1. Wear them out before you leave – Before you hop in the car or hop on a jet or plane, take the kids to the park and let them run around for a bit. Letting them release some of their pent up energy before the trip begins will help prevent them from becoming restless as you travel to your destination. If you’re taking a long road trip, be sure to stop every few hours to let the kids run around outside for a bit. Kids have a natural need to be active. So, don’t expect them to sit quietly in the back of the car for eight hours, without any breaks, and be happy about it.
2. Let them know what to expect – If your children have never flown on an airplane before, let them know what to expect in terms of turbulence, ear popping, and what it feels like to take off and land. If you’re going on a long road trip, make sure your kids know exactly how long it’s going to be. Kids don’t quite view time in the same way we do, so you might want to explain how long the car ride will be in an accessible way. For instance, you could tell them that you were going to be in the car for about as long as they might spend at school on any given day (for a 6 or 7 hour trip).
3. Book hotels with plenty of space – Trying to cram your family of hour into a tiny hotel room with two twin beds isn’t necessarily a good idea. Try to stay in the largest hotel rooms your budget allows for. The whole family will feel more comfortable staying in larger rooms, and making sure your kids are comfortable throughout the trip is one of the most important things you can do to prevent any difficulties.

So, next time you travel the seven seas, go up in the air, or hit the road with your kids in tow, try out the tips above. No family trip will be perfect, but there are definitely ways you can make the overall experience more enjoyable!

Author’s Bio: Logan is a frequent traveler and guest blogger who writes about family trips, international networking, and private jet charters.

1.) Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost: $12.50 for children 2-17; $17.50 for adults; $16.50 for seniors

With an astounding five floors of exhibits, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ranks in as the largest children’s museum in the country. Its trademark exhibit, Dinosphere, holds a variety of life-size simulated dinosaurs, as well as the largest collection of genuine fossils in the nation. There is also a functional paleontology lab where young explorers can work on artifacts found during simulated fossil digs.

Once you’re finished you can head over to the planetarium, or even help television stars Dora and Diego search the rain forest for animals. A separate wing of the museum has been transformed into a modern Egyptian village. Children can play dress-up with a variety of Egyptian apparel, peruse a simulated market, or learn about the native currency.

2.) Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Brooklyn, New York
Cost: $7.50 per person

Founded in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum was the first official children’s museum in the United States. Even though the museum has been open for more than 100 years, this kid’s mecca is still considered one of the best. It underwent an expansion in 2008 which more than doubled its size, and plans for additional expansions are currently in the works. It is one of the few museums that owns a permanent collection. It contains almost 30,000 artifacts and cultural objects.

One of the largest exhibits is Neighborhood Nature, which teaches children about the surprisingly diverse habitats within the area. From woody fields to tide pools, children can explore to their hearts content.

3.) National Museum of Play
Rochester, New York
Cost: $11 for children 2-15; $13 for adults; $12 for seniors

This giant center of fun offers a little something for everyone, including parents. If you happen to forget the diaper bag, the museum keeps complimentary baby and child items on hand to diffuse your disaster. Take a spin on the elaborate carousel ride, or wander through the largest aquarium in the Northeast. Toddlers will be beside themselves with excitement over the Elmo’s World section of the Sesame Street exhibit. Older children will enjoy wandering through the butterfly garden in search of the beautiful insects, or visiting the TV studio where they can star in their very own commercial. Children can even host their own cooking show.

The upstairs holds the National Toy Hall of Fame which is biggest collection of toy memorabilia in the world. Parents, and even grandparents, will enjoy browsing the exhibit and seeing the toys they grew up with as children.

4.) Children’s Museum of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Cost: $8 for individuals aged 2-59; $6 for seniors

This museum is conveniently divided into “Playscape” areas to accommodate children of different ages and interests. The Center for the Young Child is specifically designed for babies and toddlers up to age four. Life-size landscapes of lily ponds, bridges, and storybook scenes are set up for children to wander through and explore. Older children can visit The Assembly Plant where they can experiment with building structures, vehicles, or even aircrafts. Make sure to visit all the other Playscape areas which include a fire station, a vet’s office, an arts and craft area, and an area dedicated to exploring space.

