Anyone who reads this blog even semi regularly knows I love my kids and being a mom. I especially love traveling with them and exposing them to different places and cultures. What I don't love is worrying about them when I travel.
I'm part a huge network of hard working, entrepeneurial moms called "The MomPack" and through this network, I met Cynthia of Chicks and Cubs. She responded to my request for samples of products for guests in my vacation rentals.
There are just some ideas worth sharing and before seeing her product first hand, I kept thinking of all these moments that I wished I had some of her child safety id bracelets, even for my teen and preteen and their friends! Please read on if you have a child (or even an older forgetful family member) traveling with you this busy holiday season...
Child Safety While Traveling
Do you go to busy, crowded places on vacation? What would you do if your child got lost on vacation? What would your child do if he got lost on vacation?
Usually luggage has better identification than children – why? Is it because we think kids can talk for themselves? If your child is lost, do you think he will know the right information and be able to communicate it to others? A better idea is for your child to have the phone numbers and information written down in an identification bracelet, tag or card.
Children are infinitely more precious than luggage and therefore need to have some sort of ID at all times, especially when on vacation. The best way for a lost child to be returned quickly is for them to have all the information needed to reach you, written down.
There are many different styles of child identification. You have to pick what will work best for your child and the situation. There are stickers to go inside shoes, shoe tags that go on the shoelaces, ID bracelets, ID tags that can be attached to the child’s cloths, and ID cards that can be carried in a pocket.
The ID should contain all the information needed for the child to get in touch with you. At a minimum it should include: mom and dad’s cell numbers, grandparent’s number(s), and your hotel phone number. Give it some thought and see what you think your child would need if they were to become lost. Then, put that information in writing and put it on your child in some form.
One word of caution, don’t put your child’s name on the outside of bracelets, bags or clothing. This would give a stranger the opportunity to speak to them by name, making some children feel like the person is not a stranger since they knew their name. All the information can be written inside the bracelet or tag so that it can be looked at only if needed.
Small children need to be taught what being lost means. One way to describe it is if they can’t see mommy or daddy. Then they need to be told what to do if they are lost. One suggestion is to teach them to look for another mommy with kids to ask for help.
Cynthia Powell, Chicks & Cubs
Offering Child Safety Products for Families
Click Here to Look at Child Identification Bracelets
___________________________________________________
Happy Thanksgiving and Be Safe!
-VacationMamma
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
10 Tips to Make Holiday Travel with Children Tantrum Free
As the mother of adolescents I can still recall "meltdowns" and all that we did to avoid them when we traveled with our girls as babies, toddlers, and young children. Like the following author, I turned to my old Girl Scout Motto: "Be Prepared." I especially like her simple travel games. I found that there were times when what the children needed most was interesting interaction with us. We spent countless hours playing "I'm thinking of a famous person. - 20 questions". Funny, we still play these games when they get tired of entertaining themselves: just more mature versions.
Avoid Meltdowns While Traveling!
10 Tips to Make Holiday Travel with Children Tantrum Free
By: Penny Cohen
San Diego, Ca ( October 23, 2006)---As the holidays approach and families are beginning their preparations for traveling – be it to the beach to escape winter, theme parks, or grandma’s house for the holidays, the key is to be prepared. Family trips are often our best memories of our kids’ young years. The laughing, the discovery of new and exciting places, and for some just being away from home and experiencing life in a hotel room can be the best vacation ever. But traveling with young ones can be a challenge.
Penny Cohen, Child Development Specialist and Speech and Language Pathologist and Co-Founder of Tot-a-Doodle-Do! series of DVDs packaged with, easy-to-do crafts says the key to keeping kids from meltdowns while traveling is to be prepared.
“Keep this list of tips handy when you start to pack,” says Cohen. “It will be a great resource and help everyone have a safe and memorable trip.”
10 Tips for happy travel with children:
If you can, plan to leave late, so they're only awake for a couple of hours of the trip - or time it for naptime so they sleep part of the way
Bring hand held games/toys – a lot of toys are now available in hand-held models and can keep preschoolers busy.
Meals can also help take up time. Pack plenty of yummy yet not messy foods and beverages in spill proof cups with straws. Aim for healthy snacks such as trail mix, cut-up apples, cheese cubes, food that will provide nutritional value.
