Category: Parenting

The idea of showing your kids the big wide world while they are at a young age and see the magic in everything is a compelling one. In an ideal world, we would all be jetting off with them and watching them experience the wonders of London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, Dubai, and a dozen other iconic destinations.

Of course, we then wake up from our daydreams. But the truth is, traveling to far-flung places as a family is within closer reach than you might think if you follow these simple tips.

Shop around for everything

This is an age of choice. Whatever you are looking for, there will be plenty of people wanting to supply it, and desperate for your business. This puts you in a strong position. Flights can vary enormously in price if you are prepared to be a little flexible as to dates or you don’t mind flying indirectly. The same goes for travel insurance, where you can visit a site like uhcsafetrip and be selective about what you need and what you don’t. It all adds up to maximum bangs per buck.

Stay Longer

It sounds counter-intuitive, but if you have a short break, you tend to splash out on restaurant meals, taxis and other expensive costs that you would be less likely to incur on a longer visit. Essentially, the longer you stay somewhere, the lower your costs per day, so think long and slow. It’s also a far better way to really experience a different culture if you are shopping in local supermarkets, taking bus journeys and strolling beyond the main tourist areas. Not to mention that if you drop by Idaho, there are ski resorts near boise idaho to visit.

Photo credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-beach-holiday-woman-39691/

 Travel further

There is a similarly twisted logic when it comes to where you travel. Once you are on a plane, the further you go, the less it is costing per mile and the long-haul carriers are really working hard to reduce costs. But the savings are even more tangible than that. Destinations in Western Europe such as England and France are very popular with American travelers but are also expensive. Consider a trip farther afield, for example to China, Indonesia or even Africa. This brings two advantages.

The first is that basic expenditures when you arrive are far lower for things like food, local transportation, and accommodation. The other advantage is that this provides a great opportunity to show your kids a truly different culture, as opposed to western Europe that is really not so different from America.

Do free things

Sure, every kid wants to visit a theme park or a zoo, and there is no reason not to include one or two of these kinds of activities in your vacation. But try to make those the exception, not the rule, and when you do, book in advance to take advantage of online discounts and reduced family rates that might be available.

For the most part, however, remember that long days at the beach, walks in parks and even visits to local museums will not cost you a cent, and these are often the things that create the most memorable vacation experiences.

Everyone loves a party and kids are no exception.  Kids get incredibly excited for their birthdays and a great way to show them how much you appreciate them is to throw them a birthday party.  There are many fun and unique birthday party themes that you can choose you are sure to find one that is right for your child. You can decide to throw a party for your child anytime not just for birthdays, and they can be a fun way to show how much you love them. Below are some tips and ideas for throwing a party your child will never forget.

Start Early

To make sure your party is one they will never forget to make sure you start planning early.  If you wait until the last minute, you may not be able to find the venue or items you need to make your party successful.  The earlier you start, the better your party will be.

Budget

It is essential to make sure you set a budget so you can plan accordingly for your party.  While a child’s birthday party might not require much budgeting, a sweet 16 or graduation party is a different story.  You need to make sure you have the right budget so you can book a venue or location as well as ensure you have enough funds to provide food and party essentials.

Invitations

Be sure to send out invitations with an RSVP so you can plan your party around the number of guests that will be coming.  Do not entirely rely on invitations as people get busy or forget to respond, but by sending out invitations, you can still get a ballpark figure as to who and how many guests will be attending.

Theme

Pick a theme; everyone loves a theme no matter how old they are.  For kids, this could be as simple as their favorite character or cartoon, and for teens and adults, it could be as simple as their favorite color or special occasion like turning 18.  Picking a theme makes party planning easier as you have one central theme and you can shop accordingly. Below are some party theme ideas:

• Glow Party
• Pirate
• Skateboard
• 1st Birthday
• Minecraft
• Emoji

Location

Picking the right location is essential to a memorable party.  This could be as easy as your own home.  But, for a child’s party, you may want to book a unique location.  Especially if it’s a milestone like graduating high school. Regardless, make sure that the place is suitable for the number of guests you will be inviting and that they will allow food and entertainment.

Food

Be sure to supply your guests with food to make sure they are happy and having a good time.  You can either supply finger foods like chips, dip, fruits, sandwiches, etc., or you may want to have a buffet or full dinner for more formal parties the choice is up to you and your budget.  To make your party memorable, you may want to rent a food truck, a snow cone machine, or cotton candy maker. These add to the fun and are appropriate for all ages.

