Measure the length and width of the space with a measuring tape. Use these numbers to determine how big of a piece of laminate countertop you need to purchase to cut to size.  Laminate countertops come in a standard width of 25 in (64 cm). You can get pieces of different lengths that you can cut down to the exact size you need. This method will work for cutting all types of laminate countertops, including Formica. You can also use the same method to cut solid wood countertops, such as butcher block countertops. Laminate countertop comes in standard sizes from 4–12 ft (1.2–3.7 m) long. They come in lengths of 2 ft (0.61 m) intervals. Get some matching laminate strips if there will be any exposed edges of the countertop after you cut it. You can buy both the countertop and matching laminate strips at a home improvement center or kitchen showroom. Place the piece of stock laminate countertop that you purchased on a stable workbench so it won’t move while you cut it. Make sure to leave the part you will be cutting off hanging off the end of the bench. Clamp the countertop to the workbench with C clamps to hold it in place. Use a measuring tape to measure in from the end you are going to cut off and place a strip of masking tape across the counter widthwise approximately where your cut line will be. This will keep the laminate from chipping during cutting. You can use masking tape or blue painter’s tape that is about 2–4 in (5.1–10.2 cm) wide for this so you don’t have to be super precise when placing it. Measure in from the end to the piece of tape and make a small mark exactly where your cut will go. Do this in 2-3 places on the tape and then draw a line through the marks with a ruler or carpenter’s square. If you have a large carpenter’s square, you can just use that to measure in from the edge of the countertop and draw your cut line along it in one go. Measure the distance between the saw blade and the outside edge of the metal guard on the saw, then measure this distance in from the cut line. Clamp a piece of wood that is at least 1 in × 2 in (2.5 cm × 5.1 cm) (thickness x width) perpendicular to the cut line here so that the edge creates a guide rail.  You will need to use a circular saw for this that has a metal guard rail. If the distance between the blade of the saw and the outside edge of the guard rail is 4 in (10 cm), then clamp the wood so the edge is 4 in (10 cm) away from the cut line. Clamp the wood to the part of the counter that is secured to the workbench. For example, if you are cutting off the right-hand end of the countertop, then clamp the guide in from the left-hand side of the line. Measure the thickness of the countertop in a few different places. Set the depth of the saw blade to 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) deeper than the thickest point you found. This will ensure the saw cuts through the whole countertop. Press down the power button of your circular saw to get the blade up to full speed first. Place the blade carefully against the start of the cut line and the outside edge of  the saw guard up against the wooden guide fence. Push the saw along the line through to the end.  Always wear proper protective gear when cutting countertops. Wear safety goggles, a face mask, and ear protection. You want to get your circular saw up to full speed before you cut so that you get a smooth cut. Practice cutting into the scrap piece of the countertop that you are going to cut off if you want to get a feel for cutting into the countertop with the circular saw. Use fine-grit sandpaper of about 120-grit. Sand rough spots or spots with saw marks using downward strokes to avoid chipping the laminate. Keep the masking tape on until you are done sanding. Remove the masking tape after the edge is smooth and you are happy with the results. Trace the outline of the sink (upside down) onto the counter where you want it to go, then place masking tape and draw cut lines slightly in from the outline. Drill a pilot hole in a corner of the cut lines, insert the blade of a jigsaw, turn it on, and cut around the whole outline.  To decide how far to mark the cut lines in from the outline, measure the distance from the sink’s mounting lip to the basin of the sink. Mark the cut lines approximately this far in from the outline to allow the sink to rest on top of the counter supported by its mounting lip. Many sinks will also come with a template for making the perfect cutout. In this case, you can just trace the template and cut along those lines.
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One-sentence summary -- Measure the area of the counter space you need to cut a top for. Buy a piece of laminate countertop that will cover the counter area. Put the countertop on a workbench with the edge you will cut hanging off. Place a strip of masking tape where you will cut the countertop. Draw your cut line onto the masking tape with a straight edge. Secure a piece of wood to the countertop with C clamps for a saw guide. Set the depth of your saw blade to 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) deeper than the countertop. Use your saw to cut slowly along the whole line to cut the countertop. Sand the edge you cut to remove any rough parts or saw marks. Use a jigsaw to cut out a hole for a sink in the countertop if you need one.


Kids can naturally be impatient, which in turn can make you impatient, and the cycle continues. Teaching them about self-control and delayed gratification is a good way to instill the value of patience.  Removing temptation is a good way to work on patience. Hiding away anything tempting means that the kids aren’t as impatient because they can’t see what they want. Keeping things out of sight definitely works to keep them out of mind. Use a positive distraction to keep their impatience from brewing. Try singing a song, or offering them a slinky to play with, to keep their minds occupied and to practice waiting patiently. Keep calm even if your child is throwing a tantrum. This will help to make your expectations clear and consistent, which will reduce the number of patience-testing situations in the future. Rules and boundaries help to give children stability and structure which they can rely on.  Having rules and boundaries is as much about containing the kids into what is safe and appropriate for the situation, as it is giving them something to work towards and live up to. Although practicing and working on patience will make a big difference, you are still human and will make mistakes from time to time. You might slip up, but apologizing to the kids and recommitting to being patient makes the situation much more valuable. Apologizing will let the kids know that you understand that you didn’t handle the situation as well as you could have and that you will try and improve next time. This sets a good example of being able to apologize when you are wrong for them, which will help them to learn how to do it too.
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One-sentence summary --
Help the child to learn about self-control and delayed gratification. Set rules and boundaries. Apologize when you need to.