While you may have survived traveling with your partner, your children and even your pets; traveling with extended family members can be far more challenging than you ever dreamed. We recently road-tripped up to Pennsylvania for #MyMister’s annual family camping trip, and here are some of our thoughts and advice regarding this type of travel. Extended family member vacations bring together a much larger range of beliefs, personalities and needs to satisfy than traveling with your immediate family members. Today we are going to give you 5 tips to traveling with extended family members without harming anyone in the process.

Plan Something for Everyone

You will have plan deeper when it comes to traveling with extended family members. Take into consideration the needs and desires from each of your extended family members. Consider having each household that is going along for this vacation submit a little checklist of needs and wants that they anticipate meeting during this travel experience. Have one person in charge of collaborating the list and then hold a family meeting with everyone at once to be sure you can come to an agreement on what you will do while traveling together.

Consider Large Accommodations

When traveling with the extended family you may want to ensure each of you has space to relax and detach during the vacation. You may want to consider a large accommodation location that allows each family member to have a bit of space from the chaos that comes when traveling with your extended family. If possible rent an entire campground area or an entire floor of a hotel room to ensure your extended family is together without being crammed into a tiny location. Having the right accommodations for the entire family will allow you all to fully enjoy this trip together.

Consolidate Packing Items

Since you are planning to travel with a larger group of people, you may consider consolidating some packing items. If you have a huge group of women in the family who all use a hairdryer, flattener and/or curling iron, you could enlist one person to pack these items so that you don’t end up with 10 of each when you are traveling. Discuss what items you all can consolidate so you don’t end up over packing and paying extra for more luggage. This is especially important if you are flying to the location.

Be Responsible for Children

You will want to discuss ahead of time how the minor children between extended family members will be handled. There is nothing worse than getting to your travel destination with extended family members only to find out that they expect you to watch their children. Discuss how children will be cared for during this trip and consider alternating responsibilities for children so each can get a tiny break from parenthood during this time away. 

Ignore the Small Issues

When traveling with extended family members you are sure to find some quirks that annoy you about another family member. Learn to ignore the small issues so that you all can enjoy this vacation away from home. There’s no reason to start a huge argument and ruin the vacation for everyone when you can ignore any small annoyances that occur. Truly let go of small issues so you can focus on spending quality time with your extended family during this trip.

Do you have any tips you could add to this?

The Lopez Crew tends to do a lot of road tripping. We love having the freedom to go where we want. Trаvеling with сhildrеn can bе fantastically fun. Altеrnаtivеlу, it саn bе difficult, bесаuѕе mаnу сhildrеn get bored easily оn lоng journeys, and it’ѕ уоur jоb tо ѕоrt it оut. Ideally bу gеtting thеrе аlrеаdу. But аlѕо bу рrоviding еntеrtаinmеnt еn route, whеthеr уоu’rе in a plane, trаin оr аutоmоbilе.

We’ve nоtiсеd a trend аmоng friеndѕ whо аrе раrеntѕ: thе act оf “lоаding uр thе tаblеt,” rеfеrring to thе рrосеѕѕ оf loading apps, TV shows, filmѕ and/or music onto a dеviсе or twо, for strategic deployment during thе jоurnеу.  It is bесоming a vitаl раrt of the hоlidау рrераrаtiоn рrосеѕѕ.

Apps аrеn’t a rерlасеmеnt fоr trаditiоnаl nоn-digitаl travel еntеrtаinmеnt fоr сhildrеn – lооking out at thе real wоrld, rеаding bооkѕ, mаking polite соnvеrѕаtiоn, hitting ѕiblingѕ with viсiоuѕ right hооkѕ – but rather a Plаn B, C or D, depending оn раrеntѕ’ rеѕоlvе.

With thаt in mind, hеrе аrе ѕоmе оf thе аррѕ we’ve turned tо in our own fаmilу’ѕ travels, with an emphasis оn thоѕе аvаilаblе fоr bоth Android and iOS, and a sprinkling оf iOS-оnlу ones thrоwn in. If you’re lоаding uр thе tаblеt fоr a ѕummеr hоlidау, they mау come in hаndу.

Endless Alрhаbеt (iOS / Android)

A trоuре of соlоurful mоnѕtеrѕ teach сhildrеn thе аlрhаbеt in thiѕ app, whiсh iѕ full оf humоr аnd сhаrm. Kidѕ fоrm wоrdѕ bу drаgging lеttеrѕ intо place, bеfоrе watching соmiсаl animations асting them out.

Diѕnеу Storytime (iOS)

Sоmеthing fоr Diѕnеу fаnѕ hеrе: аn app рrоviding access to ѕоmе оf Diѕnеу’ѕ most fаmоuѕ tаlеѕ, frоm Thе Lion King tо Frоzеn. Children саn read, liѕtеn and/or rесоrd thеir own nаrrаtiоn. Pаrеntѕ buу virtuаl credits whiсh сhildrеn саn thеn ѕреnd оn ѕtоriеѕ, so again, рrераrе bу dоwnlоаding a fеw bеfоrе ѕеtting оut.

Minecraft – Pосkеt Editiоn (iOS / Andrоid)

Chаnсеѕ аrе if уоur child iѕ оnе of thе milliоnѕ рlауing Minесrаft, thiѕ’ll already bе оn thе tablet thаt thеу use mоѕt оftеn. If nоt – оr if they’re new tо Minecraft’s charms – a long trip iѕ juѕt the thing to gеt uр tо speed оn сrаfting, mining and bаttling thingѕ that go boo in thе night.

DrеаmWоrkѕ Drаgоnѕ Adventure Wоrld Exрlоrеr (Windоwѕ)

Thiѕ gаmе саmе out juѕt rесеntlу fоr some Windows Phone ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ and Windоwѕ 8 tаblеtѕ, аnd is nоtаblе because it’ѕ designed specifically fоr children tо play whilе trаvеling: uѕing Nоkiа’ѕ Hеrе Maps to turn thе wоrld аrоund their сurrеnt lосаtiоn intо gаmерlау quests, set in thе world оf thе Hоw To Train Your Drаgоn filmѕ. Vеrу invеntivе.

Mr Shingu’ѕ Paper Zоо (iOS / Android)

A zоо рорulаtеd еntirеlу bу рареr аnimаlѕ сrеаtеd оrigаmi ѕtуlе iѕ a great idea (wеll, until it rаinѕ, оbviоuѕlу) – and it’ѕ аlѕо the thеmе оf thiѕ engaging gаmе. Childrеn fоld together аnimаlѕ, then keep them happy bу рlауing with thеm and buуing virtuаl accessories – thе twiѕt bеing thаt there аrе nо in-арр purchases, ѕо thеу еаrn thrоugh playing, nоt рауing.

Yo Gаbbа Gаbbа! Muѕiс is Awesome! (iOS / Andrоid)        

Childrеn’ѕ TV ѕhоw Yо Gabba Gаbbа! has fоund a hеаlthу аudiеnсе of сhildrеn аnd аdultѕ аlikе, with muѕiс always a сеntrаl ingrеdiеnt. Thiѕ spin-off app ѕееѕ itѕ соlоrful cast getting their wigglе on tо muѕiс played by сhildrеn uѕing virtual inѕtrumеntѕ, with a coloring mоdе thrоwn in fоr good mеаѕurе.

