Author: Diana Vogel

Awesome Stress Busting Tip # 1 RELAX! I know that sounds much easier than it really can be however if you are stressed your family will be too. Take a 'time out', have a coffee and stop beating up on yourself. No-one is perfect and no-one can be. It is important to recognise when you are becoming frustrated or stressed and therefore CHANGE whatever activity you are doing. A frustrated mind just can't cope - it will go into overwhelm.

Awesome Stress Busting Tip # 2 There are some things you can do to make homework sessions easier. Sit on your child's left hand side. When you talk to you child, talk to their left ear. Read what they have to do to them then ask them to tell you what they need to do. Encourage your child to have a go even if they don't think they can do it. Tell them that attempting the work is the most important thing; being right or correct isn't. Take pressure off your child. Praise their attempt. Don't have them sit at a task for more than 5 minutes. After 5 minutes have your child move around, get a drink or talk to you about something unrelated for a couple of minutes. This strategy keeps their mind fresh and they won't begin to fidget or get bored. Importantly though do not allow them to get distracted for too long or they won't come back to do their homework!

Awesome Stress Busting Tip #3 Allow your child some "down time" after school and before homework. Encourage them to play outside, have a healthy snack or talk to you about things that interest them (not anything to do with school). If you can, have some questions prepared for them that centre around the topics of their interests - be interested in their interests! All of these different after school activities will help your child de-stress and calm their mind. It also reassures them that they are interesting, confident young individuals and their opinion matters. It also reassures them that you love them just the way they are.

Awesome Stress Busting Tip #4 If you are encountering resistance to homework and / or tutoring, ask your child what they are feeling. Encourage them to share what is going on in their mind. Your child needs to know they can trust you with their inner most thoughts and that they won't be ridiculed or belittled by you. Sometimes it is useful to share what you are feeling and why - importantly though what you are feeling MUST be positive towards your child not negative. If you open up to your child often they will reciprocate. Often what is bothering them isn't what you would expect. Sometimes it can be something that we do as parents that is the problem. Try not to take this as criticism. It can hurt when our child tells us something we do causes them pain. Listen empathetically then show your child that you are doing your best to change this behaviour. This is your best opportunity to learn to do things better for yourself and your family.

These are great selections I am re-posting via Better Homes and Garden USA website. One of my favourite sites of all time. There are more than four to post, but I would keep it sweet and short to let your creative juices flow from this quick tips and start from there. Here are 4 ways to accent your home or interior design without the use of paint in any season.

1. Colourful Lamp Shades - revamp its cover to the style you like or match it with your interior design or home decorations. Make your own flower designs through looming, ribbons, sewing, and other hand crafts you already have, know or create.

2. Accent with Nature - any flowers or twigs can add terrific designs and decorations to adding accent to your home decoration. Fresh Tulips, Lilies, Roses and other flower blossoms are great refreshing to brighten up those days.

3. Accent with Green Things - Nothing beats those natural fruits as a great display for our table especially when they are in season for those who have no citrus fruit trees. Enhance them with some fresh flower blooms around as mentioned above to create that blending personality of yours in a unique way.


4. Mix with your Pillow Talk - mix and match pattern of pillows of different shapes and sizes that will go a long way with your coffee table pattern of colour of your choice.