3 Kids and Us

How to Pack for a Trip

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When you are going on a trip, the way you pack can have a big influence on how the trip turns out. This is more than just about getting to your destination only to find that your shampoo or lotion bottle came open and your clothes are all gooey. It also has to do with what goes into the suitcases. You will pack differently for a business trip than for a trip to the beach.

Let’s take a closer look at how to pack for different trips.

Business Trips

When you are going on a business trip, you will need to be sure to dress smartly in order to impress your colleagues and close the deal.  That said, it might be a bit intimidating to try and decide what to pack. If you mess up and pack the wrong clothing items, you can be overdressed, or uncomfortably cold or hot.  For this reason, it will always be a good idea to pack performance dress shirts for any professional setting. These shirts are made from comfortable materials that are resistant to wrinkles. They are great for that business meeting as well as for going out for a happy hour at the end of the day.

Colors

You might also want to go with a few articles of black clothing. This is because black goes with everything and can be dressed up or down.  You can make it through extended trips with a suit or two, and some basic black clothing items for when you aren’t in meetings. This is one of those business travel hacks that can go a long way toward saving you trouble when you pack and trying to decide what to wear while you are on your trip.

Luggage

Luggage is also an important element. You should decide on your luggage based on how long you will be gone. Most of the time, a suitcase measuring 22 inches will be ideal. If you will be lugging it everywhere, you might want to invest in a suitcase that has wheels.  If the trip will only be overnight, you might get by with just a briefcase and a small tote. Remember to leave space in your luggage for things like devices, special equipment, work files, and a laptop.

On the Plane

Decide what you will be wearing on the plane if you will be flying. If you only pack a single suit, consider wearing the jacket while you are on the plane so that you will be able to save space.  Wrinkles will fall out of it when you get to the hotel and hang it up for the night. Also, most of the time, hotel amenities will include an iron. While you are packing, remember to set aside what you will be wearing on the plane and try to wear shoes that slip on and off easily so that there won’t be a hassle with security at the airport.

Traveling for Recreation with the Family

Sometimes, tips for traveling with kids can coincide with those for packing for a business trip. One of these things is to make a checklist before you pack so that you don’t leave anything out. Make sure that your list includes rental car and hotel info, reading material, toys, guidebooks, maps, paperwork necessary for the trip, toiletries, shoes, clothing, and maybe a few snacks for while you are on the road. The checklist will keep you from forgetting simple necessities easily overlooked such as deodorant, razors, pajamas, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, socks, and even underwear.

Space and Activities

You might also want to not underestimate the amount of space it will take for everything that needs to be packed.  Consider leaving out extras. For example, if you will only be gone for the weekend, do you really need 5 pairs of shoes or 3 coats? Take the weather into consideration so that you will be prepared for anything that might come your way. Also, think about the activities you and the family will be doing. You wouldn’t want to head to the beach with clothes for skiing, and yes, if you let children help with the packing, that is exactly what might happen if you aren’t careful.

7 Tips for Taking a Road Trip With a Teen Driver

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Did your teen just get their driver’s license? Are they more eager than ever to take part in this year’s family road trip?

Getting through the teen driving phase is one of the toughest periods for any parent. It’s inevitable that one day they’ll get behind the wheel, but it always seems to happen too soon. Despite all the stress, studies have shown teens that get their license earlier usually end up being safer drivers.

If your teen wants to be one of the drivers during your family road trip here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Update Your Car Insurance Policy

The car insurance pros at acceptanceinsurance.com suggest that parents check their policies before taking a road trip with teen drivers. The law requires that all drivers must be covered by liability insurance in the vast majority of states, even if they don’t drive a car of their own.

If your teen has a driver’s license and plans to drive the family car, you should add them to your auto insurance policy. Your teen should be listed as an operator of the vehicle, not just a household member.

Plot Your Course Together in Advance

Choosing the destination for a family vacation is one of the first to-dos that have to get done. But often we wait until the car is loaded to pull up a maps app and find the best route.

