It may seem impossible, but you can stand up to the season’s frenzied commercialism.

Focus on the giving, not receiving. Doing so helps children connect on a deeper level to others, plus they learn to be compassionate and empathetic.

It’s simple. To keep your family focused on its values, give homemade gifts tailored for each recipient or group and help those in need.

Get Out the Glitter, Ribbon and Glue

Everyone can participate in making the gift list, researching projects, creating and wrapping items and making gift tags.

There are plenty of online resources with ideas and instructions to get you started. Find the perfect gift for each recipient by sharing stories about the person, what he or she likes, and why this gift would be perfect for him or her. You’re engaging in a thoughtful meaningful process to help develop the family’s love and respect for each person.

Homemade gifts ideas:

Food and Drink

Soup, baking or drink mixes presented in a jar or food sack. Always include the recipe. Mixed up dried brownie, cookies or muffins, spiced cider or tea, cocoa with mini marshmallows, granola or flavored popcorn can satisfy most everyone.

Fragrant

For people who work on their feet, make a foot soak or sugar scrub. Young adults might like potpourri, linen sprays and sachets. And consider teacup candles for candle lovers, tea drinkers or teacup lovers.

Decorative

Make ornaments that reflect your recipient’s interests; use photos if you’d like. Grandparents might love homemade pillows, photo collages of their grandchildren or bookmarks and covers.

Functional

For people who like pretty storage, create fabric-covered boxes. Busy moms enjoy tote bags. Customize aprons for chefs and gardeners. A braided t-shirt rug can brighten up a room. Make a handmade beaded necklace or earrings for the jewelry lover.

To give one gift to each extended family, create a book of favorite family recipes. Include pictures of family barbeques, playtime teas and cooking, baking and eating together over the years.

We hope you have found some inspiration and agree the best holiday gifts come from the heart and the hands. Happy Holidays!

If you’re caring for an elderly parent or someone with a chronic illness or injury, you know it’s easy to get overwhelmed. What you may not realize is, you’re actually caring for two people – your loved one and you. So it’s important to take care of the caregiver too.

Here are some ways you can take care of yourself (and in the process, your loved one, too):

• Take Time for Yourself  — Some caregivers find time to regroup when their loved one is resting. They might call a friend, pop in a ten-minute exercise DVD, snack on a nutritional energy bar, play with a pet or do another relaxing activity. You can only give what you have so it’s important to “refill your tank” when you can.
•  Ask for Specific Help  — It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. It doesn’t mean you can’t do the job; it means you’re doing a big job. Be specific when you ask. For example, ask someone to visit your loved one or prepare a meal on a specified date and time. Remember, some people may say no, so move on to another person.
•  Join a Support Group — Search for “support groups for caregivers” in Google, Bing or Yahoo. The biggest advantage to joining a group is realizing you’re not alone. You get to talk to people who are going through the same thing you are and who can offer ideas and support.
•  Use National and Local Resources — There are a number of free resource tools with information on items like respite care, adapting the home for care, and directories of local services available. Here are a few places to get started: caregiver.va.gov, usa.gov, eldercare.gov, medicare.gov.

You want to do everything possible to take care of someone who is special to you. An important part of the job is knowing that includes you, too. Give yourself a break and take care of the caregiver.

With 34.7 million U.S. residents claiming Irish ancestry, what began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become a festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green.

The Irish have a story for everything. Some are based in fact. Others may be pure blarney. Amaze your friends with your knowledge of these tales from the Emerald Isle.

The Stone of Eloquence
An old witch revealed Ireland’s famed Stone of Eloquence –better known as the Blarney Stone – to the King of Munster whose life she had saved. As a reward, she told him about a mystical stone located in his castle. Many an Irishman has kissed the stone, which explains their well-known gift of gab.

