5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Don’t tell a child that he or she should be like a sibling. Pointing out one child’s perceived faults can make that child feel inferior, create the impression that you love a sibling more, undermine self-esteem and trigger anxiety. Those feelings can lead to resentment and an unhealthy focus on competition. A child who feels inferior may look for opportunities to criticize the “good” sibling and your kids may get locked in a pattern of trying to outdo each other and tear each other down.

How to Build Your Kids’ Self-Esteem and Foster Healthy Relationships
If you compare siblings, focus on objective observations. Don’t make statements that seem judgmental. For example, you can note that one child excels academically while another is a talented musician, but don’t say or imply that one child’s talents make him or her superior to the other. That could make a child who is working hard and succeeding in one area feel as though their accomplishments don’t matter and that they will never win your approval.

If you are pleased or displeased with a child’s behavior, focus only on that child’s actions. Don’t bring any mention of a sibling into the conversation. Doing so could lead to feelings of rivalry.

Individual talents and different perspectives make the world an interesting place and give us opportunities to learn from each other. Celebrate what makes each child unique. Enroll your kids in classes or programs so they can pursue their own passions and develop their unique talents.

Choose Your Words Carefully
When you’re stressed and frustrated, it’s easy to say something that is unintentionally hurtful. A child may remember what you said long after you have forgotten, especially if the words were spoken in anger.

Focus on accepting and celebrating your kids for who they are. That can make them feel that they are loved unconditionally and build their confidence so they will be able to persevere when they face challenges. Rather than comparing your children to each other, encourage them all to figure out who they are and who they want to become.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

1. Be sure the fireplace was constructed for actual use, not just for decoration. Inspect it to ensure that it has adequate protective linings and smoke ducts and that the chimney is clear and in good repair.

2. Open the damper before lighting the fire, and keep it open until the ashes are cool. This will avert the buildup of poisonous gases, especially while the family is sleeping.

3. Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter or other fuel to light or relight a fire because the vapors can explode. Also, never keep flammable fuels near a fire.

4. Don’t use coal or charcoal in a fireplace due to the danger of carbon monoxide buildup. It isn’t a good idea to burn trash or wrappings either because coated materials can generate deadly fumes. Flying paper embers could also ignite the roof.

5. Don’t treat artificial logs like real logs. Artificial ones are usually made of sawdust and wax and have special burning properties. Be sure to read the product instructions and follow them carefully. Don’t poke artificial logs, as it could cause a flare-up, or the flaming wax could stick to the poker and drop onto the floor.

6. Don’t overload the fireplace. Large fires can lead to overheating of wall or roof materials, particularly if the fireplace is constructed of metal.

7. Always use a screen around the fireplace to keep sparks from flying out and to protect children and adults from accidental clothing ignition.

8. Warn children about the danger of fire. Do not let them play with it.

9. Keep flammable materials such as carpets, pillows, furniture or papers away from the fireplace area. During the holidays, be sure decorations aren’t close enough to be ignited by a spark.

10. Before retiring for the night or when leaving the house, make sure the fire is out completely.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

A small, sunny patch in your backyard is all you need to start, and failing that, window boxes, containers or even pots on an apartment building rooftop can provide equal opportunity.

If you’re new to gardening, experts say to start with easy-to-grow veggies like zucchini and cucumbers, which tend to grow almost like weeds, lettuce, if you have enough space for leafy greens to spread out, and tomatoes, which do as well in hanging baskets as they do when staked in the ground. You can start your veggies from seeds, young plants purchased locally or from a catalog—and while you’re at it, consider growing strawberries, a summertime favorite that can thrive in small pots or planters on a deck or patio.

Apart from the purchase of plants or seeds and the cost of containers and potting soil, you will want to invest in a trowel, possibly a hoe, some gardening gloves and a watering can and/or a sprinkler attachment for the garden hose. Plant food, while a nice idea, is optional, and if you’re not yet ready to venture into the store, curbside pick-up from most home stores is available almost everywhere.

In all, your garden will be a minimal investment considering that, according to experts, home vegetable gardens produce on average more than double the value in fruits and vegetables than what they cost in materials and supplies. You can start small, spending far less than you may think.

