Finally! This long winter seems to be coming to an end and summer is just around the corner. Summer means warmer days, longer evenings and of course barbecues.

Some parents are a little leery of barbecuing with small children under foot but with some simple precautions there’s no reason you can’t safely cookout with your children nearby.

Here are some very simple rules to follow to keep your next barbecue a safe and fun event for everyone:

1. Be sure to keep the grill away from all structures, siding, deck railings. Be sure your grill is not under the eaves or near low hanging branches and is also a safe distance from any lawn games and areas where your children play.
2. Don’t wear large, loose fitting clothing while you’re grilling.
3. Use long handled utensils to keep you as far away from the heat and flames as possible
4. Remove grease and fat buildup in the trays to keep them from igniting
5. Set up a 3-foot “safe zone” to keep children and pets away from the grilling area.
6. Keep matches and lighters away from children

Finally, don’t leave your grill unattended – especially when children are playing nearby. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of accidents and fires when it comes to barbecuing.

This list may seem like a lot to remember but once you’re in the habit of following the steps it will become second nature and you and your family will be safe to enjoy the long, lazy days of summer.

Thank you for reading- please don’t hesitate to bring us some great BBQ 😉

Every family has gone through it – lots of passion and spice in your relationship and then the children come along. Somewhere along the way those alone times you used to spend with each other are replaced with babies, children crawling into bed with you in the middle of the night, overly busy schedules, etc.

It’s important that while you’re doing your best to raise your family you don’t lose sight of what brought you together as a couple. Here are some great ways to help keep the love alive even if you have small children in the home:

• Flirting isn’t just for dating. Send your significant other a love note, a sweet text message or just an email that says you can’t wait for the two of you to be alone. Compliment each other, let the small chores go to spend an extra few minutes together, make a lunch date once a month and KEEP it!
• Can’t go out on a date? Make a date at home. Cook dinner together, light some candles and spend the evening catching up. Make it a later dinner after your kiddos are in bed.
• Don’t forget the little things. Go to bed at the same time. This may sound silly and simple but you’d be surprised at how effective this is. It’s difficult to keep romance alive when one spouse comes to bed after the other is already asleep. Never miss a chance to hug or kiss your spouse “just because.”

Keep in mind that your children will eventually grow and leave you to lead lives of their own. It’s important that you keep “investing” in your personal relationship with each other so that when you are alone again you still enjoy each other as much as you did before the children came along.

Thank you for reading!

One day you’re bringing your new little bundle of joy home from the hospital, the next day they’re off to kindergarten and the day after that they are off to college.

Ok, it’s not QUITE that fast but you get the idea – time flies when you’re having fun. Because it won’t be long until your baby is heading to college it’s important that you start saving for that time now.

In fact, if you haven’t started planning, preparing and saving by the time your child enters kindergarten, you’re just about five years behind the eight ball.

Even if you haven’t started until after your child is of school age, it’s never too late to get moving. However, be sure that you are being realistic in your planning. The average cost of tuition at a public university is almost $43,000 and a private school can cost almost $110,000 – increasing more than 40% over the past ten years and will without a doubt continue to rise.

Many schools offer prepaid tuition programs that freeze the current rates to allow you to pay off the tuition.  There are also state-operated college savings plans called Section 529 plans. These allow not only parents but also grandparents, relatives and even friends to put money aside to help offset your child’s tuition expenses.

Another option you may have is to invest in an educational savings account. While these accounts are typically small – only $2000 per year – it’s still a help with books and supplies even if it doesn’t do much to offset the high cost of tuition.

Before you can truly prepare for your child’s education costs, you should first have your own solid, financial plan and make sure your goals are prioritized so you know the exact steps you’ll need to take to reach them.

Your babies will grow up fast no doubt, but enjoy this time with them! Thank you for reading!