Lifestyles & Trends - Family Living

Create a playful kid zone on a budget

Nothing better sums up kids' personalities than their favorite spaces: their bedrooms or playrooms. And in today's design-conscious society, there's no limiting the ways you can create inviting, kid-friendly spaces that reflect your children's personal tastes while encouraging imaginative play and creativity.

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Six signs a senior needs living assistance

By many estimates, two-thirds of older Americans will eventually become dependent on others to complete everyday tasks. But realizing that you need help or convincing someone else that they do is often more difficult than arranging long-term care. Look for these signs to help determine your elderly loved one's needs and the best ways to meet them.

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Smart household savings start in the laundry room

For many families, household budgets are still tight in the wake of the recession. But whether times are tough or not, it makes sense to save money wherever you can. There are plenty of small ways to start cutting costs. One of the best places in your home to start saving is the laundry room.

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How to host a family reunion potluck

A family reunion can be one of your extended family's most memorable shared experiences, providing new family stories and deepening bonds for years to come. If you are in the coordinator's seat, it can also be a daunting amount of work. With a bit of advice from the experts on planning, delegation and, the centerpiece of any family gathering, food and drink, it can be a bit easier.

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Parents: Tips for giving kids a DIY after-school activity center at home

Many American families may still be tightening their belts, as the economy continues its slow climb out of recession. If your family has decided to save money by foregoing traditional after-school programs, you can bring the experience home.

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Keeping kids safe this summer

For most families, summertime means outdoor fun. From day camp to the swim club to the playground, summer is a time for kids to let loose. But what about kids with chronic diseases that may require extra attention? Can they enjoy the same summer activities as their peers?

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Ten tips on how to be a good neighbor - and avoid lawsuits

Treating your neighbor as you would like to be treated is wisdom that is thousands of years old. And it may be more important than ever in today's litigious society where a growing number of Americans - nearly 80 percent - live side-by-side in urban and suburban areas, in many cases separated only by a wall.

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Amusement parks offer new thrills

In early fall, theme park thrill-seekers and amusement park aficionados prepare to flock en masse to these attractions across the country. While the big-name parks are always fun, don't overlook some equally exhilarating, but smaller, regional parks. You'll likely find smaller crowds and save on travel costs.

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Disability insurance can save your (financial) life

Most people do not think twice about insuring their car or their home, but many overlook protecting an asset that is arguably many times more valuable: their paycheck. If you're injured in an accident or faced with a debilitating illness, not only will you have medical bills, but you also could lose your ability to earn an income. That's why it's important to protect your paycheck with disability insurance.

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The surprisingly affordable, culturally educational child care alternative: au pairs

If you're a working-parent family with school-aged children or younger, you know first-hand the price of child care. Child care costs are not only high, but are rising, according to a report released by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

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Lifestyle Trends