Ways To Keep Your Home Stress-Free

It’s a fact that the home you make should be the least stress-filled location. This is especially true for individuals who experience a stressful day at work. So it’s obvious that they want to go to a stress-free home in the evening. Not only can stress at home take a toll on your emotions but your overall health as well.

Luckily, many ideas are currently available that can help your home’s atmosphere improve. Whether it’s doing things as a family or making expectations that are realistic, the following ideas will allow you to enjoy more stress-free time at home.

Make Expectations That Are Realistic

Keeping your expectations realistic will lead to a happy home life. Sure, you want to always go to a clean home after work. But the reality is that it won’t always happen. You need to accept that it will be a mess sometimes and that’s okay. Learn to manage and tailor expectations around how the day will really be. Maintain a nutritional diet combined with great sleep that is also realistic. Eating healthy and getting a great sleep will help you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Do More as a Family

Many families today have begun to skip the family dinner and opt to sit in front of the TV with their plates instead. This is not always a good idea. The reason why is because when you sit at the dinner table together, you are able to have conversations and interact with each other concerning the day’s events. A family get together like this will also open opportunities to discuss important issues.

Ways to keep Your Home Stress-Free

A home is an excellent environment to bond with the family, relax after work, and cool off from everyday stress. However, a home that is in a messy condition would likely prove the opposite. It can be the source of stress that you deal with after work. But this doesn’t have to be so; the first step you need to consider is to ensure that everything is up and running. Check the piping, paint and any other area that may need remodeling. After identifying what needs fixing, visit this website to hire a professional proficient with the task.

Once you fix areas that require minor or major repairs, your home will regain its initial appeal. You can then enjoy working in a cool environment if you create a home office. However, it is important not to leave our critical sections of your home unattended for long. A quick check by a professional will reveal where the problem is. After that, you can embark on a repair before further damage causes you to break the bank.

Although repair is excellent, having regular maintenance is a critical aspect of maintaining a home. It will ensure nothing gets to you by accident and your home remains in optimal condition throughout.

Have Your Routine Tailored Around Family Core Values

Having a work ethic that is strong is a great core value to have in the home. This means that your kids should be encouraged to take on some of the household responsibilities like setting the dinner table or washing the dishes. This will teach them what work ethic is and will reduce a lot of family stress.

Designate Household Responsibilities

When you designate the household responsibilities, you need to make sure that everybody knows the expectations that are involved in each task. Ensure that the responsibilities are equally distributed. For instance, indicate who’s in charge of cleaning the garage, washing the car, or cleaning the outdoor windows, perhaps. Make things easier for them by buying important window-cleaning tools and other all-around tools, like sponges, pails, and water hose. Also, if a family member enjoys one task more than another does, then you should allow that family member to keep doing that task.

Develop Habits to Make an Easier Life

Everybody has lazy days where they decide to clean later on. But if you become proactive and complete the tasks immediately, you’ll then have more time to relax instead of worrying to get it done later. This means not to let the dirty dishes sit in the sink, replace empty items after noticing them, or have your bed made right after getting up for the day. Doing this will instantly decrease your stress and you’ll be feeling better in no time.

Have Finances Easily Managed by Technology

When it comes to stress, it can have a huge impact on the mental health of an individual. It can feel like a stressful burden to open bills in the mail just to be told that payment is due. The whole idea of a home being happy is by maintaining control and not letting these things get you down. This would be a good time to have the household finances in order. This can be managed by utilizing technology that is able to organize household finances so that your relationship will be less strained.

Be Involved in Your Community

It has been proven by research that being heavily involved in your community and having many connections are better off as a whole. So make sure to put in a few hours to volunteer or offer advice to others. Doing this you will help eliminate household stress and increase your family’s household happiness.

Create an Environment That is Secure and Safe

This may be a hard one to tackle if your job requires you to work late. However, you need to make an effort to sit down with your wife, husband, or significant other and discuss what the household responsibilities and priorities are. While you both are talking, also obtain financial reassurance that involves all of the decisions concerning money that is saved. As time gets invested in these types of decisions, you’ll be able to obtain more security.

Avoid Common Road Trip Emergencies

Avoid Breakdowns, Weather Hazards, and Other Common Road Trip Emergencies

Are you ready for that next road trip, to feel the wind in your hair with music blasting as your car cruises the highway? If so, then it is time to pull the Jeep Wrangler cover off and get your vehicle travel-worthy. There are several ways that you will be able to avoid breakdowns, weather hazards, and other road emergencies that could dampen your trip and cause unwanted extra expense. Here are some important details that will help make sure you are ready to hit the road and find your next adventure.

