disability. Having a child can make mobility issues more difficult. If you need more than one wheelchair ramp, there are other less expensive options out there. You will also want an accessible baby bathtub that you can put in a sink. There are also velcro bibs, breastfeeding slings, and other items that can make mobility much easier for you and your child.

3. Check medication effects

When you’re pregnant, you experience a lot of extra symptoms: indigestion, constipation,
infections, and so forth. You’ll even experience regular illnesses that require antibiotics. If you
have to take medication, talk with your doctor about any medication side effects and if they’re
safe during pregnancy. Even for common symptoms, it’s good to know which medications are
safe and which aren’t.

4. Try alternative therapies

If you struggle with mobility, alternative therapy can help. This can be especially useful in
helping your body recover after labor. Some alternative therapy options, such as hydrotherapy, are generally safe and can provide a range of unique physical benefits. It can be calming and help your body recover in an easy way without making you feel any extra pain.

5. Find a strong baby carrier

Carrying a baby is a staple of parenthood, and you don’t want to injure yourself. There are a lot of varieties available for carrying your baby beyond the standard baby carrier. You can have a wrappable shawl to carry your baby around in, or you can buy something to latch onto you. There are even carriers you can attach to your wheelchair.

6. Get a crib attachment

Some cribs can attach to the bed, which makes those nighttime feedings much easier. Sharing
a bed with your baby isn’t really a good idea, but the American Academy of Pediatrics gives their stamp of approval to sleeping in the same room but in different beds. There are also cribs that are wheelchair friendly, if you’d prefer to sleep away from your baby.

7. Consult an occupational therapist

Occupational therapists help people fulfill various social roles or occupations. They help people figure out how to do specific activities, like carry a baby, work out nighttime care routines, and other tasks that pop up when you’re caring for a baby. Try consulting an occupational therapist for at least one session so you at least know what your options are.
Having a baby will naturally come with a lot of stressors. What’s important is that you recognize what you can control. Talk with your doctor about any side effects your medication might have, research the equipment you’re interested in purchasing, and consult an occupational therapist. Parenthood will be a lot less stressful and a lot more rewarding that way.