Listen to children’s CDs with stories or music. Many story tapes have books that go along with them. Consider purchasing mini tape recorders with earphones so they can control what and how many times they listen to the music or story.
Buy small, relatively inexpensive toys and wrap them to surprise the kids.
For car trips, consider renting a portable DVD or TV/VCR combo that plugs into a cigarette lighter if your car/van doesn’t come with one.
Bring a tray for simple arts and crafts projects in the car.
It's worth bringing a training potty if your child has need-to-go-NOW emergency. Pack some wipes as well and a plastic baggie. This is easier than trying to find a bush.
Bring plastic cups; band aids, a dishtowel; Frisbee and ball for rest stops, and baby-wipes no matter how old your kids are.
Explain your travel rules before the trip (ie. No kicking the seats. Keep your arms and legs to yourself. Always ask for things with “please” and “thank-you”). .
“Travel games are great for keeping kids occupied and also a wonderful opportunity to stretch their imaginations,” says Cohen. “Favorites such as ‘I Spy’ or ‘I’m Going on a Trip’ can engage kids of different ages and can turn a mundane trip into a lively one!”
Six fun travel games:
“I Spy” - Pick out an object that everyone can see. Then give them a clue by saying, "I spy something ..." (Say its shape, color or size) The other players ask questions about what you see and you only answer with "yes" or "no". The first player who guesses right becomes the new spy.
“I’m Going on a Trip?” - Start this game out by saying, "I'm going on a trip and I'm bringing..." . The first player should name an item. The next player will say the same thing and add another item and so on.
“Guess the number” - Let your child think of a number between a stated range of numbers. You try to guess the number by asking questions. Here's a sample of how it might go: Your child: I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 100. You ask: Is it more than 50?
“Find the numbers” - Have the kids watch for numbers on streets and buildings, phone numbers on the sides of trucks and other vehicles, dates on buildings, or business signs with numbers in them
“Circle Story” – One person starts making up a story and each person adds to the story. Let the story be silly, creative and fun.
“20 Questions” – Have your child think of an object (ie. animal, food, toy….) and everyone can ask yes/no questions until you’ve asked 20.
For more information about Tot-a-Doodle-Do! products, please visit www.totadoodledo.com or call toll free 1-866-816-4997.
Let me add a few tried and true tips to this already great list:
1. Books on tape or CD are available at many public libraries. Some even allow downloads now. Stock up before you go on vacation. I can't read in a car, nor can one of my children; this solves that problem.
2. Make a master packing list on your computer for trips. I used the list with my children before they could read; progressed to checking their packing after they used the list; and now they are completely independent packers who still ask for my list before we go. Train them from early on to carry a bag or backpack with personal entertainment items. It gives them the feeling of control to know what's in the bag.
3. Pack a little surprise for each child. Novelty has it's place. Simple food treats, simple items from the dollar store, and unexpected craft - all will head off boredom and the subsequent tantrum.
4. If you can afford it, do not stay in an over crowded home with all of your extended family, or even a crammed hotel room. Having a roomy home base of your own allows you to discipline and rest. Let the kids spend the night with cousins, but also let them have a place to get away from all the overstimulation. Vacation rentals are of course my favorite respite when we are 3 days or more; suite hotels like Embassy Suites or Marriott Residence Inn are the next best thing.
Enjoy the Holidays Without Meltdowns!
Avoid Meltdowns While Traveling!
10 Tips to Make Holiday Travel with Children Tantrum Free
By: Penny Cohen
San Diego, Ca ( October 23, 2006)---As the holidays approach and families are beginning their preparations for traveling – be it to the beach to escape winter, theme parks, or grandma’s house for the holidays, the key is to be prepared. Family trips are often our best memories of our kids’ young years. The laughing, the discovery of new and exciting places, and for some just being away from home and experiencing life in a hotel room can be the best vacation ever. But traveling with young ones can be a challenge.
Penny Cohen, Child Development Specialist and Speech and Language Pathologist and Co-Founder of Tot-a-Doodle-Do! series of DVDs packaged with, easy-to-do crafts says the key to keeping kids from meltdowns while traveling is to be prepared.
“Keep this list of tips handy when you start to pack,” says Cohen. “It will be a great resource and help everyone have a safe and memorable trip.”
10 Tips for happy travel with children:
If you can, plan to leave late, so they're only awake for a couple of hours of the trip - or time it for naptime so they sleep part of the way
Bring hand held games/toys – a lot of toys are now available in hand-held models and can keep preschoolers busy.
