301.476.1020 • www.PEREZHALPERN.com
June 2018
HOW TO HAVE THE BEST SUMMER VACATIONS Keep the Kids Entertained the Whole Way
Our family is used to road trips, both long and short. Since Josh’s family lives outside of Philly, we make that trip a couple times a year, often stopping at Sesame Place, the small Sesame Street theme park my husband visited all the time as a kid. Now Jacob gets to see it, and my husband and I get to experience a lifelong favorite through our son’s eyes.
an airplane seat, we can easily remove them. It’s well worth it for the amount of entertainment they provide.
As our son got older, we gave in and provided him with a screen when traveling. Once he was about 2 1/2, we brought along a LeapPad, the small tablet for kids. You can download shows or buy games, and there are many educational options.
We still don’t want Jacob staring at a screen for eight hours at a time, so we’ve developed a strategy of driving as long as possible without offering it, encouraging him to play games or with toys instead. When he asks for it, he uses kids’ headphones to listen to a show or game.
Luckily, Jacob is an easygoing kid, and even on the long drives, he stays entertained. It’s a combination of his laid-back personality and the fact that we’ve been doing these drives since he was 3 months old. We could probably draw a map of the route from D.C. to Philly blindfolded. Even with an easy kid, it helps to plan ahead to prevent boredom on our road trips. Josh and I have learned some tricks of the trade for making our trips enjoyable for the whole family.
As they get older, there’s only so long that the kid’s version of a tablet will work. Now that my son is growing up, he gets to use an iPad. We try to use safer headsets that minimize his exposure to louder sounds. We still go old school a lot of the time. We play “I spy” or a variation of “punch buggy” that our friends taught us, called “Skittles.” Instead of looking for VW Bugs, you look for any car that’s the color of a Skittle. When you see it, you yell “Skittles!” Jacob likes this one. Josh and I stay pretty entertained with it too. For all three of us, road trips are something we look forward to. It’s part of the adventure of going somewhere, whether it’s a new place or reuniting with family. With a few games, the radio, and plenty of snacks, we always enjoy the ride.
Snacks are a must. Feed Jacob snacks, and he’s happy. The trick is that we only give him one snack at a time.
Before Jacob turned 3, we always had a bag of toys for him to play with, whether we were going on a road trip or traveling by plane. The variety helps — he can switch between toys and doesn’t get bored. If we’re traveling by plane, we’ll try to make a stop at the dollar store beforehand and pick up toys there. That way, if the toy falls behind a seat or gets left behind, we’re not stressed about it.
Happy and safe travels to you this summer!
Another treat that has made trips fun is sticker sheets. They’re easy to peel off, so even if Jacob sticks them all over the car or
–Meliha Perez Halp ern
www.PEREZHALPERN.com | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Think Outside the Box UNCONVENTIONAL SUMMER JOBS FOR TEENS
As your teen becomes more independent, they may be interested in getting a summer job. Whether they want to save up for a big purchase or just have some extra spending money, summer jobs can solidify the importance of hard work and responsibility for your child. Plus, the earlier your teen starts, the sooner they can learn how to manage their money. Fast-food restaurants and clothing stores are popular first jobs, but encourage your teen to think outside the box and try one of these creative money-making opportunities.
in the form of cash or gift cards. Teens can also preview up-and-coming music as reviewers on Slice the Pie. Sites like these require quite a bit of work for a relatively small wage, but they can be the perfect first job for a child who wants to try earning a few bucks for the first time. Teens under the age of 18 will require parental consent. Virtual Storefronts If your child has a flare for arts, crafts, or anything else DIY, encourage them to set up an Etsy shop. There are no membership fees, and after Etsy’s 3.5 percent cut, sellers receive their profits via PayPal. Minors age 13–17 must have a parent or legal guardian manage their Etsy account. Petsitting and Housesitting If your teen is trustworthy and responsible, there’s no reason they can’t work for We went over the pros and cons of settling versus not settling, and we gave Steve an estimate of what a top offer in this case would be. We shared with him our professional view that he deserved more compensation. Despite our views, his priority was to move on, and he chose to settle and put an end to this stressful time in his life. For some clients, the emotional toll of a case is not worth any amount of money. In those situations, after going over your options with you, we will always support your decision.
neighbors, friends, and family. Most professional petsitting and housesitting services require their sitters to be over 18, but Care.com allows teens 14–17 to register as “Teen Providers” with parental consent. Depending on where you live and how much experience your teen has, they can expect to earn $15–30 per visit, and they may be able to ask for more to stay overnight. Help your teen get the word out by posting on social media. Most importantly, keep your teen safe by helping them screen clients and teaching them what information to share. Summer jobs are a great way for teens to earn extra cash and learn responsibility. The next time your teen asks you for money to go to the movies, encourage them to earn some spending cash of their own. Who knows? They might actually treat you to a movie sometime!
Online Surveys and Reviews Companies are eager for consumer
feedback, and they are willing to pay for it. Sites like Swagbucks and MySurvey offer members the opportunity to complete tasks like taking surveys, writing reviews, and watching videos to redeem rewards
SUCCESS STORY At Pérez Halpern, our first priority is our clients’ comfort. When we take on your case, you can expect that we will let you dictate the direction it goes.
COMFORT IS OUR PRIORITY
months of physical therapy. I did not want to contact an attorney at first but quickly realized I needed a professional with the time and expertise to navigate this process for me and to ensure that I was protected. Meliha is professional, personable, competent, and clear. I received the same level of professionalism from the business manager, Andy. It was expressed to me from the start that the firm’s priority is the client’s comfort, and I felt that way at all times. I highly recommend Pérez Halpern, LLC.”