One of the first things that you should do when you decide it is time to travel is to give your car a once over. Check the lights, oil, antifreeze, tire pressure, horn, and wipers. If you need to add fluid or replace one of these parts, then you may be able to take a trip to the local auto store and get what you need. While you are there you may want to have them check your fuses and other electric equipment. Most auto stores offer this convenience for free. 

If you feel you need professional assistance to repair a concern, this would be a good time to take it to your local mechanic to make any repairs and check bigger issues such as brakes, transmission, and the heat and air in your car.

Next, check your legalities. Make sure your insurance is up-to-date and includes collision, roadside assistance, uninsured motorist coverage, and/or comprehensive insurance. You need to make sure that you have not missed registration and that your car is legal to be driven. 

Put a map in your glove box and set your GPS to help you find your way if you lose your way. Also, give a copy of your traveling plans to a friend in case of emergencies. Checking these items will help to ease any travel anxiety that you may have and help you have a happier, more restful traveling experience.

Often, vehicle tires are ignored until there is a problem. Many people do not get regular tire rotations and check there pressure as often as they should. Before you travel, check your tires. Tires are one of the most important safety aspects of your car. If you do not have enough tread depth, you will take the chance of sliding on slippery roads. By allowing your tire to grip the road, you will give your car better traction and better braking power.

Windshield wipers, batteries, and belts have a life span. Before you travel, make sure you check these items to make sure they are at maximum performance levels. There is nothing worse than losing a belt or busting a hose while you are on a trip. These things can be expensive to replace and often require other parts to be replaced at the same time, making for a more expensive problem. You also do not want to be caught in a rain or snowstorm with bad wiper blades. This can not only cause you to wreck due to poor visibility, but it can also cause delays in your trip because of having to wait out a storm because you are unable to see out your windshield.

If you are someone who loves the open road, it is important to keep your vehicle in peak condition all the time. This can be done by making sure you get regular oil changes. Changing it about every three-thousand miles is what most manufacturers suggest. While your mechanic has your car, have them also check your brakes, hoses, belts, brakes, wipers, and tires. They may make suggestions like replacing a belt or rotating your tires, but it is always good to have your car in the best traveling condition possible. Many people neglect small car issues, which eventually turn into large costly issues.

Wherever you decide to go on your next road trip, make sure to have some fun, plan some adventures, and take time to relax. Check the local attractions and make a plan for your trip. Make some stops along the way to and from your destination to maximize your vacation enjoyment.

New Honeymoon Destination Trends

After the wedding, you are no doubt considering where to go for the honeymoon. Here, you can relax as the frantic rush to buy a bridal dress online, and all the other stresses of organizing your perfect wedding are behind you. You’re free to concentrate on each other and enjoy the delights of your honeymoon location.

Trends in honeymoon destinations have changed and evolved. Whereas two weeks in one place was once the norm, the fashion now is to have a honeymoon that suits your lifestyle. Here are some ideas for the perfect honeymoon.

Your Perfect Honeymoon

Consider a Micro-Moon

Micro-moon honeymoons are the reverse of ‘mega-moon’ honeymoons. Instead of taking a few months out of the year to enjoy a honeymoon, many newly wedded couples are opting to go on lots of long weekend vacations in their first year.

This provides you with plenty of variety and makes taking time off work a lot easier. So you might go to Paris one weekend, Milan the next. If you live in America, you may spend a weekend in Vegas and the next in New York.

Couples who have opted for micro-moon honeymoons cite luxury accommodation as a must.

Eco Honeymoons

Eco honeymoons sometimes called eco-moons put sustainability at the heart of the honeymoon. This can be a real option if this is something close to your heart. On an eco-moon, you and your beloved will spend time in a sustainable hotel and spend some of the time doing eco-friendly activities, such as beach cleaning.

If you opted for a boho wedding with the boho bridal gown and a more organic, natural feel, this is an option you and your husband may find highly appealing.

Foodie Honeymoons…Yum

There are plenty of excellent food tours that introduce you to local cuisine and classics from the foodie world. If you want to head off the beaten track, consider going to destinations such as Vietnam or India.

As well as the exotic, you will also find food tours operating in more western destinations such as Paris and Barcelona. Food tours tend to cater to all diets so you can have a great food-based honeymoon if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.

