Notepad Corner

Maybe you've just given birth . Maybe your littlest bundle of joy is still on the way, but you want to get a head start when it comes to picking out their wardrobe. Whatever your reasons for thinking about baby clothes, here are just five tips for only buying the best! 1. Buy Bigger Sizes Your baby will grow more rapidly than you expect. Unless you're happy with only getting one or two "wears" out of a particular outfit, you'll want to buy a size bigger than you actually need. This will also come in handy when diapers require additional room under their clothes. 2. Consider Diaper Access Speaking of diapers, it's important to look at every outfit through the lens of an eventual change. If you'll need to unzip, unstrap and unbutton a dozen different things to tend to your baby's needs, it's not a very practical outfit. 3. Layer It Up Layers will be your best friend when it comes to dressing your baby. Since they'll start fussing ...

As exciting as moving to a new place can be, the process of getting there is typically a drag. From packing to organizing and transporting everything, the whole process is tiring and gets a bit stressful. However, there are a few things you can do to make the process a little more enjoyable, or at least a lot less daunting. Check out these tips and make your next move a breeze. 1. Start Early One of the biggest stresses associated with moving is the seemingly unavoidable “time crunch.” Do yourself a favor and start planning, preparing, and packing for your move as soon as you can. Ideally, your process will begin 1 to 2 months ahead of time. As you start packing, designate a room or corner in your house for filled boxes and get packing. Start with things that you won’t need until after the move first. Packing your out-of-season clothes and shoes, unnecessary kitchen items, and even toys first. Be sure to label each box, so you know where to find things as you unpack. It’...

When it pertains to the well-being of your family and personal property, you can never be too safe. However, safety does not end with ensuring that you have the proper equipment and alarm system set in place for your home. While securing your property is essential, your neighborhood should be just as secure. Keeping burglars out of your home could potentially be done if you and your neighbors have a system in place that keeps them out of your neighborhood. image courtesy of Stuart Miles - freedigitalphotos.net Neighborhood Watch Program Does the neighborhood you currently live in, or are moving into, have a neighborhood watch program ? If not, you should suggest that this program be implemented. The purpose of this program is to reduce the crime that takes place in your neighborhood by working with the local law enforcement agency. Sometimes you will need to take surveys pertaining to the safety needs of the neighborhood. You and neighbors that have volunteered to help with ...

moving into a new home Moving into a new home is often one of the most stressful events that a family can go through. With so much to keep track of and expenses that continue to add up, some may even feel hopeless about getting through a move with their sanity intact. For those who are preparing for one of these major life events, here are four hacks that help you steer clear of overwhelming stress. The Three Pile Method In the earliest stages of moving, one of the easiest ways to start off on the right foot is to use the three pile method. This is a method in which everything that is pulled out of messy garages, cabinets, closets, or rooms is placed into one of three piles for easy separation. One of these piles contains trash such as broken kitchenware or toys that no family member will need. The second pile contains anything that the family does not need but that can be sold or given away such as old electronics. The final pile is absolute necessities that will need to be...

You want a dream home, but what happens when that dream home is located in a sub-par neighborhood? Many people focus on a home's size, style and amenities, but not everyone focuses on the traits of the neighborhood it is located in. If you are planning to call a house your home for the long-term, it is important to live within a community that is both inviting and caters to families with children. Here are five traits you should never overlook on your mission to find the best property for your family to reside in. Image courtesy of winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Quality Schools Are Essential If your children will be attending public school, it is essential that you check to see what school your child will attend when living in a specific neighborhood. Do not just consider their grade-level now, but also consider their grade level in the future. You should check to see how the schools in the region compare to others in the area, and stay away from those with poor test...