Erin Sluka - Parenting Healthy

Losing a loved one is never easy, and when that person is a senior, the impact on their spouse, siblings, or close friends can be especially profound. Beyond grief, there are practical tasks that need to be managed, such as sorting through belongings, finalizing the will, and arranging death cleanup if the home needs it.

These steps are difficult, but they are only part of the journey. Families are often left asking a bigger question: what happens now for the senior relatives who remain?

For some, the answer is simple. They may be healthy enough to stay where they are, surrounded by a strong community. But for many families, it is important to think about the safest and most supportive living arrangement moving forward.

Helping Senior Relatives Find Stability After a Loss — Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Making Room at Home

One option is to welcome your loved one into your own household. This can be a meaningful way to keep them close while ensuring they have daily support. Preparing your home may involve practical steps like creating a bedroom on the main floor or adding safety features in bathrooms.

Some families take it a step further by building a small “granny annex” or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their property. These separate living spaces give senior relatives privacy and independence, while offering peace of mind to the family. It is a solution that balances closeness with dignity, and for many, it becomes a long-term arrangement that works well.

Looking for a Safe Environment

For seniors who need more structured care or for families who cannot provide round-the-clock support, assisted living can be a safe and nurturing option. Assisted living communities are designed to provide help with daily activities such as meals, medication, and mobility, while still encouraging independence.

This option is especially helpful for seniors who may feel isolated after the loss of a spouse. Having access to social activities, wellness programs, and professional caregivers can make a huge difference in quality of life. Families often find comfort in knowing their loved one is not only cared for but also engaged with peers in a supportive environment.

Considering a Move Yourself

Another approach is to flip the question: instead of asking your senior relative to move, could you move closer to them? This decision comes with both advantages and challenges. Living nearby allows you to be part of their daily life, help with errands, and provide companionship. It can also be reassuring for your relative to know that family is just down the street.

However, moving your own household is no small task. Costs, job changes, and children’s schooling are all factors that need to be weighed carefully. For some families, though, the trade-off is worth it if it means preserving strong family connections and ensuring their loved one feels supported.

Finding the Right Balance

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to supporting senior relatives after a loss. Some will thrive in your home, others will do best in an assisted living community, and in some cases, moving yourself may be the most practical solution. What matters most is finding a balance between safety, independence, and emotional well-being.

Grief already brings enough uncertainty. By exploring these options with care and compassion, you can help your senior loved ones find stability and comfort during a season of change.

Education

8 Highly Effective Ways To Help Your Child Thrive at Elementary School

August 21, 2025August 21, 2025 Erin Sluka

Grade one or the first year of elementary school is an important time in your child’s school life, so it makes sense that you will want to set them up for the best success possible. The good news is you can find 8 of the most effective ways to ensure your child thrives in elementary school, below.

Read with them at home

First of all, instilling in your child a habit of reading at home is one of the very best things you can do for their education. This is because reading is the gateway to a good education, without which your child will struggle to access the opportunities which they are given.

With that in mind, the first thing you should be doing at home is instilling a genuine love of reading in your child. That means finding the type of literature they look to consume and getting it for them, and reading it with them. Now this may be YA novels like Harry Potter, factual books like those from the DK series or even graphic novels and comic books. Just remember that as long as it’s appropriate, the type of materials is less important when they are reading at home, because it’s a passion for reading that you are looking to encourage.

Work on social skills

Success and happiness in the school environment are not only about academic achievement, but also about making friends and feeling a part of the community. That is why some of the skills you should be working on with your child are the social ones.

Social skills, which include learning how to have a proper two-sided conversation, how to share, and how to work in a team, are crucial for making friends and being successful in group work. These skills can be taught in a variety of ways, including reading books about this topic with them, finding out about school classes, and groups where they can practice these.

Feed them well

Armys march on their stomachs, and kids are no different. That means they need consistently good nutrition to help them grow, develop and focus on their school work. Things to remember here include that breakfast should not be full of sugar, as this can make them hungrier throughout the day, as well as make focus hard.

Meals should include a mix of whole foods such as protein and fiber, and plenty of veggies. Lastly, wholemeal bread is best, and the occasional treat, especially when they see their peers getting one, will help them not to start to see things as forbidden, which can lead to them craving them more.

Start early

You can also help your child thrive when they get to school by starting their education at home early, well before they start elementary. Remember, the sooner you can get them to have a passion for learning new things, the better their school education will go.

The good news is that it’s pretty easy to get them to fall in love with the learning process, even from a young age. All you need to do is find something like this list of fun activities for kindergarteners and work through it one by one. You can even choose the ones you know your child would like best, ensuring they have funds and improving their core learning skills at the same time.

Teach them emotional regulation

Emotional regulation is the ability to be able to feel a wide range of emotions, both positive and negative and not act on them without proper consideration. It’s not just kids that find this skill hard, as many adults lack it as well. However, not being able to regulate your emotions can seriously hold back your child in all areas of life. With that in mind, teaching and practising emotional regulation skills is a vital part of your child’s education.

Some skills you can teach them include not believing every thought they have. Meditation can be useful for this, as can imagery such as picturing your thoughts as leaves floating down a stream, or your emotions as clouds in the sky, where the person is the sky.

Additionally, being able to sit with uncomfortable emotions by identifying where they are in the body, assigning them a shape and colour can be a useful skill that helps kids de-fuse with their emotions and make choices based on their values and not how they feel.

Establish a good sleep routine

Another way you can help your child thrive in their school life is to make sure that you establish a good sleep routine for them. This means going to bed and sleeping at a regular time each day, as well as getting up at a set time. By doing this, you can help get their body into a good sleep rhythm, which not only makes transitions from day to night easier but ensures they are well rested for their day of learning ahead.