5.) Please Touch Children’s Museum
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $15 per person

If you have children of all different ages, this museum was designed specifically for you. The president of the museum, Laura Foster, explained they didn’t want one sibling to be bored while the other played. One of the favorite parts of the museum (for children of all ages) is the famous Wonderland exhibit. Your young children can pick flowers in the simple Fairytale Garden while older ones join Alice for a tea party. Every exhibit in the museum offers activities for multiple developmental stages. Live theater shows are also offered to provide children with interactive, musical entertainment.

Elli is a writer for YourLocalSecurity.com. She was born and raised in Colorado and now enjoys skiing, playing tennis, and hiking in the mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Setting the Limit:

1. Get the kids involved! Discuss the spending limit with the whole family beforehand. For younger children, it may be a simple discussion of which days they may chose something, like a restaurant for lunch or a souvenir or toy. For older children, set a daily limit (or several day limit, depending on their capability to grasp the concept) of what can be spent. Let them know that if they save some money on the current vacation, they will have extra to spend the next time. Then set your own limits – and stick to them. This is a great opportunity to teach fiscal responsibility as well as help your children decipher between a whim and something they really want. Communication and laying out expectations as a team can help reduce the budget-breaking impulse buying that often happens while on vacation.

2. Plan your trip financially as well as physically. Know where you are going, and how much it should cost. Always give yourself a cushion, as prices may vary. Also, you are vacationing, and may find something you want, or see something you want to do, that wasn’t in the original plan. You want to be flexible enough to allow yourself a little fun while still sticking to your “economic guns”. Be sure that you do budget for some “blow money” for each person to be able to “blow” on one item or experience, it you can fit it. This allows for a little more freedom and opens the door to enjoying a few possible spontaneous memory building opportunities. Also, you can register in advance for online discounts and incentive groups like “Groupon”, “Social Living” and “Google Offers”. These cost nothing to join and if done in advance, you can find some great 50% off deals to help spread the dollars.

Penny Pinching on Attractions:

3. If there is a nice zoo or state park nearby, make a day-trip of it. You save yourself the high price of the tourist attractions while still building great memories and bonding time with your children. Near St. Louis, there is actually a large free park with many attractions. Some cities have safe and fun locations and opportunities for tourists. Checking with the tourist centers beforehand can be a great way to discover things like this.

4. If your kids are older, try a water park. Most water parks offer day passes if you want to skip the high price of lodging there. And what is better (or more fun for many kids) than swimming in the summer?

5. Museums are usually not too expensive as well, and your children can learn a thing or two over vacation. Make sure the museum houses things they are interested in, and you will create a great memory for the entire family. Some museums have great interactions and attractions for kids as well. Doing a little extra research can help you spot these extra vacation gems.

6. There are often festivals and carnivals going on in the summer. If you time things right, you can be vacationing close by as festivals occur. When the kids beg for overpriced festival toys or food, remind them of their vacation limit and of what they still have to look forward to. But go ahead and splurge on something small. Save the rest for an end of vacation treat, like dinner out with dessert or a couple of souvenirs.

Hotel or hostel?

7. Depending on your price range, you have some options with lodging and accommodations. For the lower end of the price range, you could check out a hostel and get a cheap, overnight stay at dormitory-type lodging. If you don’t like the idea of bunking with strangers, there’s the option of renting a camper -or roughing it in a tent- and going out for day trips.

8. If you have a little more in your budget for lodging, you could always look into renting local housing (through real estate companies) or unfilled timeshares to rent. This is still usually cheaper than a hotel, and you get the added space and privacy of a home or a nice vacation condo. House swaps are available too, but look for accreditation before you take that plunge.

