Family Friendly Vacations

* Long relaxing strolls on the beach

* Romantic candlelight dinners

* Watching the sunset holding hands

Are the above what you think of what you think of a Family Vacation? Probably not.

I remember family vacations as a child and now that I am a parent the thoughts that come to my mind when I think of a family vacation of the past are….

* Long rides in the car fighting with my sister while mom yells

* Siblings fighting over what they want to do

* Family meals that served foods fried to make sure kids are happy

Everything I think of family vacations of the past have everything to do with making the children happy and very little to do with making the parents happy.

I found the definition of the word Vacation online. Let’s take a closer look at it…

Vacation means…
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In many areas around the globe Spring means that rain will fall more often than usual. And, the rain in Spring is important as our beautiful World needs it for its survival as we know it. Without Spring rain our beautiful flowers wouldn’t grow, the trees would begin to suffer and our land would become dry.

But, as a mom I know that when it rains it means that our children become crazy, rambunctious children. They begin to become stir-crazy from being in the house for too long. Children love being outside… they love running around, discovering nature and playing which helps exhaust their never ending energy a bit. But, when they are in the house they can’t do this. When the weather is bad for many days on end children begin climbing the walls and our stresses as a parent begin to climb.

But, unlike rain in the Fall and Winter…. rain in the Spring and Summer tends to be warmer. As long as the rain storm is not an electrical storm there is really no danger in letting your children get wet. As a matter of fact with the right kind of rain clothes your children can not only really enjoy themselves out in the rain, but they can also learn a lot from it. (more…)

It’s Springtime and when I think of Spring I think of grass growing, trees getting their leaves back, flowers blossoming, animals running around, kids playing outside. Basically, when I think of Spring I think of “Life”.

With that being said I’m going to write about something that combines two spring like topics….

Life & Gardening.

Okay, before you start think I have absolutely gone bazerk let me explain.

There is a lesson that every parent should teach their children. It is the lesson of Respecting other Living things.

This lesson can be a very tough one to teach, but when you start teaching this lesson early and continue throughout the child’s life you have a better chance of raising happy human beings that won’t take life for granted. And, using Gardening can help you teach your children this life lesson without them knowing that you are teaching them any lesson at all.

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For many people April brings tons of rain, green grass, leaves on the trees, beautiful flowers, longer days and warmer weather. But, there is something else that April brings that many people dread…..

Tax Season.

But, for people who receive refunds instead of dread their thoughts are consumed with trying to figure out what they are going to do with their tax refund. Should they save it? Should they pay-off a credit card? Should they put on an addition on the house? Should they invest it?

While all are fantastic ideas on traditional things to do with your tax refund. I’m going to write about something a bit non-traditional.
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The Easter Holidays are just around the corner. And, I don’t know about your household, but in my household my kids love to celebrate each upcoming holiday with some holiday crafts. Not only do crafts entertain my children, but it also builds their excitement for the Holiday itself. Plus, their artistic creations always fill my home with Holiday Decorations which the entire family and all that visit can enjoy.

So, with that being said, I thought I would do a link round-up of some of my favorite Easter Crafts I found through-out the blogosphere. Some of the following Crafts are more for the adults and some are meant more for children. But, all are sure to give your family plenty of Easter enjoyment. And, the Easter Bunny will be sure to know how excited your family is when he comes to your house for his annual visit.

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If you are like me and have a child whose birthday happens to be in March then I’m sure you know the struggles it can be to plan a birthday party. You never know what kind of weather it will be on their special day. March’s weather is very iffy…. Is it going to snow? Is it going to rain? Will it be cold, warm or chilly? Will it be windy or icy? Will it be a beautiful Spring day? Do I plan a birthday party inside or outside? (more…)

As a children’s cooking instructor, one of the services I used to offer clients was a hands-on children’s cooking party. I would bring all the supplies and make foods as complex as chicken cordon bleu to foods as simple as pizza. The simple foods were always the biggest hit with kids, and often they enjoyed the creating more than the eating.

To me, kids’ parties are the best and most fun if they are active and novel. Moonbounces and trips to pizza play places are active, but they do not necessarily engage children in creative play. And, these kinds of parties are expensive and not terrifically memorable. This year, do something totally new and kid-friendly: a breakfast cereal party. (more…)

In today’s world there are so many things holding us back from including kids exercise in our children’s lives. We have…

• Long hours at work – we just want to relax, so children relax with us.
• Kids have tons of homework giving them less play time.
• Internet and online Chats
• Video Games
• Tons of TV shows (more…)

It’s March and in many part of the World people are still experiencing extremely cold weather and snowfall. And, even if in your neck-of-the-woods it’s too warm for snow there is no reason why you and your children can’t enjoy some fun winter activities.

Below you will find more than 20 fun winter activities. Some of these activities are to be done in the snow, but most of them can be done whether you have cold winters or not. But, each of these winter activities are favorites of mine that I came across in the past couple weeks while traveling through the Blogosphere. (more…)

In my last post I explained why you should be having a Family Game Night at your house. But, now what? What is the next step?

Don’t stress, Family Game Night can be as elaborate or as simple as you would like. The basic principle is the same…. spend quality time with your family. Get everyone in the family involved in the planning of the family activities and you’re off to a great start. And, the beginning of a wonderful family tradition. (more…)