Leprechauns and other Irish fairies
There’s a saying in Ireland, “I don’t believe in fairies, but they’re there.” Irish fairies take many forms and often play tricks on mortals. The leprechaun may be the best known of the bunch. He loves to collect gold and tends to avoid humans, believing them to be greedy and foolish. However, if captured, a leprechaun will promise a pot of gold in exchange for his freedom. But he’s tricky and rarely keeps this promise. Pooka fairies take the form of a black horse and are known to take drunkards on madcap rides, returning them to the ditch where they found them. The Clobher-Ceann is a naughty fairy usually found drinking. On the other hand, Will-‘o-the-Wisps, or fairy lights, are kind fairies who appear in the misty mountains to help searchers locate someone who is lost.

The lucky shamrock
A four-leaf shamrock is believed to be one of the luckiest of all Irish symbols. Each leaflet has a special significance. One stands for hope, one for faith, one for love and one for luck. But they’re not easy to find because there simply isn’t a clover plant that produces four leaflets.

St. Patrick
Born in Britain, St. Patrick was captured at age 16 and carried off to Ireland as a slave. After six years in captivity, he escaped, became an ordained bishop and vowed to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. According to one legend, he carried a walking stick, which he thrust into the ground wherever he preached. By the time he was finished, the stick had taken root and grown into a tree. Perhaps the most famous legend credits St. Patrick with banishing the snakes from Ireland. It’s likely Ireland never had any snakes to begin with, so the “snakes” in the story are believed to represent the serpent symbolism of the Druids.

We hope you enjoyed learning about these Irish tales, and however, you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we wish you luck in finding your pot of gold.

Spring is an opportunity to clean, organize and get rid of unnecessary items in your house. It is also a great time to check if your safety plans are in place and your safety equipment is in working order.

Here is a checklist of a few things to do to ensure you are prepared:

• Test your smoke alarms.
  • Check to see if they work.
  • Change the battery, if necessary.
  • Replace your smoke detectors every 10 years.
• Test your carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Check to see if they work.
  • Change the battery, if necessary.
• Replace light bulbs (outside and inside) – you’ll be using the step ladder to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, so use the ladder to change the light bulbs as well.
• Store winter clothing and seasonal decorations properly.
• Check your house for broken items and discard appropriately.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet and dispose any expired or unused medications properly. Talk to your city or county government trash and recycling service or your local pharmacist for medicine disposal options in your area.
• Check your fire extinguisher.
  • Make sure safety seals, tamper indicators and maintenance tags are not broken or missing.
  • Examine for signs of physical damage, corrosion, leakage or a clogged nozzle.
  • Check the pressure gauge reading or indicator. It should be in the operable range or position.
  • Recycle and replace if necessary.
  • Learn more about fire safety planning at nsc.org.
• Plan and practice your family escape plan.
• Review your family emergency plan – a printable family emergency plan is available through ready.gov.
• Check your first aid kit and replace any missing supplies.

Share these tips with family, friends and neighbors to do your part in keeping those around you safe. 

Information gathered from the National Safety Council website: http://www.nsc.org/.

Is your teen athlete determined? Focused? A self-starter? Have tenacity and able to persevere? If so, then you can help him or her set goals in their favorite sport.

Here are three tips to help them do so:

1.  Have them put the goal in writing. And, if a time element is included, ask them to write it down, too. For example: “To take 2 seconds off my 200m time by the championship track meet in 10 weeks.” Seeing a goal over and over again in writing will remind your teen of his or her commitment. They’ll start to visualize what it will be like to achieve their goal and that helps with the steps and choices they need to take every day to help them reach it.
2.  Encourage your teen athlete to think of their goal as a journey. Just like navigating a tough trail, there will be obstacles along the way. Likewise, the “open spaces” they’ll encounter will allow them to move quickly and effortlessly. No matter what’s before them, the important thing is to provide encouragement so they stay the course and keep moving forward. If and when they stumble, have them read their goal again and tell you why it matters so much and why they are committed to it. Then ask them to spend time visualizing how they will achieve it.
3.  Help them keep negative thoughts in check. There may come a time when negative thoughts or doubts creep into your teen’s thinking. Part of it may be fear and part of it may be lack of confidence. This is natural and can be overcome by acknowledging those thoughts and then placing them in a “mental trash bin.” Tell your teen it’s like clutter that prevents them from having a clear view. Remind them that they chose this journey and that as long as they know deep down they are working as hard as they could to make their goal happen, they should be happy.