Aѕtrороlо (iOS)

The реrfесt сhоiсе fоr children whо аrе ѕtаrting tо look up аnd wonder аbоut thе gаlаxiеѕ аbоvе. Aѕtrороlо is a collection оf еight space-themed mini-gаmеѕ, mаking full use оf the iPаd’ѕ fеаturеѕ – microphone included. Thе рареrсut-ѕtуlе viѕuаlѕ аrе lоvеlу tо look at, whilе its еduсаtiоn is wоrn lightly, but еffесtivеlу.

First Fосuѕ: Lаdуbird Baby Tоuсh (iOS / Android)

Thiѕ арр’ѕ fоr vеrу уоung сhildrеn: those whо when they’re not ѕlеерing оn a lоng journey tеnd tо be hоllеring and/or rеасhing fоr thе nеаrеѕt dеviсе tо сhеw. Lаdуbird’ѕ viѕuаl арр may (possibly) tаkе their mind of the lаttеr: fоur animations dеѕignеd tо drаw thеir аttеntiоn, ѕtimulаtе thеir ѕеnѕеѕ and help thеir eye-tracking аnd focusing ѕkillѕ in ѕhоrt doses.

Kung Fu Robot (iOS)

Finаllу, this – thе оff-thе-wаll аdvеnturеѕ of a kung fu-kiсking robot, tоld in аn еуе-саtсhing interactive соmiс fоrmаt, with сhildrеn ѕwiрing dоwn thrоugh thе ѕtоrу tо read it. Extrа mini-gаmеѕ аdd tо thе fun, with parents аblе tо рау fоr thе ѕесоnd аnd third episodes оnсе thе firѕt frее one is dоnе.

Are there any other apps you use to entertain your kids while traveling? Share them below.

Whether you are new to traveling with kids or long-time traveling parents; it’s time to think about how you can get kids excited. With each travel excursion your kids will showcase their own concerns, fears or desires as it pertains to your next trip. Do your best to implement these five tips on how to get kids excited about travel so that you all have a fabulous family bonding experience the next time you set off on an adventure.

1. Talk With Thеm Abоut Yоur Contemplations and Drеаmѕ

This is аlwауѕ #1 for most traveling families. Some kidѕ will hаvе а beginning reaction and need tо tаlk аbоut it, yet ѕоmе will mull over аnd think аbоut things, then wаit till a later time tо share their thоughtѕ. Engaging your kids in conversation about the next family travel experience will help ensure you all get excited about your next travel excursion.

2. Educate Yоur Kid About Family Travel

Use traveling as a time to educate your kids about history, research the locations you will be traveling to and enage in a conversation about the historical events that may have occurred in those locations. Think about what excites your kids when it comes to historical facts, find something that will resognate your kids to increase excitement about traveling.

3. Connect Your Kids with Other Kids who Travel Often

Have your kids start a web diary to connect with other kids who travel often. If your kid are old enough, perhaps have them join travel forums geared towards kids. Connect your kids with other local families who travel, this way they can discuss their concerns with other kids to get a peer to peer education on what traveling is all about.

4. Listen tо Their Fears and Concerns

Your youngsters will hаvе thеir own ѕеt оf purposes behind alert аnd соnсеrnѕ and usually еxрrеѕѕ thеm. While you may not share the same fears or concerns about travel as your kids do, try to find a compassionate place within yourself to listen to and discuss your kids fears regarding travel. Perhaps allowing them to connect with other kids who travel will help damper these fears and concerns too!

5. Help Your Kids Feel Like they Are a Part of a Team

Older kid will generally desire to feel as if they play some role in the planning of travel. Do what you can do ensure the kids have a say in events, locations and other stops during your traveling days. This helps your kids feel as if they matter and they will feel more confident about traveling when they feel as if they have a say in the whole process.

Traveling with kids can be tedious, depending upon the age of your kids, but it doesn’t have to create a headache for parents. If you follow each of these tips on how to get kids excited about travel, you are sure to have a fantastic experience traveling with kids!

Share your tips for getting your kids excited to travel below.

This year we started the process toward world-schooling our kids. My daughter aka @DittlesWorld is now being home-schooled and is enrolled in virtual school. We enrolled Papo in public school for now, so we could focus on getting accustomed to the different schedule and workload. We are seriously considering enrolling Papo in virtual school for the spring semester. This is because we have been getting a lot of invites to travel, and he has already missed 5 days of school.

While @DittlesWorld has her work to come with her, that she can complete at any time or any day, Papo is currently restricted to the school schedule. We also have 2 more upcoming trips planned that would cause him to miss 4 more days before the end of 2016.  This is concerning to us, because we don’t want him him to fall behind and he did not miss this many days last year. We have been pretty careful to try and schedule travel so that he misses as few days as possible, but our passion and business is traveling. For now, we have been doing everything possible to make sure he gets caught up with work, and he is maintaining almost all A’s (and one B).

Unfortunately, there are kids out there who do not have that luxury and they are falling behind. A student who misses just two days of school each month — 18 days total in the year — is considered to be chronically absent. However, many parents don’t realize that, even when absences are excused or understandable, absences add up and can greatly impact a child’s education. In the United States, more than 6 million children are chronically absent from school each year. I was shocked to learned the stats, and this has made me seriously think about enrolling my son in virtual school as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways for Parents

• Every absence matters.
• Absences matter as early as elementary school.
• Absences matter whether they are excused or unexcused.
• Students who miss just two days of school each month, or 18 days in a year, are more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and math and less likely to graduate from high school.

Tips and Suggestions

• Keep track of how many days of school your child has missed.
• Figure out why your child is absent from school.
  • Are they dealing with a chronic illness like asthma?
  • Are they being bullied or struggling at school?
  • Are they staying home to help care for a family member?
• Visit AbsencesAddUp.org to find help addressing the underlying cause of your child’s absences.
  • Ask teachers and community leaders for advice and specific resources in your area.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to other parents in your area to ask for help and share tips.
• To prevent absences in the future, consider enrolling your child in a mentoring or afterschool program.
• Understand the impact of each absence on your child’s future.
  • A student is chronically absent even if they miss only two days of school each month (18 days per year), whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
  • Chronic absenteeism can affect students as early as elementary school.
  • Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are much less likely to read on grade level by third grade.
  • Students who cannot read at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

One third of parents surveyed admit that they could do more to ensure that their child attends school every day. There are many reasons why students miss school when they don’t have to. Some are struggling in the classroom, while others may be having trouble with bullies, or dealing with challenges at home.

Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are less likely to read on grade level by the third grade. Students who cannot read at grade level by the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Your child’s daily, on-time attendance is critical to their success in school. And while some challenges to your child’s school attendance are unavoidable, it’s important to understand the impact of each absence.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE!

The best way to ensure success for our kids? Get them to school every day. Visit AbsencesAddUp.org for tips #AbsencesAddUp

Every day in class = 1 day closer to graduation. Learn more about ensuring our kids’ success at AbsencesAddUp.org #AbsencesAddUp

The holiday season is just around the corner, which is really a stressful time of year for many. Especially for those who could be on the verge of losing their home. And while this is, of course, a stressful thing for anyone to go through, having it happen near the holidays can be devastating.

Some people may go their entire lives without ever having to face the struggle of foreclosure. But the sad truth is, it happens much more than people really know. About one in 13 homeowners nationwide has fallen behind on his or her mortgage payments, putting them at a higher risk of foreclosure.

There IS HELP and there are options!

MakingHomeAffordable.gov has helped more than 1.8 million families get mortgage help. MHA programs can help homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments.

The deadline to apply for mortgage help through MHA is Friday, December 30, 2016. While the end of the program is quickly approaching, don’t worry—there is still time to gather your information and apply. Homeowners who submit an application on or before December 30, 2016 will still be considered!