Meals can also help take up time. Pack plenty of yummy yet not messy foods and beverages in spill proof cups with straws. Aim for healthy snacks such as trail mix, cut-up apples, cheese cubes, food that will provide nutritional value.
Listen to children’s CDs with stories or music. Many story tapes have books that go along with them. Consider purchasing mini tape recorders with earphones so they can control what and how many times they listen to the music or story.
Buy small, relatively inexpensive toys and wrap them to surprise the kids.
For car trips, consider renting a portable DVD or TV/VCR combo that plugs into a cigarette lighter if your car/van doesn’t come with one.
Bring a tray for simple arts and crafts projects in the car.
It's worth bringing a training potty if your child has need-to-go-NOW emergency. Pack some wipes as well and a plastic baggie. This is easier than trying to find a bush.
Bring plastic cups; band aids, a dishtowel; Frisbee and ball for rest stops, and baby-wipes no matter how old your kids are.
Explain your travel rules before the trip (ie. No kicking the seats. Keep your arms and legs to yourself. Always ask for things with “please” and “thank-you”). .
“Travel games are great for keeping kids occupied and also a wonderful opportunity to stretch their imaginations,” says Cohen. “Favorites such as ‘I Spy’ or ‘I’m Going on a Trip’ can engage kids of different ages and can turn a mundane trip into a lively one!”
Six fun travel games:
“I Spy” - Pick out an object that everyone can see. Then give them a clue by saying, "I spy something ..." (Say its shape, color or size) The other players ask questions about what you see and you only answer with "yes" or "no". The first player who guesses right becomes the new spy.
“I’m Going on a Trip?” - Start this game out by saying, "I'm going on a trip and I'm bringing..." . The first player should name an item. The next player will say the same thing and add another item and so on.
“Guess the number” - Let your child think of a number between a stated range of numbers. You try to guess the number by asking questions. Here's a sample of how it might go: Your child: I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 100. You ask: Is it more than 50?
“Find the numbers” - Have the kids watch for numbers on streets and buildings, phone numbers on the sides of trucks and other vehicles, dates on buildings, or business signs with numbers in them
“Circle Story” – One person starts making up a story and each person adds to the story. Let the story be silly, creative and fun.
“20 Questions” – Have your child think of an object (ie. animal, food, toy….) and everyone can ask yes/no questions until you’ve asked 20.
For more information about Tot-a-Doodle-Do! products, please visit www.totadoodledo.com or call toll free 1-866-816-4997.
Let me add a few tried and true tips to this already great list:
1. Books on tape or CD are available at many public libraries. Some even allow downloads now. Stock up before you go on vacation. I can't read in a car, nor can one of my children; this solves that problem.
2. Make a master packing list on your computer for trips. I used the list with my children before they could read; progressed to checking their packing after they used the list; and now they are completely independent packers who still ask for my list before we go. Train them from early on to carry a bag or backpack with personal entertainment items. It gives them the feeling of control to know what's in the bag.
3. Pack a little surprise for each child. Novelty has it's place. Simple food treats, simple items from the dollar store, and unexpected craft - all will head off boredom and the subsequent tantrum.
4. If you can afford it, do not stay in an over crowded home with all of your extended family, or even a crammed hotel room. Having a roomy home base of your own allows you to discipline and rest. Let the kids spend the night with cousins, but also let them have a place to get away from all the overstimulation. Vacation rentals are of course my favorite respite when we are 3 days or more; suite hotels like Embassy Suites or Marriott Residence Inn are the next best thing.
Enjoy the Holidays Without Meltdowns!
Skis, Cribs, and Groceries at Your Vacation Rental's Door!
File this in the why didn't I think of that category! Tahoe Daily Tribune - News: "a mobile company called Black Tie Ski Rentals.
From a warehouse based on lower Kingsbury Grade, DeBacker will deliver ski equipment to those who either don't want to haul it on vacation or would like to try out newer stuff than what they may already own."
How many times have you hauled all your ski equipment along in a car or airplane, paid extra, waited for it to arrive (hoping it wasn't stolen), crammed it in the rental car that was supposed to have ski racks, etc? Too many times right? Me too! Next time have it delivered by www.blacktieskies.com
What about all the baby stuff? Car seat? Check. Portable crib? Check. Stroller? Gate check. Booster seat? no way - Well www.babysaway.com will deliver to your destination. Makes me almost want to have another baby - well not really!
