Carpet vs Hardwood Floor for Newborn Babies -- S Post

First time parents might feel overwhelmed as they try to figure out how things should be done. There are so many decisions to be made that when it comes down to flooring it can be too much. Deciding whether you want carpet vs hardwood floor for newborn babies is something that many parents spend countless hours trying to figure out. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Hardwood Floor

Easy to Clean

One of the best things about hardwood floor if you have a newborn baby is that it is easy to clean. Many people do not realize just how simple it is to clean hardwood. Plus carpet can have lingering dirt and grime that goes beneath the top layer of fibers. With hardwood parents do not have to worry about this as their babies get older and start to roll and crawl on the floors.

Last Forever

Carpets are known to stain, fade, and wear out. With proper care carpet will last several years but over time it can look very old. When it comes to hardwood floors they can last for much longer. In fact some historic homes have hardwood floors that are more than 100 years old. So when you choose hardwood, you are choosing something that is going to last you a long time. Some hardwood floors are even made to last a lifetime.

Timeless

Wood floors offer a classic and timeless look. Wood flooring is never going to be out of style so there is no worry about updates or having to replace the floor in a few years because it is something that you hate. In fact there are many different versions of hardwood flooring so you can pick out exactly what you want.

Offers A Rich Look
Many people will love the fact that hard wood flooring looks rich. Some people even think that homes with hardwood floors look way more expensive than homes with carpeting.

Natural and Organic

Many different types of hardwood floor are natural and all organic. They come from organic materials and are non-electromagnetic. Many doctors from around the world recommend that you use hardwood flooring in your home when you are having a new infant.


Advantages of Carpet

Less Likely to Fall or Slip

Many people complain that they slip or fall more on hardwood floor. It is true that hardwood floor can be slick. One of the major advantages of carpet is that you never have to worry about slipping and falling on the flooring.

Help Keep Air Clean

Carpeting can actually help to keep the air clean. It can trap dust particles, dander, and pollen. So it can actually help purify air which can benefit people who are severe asthmatics or have severe allergies.

In the past people sometimes chose carpeting because it was more affordable. Today with so many competitive companies out there, there are many hardwood options that are affordable as well. One great thing to consider, if you are looking at whether or not you would like to have hardwood or carpet for your newborn baby, is that you can actually get free samples of hardwood flooring to make sure that you get what you love.

Choosing flooring is just one battle that you will face as new parents. In fact there are a ton of additional things that you will ask yourself from the type of diapers that you are going to use to the car seat and everything in between. Some families even struggle with knowing whether their baby needs a schedule or if they should choose to a go a different route and not have a schedule.

The spirit world is waiting for you...in a good way! -- Guest Post

When I was 11 years old, I had my first paranormal experience. At that time, I had no idea what the word paranormal meant. In fact, I didn’t even believe that there could be spirits or “ghosts” lurking on this planet. Some may call it naivety; I call it innocence. I have always been the type to want to learn more about the occult. At an early age, I was mesmerized by events surrounding Halloween and the mayhem that accompanies it. The first item that drew my attention was the Oujia board, as I had seen it used in my horror movies of the time. Unbeknownst to me, my mom took me on a surprise trip to Toys R’ Us. As I was skimming through the board games, I came across the Oujia board. Who knew that Milton-Bradley offered divination tools, but I knew I had to have it. It took me weeks to save up, but it was worth it. I remember the checkout lady giving me a weird look as I was smiling from ear-to-ear, but I had no care in the world. I knew that I would be using it as soon as I got home!

The first thing I did when I went home, was call my cousin. She always talked about the Ouija board, but she never would have thought that I would have it. As soon as she found out, we organized a date and time to try it out. It just so happened that she would be visiting me that night, so the excitement was even higher. Later that night, my cousin and I opened the box for the first time. We both sat on the floor, and glared at the box. Inside was this mysterious board, full of letters of numbers. On the side was the piece that glided over the board, of course by itself because we would never push it with our fingers on purpose. With everything setup, we turned out the lights. I got my father’s flashlight to add some lighting on the board, and we began to ask questions. It didn’t take long before we realized that we weren’t alone. The flashlight began to trickle its luminosity, and the gliding piece was circling hectically on the board. Freaked out, we stared at each other. That’s when it happened. As I leaned back against the wall, I felt a hand or arm against my back. All I could feel was this chilly presence around me. My room became extremely dark, and cold. My cousin and I began crying, and ran down the stairs. Out of panic, I jumped half way down the staircase and almost broke my elbow. The adrenaline scared the crap out of me, but it also confirmed to me that this was something worth investigating in the future.