Knowing where you’re going in advance always helps every driver regardless of age. At least a week or two out, sit down with your teen driver and consider your route options. Consider things beyond distance such as the terrain, highway conditions and traffic. For example, a trip where you’ll be hiking in Vancouver has dramatically different driving conditions compared to visiting the city of Los Angeles.

Discuss all the various factors with your teen driver. It’s also a good time to decide how much driving your teen will do and which legs of the trip will be safest.

Check the Teen Driving Regulations in Each State

Every state lays out their own regulations for teen drivers. After going through the learner’s permit process, you’re probably familiar with your state’s regulations, but what about the states you’ll be driving through?

The states you plan to visit could be more strict or more lenient. Make sure to check with the state DMV for more information to avoid accidentally violating the rules of the road.

Don’t Sleep While They Drive

Teen drivers need supervision, especially if they’re driving through unfamiliar territory. It may be tempting to catch a power nap while your teen is driving, but fight the urge. Stay awake and alert so you can act as their co-pilot and make sure they aren’t doing anything risky like texting while driving.

Keep Your Emotions Under Control

We have a way of feeding off the emotions of others. If you’re stressed and on-edge while your teen is driving it will do nothing but increase their anxiety. Raising your voice or getting into an argument should definitely be avoided since it can make your teen driver emotional.

If you find that your teen’s driving is just too stressful during the family road trip ask them to pull over at the next stop so you can use the restroom. Once you’re done, take back the driver’s seat.

Avoid High-Traffic Areas and Times

Some believe in throwing a person in the deep end to teach them how to swim. That’s not an advisable tactic for teen drivers on a family road trip. It’s best to stick to portions of the route that are less likely to have traffic and times when there are fewer cars on the road.

Avoid Teen Driving in a Rental

Are you planning on renting a vehicle for your family road trip? Then your teen may have to put up with sitting in the back seat. No car rental company will rent a vehicle to a person who’s under 18, and many refuse to turn over the keys to drivers that are 20 years old or younger.

Even though it’s legal for a teen to drive while the parent is in the car, the car rental company may forbid it. Read the fine print carefully to avoid potentially expensive problems.

How to Handle the Most Common Kid Sensitivities

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Watching your child grow and develop is one of the most wondrous things a person can experience. Children are extremely resilient during the early developmental phases, yet vulnerable at the same time. Parents have to watch out for a number of sensitivities that don’t cause older kids trouble but commonly affect youngsters.

Below is an overview of some of those sensitivities and what you can do to relieve them.

Skin Sensitivities

Compared to our sun-beaten skin, babies and children have very sensitive epidermis. They can experience a number of skin sensitivities, even if they don’t have an allergy.

Some of the most common skin sensitivities include:

Eczema – Eczema is extremely common among children. Estimates show that around 10% of kids worldwide have it. The condition, which can develop in infancy, can cause the skin to be dry, itchy and easily irritated to the point a rash forms.

Contact Dermatitis – A number of irritants can affect a young child’s sensitive skin. Even tight clothing that rubs against the skin can cause problems. When they do come across irritants it can cause contact dermatitis. Some of the most common causes of contact dermatitis include dye chemicals, nickel, mouthwash and toothpaste ingredients, poison ivy and cosmetics.

Heat Rash – Little kids seem to run hot, which can show up in the form of a heat rash.

Dryness and Chapping – A child’s skin may look smooth and soft, but it can easily dry out. And it’s not just from the wind and cold. When kids wash their hand a lot or frequently lick their lips it can dry out the skin.

Hives – Most cases of hives can be chalked up to virus sensitivity. Even a small stomach bug can cause red, bumpy hives in young children.

The clothing you buy can make a difference. If a child suffers from contact dermatitis or dry skin, clothing items like seamless socks for kids, pants without tight waistbands and clothing without tags are often recommended.

Moisturizers that contain soothing ingredients like oatmeal are also recommended for a number of skin sensitivities. Of course, keeping your kid’s skin hydrated will help prevent dryness and chapping.