After all, journeys teach us that when we venture out, we find ways to keep moving forward no matter what.

Getting a dog is like adding a new member to your human family. In fact, many of us know of dogs who truly believe they’re people!

When you bring home a new four-legged family member, your rewards are not only unconditional love and adorable tongue-wagging affection but also a whole new set of responsibilities. Especially if your new dog is a puppy, the household tasks you’ll have to undertake are myriad, multiple and sometimes quite smelly.

Here are just a few things to consider:

• Will you allow the dog on the couch and other furniture?
• Which veterinarian will you choose?
• Will you kennel the dog when no one is home and/or overnight?
• What types of toys (chew, pull, balls, etc.) are right for your dog’s temperament?

No matter what conclusions you come to, it’s tantamount that you lay down the rules from the beginning and enforce them consistently. Make sure all (human) family members know the rules for the dog and emphasize the importance of everyone enforcing them. Most dogs want to please their masters, and once trained will happily comply.

If made to feel safe, loved and a member of your family, you’ll soon realize why dogs are called “man’s best friend.”

It’s the time of year when they “Spring up” like flowers… yard sale signs, directional arrows, balloons tied to mail boxes – all directing you to those spontaneous neighborhood bargain centers.

Thinking about having your own sale?  Here are a few tried-and-true steps to a successful sale.

1. Make it fun. Unless you really want to do it all by yourself, invite family members, good friends or neighbors to join in and make it a fun social event.
2. Gather your items. If you’re not the type of person who likes to tear through all the closets and crevices at once to decide what to part with, consider collecting items throughout the year and placing them in a designated place.
3. Clearly price each item. It’s time consuming on the front end, but will save time and hassles during your sale. You can purchase already priced brightly colored stickers. A color can be assigned to each person who has items to sell.
4. Check your city ordinances or homeowner association rules. There may be restrictions on sign placements or a permit may be required. It’s best to know in advance and avoid a fine.
5. Pick a good time for your sale. Basic best practices are: Fridays and Saturdays, a good weather time of year and not during major special events or holidays.
6. Get organized a few days in advance. In addition to pricing items, be sure to do the following:
   • Have plenty of tables or makeshift surfaces for displaying the items
   • Make your signs – use bold, black lettering and put signs up two to three days before the sale
   • Have on hand plenty of bills and coins to make change
7. Advertise. You have many options: local newspaper classified ads, free community shopping papers like Thrifty Nickel, internet sites such as Craigslist, to name a few. Run your ads one to two days before the sale.
8. Helpers are key. During your sale, have one or more people there to give you an occasional break and to help keep things organized. It’s important for your personal security as well.
9. Offer last day bargains. Resolve not to repack those remaining items! Make offers they can’t refuse – two for the price of one, bulk discounts, fill a bag for a buck, free to good home, whatever it takes.
10. Lastly… be a good neighbor and remember to pick up your signs, donate remaining items to charity or save them until your next sale. Count your money and your good fortune at having had a fun, successful sale!

In June, we celebrate National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month – and there’s no better place to find fresh produce than at a farmers’ market.

Here are six great reasons to visit your local market:

You’re supporting local farmers – When a farmer sells produce directly to the customer, he bypasses the middleman and more profit goes to the farmer. This helps sustain smaller, family-run farms.

It tastes better – and it’s better for you – Fruits and vegetables are generally picked just days before market, when produce is at its peak ripeness and has the highest amount of nutrients. Produce that travels across the country to be stocked on supermarket shelves will typically be sprayed with chemicals to ensure it ripens at the right time.

You know how it’s grown – Many stands are run by the people who actually grow the produce. Most farmers are more than happy to answer questions about how your food was grown.

You get to experience more variety – At a farmers’ market you will find an array of produce that you typically can’t find in a grocery store: heirloom tomatoes, morel mushrooms and purple potatoes, just to name a few.

