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The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 SEPTEMBER | 2023
A PARENT’S GUIDE TO SCHOOL SUCCESS ENCOURAGE A LOVE OF LEARNING AT HOME
chance at educational success.
September has finally arrived, which means our kids are back in school. The transition into a new school year can be challenging, especially if the kids ran free throughout the summer without any supplemental learning. They might find their homework difficult or try to avoid doing it altogether. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to help make learning fun for your kids while finding ways to encourage them to do their daily schoolwork. Helping children with school isn’t always easy for parents. Some like to take a hands-off approach where they let the teachers handle most learning aspects of the child’s education, but this can have a negative effect on your child. With the size of the current classrooms, teachers are unable to provide one-on-one instruction, so your child may fall behind and develop a disinterest in school. To put your children on the path to success, you have to help them develop a love of learning at home by making schoolwork more exciting, fun, and interesting. With time, their study habits will improve, and they may not need as much assistance, but until then, they’re going to need some extra motivation.
Create a study area at home. Where do your children currently do their homework or study for tests? They should have a well-lit area to do their work with plenty of paper, pencils, and other homework necessities within reach. It also helps if they have a desk or table to work on instead of the floor. The most important part of creating a study area is to keep it distraction-free. They shouldn’t be doing
schoolwork in commonly trafficked areas of the house. The temptation to watch TV, play video games, or converse with other members of the household could become too strong, distracting them from the task at hand.
Consider hiring outside help. School curriculums change regularly, and you might not always know everything about the topics your kid is learning about. Sure, you could try to learn how to do these new problems alongside your kid, but if you’re not doing it right, you could create more problems. Instead, look at hiring a tutor for your children. This way, they’ll have an expert who can guide them through each problem and help them devise solutions. Don’t wait until your child falls behind other students, either. As soon as you notice they’re struggling with a certain subject and you’re unable to help, find someone else who can. Provide ample encouragement. Kids love to hear when their parents are proud of their accomplishments. Celebrate with your children whenever they answer a difficult question or score highly on tests and projects. That encouragement and praise will fuel them toward further academic success. It might seem like a small gesture to you, but I promise it will make a world of difference for your children. With your help, your child can develop a love of learning while improving their study habits. Try utilizing some of these tips to help your child break free from a learning slump. —John Bledsoe
Here are a few ways you can help your child succeed in school.
Establish relationships with your children’s teachers.
Every teacher has a unique teaching style, and you need to know what they’re looking for in their students’ schoolwork. Attend orientation, go to parent-teacher conferences, and find other ways to connect with your children’s teachers so you fully understand their expectations. Many teachers will even provide suggestions on how you can help your children with their schoolwork. You and the teacher should work as a team to give your child the best
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INJURY-FREE RUNNING
The Key Lies in Form
Running is one of the most effective cardiovascular exercises, but it’s also among the most likely to cause injuries. However, many problems runners face aren’t inherent to the sport — they result from bad form. Improper running form can put unnecessary stress on your joints, spine, and neck, potentially causing long-term damage. Here are some of the most common errors that can lead to injury — and how to correct them. Overstriding Many runners mistakenly think they’ll improve their speed by increasing their stride or making each step bigger. But your body has a natural stride length, and extending your legs too far in front of your center of mass is one of the fastest paths to an injury. Overstriding stresses your joints unnecessarily, so focus on shorter, quicker steps instead. You’ll feel lighter and run more efficiently.
down. It’s bad for your legs and will make you feel tired more quickly. To correct this problem, physical therapist and running coach Dr. Casey Guthmiller recommends imagining a low ceiling just over your head as you run. You aim to avoid bumping your head by maintaining a consistent distance from the ground.
Hunching Many people have bad posture, so it’s no surprise it
carries over to their running form. But it’s a problem worth correcting. Hunched shoulders and leaning forward while running make breathing harder and prevent proper hip extension. It’s also bad news for your back. Dr. Guthmiller urges runners to imagine a string pulling their spine toward the sky. At the same time, avoid standing too straight. Proper posture involves a slight lean with a straight spine and squared shoulders. Developing proper running form takes time, and no one eliminates all errors immediately. But you’ll reduce your risk of developing an injury and see more progress if you can reduce your mistakes. Try to focus on one part of your form at a time — you might be surprised how much better you feel.
Bouncing Running should move your body forward, not up. Many runners push themselves off the ground and into the air, producing a bouncing motion that sends them up and
NAVIGATING CALIFORNIA DIVORCES
When the Wife Is the Primary Earner
Spousal Support California courts take into account factors such as the duration of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and their needs when determining the amount and duration of spousal support. Pre and Postnuptial Agreements Couples can protect their financial interests and address potential concerns regarding property division and spousal support by entering into prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. These legally binding agreements allow spouses to define the terms of property division and support in the event of divorce, providing a sense of clarity and security for both parties. Professional Guidance When navigating a divorce where the wife is the breadwinner, seeking guidance from experienced professionals is crucial. Consulting with a knowledgeable family law attorney specializing in California divorces can help ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the process. We can assist by assessing the unique circumstances of your case, advocating for your financial well-being, and guiding you through negotiations or court proceedings.
