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Hiring An Interior Designer

hanun — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:26:58 +0000

Design professionals are your resource to the latest trends, best products and ideas to help assist you in the best possible way to achieve your goals. The designer will do the footwork for you while providing the very best for your budget. They can save you hundreds of dollars on just one project by helping to prevent costly mistakes. The agreed upon fee can be by the hour or by the project depending on the client\’s needs. Below I have outlined some tips for choosing a designer:

1. Interview several designers to find the best fit for your project.

2. A professional will be upfront about the fees and cost so there will be no hidden fees that will surprise you in the end. Ask questions!

3. Find a designer that fits your budget and project. Some professionals only deal with certain aspects of design and have a minimum charge. Interview over the phone first and get some pricing upfront.

4. Be sure to express your feelings to the designer and keep the lines of communication open.

5. This should be an enjoyable experience! If not, then choose another designer. Any recommendations you can get from other clients are always helpful.

6. A true professional will be able to buy at wholesale and save you money!

7. Get references! A professional will have references and photos that show projects that have been completed. Ask detailed questions about any concerns you may have about the projects completed. Actually check the references from the portfolio.

8. Address any concerns about the time that you have appropriated for the project, monies involved and the overall schedule that you must meet.

9. Discuss the quality you expect and what you hope to gain from this project.

10. Get any details in writing that you feel necessary. Such as: project time limits, monies to be paid to the designer, contracts, agreements and the scope of the work.

Remember that your designer is a complete resource for the creation of the lifestyle that you want to bring to your home or office. Hiring a designer can be one of the best decisions you ever make!

Developing Co Parenting Skills: Working Together To Raise Happy Kids

hanun — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 01:32:00 +0000

Co-parenting isn’t easy. It’s actually quite a chore. When neither parent is willing to negotiate or communicate, the child has the job of transitioning from one parenting style to the other. As a parent educator and family therapist, I have seen many anxious and confused children affected by their parents’ inconsistent rules and styles. Sometimes children do this under the same roof and sometimes under two, but the bottom line is that it is the parents’ responsibility to create a balance.

Parenting skills vary much like personalities. The differences can be as subtle as the setting of bedtimes to as serious as choosing consequences for bad behavior. The bottom line is adults have a number of motivations for parenting. For instance, they might try to do better than their parents. Thus, we attempt to find new and effective strategies to raise good kids. These ambitions can be difficult enough. Now add the challenge of joining forces with another adult who was raised by different parents and who may be select different strategies.

So how do parents, married or divorced, stay clear and consistent, raise confident children, and feel influential as parents? They learn how to work together and become better co-parents! Here are several successful co-parenting steps:

Identify your personal style and motivations. Your first job in becoming a successful co-parent is to figure out your general style and motivations. If it were all up to you, how would you parent? How would you motivate your children? How would you use punishment and encouragement? What are the top 10 values you would like to teach your kids? Now ask yourself WHY? Why would your style be that way? What is your motivation? How did your parents parent you? Are you attempting to repeat their upbringing or compensate for it? Share your parenting style and motivation with your co-parent. I understand that you might feel vulnerable sharing your style and motivation. Your style may be different than your spouse’s style. In order for you and your partner to co-parent successfully, you both need to appreciate and support the ideas you bring to the table. When you listen to where the other parent is coming from, it will allow you to join forces. Before deciding on a parenting style and direction, consult parenting books and classes. Now that you have looked at each other’s parenting style, take a look together at good parenting books and the current research. Report back to each other and consider how your styles measure up. Decide on a parenting style. You now have several examples of parenting strategies and philosophies. Its time to blend what you believe with what your co-parent believes and what the experts say. This is the ultimate in negotiation but remember that if you do not negotiate at the adult level, it leaves your child to figure it out. Once you’ve decided, then write down the basics and embrace your new co-parenting style. Implement your new co-parenting style. Now you parent! Both parents are on the same page. Children are clear on what is expected of them and what the consequences are if they do not follow the family expectations. Thus, it lessens the occasions of arguing between the parents and the opportunities for manipulation by the children. Hold weekly co-parenting meetings with your spouse. Since you are the CEOs of your family and are business partners in a very real way, you must stay in constant communication. The success or failure of your family rests in your capable hands. Thus, co-parenting meetings are a must! These meetings should include finances, home maintenance, parenting, and relationship issues. Meetings should be held weekly with schedule book, meeting journal and budget book in hand. Continue to review your parenting style. You may find that one child thrives under your new system while another loses balance. Good co-parents always re-evaluate and restructure when necessary.

We are busy parents today. It is difficult to take the time to evaluate our parenting styles but the payoff is big for you as a parenting unit as well as for your child. Co-parenting takes the pressure off our children and the conflict out of our lives.

Welcome New Baby With Baby Gifts

hanun — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:29:16 +0000

Your best friend just gave birth to a baby girl, and you want to congratulate her with a new baby gift. Your co-worker is expecting a baby, and you are shopping for baby shower gifts for her. A new baby sure melts our heart. Welcoming a new baby to this world is one of the joy of life. This article provides an overview of adorable new baby gifts that help you greet the precious little one with your best wishes.