Most garden shops and big box garden stores offer free instruction on planting and maintenance, but you can learn a lot online. Many families today are making it a project to learn and experiment together.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

• Create a moveable work zone. Turn the area behind your sofa or in a corner of your bedroom into a comfy work space by day that knows its place in the evening. Start with a lightweight, sit-or-stand desk (many are now available at office furnishings stores) that can be moved out of the way after the work day. A flexible wire shelf unit installed along one wall can hold supplies, such as notebooks, pens and a printer, and you can roll your desk and chair right up against them when it’s time to replace the coffee cup with a glass of wine.
• Clear out a closet. The closet in a second bedroom can easily house a hideaway office. Install modular wire shelving along the back wall, add a desk and some extra interior lighting and keep your office behind closed doors. A rolling desk chair or a balance ball can provide comfy seating, and a small bookcase can easily accommodate files or surplus supplies.
• Go for invisible. In the living room, you can create a low-profile office with a glass topped, Lucite or acrylic desk that won’t dominate the space. Even go for a slimline desk you can spray paint to blend in with the wall behind it and use existing bookshelves in the room to hold your printer and supplies.
• Use a room divider. Carve out a corner of your living room or bedroom for a small but usable office and conceal it from view whenever you wish. With a stylish, standing room divider or a curtained “wall” strung onto a rod with shower hooks,  you can span the width of the space as you desire.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

You can play the violin with Itzhak Perlman, perfect your jazz piano with Herbie Hancock, or learn to write a best-selling thriller with Dan Brown or David Baldacci. It’s all there, at surprisingly low rates, with curricula ranging from the art of the deal to the art of cooking with Wolfgang Puck.

If cooking is your thing, you can also take lessons live in your own kitchen from culinary experts–chefs who will come to you in New York, Chicago, D.C., Los Angeles, Connecticut, New Jersey or San Diego. Find them online at TableAtHome.com, invite a few friends over and dine in. Brush up on barbecue, brunch or international cuisines, with live instruction among your own pots and pans.

Or maintain your privacy and learn to cook one-on-one via Skype with an internationally based chef. Just hang up your keys, open a bottle of wine, and video-call a chef from around the world. Master the art of paella with step-by-step instruction from an executive chef in Spain, carbonara from an Italian chef, or jambalaya direct from New Orleans. Choose your faves at TheChefAndTheDish.com, and get personal attention with a 90-minute lesson.

Personal training has new meaning these days. So indulge, and follow your passion.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

There is more bone formation than resorption in growing children and adolescents. The processes are essentially equal through middle age. However, in older adults, especially postmenopausal women, bone is broken down more than it’s formed. That can result in bone loss and osteoporosis, a weakening of bones that makes them more likely to fracture. The condition becomes more common with age and affects more women than men. People are often unaware that they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture.

If you don’t consume enough calcium through food and supplements, your body will use some of the calcium in your bones to keep other systems functioning, causing you to lose bone mass and increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.

A severe calcium deficiency can cause other medical problems. It may produce tingling or numbness in your fingers, an abnormal heart rhythm or convulsions.

How Much Calcium You Need
Women between the ages of 19 and 50 should consume 1,000 mg of calcium per day from food and/or supplements. After the age of 50, women should consume 1,200 mg per day. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need 1,300 mg of calcium per day.

Men between the ages of 19 and 70 should get 1,000 mg of calcium per day. After the age of 70, men should consume 1,200 mg per day.

Children need 700 mg of calcium per day between the ages of 1 and 3, 1,000 mg per day between ages 4 and 8, and 1,300 mg per day between ages 9 and 18.

Foods That are Rich in Calcium
Dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, are good sources of calcium, as are canned sardines and salmon, soybeans, collards, turnip greens, kale, bok choy, broccoli, almonds and sesame seeds. Some processed foods, such as soymilk, tofu, orange juice, cereal and bread are fortified with added calcium.

When you go grocery shopping, look for foods that are naturally high in calcium and check the labels on packaged foods. It’s best to get the recommended amounts of calcium from food, but if that’s not possible or realistic, you can take a supplement. Talk to your doctor first.

Vitamin D is also necessary since it helps the body absorb calcium. It’s found in salmon, tuna and foods that have been fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, juice, yogurt and cereal.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

But before you go grabbing for a hammer, nails and maybe even a level, assess the space and items you have lying around and come up with a plan. While you may not stick to it 100 percent once you get started–and that’s okay–having even a rough idea of how you envision the space when it’s complete will save you a lot of trouble.

Stick to Your Style. While you may have swooned over gallery walls in other people’s homes or in design magazines, trying to recreate something you’ve seen will most likely leave you feeling less than impressed with your own creation. Tune into your own personal style and incorporate photographs, artwork from your children, greeting cards, a favorite piece of fabric or any other trinkets that truly mean something to you. When creating a gallery wall, anything goes.

Mix and Match. Variety is key here. From various sizes of artwork to numerous textures and even different colored frames, don’t shy away from incorporating different pieces and styles to create a personalized, yet cohesive, look.

Plan It Out. The best way to avoid putting unnecessary holes in the wall is to plan out the entire design before you even think about taking a hammer to the wall. (If you’re a visual person, this step is even more important, so try to resist the urge to skip it.) While it’ll require some additional time, you’re going to want to trace each frame onto a piece of paper. Once the templates have been cut out, tape them to the wall in a pattern of your choosing. Then move them around as necessary until you find the perfect grouping.

