Vacation Plans For All The Family This Summer

Looking forward to family vacations again this year is probably something that you have missed dearly during most of 2020. But now you can start thinking about ways to spend time with your kids in the summer months. So here are some ideas for inspiration. 

Go Camping

If you and your family are the adventurous type you could go for a camping trip. You could teach your kids to fish and start up a fire, which are useful, basic skills to acquire. It enables you to all spend time relaxing in a natural picturesque environment. They might even enjoy time away from their screens for a change. The fresh air and tranquility could be just what you need if you are used to living a hectic life in a city area which is bustling and full of noise. 

Resort Vacation 

If you have been able to save up cash this past year, then why not treat yourself and the rest of the family to a lovely resort vacation where you can stay in a swish hotel with all the necessary amenities. You could find somewhere that incorporates children’s activities so they do not get bored. That way if you want to spend a few hours relaxing by the pool with your other half you can.  

At least with a hotel providing all the necessary services you need, if you find that you have a problem with the air conditioning in your room, they can always arrange for an emergency ac repair. Which will certainly be necessary if the weather is sweltering hot. 

Cruise Ship

If you want to explore other exotic cities whilst relaxing on the comfort of a large cruise ship then perhaps this sort of vacation is ideal. There would be an abundance of activities to keep you all busy such as swimming pools, cinemas, live music, comedians, dancing and of course plenty of dining options each day. You would not need to worry about someone driving, so could both sit back and relax. 

Road Trip

Pack your bags and head for a fun road trip to a part of the country you haven’t explored yet. There are so many wonderful sights to see in the US that you can never run out of options. If you have a camper van too it will allow you the flexibility to stop and set up in a nice, quiet, scenic area so you can have something to eat and rest. 

Activity Based Vacation

Again you do not even need to leave the country to find an all inclusive resort which is based around fun and challenging group based activities. You could find a resort that enables your kids to try out water skiing, rock climbing, horseback riding, kayaking and bike rides. This type of vacation is ideal if you are quite an active family and like the challenge and experience of trying out new things together.

How To Choose The Right Dog For Your Family

There will probably come a time in every family’s life when the subject of a dog will come up. Whether it’s the kids who have realized that they want a new pet or the adults who feel that a dog or puppy might be exactly what everyone needs, a discussion will have to take place. This is a big decision, and determining whether or not a dog is right for your family is something that needs to be thought carefully about and only acted on when you know for sure that a dog in your home, your yard, and your life, is going to work out. 

Once you have made this initial decision, it’s easy to think the hard work is over and you’ll just head to the shelter or look online for puppies for sale and pick up your new family member without any more discussion. However, the truth is that there is one other question to talk about; you need to make sure you’re picking the right dog for your family. Since dogs come in so many different shapes and sizes, there is sure to be at least one breed that will work best for you, but which one is it? Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you narrow down your options. 

 

Photo by Joséphine Menge on Unsplash

 

Size 

The size of the dog you bring into your home is an extremely important thing to consider. A large dog is going to need plenty of space, and if you have small children you’ll need to think of their safety too; a big, playful dog could easily knock a toddler over and hurt them without meaning too. A smaller dog might be a better choice if you don’t have a lot of room or your family is a young one. 

 

Equally, a small dog might not be quite as enjoyable for an active family who loves going out for walks and adventures; they will tire more easily than a big dog would, and need less exercise. So in this case, assuming you have the space, a larger dog would be better, giving the family the enjoyment they want from it and letting it be a big part of the family. 

 

Do your research before just picking any kind of dog that looks cute – if you want it to fit in with your lifestyle and become a valued member of your family for many years to come, choosing well at the start is essential, and size is a crucial component of that choice. 

 

Breed 

Once you know what size of dog you’re interested in having in your home and in your life, you’ll be able to look more closely at the different breeds available that will fit with the choice you’ve made in this regard. 

 

Whether you decide to buy a purebred lab puppy or a rescue dog from a local shelter, the breed is crucial. If you have children, you’ll need to find a breed that is calm and gentle, for example. Each breed has a different personality, which is why research has to be done on this topic; no matter how much you might like the look of a specific breed, if the personality isn’t going to work with your family, you’ll have to look elsewhere. 

 

Another consideration when it comes to the breed is the type of fur it might have. There are long-haired dogs and short-haired dogs; which will be best for you? There is a lot of work involved in taking care of a long-haired dog, and they can cause allergies too (or exacerbate already existing ones), but they look beautiful, and they are lovely to pet. A short-haired dog is easier to take care of, but will it be what you’re looking for? 

