Articles written by Koren Allen

What is Helium

About me - Koren Allen

I'm a full-time mom with a variety of jobs in a past life. My experiences run the gamut from flipping burgers to medical and paralegal work, and just about everything in between.

I have three teenagers, including one with significant disabilities. I stay home

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Home & Garden > Buying & Selling Homes Should you rent or buy a home?: 2 of 42
When deciding whether to rent or buy a home, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. There are many advantages and disadvantages either way you go, and the decision should be made by each individual, after careful consideration of the circumstances.Conventional wisdom has always said that owning your home is best, and there are... More..
Home & Garden > Cleaning (Other) Quick cleaning tips for busy moms: 3 of 33
In the flurry of work, school, dance recitals and soccer practice that punctuate the life of the average mom, who has time for housework? You do - if you make just minor changes in how you tackle the dreaded beast. The key is to downsize the way you see the task - by breaking big jobs into micro tasks, and keeping your cleani... More..
Home & Garden > Home & Garden (Other) What does "home" mean to you?: 10 of 60
The Pat HatIt was a gift, eighteen years ago, from my brand-new mother-in-law, Pat. It adorned our first home - a tiny bright spot in a miserable, run-down duplex, where the dryer sat in the living room because it was the only space available. Just a simple straw hat, the flat variety that hangs on the wall, its brim tasteful... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Gifts & Gift Ideas (Other) The best gift you've ever received: 35 of 174
"I'm not going to feel sorry for you."There was no cruelty in her voice, no hatred in her eyes. Her gaze was level, steady, absolutely honest - with the wisdom that can only be earned by living hard. She was not judging me; she was simply stating a fact.Tonja was my supervisor. She was the only black person in a law office fu... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips Stress relief methods: walking: 3 of 12
Have you ever found yourself so stressed out that you can't concentrate? Our lives are filled with stress. We never seem to have enough time to get everything done, and keeping up with it all just scatters our mental energy in so many different directions that we don't know where to start. Surprisingly, one of the best soluti... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenthood Problems develop when parents expect children to be like themselves: 7 of 18
Do we really want our children to be like ourselves? I have a teenager who, despite my best intentions, turned out very much like me. He has many of the qualities I wanted him to inherit: he works hard, he's intellgent, he never gives up, and he's open for all the possibilities this world has to offer him. He also inherited t... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Problems Parents Face Single parents: How to avoid taking your anger out on your kids: 12 of 29
Anger is a normal human emotion, but most of us have handled it badly at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, the people we love the most are the ones who catch the fallout, simply because of proximity. If you find yourself lashing out at your children for the smallest of infractions, it is probably time to step back and t... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting (Other) How to talk to your child about disabilities: 2 of 4
"Why doesn't she talk? Why is she in a wheelchair?"I've been asked these and other questions countless times by children who are curious about my daughter, who has Angelman Syndrome and is physically and mentally different from other children her age. Children are expert ice-breakers because they have not yet been taught to s... More..
Pets & Animals > Pet Ownership Websites every pet owner should know about: 36 of 59
No doubt about it, we humans are crazy about our pets. We feed and clothe them, train and care for them, photograph them, and take them with us wherever we go. They are not just animals; they are highly valued members of our families, our communities, and our lives.Pet related websites have grown at a mind-boggling rate in th... More..
Home & Garden > Rental Properties Tips for adding color and style to rental apartments: 5 of 7
Decorating an apartment can be challenging, especially if you are not allowed to paint or make structural changes. However, the "plain white box" has its advantages; think of it as a blank slate that you can easily change with the seasons or even your moods. It also allows you to try out different color schemes and live with ... More..