Switch It Up. One of the best (or worst?) things about incorporating a gallery wall into your space is the fact that it’s never finished! Don’t be afraid to keep adding things or even swapping out certain pieces.

If you’re ready to finally cross that gallery wall off your to-do list, remember, the options are endless. And there’s no right or wrong way to go about it.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Be specific. When you do have a window to talk to your teen, don’t waste it with open-ended questions, like, “How was your day?” Be more specific—e.g., “Tell me how the tryouts for the volleyball tournament went”—and you’re likely to get more detail. Plus, your teen will appreciate that you’re aware of and care about the details of his or her day.

Enlist food. There’s one thing all teenagers have in common: food. Invite them to grab a burger, some ice cream or a latte, and they’ll probably reward you with a nice chat along the way.

Say yes to rides. If your teenager doesn’t have his or her driver’s license yet, you’re probably frustrated by the endless requests for rides all over town. Don’t be. The intrinsic privacy of the car provides one of the best opportunities to talk with teens, and a time when they often feel safe opening up and sharing feelings.

Embrace texting. While face-to-face conversations may be scarce, teens and texting are inseparable, so make texting a part of your communication game plan. Not only is texting a quick, painless way for them to check in with you, but it’s also a way for them to share more serious information. Texting allows them to avoid an awkward, in-person conversation and gives you time to think and respond thoughtfully as opposed to just reacting.

Say sorry. The parent/teen relationship is often a volatile one. You’ll probably say the wrong thing in the wrong way several times over. That’s okay. Just be sure to apologize. This shows teens that nobody’s perfect—not even you—and that you respect them and their approach toward adulthood.

These small strategies can go a long way toward creating healthy communication during a critical time in your child’s life, setting the stage for a strong relationship long into adulthood.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Sit Nicely and Be Patient
Children have shorter attention spans than most adults. This means that a 30-minute dinner for you might only be a 15-minute dinner for them. Kids get bored easily, so much so that it can even pull them away from a delicious meal. Patience, in this step, will need to come from both sides. Once a child sits down, they need to learn that it is polite to wait until everyone at the table has their food to start eating. Though there will be plenty of times they will be done and leave the table first, it’s a good idea to teach them to stay until everyone has finished their meals.

Say Please and Thank You
During dinner, second helpings are almost inevitable. If you’re ready for a second helping of veggies, a second scoop of potatoes or another piece of chicken, be sure to politely ask for the plate or bowl to be passed to you. “Please pass the gravy” followed up with a “thank you” is a great way to teach by example. Remind children when they forget, and before you know it, it will come naturally to them.

Listen to Each Other
The dinner table was made for conversation, and it’s important that all members of the family get a chance to speak and be heard. Even though hearing about Dad’s work day or a test an older sibling had to take at school may not be what a child is interested in, teaching them to listen to and engage with others at the table is vital when learning good table manners. When you listen to others, others will listen to you.

Help Clean Up
Once a meal is finished, helping with clean-up is a great way to show good manners. Teach your children to help clear the table by giving them a job. Whether it’s collecting utensils or cups, this is a great way to show them how to give thanks for the meal that was thoughtfully prepared and enjoyed together.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Review these tax tips for the self-employed and check with a tax professional to be sure you are complying with tax rules and taking advantage of all the tax breaks you can:

• Be sure you’ve paid quarterly estimated taxes – Estimated taxes must be paid if you think you’ll owe $1,000 in taxes or more, or if your tax liability was greater than $0 in the prior year, and you could be in for a healthy penalty if you haven’t paid your estimated payments in April, June, September and January. If you operate your business as a corporation, you have to pay quarterly estimated tax if you expect to owe at least $500 in taxes.)
• Claim all your deductions – Self-employed people typically deduct expenses for a dedicated home office, a vehicle used for business purposes, the cost for entertaining clients, any interest on business debt, and the cost for legal and/or tax assistance. Check with your tax advisor about other possible deductions, including the 20 percent deduction that may be available for pass-through income, such as income from sole proprietorship, partnerships, LLCs, S-corporations and rental properties.
• Consider retirement tax breaks – Because self-employed people don’t have access to the 401(k) plans provided by an employer, they may take advantage of retirement options such as a SIMPLE IRA, a SEP-IRA or a solo 401(k) plan. Check into the differences and/or see your tax advisor for specifics.
• Kathie Aldunate Realtor
  Century21 New Millennium
  1730 West Street, Annapolis.21401
  C:443-717-0292
  O:410-266-905
  .#AnnapolisRealtor #AnnapolisHomes. #AnneArundelCountyLiving #AnnapolisRealEstateMarket., #OdentonHomes, #SeniorDownsizing
  #AnnapolisRealEstateMarket, #AnneArundelCountyLiving, #CroftonRealEstate, #DreamHome, #GambrillsRealtor, #MarylandRealEstate, #MoveWithKathie.,