 

Budget 

Owning a dog is not something you can do for free, and from the purchase to the upkeep, there are many different costs involved. Can you afford to be a dog owner? When you’ve narrowed down your options you will need to look more closely at the cost of the dog. Firstly, there’s the cost of the animal itself; this is the first thing to think about, as this will differ from breed to breed. 

 

After that, you’ll need to think about the ongoing costs such as food and vet bills and, for long-haired dogs, grooming. It’s crucial to know how much this will cost each month, and over the course of a year. Since most dogs will live for between 12 and 15 years, you’ll be able to work out roughly what the cost will be over its lifetime. Can you commit to that? 

 

If the cost is coming out higher than you might be comfortable with, you’ll need to go back to the beginning and start your search again. Although this might mean that your search for the right dog takes longer, considering how long it will be with you and how important it is to get the decision right, it’s worth doing right. 

 

Where To Buy Your Puppy 

If you have decided that a purebred puppy is the right option for you, you should make sure you research the right place to buy it from as well. Unlike going to a shelter, there are some important considerations to think about when it comes to dog breeders. One of these is whether or not the breeder is reputable. To find out about this, check online and with the American Kennel Club. 

 

When you speak to the breeder (which you should always do), ask the right questions including whether or not they socialize their puppies, if there are any health problems (and whether the litter has been tested for the most common breed issues), where the parents are and if you can see them, and whether there are any guarantees. 

 

The answers to these questions will help you to know that you’re dealing with a proper dog breeder and not just someone whose own dog happened to have puppies; they are very different things. 

How to Help Your Teenager Deal With Grief

We’ve been fortunate enough to visit places all over the world that memorialize those who have been lost, including famous monuments, and even Arlington National Cemetary.  But, seeing loss from the perspective of a tourist is different than dealing with it in your own life, no matter your age. 

Unfortunately, far too many parents focus on making sure their young children are okay during a loss (which is important), and they don’t pay as much attention to their older kids/teenagers. 

The truth is, teens can be just as susceptible to struggling with loss. Now, more than ever, we are starting to see the mental health effects of loss on teenagers, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely hard on teenagers who have missed out on the normalcy of school, sports, friendships, and so much more. 

You have to remember that grief isn’t always due to death. It can be caused by the loss of anything. So, if your teenager is struggling, how can you help them? Let’s go over a few helpful and effective tips. 

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Acknowledge Them

Teens want to be seen and heard. They want to be understood. That can be difficult to do under normal circumstances, but especially when they’re dealing with grief. 

One of the best things you can do is simply to make sure you’re listening. They may not always want to talk about what they’re feeling, and you shouldn’t push them. But, it’s important to open doors for conversations as often as possible. Let them know that you see them, you hear what they’re saying, and you understand how they’re feeling when they decide to express themselves. 

You don’t need to be able to give perfect advice to make a difference in your teen’s life. You know how good it feels to have someone listen to you and truly understand what you’re saying. Think about how great it will feel for your teenager to be able to confide in you and know they are really being heard. 

Be Patient and Available

As stated above, your teen may not always come to you with open arms and a willingness to talk. Forcing a conversation is one of the worst things you can do. Obviously, if you see any dangerous warning signs, confronting your teen about their feelings is important. But, if they just don’t seem like themselves or you’re not sure how they’re doing, don’t try to squeeze information out of them. 

Instead, show patience. Make sure your teenager knows that you’re available for them any time they’d like to talk. It’s easy to get caught up in your own life, especially when you’re dealing with problems. But, if your teen feels like you’re too busy or distracted, they probably won’t approach you to talk. Making yourself available is a good way to get them to open up. 

Let Them Know Their Feelings Are Normal

Although many people talk about the “stages of grief,” the truth is that the grief process is different for everyone. One of the reasons your teenager might be struggling is because they feel like what they’re experiencing isn’t “normal”. 

Make sure to validate their feelings as much as possible. Make sure they know that there isn’t one “right” way to grieve. As long as they aren’t taking part in any unhealthy behaviors or harming themselves or others, their feelings are normal. 

Work Through the Grief

If your teenager is grieving over the loss of a loved one, anything from talking about that person to creating a keepsake like memorial jewelry from Memorials.com can help them to find the strength to move on. If they’re mourning the loss of their normal lifestyle and the things they’ve missed out on, talk to them about what they would have liked to do, and how missing so many things makes them feel. 

