My Summer Clothing/Wardrobe Favorites by Rachel Talbott

My Summer Clothing/Wardrobe Favorites
I feel like my style has changed in some ways, but in my home I've always been a casual gal.. That's where I spend most of my time, and I wanted to shared the clothing and wardrobe basics that I wear the most in the summer months. Excited for fall fashion though.. sweaters, scarves, boots... yay!!! I will be adding links a bit later.. Running to pick my son up from school and wanted to upload before I went.. Keep an eye out for links if you're interested in anything I wore in this video. ♥MY WEBSITE: http://www.racheltalbott.com ♥MY SHOP: http://www.PacificThyme.com/ ♥TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/racheltalbott ♥INSTAGRAM: http://followgram.me/racheltalbott ♥MY PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ ♥MUSIC CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/SingingProudAndLoud ♥VLOG CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RachelTalbott ♥HUBBYS COOKING CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott ♥FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott ♥MAILING ADDRESS: 18653 Ventura Blvd., #655, Tarzana, CA 91356 * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED VIDEO

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Single arm skid steer & how they work by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Single arm skid steer & how they work
Our introduction to how to run a skid steer starts with comparing & contrasting the differences between a single arm skid steer to a dual boom skid loader. Volvo skid steers sponsored this series for beginner heavy equipment operators.

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What I Feed My Kids (Meal Ideas & Favorites) by Rachel Talbott

What I Feed My Kids (Meal Ideas & Favorites)
Hey guys!! Ok, let me be honest.. I've been a bit hesitant to share this video. It's always a little nerve wracking to share these types of videos on the internet. I'm not a doctor, and this channel is purely a sharing blog/vlog channel where I share what I'm up to, and what I'm doing in my home.. It's not meant to be telling anyone how they should do it.. I try to feed my kids what I feel is healthy and balanced, but honestly, a chill home is the most important thing for me, and I want my kids to make healthy choices, but also enjoy their life and eat smart. I'm down for some fast food on occasion, some junk food here and there, but I'm just doing my best like any other mama to provide them with lots of options for balanced nutrition.. I do give my children a multi vitamin daily as well. Here are just a few ides that we like around here.. Hope you enjoy! ♥MY WEBSITE: http://www.racheltalbott.com ♥MY SHOP: http://www.PacificThyme.com/ ♥TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/racheltalbott ♥INSTAGRAM: http://followgram.me/racheltalbott ♥MY PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ ♥MUSIC CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/SingingProudAndLoud ♥VLOG CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RachelTalbott ♥HUBBYS COOKING CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott ♥FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott ♥MAILING ADDRESS: 18653 Ventura Blvd., #655, Tarzana, CA 91356 * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED VIDEO

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Why You Might Want To Try Going Gluten Free and 99 Foods That Rock

More and more people are going gluten free, from kids to adults and there are various reasons to do so. Curious about this growing lifestyle? If you’ve wondered whether going gluten-free is for you, here are a few reasons you may want to try it, plus plenty of foods that are gluten free and delicious!

Why You Might Want To Go Gluten Free

From medical reasons to plain good health practices, here’s why you might want to try going gluten free.

1.Food sensitivities/allergies: Many people with food sensitivities or suspected allergies try going gluten free. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye and can cause bowel inflammation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, skin rashes, or tiredness. Individuals with these symptoms often refrain from gluten.

2. Auto-immune diseases: There are strong existing beliefs that gluten and autoimmune diseases are linked. The protein gluten can trigger inflammation and individuals with autoimmune diseases like Grave’s disease, scleroderma, lupus, and many more have shown great improvements after going gluten-free.

3. IBS:

 It’s not fun to talk about, but irritable bowel syndrome is no walk in the park either. Since gluten is an insoluble fiber, it only worsens IBS symptoms. In fact, what you may think are IBS symptoms could very well be a gluten sensitivity/intolerance.

4. Eliminate processed foods: Another great excuse to go gluten-free is because it helps eliminate processed foods that just aren’t good for the body anyway. Going gluten-free is the same as clean eating and every body could benefit from that.

5. Healthy weightless: Going gluten-free really isn’t as self-depriving as a lot of people think.   Switching to a gluten-free diet means avoiding cookies, muffins, donuts, beer, pizza, and pastries, which subsequently leads to healthy weight loss.

99+ Gluten-free Foods That Rock!