Honeymoon in the Off-Season

Honeymooning in the off-season gives you advantages. Prices tend to be lower, and they’re fewer tourist crowds. It is not just the practical advantages that make off-season honeymooning appealing. You get to see countries in a different light.

For example, traveling to Jamaica in September features more pleasant temperatures than the height of summer. Being in the Caribbean in the rainy season will see only an hour of rain a day. You may find it easier to get time off work traveling in the off-season too.

Mystery Destinations

A relatively new trend in honeymooning is to leave the organizing to relatives and friends. There are even dedicated companies that will do this for you. The idea is that you don’t know where you’re going until a few days before. Often, this is taken the extra mile when the whole itinerary is planned for you and kept secret until you need to know it.

Wherever you go be sure to do it your way.

WIN “Zeus the Mighty” Prize Pack from National Geographic Kids Books #HolidayGiftGuide

Looking for a great gift for the kids this holiday season? Check out Zeus the Mighty: The Quest for the Golden Fleasby Crispin Boyer (ages 8-12, hardcover,  $12.99) This book introduces readers to the Mount Olympus Pet Center in Athens … Georgia, where Zeus the Mighty (an adorable hamster) rules over a crew of cute critters, all named after (and believing themselves to be) Greek gods and goddesses. By day, Zeus — a tiny, overconfident hamster with a mighty appetite for power — and his gaggle of gods run on their exercise wheels and take catnaps. But at night these fearless furry friends bravely take on legendary mythological quests! In the series’ first thrilling adventure, Zeus the Mighty has one giant task in front of him: to find the “golden fleas” so he can solidify his position as “king of the gods.”
 
Get ready to laugh, cheer, and learn with this adorable and quirky cast of characters in their unforgettable first adventure — a reimagining of the tale of the Golden Fleece. Click here to view the fantastic book trailer. 
national geographic books
 “A center for rescued pets becomes the stage for adventures of literally mythical import in this series opener … lots of comical byplay … A treat for proto–Percy Jackson fans.” – Kirkus
And some more Zeus fun:
* Meet the characters, play games, read an excerpt, and learn more about Greek artifacts at ZeusTheMighty.com.
* Also, check out the podcast Greeking Out available here: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/books/zeus-the-mighty/podcast/episodes/.
You can also follow them on social media-
* National Geographic Kids Books twitter – @NGKidsBks
* National Geographic Kids Facebook – @nationalgeographickids
* National Geographic Kids website: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
* Please use the following hashtag: #zeusthemighty
Zeus the Mighty Booktrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajY_qbF2fEo
One of you can win this adorable prize pack. You can buy at the link above, and you are welcome to enter to win by using the RC form below. Good luck! Ends Dec. 24, 2019.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of Pokemon For Your Collector #HolidayGiftGuide

Looking for some great new toys for your Pokemon fans? Check out these fun options.

POKEMON TAG TEAM MINI TINS

Two Pokémon can be stronger when they join forces, as you’re bound to learn after getting your hands on these new TAG TEAM cards. A TAG TEAM can be stronger than a Pokémon battling solo. Choose from three strong duos—Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, Eevee & Snorlax-GX, or Celebi & Venusaur-GX—in the Pokémon Trading Card Game: TAG TEAM Tin. Each of these fantastic tins contains an amazing pair of Pokémon who work together perfectly as a team—with a GX attack that can leave opponents in the dust. Each tin comes with;

    • 1 of 3 foil TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX with special art: Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, Eevee & Snorlax-GX, or Celebi & Venusaur-GX
    • Pokémon TCG booster packs
    • 1 metal TAG TEAM GX marker
    • A code card to unlock a playable deck in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

My Partner Pikachu

Engage with Pikachu like never before. My Partner Pikachu features 3 touch sensors that let you and Pikachu communicate in a new and fun way. Watch Pikachu’s arms and ears move, his cheeks and tail light up or hear one of his iconic Pikachu expressions or sound effects. 2 modes of play create over 100 interactions along with 20 sounds and expressions for you to experience. Gotta Catch ‘Em All!™SRP: $19.99, for ages 4+

Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games are among the fastest-selling Nintendo Switch games of all time. Additionally, the games sold just over 2 million copies in the first two days in the U.S., making it the highest-grossing launch of any Pokémon game.

In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, players embark on a journey through the Galar region, where they’ll catch, battle and trade a variety of Pokémon, meet a memorable cast of characters and unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta. (Photo: Business Wire)

“This past weekend, millions of people began their Pokémon journeys through the new Galar region,” said Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With such a momentous launch, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield have proven to be two of the must-have games this holiday season.”

