How to Make your Bathroom Absolutely Childproof

Parenting can sometimes be very difficult task. Giving your kids all love they need, educating them and raising them to be good people, would be hard enough even without the need to monitor them 24/7 in their early years. But although it sometimes seems necessary, watching over your kids without a break is simply not possible. Second best thing would be childproofing your house and here we will give a few advices for all supermoms and superdads out there of how to secure one of the places that is most interesting and most dangerous for kids – your bathroom.

 

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Restrict the access to the bathroom

If you think for a while, it is a matter of common sense, but very few people ever thought of that. Of course there is no need to carry the keys with you all the time. Depending of the type of door, there are numerous ways to restrict bathroom access. One of the most practical is to install hook-and-eye lock on the height your kids can’t reach. Another method is choosing a doorknob covers only adults have enough coordination and strength to open. Chances of your kid hurting itself will be reduced dramatically.

Supervise your kid when in bathroom

You can’t prevent the little ones from entering the bathroom completely, of course. But when they are inside keep an eye on them to ensure their safety. Teach them to ask you for access and make this part of your and their routine. Once they are used to that, you will lower the risk of them trying to break in.

 

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Going an extra mile

While the two advice we gave above are very useful and perfectly applicable, we have to admit to ourselves that, for the myriad of reasons, our kids will, sooner or later, venture into bathroom independently. Good news is that there are myriad of ways to keep them safe even then and we will mention some of them:

1.   Be very thorough while cleaning: Look for all the places that are within your kid’s reach and clean them one more time if you have to. Mould and mildew can hide around the corners, sinks and the bathtub. Also, you should try to prevent them even from showing up, so ventilate your bathroom after showering.  That doesn’t require much effort, but it will save you a lot of time in the future.

2.   Remove all the appliances: We all love our appliances and we love them even more when they are usable from the get-go. But, leaving them scattered around the bathroom in is certainly irresponsible if you have kids at home. So keep all the things that produce heat, such as curling rods and hair driers orderly packed, washing machine unplugged, and razors, scissors and other sharp stuff well beyond the reach.

3.   Hide the medications and cosmetics: You are starting to notice the pattern here, don’t you? Everything that can be removed from kid’s eyesight should be removed. Instead of explaining you why these things can be harmful, we will just give you the short list to spare you the time. Here they are: aspirins, antacids, prescription drugs, all of the cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, vitamins and yes, even the toothbrush.

4.   Set back hot water to reasonable temperature: This way you will reduce the risk of scalding, and that will prove beneficial not only to your kids. You may also add an anti-scalding device on the faucets for the extra caution.

5.   Put the lock on everything: It’s really not expensive and it also fits in the regular costs so make sure to call bathroom renovations Sydney. Locking up the toilet will end your kids' fascination with putting head there and keep the water-happy toddlers clean and tidy. Same goes for the lockers. You will sleep better if they are properly guarded. As we mentioned above, you don’t have to carry the keys with you all the time. Just hang them in the bathroom where kids can't reach them.

Although it might seem like you are putting too much effort into all of this, you know how they say – Better safe than sorry. Majority of these measures count as everyday routine, so implementing them shouldn’t be too much of a bother to you and it can mean everything for your kid’s safety.

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Creating the Perfect Study Space for Your Child

While studying at home is always the best option, unfortunately, it has many downsides which could lead to poor study results. However, if you stick to a plan, and make sure that you follow everything, it will be possible to create an environment that will help your child stay focused and get real studying done. On the other side, it is important to look into what helps your kid with learning, so that you can utilize it, and integrate it into the perfect environment that will be great for studying.

The perfect spot

Although it is great to study in their own room, it will be necessary to make sure that they are not being distracted by anything, and that they have a quiet and engaging environment that will help your child study better. If it is possible though, you can make sure that every distraction, especially those from their computer and TV, is avoided and removed; or at least make it so that those distractions will not interfere when it is time to study, make it clear that when it is time to study, they should be able to clearly focus on it, and not on something unimportant.

Making to-dos

It is important that you make to-do lists so that you and your child can stay up to date with what needs to be done, and to follow set rules which will help them focus better. Most importantly, you should develop a homework to-do which will help and guide your kid, so that it will be easier to stay on track and make sure that everything is finished on time and without any distractions. And if they managed to finish before time, they can be rewarded with extra time to play around outside.

No distraction zone

It is very important that once you set up the study room that you get of not only distractions from everyday objects, but also from things happening around your home too. Make sure that you run over a few ground rules and encourage what your kid should be doing in order to tune out distractions and to focus on studying. After all, you need to teach your child to be able to focus on the studies even without you having to interfere.

