Archive for April, 2007

Seven Tips For Traveling When Pregnant

Monday, April 23rd, 2007

Travelling While Pregnant Tips and Advice�

 

Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you’re going to be incapacitated, of course, but it does mean that you’re going to have to make some adjustments in many of your normal activities.� This includes traveling.� Yes, you can certainly travel while pregnant but you need to take some extra precautions to protect the health of your baby and your own body.

Here are seven tips to keep in mind if you’re planning on traveling when pregnant:

  1. Travel in comfort, not in style.� Yes, you used to be okay with wearing your three-inch heels even when you had to run for airplanes but that’s not the case while you’re pregnant.� Being pregnant is often uncomfortable so you should do what you can to minimize discomfort.� Wear comfortable clothing, in layers that can be added to and removed as your body temperature changes.� Upgrade to the first class seats on flights.
  2. Practice de-stressing techniques.� Travel is stressful.� Flights get delayed, busses break down and you often take wrong turns.� Compound this with the emotions you’re already swinging through as a pregnant women and travel can be the thing that brings tears to your eyes.� Practice meditation and relaxation techniques in advance of your trip to help you cope when things get rough on the road.
  3. Know where the bathrooms are.� You’re going to need to go to the bathroom more frequently when you’re pregnant (as you surely already know) so make sure you know where they’re at when you travel.� Airports, train stations and rest areas should always be on your radar.
  4. Play the pregnant card.� Many independent women don’t like to be given special treatment just because they’re pregnant.� Pish tosh.� Pregnant women get to board planes early and get extra assistance with their luggage because it’s the safe and healthy way to travel.� Don’t be so stubborn that you’ll deny yourself the help you need.
  5. Don’t overdo it.� Along those same lines, you have to remember that being pregnant takes a lot out of you.� Yes, the conference runs all day and into the night or the relatives want to show you every tourist attraction in their town.� Remember that it’s okay to say “no”, to rest in your room when you need to and to admit that the process of travel itself might take so much out of you that you can’t do as much as you’d like on your trip.
  6. Know the rules.� There’s a certain time period after which it is not advisable to fly while pregnant.� There are immunizations required for certain countries which are not good for the health of the fetus inside you.� Know the rules about your mode and destination of travel before you go.� Then follow them!
  7. Consult a physician.� Most people don’t want to bug their doctor with a whole bunch of questions, but that’s what she’s there for.� You are better off safe than sorry so whether you’re planning a weekend getaway by car or an overseas trip by plane, bring it up with your doctor and discuss all of the dangers and options before you travel.
There’s no reason that you can’t continue to enjoy traveling when pregnant, but you do need to make some adjustments to the way in which you travel.� Make yourself comfortable, give yourself the much-needed TLC that your pregnant self needs and arm yourself with information about safe travel for your baby in order to make sure that traveling when pregnant goes as easily as it can. Here are More Articles About Traveling While You Are Pregnant. I advice that you take a look at these helpful articles.

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Packing For Your Kids - Family Travel Organizational Tips

Sunday, April 15th, 2007

Tips for Packing for Family Vacations and Packing for Your Kids�

 

Do you remember back, long ago, when you were single and could take off on a spontaneous vacation at a moment’s notice?� Maybe it was a whirlwind weekend trip to Vegas with the girls or perhaps it was a last-minute romantic getaway with the person your married to now.� Whichever it was, you packed quickly, and your essentials were something along the lines of clean underwear, going-out clothes and flip flops.� You figured that anything you forgot could be bought when you got to where you were going.� But it’s all different now, isn’t it?� When you’ve got kids, you can’t just spontaneously head off to catch the next flight to anywhere, and when you go to pack your bags, you need to be careful about not forgetting important items.

The major difference between packing for your spontaneous vacation and packing for your kids is the fact that it’s probably true that anything you forgot back then could be bought upon arrival but that’s not the case with certain kid items.� The basics will be there - the diapers and the food and even the clothing can all be picked up wherever you end up.� But kids have certain needs that need to go along with them.� You should make a checklist of what these are for your children so that when you start packing, you get the important things taken care of.

The main items which are likely to go on the list of things which kids must have packed are medicine, special diet foods, and creature comforts (such as pacifiers for babies, blankies for toddlers and favorite stuffed animals or action figures for older kids).� Items which are specific to the needs of your kids on a daily or regular basis are the items that you want to make sure you pack for your kids, so the best way to figure out what you need is to pay attention to what you do with your kids every day just before the trip and then pack accordingly.� If you’re using it Monday through Friday, you’re going to want to pack it for Saturday.