Set a time for homework

While homework in Kindergarten should be fairly minimal, it is a time when you can begin to get them in the routine of doing their homework at the same time every day. By doing this, you will help them to better manage their time and get them into good habits for elementary school. You will also ensure that they have plenty of time for rest and play, which are also crucial to their well-being and learning.

Show unconditional love

Last of all, you can help set up your child to thrive in elementary school and beyond by showing them love that is not conditional on their achievements. Remember, kids are very sensitive to these types of things and can easily internalise your joy over their academic success, believing they have to be perfect to be loved.

To that end, praising them for things other than their achievements, or showing love not based on their success or behavior, is an important lesson. This is because it can help them feel less pressure in terms of their studies later on.

7 Tips For Keeping Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy

August 21, 2025August 21, 2025 Erin Sluka

Want your kid to grow up with beautiful pearly white teeth? Teaching good dental habits now will help your kids to continue these habits later in life. It’s also important to make sure their toothbrush and toothpaste are suitable, and that they’re getting the dental treatment they need. Below are 7 tips that will help you to keep your kids’ teeth healthy.

Restrict their sugar consumption

Kids that consume too much sugar are more likely to develop cavities. Make sure that your children aren’t living on soft drinks and candy. By making sugar a treat, you can reduce the chance of your kids developing dental disease.

Monitor their brushing routine

Do your kids brush their teeth morning and night? And do they spend enough time brushing their teeth? It’s important to keep monitoring your kids as they brush their teeth – ideally until the age of 8. You don’t have to brush their teeth for them, but you should be making sure they’re spending two minutes brushing and doing a thorough job. If kids tend to rush brushing their teeth, consider putting on a timer or brushing to music to motivate them.

Make sure they’re using the right toothpaste

Kids require different fluoride levels as they get older. You should be careful of giving young kids adult toothpaste too early as the high fluoride levels may damage any milk teeth they still have. Similarly, make sure older kids aren’t using fluoride-free toothpaste for young kids – it may taste nicer, but it won’t be cleaning their teeth properly.

Know when to replace their toothbrush

Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. Don’t let your child continue to use the same toothbrush – especially if the bristles are visibly damaged – as it will no longer be providing efficient cleaning. If your child uses an electric toothbrush, you should similarly make sure that electric brush heads are regularly changed.

Get them into flossing early

Flossing can help to get rid of any plaque debris stuck between teeth – further helping to prevent cavities. Get your kids into flossing from an early age so that it becomes a normal part of their dental routine. You can buy dental floss that is designed for kids.

Book regular dental check-ups

It’s important to sign up your kids with a family dental practice and go for check-ups at least once per year. Regular dental check-ups will be able to identify dental problems early so that they can be treated before they become too serious. Don’t wait until your child has a toothache or visible decay to book an appointment.

Know when to look into orthodontic treatment

Many kids eventually get braces fitted to straighten their teeth. This could be particularly worthwhile if your child has very misaligned teeth that make brushing properly difficult. Nowadays there are various different forms of orthodontic treatment to explore including traditional metal braces, lingual braces and clear aligners like Invisalign. The best form of orthodontic treatment may depend on how misaligned your kid’s teeth are and what treatment they prefer.

Pets Products

Making End-of-Life Decisions: What Vets Want You to Know

August 18, 2025August 18, 2025 Erin Sluka

Deciding when to say goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest choices any owner will face. It’s emotional, often heartbreaking, and filled with uncertainty. But you’re not alone—veterinarians go through this process with pet owners every day, and they want you to know a few key things that might help you navigate the journey with more clarity and compassion.

Quality of Life Comes First

Vets often use quality-of-life scales to help assess your pet’s well-being. This includes evaluating their appetite, mobility, pain levels, hygiene, and emotional engagement. If your dog or cat is no longer enjoying the things they used to love—or if pain and suffering are becoming constant—your vet may gently suggest that it’s time to start considering end-of-life options.

You Can Ask Questions—A Lot of Them

Many pet owners worry they’re rushing into things or waiting too long. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet hard questions like, “Is my pet suffering?” or “Are there any other options we haven’t tried?” One question that comes up often is how does pet euthanasia work? Understanding the process can actually bring comfort. Most veterinarians explain each step ahead of time: typically, a calming sedative is given first, followed by a medication that gently stops the heart. It’s peaceful, painless, and designed to ease your pet into rest.

If you’d like to learn more about the process, a company called Compassionate Care offers a wealth of resources on their website to help pet owners prepare emotionally and practically for this difficult moment. These materials offer guidance on what to expect, how to honor your pet’s memory, and how to know when the time feels right. Compassionate Care has long served families across the Portland metro area, offering in-home pet euthanasia and cremation services. In fact, they were the first to offer pet aquamation in Oregon City more than a decade ago.

Your Emotions Are Valid

Veterinarians know this isn’t “just a dog” or “just a cat.” They see the bond you’ve built, and they understand the grief that follows. Many also grieve alongside their clients, especially those they’ve worked with for years. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel unsure. And it’s okay to take time to make a decision.

In-Home Options Are Available

Some pet owners prefer to say goodbye in the comfort of their home.

There’s No “Perfect” Time—Only the Most Loving One

Most vets will tell you: it’s better to say goodbye a week too early than a day too late. Waiting until a pet is clearly suffering often leaves owners with regret. Instead, making the decision based on love, not guilt, is the kindest thing you can do.

Final Thought

If you’re nearing the end of your pet’s journey, take comfort in knowing that you’re doing your best in an incredibly difficult situation. Lean on your veterinarian for honest guidance, ask the questions you need to ask, and consider supportive services that can walk with you through the process. And remember, choosing peace for your pet is one of the greatest acts of love.