Then there's the shopping for food issue. You are with the kids, arrive late and hungry, and you have to stop at the local grocery to stock that fridge because they'll be hungry when they get up, and well, you do need that morning cup of coffee, right? If you are lucky, you'll be vacationing in the delivery area of www.freshdirect.com or a similar service. I used them this summer, and besides a broken bottle of beer that was probably my fault; they stocked our NYC vacation rental apartment quite well for the week!
I wonder who is going to start delivering boogie boards, surf boards, snorkels, and fins for all us beach bums next?
From a warehouse based on lower Kingsbury Grade, DeBacker will deliver ski equipment to those who either don't want to haul it on vacation or would like to try out newer stuff than what they may already own."
How many times have you hauled all your ski equipment along in a car or airplane, paid extra, waited for it to arrive (hoping it wasn't stolen), crammed it in the rental car that was supposed to have ski racks, etc? Too many times right? Me too! Next time have it delivered by www.blacktieskies.com
What about all the baby stuff? Car seat? Check. Portable crib? Check. Stroller? Gate check. Booster seat? no way - Well www.babysaway.com will deliver to your destination. Makes me almost want to have another baby - well not really!
Then there's the shopping for food issue. You are with the kids, arrive late and hungry, and you have to stop at the local grocery to stock that fridge because they'll be hungry when they get up, and well, you do need that morning cup of coffee, right? If you are lucky, you'll be vacationing in the delivery area of www.freshdirect.com or a similar service. I used them this summer, and besides a broken bottle of beer that was probably my fault; they stocked our NYC vacation rental apartment quite well for the week!
I wonder who is going to start delivering boogie boards, surf boards, snorkels, and fins for all us beach bums next?
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Plymouth Rock - Visit Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts
As we quickly approach Thanksgiving I often think of the year we left school a few days early to travel to New Hampshire to have Thanksgiving with my mom, my sister and her family, and my husband's family. This was 6 years ago, and mom had recently had a close call with her health.
As the typical "overachiever mom" I was feeling a bit guilty about pulling the kids out of school; so I decided to take them to Plimouth Plantation (the way they spell it); Plymouth Rock; and the Mayflower II near Cape Cod MA the day after Thanksgiving. Living History lesson!
The day was beyond cold, but the trip was well worth the few days of lost school and class plays. There is nothing like watching a Wampanoag carve a canoe; or like entering the "homes" like the original Pilgrims; or viewing their farm plots and feeling the initial bite of the first winter they faced.
Plan your visit or at least virtual visit to Plimouth Plantation.
For the sailor or pirate of your family, at stop at the Mayflower II is right next to the Plymouth Rock.
Check out Plymouth Rock for yourself here:Plymouth Rock - Visit Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts
Next on my "to do list" for Plymouth is a Cranberry Bog Tour. In the meantime I must content myself with the Google Earth's rendition of the cranberry bogs. I'm told October is the best time to tour the bogs.
On a side note: I am thankful that my mom now lives a meager 2.5 miles from me and visiting her no longer involves a cross country trek. I am thankful that her health is greatly improved.
As the typical "overachiever mom" I was feeling a bit guilty about pulling the kids out of school; so I decided to take them to Plimouth Plantation (the way they spell it); Plymouth Rock; and the Mayflower II near Cape Cod MA the day after Thanksgiving. Living History lesson!
The day was beyond cold, but the trip was well worth the few days of lost school and class plays. There is nothing like watching a Wampanoag carve a canoe; or like entering the "homes" like the original Pilgrims; or viewing their farm plots and feeling the initial bite of the first winter they faced.
Plan your visit or at least virtual visit to Plimouth Plantation.
For the sailor or pirate of your family, at stop at the Mayflower II is right next to the Plymouth Rock.
Check out Plymouth Rock for yourself here:Plymouth Rock - Visit Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts
Next on my "to do list" for Plymouth is a Cranberry Bog Tour. In the meantime I must content myself with the Google Earth's rendition of the cranberry bogs. I'm told October is the best time to tour the bogs.
On a side note: I am thankful that my mom now lives a meager 2.5 miles from me and visiting her no longer involves a cross country trek. I am thankful that her health is greatly improved.
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