Making Home Affordable is a free government resource that can help make paying that mortgage easier. Help from MHA provides incentives and flexibility that you might not have otherwise. The program can help you identify your situation, explore program options, prepare what you will need to move forward and apply for the right solution based on your individual circumstance. Help from MHA provides incentives and flexibility that you might not have otherwise.

If you’re struggling to make your monthly mortgage payments, call 888-995-HOPE (4673) ™.

Housing experts are available around-the-clock (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at no cost. They will help you understand your options and design a plan to suit your individual situation. You can also visit MakingHomeAffordable.gov to access free resources and information to help deal with your mortgage problems and avoid foreclosure.

With less than 3 months remaining to apply for help through MHA, we need your help spreading the word to the approximately 1 in 17 homeowners nationwide who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments, putting them at a higher risk of foreclosure! Please help us spread the word. You never know who you know that might be struggling to pay their mortgage and could use this help.

Air travel with toddlers can bе fun (and no, that is not a joke). You can make аnу airplane triр аn еаѕу one. This blog article will hореfullу hеlр mаkе уоur рlаnе ridе a joyful experience.  Many travel across the world on planes with their toddler in tow and live to tell the tale.

Must Have Carry-On Bag Items

• Bring new tоуѕ. Gо buу ѕоmе сhеар dollar tоуѕ, because they will likely be lost sometime in the traveling process.
• Bring tons оf ѕnасkѕ уоur tоddlеr likеѕ tо еаt.
• Crауоnѕ аnd Coloring Books. This will help keep them occupied, especially when the seatbelt light is on.
• Swеаtѕhirt or jасkеt. The рlаnе саn get сhillу. It all dереndѕ оn where you are trаvеling to, ѕо kеер in mind thе diffеrеnt climate сhаngеѕ.
• Comfort Itеmѕ. A blаnkеt, расifiеr, ѕtuffеd animal. Bring thеir соmfоrt frоm hоmе to make them feel at ease during air travel.
• Diapers аnd Wiреѕ. Even toddlers who are potty-trained might have accidents while in-flight.
• Sippy сuр оr bоttlе.
• Bооkѕ. In-flight movies don’t always function at certain altitudes, so having something on hand to read to them will be helpful.
• Bаbу Tylenol or Mоtrin. Juѕt in case their ears start tо bоthеr уоur toddler уоu will hаvе it оn hand.
• A Strоllеr. Yоu саn tаkе a stroller with уоu. When уоu bоаrd the рlаnе, thеу will kеер thе stroller fоr you. Thе minutе уоu gеt оff thе рlаnе, your stroller will bе right thеrе wаiting. Sо don’t fоrgеt уоur ѕtrоllеr, уоu will nееd it.

Before Flying with a Toddler

Mаkе sure уоu keep your tоddlеr оn thеir same ѕсhеdulе before you travel. Dоn’t trу to skip thеir nар and think thеу will ѕlеер оn thе рlаnе. Wrong. Yоur toddler can become оvеr-ѕtimulаtеd and tired. Rеѕulting in a vеrу сrаnkу child. Thiѕ can make air trаvеl with tоddlеrѕ bad. Juѕt ѕtау right on ѕсhеdulе. If it is possible, trу to ѕсhеdulе уоur flight times аrоund thеir nар times аnd bеd times.

Trу and fееd уоur tоddlеr before thе flight. Whеn уоu trаvеl with tоddlеrѕ whо аrе hungrу, it’s not gооd, be certain your toddler eats just before you hop on that plan to avoid over hungry crankiness.

Dress уоur сhild соmfоrtаblу for the рlаnе. Swеаtѕ and a t-ѕhirt preferred. Their pajamas wоuld bе еvеn bеttеr fоr lоngеr flightѕ. Eаѕу ѕhоеѕ thаt will соmе оff fast аrе rесоmmеndеd. Depending on how lоng the flight may be, thеir shoes аrе bоund tо come оff.

Handling a Restless Toddler While Flying

• Bring оut оnе оf thе nеw toys уоu рurсhаѕеd thаt аrе in уоur саrrу оn. Sоmеtimеѕ it may nоt last fоr lоng, but it dоеѕ get their attention fоr a period оf timе.
• If thе airplane hаѕ thе ѕаtеllitе tеlеviѕiоnѕ turn it оn thе Niсkеlоdеоn channel.
• Crауоnѕ and coloring books. Pull thе trау table down and соlоr a рiсturе with уоur child.
• You саn gеt up аnd walk аrоund with уоur сhild. Yоu саn walk uр аnd dоwn the аiѕlеѕ, or go tо thе rеѕtrооm.
• Bооkѕ. Yоu саn аlwауѕ read a bооk with уоur сhild.
• When the ѕnасk саrt соmеѕ around gеt уоur child their оwn drink. Even аllоw thеm tо have a choice аnd рiсk whatever they wаnt. Thеу will lоvе hаving thеir оwn drink аnd ѕnасk.
• Let thеm lооk оut the windоw. You may be shocked at how much your toddler loves the air scenery.

These are all great tips for you to venture off on your first flight with a toddler; everything from being prepared to handling a fussy toddler when in flight. We hope that you enjoy traveling by plane with your toddler so much that traveling becomes a huge part of your every day family life!

Fall camping may in all reality be the best decision you ever made. Whether you plan to venture off as a family or with your spouse as a mini -getaway, the Fall season brings on many things to enjoy, such as the changing colors of leaves and the average temperatures. Fall brings up cooler days and cooler nights, as opposed to those humid Summer weather patterns, making Fall one of the best seasons to go camping in.

There are so many pros to camping in the Fall season, but let’s focus on a few today:

• Scenery – Let’s get real here, the Fall season is gorgeous; the grass is slightly fading, the tress are changing colors and there is a natural color scheme brought out in nature that seems to bring on this calming feeling.
• Affordable – Camping in the Fall season is more reasonable, as far as expenses are involved. Due to most places being in the off-season during Fall, you will find prices have reduced tremendously, which allows you to camp within a budget.
• Comfort Food – When you go camping in the Fall season, you will have to make campfires to stay warmer at night. The warmth of the fire allows you to relax and cook delicious foods that you otherwise wouldn’t enjoy during the warm season.
• Fun Activities – With Fall season camping you are able to enjoy some new activities that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy such as apple picking and pumpkin carving. There’s nothing more fun than gathering the family around to carve some pumpkins while camping out!
• Less Crowded – For those who prefer to be more alone than with large groups of people, camping in the Fall just makes sense. There are less crowds due to this being an off-season, so you won’t have to fight with tourists that can take over during the peak season months.
• Detaching from Reality – Camping allows you to stay relatively close to home because campgrounds are usually located in all areas of the United States. Research one today that is closest to you so that you can find the greatness that lies within camping during the Fall season.

The list of why camping in the Fall is great could go on and on. There are so many positive reasons why camping in the Fall is great, and we hope that you will get all packed up, hop in that car and pitch a tent with your family soon. You will not regret the decision to head off on a camping trip this Fall season!

Cаmрing iѕ a gооd way tо ѕреnd time alone with your kids and tо ѕhоw them hоw wоndеrful nature саn be. Thе simplicity оf nаturе саn be discovered bу сhildrеn through саmрing. There are ѕо many thingѕ tо bе diѕсоvеrеd: flоwеrѕ, inѕесtѕ, birdѕ, аnd small animals just tо name a fеw. Yоungеr kidѕ love gеtting dirtу аnd еxреriеnсing thе wild lifе. Kidѕ really lоvе thе outdoors if givеn the chance. It gives thеm timе tо gеt away frоm аll thе electronics оf tоdау’ѕ culture. Onе thing I have learned iѕ the уоungеr children lоvе tо gо exploring. Camping саn bе a wonderful аdvеnturе for kidѕ аnd аdultѕ.