Sun Sensitivity

In addition to irritants, allergens and the environment, the sun can also affect children more so than adults. They haven’t had time to build up a tough exterior to ward off burns, but that isn’t the only problem created by the sun.

Photosensitivity can also be an issue. The term photosensitivity is a blanket term for a number of sun allergies. Doctors aren’t sure why some people develop photosensitivity, although some types of sun allergies can be inherited. The most common types of sun allergies include:

  • Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE)
  • Actinic prurigo (hereditary PMLE)
  • Solar urticarial (occurs most often in young women and girls)
  • Photoallergic eruption (occurs due to chemical reaction after a topical cream or fragrance is applied to the skin)

The symptoms of sun allergies are similar, usually resulting in a red, itchy rash. If solar urticarial is the problem your child may develop hives.

The easiest way to prevent sun allergies is to limit exposure. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep your kid inside 24/7. Make sure they wear loose, lightweight clothing that covers the skin and avoid times when the sun is strongest. It’s also important to slather on broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 20 or higher.

Food Sensitivities

Getting kids to try new foods can be a challenge, but you may also have to contend with a sensitive digestive tract. A number of foods can cause adverse reactions in kids. The good news is many children outgrow food allergies as they get older.

Some of the most common food allergies among children include:

  • Nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Seafood
  • Strawberries

Many of the food allergies above can cause skin reactions. If you don’t want to find out about a food allergy the hard way, there are several skin tests that your pediatrician or an allergist can perform to discover sensitivities.

Anytime you buy prepared meals or go out to eat it’s near impossible to know what all is in the food you and your children consume. If you’re concerned about food allergies and sensitivity, the best thing you can do is prepare food at home as much as possible. You can even make homemade baby food as soon as you begin to wean your child.

Persistent problems that don’t improve with over-the-counter treatments deserve more attention. If your baby, toddler or child has a strong reaction to irritants, allergens, the sun or food schedule an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as you can.

4 Common Hurdles to Overcome in Global Ecommerce

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Accompanying the rise in popularity of online shopping are increasing global ecommerce opportunities. Shoppers can get the latest and greatest products with just a few clicks, even if their favorite store is literally an ocean away. Brands can also pursue an omni-channel approach—offering physical stores and online-only options for shoppers near and far. It’s an exciting time for the industry.

But global ecommerce, while rewarding, is not effortless. It requires handling more moving parts to facilitate smooth, secure international sales. Here are four common global ecommerce hurdles entrepreneurs will have to overcome to be competitive in a worldwide market. 

Payment

Accepting payment on an international scale is a multi-faceted challenge. How can customers pay? How does payment preference vary by location? How can you ensure secure payment regardless of endpoint device or location?

The first step is understanding the needs and wants of your target market. As CPC Strategy writes, consumers prefer different payment methods depending on what they’re accustomed to using. While over half of shoppers in Japan prefer to pay with a credit card online, 70 percent of shoppers in Germany would choose Bank Wire Transfer or Direct Debit as a payment method. Failing to offer the best payment method to customers could cause them to abandon their carts and shop elsewhere.

Global ecommerce payment innovation has progressed in leaps and bounds, and cloud based ecommerce solutions have allowed online stores to expand their range of payment options without sacrificing security. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) becomes even more important when you’re crossing borders. 

Language

To sell to an international customer base, you’ll have to speak their language and a quick auto translation will do more harm than good. Take this cautionary tale courtesy of Business News Daily: When KFC opened in Beijing in the 1980s, its slogan “finger-lickin’ good” translated to “eat your fingers off.”

In addition to accurately translating your online store’s offerings, including the home page, product descriptions and your contact information; you’ll have to implement customer service channels capable of handling inquiries in different languages and time zones. Simple, accurate translation often starts with your platform itself. For example, several of Shopify’s themes come translation ready—all your team has to do is select the language. 