Grief is perfectly normal in situations of loss. But, it is something that you have to work through. Rarely will feelings of grief go away on their own. Thankfully, you can be the guide for your teenager, helping them to get through those stages of grief at their own pace. When you commit to being there every step of the way, you’ll get to experience your teenager coming to life again, opening up, and finding happiness as they leave their grief behind. 

No matter what type of loss your teenager is facing, it’s important not to ignore their feelings. While you should still make sure your young children are going through the process in a healthy way, your teenager needs your help just as much. Use some of the ideas here to help them through that process and make sure they have what they need to grieve in a healthy way. 

Fernwood State Park in Ohio

 One of the Fall activities that we did with our children was to visit a state park in Ohio with a gun range .  Fernwood State Forest is one of the few remaining state parks with A gun range.   It’s a little bit of a drive from our location but it’s worth going there.

With the current situation of world setting, we as a parent are responsible to teach our children gun safety.   We want to teach them the proper use of guns for self protection if in case they have to defend themselves.

There are three shooting ranges in this state park, they are located southwest of the Hidden Hollow Campground. There are separate areas for pistol, rifle and trap shooting. 

   

I hope that we can go back there in the summertime next year and explore the walking trails.

When our kids were younger, my son was scared about guns but now he understands the importance of  gun for self defense.   We will continue to practice and make ourselves comfortable in handling guns for the sake of protecting ourselves when time comes .  You never know what this crazy world will bring us so it’s better to be ready at all times.

Cross-Country Routes Across The US That Will Blow Your Mind

The US is famous for road trips. You might consider it the home of such things. After all, it was this country, more than any other, that popularized the highway and built a culture around the private motor vehicle. 

For many people in the world, the concept of spending a holiday in your car, van or RV, seems a little odd. But once you’ve experienced the vastness and variety that a country like America has to offer, it’s not hard to get a grasp on why it is so popular. 

In this post, we look at some of the most iconic routes across the US that will blow your mind. All of them are perfect for a road trip, whether you’re traveling with family or friends. 

Skier’s Highway

Vermont’s Route 100 - also known as Skier’s Highway - provides access to 12 different ski resorts. Needless to say, if you love skiing, this is a road trip you’ve got to try (check out online ski shops and buy some skis before you go to save money). Even if you’re not into snow sports, Skier’s Highway is still worth driving for its incredibly scenic views of the Green Mountains. A lot of people try this route in winter, but it can look equally stunning in all seasons.

The Great River Road

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The Mississippi is America’s greatest river, literally splitting the continental landmass in two. It’s such an essential feature of the landscape that it has made its way into our daily vocabulary. People will say things like “I live in the greatest town east for the Mississippi” or “we have the largest emporium of mattresses west of the Mississippi.”

Your road trip, therefore, should attempt to discover what all the fuss is about. The Great River Road flanks the Mississippi, taking you through a variety of wildlife reserves. It starts in the north in places like Rosedale and Greenville. As you travel south, the cuisine begins to change, and you get into fried food territory. Then eventually, you wind up in Louisiana and the eclectic city of New Orleans. 

Route 66

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Route 66 is the classic America road trip. People typically start at Lake Michigan and then make their way across the great American west to Los Angeles. 

The best way to do Route 66 is in an RV. Sites like kirklandrvsales.com show you the type of equipment you’ll need. Remember, unless you drive flat out, it’ll take you a couple of weeks to traverse the entire route. So unless you carefully plan your stops along the way, you’ll need facilities for cooking, showering, and sleeping. 

Along the way, you’ll discover things like America’s oldest church, the world’s largest rocking chair and diners, motels, and places where you can watch outdoor movies. 

The Loneliest Road, US-50

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If you really want to get out in the middle of nowhere, you might want to check out the Loneliest Road, which also goes by the name of US-50. Going cross-country, you start in Ocean City, Maryland, and then follow the classic trail through the Rockies all the way to Sacramento, the oldest settlement in California. 

Along the way, you’ll experience some incredible scenery, according to gapyear.com, including the Great Basin National Park and Nevada beach. Be sure to take your camera with you. 

The High Road

The High Road might not be one of the longest road trips in America, but it is one of the most spectacular. The route has a Hispanic twist, being so far south, taking you close to historic villages like Truchas and Penasco.