It’s more than just fruits and vegetables – You’ll be surprised by what you can pick up at a market: fresh flowers, jewelry, art, meats, spices, baked goods, jams, soaps, wine, home décor and much more.

It’s family-friendly entertainment – Most farmers’ markets also have activities to entertain kids, both young and old. This gives your family an opportunity to socialize with others in your community.

Use these great tips to feel good about what you eat and support your local community at the same time. To find a farmers’ market near you, visit Local Harvest or use the USDA Farmers’ Markets Search.

You teach your children how to dial 9-1-1, look both ways when crossing the street and how to leave the house in case of fire. Teaching them how to swim is just as vital to their health and safety.

Drowning continues to be among the leading causes of unintentional death among children ages 1-4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s never too early or late to learn to swim. Here are some tips on staying safe in and near the water this summer.

Make Learning to Swim a Family Activity
Throw out the excuses. Find local adult and children swim programs through the YMCA, Red Cross, health clubs, universities and colleges.  Set goals and encourage each other to progress through the skill levels.

Our partners at the USA Swimming Foundation have an easy-to-use learn to swim program locator for you.

Not only will you learn a skill that lasts a lifetime, you or your children might discover a love for competitive swimming.

CPR and rescue techniques are helpful life-saving skills as well.

Supervise. Supervise. Supervise.
Whether you’re in a pool or open water – pond, lake, river or ocean – there must be responsible adults supervising. This person could be you and:

• Pool or beach lifeguard
• Other adults; take 15 minute shifts to keep your eyes on the children; stay within an arm’s length of younger children at all times

Swim buddies are great for middle school kids and older. They should stay together in the water to help each other and get assistance if needed. Never trust one child’s life with another child.

Don’t Rely on Swim Gear Alone
Inexperienced swimmers should always wear an approved life jacket and have an approved life preserver nearby, but they don’t replace skilled supervision. Don’t think of pool toys, rafts, noodles, water wings, etc. as life preservers, either. They are not.

Take Breaks
Swimming can be fun, and tiring, especially in open water. Establish hourly break times with plenty of water, juice or other hydrating liquids and healthy snacks to boost energy for the next round.

Other great resources:

YMCA

American Red Cross

Home Pool and Hot Tub Safety

USA Swimming

Summertime. That can only mean one thing – picnics! July is National Picnic month and it’s a great month to be outside. Before the kids head back to school, pack up lunch or dinner and head to the park, the beach or the backyard for some family fun.

1. Keep it simple. Leave the charcoal and lighter fluid at home unless your idea of fun is standing over a hot grill. Opt for simple picnic fare like sandwiches, salads, fruit and easy-to-eat snacks.
2. Keep food safe. Pack two coolers – one for drinks that can be opened frequently, the other for perishable items that stays closed until you’re ready to eat. Transport coolers in an air-conditioned car, not in the trunk. Then when you arrive at your destination, place them in the shade.
3. Make clean-up easy. Bring plenty of moist towelettes, paper towels and antibacterial hand sanitizer to clean germy hands. Another good idea is to pack two trash bags – one for trash and one for recyclables – so you can leave your picnic spot neat and tidy for the next family.
4. Have fun. Bring outdoor games like Frisbee or Twister. If an unexpected shower sends you running for cover, a deck of cards or board game can help pass the time until the sun comes out again. And don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray. Sunburned shoulders and itchy bug bites can zap the fun from your picnic.

The lush, green outdoor settings, combined with these tips will ensure that your next picnic will be a memorable one.

The Fourth of July is the most joyously (and loudly) celebrated of the summer holidays. Memorial Day is cherished, precious and necessary, but the holiday has a somber subtext. While technically in the summer, by the time Labor Day rolls around autumn is in the air, school is nigh and football games are being contested.

Other summer holidays like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, even Flag Day come and go much more quickly – and quietly – than Independence Day.