That was our mission when we took on Steve’s* case.
After an accident, Steve’s main goals were getting better and getting his medical bills paid off. When we received an offer from the insurance company, though, it was not enough to compensate him for his injuries. In this situation, we often keep fighting for our client and encourage them not to settle. During this time, however, Steve was already going through a lot of changes in his life, and his priority was putting this tumultuous chapter behind him.
We are touched to read these kind words.
We’re here to take action and support our clients, even when that means helping them find closure rather than pursuing a case further.
Steve had these kind words to share about his experience with Meliha Pérez Halpern:
“I contacted Meliha upon the referral of a trusted friend after a rear-end collision totaled my car and resulted in a few
*Name has been changed to preserve client’s anonymity
2 | 301.476.1020
Have Fun and Stay Safe Around the Pool This Summer
Swim in designated supervised swimming zones.
Never jump in to aid a drowning swimmer.
In the heat of summer, there’s nothing better than jumping into a cool body of water and splashing around. Whether it’s the local pool, a water park, a lake, or the ocean, splashing around with the kids is one of the best ways to beat the heat. Despite all the enjoyment we get from it, though, water does pose some risks. It’s best to practice caution and always swim with a group. Follow these other safety tips set out by the American Red Cross to help your family stay safe while you’re enjoying your fun in the sun. Use the buddy system. Your child should know this rule by heart. Teach them to never swim alone and always have a buddy with them when they enter a body of water. In addition, they should tell an adult where they are going.
Hidden swimming holes can be fun but dangerous. In the ocean, unsupervised zones can leave you vulnerable to undertow and other dangerous swimming conditions. Enroll your children in swimming lessons, like those offered by the Red Cross. They’ll learn to swim from certified instructors and be taught important safety rules surrounding water. Adult swim classes are available as well. It’s never too late to learn! Use life jackets in moving bodies of water. This is a good rule of thumb for activities like boating and water skiing. Life jackets are especially important for inexperienced swimmers, but everyone should wear them when possible.
If your child or another person appears to be struggling in the water, do not jump in to save them. Look for a flotation device or object you can throw to them so they can grab on. You can’t help anyone if you jump in and get pulled under by a panicked swimmer. Keep your children away from drains and suction fittings. Every year, children get trapped in drains or other suction areas. Keep them away from these areas and inform them of the dangers they pose. If you’re involved in an accident this summer, call the law offices of Pérez Halpern. We are here to help you get through this with the compensation you deserve.
sudoku
Coquito Cupcakes
thelatinkitchen.com/r/recipe/coquito-cupcakes
Ingredients • 2 1/2 cups cake flour • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 stick butter, at room temperature • 1 1/2 cups sugar Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda into bowl. 3. In a separate bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla extract, coconut extract, milk, and eggs (one egg at a time) and whisk until fluffy. 4. Fold in flour mixture. Do not over mix. 5. Evenly distribute the mixed batter into cupcake pan.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 1/4 cups milk • 1 teaspoon coconut extract • 3 eggs • Coquito drink
6. Place cupcake pan in oven and bake for 20 minutes. 7. Remove cupcakes and let cool for about 30 minutes. 8. Once cupcakes have cooled, inject each cake with about 2 ounces of the coquito drink. 9. Allow cupcakes to sit in the fridge for at least an hour.
www.PEREZHALPERN.com | 3
301.476.1020 www.PEREZHALPERN.com To be removed from our mailing list, or if you prefer the Spanish version, call the office. Para ser removido de nuestra lista de correo o si prefiere la versión en español, llama la oficina.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
200A Monroe Street, Suite 303 Rockville, MD 20850
inside Meliha’s Summer Travel Guide PAGE 1 Unique Job Ideas for Teens PAGE 2 Success Story PAGE 2
Find us on Facebook! Pérez Halpern, LLC
Summer Water Safety Tips PAGE 3
Coquito Cupcakes PAGE 3 Too Much Shade? Plant These Vegetables! PAGE 4
Contact me for all of your auto accident and personal injury needs!
Lay Some Shade on Me
There’s nothing quite like growing your own vegetables, but if your home doesn’t get the best sunlight, what can you do? It’s a problem many gardeners face. Even if you live in a sunny area, you may have a shady corner of the garden or side of the house going to waste. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that do well in partial and full shade. As a general rule, leafy greens do better in shade and milder temperatures than other vegetables. Flowering plants and vines, such as cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes, need more hours of sunlight per day in order to thrive — about 6 hours or more. Herbs. While many herbs, such as basil, are better suited for sunnier conditions, there are a few that will do great in shade. These include chives, cilantro, golden marjoram, mint, oregano, and parsley. (Hours of sun per day: 3) Kale. Typically, kale does well in partial shade. When kale is grown in full shade, the leaves tend to be slightly smaller, but this can be offset by growing additional plants. (Hours of sun per day: 3–4)
with proper planning, you’ll still reap a plentiful harvest. Bush and dwarf varieties are recommended over their pole counterparts. (Hours of sun per day: 4–5) Potatoes. Root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and beets, will grow in partial shade, but they may take a few more weeks to mature, and they may produce fewer vegetables. However, as most gardeners agree, the results are still worth the effort. (Hours of sun per day: 4–5) Spinach. Like most leafy greens, spinach does very well in shade, particularly baby spinach. The plant will continue to produce leaves for an extended period of time if you regularly harvest the outer leaves. (Hours of sun per day: 3–4)
Peas. Like kale, when grown in shade, peas and beans won’t grow quite as full, and plants may take longer to mature, but
4 | 301.476.1020
Published by The Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker