Buhata
Login Start for Free

Home › Life Terms

Terms starting with W

Every Buhata Life Terms entry that starts with W, with its short definition.

W

W-4 formThe IRS form you give your employer so it knows how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck, officially the Employee's Withholding Certificate.
Wake windowThe stretch of time a baby stays awake between one sleep and the next, often used as a rough guide to when the next nap is due.
Waldorf approachAn approach to education founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1919 that follows stages of childhood, with play and imitation early and formal academics starting later.
Walking school busA group of children who walk to and from school together along a set route, supervised by one or more adults who take turns leading it.
Washing machine cleaningCleaning the inside of a washer, including its drum and door seal, so detergent residue, damp and mildew don't build up. Whirlpool advises about once a month.
Water filter replacementSwapping a home water filter's cartridge on the maker's schedule or at its rated capacity, so it keeps reducing what it's certified to reduce.
Water heater flushDraining a water heater and running water through it to wash out the sediment and minerals that settle inside, usually about once a year.
Water intakeThe total water you take in each day from plain water, other drinks and food; the National Academies' adequate intake is 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 for women.
Water softenerA home system that removes the calcium and magnesium that make water hard, usually by trading them for sodium in a tank of resin beads.
WeaningGradually moving a baby or toddler from breastfeeding to other foods, drinks and kinds of comfort, until nursing stops.
WeatherstrippingStrips of material fitted around doors and windows that open and close, sealing the gaps where air leaks in and out.
Week-on week-off scheduleAn equal-time custody schedule in which a child lives with one parent for a full week, then the other, switching on the same day each week.
Weekly reviewA regular session, usually weekly, where you clear your inboxes, bring your lists and calendar up to date and decide what matters next.
Weighted GPAA grade point average that gives extra points for harder courses such as honors, AP or IB, on a scale each school or district sets.
White elephant gift exchangeA party game, also called Yankee swap or dirty Santa, where guests each bring one wrapped gift under a set price and try to leave with the best one.
White noise machineA device that plays a steady sound to mask other noises while a baby sleeps; the AAP advises placing it far away, keeping it low and limiting run time.
Wind-down routineA set of calm, screen-free activities in the last part of the evening that helps you shift from being awake to falling asleep.
Window cleaningWashing window glass, inside and out, so it's clear and streak-free; window makers suggest doing it at least twice a year.
Window condensationWater droplets that form on the inside of window glass when moist indoor air meets the cold pane, which EPA treats as a sign of high humidity.
Winterizing sprinklersDraining and blowing the water out of an in-ground sprinkler system before freezing weather, so ice can't crack its pipes, valves and heads.
Wool dryer ballsBalls of felted wool that tumble with damp laundry in the dryer to separate the load and let air move through it, often used in place of dryer sheets.
WOOP methodA four-step goal method from psychologist Gabriele Oettingen: name a Wish, picture the Outcome, name your inner Obstacle, then make an if-then Plan.
Word of the yearOne word a person picks to guide their year, or the word a dictionary names as best summing up a year.
Words of affirmationOne of Gary Chapman's five love languages: showing love through spoken or written words, such as specific compliments, thanks and encouragement.
Work in progress limitA cap on how many tasks can sit in one stage of work, such as In Progress, at the same time, so new work starts only when something finishes.
Work-from-home parentA parent who does some or all of their paid work from home while also raising children.
Work-life balanceHow your time and energy divide between paid work and the rest of your life, such as family, rest, health and interests.
Working parentA parent who holds a paid job, full time or part time, while raising children.