Sure, there are some limitations when going gluten-free, but from a ‘glass is half full’ perspective, there are a heck of a lot of great foods you can eat. Check them out!

Fruits and Veggies

Great news—a lot of nature’s finest foods are naturally gluten free, including all fruits and veggies!

• Artichokes
• Avocados
• Broccoli
• Bell peppers
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Zucchini
• Apples
• Peaches
• Pears
• Bananas
• Berries
• Pineapple
• Watermelon
• And more!

Meat/Proteins

• Beef
• Chicken
• Pork
• Fish
• Turkey
• Cold cuts
• Beans, lentils, chickpeas, legumes

Dairy

• Eggs
• Butter
• Cheese (but not blue cheese)
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Plain yogurt
• Cream

Cereals and Grains

• Gluten-free cereals (Chex, Rice Crispies, Corn Flakes, Fruity Pebbles, Cheerios, and more!)
• Gluten-free bread like Udi brand and Genius brand
• Buckwheat groats
• Arrowroot
• Chia
• Cornmeal
• Flax
• Nut flours
• Quinoa
• Rice

Condiments

• Coconut oil
• French mustard
• Honey
• Horseradish
• Jam/jellies
• Olive oil
• Salsa
• Sesame oil
• Syrup

Cooking Substitutes

• Almond flour
• Rice flour
• Gluten-free flour
• Corn flour
• Soya flour

Whether for medical reasons or just overall good health, more and more people are taking out gluten and replacing it with clean, whole foods. Maybe it’s time for a try. If you have any gluten-free favorites, share them below!

The post Why You Might Want To Try Going Gluten Free and 99 Foods That Rock appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

Stihl battery equipment- is it good enough for the lawn care or landscaping pro?!? Blower, Chainsaw by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Stihl battery equipment- is it good enough for the lawn care or landscaping pro?!? Blower, Chainsaw
Stihl power tools have become Battery powered? Lets look at their blowers, weed whips & chainsaw to see if they work for lawncare or landscape pro's. Stihls chainsaw sharpener on amazon https://amzn.to/2nKVdF2 Awesome safety glasses: https://amzn.to/2L0g0NS Battery blowers here: https://bit.ly/2BhTO2n

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Toilet Paper Pumpkins

Happy Fall! Well, almost:) I can admit that I’ve already pulled out our fall decor and have been busy planning new crafts and tablescapes for the season! Today I’m sharing how to make adorable Toilet...

The post Toilet Paper Pumpkins appeared first on Smart School House.

by Kelly via Home And Garden

Mowing Thick, tall grass on the impossible Site - This Is oddly satisfying.Steep slope with washouts by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Mowing Thick, tall grass on the impossible Site - This Is oddly satisfying.Steep slope with washouts
Lawn mowing the toughest site I've seen-broke the Ventrac. It wasn't cut in 3 years. Tall, thick, wet grass, stumps, washouts & more. It was oddly satisfying to watch this come down.

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My Top 4 Me Time/Self Care Habits by Rachel Talbott

My Top 4 Me Time/Self Care Habits
Thanks for watching!! Today I wanted to share my top for Me Time/ Self Care Habits.. Between my family, my home, and my job, I don't have the same time for myself that I once did. Here are the few habits I try to carve out for myself. ThredUP is offering my fans a special discount of 30% off your first order! Just click here: http://bit.ly/RACHEL_thredUPAug18 and enter my promo code RACHEL30 (Applies to new US customers only. Applies to items under $150 and excludes Goody Boxes. Redeemable online only. Offer expires 10/31/18). Resistence Bands https://amzn.to/2wt4QfE Brow Kit https://amzn.to/2o5bZyS Pixie Oxygen Mask https://amzn.to/2NdB7hL ♥MY WEBSITE: http://www.racheltalbott.com ♥MY SHOP: http://www.PacificThyme.com/ ♥TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/racheltalbott ♥INSTAGRAM: http://followgram.me/racheltalbott ♥MY PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ ♥MUSIC CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/SingingProudAndLoud ♥VLOG CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RachelTalbott ♥HUBBYS COOKING CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott ♥FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott ♥MAILING ADDRESS: 18653 Ventura Blvd., #655, Tarzana, CA 91356 * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ This video is sponsored by thredUP. I have been a paying customer of thredUP, and wear the items I've purchased from the site all the time.

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The Very Real Problem Facing Girls Today

*Thank you to Always for sponsoring this post and for being so passionate about empowering girls. We’re helping raise awareness about a very real problem facing girls today. Go girls—we can do this!

