Brauns Law - June 2022

Brauns Law - June 2022

404-418-8244 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM

JUNE 2022

MY DAUGHTER IS POISED TO LEARN LIFE LESSONS A SUMMER OF GROWTH

good use, and in doing so, make a difference in her community. I also believe she’ll gain greater insight into the world around her. Every day, I use the skills I learned from my first job to help me connect with clients from all sorts of backgrounds. I’ve learned how to adapt my approach to the person I am working with, so they’ll feel comfortable enough to trust me and my team. I’m happy to know we can provide Rebecca with this kind of opportunity, and I’m proud of her for not wasting away her summer days now that she’s becoming a young adult. It’s strange to change your parenting approach and the way you interact with your child as they grow up. I’ve always joked that my wife and I had it easy by only raising one child, but it doesn’t make the transition from childhood to teen to young adulthood any less complex. Now that our daughter is nearly 17 years old, our parenting has transitioned to more gentle nudges and reminders about doing the right thing. It comes with driving, college applications, and boyfriends — all of which is a little weird! But we wouldn’t change that for the world. This summer will be an opportunity for Rebecca to grow, and as her dad, I can’t wait to see what she does with it.

entrepreneurial and leadership group in high schools. And this summer, Rebecca will take on her first “job” (sort of). When I was Rebecca’s age, I had already been working for more than a year. I had to get my first job at the age of 15, because when I was 14, my family fell into dire need of more financial support, so I applied and was granted a work permit at age 15. (In Maryland, you need a permit to work under the age of 16.) I don’t resent having to take this job; I learned a lot working at such a young age! It has instilled a work ethic and responsibility that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I wanted Rebecca to learn that, too, and she hoped to get a paying job because many of her friends work, too. Fortunately, and unlike what I experienced as a teen, we’re not in a position where Rebecca needs to get a job. Yet, I didn’t want to ignore my daughter’s interest in work. Instead, we agreed to find a way for her to help her community, even if that meant doing so for free. This summer, Rebecca is volunteering at Home of Hope. This nonprofit provides opportunities and programming for single mothers and their children so they can avoid homelessness. The goal of Home of Hope is to help these families find the financial, occupational, and lifestyle independence they deserve. I know Rebecca will learn a lot as a volunteer. She can put some of her leadership skills to

When you’re a parent, all you can hope for is to give your children more than you had. The goal isn’t to help them avoid obstacles, but rather provide them with opportunities you may not have had. I’m currently witnessing that with my own daughter. By the time you read this article, Rebecca will be finishing her sophomore year of high school. She has been driving since August 2021 — a feat I can hardly believe we are already at — and she continues to amaze her mother and I with her ambition. She’s involved in a few different scholastic activities, like leadership committees and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), an

Here’s to a great summer.

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM | 1

HOW TO CUT YOUR KIDS’ SCREEN TIME

The science is clear: Too much screen time can lead to kids experiencing developmental delays, poor sleep, and weight gain. And yet, kids love those small glowing devices. To keep your children healthy, you need to find a way to set limits. But how can you create rules around their favorite pastimes without causing a lot of drama? Create realistic rules. You know your family best. Review the American Academy of Pediatrics’ best practices for screen time online, and then consider what’s both healthy and doable. Maybe the ultimate screen time spent will be more than the experts suggest, but an improvement is better than no change. Determine usage limits and establish device-free times. Then create clear expectations and consequences, and don’t back down from enforcing them. Take the devices away. It is not a punishment, though it might feel like one to your kids at first. But it’s actually helping them by removing the temptation. Your elementary school child will be less likely to get sucked into a YouTube hole, and your teen won’t send “just one” text at dinner if the device isn’t right there. Keep these devices out of sight during no-use time, and put them away once your kids have met their daily limits. In the end, it will make things easier. Spend more time together. Giving your children your undivided attention is incredibly valuable, even if it’s only for short periods. Figure out how you can create more face time (not FaceTime). Start conversations and play games to spend time together as a family. Even better, get outside! If you’re willing to spend time with them and act a little silly, your kids will have more fun kicking a ball around rather than playing Roblox. Better yet, you’ll both get some exercise. Finally, consider the example you’re setting. It’s hard to blame kids for their screen addiction when adults also have trouble prying themselves away from laptops, tablets, and phones. Think about how you can reduce your own screen time and consider installing an app that tracks your usage like StayFree or Social Fever. You might be surprised at how much time you spend staring at a little screen — and be inspired to cut back.