Entertainment

To keep guests from getting bored make sure you have some activity or form of entertainment for them to enjoy.  For children, you can rent a slide or bounce house for them to play in or have a magician or clown entertain them.  For older teens and adults you may want to consider hiring a DJ or band to play so that guests can dance and have fun.  The type of entertainment you choose will also depend on your theme and budget, but just make sure your guests are entertained to make sure your party is a success.

Photo Booth

A great way to make a part memorable is to rent a photo booth.  You can provide theme-based props or costumes, and guests can have their picture taken as a souvenir and a fun way to remember your party.

Party Favors

Be sure to prepare party favor or goodie bags for your guests so they can have a little memento of the party.  These do not have to be elaborate or expensive, just something to show you appreciate them coming and be a part of your party.

Conclusion

To ensure that you create a party for your child that they will never forget, be sure to plan early and make sure you budget to be sure you can afford what you want to do.  Be sure to have entertainment and food to keep guests happy and send them home with a small gift bag as a show of appreciation. Whatever party you decide to throw just take the time and effort to make it one you and your child will always remember.

Image source: Unsplash

For a parent, their child’s birthday party is often more important than their own. We want them to have a good experience and make the day really memorable, take some great happy birthday images, and there’s no way we’re letting our little ones have their special day ruined with poor planning. So, how can you make sure that the birthday party is fun both for kids and the parents who bring them over? Take a look at some of our tips and you can start planning.

Set a budget

This is the first thing to do because it will help manage your costs and give you a better idea of what kind of things you’ll have at your disposal. It’s not necessary to make your child’s birthday party into a grand spectacle, so don’t worry about having to spend too much. They’ll have fun as long as there are good food and their friends show up, so relax and realize it’s supposed to be just a simple, fun party.

Involve your child

Image source: Unsplash

After all, it’s their own birthday. Feel free to let them pick a theme they’ll enjoy the most, and you’ll already have a good idea of what the whole event is supposed to look like. But it’s not just about having them point their fingers at the things they want—let them help. You could make some easy crafty ornaments together and let them prepare snacks with you, and this will help them feel like they’re more in control of what gets to happen at the party.

Send out cute invitations

This is yet another thing that you can help them make at home and put a personal touch, and it also makes them practice their handwriting. You can find a few templates to help you out, or you can order invitations online if your kid isn’t all that crafty or just wants invitations with a specific cartoon character.

Put emphasis on good food

Image source: Unsplash

This is important both for children and adults. Imagine a party with bad food where all the kids are commenting on the yucky taste. Don’t worry though, simple things like mac and cheese balls, hot dogs, pizza, and taco cups are more than enough to please them. Also, to avoid spending several days stuck in the kitchen, you can rely on good catering companies to make delicious finger foods for adults at the party. Those delicate hors-d’oeuvres are tricky to get right if you’re inexperienced, so save yourself some time and feel free to let professionals take care of that.

Bake an easy cake

If you’re a good baker, it’s always more charming to bake a cake of your own and let your kid decorate with frosting. You can certainly order one to save yourself some hassle or in case your child wants some very specific decorations, but if you like to cook then find a nice recipe and you’re bound to bake something delicious.

Figure out entertainment

Image source: Unsplash

It’s not very difficult to get kids to have fun, but they do need some direction and planned entertainment for everything to run smoothly. Hiring an entertainer is an easy way to deal with this part, and you can get anything from face painters and clowns to magicians, storytellers, or even DJs.

Bring in some board games

If you don’t want an entertainer, then board games are a great idea as well. Things like Dixit, Sushi Go, and Codenames are wonderful picks, but you can also stick to simple party games like Musical Chairs, Charades, Pictionary, Hot Potato, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, or Treasure Hunt. Another fun thing you can bring in is a piñata.

Prepare cocktails for adults

Some simple cocktails are a great way to get adults to relax a bit, but make sure to include non-alcoholic versions for those who are driving. A little booze can help everyone warm up and talk to each other instead of anxiously staring at their kids and fretting over their safety.

When the party day comes, make sure to enjoy yourself and show your kid how happy you are to be celebrating with them. Good mood and smiles are infectious, and seeing you cheerful will make them feel even more excited about the whole event.