I’m going to get very blunt very fast. The subject matter of this post warrants it and there are thousands of girls out there depending on us to make a big difference for them.

Middle school was rough. As a girl, you not only had to navigate mean kids and perverted comments, but you had to deal with a period on top of the whirlpool of puberty. I remember one day hiding in the bathroom through the last two class periods because my pad had leaked through and I was too mortified to ask for another one.

Periods require girls to deal with a very adult thing at such a young age. Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 American girls have either left school early or missed school entirely because of a lack of access to period products? We usually think this is a problem in other countries but it is happening to so many girls right here in our own backyard.

Lack of access starts a vicious cycle of missing school, getting behind on classwork, and missing out on activities like sports and clubs that help build a girl’s confidence and skills. It’s a very real problem facing girls today.

#EndPeriodPoverty and How We Can Help

We’ve teamed up with Always to help raise awareness about the lack of access to period products that is affecting millions of girls across the nation. Always is so passionate about empowering girls and we completely love them for it. Always knows that girls are the future and that we can’t afford for them to miss out on education and enriching activities.

It’s time to #EndPeriodPoverty and here’s how we can help.

From now until September 8, every Always product you purchase will automatically donate period products to girls in need. Always is also donating an additional 15 million period products to Feeding America, a school pantry organization that provides food, toiletries, and personal care products to kids who are most in need.

Here are three easy ways you can help #EndPeriodPoverty.

1. Join the conversation.

Talk to your friends, spark the conversation on social media, talk to your daughters and to teachers at local middle and high schools to make sure they are aware of the issue. How cool would it be if every girl knew that her teacher had period products on hand in a discreet and convenient place?

2. Purchase Always products.

Any time you buy an Always product from now until September 8, your purchase equals a donation of product to girls in need.

3. Do something at your local level to make a difference.

We recently visited our local Feeding America food bank and dropped off a donation of Always products. Click here to find your local Feeding America center and consider making a donation of feminine products. They could sure use it.

You could also talk to girls in schools or church groups to start the conversation.

For decades, Always has been empowering millions of girls through puberty. It’s an extremely difficult time of life—one I surely don’t wish to revisit. Did you know that at puberty, a girl’s first period often marks the lowest point of confidence during her teenage years?

I believe it. I remember the day I came home from school crying because someone told me my hair was so curly it looked like pubic hair. Every little thing someone said or did was a blow to my confidence. I’m sure you remember similar events.

Now as grown women, we are in a position to help girls trying to survive puberty with their confidence in tow. We can make sure no girl ever has to go through the humility of leaving school or missing school because she can’t get a pad. Let’s rally the troops! Join the conversation, get involved, help make a difference. #EndPeriodPoverty

The post The Very Real Problem Facing Girls Today appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

“Twilight:” Bella Swan’s House Is For Sale in Oregon

Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Twilight hit theaters? When I started blogging in 2008, it was all people could talk about, and the houses from the movie were some of the first ones I featured. Bella Swan’s house is on the market in Oregon, so I thought it would be fun to revisit […]

The post “Twilight:” Bella Swan’s House Is For Sale in Oregon appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

Construction, Landscaping & lawn care Tools. Gear & Equipment from the GIE Plus tips t by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Construction, Landscaping & lawn care Tools. Gear & Equipment from the GIE Plus tips t
Tools, gear and equipment for the landscape, lawn care pro at the GIE, Plus what to expect when you get there. Tips to have the best experience at the event. 50% off the GIE Here: https://bit.ly/2PcSMaJ

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Casual Weekend Vlog by Rachel Talbott

Casual Weekend Vlog
Hey guys! Today the video is gonna be a bit different. I decided to film a bit of our weekend on my iPhone and share it here on my channel in a vlog format. We generally keep the weekends really chill. We work in the yard, play with the cousins, make music, and cook yummy food.. It's not anything too exciting, but we are loving the chill weekends soooo much!! ♥MY WEBSITE: http://www.racheltalbott.com ♥MY SHOP: http://www.PacificThyme.com/ ♥TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/racheltalbott ♥INSTAGRAM: http://followgram.me/racheltalbott ♥MY PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ ♥MUSIC CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/SingingProudAndLoud ♥VLOG CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RachelTalbott ♥HUBBYS COOKING CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott ♥FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott ♥MAILING ADDRESS: 18653 Ventura Blvd., #655, Tarzana, CA 91356 * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED VIDEO

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Thrill the World – Learn the Thriller Dance for Charity

Have you ever wanted to learn the Thriller dance from Michael Jackson’s iconic and so-creepy-it-gave-me-nightmares-as-a-kid music video? Do you love Halloween and dressing up? What about community events and charity fundraisers? Do you like those? How about setting world records? If you’re interested in any of these things, it might be time for you to Thrill the World.