9. If you just like the idea of getting away and staying in a hotel, there’s money saving options for that too. There are a lot of online discounts, and if you call hotels, they will usually compete for your business if they hear another chain is offering you a better deal. You might be able to get yourself a great deal with all the amenities; free breakfast, use of the facility pool and gym, and perhaps a larger room. You’ve just got to ask. You are bringing business to them, and it’s ok to have them compete a bit more for your hard-earned dollars, but you’ll never know unless you ask.

10. Keep and eye out for what is available through local papers and advertisements, and ask for the best deals, coupons, or incentives wherever you go. The worst that could happen is that you don’t get one. But most likely, at least some of the time, you will, and you’ll benefit through the extra savings. What you do and save on your vacation is really all up to you and the effort you want to put into it. So. . . go for it! You can rest easy then knowing you have the best laid plans for your family vacation.

About the contributor: Aaron Schulman is a husband and father who enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, especially when on a nice vacation. He enjoys web development and publishing, researching, writing, cooking, guitar and jazz music with his wife. He also writes acoustic guitar reviews from over 25 years of music experience. If you are a traveler and enjoy playing the guitar, he recommends the Baby Taylor Guitars for a great travel guitar sound at a great value.

I heard of Protect-A-Bub when I was pregnant with my daughter, but never purchased one. I always thought that I wouldn’t need it, or would never use it. Protect-A-Bub was created by an Australian mom who wanted a solution to exposing her “bub” to the harsh Australian sun. Protect-A-Bub’s product line includes universal stroller and jogger sunshades, car seat sunshades, all-weather shields for strollers and infant car seats, and an attach anywhere UV protective parasol. Protect-A-Bub has been a favorite amongst many moms and the shades have been awarded numerous honours including the iparenting Media Awards,the Coolest Stroller Add-ON from the Cribsie, and most recently Melanoma International Foundation’s Seal if Approval.

We had the opportunity to review the 4-Season Weather Shield by Protect-A-Bub. The 4 Season Weather Shield provides protection from the sun, rain, wind and bugs in one easy to use package.

The 4-Season Partial Coverage is a large mesh viewing window reduce glare and protects children from bugs.

The 4-Season Full Coverage is A UPF 50+ flap that allows for full UV protection.

The 4-Season Rain/Wind Coverage converts canopy to a Rain/Wind cover in one step and features a PVC-Free rain/wind panel.

The additional features to the 4-Season Protect-a-Bub are:

-Tested and rated UPF 50+
-Sun/Bug Panel blocks out 99% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays
-Specially woven polyester microfiber is breathable and doesn’t retain heat
-Zip off Sun/Bug panel can be replaced by PVC-Free clear rain/wind panel
-Fits all strollers and joggers with a canopy
-Convenient zippered opening makes it easy to access your little one
-Easily attaches to stroller frame
-Available in single & twin
-Includes carry bag

Our daughter is now two years old, but when riding in a stroller I still want to protect her against bugs, rain, UV rays, and the wind. Therefore, we tested out the Protect-A-Bub with our two year old in a Peg-Perego Aria stroller.

The stroller before placing the Protect-A-Bub 4-Season Weather Shield. A single stroller with a large canopy.

I’m not good at following directions. Therefore, I initially placed the weather shield on the stroller wrong. I couldn’t figure out where the ties went and how to move it upward. This is what it looked like “wrong” placed.

This is what it looks when it’s placed correctly. The net can be removed by unzipping and you just zip the rain/wind flap in it’s place. It’s really easy to unzip and change between the mesh flap and the rain/wind flap. Overall, installation was easy and I felt comfortable using it with the Peg-Perego Aria.

With baby number two on the way in a few weeks, we will be using a Britax B-Ready. We haven’t tested out the 4-Season Protect-A-Bub on the B-Ready as we haven’t purchased the stroller yet, but I am sure it will fit in use as a single stroller. Once we convert the B-Ready to a double stroller, I am not sure whether or not the Protect-A-Bub will fit. I have read on their site that their is a Protect-A-Bub 4-Weather Shield for twin strollers, so this is perfect for those mama’s using a twin stroller for a toddler and an infant, or for twins. The Protect-A-Bub 4-Weather Shield retails for $54.99 and can be purchased online and in retail stores.