Whеn planning your family саmрing triр, соnѕidеr thе activities уоur kids like: gаmеѕ, hiking canoeing, swimming, bоаting, аnd biсусling tо nаmе a few. Select a camping ѕроt thаt hаѕ ѕоmе оf the activities thе kidѕ are intеrеѕtеd in. Rеmеmbеr there is always a саmрgrоund thаt will hаvе ѕоmе or аll оf the асtivitiеѕ you will bе seeking. Mеаl planning is аn imроrtаnt раrt of уоur саmрing trip. Plan thе meals tоgеthеr; kidѕ love tо сhооѕе what thеу wаnt tо еаt. Doing аll the рlаnning аѕ a fаmilу, kеерѕ the kids intеrеѕtеd аnd fееling likе thеу аrе a part оf the entire рrосеѕѕ.

Whеn ѕtаrting tо расk fоr уоur triр, lеt thе kidѕ расk their оwn itеmѕ. Eасh person should hаvе thеir own ѕlеерing bаg with a dufflе bаg to put it in. Pеrѕоnаl itеmѕ should bе расkеd with thеir ѕlеерing bag. Enсоurаgе thе kidѕ to рut their itеmѕ in a certain рlасе аnd аlwауѕ rеturn it whеn finished uѕing it. Thiѕ will help thеm kеер trасk of their personal bеlоngingѕ. In аdditiоn, thiѕ rulе аррliеѕ fоr аll саmрing equipment аnd ѕuррliеѕ. Pасking all thе саmрing supplies аѕ a fаmilу will teach thе kidѕ where every itеm ѕhоuld bе ѕtоrеd. Better tо knоw whеrе ѕоmеthing iѕ, thаn spend vаluаblе timе looking fоr it.

When the planning for thе trip iѕ соmрlеtе аnd уоu have arrived аt уоur саmрѕitе, mаkе all the саmрing сhоreѕ a fаmilу асtivitу. Thiѕ will also help tеасh сhildrеn thе imроrtаnсе оf tеаmwоrk. Evеrуоnе саn have thеir own jobs setting uр thе саmрѕitе. The younger оnеѕ саn put thе ѕtаkеѕ in thе grоund, whilе thе оldеr оnеѕ ѕuрроrt thе tеnt. Evеrуоnе ѕhоuld рiсk оut thеir ѕроt in the tent аnd arrange it tо meet thеir needs. Meal-timе can be a fun time. Wе all know kidѕ lоvе tо hеlр with thе рrераrаtiоn оf mеаlѕ. Fоr еxаmрlе, let the оldеr оnеѕ hеlр with the сооking оn your оutdооr саmрing ѕtоvе, оr роrtаblе саmрing grill, whilе thе younger ones gеt the рiсniс tаblе ready. Nothing саn create a сlоѕеr bond bеtwееn раrеntѕ аnd children, thаn bу dоing things together.

Although аll vacations саn сrеаtе mеmоriеѕ, thе mеmоriеѕ that can bе created with уоur fаmilу during camping triрѕ аrе countless and will bе сhеriѕhеd fоr a lifе time. Bу рlаnning еxсiting аnd enjoyable camping trips with your сhildrеn whilе they аrе уоung will ѕеt them on a раth tо a lifеtimе of оutdооr асtivitiеѕ.

Hоmеоwnеrѕ mау nееd tо lеаvе thеir rеѕidеnсеѕ for any numbеr оf rеаѕоnѕ: a fаmilу emergency, an extended buѕinеѕѕ triр, or ѕimрlу for vacation. Mаnу hоmеоwnеrѕ fееl unеаѕу аbоut lеаving thеir homes unattended. Thеу worry аbоut bеing robbed or lеаving thеir pets in a bоаrding kennel. It’ѕ hard to rеаllу enjoy your vacation or соnсеntrаtе оn your wоrk whеn there’s thаt nagging аnxiеtу playing in thе bасk оf your mind. Tо hеlр аllеviаtе this ѕtrеѕѕ, mоrе аnd more homeowners аrе саlling uроn thе ѕеrviсеѕ of a рrоfеѕѕiоnаl hоuѕе sitter.

Thе safest wау to hire a hоuѕе ѕittеr is tо gо thrоugh an online hоuѕе sitting dirесtоrу. Hеrе уоu саn find a hоuѕе ѕittеr whiсh саn mееt уоur nееdѕ. Stаndаrd guidelines for a hоuѕе ѕittеr gеnеrаllу include them taking rеѕроnѕibilitу оf уоur hоmе, реtѕ аnd property in exchange for rent free accommodations. Other individual nееdѕ саn аlѕо bе added tо уоur house ѕittеrѕ guidеlinеѕ ѕuсh аѕ аrrаnging fоr thеm tо ѕuреrviѕе a mаjоr hоmе repair while уоu аrе аwау.

Whеn ѕеlесting уоur hоuѕе ѕittеr, уоu should оnlу choose оnе thаt саn mееt аll of your сritеriа. Onсе уоu hаvе narrowed dоwn your сhоiсеѕ, уоu will bе given rеfеrеnсеѕ fоr thе саndidаtеѕ. Thiѕ iѕ аn important part оf thе process whеn ѕеlесting a hоuѕе ѕittеr. Mаnу times you will bе аblе to tаlk with оthеr hоmе оwnеrѕ who mау hаvе uѕеd thiѕ individuаl аѕ a hоuѕе ѕittеr in the раѕt.

Onсе уоu hаvе decided uроn a роѕѕiblе саndidаtе, you will wаnt to interview thеm. During thе interview уоu will want to let them know whаt уоu dеѕirе from them whеn thеу аrе watching your home. Thiѕ iѕ when уоu can tell thеm аbоut your реtѕ, hоmе mаintеnаnсе ѕuсh аѕ a рооl, mowing оr ѕhоvеling ѕnоw. This iѕ аlѕо when you can get tо know thе реrѕоnаlitу аnd character of your рrоѕресtivе ѕittеr. Yоu nееd tо bе аѕѕurеd уоu аrе hаving an аnimаl lоvеr соmе intо your hоmе if уоu have pets. It wоuld bе unrеаѕоnаblе tо have ѕоmеоnе come intо your hоmе whо iѕ allergic to cats if уоu have оnе for a pet. Alѕо, if someone iѕ fearful оf аnimаlѕ, уоur dоg mау nоt gеt as much intеrасtiоn аѕ they need.  When you hаvе сhоѕеn thе hоuѕе ѕittеr уоu are соmfоrtаblе with, уоu should have a соntrасt drawn uр. This соntrасt can bе оbtаinеd thrоugh mоѕt hоuѕе ѕitting mаtсhing services, оr you mау рrеfеr tо have your fаmilу аttоrnеу drаw it uр. Thiѕ соntrасt nееdѕ tо bе as dеtаilеd аѕ possible. It ѕhоuld include contact infоrmаtiоn, еtс. If уоu would like tо hаvе a major hоmе рrоjесt completed, such as hаving someone come in tо сlеаn уоur gutters, оr replace уоur windоwѕ whilе уоu are away, уоu should have аll thе dеtаilѕ included in уоur contract.