What Is It?

Thrill the World is an international dance event fundraiser and it is maybe the most fun ever. Every year participants learn a standardized version of the Thriller dance, dress up as zombies, and perform the dance simultaneously in hundreds of groups all over the world.

Each group chooses a charity to raise money for and every year we try to break the world record for Largest Simultaneous Dance with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

How We Got Started

I first learned about the dance while lying face down on a chiropractic table. My doctor was telling me about what she’d done that weekend. When I heard she’d preformed Thriller with her book club and about 300 other people locally and thousands around the world, I wanted more information.

I’m a terrible dancer who has always dreamed of performing Thriller and she reassured me that most of the participants were not amazing dancers and that it would be easy to learn. I decided to give it a try… if my 12-year-old ballerina daughter would join me. And she did!

Who Should Do it?

When we went to our first practice, we were surprised by the wide range of ages, races, and ability levels. Of course, the range here will depend on your location and who is organizing the event. But, from what I’ve seen, many of the locations are very inclusive.

Our dancers range in age from 8-years-old (like my youngest daughter last year) to senior citizens of all ages. There are women and men, stay-at-home moms, computer engineers, and professional dancers.

If you love to dance, this event is for you.

How To Prepare

You can learn the dance online. There is a great series of YouTube tutorials that guide you through each section of the dance, at various speeds, and with spoken instructions. We used these our second year, when we already had a good feel for the dance.

Many areas have classes or group practice sessions. Search online for a group in your area and reach out to ask if the zombies get together pre-Thrill to practice and learn together. I find it MUCH easier to learn with an instructor and a group of new friends to encourage me.

Many of the groups have not registered on the official site yet, so if you don’t see your location listed, just keyword search “thrill the world” and “name of your city” on google.

Costume Ideas

For some people, the best part of Thrill the World is the ZOMBIE COSTUME! I’m not a huge fan of gore so I basically put up with the zombie stuff in order to dance Michael Jackson moves with my people. (I know! Total sacrilege!)

For costuming, your best resource is your local Good Will or Value Village. Finding used clothes and then roughing them up and coating them with dirt and fake blood is really all it takes.

It’s also fun to plan a theme with your friends. We’ve been Sleepy Pajama zombies, Princess Zombies, and most recently Old Taylor Swift Zombies – because she’s dead.

I’ve seen HAZMAT Zombies, Mermaid Zombies, Surfer Zombies, 80s Zombies, and pretty much any other theme you can think of.

Have fun and be creative!

We are longtime members of the Redmond Zombies and it’s a blast every year. Local businesses get involved, offering discounts for dancers and special themed meals and treats. Are you planning to Thrill the World this year? I’d love to hear about it!

The post Thrill the World – Learn the Thriller Dance for Charity appeared first on How Does She.

by Kathryn Thompson via Home And Garden

Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of money on a lot of crap. There was the hundred dollar robotic dog that my kids swore was the only thing they’d ever ask for again. Robo-dog now resides at the bottom of the toy box. We’ve been suckered into a few similar traps (the mega slip-and-slide that ended up in a wad in the back yard and a gigantic inflatable ball that took my husband four hours on Christmas Eve to blow up). But some purchases have withstood the test of time to be really awesome family investments. Here are some favorites!

11 Family Splurges That Are Totally
Worth It!

1. A projector

You haven’t watched movies like Jurassic Park or Harry Potter until you’ve watched them on a projector. Projectors are cool because you can use them inside or outside for an incredible viewing experience. Inside, you can turn a blank wall into your own theatre. Outside, use a projector to watch the big game with neighbors or friends or host an outdoor movie night.

For around $500, it’s a splurge that ends up being totally worth it.

2. Basketball hoop

After my son started dribbling all over the house and used my laundry basket for a hoop, we broke down and got a good one for outside. That basketball hoop has been so much fun for our whole family. And not only our family, but neighborhood kids often roam over to shoot some hoops or play a pick-up game. Even if you’re not gunning for an NCAA scholarship or a future in the NBA, an outdoor basketball hoop is still a solid purchase that your kids and grandkids can use at every age.