Pajama Mommy Giveaway

Protect-a-Bub has partnered with Pajama Mommy to give away one 4-Weather Shield!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hotel Arrangements

1. Before leaving, it is best to do some online research about all the hotels in the area where you are going. Check out reviews and customer feedback listings in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises that could ruin your stay. Also, cross check the feedback on other sites to get a good variety of opinions and potential pitfalls for your travel destination. Being part of a vacation membership company is also a great way to find safe places at bargain, discount or wholesale prices.

2. If you are traveling with kids and you settled on a hotel, you should contact them ahead and ask if they are able to provide bedding for little ones. Also check if the bedding items used by the hotel chain are safe for children. When calling, it’s also best to tell the hotel staff to prepare the room for children by getting all the breakable stuff out, locking balcony doors and covering outlets.

3. When you get there, show your kids what they need to do if they get lost. For example tell them to go to the reception if they can’t find their way back to the room or if they don’t know where you are. Having a good plan for your children and reviewing it with them “on-location” is a great preventive measure for their safety.

Financial Arrangements

1. Estimate roughly the amount of money that you will spend daily but take some extra with you so that you will have enough funds to fall back on in case of an emergency. You never know when you could be taken by surprise and money will probably be the first thing you will need.

2. Studies have shown that 20% of Americans have their information stolen at one point or another and the truth is that many times this happens while on vacations or trips. To avoid this, you should take care of all your bills before you go and leave all redundant cards and checkbooks at home.

3. Also, a good idea is to make copies of all your important documents so that if anything gets stolen, you will still have all your significant information when and if the need arises. At the least, you will know you have what is needed, thereby reducing some anxiety caused by “unknown” issues.

4. Don’t take a lot of cash with you. Only take what you need to cover small expenses and some additional monies just in case of emergency. Use credit cards when possible because if they fall into the wrong hands you can call the company immediately. You can also enroll in additional identity protection insurances with your credit companies before you go, and cancel when you return. Be sure to understand the policies and expenses for these services. Sometimes, spending a few extra dollars can save you weeks and months of headaches in the event your identity is compromised.

5. You should also try to inform your credit card companies that you are leaving so it won’t look suspicious to them when you use your card in a different location. Sometimes this can help expedite purchases and you can often avoid the inconvenience or embarrassment of declined charges.

6. If you are traveling abroad, know the maximum amount that you can spend and make sure you have the number of your credit card providers in the unfavorable event that something goes wrong. Also, if anyone looks suspicious, it is best to simply avoid them and stay in areas where there are lots of people. If you have to use foreign currency, find out what the exchange rate is and always know how much you can afford before spending.

Leaving your home-sweet-home safe

While it’s important to do everything you can in order to have a good time when on vacation, it is also essential that you take all the necessary precautions so that nothing will happen to your house or apartment while you are away. Taking a few precautions can help reduce the risk of an empty home burglary.

1. Ask one of your friends or someone in your family to stop by your house regularly and see if everything is normal. You could additionally have a trusted friend or family member “house-sit” while you are away.

2. To keep burglars at bay, you should use motion detection sensors for the lights outside your house. You can also purchase a few timers for the lights inside and set them to turn on once in a while so that it will seem like there’s someone home.

3. Have all your mail picked up by one of your neighbors or held at the postal office (post offices will do this if you ask). For safety measures, it is also best to unplug all the unnecessary electronics in your house before leaving. Not only can this reduce your electric bill while away, it can also reduce the risk of potential but unlikely electrical fires.

In summation, proper planning is the key to a great vacation and if you do all that’s described here you will both reduce your anxiety and worry on your trip, and improve your overall vacation enjoyment experience. Additionally, research additional ideas that are suited to your specific travel safety needs and complete a personal checklist. A little extra work up front is well worth the resulting value of your personal rest and relaxation. Someone once said, “an ounce of prevention is worth more than a ton of cure”, and with travel safety preparation, this certainly applies.