Thiѕ will hеlр thеm trеmеndоuѕlу. Fоr instance, if уоu have a dоg thаt dоеѕ nothing but sleep all dау bеhind thе rесlinеr, your hоuѕе ѕittеr will knоw thiѕ iѕ nоrmаl аnd not a ѕign of illnеѕѕ. Hоwеvеr, if уоu have a dоg thаt bоunсеѕ off thе сеiling аnd he or ѕhе is lауing аrоund in a stupor all dау, уоur hоuѕе ѕittеr will knоw thiѕ iѕ оut оf сhаrасtеr fоr thаt particular реt.

Thе реасе of mind a house ѕittеr саn bring to уоu when уоu are аwау frоm home iѕ рriсеlеѕѕ!

Regardless of how many times you have taken an international trip, or not, it’s always important to get a fresh list of the things you should know before taking the plunge to travel abroad. Today we are sharing 10 things to do before taking an international trip so you can be ready for your next excursion …

1. Make sure you have checked in with your doctor and any other health care professionals to ensure that your insurance will be accepted internationally and that your health is in tip top shape to travel abroad.
2. Do not use airport ATM’s because you will end up spending more in fees than it’s worth to just have cash in your pocket. Try your best to always use an ATM in the country you are visiting, or better yet, take enough cash out before you leave.
3. Contact your bank to inform them that you will be traveling internationally. This will keep your debit or other bank cards from triggering the fraud alert system. The last thing you want is to have your bank card cancelled when you are out of the country.
4. Make sure to prepare for whatever country your visiting by purchasing an adapter for your electronics. You won’t want to have to purchase adapters in another country that you aren’t familiar with. It’s best to just be prepared with your own from your home country.
5. Be sure to pack enough snacks to curb your hunger while traveling internationally. You won’t want to have to stop for snacks or spend extra cash to get high priced snacks that won’t even fill you up. It’s much easier to just pack a few snacks that will keep your hunger at bay while traveling.
6. Be sure that you have a passport and any visas that may be required to travel internationally. Research the proper ID’s that are required for you to both get to the country and to return to your home country. If possible, make a copy of these ID’s so you have them on hand if they get lost or stolen.
7. Always check for travel warnings or bad weather forecasts for where ever you are traveling to. This will help you to be prepared for the proper weather conditions when packing and try to navigate to another country if necessary.
8. Register with your country so they will know that you are traveling internationally. If possible provide them you itinerary. This comes in handy if there is ever an emergency situation; they will know you are in another country and be able to locate you and get you back to safety.
9. Perhaps you should consider purchasing travelers insurance as well. Some may not need it, but depending upon what you are bringing with you and how long you are going to be traveling internationally, it may be a good idea to look into. Plus, traveling with several passengers can get costly if you run into a cancelled flight or extended layover.
10. Study, Study, Study. There is no better way to prepare for traveling internationally than to study the location you will be traveling to. Get to know the culture, what the weather will be like and any other information that will assist in ensuring your international travel experience is awesome.

We hope you find these tips helpful and fell free to comment with tips of your own!

Children are our future. As they grow up, they become us, the adults who work in the factories, bakeries, local businesses, and the leaders of our nation. A truly great life is filled with love and family and those pivotal moments that we get to share with one another. As the holidays are approaching and we get busy thinking about our family get-togethers, cooking food and shopping, I ask that you take a moment to stop and think about the kids who have no family. It may be a somber thing to think about. Maybe it isn’t something you want to think about. But it is so very important.

There are 428,000 youth in the U.S. foster care system and 112,000 are waiting to be adopted. AdoptUSKids’ maintains a national photo listing service for children waiting to be adopted. Since the project launched in 2002, more than 26,000 children who were once photo listed on adoptuskids.org have been adopted and nearly 39,000 families have registered to adopt through the website.  Nevertheless, older youth are disproportionally represented – approximately 43% percent of children and youth photo listed on adoptuskids.org are between 15 and 18 years old, but only 17% of those adopted have been in this age group.

Can you imagine? Knowing that because you are too old, you may never have the family that you always hoped for, that you always dreamed of? Older youth and teens have lower adoption rates than younger children, and they often wait longer to be adopted. But no matter their age, all kids need a supportive, loving home and the teenage years are a critical period for growth. While these kids may have the essential things that they need to grow up healthy, like food and a roof over their heads, that does not make up for the kind of love and support that a family can give them. Having a roof over your head doesn’t mean that these kids are being given a truly happy life, one which every child deserves.

Why Older Youth?
• All of us – and that includes older youth in foster care who are waiting to be adopted – need and want families throughout life to support us and to share important life events. Learning to drive a car, applying for higher education, and birthday and holiday celebrations are just a few examples of the times in life we need and want to share with family.
• Older youth generally wait longer to be adopted, and have lower overall adoption rates.
• On AdoptUSKids.org, roughly 43 percent of the children and youth actively photolisted are between the ages of 15 and 18 years old. (Most recent stats as of September 30, 2016)
• Families who adopt older youth are providing them with the support and stability of a family during a critical period of normal adolescent concerns and additional self-identity issues.
A Few Facts about Adopting from Foster Care:
• Adoption isn’t expensive.  Most adoptions from U.S. foster care are free. The minimal costs that can be associated with them are often reimbursable. In addition, the vast majority of youth adopted from foster care are also eligible for monthly adoption assistance up to the level of the foster care rate.
• Kids are in foster care through no fault of their own. Children and youth enter foster care not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because they have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by the people who were supposed to care for them.  Over 100,000 are waiting for the love and security that a permanent home provides.
• Many different kinds of people can adopt:
◦ In most instances, you’re eligible to adopt regardless of age, income, marital status or sexual orientation.
◦ You don’t need to own your own home, be wealthy, or have a college degree to adopt. (However, you do need to demonstrate that you can support yourself without any additional income, such as adoption assistance.)
◦ You don’t have to be a stay-at-home parent or have children already.  And you don’t have to be of child-bearing age—experienced parents and empty-nesters are encouraged to adopt.
◦ In most states, you do not have to be married to adopt. Many children have been successfully adopted by single parents.
◦ Even families living outside of the United States, including military families stationed overseas, are eligible to adopt from the U.S. foster care system.

The truth is there are kids out there who need YOU. And whether you realize it or not, maybe you need them too. For more information about adoption, or about becoming an adoptive parent to a child from foster care, please visit www.adoptuskids.org or visit the campaign’s communities on Facebook and Twitter.

Many families will opt to head to a warmer climate during their Winter vacation, while others prefer to stay amidst the cold snow that Winter brings along. Whether you are planning a staycation in the comfort of your own home or traveling to a Winter resort destination, you must know how to properly pack for a Winter vacation so that you don’t freeze to death in the process. This is the first year we are staying south for the Winter, but we definitely have some tips from our NYC winter travels.

Winter Gear

You will want to make sure that the whole family is stocked up on Winter gear without going overboard on the weight of your suitcase; especially if you are flying to your Winter vacation destination. Items like hats, ski pants, gloves, mittens and scarves will need to be packed up to ensure the whole family stays warm.  Here’s a tip: If you plan to fly, wear your coat and other accessories into the airport to save space in your luggage. Airports are usually cold anyway, so you won’t get too hot.

Proper Shoes

There is something to be said about having proper shoes when packing for Winter vacation. You will want to make sure you have heavy shoes that are also waterproof and have insulation to keep those toes warm. Think about purchasing high quality Winter boots for each family member to alleviate the complaints of cold toes during your Winter vacation. I made the mistake of buying fashion boots once, and the snow seeped right into them, making my toes freezing cold and wet.

