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Teens sometimes get a bad rap. People think they’re hard to please and harder to travel with. But the key to traveling with teens—and keeping the whole family happy—is to...
Thomas Jefferson advised the we should have a revolution every 20 years. He meant government, but the idea applies to anything: If we don’t continually rethink how we do what...
Summertime's almost here – time to start planning your summer travels! We've taken the guesswork out of your planning by seeking out advice from top family travel writers from across...
Air travel can be stressful nowadays with long lines, flight delays and cramped seating. Add luggage, children, strollers and even pets to the mix and you have a veritable powder...
“’Cause down the shore everything’s all right.” ---Tom Waits, JERSEY GIRL Some see the Jersey Shore as a travel destination, a place to take the family for a couple of...
Midwest winters can seem endless. The payoff? Perfect summer temperatures! Each year I vow to savor every minute of the warm weather. Although I can’t put everything on hold, I...
Planning your family vacation can be overwhelming--where to go, what to do, how to get there, you name it. There are a lot of details to planning a summer vacation....
This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!
Summer vacations for some families mean active adventures, while for others the summer is a perfect time to start exploring college campuses. Imagine being able to do both in one...
Your passport is gone and you are in another county. What are you going to do? Misplacing your passport is enough to strike terror in the hearts of any traveler but imagine you are 15, traveling with your aunt to Paris on your first-ever international trip, and you set down your airplane ticket and [ ... ]
One of the best ways to experience new places is to eat the local favorite. Each country, state, region and even city has a dish that allows you to have a unique culinary experience while visiting. It tells me about the destination and the people who call it home.
Unfortunately, I can’t travel all [ ... ]
Heading to Las Vegas with the family this summer? Not to worry, here's a quick list of my Top 5 picks to keep all ages satisfied: Wet-N-Wild Las Vegas is the place to be this summer. Nevada's premier water park will offer over 25 slides and attractions. Several of the attractions are named after fa [ ... ]
Train travel is often associated with romance and air travel (at least nowadays) with hassle. Similarly, hotel airports have a seedy reputation, while a hotel in a train station sounds elegant.
My kids and I have stayed at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station, with rooms in an actual [ ... ]
Playing in the mud, getting splashed with paint, lighting up the night or getting chased by zombies all add a little excitement to the typical 5K race. Fun runs are all the rage and a great way to get newbies involved in running; or to give veteran runners a change of pace. Most fun runs remove the [ ... ]
Head over to Universal Studios Hollywood for two new rides and an expanded Studio Tour! It’s a perfect Summer Vacation Idea. Plus, right now when you “a day you get the rest of 2013 free."
As a runner, I wanted to pay my respects to the Boston Marathoners; as an environmentalist, I didn’t want to use a lot of gas to go to ston.
We had no choice but to drive to Boston to pick my daughter up at college; the self-same daughter who refuses to eat industrialized food or buy clothing pr [ ... ]
I've always had a fear of the water, or perhaps it’s a healthy respect for Mother Nature. Most of that fear (respect) comes from my inability to swim well. That’s why when my daughters were barely walking I put them in swimming lessons, and that’s also why I gift my grandchildren with lessons too.
Part of that is selfish – I want to spend time with my grandkids, and I don't always have the time or money to travel. Plus, I want them to travel with me safely and not freak out like their grandmother when their toes don’t touch the bottom.I arranged their swimming lessons around my traveling and daughter’s work schedule. Half the fun of giving an “active” gift like this is sitting in the bleachers surrounding the pool and cheering them on. It’s exciting to see their accomplishments first hand, rather than hearing about them from my daughter. I’m very lucky that my grandchildren live within a few miles.
My granddaughter Kaydence was old enough to start lessons last year. While she learned how to feel comfortable in the pool and quickly advanced through several classes, I entertained my grandson Ryland. We made it a game to cheer for his “sissy” while she participated in the class. When she put her face in the water and loved it, we cheered. When she was the only one in her class that would jump off the diving board (with a lifejacket), we all hooted and hollered!
Last year, we registered Ryland for “mom and tot” swim lessons, and my daughter and I took turns getting wet with him. He’s now old enough for group lessons, and he’s definitely all boy. He jumps in the water into the arms of his instructor with no signs of fear. His lesson follows his sissy’s lesson, so it’s his sister’s turn to cheer him on.
Our first opportunity to try out their swimming skills was last summer when we took the entire family to Mexico. The investment was definitely worthwhile, when the grandkids kicked around in the pool confident of their ability to maneuver the water, but surprisingly aware of their limitations.
For me, it’s heartwarming to see my children and now grandchildren conquer my fear of the water by learning to swim. Who knows? Maybe it’ll motivate me to take adult swim lessons and conquer my own fear.
Ski lessons are next on the list for my grandkids. What lessons or activity would you want your kids or grandkids to learn?
Tips on staycationing with your grandchildren.
Business TravelingMom gives more tips to Be A Tourist At Home.
As the price to fly continues to rise, and the inconveniences rise, more and more people, and especially families, are turning back to the good, old-fashioned road trip.
My pa [ ... ]
Police, Fire and EMS Appreciation Days return in May. Police officers, fire fighters and EMS employees can receive a free single day admission to LEGOLAND Florida, along with [ ... ]
One glimpse of Skagway and it’s easy to see why this quaint Alaskan town is a popular port for cruise ships sailing along Alaska’s Inside Passage. Skagway offers beautiful [ ... ]
