Merlino & Gonzalez - September 2024

PAW-SOME ADVENTURES

DIY HOME SCENT SOLUTIONS THAT WORK HOME SWEET-SMELLING HOME

Trash Can Freshener The trash cans in our kitchens are often the source of the biggest stink in our house. It’s a great habit to replace your trash bag whenever you add something that will rot or smell bad, but if the can holder retains odors, you don’t need to buy a new trashcan. Instead, dab cotton balls with your favorite essential oil and place them in the bottom of your can. Changing out the cotton balls every time you replace a trash bag will help offset any bad trashcan scents. Shaving Cream’s Unique Use The bathroom floor is often one of the dirtiest areas in our homes, especially around the toilet. While you can get on your hands and knees to scrub away grime, there’s an

None of us wants to be known as someone with a stinky house. While we may become nose blind to the smell of our homes, anyone visiting will notice whether your house smells fresh or rotten from the moment they step through the door. While sprayable air fresheners and candles can improve the smell, these scents fade quickly. Plus, having to replenish your supply can get expensive. Thankfully, three quick tricks will easily refresh the scent of your home. The Smell of Fresh-Baked Cookies Have you ever gone house hunting and noticed that many homes you tour smell like freshly baked cookies? Realtors often use this strategy to make the home feel more welcoming to potential buyers,

and you can use the same trick to improve the smell of your house. Take a tablespoon or two of vanilla extract and place it in an oven-safe bowl or

easier way to clean the area and provide a refreshing new scent. All you have to do is mop the floor using shaving cream.

container. Bake it in the oven at 300 degrees for 10–20 minutes or until you notice the smell wafting through your house.

It’s less messy than traditional mopping and will leave your bathroom smelling clean!

HOW TO FOSTER POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH STEPCHILDREN Creating a Happy Family

Listen and Reinforce Be an active listener,

According to the Journal of Demography, 37% of married couples have at least one stepchild. Despite the prevalence of the stepparent/ stepchildren relationship, it is often not as harmonic as it could be. Stepparents can play a vital role in the development of young children and be positive role models to teens as well. As your relationship with your stepchildren grows, so will your relationship with your partner. Here are some tips to help you form a more positive relationship with your stepchildren. Grow Comfortable When first introduced into a stepchild’s life, you often have to circumvent some initial animosity and awkwardness. This is normal. It may take a little while for your stepchild to warm up to you and build a rapport between you. Find things

you have in common. Try to get to know them and be attentive to their hobbies and interests. However, it’s important not to come on too strong. You don’t want your stepchild to feel pressured to get along with you, so let them decide the pace and follow their lead. Plan Ahead You and your partner must be on the same page when parenting stepchildren. Taking a hard stance in the opposite direction can confuse and undermine your partner’s authority. You should cooperate when deciding how to discipline and care for the children and what boundaries to set. If you go in without a clear plan, you are planning for disaster. The last thing you want is for your parenting to drive a rift between you, your partner, and your stepchildren.

and try repeating some of what you see and hear. Make it clear you are listening and understand where your stepchild is

coming from. If they can rely on you to listen, they will be more open to talking to you and building a rapport. Moreover, take strides not to badmouth their biological parent — you want to be a positive influence. You won’t better your relationship with your stepchildren by worsening their relationships with others. With these tips, you can improve your standing with your stepkids and foster a more powerful and positive relationship as you move forward.

2 realestateplanninglaw.com

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