Whether you, your friends and your family embrace, tolerate or shun the booming, banging and crackling of July 4^th, here are some things you might consider to make your holiday enjoyable, and – if needed – more peaceful:

• If it seems like you can’t escape the sound of fireworks, fight fire with fire – or in this case, fight noise with noise. Use white noise like a fan turned up high to drown out the sounds outside
• If your storm windows are open, closing them for a few days will keep your house quieter
• Music soothes the savage beast – harmonies and melodies can not only ease your nerves, but listening to tunes might take your mind off the destruction happening outside your walls. Headphones or ear buds will add a layer of defense for your ear drums

If using fireworks, make sure to check and re-check for safety.

Happy Birthday, America!

Cell phones are great and smartphones are even better. They allow us to stay connected and keep in touch with our friends and family.

But, with the good, there is some bad. According to a survey conducted by LifeHacker, the top of the bad list includes people talking on their phones while driving, burying themselves in text messaging and generally being addicted to their devices in social settings.

Because July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, here are some tips for using your devices responsibly and courteously:

• Be considerate of others. When dining out with others, refrain from answering your phone, checking your email or Tweeting at the table. Use silent or vibrate mode to alert you to incoming calls when appropriate. If you think an outgoing call might interrupt or disturb the recipient, send a text message instead. Or excuse yourself. It’s perfectly OK to step away from the table or go into another room to take or make an important call.
• Know your place. Libraries, theaters, museums and houses of worship are no place for a ringing phone. Speak quietly while riding on public transportation.
• Let your phone do the work. Use caller ID to screen calls or let voicemail take a message. Use text messaging to communicate discreetly.
• Respect others’ privacy. Ask permission before taking a photo or shooting video of someone with the built-in camera on your smartphone.
• Be a wireless Samaritan. Wireless phones can be invaluable during emergencies. Lives can be saved, crimes prevented and drunk drivers apprehended. Remember, dialing 911 is always a free call.

It’s easy to allow our connectivity to become a problem when we place more importance on it than common courtesy, so take the time this month to be courteous to others as you use your device. After all, we do lead by example.

(Tips courtesy of AT&T)

It seems like yesterday your child was taking his or her first steps. Then life’s next few milestones flew by. Don’t look now but your toddler has turned into a teenager and is asking for a car. Let’s put the emotional issues with this news aside and focus on some additional things to consider for this new transition in your child’s life.

For many families, adding a new driver to the mix does not mean adding a new vehicle. It just isn’t financially possible. Many times, the solution is to pass down a vehicle the family already owns.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), two-thirds of parents say the vehicle passed down to their teenager was from 2006 or earlier. This can be problematic because older vehicles are much less likely to have safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC) and side airbags.

The IIHS recommends teen vehicle choice be guided by four main principles:

• Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower. Vehicles with more powerful engines can tempt them to test the limits.
• Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash. All other things being equal, occupants in a bigger, heavier vehicle are better protected than those in a smaller, lighter vehicle.
• ESC is a must. This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts.
• Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible. At a minimum, that means good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test, acceptable ratings in the IIHS side crash test and four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The IIHS compiled a list of affordable used vehicles that meet important safety criteria for teen drivers. You can use this as a guide.

Remember: Before giving your teen a car, you should set the tone. Experts suggest creating a “Rules of the Road” contract for them to sign. It can include things such as how many people can be in the car at once, who will pay for gas, insurance and maintenance, what happens to driving privileges if the child gets a ticket or has a wreck, and what time curfew is, among other things.

Few things are more satisfying in life than watching your children grow and progress through the transitions we all face. Throughout their lives, but especially when the kids are young, parents may experience higher highs and lower lows than the children themselves.