The other category of items which you need to pack for your kids that can’t be picked up when you get there are those items which you use because of your kids.� For new moms, this could be things like breast pumps.� A major item in this category is a list of emergency phone numbers, such as the doctor’s number, for you to pack to have at hand in case you need to deal with unexpected situations.� Medical prescriptions are another item in this category.� The spontaneous you could have made do with stopping at a random emergency room, and the parental you could do that as well if need be, but you’ll feel more comfortable if you know your children as safe as can be when traveling.

If you get these basic must-have items packed for your kids, the rest doesn’t matter so much.� Yes, it’s important to remember to pack the swimsuit for summer trips or the warm clothes in the winter.� It’s a good idea to pack items to keep your kids entertained during travel.� It’s important to bring favorite toys or much loved snacks.� And it’s good to have all of those daily care items that your kids are used to like the No Tears shampoo and the plastic combs.� But if you manage to forget one of these items when you pack for your kids, it probably won’t make or break how your trip goes.

Don’t let the packing take the fun out of your vacation with your kids.� If you pack in an organized fashion and make sure to get those must-haves in order in advance, you’ll be able to make sure that your kids have everything that they need with them on the trip.� It may not be spontaneous, but sensible vacationing can be fun, too.� And the more vacationing you do with your children, the easier it will be to remember to pack right each time.� Things may not be quite the same as they used to be, but that doesn’t mean that your travel can’t be fun.� And remember, there was a carefree part of you that knew a few things back when life was more spontaneous, and if you can roll with the punches like you did back then, you’ll be able to handle the new stresses that come with vacationing with your kids.

 

Here are more articles about tips for packing for your family vacations.

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Using an Infant / Child Car Seat on Airplanes

Saturday, April 14th, 2007
Using baby carseats on airplanes Every time that you go to get into the car with your babies or young children, you go through the routine of putting them into their car seats. It’s not something that you even think twice about; it’s just what you do. It’s the law, and it’s the law because it’s what keeps kids safe in the car. So, have you ever thought about the fact that this routine, which is so second nature to you, isn’t something that you do when engaging in other kinds of travel besides car travel? Don’t you think it’s just a little bit odd? More and more parents are realizing the oddity of this and taking action, making sure to bring airplane-compatible car seats with them on their flights.

 

For many, strapping their children into car seats on the plane has become as routine as strapping the kids into their car seats before getting in to the car. For others, use of car seats on the plane is a new thing. If you fall in to the latter category, you might have some questions about using car seats on the plane. Here are some of the basics things that you need to know about car seat use for your flights:
  • Neither airlines nor the law require parents to use car seats during plane travel. However, use of them has been recommended by child safety experts.
  • Children weighing forty pounds or more can safely use plane seatbelts. Children under forty pounds are much safer if they are in a car seat. As with your car seat in your car, you can choose to use a rear-facing car seat or forward-facing car seat, with the latter being better for kids who weigh under twenty pounds.
  • There are car seats which are made specifically to be used in both cars and on planes. These are called airplane-compatible and should be something that you look for when purchasing your normal car seats if you think that you will be doing any plane travel with your children.
  • Most airlines will let an adult board the airplane at the start of boarding in order to secure the car seat in place before the plane begins to get filled up. You should ask about this when you are waiting for boarding to begin. Note that car seats should be placed in the seat closest to the window.
  • The purpose of car seat use in planes is safety for your child. Some parents worry that trying to get a child out of a car seat in the rare case of an airline emergency could be problematic. This is an unwarranted fear; removing your child from the car seat is no more dangerous in a plane than in a car and keeping your children appropriately strapped in during flight could help save them if there are problems in the air.

It may not be the most common thing in the world to see parents strapping their children in to car seats on the plane. And you might think that it’s not necessary or that the hassles of carrying a car seat on board with you as you travel are not worth the effort. But it really is recommended that you use a car seat on the plane for your children and if you get used to the idea, it will soon just be second nature. Having your child’s safety be second nature is always a good thing!

�

…………………………………………….. SIMILAR PAGES …………………………………………….. Air Plane Travel with Baby or Toddler Air Plane Travel and Car Seats for Baby or Toddler Air Plane Travel with Kids ……………………………………………..

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Disney Vacations with Your Kids

Thursday, April 5th, 2007
Family vacations to disney world About Travelling to Disney With Your Children Childhood is a magical time filled with awe for all new experiences.� Places that capture that magic and let parents experience it right alongside their children are rare, but there’s one of those places which is familiar to everyone.�

Disneyland.� It is the vacation location known and loved by children across the globe.� And, if you can set aside the general stress that comes with trying to take your family on a memorable vacation, it can be one of those places where the entire family experiences the magic of what it’s like to be a kid.� Of course, kids today have a lot more variety in terms of Disney vacations than kids of yesterday; Disneyland is not the only Disney spot offered to them.� This means that you have some deciding to do about the Disney vacations that are right for your family.