Legalities

What may be legal to sell in your country may be illegal in another. Before you offer any products worldwide, do your due diligence—especially if you sell sensitive products. For example, some countries have strict rules regarding disclosure on nutritional labels. It’s your job to know your industry and how it relates to local laws so your ecommerce store does not accidentally land itself in hot water by violating them. 

Logistics

Logistics like shipping are especially important when it comes to online sales. Online stores must set forth a firm shipping and delivery policy so customers know exactly what to expect. According to Ecommerce Guide, here are the staples of a solid policy that aims to prevent misunderstandings and costly mistakes:

–Expected delivery timeframe (so international buyers know when to expect packages)

–Cost (while cost may be higher for global shipping, it’s better to be honest up front)

–Special shipping promotions and conditions (free after a threshold, discounted, etc.)

Global ecommerce is on track to grow immensely in the coming months and years. As you set your sights on seamless international sales, face these hurdles head on to figure out the best solution for your customers and your bottom line.

Top Reasons Baby May Not Be Sleeping Through the Night

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Has getting your baby to sleep or having your baby sleep through the night become an issue? Though it can take a while for an infant to sleep a full 6-8 hours at night, there are other underlying factors that could be contributing to their inability to fall asleep or stay asleep very long. The truth is, your baby’s issues with sleep may have a lot of similarities to your own. Poor sleeping conditions can impede on someone’s ability to get good rest, no matter what age they are.

Too Much Light

Have you ever tried to take a nap during the day? While you may have been able to fall asleep at some point, getting there was likely a lot more challenging than it would be if it were nighttime, or you were in a dark room. When putting your baby to sleep, check to see how many lights are on at the time. Too many lights can keep the baby up longer than you’d like. If you want the baby to take a nap or get a good night’s rest, turn off all the lights and even consider solutions like darkening curtains to block natural light from getting in the room.

A Bad Mattress

When your mattress is in bad shape, your body feels the impact shortly thereafter. Tossing and turning, back aches, neck pains, and more can result from the wrong type of mattress or an old one. The same can be said for your baby’s crib mattress. If you have a used mattress or one that is cheap or poor quality, you may need to invest in a new baby mattress. As you shop, look for quality materials, good support, and great reviews.

Room Temperature

When you’re too hot or too cold, getting to sleep is a struggle. You toss and turn half the night trying to get to a comfortable temperature. If your baby’s room temperature is cold or really hot you will need to make some adjustments so they can get to sleep at night. You can try things like moving the baby crib from the window, installing a ceiling fan to keep it cool, or investing in a heater to increase the temperature in the baby’s room.

Noise

As you get older, you kind of learn how to fall asleep in any environment. It’s a lot easier to go to sleep in a quiet space than it is one that’s noisy. When it’s time for baby to go to sleep, try taking them into their room and ensuring that their surroundings are quiet. If you have younger children, try to get them to wind down when you’re putting the baby to sleep so that they’re not disturbed. When you put the baby in the crib, turn off the television and even close the door so that they are not awakened by sounds from the house.

Sleepwear

When dressing your infant for bedtime, often, less is more. Just as you would probably have a hard time going to sleep in something with a lot of lace, snaps, or buttons, the same is true for your baby. You also don’t want to overdress them because this can increase their body temperature, making it difficult for them to get to sleep. Dress your baby in light, minimal clothing to get a good night’s rest.

Routine

Your infant needs a sleep routine to get to sleep each night. There needs to be a clear indication of when you’re winding down, when their last feeding is, and when it’s time to go to sleep. Poor routines that might include playing with the baby, making lots of noise, or being out and about can confuse the baby and throw off their sleep pattern. Try to get some consistency by feeding, bathing, and winding down at the same time each day.

Clearly, the same things that keep you from getting the sleep you deserve also keep your baby from getting a good night’s rest. Unfortunately, since your baby can’t voice these things for you, it will be up to you to figure out which of these factors is playing a role in your baby’s inability to get to sleep and stay asleep each night. With time and a few changes, your baby should eventually give you a good window of opportunity to get some much needed rest yourself.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!