3. Trampoline

This one’s going to get a lot of conflicting views, but in my experience, our trampoline has been nothing but positive. It’s got a net around it for my peace of mind and my kids are out on that thing every single day. They love making up new games on it and I love that it encourages physical activity. A trampoline helps kids get their wiggles out and as long as an adult is there to monitor, a trampoline can provide all sorts of long-term fun.

4. Car dvd player

I often think about my poor parents and how they had to listen to us kids fight, complain, and sing “This is the song that never ends…” on road trips. Today, when we’re 100 miles into a family vacation and there’s not a peep from the back seat because my four kids are quietly watching The Greatest Showman with their bluetooth headphones, I praise the inventor of the car DVD player. It was a $1,000 upgrade and one I’d easily do again.

5. A home pod

Whether it’s Amazon Alexa, the Apple HomePod, or another smart home system, having one is a splurge that is well worth it. Being able to play music throughout the whole house makes work more enjoyable—the kids actually like doing their chores when we can jam out. A home pod is also awesome for verbally adding to your shopping list and asking questions like “How many cups in a quart?” and getting immediate answers.

It’s one of those purchases that you didn’t know you needed, but once you have one, you couldn’t go back.

6. Shaved ice maker

This is a fun one! For parties, hot summer days, or just a novelty after-dinner treat, a shaved ice maker is awesome to have! Get a good electric one that can give you shaved ice in a jiffy. And don’t forget the flavored syrups!

7. Yeti cooler

It’s hard to imagine spending $300-$500 on a cooler (I mean, it’s a cooler!), but you really get what you pay for with the Yeti cooler. It’s heavy duty—I’ve seen one fall off the back of a truck on the highway once and it didn’t get a single dent—and has three inches of PermaFrost insulation to keep your drinks and food cold far longer than any other cooler. Plus, it’s so sturdy, it can serve as a bench when you’re camping!

8. Hot tub

Some of my most memorable nights include sitting in a hot tub, looking up at the stars. Yes, it’s a splurge, but the majority of people who own a hot tub say they are completely worth it. It’s a great way to unwind at night and create fun family memories (where safety and precaution are practiced).

9. Backyard swing set

Every kid deserves a backyard swing. Growing up, my grandpa built this massive metal swings and slide in his backyard for us grandchildren to play on, and it’s a good thing he did. That’s where we lived spring, summer, fall, and even winter (we’d slide down the slide in our snow pants into the snow piles below). If you wonder whether or not you’ll get your money’s worth out of a swing set, chances are if you have children or grandchildren, you will.

10. Family vacations

My dad was a scrupulous man, never paying more for something than he needed to. But the only area he would freely splurge was family vacations. Whether it was taking us five kids to
Disneyland or the Oregon Coast, he found a way to make it happen. Family vacations are important. If there’s one thing to splurge on, a family vacation is it.

11. Sports, activities, and lessons

Another area that is well worth forking over extra dollars for, it’s extracurricular activities for your kids. When I was younger, I never gave a second thought that all those piano lessons, softball teams, and 4-H camps actually cost my parents money. But having those opportunities enriched my life and made me who I am today. When it comes to helping your kids discover and develop talents, any money you spend is money well-spent.

The post 11 Family Splurges That Are Totally Worth It! appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

Extreme Bathroom Remodel Problems--Man Cave Build gone wrong by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Extreme Bathroom Remodel Problems--Man Cave Build gone wrong
Not all our projects go the way we want them to! We hit a water line while turning the ugly shower into a wild cave. 2 steps forward and one step backward this time.. Learn more here https://universalrocksacademy.com Tools for the Build: Milwaukee impact: https://amzn.to/2vn1xXB 100% silicone here: https://amzn.to/2MkqmtG Caulk gun here: https://amzn.to/2vtqtgb

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5 Tips to Help You Handle Tough Talks With Your Kids

One of the hardest parts of parenting is learning how to handle those inevitable, uncomfortable, and ultimately important tough parenting talks. It’s those things you don’t want to talk about, but you really need to talk about, that test your parenting abilities, strengthen your relationship with your child, and prepares your child for the future. Conversations about topics like divorce, death, puberty, bullying, sexuality, and abuse are unavoidable;  unless you want your child turning to their peers, the Internet, social media, or other unreliable sources for information and comfort. It’s best that you are prepared so when these tough topics come your way you will pass the oral exam with flying colors.