Such is the case for many parents when their children go off to kindergarten. Here are a few tips as your family experiences this transition:

1. Bedtimes are sometimes more flexible during the summer months. Seven to 10 days before school starts, re-establish a regular bedtime that will become the routine during the school year.
2. Children’s emotions are just like yours, but most lack the verbal capacity to express themselves. They’re probably feeling a range of emotions: excitement, nervousness, anticipation and more. Gently probe your kids in the days before school starts and talk to them about their feelings.
3. The expectations, rules and rigors of school are new for your child. During the first couple weeks of school, kindergartners often are tired, agitated and uncertain. Be patient and remember that little misbehaviors during this time are true expressions of love because kids feel safest to “be themselves” around you.
4. Little ones expend a lot of energy, but it’s extra important that they have the right fuel to burn during the first days of school. Make sure they eat well, especially a full, healthy breakfast.
5. Take the kids to their school a day or two before classes begin. Show them the building, the playground and anything else you can. This might take a little of the edge off.
6. You’re likely going to be emotional, too. Kids follow their parent’s example, so model the actions and behaviors you want your children to emulate.
7. Don’t forget your camera and bring plenty of tissues for the car ride home.

When parents send their college freshman off to institutes of higher learning, there’s the stocking up on supplies, loading up the family vehicle, and then driving away once it’s all unpacked. It’s a ritual filled with both excitement and emotion.

Here are some tips from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to help you support your college freshman as they take their first steps toward independence:

• Pay attention to your student’s experiences and activities during the crucial first six weeks on campus. Stay in contact with them during that time and encourage them to talk about their experiences. For example, how do they resolve disagreements or disruptive behavior with roommates? Talking about issues helps students discover their own solutions to problems.
• Find out if there is a program during orientation that educates students about campus policies on alcohol use. Be familiar with the services that are offered on campus. Talk with your student about the relationship between alcohol abuse on academic failure and the potential for violence.
• Understand the college’s “parental notification” policy. Many college campuses require students to specifically give permission before they can notify parents.
• Be aware of the signs of depression and the on-campus resources to help deal with it. 30 percent of college students report feeling “so depressed that is was difficult to function.”

Publications.USA.gov offer additional information and tips including:  Depression and College Student (link 1),  What Parents Need to Know about College Drinking (link 2).

Link 1:  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-and-college-students/depression-and-college-students.pdf

Link 2:  http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/media/FINALParents.pdf

September is National Preparedness Month. Emergencies can happen at any time and place, but practicing what to do in advance of an emergency makes you better prepared to handle any emergency you may encounter.

Just like having a working smoke detector, preparing for the unexpected makes sense. We must have the tools and plans in place to make no matter where we are when disaster strikes.

Use these four steps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help you prepare for emergencies now.

1. Get a kit of emergency supplies. The emergency kit should have extra water for the family, food, medication, baby supplies and pet needs on hand to last for a period of time (the standard rule is three days). Also, get the whole family involved in preparing the kit. That way, everyone knows where the kit is kept and decreases the chances of something being forgotten.
2. Make a plan for what you will do in an emergency. Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and your loved ones.
3. Be informed about what might happen. Use common sense and information to determine if there is immediate danger. Watch television and listen to the radio for official instructions as they become available.
4. Get involved in preparing your community. After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies, take the next step and get involved in preparing your community.

With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. By beginning a process of learning about specific threats, you are preparing yourself to react in an emergency. Go to www.ready.gov to learn more.

If your teen is driving, your number one priority is to keep him or her crash free and safe. You may already have verbal laws in place, but to further instill good habits, a written pact displayed on the fridge will help reinforce safe driving.

Take the next step and create a parent/teen-driving contract that includes these key elements:

1. Agree that once a week, you will get in the car with your teen and have him or her drive around town explaining the road rules to you as you go. For instance, he or she may explain the proper distance for breaking behind another car. Doing this will reinforce driver knowledge. It will also boost confidence in both you and your teen driver. Perhaps one week, you might consider doing the driving and have your teen critique your skills and knowledge.
2. Agree that all distractions will be eliminated until your teen has more experience behind the wheel. For instance, insist that the radio, cell phone, mobile device, etc. be turned off. If a call needs to be made, have your teen agree that he or she will safely pull over to the side of the road or find a parking space before making the call. Passengers can be distractions, too, so insist that no more than one (non-smoking) passenger be in the car. In addition, eating while driving is a distraction because it takes away concentration and compromises proper handling of the steering wheel. Any distraction takes control and attention away from your teen driver.
3. Agree that seat belts are to be worn at all times by everyone in the car no matter what.
4. Agree that the speed limit will always be obeyed.
5. Agree that you, as the parent, will practice what you preach and also will abide by contract rules. Leading by example is the best teacher to reinforce good habits and your credibility with your teen will go a long way.
6. Have your teen suggest what the consequences might be if any part of the contract is broken by either of you. Making your teen apart of the decision-making process will help solidify buy-in, promote teamwork and suggest that you are “in this together.”

