Home and Family
How Living in a Smaller Home Can Make You Happier
Living in a smaller home isn’t just a smart financial decision. It can improve your quality of life in so many ways. It makes life simpler, less stressful, and more enjoyable. And living small can make you richer, healthier, and happier, too! American houses have grown far too big. The average size of new homes built in the United States grew 62 percent from 1,660 square feet in 1973 to 2,687 square feet in 2015, an increase of 1,027 square feet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Chances are, you are currently living in a big house, too, and it may be causing you more stress than you realize. If your house…
12 Effective Ways to Nurture Your Important Relationships
Relationships are at the center of who we are. Whether they are with a parent, spouse, or child, or your friend, or your boss, co-worker, or business partner, your most important relationships are worth the time and care you put into them. They are the people in your life who appreciate having you in theirs. These people not only embrace you as you are, but also encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. A relationship cannot survive on its own. You need to find effective ways to nurture your relationships that matter. Just like a plant, it needs constant care and attention. Your relationship with others needs the care…
Your Teens and the Harmful Effects of Social Media
Any web site that allows social interaction is considered a social media site, including social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Today, social media is a big part of many teens’ and even tweens’ lives. A 2018 Pew Research Center survey of nearly 750 13- to 17-year-olds found that 45% are online almost constantly, and 97% use a social media platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. Therefore, it’s important that parents learn more about the harmful effects of social media so they can help their teens stay safe online. Such sites offer today’s youth a portal for entertainment and communication and have grown exponentially in recent…
Why My Kids (and Yours!) Don’t Need a Lot of Toys
I have two beautiful young kids. One is thirteen and the other one is six. Before my older one was born, I had decided that I won’t buy a lot of toys for my children to play with, and I didn’t. Many of you may find it little hard to believe that altogether I only spent somewhere between $125 to $150 over the years on toys (new toys, not used) for my 1st child, and even less for my younger one since he inherited some cool toys from his older sister. According to a recently conducted research, the average amount spent on toys per child in 2017 was highest in…
Are You Spending Enough Quality Time With Your Family?
A recent study shows that most people these days don’t spend enough quality time with their family to create a strong and healthy relationship with their spouse, children, or parents. Spending quality family time in this busy day and age is a challenge for many. A new survey revealed that average American families are enjoying just 37 minutes of “quality time” together as a family on a regular weekdays. That gets little better at 2 hours and 40 minutes on weekend days. While American adults spend nearly 3 hours a day on social media, spending just 37 minutes a day with family sounds pretty disheartening. Due to lack of family…
How to Teach Your Kids Gratitude
Teaching kids gratitude goes beyond simply teaching them good manners and being polite. Gratitude is more than that. It is a lifestyle that leads us to a positive mindset, healthier and stronger relationships, and overall contentment. Teaching your kids gratitude is about teaching them to appreciate everything they have, and teaching them to show generosity and compassion to others – which actually contributes to their own happiness. What is Gratitude? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, gratitude is simply “the state of being grateful.” It is a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for the good that person has done, and readiness to return that kindness. The Harvard Medical School provides more details,…