Hi, everyone! I need your help. When I took a break from social media, I didn’t realize that Facebook would orphan our law firm’s Facebook page. So, I had to create a new one — and we’re back at the beginning! Please help our firm by “liking” us on Facebook so we can make our way back into the algorithm. I promise we won’t bombard you with dry legal content; we try to keep it fun!

2 | 404-418-8244

3 GRILLING SAFETY TIPS

BE A GRILL MASTER, NOT A DISASTER

Whether you have the best baby back ribs recipe in town or prefer your veggies with some char from the grill, everyone can agree that nothing quite compares to the distinct flavor of grilled food in the summer. But because this mode of cooking is so popular in the summer, accidents are more likely to happen. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that the most common time for grilling injuries is in the summer, with nearly 20,000 injuries requiring a visit to the emergency room each year.

wait 5 minutes for the gas to

dissipate, and try again. If the grill still won’t light, seek professional maintenance assistance. Clean your grill after every use. No one enjoys a chore after

Let’s do our part to lower that statistic!

eating a delicious meal, but doing so could prevent disasters. Grease from delicious burgers and hot dogs can build up, and this can be fuel to any potential errant flames on your grill. A grill brush should do the trick after every use, but don’t forget to clean out the grease trap regularly. For more safety tips, visit NFPA.org . And if you are injured in a barbecue accident that was the result of negligence, please contact our team at Brauns Law today.

Secure the proper spot. Grills may be sophisticated these days, but never use one indoors. Instead, grill outside, preferably on concrete and away from your house or deck railings. If concrete isn’t available, a deck will work, too, so long as the area is flat. Just be mindful to not light the grill near the railing. Light gas grills properly. Even the most seasoned grillmasters light their grills inappropriately! Start by opening the lid of your grill, then turn on the propane tank. Next, turn the knobs on your grill’s burner and start the ignition. If your grill doesn’t light, do not grab a match or a torch! Turn off the propane tank,

When you’re done grilling, shut off the gas before turning off the burners. This will cut the source of fuel, which could prevent leaks.

SWEET AND SPICY BBQ CHICKEN SKEWERS

AQUARIUM BALLOON BICYCLE

CHILDREN FATHER FLAG

GRILL MOONSTONE PRIDE

ROSE WATERMELON WEDDING

INGREDIENTS For the Marinade • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 3 tbsp honey • Juice of 1 lime • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp salt For the Skewers • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes • 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes

DIRECTIONS 1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM | 3

Inspired by RecipeRunner.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

1 2 2 3 3 4

Anticipating a Summer of Growth Tips to Break Your Kids’ Phone Habits Follow Us on Facebook! Avoid Grilling Disasters With These Tips! Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers Summer Skin Protection

3 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN TIME FOR SAFE SUMMER FUN

30% of women and less than 15% of men regularly apply sunscreen, which leaves them vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays. The National Cancer Institute recommends using an SPF of at least 15 and reminds everyone to remember their feet if they are exposed! Seek out the shade. No matter the activity, try to limit your exposure to the sun — you’ll be cooler, too! Look for trees, pavilions, and shelters. When these options aren’t available, create your own shade by wearing a hat and toting along an umbrella. Wear protective clothing. Whenever possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. UV protective clothing is best for maximum protection. Don’t forget about your eyes — UV sunglasses are important for your eyes and the delicate skin around them. Just

It’s time for fun in the sun! Whether you’re heading out to the beach or lake, catching a ballgame, hosting a barbecue, or taking a boat tour, it’s important to protect your skin to avoid sun damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans develops skin cancer by the time they are 70 years old, and every hour, two people die of skin cancer nationally. The risk of skin cancer is severe — it’s not just one sunburn. Having five or more sunburns in your lifetime can double your risk of developing skin cancer. Here are some surefire ways to avoid a pesky, painful, and potentially harmful sunburn. Always check: Did you apply (and reapply) sunscreen? Apply sunscreen, and then reapply after going in the water or a few hours later. According to the National Cancer Institute, only about

because sunglasses appear dark does not mean they protect against UV rays!

This summer, be sure to have fun but don’t forget to protect your skin from sunburns, possible skin cancer, and early signs of aging due to damage from sun exposure! Lather up!

4 | 404-418-8244