Spirits, or “ghosts”, have long been a topic of discussion whether it is good or bad. For centuries, communication to the other side has been explored through various mediums. Societies throughout the world have considered this area of life taboo, but there always existed those who were blessed with the ability to communicate with the dead. Sadly, this also has led people to abuse this gift and make money off those seeking closure or guidance from deceased friends and relatives. Despite all of this, Hollywood still continues to make huge profits of paranormal investigations via reality television and film. In my case, it took years for me to develop a peaceful connection with the Spirit world. As a practicing Hindu Pagan, my spiritual path is combination of traditional Hindu deity worship intertwined with Wicca. Throughout the years, this path has enriched my sensitivity to spirits and has opened channels of communication. Through meditation and fervent desire, I allowed my spirit to connect to their world through many tests of personal life challenges. It hasn’t been easy, but God and Goddess above (and their various avatars throughout time), have finally provided me the way.

As an adult in my mid-30s, this paranormal fever is stronger than ever. It took me many years to finally dedicate time and money into exploring this field. Researching techniques and tips on paranormal investigation on YouTube, I discovered my “role model” in the field. Steve Huff, from Huff Paranormal, has been a guiding light in redefining myself as an amateur, but avid, paranormal investigator. His videos contain tremendous evidence, much so that he is the most valid investigator at the moment. As a result of his work, he was able to get the attention of another paranormal investigator and mobile application developer, Anthony Sanchez from Ghosthunterapps.com. Both teamed up, and created the first, authentic “ghost box” named the SCD-1. This tool has been a blessing, because it has allowed an amateur like me to explore the Spirit world head on. My first session produced amazing results, while my second session confirmed the validity of the device through Spirit communication. As a result of such promising results, I have decided to visit various landmarks around Gainesville, Florida and surrounding areas with the SCD-1. North Florida is now my official paranormal playground, and I can’t wait to communicate with those on the “other side”.
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Apart from being an amateur paranormal investigator, Carlos Alberto Soria is the main writer for the blog, “THE LOS PERSPECTIVE: The Journey and Adventures of a Hindu Pagan”. In addition, he is the main content creator for LOSMEDIASTUDIOS.COM, a start-up, online media studio located in Gainesville, FL. While he loves helping students succeed during the day at the University of Florida, his main passion is film, photography, and digital arts. 

Ask a teacher: What do teachers really want for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Teacher Appreciation Week is just around the corner. Yes, I get a whole week. Be jealous. In addition to this, the end of the school year is fast approaching. Unless you were buried in Snowmageddon at some point this summer, in which case you have a few months to go. Whatever the reason, the desire to give a gift to your child's teacher make suddenly strike you. But what on earth should you give them?

First, please know that this is not expected and you don't need to spend an exorbitant amount of money on your child's teacher. I know money is tight and things get hectic. It's very rare for me to get a gift from my students considering the population that I serve. Honestly, a nice email or phone call from a parent would mean the world to me and other teachers if you don't have the cash for a gift. With that said, if you want to give a gift, here are some ideas.

The Practical

Pens/Pencils - Your kids might be well stocked, but not every kid is. I spend a lot of money every year on writing utensils for my students and very rarely get them back. While decorated pencils are cute, they often clog up the pencil sharpener, so plain pencils are best. In the younger grades, crayons and markers are also appreciated.

Paper - Whatever paper is used for your child's grade, from tablet to college rule, is beneficial. Like writing utensils, I spend a freakish amount of money every year on looseleaf for my students. Think in the hundreds. Yes, really.

Stickers - Kids love stickers. Even my 16 year old sophomores go nuts for stickers. Every teacher can find a use for stickers.

Classroom Library Books - I have a few hundred classroom library books, most of which I bought myself. Even in younger grades, teachers are in need of new and interesting books for students.

Post Its - I can never have enough. I like fun ones, but basic yellow is fine, too. Basically every size is used.

The Personal

Mugs - I can never have enough mugs. Seriously. Most teachers drink some kind of hot beverage, be it tea or coffee. I'm also taking them home on accident or stuck with a dirty mug. Travel and regular mugs are appreciated.

Notepads - I send notes to parents and students. Yes, even in this digital age. If you have the time and inclination to get a nice notepad, personalized or not, for your child's teacher, it will definitely be used.

Water bottle/Cup - I drink freakish amounts of water. Those cute plastic cups with straws and tops are a big trend amount teachers right now. Most teachers spend a lot of time talking and keeping your throat well hydrated is very important.

Hand Sanitizer - I go through buckets of this. I love your little angels, but they have a lot of germs.

The Gift Card Route

Store Closest to School - See what store is closest to your school and choose a card from there. I never shop of Meijer normally, but it's right down the street from school. A gift card there would work the best because it's literally minutes from school for me. See what's close to your school.