Games in the core Pokémon RPG series have sold more than 240 million units worldwide since launching with the Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version games in 1996.

In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, players embark on a journey through the Galar region, where they’ll catch, battle and trade a variety of Pokémon, meet a memorable cast of characters and unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta. In the Wild Area, which stretches between the Galar region’s different towns and cities, players will explore a vast expanse of untamed wilderness that’s full of Pokémon to battle and catch. By teaming up with three other players locally or online in the new multiplayer co-op Max Raid Battles, players will face off against gigantic and super-strong Pokémon known as Dynamax Pokémon.

For more information about Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, visit https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/.

What Is The Best Place For A Humidifier In A Baby’s Room?

There are many important things to consider when you are creating a baby’s room. Obviously, you want to make sure that you are creating the safest possible environment. To help with this, many parents choose to use a humidifier. This will allow you to control the amount of water vapor in the air. By keeping these levels in check, you will be able to prevent conditions like dry skin. You might also be able to help the baby breathe easier, by lubricating the nasal passages. However, to make sure that you get the maximum benefits, you need to position the humidifier carefully. To help you do this, we are going to share several useful tips. These have been based on extensive research. Three of the most useful websites have been shared below. 

  • https://www.livestrong.com/article/197018-how-to-use-a-humidifier-in-a-babys-room/
  • https://houseweather.org/best-humidifier-for-baby/
  • https://www.thespruce.com/humidifier-fast-facts-1908170

Choose The Right Height

The right height to use might depend on the type of humidifier that you choose to purchase. For example, you might want to place it on a small table. This will allow it to get better access to air circulation. In some cases, you need to consider placing it in an area that will limit the amount of property damage that can occur. For example, a more humid environment might impact on the carpets or flooring. This can increase the chances that mold or bacterial infections will occur. For this reason, you might want to place a towel under the device. In addition, you might want to avoid placing it near the walls. In some cases, the humidifier can spray up minerals. This can leave white marks on the walls. You can help prevent this by using distilled water. 

Consider Where It’s Needed The Most

You might also want to think about where the humidifier will provide the most benefits. To figure this out, you might want to use a device that measures the humidity. This will tell you which parts of the room have the lowest amounts of water vapor. By placing the device there, you will be able to improve the overall humidity. In addition, you might want to think about why you have purchased the humidifier. For example, if you want to use it to lubricate the nasal passages of your child, helping them breathe easier, you might want to place it closer to the bed. 

Your Child’s Age

You might also need to think about how old your child is. This will affect how active they are. For example, if they are able to walk around, you will have to make sure that they are protected from accidental injury. This means choosing a location where they won’t be able to knock the humidifier over. Some of these devices can be heavy, causing potential injury is they fall on top of your child. Choosing a safe position is especially important for warm mist humidifiers. These can spray hot steam, made by heating water. If accidentally knocked on their side, this hot water can come out, potentially burning your child. 

The Type Of Humidifier

There are multiple different types of humidifiers available on the market. Each of these has a slightly different method of adding moisture to the air. To ensure that you get the maximum benefits, you will need to consider the way the humidifier works. This will help inform the best positioning. For example, in some cases, an ultrasonic humidifier can release white dust. This is because of nutrients in the water. However, if ingested, this dust can create potential health problems. For this reason, you would have to place this is an area where the dust couldn’t be blown into the cot. Alternatively, you will need to make that warm mist or steam humidifiers are kept out of a child’s reach. This includes securing any cords which they might be tempted to pull. For these reasons, it might be wise to consider placing the humidifier several feet away from the bed.

Convenience

There are multiple maintenance activities that you will need to perform when you own a humidifier. For example, you might need to re-fill the tanks or change the filters. You will need to do these activities fairly frequently. For this reason, you might want to pick a location that will give you easy access to the humidifier. This often means placing it on a table, so you don’t need to bend over to pick the device up. Also, placing it into a metal tray will help you catch and remove excess moisture. This will reduce the amount of cleaning that you need to do. 

Avoid The Sunlight

The humidifier is designed to release water vapor into the air. This will allow you to create a more comfortable environment. However, it will also make it easier for bacteria and allergens to become established. There are a few things you can do to prevent this. First, you should avoid placing it in the sunlight. This can make it easier for airborne particulates, like mold spores, to become established. In addition, you will have to clean the device more frequently. Finally, you should make sure to choose a device that features a hygrometer. This records the amount of moisture in the air. When it gets too high, the device turns off. This will keep the room at a comfortable temperature while reducing the chances of bacterial growth. 

