I shared with my sister who was nearly six years older than I. It was a great insight into the life of someone so much older, and my sister was weird and wild and I used to marvel at her ability to be that very grown up person, who could be tolerant of my inexperienced naivety and immaturity. She never made me feel weaker, duller or immature and she was always especially patient with me. I think that I learnt compassion from her because I could see how, unlike my elder brother, who took advantage of my immaturity and smaller stature she allowed me just to be me at my own pace. It was a great way to learn tolerance.

What is the purpose of the reno? It looks 'as new' in the picture? I'd be wary of a superficial refinishing job on a hardworking surface such as a bathroom floor. What sort of warranties and cleaning precautions do those products come with? The good news however is that your shower is over the bath so whatever you decide to do won't affect that.

I had 3 female joeys and two bedrooms which led to constant 2 -v- 1 situations so nights were generally a game of musical beds. There was always one child who needed time out or was given time out. When we added the extra bedroom, the serenity was bliss. They could still share when they wanted but it was all up to them, it was not forced on them so relationships definitely improved after that. I think the age of the children and the age difference is a very important aspect. Younger children are more than happy to share for the security and comfort when the lights go out. Older children need their space and privacy especially for study. Children after puberty can get extremely sensitive about their bodies and need privacy more than ever in this adjustment period. You cannot expect to put say an 8 year old with a 3 year old - by 8 kids are usually developing attachments to "special" keepsakes, something 3 year olds don't understand and this can cause a lot of resentment when things get broken or trashed. Pre children I always felt them sharing bedrooms would lead to wonderful relationships, the children would learn to share, care and appreciate each other. Now I'm older and wiser, separate bedrooms is sanity for everyone.

Building a home or renovating your property can be an exciting yet daunting experience, especially when it comes to budgeting. While some homeowners fear losing their competitive advantage when revealing their building budget, it's essential to maintain transparency with builders and designers. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of sharing your building budget with your builder before commencing your project. 1. It Enables Them to See If You Have Realistic Expectations When you have a specific dream or vision for your renovation or new build, it's easy to get carried away with ideas that exceed your budget. By sharing your building budget with your builder, they can assess your expectations realistically. They can then advise you on what will work within your budget and help you prioritize important aspects of your project. This way, you'll not only save money but avoid disappointment in the long run. 2. It Allows Them to See If Your Project is a Fit for the Way They Do Business Not all builders provide the same services or specialize in the same types of projects. By sharing your budget early, you can eliminate builders whose scope of work does not align with your financial plan. Some builders may specialize in budget projects, while others may cater to luxury builds. Knowing your budget preference from the start allows your builder to determine whether or not they will take on your project. 3. It Helps the Builder Understand How Ready You Are to Get Going on Your Project Suppose you have not determined your building budget yet, the builder may assume that you're not ready to start your project. Good builders are busy, and they need to know that you are serious about building your dream home. By revealing your budget, they can assure you that they are the right builder and can start the preliminary planning or construction as soon as possible. 4. It Enables Better Communication and Collaboration When you and your builder have the same understanding and expectation of your building budget, it builds trust and allows for better communication. This transparency then leads to better collaboration, which means that everyone involved can work together to complete the project on time and within the budget. Your builder can provide alternative solutions that can save you money without sacrificing your vision for your home. 5. It Facilitates Negotiations and Smart Decision Making When you have an estimated budget, you can negotiate and make informed decisions with your builder. You'll know where to cut back or where to spend more, depending on your priorities. If materials or fixtures you want are out of your budget, the builder may suggest alternatives that fit within your financial plan. Without knowing your budget, they may not be able to make these informed decisions, leaving you dissatisfied with the final result. To sum it up, it's essential to share your building budget with your builder before starting your project. It enables them to assess your expectations, helps them understand how ready you are to start your project, enables better communication and collaboration, and facilitates smart decision-making. Ultimately, maintaining transparency with your builder will result in a successful and enjoyable building experience. Considering a new home build or renovation? Need assistance in sifting through your ideas to formulate a coherent brief for your dream home? Ensure everything aligns with your budget by taking the first step - download our complimentary guide, "The Complete Holistic Home Project Planning Guide". This resource will steer you in the right direction. Your next move should be scheduling a free consultation with our Director to have all your queries addressed. Get a strategic overview for your project and gain insights into what to anticipate from your design and build process.