Although there are many different ways that you can do a Disney vacation, there are three basic Disney vacations that you should look at to narrow down your options.� First, there is the basic trip to Disneyland which can now be augmented with exploration of the next-door theme park, California Adventure. Then, there is the Walt Disney World Resort Florida. And finally, you might consider taking your vacation on a Disney adventure on the water with the Disney Cruise Ship. Which of these Disney vacations is right for your family will depend on your geographic location, monetary considerations and ages of your children.

 

Disneyland Resort, located in California, is arguably the most famous of the Disney locations.� When you think of putting on the Mickey Mouse ears, getting one of those big all-day lollipops for the kids and passing by famous rides like Space Mountain or The Matterhorn, it’s the Disneyland vacation that you’re thinking about. With good weather all year long and discounts for families in all of the different seasons, the Disneyland vacation can be done whenever is convenient for you and in a cost-effective way. You can supplement your visit to Disneyland by buying a joint ticket to California Adventure, the big theme park now located next door to Disneyland. Many families opt to do multi-day Disneyland vacations so that they can see all that there is to see at both spots without having to rush through everything. If the only thing that you’re planning to do in California is Disneyland, then this might be the route to go.

�

Disney World. If getting yourself to California is a bit of a stretch from you neck of the woods, you may want to consider making a trip to Disney World instead of to Disneyland.� Located just outside of Orlando in Florida, Disney World is comprised of multiple mini-theme parks including water parks, sports parks, a race track center, Epcot Center, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, and multiple golf courses.� Taking a vacation to Disney World is like taking a vacation to a city of its own.� This is sometimes considered the better Disney vacation choice for families with kids who have a great age range because there’s enough for the little ones to do but plenty to keep older kids entertained as well.

 

Disney Cruise. The last of your major Disney vacation choices can be even better for families with older children.� The Disney Cruise line takes all of the adventure of Disney on ground and adds all of the adventure of a cruise ship and puts it together to create one grand Disney experience.� Heading off to sometimes exotic locations, this type of Disney vacation can really let you, as parents, enjoy yourselves with each other while creating lasting childhood vacation memories for your kids.� And since Disney caters specifically to families, and we all know that families never have quite enough money, this can be one of the least expensive opportunities to enjoy a cruise if you spend some time looking at the deals.

Here are more articles for Disney family vacations.

 

All Traveling Kids Family Vacations is a resource for families who like traveling with their kids.

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How to Travel With Your Infant in an Airplane

Sunday, April 1st, 2007

Advice for Traveling on an Airplane with Your Baby: How to Keep Your Baby Happy On Flight

 

 

Baby in Car Seat - Infant Traveling by Airplane

 

 

Baby in Car Seat - Infant Traveling by Airplane

The new airline regulations which keep getting more and more stringent as the years go on can be trying for even the more practiced and calm of travelers. They can be absolutely harrowing for new parents who are already overwhelmed with taking their infant on a plane. On top of worrying about how well your infant will do in the air, whether or not you’ve packed all that you need for your infant during the trip and what you are going to do if everyone starts glaring at you because your infant is the one crying throughout the flight, you now have to worry about what you can and can’t pack for your infant to have on the plane. Take a deep breath, get your mind settled and get ready to learn the latest news in airline travel with your infant.

Food for your infant

The number one concern for most new parents traveling by air with an infant is the consideration of bringing baby formula or breast milk on the plane. With the rules about bringing liquids on your flight getting tighter and tighter, you might be wondering if you’re going to be able to bring what your baby needs to drink on the plane. And if you’re like most new parents, you’ve thought ahead to concerns about delays and long layovers and you want to make sure that you’ve over-packed the formula, not under-packed it, in case something goes wrong and your infant needs to eat.

Don’t worry; the creators of airline regulations may be tough but nobody wants to hear your infant cry throughout a flight so they accept that baby formula is coming on board. Here are the rules you need to know:

  • Baby formula and breast milk can be packed in your carry-on luggage but only if you are traveling with your infant. If you are meeting your partner and infant en route, you will not be able to carry the milk on board.
  • You are allowed to bring any amount of milk or formula that your baby might need. As long as it fits in your allotted carry-on luggage, you’re good to over-pack the formula as much as you see fit.
  • Your packed breast milk may be checked by security. Packing formula or milk in amounts smaller than three ounces each makes the security check of them go much more smoothly.
Medical concerns

Food is the primary concern for most people traveling with an infant, but running a close second is the concern about the safety of taking an infant on a plane. The most common issue which affects infants on planes is the pain of pressure in the ears. Unfortunately, it happens and your infant might cry as a result, but the pain is not long-lasting and the baby’s ears will not be damaged. Pain of this kind can be reduced by making sure that the baby has a bottle to enjoy during the take-off and landing of the flight which are the times when the pressure will have the greatest effect on the ears.