Noise

You might also want to think about the amount of noise that the device will produce. While some babies might find the low mechanical noise of a humidifier comforting, others might find that it makes them harder to get to sleep. By placing some distance between the bed and the humidifier, the amount of noise that it produces will become less important. If your baby is more sensitive to noise, you should check the product specifications. This will display how noisy the device will be, in decibels (dB). Then, you will be able to compare multiple devices to find the quietest model. 

Area Covered

Finally, different size humidifiers are designed to cover different areas. This will give you an indication of how close it will need to be for it to have any effect. If you are in doubt about the capacity of your humidifier, you should check the owner’s manual. If you haven’t purchased the humidifier yet, this is one of the most important areas for you to consider when making your decision. You will need to measure the size of your room. This will let you know what humidifier size you will need to select. Generally, the larger and more powerful the humidifier, the more expensive the price will become.

Conclusion

There are multiple things that expectant parents will need to consider. However, one of the most important is creating the best environment for their child. To do this, you will need to control the amount of humidity in the room. This will help protect your child’s health. To get the maximum benefits, you need to place this device correctly. So, pick the best place to put the humidifier in your babies’ room and make sure that they are kept happy and healthy as they develop.

Plan A Fairy Tale Wedding In Bali

It is every girl’s dream to one day walk down the aisle with her dad on her left, and at the front stands her prince charming. The guests are smiling, others staring mesmerized by her custom-made wedding dress, and a merry filled air to top it all up. Nuptial celebrations are, without a doubt, one of the unique parts of our lives. The scene you also choose to commemorate this special occasion also takes up a massive part of the dream. And the Bali Island in Indonesia is the perfect spot to go engaged and leave united to your betrothed.

Well, without further ado, let us take a sneak peek into the whimsical wedding packages available for you and your lover.

 

  • Yacht wedding Bali

 

The open sea waters are very enchanting and very relaxing. And unquestionably, one of the best panoramas to make up the background of your wedding photos. For this package, you get a free consultation with an expert wedding planner to go through your preferences for the ceremony. In addition to that, you get a pre-wedding meeting presentation and a complimentary bridal preparation room. During the preparation, you get a photographer, a make-up artist, and a personal butler to cater to your every need. You also get a commemorative certificate, among other amazing features. All these on a yacht! Quite marvelous right?

 

  • Wedding and Romantic night 

 

If you are looking for an intimate affair in a luxury villa with personalized 24-hr service, a special dinner, and a one night stay in the villa after the ceremony, then this is the package for you. Under this deal, you enjoy a dedicated photographer to document your service and a make-up artist to dazzle your bride and her team’s faces. The organizers help you plan each and every detail from the flowers to the background songs. And to top it all up is that you get the decorations all on The Seven Agency’s inclusive package. You want it; you get it. 

 

  • Bali royal wedding

 

Your wedding is that time that your fairy tale of being a princess comes to life. The glittering jewelry, the dazzling dress, and the stunning make-up make you steal the show hands down. Well, in the Bali royal wedding package, you get to transform and become a Balinese princess in reality. Adorned with the attire and the authentic jewelry pieces, everything about this wedding is the perfect embodiment of the Balinese wedding. The venue, the decorations, the musical tunes playing in the background, the meals as well as the table settings. Everything Balinese. For this package, you also get a personal butler to attend to your needs, a photographer and a make-up artist. You not only get married in Bali, but you also become Balinese.

Conclusion

Last but most certainly not least, the three are just a few of many that you can choose from. Each with its venue, style, and perks. And you can take a look at the Seven Holiday website for more. The three are just the tip of the iceberg.

Flying with kids, my experience from SeaTac airport

The following is a guest post. All opinions and experiences are those of the author.

My first job was quite exciting as a regional director of sales, I would fly in and out of the country frequently. I was either alone or with members of the sales team; at least there was no one who required extra attention. Fast forward to my current life as a mother of kids whose greatest hobby is driving me up the wall. Well, how else would you call yelling for no apparent reason, picking fights with each other especially in public and pretending to forget instructions only when it is convenient for them?

There is no better feeling than the freedom of having carryon luggage at the airport, changing sitting positions at the airport terminal and having your entire flight time, organize so that you even have time to catch a nap.

