The Top 5 Benefits of Volunteering As a Family

December 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The holiday season is all too often about long shopping lists and cutting off people racing to the mall in order to get the best deal on an HDTV. But most of us know in our hearts that something has changed, and needs to change again so that our families understand what this time of year really should mean to people. The holidays are about spending time together, about being thankful for the gifts you have in your life and contributing to others. That is why volunteering as a family is such a great idea. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, but when you and the kids step outside of your comfort zone to do something selfless for others, you immediately reconnect with what is most important. Here are the top five benefits of volunteering as a family.

First and foremost, it helps to teach your children important values, while immediately showing them why those values are so important in the first place. It’s one thing to sit at home all warm and cozy and talk about looking out for those who have less than you. It’s something else entirely to actually go volunteer with a homeless shelter or a children’s hospital. Parents are always trying to figure out how to describe their most important values, but through volunteering your family experiences them, and no description will be necessary.

It’s also a great way to reconnect [Read more…]

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5 Tips for Helping Your Kids Adjust When You Relocate

November 29, 2012 by 4 Comments

Growing pains. We don’t call them that for nothing because the reality is that even when changes happen that are for our greater good, it still means having to adjust from one way of life to something else. Even for us as adults, that can sometimes be challenging.

So, just imagine how much more difficult it can be for our kids when it comes to making a decision such as relocating. Yet, there are things that you can do to bring about an easier transition and a more peaceful sense of calm for your children. Here’s how:

Have a conversation with them. By this, we don’t mean taking on the approach of “We’re moving…because I said so!” No, what we are saying is that it’s a good idea to take your kids out to someplace special or to cook them their favorite meal (so that they’ll feel more at ease) and then share with them, on a level that they can understand, the changes that are to come and why you think it’s a good idea. Even for them.

Be open to hearing what they have to say. If they are old enough to where they were used to a certain routine, there’s a huge possibility that they are not going to be thrilled about the move, at least initially. And honestly, that’s OK. Don’t take it personally if they cry or show emotions that reflect anger or confusion. Allow them their space to (respectfully) express themselves. Grieving change is a part of life and of growing up.
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Top 5 Large Family Vacation Transportation Solutions

November 4, 2012 by 3 Comments

Everybody needs a break. You work hard all year round and when vacation season hits you want to
be able to hit the road or hop on a plane to old favorite destinations or new locales. However, those
of you with large families may be wondering how you can transport everyone safely and comfortably.
Consider these 5 great transportation solutions for large family vacations.

  1. Rent a Larger Vehicle. If you’re like most families, your car probably isn’t the ideal vehicle for taking the whole clan on a vacation. You may have enough seating for everyone, but the extra space taken up by luggage can make things uncomfortably tight if you don’t have enough room for the cargo. Renting a larger vehicle such as a large minivan or SUV can be a good option. Some of these vehicles seat up to 14, giving you plenty of room for passengers and bags alike.
  2. Purchase [Read more…]
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6 Fun Activities For Parents And Kids On A Rainy Day

November 1, 2012 by 8 Comments

6 Fun Activities For Parents And Kids On A Rainy Day

A rainy day can be gloomy. Boredom can hit your kids hard if it’s raining outside, and there are no signs of the sun appearing any soon. The best thing to do in such situations is to engage in fun indoor activities with the kids. Here are a few activities can be carried out indoors:

1. Treasure Hunt

An indoor treasure hunt is a good way to keep the kids busy. You can make one set of clues for every kid. One clue is going to lead to another clue, until the last clue leads to the treasure. The clues can be rhymed for extra fun. To help the treasure hunters keep the track, seal the clues in an envelope, and mark them with a clue number. Kids can compete with each other, and the treasure can be a small toy or chocolate.

2. Indoor camping

You don’t need to go on camping outside. Set up a pop-up or small [Read more…]

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Top 5 Safety Tips for Watching Fireworks With Family

October 28, 2012 by 1 Comment

Fireworks have been a major part of many celebrations for hundreds of years. The Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and New Year’s Day among many others are traditionally marked by spectacular fireworks displays that light up the sky and dazzle viewers from miles away. Of course, the safety concerns of celebrations like this are very high. Make sure to follow these 5 safety tips for enjoying fireworks with your family when the next celebration comes up.

  1. Keep the Kids Supervised
    Children should be kept under constant adult supervision when watching fireworks. The safety concerns for children here are twofold. Fireworks themselves can pose possible dangers to children who may not understand and appreciate their power. In addition to this, fireworks are hypnotizing for many, leading people to gaze up at the sky and forget what’s going on around them. Children can easily slip away from you [Read more…]
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How to Plan an Affordable Safari Family Vacation

October 26, 2012 by 7 Comments

A safari is a great way to get the family out on a genuine adventure. There are few
things more exciting than visiting a far-off destination with your closest family members,
and a safari is a unique experience in and of itself. Better than simply camping or
sightseeing, a safari brings you up close and personal with the wildlife and terrain in a
given area, so you and your family can connect with the landscape and the animals in a
faraway place like you might never have had the opportunity before. To get your family
on a trip to a safari destination can be something of a serious undertaking, and there can
be a lot to consider in terms of budget if you’re dealing with a relatively large group of
human beings. We’ll talk about some of the best strategies if you’re wanting to go on a
safari on a budget, so you can take your vacation without [Read more…]

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Top 5 Driver Safety Tips for Expectant Mothers

October 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who claims that pregnancy is easy. While some women certainly have it easier than others, many will suffer from morning sickness, swelling, aches, pains, and all manner of bodily changes during the gestation of a child. Add to that weight gain, raging hormones, food cravings, and of course, labor and childbirth waiting at the end of the long haul. And that doesn’t even take into account complications that could arise, such as gestational diabetes, a mismatched Rh factor, preterm labor, and so on. And yet, women today still manage to do nearly all of the things they were doing before they got pregnant, including working, exercising, running a household, and more. Of course, they will necessarily have to alter some of their activities in order to protect themselves and an unborn child. So when it comes to driving, there are a few additional safety precautions expectant mothers may want to observe.

  1. Seatbelt positioning. You might be worried about the damage your seatbelt could cause your fetus in the event of [Read more…]
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Visiting Europe: An Education The Whole Family

October 23, 2012 by 8 Comments

If you’re looking for a family holiday that’s both fun and educational, Europe should be
number one on your list. The continent is bursting with culture, history, and tourist attractions
to suit all interests. With capital cities such as London, Paris, and Rome all within a day’s
travel, you can learn about the pope, the Bastille, and the Beatles all in one trip.

The History
Whatever period in history your child is studying, they can do first hand research in Europe.
If they want to know about the world wars, visits to Belgium or Berlin are recommended, or
if they’re interested in the Vikings or Tudors the English or Swedish countryside beckons.
There are fantastic museums at most of the important historical locations, such as the Anne
Frank Museum in Amsterdam or the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

The Art
A European holiday is a great way to learn about art, as many of the best galleries in the
world are located in European cities. These include the Louvre in Paris, where the Mona Lisa
is kept, and the Tate Modern in London where you can see work by many of the best modern
artists including Monet and Anish Kapoor. But not all the best art works in Europe are in
museums – you can also see great works [Read more…]

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