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How to Keep your Kids from Being Naughty on Vacation

June 26, 2016 by admin

bad_kid_travels

Vacations should be the time in your life when you de-stress, taking some time away from the daily grind to rest, recuperate, explore and most importantly have fun. This however, is easier said than done when you have children with you and planning for a stress-free family vacation needs to be done with precision. Naturally you want to have fun and you want the exact same thing for your children but very often the excitement of it all can lead to misbehaviour on your child’s part and can often spoil the good times. To avoid such a situation, here are some tips that can help you keep your kids from being naughty on vacation.

Lay Down the Rules

It is important that before you leave for your vacations that you let your kids know what is going to be happening when you’re away. You can use these talks to let them know that there will be more flexibility than normal, perhaps later bed times or food that they usually wouldn’t be allowed to eat will be available to them. Coupled with these benefits, you need to also let them know that these extra luxuries come at a price, their behaviour, It is far better if you speak with them before your vacation as if you need to do it during, it will take the child’s sense of freedom away and could lead to worse behaviour. Doing this also creates a point of reference that you can point to during your vacations.

Watch What They Eat

Naturally we relax a little with the rules when it comes to a vacation but you still need to be mindful of what your child is eating. Your kids will be excitable enough when they are away and the last thing that they need is a body full of sugar and E-numbers which can make them grumpy after the sugar rush.

Sleep is More Important

A day spent bombing in the pool, at a theme park, on an adventure playing sports and meeting new friends is more than enough for any kid to handle and they will be wiped out by the end of the day. Whilst you can relax rules around bedtimes, it’s important to ensure that your child still gets sufficient sleep. Lack of sleep equals grumpy child who will be more likely to misbehave.

Time Out 

The excitement of the holiday can sometimes be too much for a child and therefore it is vital that you take them out of the madness for an hour a day. The excitement of the holiday can sometimes be too much for a child and therefore it is vital that you take them out of the madness for an hour a day. Perhaps take them back to the room, let them play some online games on a tablet or watch a Disney film for a while, anything to turn their attention elsewhere. This will calm your child’s

Recently we have watched together “Finding Dory” and there’s plenty of free online games related to this friendly-but-forgetful fish: check out our favourites here! This will calm your child’s mind down a bit before they head back out into the fun.

Incentivise

This is the key to a happy holiday, an incentive, perhaps there is a theme park or an aqua park that your kid really wants to go to, organise this for the last or penultimate day. Doing this means that you have something to negotiate with your child when they begin misbehaving, remind them that if they are naughty then you won’t be going to the attraction that they want. Carrot and stick seems to be a harsh way of treating your kid but this theory works well.

Filed Under: Children

What to do in Detroit, Michigan?

June 15, 2016 by admin

A proud home to the sporting teams Tigers, Pistons, Lions and Redwings, Detroit is definitely a city to see and take the time to explore its rich history and multicultural areas. Here’s some inspiration:

  1. Old Saint Mary’s Church

What to do in Detroit, Michigan?

Source: Flickr

The third oldest German Roman Catholic church in the Greektown district of Detroit, was first built here in 1841, that makes parts of this church really, really old. The inside is extremely impressive and calming. There’s daily mass at 12.15pm, and Sundays at 2pm there’s a whole program to enjoy of music from the choirs, organs and string instruments.

Built in a Romanesque style with Venetian accents, you don’t have to be catholic to enjoy a visit to the Old Saint Mary’s Church, just respectful, as its really, quite beautiful.

  1. The Fisher Building

Another wonderful art deco building rich with Detroit history is the Fisher Building. 30 stories and 21 elevators, this building was built in 1928 by the Fisher family. After numerous owners it sold in 2015 at a loss at 12.2 million.

A silver medal for architecture this building is also home to the Fisher theatre, one of Detroit’s oldest live theatre venues, and regularly host art exhibitions. Love your architecture? Then you’ll love the Fisher building.