Aaron Schulman is an avid web developer and publisher who is happily married with 3 wonderful girls. He and his wife enjoy cooking, jazz and guitar music, saving money and traveling with their girls on short excursions whenever possible. He has recently written a review on a Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar, which is a great companion for combining guitar music and travel.

Scuba diving is one of the greatest reasons to travel the world at the moment. And it is right up there in the adventure stakes when it come to keeping a group of gun-ho men amused.

The southern hemisphere has some of the best diving on the planet. It might be a stretch for stag weekends abroad but, with planning, it can be the bachelor’s adventure of a lifetime.

South Africa’s Western Cape has all you need for some adrenaline-fueled diving with the world’s most feared shark, the Great White. Charter boats tempt these beasts with bait while you wait nervously, wondering how strong the bars are in your protective cage. Nearby Cape Town is also a beautiful city known for its great party scene.

Traveling to the Eastern Cape along South Africa’s Garden Route, you come into the altogether different surroundings of Sodwana Bay, part of the Kosi Bay nature reserve. You can drive off road to the camp site for the game-park dive experience. Warm waters come into the bay from the Indian Ocean, bringing pelagic fish, sharks, turtles and manta rays to its reefs.

The Great Barrier Reef runs the length of North Eastern Australia and is the world’s largest coral reef. The reef hosts a bewildering array of marine life and is regularly visited by larger whales and sharks. It makes for a great diving road trip, traveling up the coast of Queensland towards the laid-back tropical city of Cairns.

Indonesia is a hot spot for wildlife, with new species found regularly both on land and in the sea. On Sulawesi, much of the south east of the Island is a protected coast with swathes of coral reef, where money made from diving is funneled into protecting the plethora of colorful marine life.

The Galapagos Islands are only just below the equator, but they straddle some legendary waters that were famous for their pirates and privateers. They also have a number of unique marine creatures, such as the Marine Iguana and the Galapagos Penguin. Because of their isolation and highly protected status, the islands are an unspoiled haven for fish, sharks, turtles, seals and whales. There are also plenty of antique wrecks to explore.

The Marshal Islands, in the South Pacific, cover some of the remotest seas on earth. Bikini Atoll is a half-submerged ring of rock and coral which surrounds a blue lagoon full of Second World War shipwrecks, including a US aircraft carrier and a Japanese battleship! It was used as a nuclear test site and although radiation levels are now safe, nobody lives there. A live-aboard trip to the lagoon is quite expensive but provides the best wreck diving in the world.

Brazil is the place to mix diving with a happy-go-lucky beach culture. The Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago that is a couple of hours plane ride from the mainland. It is truly a beach paradise. It is a protected area and the numbers allowed to enter the islands are controlled. You can dive to see the wrecks and Spinner dolphins that enter the inshore waters in their hundreds.

If you are planning your stag trip abroad for a last hurrah with your friends, you should definitely consider going south for the diving.

Fun for all the Family?

Whether you’re traveling to visit family members across the country or get away and go someplace warm, you’re not alone if you find yourself in an airport terminal this winter. Luggage checks and gate changes have become just as much a part of the holiday season as tinsel and eggnog, after all, and those of us with travel plans can expect long lines, beefed-up security measures, and a generally hectic airport scene.

This probably won’t come as much of a surprise. Traveling – especially airplane travel – can be an incredibly stressful experience these days. But the stress of navigating a terminal and catching a flight on your own is nothing compared to the challenges of doing this with your kids in tow. Certainly, we love our families and wouldn’t want to travel during the holidays without our children with us. Even so, dealing with a crowded airport and a delayed flight can be a lot for a parent to handle.

On that note, here are a few suggestions for being at the airport with your kids this holiday season:

Bring Food

If you have kids, you probably are aware that children often get hungry at the most inconvenient of times. While an airport terminal is usually brimming with food options, these choices are routinely overpriced, unhealthy, and require considerable walking, luggage maneuvering, and overall hassle. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with getting airport food – but it’s probably best to be prepared and pack a few sandwiches.