As a parent, I have an open communication policy with my boys. They know they can ask me anything & no matter how much I cringe & want to run from the room in tears I will give them straight forward & honest (age appropriate) answers. Kids will have questions, they will have big feelings they don’t always understand, & they need someone to confront & confide in-as a parent, you need to be that person. You need to be prepared for the tough parenting talks so when your child throws you a curve ball you are ready.

How To Prep For the Tough Parenting Talks

1. Self-Assess

You need to check in with your own emotions before you attempt to check in with your child. Make sure you are calm, clear headed, and objective prior to the conversation commencement. Be aware of your biases, feelings, thoughts, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses regarding the topic on hand. Is this a topic you are comfortable with and knowledgeable about? Do you need to do little research or reach out to a support before talking it out with your child? You may not be in the right mindset to handle the conversation at hand. It’s okay. Don’t be afraid to tell your child you value their question and that you will give them a full answer soon. You are best able to take care of your child’s needs when your needs are cared for.

2. Assess Your Child

Try to anticipate how your child may be feeling regarding this topic and plan your response accordingly. Is she curious? Scared? In need? Be conscious of your child’s maturity level and make sure your answer is age appropriate. Most of the tough topics cannot and should not be covered in one conversation. Often times, you will introduce the topic and continue to build on the initial address in conversations to come. Pay attention to your child’s emotional responses as you converse. Be ready to adjust the conversation to meet your child’s needs and comfort level.

3. Listen

Listening is one of the most important things a parent can do. Your child is going to need someone to talk to, and you can only hope that outlet will be you. Make yourself available to your child daily. We live in an extremely busy world that is constantly piling more & more on our to-do lists. It’s important that you carve out some down time to allow your child the opportunity to approach you, and when she does, give her your full attention. Your child may not always verbalize his concerns. Pay attention to non-verbal cues. Watch for changes in mood, routines, energy levels, friends, behaviors, and emotions. Let these cues dictate what you say to your child, when you say it, and how you say it.

4. Question

Don’t always wait for your child to come to you. Sometimes these tough talks are handled best when you confront them directly. If you are paying attention to your child’s emotional cues, life changes, & maturity development you will know if it is a good time to bring up some of these inevitable discussions. Sometimes the best way to bring up a new topic is with a granulized question. When you regularly engage in conversations and questions about every day dealings with your child she will feel more comfortable and confident answering the tough questions.

5. Reassure

Be sympathetic in your responses to your child. Remind her that whatever she is feeling is okay. It’s okay to be sad, scared, angry, and hurt. Sometimes these big conversations can be earth shattering for young minds that thrive on consistency. When you tackle a tough topic it is important that you take a moment to remind your child that nothing has changed, life is the same, it is only their understanding that has expanded. Be sure to be honest, straightforward, & clear. Remind your child that you are there to help.

Discussing mature concepts with little minds is scary, overwhelming, and intimidating. But it is important. Life is confusing, it is your job to guide your child through the difficult phases she will face. You want him to turn to you as a source for information, especially when it comes to these tough topics. So follow these tips and be ready for those oncoming tough parenting talks and keep your children from running the other way when you say, “puberty”.

Helping our children maneuver through this world is a challenge not for the faint of heart! Here are a few more ideas to help you win at this parenting thing:

Shut Up Parenting – Knowing When “Nothing” is the Right Thing to Say

The One Question To Ask Your Kids That Will Spark Genuine Conversation

The 10-Minute Parenting Experiment

The post 5 Tips to Help You Handle Tough Talks With Your Kids appeared first on How Does She.

by Sara Watkins via Home And Garden

Kitchen Decor Update

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know we’ve spent a good part of our summer updating and upgrading our new home’s kitchen. Today I’m sharing our kitchen decor update, even though I’m not...

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by Kelly via Home And Garden

Latest and Greatest Tools and Equipment by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Latest and Greatest Tools and Equipment
Top tools, gear & equipment for construction, landscaping, and lawn care. From heavy equipment to Power tools, chainsaws and more- from the last 3 years of trade shows. 50% off the GIE Here: https://bit.ly/2PcSMaJ Milwaukee Chainsaw here: https://amzn.to/2OKuNyP Stihl Concrete saw: https://amzn.to/2nKaDZW Paw Electric Wheel barrow: https://amzn.to/2MmIRBN Milwaukee String trimmer: https://amzn.to/2vMSrU8

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One-Eyed Monster Cookies

One-Eyed Monster Cookies BOO! How cute and colorful are these one-eyed monster cookies? My son spotted these gummy candies at the grocery store today and we just had to do something fun with them. They...