We flew together as a family last Christmas and I can tell you, kids on planes are a real piece of work. You better have an extra pair of adult hands if you are hoping on arriving sane. I think I did pretty well on that flight and that is the reason I feel I can teach other parents a thing or two about flying with kids. I will try to narrate the experience step by step so that it is easy to apply.

Before getting to the airport

There is no way around this one; you have to start preparing the children early. Even if everybody knew in advance that the whole family would be travelling, lateness still has a way of creeping up on you. It is best to leave an extra hour to cater for time wasted. Depending on the time of travel, organize homemade snacks for the kids instead of actual food. This will not only save you preparation time, but it will also save on eating time.

I had kind of shared some preparation duties with my husband but things changed on the actual day. Not only did he not help me at all, but he also went to his place of work to take care of last minute business leaving me to myself. The only thing that saved me from a nervous breakdown was being ahead of the schedule.

I also realized that I saved so much time having done the packing before. Packing for 4 is no mean feat and there is no shortcut for doing it well while in a hurry. As far as parking is concerned, I used 2 suitcases to cut down on luggage. I just figured that there would be no easy way of dragging around 4 suitcases around the airport.

When it comes to travelling to the airport, I had an easy time because I used SeaTac airport parking through the Parkos platform. This platform allows me to drive to the airport in comfort with the assurance that I will find suitable airport parking garage for my vehicle the entire time I will be away. Some people advocate for hired rides when travelling to the airport but I disagree. I consider the inconvenience of having to pay bus fare for each member of my entourage, the inconvenience of dealing with children in an unfamiliar territory and dealing with moving your luggage from where the bus leaves you to the terminal. You will particularly love Parkos Seattle Tacoma airport parking if you are the forgetful type; I have left my travel document many times but with a car and knowledge of shortcuts, all I need to do not to miss a flight is to turn back.

At the airport

Once you arrive at the SeaTac international airport, half of your travel woes will have been half solved. Judge the distance from your terminal to where your parking lot is and weigh between valet parking and self-parking. I am addicted to valet parking; I think it is because of the convenience it offers.

SeaTac airport is famous for its state of the art facilities designed for both adults and kids. If you have a few minutes to spare before your flight, download the story app. This gives you a guided tour through each of the more than 100 pieces of art work displaced around the airport. Last minute tasks you need to remember to do especially if you have a small child include changing their diaper and changing their clothes. The airport provides changing stations all over its premises and a host of shops that sell diapers.

How long is the flight going to take? Check to see if the snacks you brought from home will be enough for your kids. If you need more, buy from the stores around the airport. Take care not to buy foods that would easily go bad or cause an allergic reaction on your children. The simple rule of thumb is; leave it if you are not sure what went into it.

For entertainment I download games on two tablets which I make sure I fully charge before leaving the house. Obviously, kids get bored easily and they ditch the games after a while. That is why I appreciate the presence of Digiboo kiosks in different locations in SeaTac. I can get the latest movies for both the kids and I (My husband and I share the same interests in entertainment so he is sorted when I am).

In case you get stuck at the airport longer than as it happens when a flight has been delayed, go over to the children’s play area with the kids. They will not only socialize with other kids but will also shed off some of the energy they have.

During the flight

When your flight is finally called to board, listen for the special privilege given to those with small children. Airlines are aware that your children will bring you hell on earth in flight and they are willing to give you ample time to organize your luggage in the overhead compartment before everybody else does.

If you find that you are not the only parent flying with kids, try to create a friendly environment with the other parents. Appreciate the fact that their kids could be older or younger than yours so they will behave differently. You are not looking for long term friends here but someone like you who understands what you are going through. You need their encouraging glances every now and then when your child acts out or is being impatient during the flight.

Come with plenty of chewing gum

Take-off and landing can be a nightmare for your kids especially when they have a cold. You will helplessly watch as your child does Poltergeist and even the most tolerant passengers you met as you checked in may not offer you any support. You will not be able to avoid the effect of changes in air pressure so better be prepared to deal with it. Have a pair of headphones for each of your children and given them gum to chew on before it happens.

Lie about how soon you will land

I remember as a kid travelling with my mother and the question I asked most was “are we there yet?” I do not remember much of what I got as an answer but I now know how annoying it is to answer the same question over and over again. For my children, I have decided to lie on occasion just to keep them grounded. How best can you tell a six year old that you have another 3 hours to sit in a plane? If you choose to do the same, make sure you have disabled the map feature that shows exactly how much time to estimate till landing.