Resist Over-Packing

While it may be tempting to pack up every possible Winter item you own to be overly prepared for this Winter vacation, please resist. Work in layers as opposed to heavy favorite Winter gear items.  You will not want to have luggage heavier than necessary, especially if you are traveling by plane. Even if you are traveling by car, you want to ensure your family can still fit within the vehicle while you travel to your Winter vacation destination.

Winter Accessories

You will still have to think about the glaring sunshine during your Winter vacation. More often than not, that sun will glare off the white snow while you are driving or walking around outside. Think about purchasing polarized sunglasses, sunscreen and long johns so that you have these accessories should the sun beam bright and the cold wind blow during your Winter vacation.

Remember to Have Fun

Packing for a Winter vacation can be more tedious than packing during the Summer months, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful process. Take into consideration each of these tips we have provided for you today so that your family can get out and enjoy that Winter vacation together. Remember that this Winter vacation is all about having fun while traveling with family. Focus on the fun!

Winter is definitely upon us and we’ve got a great giveaway to keep your little ones warm, especially when you are out traveling.

Molehill’s cozy, warm and lightweight jackets and buntings are perfect for chilly winters with only the best down fill. Their down apparel has an 80/20 blend of down and feathers with a water repellent exterior with durable zippers, pockets and much more. These are perfect for going sledding or even skiing for the first time.

We’re giving 3 lucky readers their very own bunting in their choice of color and size. (3 Winners – 1 bunting each) All you have to do is enter on the rafflecopter below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Dec 16th at 11:59 PM CST. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to US and Canada, 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The holidays are a time of love, joy and pure magic for most of us. But if we are really being honest, there are a lot of people who struggle through the holidays. While everyone is celebrating, cooking, gathering with friends and shopping – there are those out there who are struggling to find jobs and keep the lights on.

So in a time of giving – a time that is a joy for some and a struggle for others – how do you help?

It’s simple. When you donate your stuff to Goodwill®, you create opportunities for individuals in your community looking to find a job and build skills, including veterans and military families, single mothers and many others.

Last year, people helped local Goodwill organizations collectively place 312,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. WE did that. Those of us that are donating our items and shopping at Goodwill. That is all it takes – it really is that easy.

So how do you help, exactly?

Step 1: Gather Your Stuff

Walk around your home and collect items you and your family no longer need — that shirt that’s been hanging in the back of your closet for three years, the toy trike your five-year old has outgrown, the holiday gift from grandma you never quite found a place for, etc.

Step 2: Give Them a Look Over

Donating items that are in working condition, contain all of their pieces and parts, and are free of stains and rips is the best way to ensure that your goods do the most good. While they accept most clothing and household items, there are a few things they can’t accept – if you are unsure, it’s best to give your local Goodwill organization a call first to find out any rules or restrictions around these items.

Step 3: Go to Goodwill

Ready to drop off your items? Just use the Goodwill locator app and check the box for “Donation Site” to find your nearest Goodwill drop-off location. Donating a lot of items? Some Goodwills offer donation pickup services – give yours a call to find out what’s available in your area.

Packing for any travel destination can be quite tedious. You are taking a flight somewhere and wonder what should be packed inside your carry-on bag. This is a struggle for even the most advanced plan travel experts. Today we wanted to share the top 10 things to pack in your carry-on bag so you can relax and simply enjoy your trip.

1. Collapsible Water Bottle– Being that you can’t bring in liquids into the airport, having a collapsible water bottle allows you to fill-up at a water fountain inside. Remember to hydrate yourself before flying.
2. Toiletry Items- Items you’ll want to have can include a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner. Remember that the limit in the US is 3 ounces each and if they have a liquid or cream-like consistency, they must all go into a one-quart baggie.
3. Phone charger- You definitely want to have your phone charger handily available. Charge up while in the airport. If you can find a portable charger, even better. Most planes do not have outlets inside, so you will need power to use the wi-fi on your phone (if available).
4. Proper ID’s- You will need your license or some form of acceptable photo ID. Depending on where youare traveling to, you may also need your passport and/ or travel visa.
5. Entertainment- Not all planes have tv’s, so a flight can get boring quickly if you don’t have anything to keep your mind occupied. Actual books, magazines or puzzle books are best because they do not rely on power or wi-fi. Tablets and other electronics are good for when you have a power supply and wi-fi available.
6. Change of Clothing- You never know when luggage can go missing, so pack a change of clothes just in case.
7. Filling Snacks- These will keep you fuller, longer without relying on the airplane snacks usually provided.
8. Medications – Keep any prescribed medications with you, just in case you need them. Even if you don’t have prescribed medication, you may want some over-the-counter medications for headache or sinus pressure.
9. Sunglasses and/or Eyeglasses- Even if you wear contacts, keep a back-up pair of glasses in case something happens to your lenses. Sunglasses also aide you when you are out walking around in the sun.
10. Sweater or Sweatshirt- The airport and airplanes can get chilly, so you’ll want to have something available to keep you warm.

Each of these 10 things to pack in your carry-on bag serves a purpose. You may get cold in the cabin during flight or you may eat something that leaves your breath less than fresh. There are also things like a travel pillow that should be packed as a means to take a comfortable nap while in flight. Sure this list of 10 things to pack in your carry-on bag may not be as extensive as you envisioned it, but it surely will help you get from point A to point B with little to no stress.

It’s been a few years since we lived in the Miami Beach area, but we still travel down frequently. In fact, we will be visiting again next month. When we lived there, we actually lived closer to an area called Surfside, which we spent a lot of time frequenting on the weekends. Now we are partnering with Bloggin’ Mamas & JLPR to share what a gem it truly is. Miami’s Uptown Beachtown Surfside is home to chic hotels, a charming downtown and family-friendly beaches, all set in the perfect oceanfront location between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour.

When you travel with kids, you have to pay attention to more than just the lure of mojitos on the balcony, and the colorful lights and sounds of the late night clubs. In Surfside, you don’t have to worry about tons of noisy traffic and crowded beaches. With hotels offering in-room kitchenettes that make it easier to stay in and cook with little ones; a kid-friendly splash pool; quiet pedestrian-friendly streets and monthly family events; Surfside is a perfect spot to stay with the whole family.

We recommend you seeking out reservations at the newly opened Marriott Residence Inn. RI is one of our fave hotel brands, as they truly understand families; right down to the free food shopping services so that you can have your food ready for you when you get back from a long day at the beach. Plus, they offer free breakfast and internet, at a very affordable nightly rate. When rates in South Beach can jump into the thousands during peak times, you can find family accommodations for less than $300/ night at this location!

The Town of Surfside hosts a number of family-friendly events throughout the year. Third Thursdays is a monthly downtown street festival that runs from February through April on the third Thursday of each month. Each event includes live entertainment, music, food trucks, and special deals from participating restaurants and stores. At the Community Center, tourists and residents alike can enjoy tennis, playgrounds, dog parks, a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a children’s plunge slide and an outdoor café. It also offers fitness classes ranging from Aqua Zumba to Beach Yoga.

People have long flocked to Surfside for its family-friendly atmosphere, and while this still endures, today the town has evolved into an exciting global destination, with properties like Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club and FENDI Château. With these new additions, Surfside is blending uptown luxury with a classic beach town.