The right food

Remember to mix together certain snacks which are high in protein and carbs, that will give that extra power to study through hard sessions. Also, a snack break is always necessary to clear your kid’s head and to give a chance to stretch their legs. Furthermore, it should be noted that your child needs to have steady breaks every hours or so, it will help with getting stimulation from other sources, and it will also help with gaining new perspective on the problem at hand. Do not forget to have fresh water at hand, as dehydration can really be a problem for thinking and studying, but avoid sugary drinks at all costs.

Making it comfortable

Studying is always hard, but you can make it easier for your child, and create a comfortable environment if you get a few comfortable, and ergonomic pieces of furniture, it will be possible. But, always account for the fact that sitting in one place can be tedious and boring, and your kid will wiggle around a lot; but instead, if you get a few floor rugs, it will be possible for your kid to study even while lying on the floor. However, make sure that you clean your rugs regularly, because it can collect dirt and dust.

A safe haven for studying

Even though it is not easy to create the perfect study place, it is vital that you work together with your child, because you cannot know everything that can help in order to study better. On the other hand, try your best to keep noise and distraction levels to a minimum from the house itself, as it can be very distracting for your kid. Frequent breaks are necessary to maintain high levels of interest and to clear your kid’s head in order to be ready for the next heavy study session, and also to keep motivation levels high. 

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Blue Beauty

 

LRG initials. LG means my full name while R is the initial of husband's nick name.

NameStylish.com gave me opportunity to choose for free a design of their personalized jewelry. As a feedback, I’ve written my opinion about the jewelry here.  I was so interested since it’s my first time to have a custom-made jewelry piece. I preferred to monogram necklace and they made the pendant well.  

 

Small blue stone

There’s no blue shade on the monogram pendant. So for Blue Monday, I share the small blue stone in a simple ring of mine. I’ve got the ring via auction at ebay :)

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Horses at the Museum

 The horses and carriages were taken at the Museum Angkut (the Transportation Museum in Batu Malang, East Java).  They looked real since they were dead horses that have been preserved.

Camera Critters  and Saturday's Critters

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Tips for Spending More Quality Time with Your Children

Parenting is a job. Period. And just like any other job, it demands a lot of effort and a lot of dedication. It was Dr. Anthony Witham who said that children spell love – T-I-M-E, and he was definitely right. In order for your child to remember and cherish moments spent together with you and your partner, you have to make that time full of memorable activities which will stay in their memory forever. However, with busy schedules we all face each day, it is hard enough to organise time for children, such as school, afterschool activities, birthday parties, holiday trips, and the like. Even though it may seem hard enough as it is, you somehow have to manage to squeeze in some more, extra moments to spend with them. And here is how.

 

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One-on one

No matt-er if your child is still a toddler or a schoolchild, spending time together should become a normal thing to do. It would be best if you organised one-on-one time, for doing something you both would enjoy. And it need not be only Saturdays. For example, If you are a good cooker, and you see you child likes how you are doing it, try giving ‘lessons’ to your child and make cooking dinner a fun activity for the both of you. Even occasional walks or sitting on a bench in the park can be quality time. Talk helps, so you should use those moments to explain your child all the things it is interested in. Make it fun an memorable by bringing their favourite juice or cookies.

Integrated daily schedule

You have probably noticed that children love to help. Especially you, when they see you have so much to do. If you have a lot of mailing to do, have them stamp the envelopes. Make a shopping list together on colourful sheets of paper. Turn grocery shopping into fun time together. Preparing a lunch box can be a combined activity – you make the sandwiches, and the child arranges them in the box. If something needs fixing, ask your child to help you – let it hold the tools while you repair a leaky faucet, paint the fence together, or clean up the dirt from a broken flower pot. This way, the child will learn basic chores and will appreciate the time spent together with you. Even though you probably think this may take some time, and can be pretty messy, after a while you will make it a routine job, and it will be integrated into your daily schedule. Having little helpers can indeed be a true blessing.

Reading and playing games together

Reading before bedtime is simply a must. And after all, it need not be only before bedtime. If you have some time to squeeze in before dinner, read your child a story, or help them with learning how to read. Help your child develop work habits by helping them with their homework, so that they learn that it is a normal thing to do. They will be grateful for eternity for this. Whether you decide to play games together or bring video games into your lives, these activities can contribute greatly to your quality time. If you want your child to see that you are too able to have fun, you can get a bounce trampoline and show the child how skilful you are at jumping. This way, they will mimic all the human features you have – the busy, organised one, but also the interesting, childlike one. You can also spend your leisure time showing your child how to play a video game, and then watch them become more skilful than you. Let your little learners be more successful than their teachers.

And finally, tell your children that they are having a wonderful childhood because they are spending it with you. Days when they will no longer need you so much will come in almost no time, so you should learn to make the most of every moment you have. The most important thing about parenthood is to teach your children how to be good adults, so that they can pass that on to their children as well.

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