Popular new baby gifts include the following:

a. Baby Time Capsule:

This unique gift preserves memories of the arrival of baby and will be treasured for years to come. It consists of a plush bear, and a baby memories set which includes a profile of baby\’s new world: the parents\’ daily lives, the family car and home, stationery with matching envelopes for friends and family to write to baby, color stickers to make a photo album or scrapebook or label videos and audio tapes. Also included is a \”How-To\” guide filled with great ideas for what to put inside and storage suggestions. This keepsake will be filled with memorabilia from baby\’s birthday and first year. This magical Time Capsule is then sealed until a special day in the future-when the baby has grown. This gift is perfect for either baby boy or girl, and a great baby shower gift.

b. Baby First Bank Keepsake Gift:

This is an adorable ceramic keepsake gift set for mom and dad to keep and remember all the important milestones as baby grows. Includes a first tooth keepsake box, first haircut keepsake and an authenic piggy bank. This gift can be sent with baby time capsule to keep all the precious memories of baby\’s magical early years.

c. Baby Gift Basket:

Baby gift baskets are practical gifts to welcome the new baby. One such basket is an adorable wicker baby bassinet filled with all the baby essentials such as baby rattle, soft fleece blanket, pacifier, comb and brush set and microwave chocolate fudge mix for the new parent. Baby gift baskets are usually available in blue for boys, pink for girls, and neutral color for baby shower gift when the gender of the baby is not yet known. You can also send a deluxe baby gift basket to greet baby and the proud parents in grand style. The gift includes layette essentials, a first teddy bear, a lullaby CD, and treats for parents, including: long stem rose chocolate candies, premium coffee, and cigar rolled chocolate filled cookie. To make the blessed event truly unforgettable, this white basket includes a baby photo album, a baby time capsule and a first footprint kit.

d. Baby Gift Box:

Alternatively, you can send a baby gift box. There are many designs to choose from. A popular gift box is filled with tiny, cozy clothing for the little prince or princess, plus a kit for saving baby\’s tiny footprint forever. The re-usable box can be used later around the nusery as storage container. Another adorable gift box is filled with all the good things that take loving good care of baby. This baby gift box delivers your good wishes in style, and contains baby booties, Shortbread Cookies with baby feet imprints, baby picture frame, terry cloth wash cloth set, cotton baby tee shirts, baby shampoo, powder, lotion, rash cream, baby teether, bottle, and an 8\” teddy bear. Send this lovely gift to the special new little someone in your life.

e. Gift For Mom and Baby or Dad and Baby:

Surprise Mom or Dad and their precious baby with this baby gift. Perfect for small hands is the adorable plush puppy or monkey and \”I Love Mommy/Daddy\” bib that will be put to good use. For Mom or Dad there is a baby candle, individual wrapped toffee candies and gourmet snack mixture. Mom and Dad will cherish the keepsake plaster kit of My First Footprint for lasting memories of their new bundle of joy.

f. Baby Necessity Gift Bag:

The baby necessity gift basket is filled with everything necessary and cute for the new baby, including a 12\” furry tan bear, baby picture frame, washcloth set, flannel baby blanket, baby teether, rubber duck, baby wash, and baby comb and brush set. It comes in pink for girls, blue for boys, or teal and yellow. Give the gift of total care for the newborn.

g. Baby Blanket with plush toy animal:

This baby blanket with plush giraffe, elephant, or puppy is sure to keep baby company and warm as he/she grows. The 14\” ultra plush and soft toy animal with detachable full size blanket will soon become baby\’s favorite.

h. Bath Time Baby:

In the Bath Time Baby gift basket, the musical duckling plays \”Old McDonald Had a Farm\” while baby splashes in the wash tub. Inside the wash tub are cozy bath accessories, including a hooded bath towel, a baby picture frame, an ultra soft blanket, baby shampoo, terry wash cloth, baby picture frame, baby caps, rubber ducks, baby booties, baby brush and comb set, as well as baby lotion and wash.

i. Baby Toy Cart:

This solid wood toy cart is loaded with unique baby toys and necessities. The matching plush baby lion, bib, baby receiving blanket, and baby rattle are sure to be baby\’s favorites for years to come. Mom will love the ceramic picture frame, tearless shampoo, baby wash and lotion.

j. Baby Candy Bouquet:

This delightful baby-themed candy bouquet is perfect for a shower, expecting parents or a congratulations gift. It is filled with individually wrapped lemon and orange filled hard gourmet candies, assorted chewy toffees and mint hard candies. Also included are congratulations pick along with two adorable baby rubber ducks that complete this Baby Bouquet.

In summary, there are many adorable yet practical gifts to welcome the new baby, and gifts that help to preserve all the precious memories as baby grows. Sending congratulations or baby shower gifts to express your well wishes, and baby\’s parents will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Kate S. is the CEO of Gift Basket for All, LLC. You can visit her site by clicking on the link below:

Gift Baskets

Gift Basket for All.com offers gourmet gift basket, holiday gift basket, and gifts for anniversary, new baby, birthday, get well, thank you.

For information on products reviewed in this article, please click on Baby Gift