Organize It - If you have the time and inclination, see if you can organize a card from any parents that want to chip in. Maybe you were going to give $10 and another was going to give $25 and a third wanted to give $20, but the three of you combined can get an easy to use single card instead of three separate cards.

Restaurant - If you find out what restaurant your child's teacher enjoys the most, this is a nice, thoughtful gift. If you're not sure on their favorite restaurant, go back to a store card. Store cards can be used on personal purchases or classroom purchases. A restaurant card won't work for every teacher. I don't have the time to go out with my own kids and busy teaching and coaching schedule, so a store card would work better for me.

The Food

Individual Snacks - Things like granola bars are a huge hit. They're portable and have a decent shelf life. Individual snacks are great for teachers because we often get 20 minute lunches and sometimes don't even get to eat during then. A quick snack during class change is great for us.

Candy! - I freaking love candy. Remember smaller is better. I've gone through a huge 1lb bag of chocolate before. I have no self control, so a smaller package is better.

Hot Beverages - Find out how your child's teacher gets their caffeine or hot pick me up. Maybe they like tea or coffee. Maybe they have a Keurig or a traditional coffee pot. Whatever way they take their hot beverage, they always need more.

Homemade - I'm always down for your homemade Chocolate Zucchini Bread or whatever. Bring it on! Just remember dietary restrictions and let us know if it's been around peanuts or whatever.

Whatever you decide on, you can't go wrong by showing your child's teacher that you thought of them. I'm always grateful no matter what gift I get!


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Emilie is a high school English teacher with two children. She holds a Bachelors in English and a Masters in Secondary Education. After completing student teaching at an urban, Persistently Low Achieving (PLA) school, she was placed at another PLA school in the same school district. Her Ask a Teacher column can also be found over at Teaching Ain't for Heroes.

How to bake eggs into the basket with the oven -- Fail kitchen

Not much of a fail here...unless you count my awesome 90s style. Easy to make eggs in a basket.

What happens when a bank executive, an attorney and a CHOC vice president eat only food from a South County Outreach pantry? Answer: Nothing

At this point, I have written extensively about my mere brush against the fear of possibly facing poverty during the economic crash.

We struggled for two years while my husband looked for work and we took care of our twin babies best we could while managing a house we could no longer afford. We used government programs to supplement our meager income until we could afford to get off.

But what we never did? What we never did was face poverty itself. Yes, there are many in the middle class who are experiencing very scary changes in their lives. They are needing assistance, they are swallowing massive debt, they are forced to sell off their belongings, they can no longer afford the lifestyles they once had, even though those lifestyles may not have been anything close to resembling lavish to begin with.

They are like us. Scared of the very real possibility of poverty, but not poor. Not poor.

Those who actually experience poverty exist in a world that the 'new poor' have yet to have to deal with. My mother grew up in a world where if one of the children lost the week's paycheck, her entire family didn't eat that week. So many of my friends have to choose between keeping the lights on or feeding themselves. Moms go without meals so they can clothe their children.

That is poverty. And that is not what I experienced. And it is certainly not what three high-powered families experienced when they agreed to eat nothing but food from a local food bank for three whole days.

The rules were simple. No grocery shopping. They must eat what they get from the pantry only. Except not, because they could supplement with whatever food they already had in their pantry.

This, like all "I witnessed the other side for a week" stories, is disgusting to me.

First, the operators of the food bank talk about how lucky these families were that there was so much fresh produce that particular week. They said sometimes there's not nearly so much good food available.

Which means that those rich families took fresh food, a rare and hard to come by delicacy, from people who are actually hungry. Not for three days, or months, but as a life.

Second, three days of pantry food plus food they already have in their homes is not 'seeing how the other side lives'. It's a voyeuristic vacation, swathed in privilege and entitlement. It's insulting to see an article that starts out with spoiled milk and talks about a child asking her friends to pack extra crackers in her lunch and being worried that people will judge her for her different school lunches. It's insulting not because those things didn't happen, or don't happen on a regular basis for those who are truly in need. It's not insulting because of its attempt to raise awareness amid those doing better in their lives. It's insulting because taking the time to write about a few well-off families and their experiment with poverty for a few days makes a mockery of the very real struggles other people are going through day in and day out throughout their entire lives. As if this experience would make any difference at all.

You know what would have made a difference? If those families had pledged to donate money or time to the food bank they utilized for this event. If they had campaigned for better programs to help those truly in need rather than just sit back and say, 'wow, all those people are right! Poverty sucks.' then wiped their brows in relief over the knowledge that they were successful enough on their own to afford milk whenever they want or need it.

As it stands now, this is just another embarrassing experiment in classism.