  1. The Detroit people Mover

The Detroit People mover is the city’s light rail train system. Opened in 1987, this monorail was meant to be the next big thing for the city but after small success, and a scale back on planning, this left only one track for the sidecar in completion. The People Mover today is not a bad way to get around town, when you need to travel in one direction. You are touring above the street and get to see lots of the city scoot past as you travel from one station to the next. 13 stops in all, one round trip is very affordable and you can say you’ve been people moved by the city of Detroit. This is an underestimated gem of Detroit and one to get into.

  1. William Livingstone Memorial

This great big marble lighthouse was erected April 8, 1930, atop the east end of Belle Isle Park. It commemorated the life and work of banker, publisher and transportation aficionado, and all round great guy, William Livingstone. This lighthouse was built to remember his work shipping on the great lakes and preserved as a memorial because he did so much for Michigan.

Sitting 80 feet high you can’t actually go in to the lighthouse, but admire it from behind the fence, which is not too bad, as it’s a beautiful sight to see.

  1. Museum of African American History

This museum celebrates and explores the culture and history of African Americans. Established in 1965, the museum aims to preserve black history and is a cultural icon in the city of Detroit. As well as 35,00 artefacts the museum also has a library, a theatre, research centre and gift shop. The run permanent and visiting exhibitions, and have an events calendar running concerts, screening, performances and lectures.

Open Tuesday to Sunday (Mondays as well in February for Black History Month) Tickets are very affordable at $5 for children and seniors and $8 for adults.

  1. Mexicantown

What to do in Detroit, Michigan?

Source: Flickr

Mexicantown – The name says it all! You guessed it. This part of Detroit was named for the settling of the Mexican population in the town in the 1940’s. It grew in waves of immigrants then in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and is now a vibrant place to see in the city. Colourful buildings, memorials and street art and the neighbourhood is full of restaurants. Are you hungry for Mexican food? Definitely make your way down and try one of the many traditional restaurants in the area, try a few if you have the time!

Further reading:

  • Official tourism office on Visit Detroit
  • Detroit’s top 25 on The Crazy Tourist
  • Timeline of the Rise and Fall of Detroit on The Week

Filed Under: Travel

This father’s day which celebrity dad are you most like?

June 14, 2016 by admin

Stuck for gift ideas, this father’s day why not see which celebrity dad your most like, to find out your ideal gift. Will it be funny man Ashton Kutcher or un-conventional parent Will Smith? What about movie hunks Mark Wahlberg or Channing Tatum or music moguls Kanye West or Jay Z? Take the fun quiz below from My Voucher Codes to see who you get!

I got Prince William, now although I don’t pretend to be king of my castle, I leave that to my partner, but I wouldn’t mind having the access to all that money and gold oh and one day ruling the UK! Okay so maybe some ideas of grandeur there, but the gift suggestions might just fit me to a tee. I’ve always fancied doing some outdoor pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting, it’s not something I have done before but always wanted to try!
At the moment the kids are at an age where I get usually a homemade gift such as a picture or papier-mâché bowl and a card, kindly made in school and then usually a little treat from my partner. So I think it will be a while before they are forking out for gifts like this!

Filed Under: Children

Your Baby’s Precious Vision: Know the Red Flags that May Signal Eye Problems

June 2, 2016 by admin

Baby's health

There are so many things to worry about as a parent and the eye health of your baby will be one of them. However, understanding the potential eye problems your baby could be born with, or could develop, will help to ensure that your baby’s eyes are healthy and that they mature as they should.

In order to avoid any visual impairments, diagnosing any eye problems as early as possible is crucial. The types of problems that may arise could be congenital (i.e. hereditary) or they could develop after birth. At the first neonatal check, a baby’s eyes should be examined to identify any potential structural problems such as retinoblastoma, ptosis, corneal opacity and cataracts. Should anything be found, your child should be referred directly to a paediatric ophthalmologist.

If these aren’t diagnosed early enough and the right treatments aren’t provided, it could have long-term consequences. Despite increasing amounts of medical advancements with things such as laser eye surgery, early detection will lead to better prevention.

Congenital Eye Problems

There are a number of ways in which your baby could develop a congenital eye problem, with the most common cause being a genetic disorder. Diseases such as Marfan’s syndrome, albinism and anophthalmia are all types of genetic conditions that can be passed onto your children. Should you or your partner have a condition that affects the eyes, you should be extra vigilant for any signs in your baby.

