Problem: Article: Add 5 ounces (148 ml) of isopropyl alcohol to a clean plastic or glass spray bottle. Make sure that there is enough room at the top of the bottle to mix in the water and oil. For the best results, use 70% isopropyl alcohol in the brush cleaner spray. The alcohol doesn't just serve as a disinfectant for the brushes; it also helps the cleaner dry more quickly so you can spot clean your brushes and use them right away. Your spray bottle should hold at least 8 ounces (237 ml). With the alcohol in the spray bottle, pour in 2 ounces (59 ml) of distilled water and 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake the bottle well to ensure that all of the ingredients are fully mixed. The essential oil is meant to cover the alcohol scent of the cleaner, so you can use whichever fragrance you prefer. However, you may want to use an oil with antibacterial properties, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, or tea tree oil. Because the oil may separate from the other ingredients, always shake the spray well before using it. To use the cleaner, lightly spray the bristles of the brushes. Run the brushes back and forth over a towel or piece of paper towel. Allow the brush to air dry for a minute or two, and then use the brush as you normally would. Feel the brushes' bristles before using them after cleaning to make sure that the cleaner has dried completely.
Summary: Pour the alcohol into a spray bottle. Add the water and oil. Spray the brushes with the cleaner and rub on a towel.

Problem: Article: These can likely be found in natural living stores, health food stores, and online. Rosemary and peppermint essential oils have been shown to stimulate hair growth when used during scalp massages. Any of the oils you used for a scalp massage can be used as a base oil. When you are doing a scalp massage with an oil, add a few drops of both the rosemary and the peppermint essential oils to the base oil. Alternatively, you can look for shampoo and/or conditioner products that have these essential oils in them already. Do not use essential oils without a base oil, or they may irritate your scalp. Work in small circles with just your fingertips, not your fingernails. Slowly massage all around your scalp for about five minutes. You can part your hair into smaller sections, if you would like, to make sure you massage all areas. After the scalp massage, you may choose to leave the oil in for up to two hours. You can wrap your head in an old cotton t-shirt or in a light towel, or you could put your hair in a shower cap. In order to remove all of the oils from your hair, you might need to shampoo your hair twice. Then, condition it as you normally would.
Summary: Purchase rosemary and peppermint essential oils. Add 3-4 drops of both essential oils to a base oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp. Leave in the oil for conditioning purposes. Wash your hair thoroughly.

Problem: Article: If you're still angry with your ex, the last thing you'll want to do is give a little when it comes to the time arrangement, especially if your ex is being uncooperative. However, giving a little can open up space for a better relationship in the future because it shows you're willing to compromise a bit. Think of it this way. If you're mad at someone and they give you a cookie, you're less likely to be as mad at them because they've been generous to you. It's a silly analogy, but it shows how we think of relationships. When one person gives a little, the other person may be more willing to give a little, too. In addition, your ex may be willing to be more flexible with the time arrangement in the future when you want to keep your kid for a special day. Of course, you can't control your ex's behavior. However, you can control what you do. One way you can help the situation is stop trying to fix your ex, especially if they keep trying to change you. By stepping back, you are signalling you are done with that type of relationship, and in turn, your ex may come to realize that they need to be done with that part of the relationship, too. Making a statement to your ex about what he or she must do can be off-putting. Instead, try re-framing your statements into requests. That way, your ex will at least feel like you are trying to work with them, rather than dictate to them. For instance, you may be tempted to say, "You should stop taking our kid out for ice cream late at night." Instead, try saying, "Can we talk about Charlie's bedtime? I feel like he does better when we're both on the same page." Even when you'd rather avoid speaking to your ex, it's important to be direct with your ex. Using your child as a mediator only puts stress on the kid. Plus, messages can get mixed up when you send them through a kid. Whatever conflict you have, face it directly. In addition, talking to your ex yourself shows your child how to deal with difficult situations with grace. You're modeling a behavior that your child can rely on later. It also leaves the burden of parenting on you and your ex, not your kid. Bring up the issue you need to discuss. Say why it's important, and what you want to happen. Once you've brought up the issue, give your ex a chance to react. Then discuss possible solutions until you come up with one you can both live with. Don't place blame. Rather, discuss what problem is happening. For instance, instead of saying, "You give our kid too much sugar," you could say, "I've noticed Charlie has behavioral problems after eating sugar." Move on to why you think it's important. "At his age, I think too much sugar is detrimental. I'd like to reduce the sugar in his diet." Ask your ex for a reaction. "What do you think?" Whether your ex agrees or disagrees, discuss solutions. You could say, "I understand you disagree, but can we come up with a solution we both can live with? What if we limit his sugar intake to one sugary snack a day?" Go back and forth until you can come up with a compromise. If you can't come up with a compromise, you may need decide to disagree. That is, as long as your ex isn't being abusive, he or she gets to make the decisions when your kid is with him or her.
Summary: Resolve to be flexible with the time arrangement. Stop trying to change your ex. Re-frame your statements. Be direct. Resolve conflicts with problem solving.

Problem: Article: If you want to double check your answer, try skip-counting and holding up 1 finger for each number. For instance, if your problem is 2x6, you can skip-count by 2s until you are holding up 6 fingers. You should be on the number 12 when you get to your sixth finger, which is the correct answer. " You can use the multiplication problems you do know to figure out the ones you don't. If you don't know what 5x6 is, but you do know what 6x6 is, find the answer to 6x6 and then subtract 6. Any time the problem you're working on is close to one you know the answer to, find the answer you know and then add or subtract to get the right answer. Hold your fingers out in the front of you and count on them from left to right until you get to the number you're multiplying by 9 (for instance, if you're multiplying 9 times 3, count 3 fingers). Bend that finger down. Now count the fingers that are up on the left side - that's the first digit of your answer. Count the fingers that are up on the right side - that's the second digit.
Summary:
Use your fingers to keep track when you multiply. Figure it out using "landmark numbers. Learn the 9s trick.