Take Turns

For those of you traveling with children and with your spouse, it’s a good idea to take turns watching the kids when faced with a lengthy airport delay. Have one spouse sit with the kids at the gate while the other can go to the bathroom, get food, and browse the terminal. Then switch off and repeat as necessary.

Have Distractions Ready

Most people come to airports equipped with books, movies, and other products designed to pass the time. Make sure that your kids (and you) come equally prepared. Your children should have books and games sufficient not just for killing time during the flight, but also to act as a good distraction in the case of an airport delay.

Be Flexible

There are plenty of variables that sit outside of your control when you travel by air. This is only augmented when children are involved; not only do you need to get your luggage through security, into the terminal, and onto the flight, but now you have to do the same for your family members. Ultimately, then, it’s always best to budget a lot of time, be patient when things get stressful, and adapt and react to circumstances as necessary.

Going on a vacation can be a great way to bond with your family during the holiday season. It can be a relaxing, enjoyable, and refreshing opportunity to spend valuable time with your spouse and your kids. But before you get to your destination, make sure that you are adequately planned for the airport and for everything it may throw at you.

Now, you are probably wondering how it works, right? I was thinking the same thing when I opened it up. The Journey Gym “utilizes a proprietary resistance system which allows for you to have between 5 and 150 lbs. of resistance providing a real strength training workout for your shoulders, arms, chest, back, abdominals, and legs.” Still trying to figure it out? Let me show you.

Here is what the Journey Gym looks like when it’s opened. There are resistance bands on both sides with different colors & resistance:

Orange – The orange bands are the lights and provide approximately 5 pounds resistance at 200% extension.
Blue – The blue bands are in the medium and provide approximately 10 pounds resistance at 200% extension.
Green – The green bands are the heaviest offer approximately 15 pounds resistance at 200% extension.

I asked the husband to join in and show me how to use the Journey Gym. My husband regularly exercises at the gym and runs 2 1/2 miles a day. He understands equipment like this and I do not. We popped in the DVD, opened up the gym, and got started. Now, the DVD is fast paced, so go ahead and have your gym open and ready when you put the DVD in. I would recommend for Journey Gym to go a little slower when showing how to put everything together, because we had to pause the DVD a couple of times to catch up. The Journey Gym is not hard to put together once you do it once, it requires:

1.) Removing the handles
2.) Removing the legs to turn the gym into a stair stepper
3.) Attaching handles to resistance bands of choice
4.) Attaching full set of legs

Once you have this done, you can continue on with some of the sample exercises on the DVD. The DVD will explain how to adjust the handles for your height and how to do the exercises. My husband played around with it for awhile to get used to it. I suggest doing this so that you will feel comfortable when standing on the gym, moving around on it, and getting used to how the handles and bands work. Comfort is the key to a successful workout.

Although I am the main person going to be using the gym, it’s going to take me awhile to get comfortable using it. I completed the first set of a ten minute exercise and the video was easy to follow along with and great for beginners. Although the DVD only comes with two set of exercise programs, you can join journeygym.com and get more exercises with music. I haven’t had the opportunity to do this yet, as I am still getting used to things. You need to:

1.) Sign up at journeygym.com
2.) Choose exercises from 180 different exercises
3.) Add the exercises to your workout timeline
4.) Once video is created, choose your music (100 songs)
5.) Save video, share it, your rip it to a DVD

For the next two weeks I will be working out on the Journey Gym. I will be taking pictures and a video to show my progress. As I become more comfortable with the gym, the more I will be able to share with you. So far the only negativity I have about the gym is the noise. Now, the gym itself and while working out does not create any noise whatsoever. But when I first tried the gym I attempted it while my daughter was sleeping. When opening the gym there are two loud clicking noises, once the gym is open and you are removing things you will need to get started, it’s not loud at all. When putting things away and closing the gym is when it’s loud – so be careful doing this during bedtime of nap time as we woke my daughter up three times. Keep in mind this depends on where your child may be sleeping, if they are a light sleeper (like mine) or a heavy sleeper. You may have no issues with this in your household, I just wanted you to be prepared for a “just in case.”

