Find the rod attached to a ball that floats on the top of the water and controls the intake of water from the pipes into the tank. This is the floating arm. If you lift up on the arm and the water stops, then your problem is that the water in the tank isn't coming up high enough to turn off and the pipes are getting the message that more water needs to come in, so the toilet runs constantly, or often. A running toilet can cost a fortune in wasted water. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, a running toilet is a serious and usually easily fixable problem. Sometimes, the floating arm will be bent so the ball will rub or catch on the side of the tank or the tank ball arm. Flush the toilet and see if the arm catches on anything. If it does, just bend the arm gently so it floats freely and can rise to the level it needs to. Sometimes, water will get trapped in the ball, weighing it down and keeping the water from rising as it should. If this happens, dump the water out and replace the ball by screwing it back on. If the ball is cracked or otherwise damaged and allows water in freely, replace it with a new one. If lifting up on the arm doesn't halt the running water and adjusting the floating arm doesn't seem to help, the problem is probably with the flapper assembly, which creates the seal at the bottom of the tank leading to the bowl and connects to the toilet handle by a rod.  Shut off the water and flush the toilet to empty the tank of water. Examine the flapper for signs of wear or corrosion. If you find build-up from the water or other gunk, scour it off with a kitchen pad or a pocketknife and see if you can get the flapper to create a good seal. Also check the opening for the same corrosion issues and clean it. If water still gets through the opening, examine the wire rod that connects to the toilet handle and make sure it's aligned and allowing the flapper to fall freely and plug the hole. Like the floating rod, you should be able to bend it back into place relatively gently, or replace it with a new one. Some are connected with a chain that can become tangled or loose and may need replaced as well. If none of this seems to stop the toilet from running, you'll probably need to replace the ballcock assembly.
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One-sentence summary -- Remove the top of the tank and lift up the floating arm. Check the floating arm for misalignment. If it doesn't seem to be caught on anything, unscrew the ball from the arm by twisting it counter-clockwise. Check the flapper seal.


Make sure your child isn’t just memorizing information. Instead, work with them to make them think deeply about their assignments, as this will allow them to really understand what they’re learning.  You can ask questions like: “Why do you think your teacher would assign this type of project? What do you think you’ll learn from it?” When your child gets a correct answer, ask them to explain how they came up with it. At the beginning of the school year, sit with your child and write down three to five goals related to their schoolwork and study habits. Halfway through and again at the end of the year, look at your list and check your progress.  Your child’s goals can be related to their study habits, or to doing well on a particular assignment. These goals can be things like: “Learn to take more effective notes,” “Improve my grades in Earth Science” or “Read a chapter book on my own.” Talk to your child to find out if they have a friend they’d enjoy studying with, or check with your child’s teacher or a librarian at the local library to find a study buddy for your child. You and the friend’s parents can take turns hosting a weekly study session for your kids.  Encourage your child and their friend to help each other out with each of their strongest subjects. One might be “in charge” of math, and the other of reading. Having a study buddy is a great way to get your child in the habit of quizzing themselves or other people to commit information to their memory. Make sure the sessions don’t turn into social hours by checking in frequently. You can do so sneakily by bringing over snacks or having the study sessions in a common area of your home. Make sure your child stays positive about their schoolwork. Even if they’re struggling with a class, remind them that all they can do is try their best, and that you’re here to help. Even if your child is panicking because they’ve totally forgotten they need to make a volcano display by 6am the next morning, don’t add to the crisis by getting angry. You should both take deep breaths and tackle the situation calmly. While you want your child to strive for the best grades they can get, you also don’t want to make them anxious or achievement-obsessed. Tell your child that you want them to try their best, and that the grades are secondary. This will help them learn to study for the knowledge rather than the A.
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One-sentence summary -- Help your child ask questions and think critically. Make specific study goals. Set your child up with a study buddy. Avoid letting your child panic over school. Focus on your child’s efforts instead of grades.


Try to remember what happened at the moment that you were injured. This may be difficult, especially if you are in a great deal of pain. However, your experience at the moment of injury may provide clues.  How fast were you moving? If you were moving at a very high speed (e.g., skiing or running at top speed), there is a chance your injury is a bone fracture. This will require professional medical attention. A lower speed injury (e.g., rolling your ankle while jogging or walking) is more likely a sprain that may heal on its own with proper care. Did you feel a tearing sensation? In many cases you will, in the case of a sprain.  Was there a popping or snapping sound? This can occur with a sprain. It is also common with a bone fracture. In the case of a sprain, your ankle will become swollen, usually immediately. Examine your ankles side-by-side to see if the injured one looks larger. Pain and swelling will usually occur in ankle sprain or fracture. Foot or ankle deformity and unbearable pain usually indicate ankle fractures. Make sure to use crutches and go to your doctor immediately. A sprain also often causes bruising. Examine the ankle for signs of discoloration resulting from bruises. A sprained ankle will often feel tender. Gently touch the injured area with your fingers to see if it is painful to the touch. Stand up and gently put some weight on the injured ankle. If it is painful to put weight on the ankle, it could be sprained or fractured. Get medical attention immediately and use crutches.  Feel for a "wobbliness" in the ankle. A sprained ankle often feels loose or unstable.  In the case of a severe sprain, you may not be able to put any weight on the ankle at all, or use that foot to stand. Doing so will cause too much pain. Use crutches and seek medical attention immediately.
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One-sentence summary --
Recall the moment of injury. Look for swelling. Look for bruising. Feel for tenderness. Put weight gently on the ankle.