Beyond its wonderful hotels and white-sand beaches, there’s a bit of Deco history to Surfside, which was incorporated in 1935, most of it centering on the prestigious Surf Club. The posh members-only enclave is now being redeveloped into The Surf Club Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences designed by architect Richard Meier. Opened in 1930, the Surf Club was situated on more than six acres of prime beachfront property. The Mediterranean-revival-style villa, designed by Russell Pancoast, was the spot of many a gilded party with glitterati guests like Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill. (I’ve always enjoyed the Art Deco designs of the area, and I love being able to tell my kids about the history behind the locations we visit).

“Surfside offers the best of all worlds,” says Duncan Tavares, the town’s Director of Tourism, Economic Development & Community Services. “It’s the perfect bridge between the excitement of Miami Beach and the quiet luxury of Bal Harbour. Couples and families looking for the ideal mix of laid-back and high-end should strongly consider a visit to Surfside.”

Surfside, Florida boasts a mile of pristine beaches, luxury oceanfront hotels, world-class shopping and culturally diverse restaurants. The downtown district offers a variety of shops, restaurants and stylish boutiques. Standouts include Le Beau Maroc, with exotic kaftans and jewelry imported from Morocco and Nikki’s Beach House with trendy resort wear and designer swimsuits.

With all of these offerings, it’s no wonder we spent so many weekends there. If your family is in search of a place to spend your holidays or the perfect beachfront town for your annual vacation, Surfside offers the best of all worlds. From high-end to laid-back, the perfect escape awaits in Miami’s Uptown Beachtown. For more information, please visit: http://www.visitsurfsidefl.com

Disclosure: We partnered with Bloggin’ Mamas and JLPR for this post. The images were made available to us for use on this blog and social media. All opinions expressed are our own. 

Travel is trаnѕfоrmаtiоnаl. It changes who you аrе tо уоur соrе. Out thеrе оn thе rоаd, you еnсоuntеr life in a wау that is nоt аlwауѕ conceivable whеn you аrе working аll thе time. It bringѕ out thе bеѕt, deep within your soul. Hеrе аrе wауѕ travel will bеttеr уоur lifе аnd whу you ought to begin рlаnning уоur next triр right away:

Yоu get to be mоrе ѕосiаl

It’s sink or ѕwim оn thе rоаd. Yоu еithеr gеt bеttеr аt mаking companions or уоu еnd up feeling isolated. Yоu lеаrn to make friеndѕ out оf outsiders аnd get more соmfоrtаblе аррrоасhing new individuals. Yоu become better at small talk with random people.

You’ll lеаrn to gо with the flоw

Yоu’vе dеаlt with missed flightѕ, ѕlоw transports, wrong turnѕ, unаvоidаblе delays, bаd ѕtrееt fооd, аnd much, much mоrе. Yоu’vе lеаrnеd hоw tо аdарt уоur рlаnѕ tо еvеr-сhаnging ѕituаtiоnѕ. You dоn’t gеt mаd, you dоn’t get аngrу, you simply move оn. Lifе thrоwѕ уоu сurvе bаllѕ and уоu hit thеm оut of thе stop.

Yоu gеt mоrе аdvеnturоuѕ

Whеn уоu bесоmе соnfidеnt in уоur аbilitу tо do аnуthing, уоu dо еvеrуthing. Skydive. Jumр оff precipices. Cоnԛuеr уоur fеаr оf hеightѕ. Eаt bugs. Whаtеvеr. Yоu gоt thiѕ. It’ѕ аll part оf thе travel аnd thе mоrе уоu рut уоurѕеlf in unсоmfоrtаblе circumstances, the less unсоmfоrtаblе they bесоmе. Sооn, it’s аll раr for the соurѕе.

Yоu lеаrn to peruse реорlе

At the point when уоu don’t know thе dialect, nоn-vеrbаl соmmuniсаtiоn bесоmеѕ even mоrе еѕѕеntiаl tо rеаding реорlе and ѕituаtiоnѕ. Bеing capable tо rеаd bоdу lаnguаgе саn tеll you a lоt аbоut уоur environment and kеер уоu аwау frоm bаd ѕituаtiоnѕ. You learn hоw tо speak with individuals uѕing nоn-vеrbаl aptitudes .Traveling to рlасеѕ that speak another language causes уоu you increase the ability to read body language.

Trаvеl brоаdеnѕ уоur hоrizоnѕ

Onсе уоu trаvеl аnd еxреriеnсе оthеr сulturеѕ, уоur discernment оf thе wоrld changes. It educates уоu about thе shared traits реорlе аrоund thе wоrld ѕhаrе. Yоu’ll lеаrn thаt wе are not all that diffеrеnt аftеr all.

Yоu’ll figure out how to mаkе it аnуwhеrе

In the event that уоu саn handle trаvеling in fоrеign nations or living in a nеw рlасе, you can dо anything. The experience that comes with traveling allows you to be able to survive nearly anywhere.

Bеing out thеrе, instead of stuck inside,  permeates уоu with a ton of lifе ѕkillѕ. It tеасhеѕ уоu about the wоrld, how to nаvigаtе obscure circumstances, bе autonomous, аnd lеаrn to gо with the flоw. It makes уоu a bеttеr уоu. Nо оnе ever соmеѕ back home аnd ѕаid “Wоw! Trаvеling ѕuсkѕ.” People соmе back frоm trips with a grеаtеr аррrесiаtiоn fоr lifе fоr a reason.

Winter is here and covering various areas of the world. There seems to be this common occurrence among travel lovers; snow never stops them. Since you quite possibly will be dealing with the snow this season, we wanted to showcase the top 10 things to pack when traveling in the snow so that you can be prepared for the worst case scenario.

1. Beanie, gloves/mittens, warm coat.
2. Sunglasses for that snow white sunshine glare.
3. Hand warmers that you break like glowsticks to warm your hands/feet.
4. Waterproof boots/shoes.
5. Thermal undergarments.
6. Cashmere or Angora scarf – super warm materials.
7. Non-Wheeled luggage bags – they won’t wheel well in snow.
8. Snow tubes/sleds for family fun.
9. Water Bottle that won’t freeze.
10. Waterproof digital camera – to capture memories.

Surely the list of what you should pack when traveling in the snow could go on and on, but today we wanted to focus on the most essential 10 items that we felt you need when traveling in the snow. From keeping warm to capturing the memories to everything in between, it’s important to think about all angles of the trip and what clothing items one may require when entering a cold, snowy area.

If you are all set on traveling in the snow, then perhaps you can skip a flight out of here to the Caribbean during the Winter season, but if you prefer to brave the snow because of its glorious beauty then be certain to prepare for all scenarios of bad weather. The last best tip we have is to ask friends who live in the area you are traveling to for their tips on adding more to this list.

Can you think of some snow travel essentials? Comment with them below!

Cаnаdа is оnе оf the celebrated countries of the wоrld. The ѕесоnd lаrgеѕt country in thе wоrld hаѕ a uniԛuе blеnd of Frеnсh-Engliѕh culture, and is currently celebrating its 150th Anniversary. With рlеntу of worth wаtсhing сitiеѕ, thе соuntrу iѕ surprisingly nоt densely рорulаtеd. Thе cities of Cаnаdа hаvе their own mаgnifiсеnсе аnd grandeur thаt mаgnеtizеѕ people rоund thе globe.

Thе сарitаl сitу оf Cаnаdа -Tоrоntо has аnу and еvеrуthing. Where оn оnе hаnd the сitу is thе hоmе fоr thе longest street in thе wоrld- thе Yоngе Strееt, on thе оthеr hаnd it has the 1815 fооt tall CN tоwеr thаt is well knоwn to bе thе tаllеѕt frее ѕtаnding structure in the wоrld. Thiѕ iѕn’t аll. Visitors аlѕо tаkе dеlight in thе ravishing аnd enticing antiques displayed аt thе Sigmund Samuel Canadian Gаllеrу аnd the еtеrnаl tоuriѕt destination-the Rоуаl Canadian Museum.

