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No parent likes to think about their child being bullied or, even worse, being a bully but the fact is, more than half of all children are involved – either as a perpetrator, victim or witness. There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying. Recognizing the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying. Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help. It is important to talk with children who show signs of being b...

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Why do we often neglect our front porch? It's the first impression your home puts out there and yet they end up boring, outdated and sad.  If a dark or dated design is deterring you from making the most of your porch, then let our gallery of some amazing yet easy porch remodel ideas inspire you.   Sometimes small porches, especially if they are enclosed, can be dark and uninviting.  A way to improve the look is to paint your front door.  Go with a color that compliments the body of your home and doesn’...

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What is ROI? Return On Investment Who doesn’t want to get the biggest return out of a home improvement project? If you're thinking of moving in the future, then it’s not a bad idea to know what projects and improvements are worth your time and money. It’s good to know that what you’re doing is actually adding value to your home. Find out what buyers are saying about what features and upgrades are important to them when buying a home. You want to make sure that when it’s time to sell, you make the biggest impa...

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When August rolls around we all say, "where did the Summer go?" Fall is just around the corner and “back to school” is on many parent’s minds. If you want your child to hit the ground running academically this school year, then it’s time to retrain their brain. Here are some great tips to help your child establish routines for a successful school year.   In With the New   We all remember that one of the best things about a new school year was all the new school supplies we got! Right?! Allowi...

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Image: Melanie DeFazio/Stocksy Want summer comfort but hate the AC? Follow these tips on how to keep your house cool without frosty air conditioning. You don’t have to switch on the air conditioner to get a big chill this summer. These tips will help you keep your house cool without over running your AC , which will save energy (and avoid AC wars with your family.)   Block That Sun! When sunlight enters your house, it turns into heat. You’ll keep your house cooler if you reduce solar he...

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If you’re looking to expand your living area, look up. Without the cost of adding on, an attic conversion gives you a master bedroom, a man cave, or a cozy guest retreat. Adding a dormer window to your attic dramatically increases natural light, air circulation, and even gains some headroom. Dormers are good places for snuggly built-in beds and storage. Image: Birdseye Design   The Sound of (No) Music Attics are usually right over somebody’s bedroom, so noise from music and overzealous Wii competitors c...

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There is nothing wrong with having your TV as the main focal point of your room, I'm certainly not embarrassed by my TV having center stage, not one bit! If you watch yours frequently, I see no reason to hide it. That said, it's not necessarily something you want to attract attention to - not because you're ashamed of it, but because a giant black box with cords takes attention away from all the other really nice things you've done with the room. Aside from actually hiding it, there are many ways to minimize its prese...

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From updated farmers markets to a newly transformed Astrodome, Houston has some new and exciting developments coming our way. Check out our list of some of the latest developments happening around town.   Airline Farmers Market Redevelopment   The decades-old farmers market on Airline Drive in the North Heights is a mainstay for that neighborhood. But a plan to redevelop the 18-acre space would likely bring new food options, retailers and others to the site, making it a more attractive destination for loca...

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Even the most beautiful home in the most serene neighborhood can become a nightmare if you live next door to the wrong kind of people. Dealing with horrible neighbors can be enough to push even the nicest person over the edge. So we’ve created a list of some of the bad neighbor types you might expect to find and how to handle them if you find yourself stuck living next to one. Kelvin Murray/Getty Images   Lets start what what most people complain about when it comes to their horrible neighbors: # 1 The lou...

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"I'm so bored!"  How many times have you heard that phrase since school ended? Whether you're a parent, babysitter, grandparent, or guardian, there is a pretty good chance you are all too familiar with that statement. When a kid is bored, one of the best things we can do is help them find ways to entertain themselves. Find activities that allows them to use their senses and are at the right level of difficulty. Keep a box full of fun things for them to do like paint sets, play dough, coloring books, and puzzles. Ju...

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