After two weeks I will be updating more about the Journey Gym and will be hosting an one month long giveaway for Pajama Mommy Readers. Participants in the giveaway will also be entered into winning a grand prize from Journey Gym.

Disclosure

2. A list of allergies.

3. Phone number for family doctor.

4. Insurance company phone number and insurance identification cards. Call your insurance company to verfiy their policy for emergencies and doctor visits specific to your particular destination.

5. A few basic childproofing items for the hotel/guest room (outlet plugs, cabinet locks, cord rollers, etc).

Travel Day
1. Carry your own emergency care guide on airplane (Baby MEDBASICS). Yes, you will have flight attendants but no you won’t have 911. Ultimately you are accountable for your baby’s safety so be prepared and don’t leave it up to someone else.

2. Carry the emergency info pack you so carefully created before leaving home.

3. If your child has a severe allergy or medical condition place a medic-alert bracelet on your child.

4. Carry a portable first-aid kit and small bottle of alcohol free hand sanitizer.

5. Pack 1 more diaper than you think you need (after your third flight delay . . . this my friend could be the biggest emergency you encounter).

When You Arrive
1. Make note of emergency numbers (not always 911) as well as your vacation address and the location of the closest hospital. You can ask a family member, friend or concierge for this information.

2. Suitcase dangers — Sometimes the biggest vacation dangers are actually packed in your suitcase. Make sure all medications, vitamins, cigarettes and cosmetics are out of reach from your little one. Ziplock bags are a start but don’t qualify as child proofing. Lock medications in the room safe and place all items high on a shelf out of reach.

3. Hotel room/guest room dangers — Get down on your hands and knees and crawl around the room. See what your baby sees and make the adjustments as necessary. Are there dangling cords? Exposed outlets? Matches? Irons?
Check the temperature of the hot water as you don’t know the hot water heater setting. By childproofing the room from the start you will make your life a lot easier and your baby’s a lot safer. According to the National Safety Council, the number two cause of injury-related death among children is drowning so make sure to take precautions regarding any swimming pool, lake or ocean. Prevention + Attention saves lives.

4. Sun damage — Take extra care to make sure baby is covered up as you most likely be spending more time outside than usual. Apply sunscreen (30 spf) every 2 hours and after swimming. Remember that your baby’s skin is thinner than yours and therefore burns more quickly than adult skin. Bring hats and umbrellas for shade. Offer plenty of fluids and watch for signs of heat exhaustion/ heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, red, hot, dry skin (no sweating), quick pulse, confusion, dizziness, headache, nausea and unconsciousness.

5. Resort babysitting — Only hire babysitters from a trusted source. Make sure a background check has been completed and that a copy of his/her current drivers license is on file. Trust your gut. If your sitter arrives and you don’t have a good feeling either call for another sitter or cancel your evening. (I personally love sittercity.com) After your sitter arrives, allow time for your baby (and you) to adjust. I recommend leaving at least a 30 minute window. Make sure you leave your Baby MEDBASICS emergency care guide, a first aid kit with emergency information and your cell phone number.

© 2011 Luke Hermann, M.D. & Tara Summers Hermann, R.N., B.S.N., authors of Baby MEDBASICS®

Author Bios
Luke Hermann, M.D. & Tara Summers Hermann, R.N., B.S.N., authors of Baby MEDBASICS®, founded the company MEDBASICS® LLC. They live in New York City with their three children, Nicholas, Oliver Beckett, and Vivienne.

Helpful tips for traveling with your pet:

• Consider your pet’s needs. Distance, location, temperature, mode of travel, your pet’s health, age, etc. are all important factors to consider before traveling. Remember that your pet is very sensitive to change, and when stressed, the immune system is likely to become weakened, so be sure to boost immunity prior to travel.
• Packing & preparation. Remember the essentials like medications and medical records, food and bowls, a pet first aid kit, bedding, carrier, tags, and toys.
• Before any trip, make a quick stop at your vet to have your pet examined to make sure vaccinations are up to date, and to get any medications your pet might need, etc.
• Relaxing your pet. Anxiety and car sickness are two of the most common concerns amongst pet owners. For anxiety, take your pet on short trips regularly to help accustom him to traveling, and remember to bring a favorite toy or blanket. If traveling by car, make sure the vehicle is well-ventilated, and open a window if necessary.