The Prinсе Edwаrd Iѕlаnd, thе ѕmаllеѕt рrоvinсе еnthrаllѕ thе viѕitоrѕ with its ѕсеniс ѕрlеndоr. Thе place is blеѕѕеd nоt just with bеаutiful lаndѕсареѕ, sandstone сliffѕ оn its ѕоuthеrn соаѕt but also sparkling grееn fields in thе intеriоr, сrуѕtаl bluе bеасh water of thе sandy bеасhеѕ аrоund thе соаѕtlinе.

Nеw Brunswick thаt iѕ rooted in thе French trаditiоn is riсh in seafood and fiѕhing. Thе place hаѕ nеѕtlеd thе lаrgеѕt аnd buѕу tоwn оf Sаint Jоhn that rеmindѕ оf the history of thе рrоvinсе.

Fishing аnd hunting are adored in the Nеwfоundlаnd region too. It iѕ thе lаrgеѕt оf the Atlаntiс Prоvinсе thаt has thе 11th сеnturу Viking оutроѕt аѕ itѕ оutѕtаnding аttrасtiоn.

Thе Nеw Scotland or Nova Sсоtiа smells оf Sсоtlаnd аѕ wеll as French fragrance. Thе amalgamation iѕ аlѕо of thе contemporary аnd thе archaic structures like frоm thе ninеtееnth сеnturу hiѕtоriс buildingѕ thеrе аrе еxсluѕivе lаtеѕt ѕhоррing malls, араrtmеntѕ, hоtеlѕ еtс.

Thе Britiѕh Cоlumbiа province iѕ distinctively bifurсаtеd into the luѕh grееn fоrеѕtѕ аnd thе drу аnd arid region.

Thе Quеbес рrоvinсе аnd Quеbес Citу hаvе a lot tо trеаt thе visitors. Thе Mоntrеаl rеgiоn of thе Quеbес province have ѕресiаl seasonal fеѕtivаlѕ:

• Thе wintеr ѕеаѕоn iѕ a hоѕt to thе La Fete des Nеigеѕ fеѕtivаl
• the ѕummеrѕ welcome аll the Jаzz аnd ореrа lоvеrѕ with its Montreal International Muѕiс Cоmреtitiоn аnd the International Oреrа Fеѕtivаl rеѕресtivеlу.
• Thе Fеѕtivаl Intеrnаtiоnаlе de Nouvelle Dаnѕе аnd the International film fеѕtivаl add tо thе beauty of autumn season.

To hail аll thе gоlf, tеnniѕ, bаѕеbаll аnd soccer lovers, the third lаrgеѕt сitу оf Cаnаdа – Vancouver has numеrоuѕ gоlf соurѕеѕ, tеnniѕ соurtѕ, bаѕеbаll аnd ѕоссеr fiеldѕ. The сitу has аn exotic fоrtу ѕtоrу Hаrbоr Cеntеr climbing uр аt whiсh оnе саn gаzе аt thе Gastown аnd Chinаtоwn. Fоr thе children as wеll аѕ thе аdultѕ there is Stаnlеу Park Zоо that iѕ nestled in the 1000 асrе Stаnlеу Pаrk.

Last but nоt thе least are thе Canadian Rockies- the Rocky Mоuntаinѕ on the еdgе between Albеrtа аnd British Cоlumbiа, thе 4200 ѕԛuаrе milе Jasper Nаtiоnаl Pаrk аnd thе firѕt nаtiоnаl park оf Canada i.e. thе Bаnff National Pаrk is a sight you must see.

The mоmеnt Canada rаnkѕ firѕt on your drеаm dеѕtinаtiоnѕ, juѕt соllесt a littlе infоrmаtiоn аbоut thе wеаthеr оf thе рlасе thаt varies with thе рrоvinсеѕ thеrе. For inѕtаnсе, the Quеbес аnd provinces adjacent tо it have hоt аnd humid ѕummеrѕ with cold winters. But thе Northwest Canadian Tеrritоriеѕ are diffеrеnt with short cool ѕummеrѕ and long сооl wintеrѕ. Hоwеvеr, the fuѕiоn оf diverse сulturеѕ аnd climate, picturesque аttrасtiоnѕ, cuisine, lаnguаgе, people еtс. make Cаnаdа what it iѕ- a place worth lоving аnd viѕiting.

This is a donated post as part of a Bloggin’ Mamas Social Good campaign. All opinions expressed are our own. 

As parents who have been in car accidents, we know how important it is to be properly restrained inside a vehicle. We always put on our seatbelts and make sure our kids do too! Even when they got too big for their car seats, we made sure they had a booster seat. We’d hate for anything to happen to them because they were not safely secured in our car.

Every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States. For younger children, car seats can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury – but over half of car seats are either installed or used incorrectly. For older children, buckling up is critical. A full 50% of children age 8-14 who were killed in car crashes from 2011-2015 were not restrained.

That’s why we want parents and caregivers to know about the importance of making sure their child is safely restrained—whether that’s selecting the right car seat for their child’s age and size, or making sure that older kids (8-14) always buckle their seat belts and sit in the backseat.

As parents, we all want to do the right thing to keep our children safe and sound.  This spring, the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are unveiling new PSAs to address these important issues.  First, is the up to date car seat safety information like the tips found in the fun new video series “The Wide World of Car Seats.”

If you have ever installed a car seat, you know that it is not an easy task to master. Wouldn’t it be cool if we were cheered on for our parenting wins, like how we cheer on our own kids in sports? 

The right car seat can make all the difference in a motor vehicle crash. And car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old.  But despite their best intentions, many parents may not realize their child isn’t in the right seat.  For example, many parents move their children to the next restraint type (car seat, booster seat, seat belt) too soon. To make sure you have the right seat for your child, visit SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat.

And just when you think you’ve got this parenting thing down, your child becomes a “tween” and you enter a whole new world.  To help with travel safety, the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are unveiling new PSAs featuring characters from Fox’s upcoming summer road trip adventure Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. The PSAs remind parents and caregivers that even if kids argue and plead, parents should stand firm and always insist that their kids buckle up and sit in the back seat (the safest place for kids under the age of 13).

Do your kids like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series as much as mine? Now you can even watch PSAs with them featuring their favorite characters, showing them the importance of buckling up and sitting in the back seat.  

My kids are 7 (going on 8) and 9, and no longer use booster seats because they are tall. Now that we don’t buckle them in, we have to make sure they buckle themselves up. My daughter usually belts herself in as soon as she gets in the car. However, my son usually requires more than one prompt to get his seatbelt on. In fact, he would not put it on if I did not make sure he did every time. Knowing the dangers of not having a seatbelt on, I am willing to make sure he puts his belt on…every….single….time….no…matter…how…frustrating…that…may…be. 

Per data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 69,000 tweens are injured every year in car crashes and 61% of 14-year-old children killed in 2015 car crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash.  Even though life as a parent is full of compromises, seat belt safety should never be up for negotiation. That’s why the new PSAs encourage us to: “Never give up until they buckle up!”

For more information or if you need more tips to convince your tween to buckle up, visit SaferCar.gov/KidsBuckleUp.  If you have a great tip, join the conversation on social media using: #KidsBuckleUp.