Photo by Natalya Zaritskaya on Unsplash

A trip with the youngsters can either be a nightmare or a dream-come-true depending on how you approach the planning process. Every parent knows how hectic a holiday can turn out to be if you don’t have a fun schedule planned ahead for the kids to enjoy and be occupied, while you also need to factor in some alone time with your spouse, you know, to stay sane for the duration of your holiday!

Without further ado, let’s see how you can make your family journey more adventurous, relaxing, and stress-free both for you and your little rascals.

Snack up for the road

If your kids are adventurous little earthlings, they are probably already ecstatic you’re heading for a week of camping in the woods or exploring natural reserves in the vicinity of your hometown. However, what can make kids more irritable than anything else is a lack of energy sources that are both delicious and accessible.

For brave parent souls who do embark on a road trip with their offspring, make sure you prepare, pack, and divide snacks for your little ones. They’ll get cranky after spending hours on the road; if the weather isn’t perfect, they might be tempted to throw a tantrum or two, but well-packed, healthy snacks paired with road trip games can be life-savers.

Photo by Simon Rae on Unsplash

Do your homework

Whether you’re headed to a beach resort, a mountain ski resort, or you’re more of urban travelers, you need to be informed beforehand. The old saying that knowledge is power truly comes to life when you become a parent, and you get flooded with questions as you’re unpacking in your hotel abroad.

For example, a trip to Paris makes a wonderful choice both for you and your spouse, plus it hosts a wide range of fun activities for kids – it’s up to you to find them, and book them in time because these get snatched up pretty quickly! If you’ve been saving up, a trip to European Disneyland is a must, of course.

Other options are going to Quebec, you can check out this guide here for tips.

Photo by Juan Cruz Mountford on Unsplash

Be the early bird

We love them to bits, but raising kids in this day and age comes at a hefty price, from getting new clothes as they grow, all the way to covering their various interests and hobbies. That’s why every parent soon becomes a skillful budget manager, and booking early flights, accommodation, and looking for discounts is a significant part of this travel endeavor.

While in search of a perfect family cruise with reliable consultants such as Barge Travel Connection, you can take your kids on an all-encompassing, educational adventure of numerous European hotspots. Looking into such offers early on will give you a head start to plan your budget and save up a decent sum to invest in other aspects of your holiday, or something entirely different for that matter!

Photo by Rhone on Unsplash

Include the youngsters

Unless they are really young, your kids can be the best go-to peeps for finding the right activities and excursions for your holiday. In fact, they might come up with some of the most appealing options for the entire family that you or your spouse would never think of, simply because they’re in the right frame of mind for the adventure.

Have a talk with them, read through available options you can afford; see how they feel about cruises, beach holidays, winter vacations, or an urban getaway. Then, you can do some research together, collect the most interesting activities and create your itinerary with your kids by your side, so that everyone will know what to expect.

Photo by  Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

Think all-inclusive thoughts

Sometimes putting less thought into something is the best solution you could hope for! Some of the finest resorts and cruises out there come with a package of entertainment options for all age groups, including kids, and they’ll make sure that your little ones are constantly busy and engaged.

Plus, you won’t have to worry about food and snacks, which is one less worry for your list of to-dos. If you create a list of pros and cons, you might be surprised to discover that for certain destinations, these all-inclusive options can turn out to be more affordable than those where you’d have to have a separate budget for food and fun.

Before the 1980’s, 3D printing would have been thought of as something fresh out of a Sci Fi film. Now this futuristic technology has become mainstream. And by ‘mainstream’, we mean the sky is the limit to it’s potential. Even NASA is using 3D printers to produce spare parts for the International Space Station (ISS).

It may come as a surprise, but the next major avenue for 3D technology advocates is education. 3D printers are already being introduced to our kids’ classrooms and are proving a roaring success. So what’s it all about?

How It Works

One of the most common questions is what can you actually make with a 3D printer. The answer? Virtually anything you like from toys to delicious cakes. First you create your 3D design using computer software. Then the machine will build it, layer by layer. The process is so advanced that 3D printers can even create “objects within objects”, or products that have moving parts such as wheels and hinges. The best 3D printer reviews are a fascinating read, and describe the vast array of creations that these machines can achieve. It’s all pretty mind-blowing stuff.

Why Use 3D Printers In Schools?

Since 3D printing has become affordable, this has given schools the opportunity to trial and engage with state of the art technology. It offers our kids the chance to learn about engineering in real-time. Each child will be able to design, build and road test their products in the same way as if they had come off the manufacturing line. Products can even be designed using smartphone apps and tablets, which makes it easier and more convenient.