The other medical concern which comes up for parents traveling with infants is that of already-sick kids. Can you travel with your infant on a plane if he or she is sick? Yes, but the flight itself is already going to be stressful so if you can change your plans until a time when your infant is healthy, you should do so. If you must travel with a sick infant, make sure that you check with security about the regulations of taking your infant’s medicine with you on the plane.

Secondary concerns

Food and medicine are the big issues to worry about when you travel with an infant. However, it is sometimes all of the other little things in life that can drive us craziest. Pack well in advance of your trip to be sure that you’ve covered all your bases and you’ll be better prepared to deal with these little concerns. Things to think about when packing include making sure that you have a blanket, any teeth items, changes of clothing, diapers and a toy or stuffed animal for your infant. If you travel frequently with your infant, you may consider having a baby bag packed at all times so you don’t have to worry about these things when it is actually time to do your travel.

Finally, you should remember that a calm parent makes for a happier baby. This is particularly true for when you are traveling with your infant. Don’t let the stress of travel get to you; accept that there will be ups and downs of traveling with your baby and just try to go with the flow. You will have a more relaxed flight and your baby will benefit from your patience.

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How to Keep Your Kids Entertained During Car Travels

Sunday, April 1st, 2007

Tips for Keeping Your Children Happy and Entertained When Travelling in the Car

 

Lego Family - How to Keep Kids Happy and Entertained in the Car

 

If you’ve traveled in the car with your kids for any length of time, the following phrases probably sound painfully familiar:

“Are we there yet?”

“I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Mom, Billy’s hitting me.”

“I’m hungry!”

“Dad, I’m bored.”

“Are we there yet?”

 

Keeping your kids entertained in the car can be a feat even when you’re just making the ten-minute drive to school or to Grandma’s house. It can take wells of patience when you’re talking about going on an actual road trip with the kids. But it can be done. Believe it or not, road trips create some of the best memories your children will have of the family travel you did while they were growing up, so it’s worth investing a little bit of time and energy in making sure that they’re entertained. Besides, car travel is often the least expensive route and you want to take advantage of it without going crazy right?

 

Here’s how to keep your kids entertained during car travel so that you can all have a great time on your road trip:

· Pack wisely for the car but make sure that you pack plenty of different things for each of your kids to do to stay entertained on their own throughout much of the road trip. Each child in the car should have their own little backpack or bag of things they can enjoy by themselves throughout the ride. Depending on the age of the child, these bags might contain items such as:

o Books, magazines and other reading material; bring mini-flashlights if you’ll be driving at night but the kids will be awake.

o Video games

o Personal DVD players with favorite movies; headphones are a good choice so the whole family doesn’t have to hear the movie.

o Mp3 players with headphones.

o Multi-colored pen and drawing paper

o Stuffed animal

· Choose seating in the car wisely. You know your kids best so you know if they can sit next to each other in a car for a long time without bickering or not. It may be unconventional for one parent to ride in the backseat but putting a teenager up front while you spend some time in the back with the kids can make a world of difference in everyone getting along. Do what’s right for your family.

· Enjoy group activities. These will vary greatly from family to family. Some families like to play road trip games like the game where everyone tries to find the letters of the alphabet in order on the signs as they pass. Other families do sing-alongs. Others just talk. If you can get the whole family engaged with each other for awhile, the time will pass more quickly and the memories will be more lasting.

· Bring snacks. When kids get bored, kids get hungry. Obviously, you want to keep things as healthy as possible, but road trips are a time for a little bit of indulgence. Bring smart snacks - not something that will cause a sugar high in your kids while they have to remain strapped into their seat belts - but bring stuff your kids will consider a treat.

· Remember to take breaks. You may want to just drive straight through until you get there, but your kids need the trip broken up for them. Take regular breaks and make them fun ones. Instead of just stopping at a rest stop, figure out where en route is an interesting diversion and make the journey part of the trip itself. There are plenty of interesting things right off of every highway that your can do as a family without spending a lot of money. Explore them!

Try to think of traveling with your kids in the car as an adventure which can be enjoyed by the entire family. Having the right attitude about the trip will help convey the fun of the entire experience to your kids, so you’ll be a lot less likely to hear those tired old refrains of “I’m bored” and a lot more likely to create great trip memories for your kids to treasure over time.

 

All Traveling Kids Family Vacations is a resource for families who like traveling with their kids.

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