The parent/teen driving contract will work only if you both agree to abide by it. It won’t always be easy, but it’s the right thing to do. Draw one up today and stick to it for three months and see what happens.

As we approach a new fall season, the cooler weather and harvest traditions offer an excuse to celebrate with those we love. Whether you are interested in food, art or music, there is plenty of family fun to enjoy at fall festivals in your community.

Here are some of the most highly recommended fall festivals in the country:

• For seasonal food: 9 Flavorful Fall Festivals
• For beach seekers: 10 Best Fall Beach Festivals for Families
• For a culinary experience: America’s Best Food & Wine Festivals 2014
• For music lovers: Fun Music Festivals for Families

Tips to keep you and your family safe at fall festivals this year:

• Put a mobile phone number on your kids somewhere (a wrist band, or put your business card in their pocket)
• Take plenty of sun block and hats
• If possible, leave your valuables at home
• If you have multiple kids, consider dressing them in identical outfits
• Dress your child in bright colors so they are easy to keep track of
• Stay together at all times

Communities everywhere enjoy the harvest season with fall-focused festivities. Discover festivals that are perfect for your family no matter where you live. If you don’t live near enough to a big city to enjoy their fall festivals, search for some where you live. Simply “google” fall festivals and your state name to discover unique events near you.

Question: What is the most dangerous animal in North America?

Answer: It’s not a bear, mountain lion or poisonous snake. It’s a deer.

While that might seem shocking at first, it doesn’t take long to figure out the danger that deer possess to people driving on highways.

Deer can run into the paths of cars anytime, but most vehicle-deer accidents occur in October and November during the deer mating season. There are approximately one million car accidents caused by deer each year that lead to approximately 200 deaths, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries and result in more than $1 billion in vehicle damage.*

What can you do to avoid running into a deer?**

• Be alert when driving in the early morning and late evening
• Slow down and give your car horn one loud, long blast in hopes of scaring the deer off the roadway
• Look for other deer if you see one cross the road (they usually travel in groups)
• Use high-beam headlights when it’s safe to do so
• Brake firmly if you see a deer in your path – do not swerve

*National Highway Traffic Safety Commission

**Car and Driver Magazine, Avoiding Car/Deer Collisions

Autumn signals the return of brilliant amber hues, gooey caramel apples and crisp mornings. It also represents the gradual decrease in daylight hours. That’s when you notice it’s time to replace that burned-out light bulb. But it’s not as easy as it once was—you have several options now. The good news is they’ll save you money in the long-term and they’re more environmentally friendly.

Here’s some information to help you make the choice that’s best for you:

• The Light Bulb Finder App — This free mobile app that makes it easy to switch from conventional light bulbs to energy-saving equivalents. View bulb images, cost, savings, and environmental impact. Create shopping lists, and buy bulbs directly through the app or at local stores.
• Lighting Made Easy — This handy fact-sheet has an easy to use chart. Just match up the ENERGY STAR bulb for the light future you’re using. There’s even a chart that translates “watts” to “bulb brightness” so you know what strength of bulb to get.
• All About CFLs — Learn when to use Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. They need a little more energy when they are first turned on, but once the electricity starts moving, they use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs.
• LED the Way — Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting provides a “directional” light source. That means they emit light in a specific direction, unlike incandescent and CFLs. For this reason, LED lighting is able to use light and energy more efficiently in many applications.

The light bulbs of today provide several money-saving options. Use this information to find one that’s right for you. Then enjoy your hot apple cider this autumn evening as you read by your earth-friendly light source.