That’s not all. 3D products and processes are an ideal way of explaining complex concepts in a simplified way. By being able to see and touch an object, children are more likely to be engaged, facilitating their learning.

More than anything, 3D printers are likely to play an integral role in giving our children invaluable skills from a young age, and even inspiring future careers. This doesn’t just mean technological aptitude. Learning through trial & error, confidence building, and cooperating in design and manufacturing are key social skills that make for a successful future.

Having said that, there remains a lot of curiosity about 3D printing, and some concern. Many schools still do not have the full administrative capacity to embrace the technology, which means that it is still not widely available. Other barriers include costs of materials, control in the classroom and a lack of vision in how to integrate the technology into the curriculum.

The good news is that with proper planning and vision, all of these challenges can be easily overcome. As studies continue to endorse the benefit of 3D printing technology to society, the time is right for all of us to learn how to make the most of it. By using it wisely, we can help our children become independent, imaginative and social citizens of the world. 

This article was published in cooperation with www.thegadgetnerds.com

Photo credit Pexels

Starting high school can be stressful for both parents and kids. However, as a parent, you have to put your stress aside and focus on preparing your kid for this new situation. Many conventional book authors think that you should be fully involved with their education, but is this really the best way to help your kid? According to the new research, this is the wrong point of view. The key is not to be overinvolved, but to communicate with them – you have to explain to your kids the value of schooling. Parents should talk about the values of learning and set a good example to them from an early age. So, let’s see how you can help them.

Balancing academics, sports, and social life

All of these three things are important, but make sure that your kid knows that school is their job. They should understand that school is not about making their parents happy – they should strive for success because that is good for them. Talk to your kid about the meaning of homework. Some schools no longer count homework for a grade, but it’s important because they practice skills and concepts taught in class by doing homework. Make sure they understand that. Further, sports activities are important because they will learn a lot about teamwork, discipline, goal-setting, leadership, independence, self-confidence, stress relief, etc. Talk about their interest in sports and encourage them to participate in some activity they like.

Nevertheless, don’t be too hard on them. They deserve some free time. Humans are social beings, so make sure that they have friends that are a good influence on them.

Photo credit Pexels

Set the example for your kid

Did you know that children imitate their parents from an early age? They will do what we do, not what we say, so make sure that your behavior is constructive. Don’t be anxious about high school and explain to them that this is an opportunity to learn new things, meet interesting people and find themselves and their hobbies. Present learning as an interesting, enjoyable and exciting process. Next, set a positive problem-solving attitude and let them see their problems as challenges that they can deal with. Don’t let them see you as another problem on their list.

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Make good choices

Teenagers sometimes don’t know a difference between good and bad choices, but that’s why they have school and parents to help them. However, you may not be in a situation to give your kids everything they need, although they are great in school. Solution? If you are experiencing acute economic disadvantage, and you’re not able to provide the equipment, resources, and support during high school, your kid can always apply for high school scholarships. If you do so, your kid will get a computer, internet, money for other equipment and access to tutoring and mentoring. They will appreciate that! So, keep talking with them about consequences and both short and long-term benefits of high school. Besides, that is also a good time to start talking with them about their career aspirations. There is always a solution to everything.

Photo credit Pexels

Dealing with teenage struggles

Your kid is a teenager, so problems are their thing now. They can love you and hate you at the same time, but sometimes it gets more serious than that. You have to keep communicating with them so you can notice changes in behavior. If you encourage honesty and open communication, your kid may open you about these problems. A school will call you if your kid has academic problems, but not about the other types of challenges teenagers have. They are going through big changes in their life, so sometimes is the best to collaborate with a school counselor because they know how to deal with high school kids. Unlike you, they will be able to look at the situation objectively and they’ll give advice and support to both you and your kid. Sometimes, we mean well, but somehow a situation turns from bad to worse. Don’t let it happen and ask for help.

You may plan everything in advance, but some things you just can’t predict. Keep an eye on your kid, but let them make their own decision. Some mistakes can make them learn more than your overprotection. Just the fact you’re reading this means that you are trying to be a good parent, so simply show your support to your kid and everything will get in the right place.

About the author

Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. You can find her online writing and giving tips about mental health, well-being, and healthy lifestyle at ripped.me. Claire on Facebook and Twitter.