The dynamics of traditional marriages have undergone significant changes over the years, with an increasing number of women assuming the role of breadwinner. In California, a state known for its progressive family laws, divorces involving a financially successful wife require a nuanced approach to ensure a fair and equitable resolution for both parties. Let’s explore the specific considerations, challenges, and potential solutions for California divorces when the wife is the primary earner. California Divorce Laws In California, neither spouse needs to prove fault to obtain a divorce. The courts focus on the equitable distribution of assets and spousal support based on a fair assessment of the couple’s circumstances. Factors such as income, earning potential, duration of the marriage, and the standard of living maintained during the marriage are considered during property division and alimony determinations. Community Property Laws All assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered community property and are subject to equal division upon divorce. However, these laws do not require an equal split in every case. When the wife is the breadwinner, the courts may consider each spouse's financial contributions and the marriage's specific circumstances to reach an equitable distribution of assets.
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W ord S earch Aster
THEY’RE MORE THAN PROPERTY
Blueberries Citizenship Grandparents Homework
Labor Leaves Moonstone
Prepare School
Virgo Windy
HONEY-PECAN CHICKEN BREASTS
Pet Custody in Divorce
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS
Do you think of your pet as a member of the family? If so, you’re not alone! A recent Harris poll revealed that 95% of pet owners nationwide have similar feelings. While we know our pets aren’t the same as our children, they mean a lot more to us than a piece of furniture. This can create confusion during divorce proceedings. Past legal realities did indeed treat pets like furniture. At times judges would even order the sale of the pet so the spouses could split the proceeds. Thankfully, these situations no longer occur in the state of California. In 2018, California passed a law that allowed judges to consider the best interests of the pet when awarding custody over said pet. Judges can also create shared pet- parenting arrangements similar to child custody arrangements, such as joint or sole ownership with visitation time. They can even issue temporary pet custody orders while the divorce is pending. There are no guarantees your family law judge would choose to handle the issue this way. The language specifically says the judge “may” enter an order, not that the judge must. They are free to treat pets as property, just as before. Some judges believe knowing what is best for an animal is impossible. There is reason for hope, though. Less than 10% of divorce cases go to trial here in California; most settle out of court. This means 90% of the time, you and your ex can look at the pet’s needs, determining for yourselves what will work for both you and your family. This can be incredibly difficult since the final disposition of the pet is likely to be a highly emotional subject for both parties. Before going into the negotiations, search your heart to determine whether you think the pet would really be in worse straits while living with the other party. If you both acknowledge that you want your pet to be happy, it will be easier to come up with equitable, creative solutions.
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2 6-oz boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/8 tsp black pepper 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp butter 3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp finely chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS
1. Pound chicken with a meat mallet to 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. 2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium heat; brown chicken on both sides. Cook covered until chicken is no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes, turning once. 3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pecans. Cook covered until chicken is glazed, about 2–3 minutes.
You shouldn’t have to face this situation on your own. Call us and request a consultation today to learn how we can help.
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Inside
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Help Your Child Break Through Learning Barriers
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Injury-Free Running: The Key Lies in Form California Divorces When the Wife is the Breadwinner
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Who Gets the Pet in a Divorce? Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts
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Tips to Keep Kids Engaged During Your 9-to-5
PARENTING PRO TIPS
KEEPING YOUR KIDS BUSY WHILE YOU WORK FROM HOME
Studies show that roughly 43% of parents work from home, which means you’ve likely experienced a few of your important meetings being interrupted by kid-fueled chaos. Whether you work remotely full-time or out of your home office occasionally, keeping your children quiet long enough for you to stay focused on your job can be challenging. Here are some
furniture cushions will keep little ones busy.
Camping out in the wilderness of your family room is an epic adventure!
Break out the puzzles. If your children are old enough to build puzzles, these are interactive enough to occupy them for a few hours. The best part is that puzzles can be incentive-based — offer a yummy treat or extra playtime later in the evening once they complete the puzzle!
great ideas for keeping your little ones entertained during your 9-to-5 without Netflix playing babysitter.
Let them be crafty. Kids are swift learners, and after a quick tutorial from you, they’ll be ready to tackle any art project. Gather construction paper, child-safe scissors, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, glue, cardboard, and markers, then go online to find some creative ideas for arts and crafts that your kids can make themselves!
Get moving. Dance parties, balloon volleyball, kids’ yoga, indoor hopscotch, and scavenger hunts are some safe ways to keep your kids active indoors during your workday. These ideas will help burn off energy and pass the time while allowing you to concentrate in relative silence. With so much technology available today, it’s tempting to plop your kids in front of the television so you can get some work done. However, these ideas keep kids busy without relying too much on screen time and allow you to finish your work with minimal distractions.
Schedule sensory playtime. Sensory activities are sure to keep your kiddos busy and their minds engaged. While you work, let those little hands feel, poke, and explore different food textures, shaving cream, sand, Play-Doh, and water. Build a fort. Forts are a great way to keep your children entertained all day long — you’ll be surprised how long a few pillows, blankets, chip clips, and
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