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by Kelly via Home And Garden

Apple Cinnamon Dump Cake

With fall approaching, there are a few things we are looking forward to here at Smart School House. We love the crisp and cool air as well as beautiful fall leaves. We love pumpkins and...

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by Kelly via Home And Garden

Special Back to School Dinner

Lazy summer days are coming to an end for most (if not already ended) and backpacks are being stuffed with supplies. Back to school is an exciting time for kids (and moms) and at our house we try and make it something to look forward to, and ease the fears and insecurities that lie just below the surface.

One of our favorite traditions this time of year is our special back-to-school dinner. We hold it the night before the first day of school. (However, it might work better for you on the first day or even two weeks later.) Here are three easy steps to make this dinner memorable for your family.

1. Menu:
Let the kids pick the menu. Their selections would never make my list of “special dinner options” but it’s special to them because they chose it. With multiple kids, you might need to break it out and let one choose the main dish and another choose the dessert. This has made for some interesting dinner combinations at our house, but they all walk away happy. And yes, it usually includes some sort of Jello – kids are funny that way! We pull out the “fancy cups” as my kids refer to them as and we always make sure to have sparkling cider.

2. Decorations:
Chances are you won’t have to spend a dime on decor. Open up the office drawers and use the kids school supplies before they take them the first day. Throw a fun tablecloth (or use wrapping paper like I did) on the table.

Use a roll of paper to create a runner they can color and write on during dinner.



We used clipboards for placemats and clips to hold the name tags.


I scoured through the closet and found ABC and math flashcards which worked great.

You can make a banner out of an old book – tear out a couple pages and use permanent marker or cut out letters that you print from the printer.

Grab some books from your bookshelf and you’ve got a festive table.

3. Program:
Our dinner serves an important purpose; we introduce our family theme for the school year and go over important information. The theme can be as simple or as complicated as you like. It could be a quote, a scripture or a word. Last year our word was “Gratitude” and we had a printed scripture in our kitchen all year, “In every thing give thanks.” My husband and I really think about something our family could work on to serve as our theme. This year we landed on “Be Kind and Stand Up”.

We always want our children to be kind to others, but more importantly we wanted to instill within them the drive to stand up for those that struggle to stand on their own. We discussed ways to stand up and opportunities we could work on. We’ll spend one day a month during a family night over the school year to reiterate different points of the theme.

The back-to-school dinner is also a great time to go over important family/safety information. Where do you go if you get off the bus and no one is home? Who lives close you can call on for help? Do you know the phone number? How do you handle someone mean at school? We always open it up for questions from our kids and sometimes its comical of the worse case scenarios they want you to walk through with them. It was also that night I realized I had failed as a parent when our new kindergarten boy didn’t know the phone number! Whoops! That’s why this dinner is quite useful. For some of the very important information, you can laminate a small card (with important phone numbers and the child’s address) and put it in the front pocket of the backpack.

In the end, you can toast to a new, exciting school year and send them to their beds dreaming of pencils and lunch boxes. It will be a dinner they won’t soon forget.

See more of my adventures and projects at www.lifewithfingerprints.com

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by Kara via Home And Garden

Stupidly easy Car Mods for $30 Bucks that actually look Good by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Stupidly easy Car Mods for $30 Bucks that actually look Good
Cheap doesn't mean ugly -DIY Car Mods that look good Without breaking the bank. Customized wheels & rims for $30 a pop, & building Diamond Plated floor matts for $20. Simple stuff for any beginner -everything in this video was easy & cost next to nothing to do. Here are the links to all the stuff in this video Letters from Tredwear.com Lighting from: http: www.opt-7.com Tools in this build: Milwaukee hackzall https://amzn.to/2KQlRFp Makita Grinder: https://amzn.to/2Mu2HKJ Mothers Mag Polish: https://amzn.to/2B9ELro Never dull: https://amzn.to/2MGsFHr Tire lettering on amazon: https://amzn.to/2KMyf9r

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Halloween Dessert Ideas

Now, who would have ever thought that Halloween could be “adorable”? I mean, the holiday is intended for people to look grotesque or scary. Well, just take a look at these SUPER CUTE Halloween dessert...

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by Kelly via Home And Garden