Other causes of these types of problems include infections, the intrauterine effects of alcohol or drugs, and maternal diabetes. Defects to the globe of the eye, the eyelids, the cornea, the pupil and iris, the retina and the lens are all congenital problems that can occur in babies.

Problems that Occur After Birth

Babies can also develop eye problems after birth. This could be caused by something like conjunctivitis during the first month of their life (ophthalmia neonatorum). Or, it could be a condition like amblyopia, which can happen during a baby’s first 2 to 3 years and is caused by sensory deprivation during this critical retinal development stage.

Knowing the Warning Signs

Whether you’re concerned about your baby’s eye health or not, there are a number of signs you can look out for that may indicate underlying problems. Watch out for any signs that your baby is tearing excessively or if there is any irritation to the eye area as this could indicate a problem with the tear ducts or an eye infection.

Take note of how your baby reacts to the light because any sensitivity they demonstrate towards it may be indicative of high eye pressure. Monitor how your baby’s eyes move and be mindful of any signs that your baby’s muscles aren’t developing properly – e.g. one eye moving in a different direction to the other may point towards strabismus.

Your baby will receive eye tests at the start of their life as part of their routine check-ups but it’s vital that you continue these. As a child’s eyes rapidly develop, particularly during the first few years of their life, regular screenings are a must, especially if there are any known problems running in the family.

Sebastian Pearce is a Dad who has become knowledgeable on eyesight issues due to his young sons low vision. He wants to raise awareness with his articles and offer support to other parents experiencing similar issues.

Filed Under: Children

6 Meals You must Try in Semarang

May 12, 2016 by admin

Semarang Travel

Semarang has loads of options to delight and amaze your tastebuds – everything from very modest food stalls to spectacular fancy restaurants, and almost every dish you come across can be amazing. This central Java city has plenty to attract those in search of great food and decent places to stay and if you appreciate simple online hotels booking Whiz Hotel Semarang makes things easy. The design of the building is awesome and the rooms are clean, comfortable and smell good. Hungry yet?

Lekker
Lekker (similar to what Europe serves as a crêpe) are different across Indonesia. Unlike the ones in Jakarta which are thin and crunchy and only come with chocolate the local favourite, Lekker Paimo comes in a variety of flavours. They are I can absolute taste sensation, you’ll never be able to have just one.

Loenpia

Semarang Travel
This is an absolute classic dish and one you will find served at all levels of gastronomy, right across the city. These flavoursome little spring rolls full of bamboo shoots, dried shrimp, chicken, and prawns are a real local favourite so you’ll see plenty of varieties. If you really want the best go for loenpia gang lombok or loenpia mbak lien.

Tahu Pong
Fried tofu can be a bit hit or miss, if it’s not flavoured properly it can be quite bland. However, served the local way it’s creamier inside than the normal white tofu, and with a splash of plecing (sweet sauce) it is absolutely delicious. This is one of the traditional foods of the area and you might see it alongside other favourites such as sliced raw cabbage, rice cake, egg, and shrimp fried with flour.

Wingko Babat

Semarang Travel
This is one of the dishes this city is known for. These luscious little pancakes with grated coconut have a subtle but striking flavour and make a good snack for any time of the day. Get them in either a large, plate-sized cake or small, paper wrapped nuggets of delicious.This one is to be particularly recommended, don’t leave without trying one.

Presto Milkfish
Seafood is always good in this town but this flavoursome dish of fish steamed in banana leaves. Packed full of spices there is enough ginger, turmeric and roasted coriander in the recipe t really pack a punch. When the fish goes in it’s covered in little spikes but the high-pressure cooking method leaves them soft and add texture to this traditional dish. Don’t be put off, they’re a real treat.

There’s lots of European influence to Semarang food and it’s a delight to get stuck into these tasty and fragrant local dishes. Wherever you go you’ll find great value and even greater variety. Go on, get stuck in!

Filed Under: Travel

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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!