Helpful tips for boarding your pet:

• Make a reservation. Boarding facilities become hectic during the holiday season, so be sure to book in advance.
• Find out what’s permitted. Certain toys may be dangerous for other animals and prohibited.
• Leave favorite items at home. Keep in mind that boarding facilities deal with many pets and owners a day, meaning that your pet’s favorite item may end up in someone else’s hands.
• Leave your emergency numbers. Always provide your personal contact info, and even the hotel or house you will be staying at just in case.
• If your pet is on medication, verbally tell someone in the facility about medication needs and also leave instructions.
• Bring the essentials. Include a list of feeding instructions for your pet along with an unopened bag of food. In some cases, there may be times when another animal eats out of your pet’s dish;  sending a fresh bag of food will ensure your pet has enough of his/her food to last while you are away.

“People should engage in simple and easy tire maintenance at least once a month; but it’s especially important to do this during the wintertime when unpredictable weather can have an impact on road conditions and driving in general,” said Chuck Yurkovich, vice president of global technology for Cooper Tire.

With many drivers choosing to leave all-season tires on vehicles for winter driving, ongoing maintenance becomes even more critical as industry reports indicate that 11 percent – or about 28 million vehicles – have at least one bald tire, and 55 percent of vehicles have at least one under inflated tire.

Cooper Tire advises drivers to conduct the following do-it-yourself maintenance checks that take less than 10 minutes a month to perform:

Examine tread: the only piece of a vehicle to touch the road is the tires, making tire tread a key factor in handling, cornering, accelerating and braking.

• Tire tread depth should be more than 2/32 of an inch deep all around the tire and drivers can check this by using a U.S. penny. Insert the edge of the coin into the tread with Lincoln going in headfirst. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered by tread that means there is at least a minimum acceptable amount of tread; if the top of his head is visible at any location on the tire, the tire is worn out and it’s time to replace it. For winter weather driving, the more tread depth, the better.
• While examining the tread, also look for signs of uneven wear or damage such as cuts, cracks, splits, punctures and bulges. These conditions shorten the life of tires and if not corrected, further tire damage or air loss may occur.

Test air pressure: tire pressure plays a critical role in the overall performance of tires as underinflation creates excessive stress on the tire, while overinflation can cause uneven wear in addition to handling and braking issues.

• Tire pressure decreases by about one pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature.

• Drivers should follow the guidelines found in the vehicle owner’s manual or tire placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge to determine the correct air pressure for their vehicle. A common myth is that the tire pressure listed on the sidewall is the optimal pressure, while in reality it is the maximum pressure.
• Air pressure should be checked when the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile.

Should any of these checks reveal the need for required maintenance – or when in doubt about the condition of their tires – drivers should take vehicles to a tire dealer for a professional inspection. Cooper Tire also recommends drivers discuss the need for winter (snow) tires with their tire dealer, particularly those in areas where winter ice and snow storms are prevalent.

“In areas that typically experience harsh winters drivers may want to consider replacing their all-season tires with a product made specifically for that severe climate,” Yurkovich said. “The key is to have those discussions with a trusted dealer before the first storm hits. Preparedness is key.”

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company with affiliates, subsidiaries and joint-ventures that specialize in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck tires and has subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world. For more information on Cooper Tire, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire, or www.twitter.com/coopertire.

This year has been a crazy one, and I don’t think I’m the only one that can say that! I’m personally hoping that next year will be a little less hectic, and planning a stress -free vacation might be a good way to enjoy 2011. Whether you’ve already got a vacation spot picked or you have no idea where in the world you want to go, the internet is full of travel advice to help you out – with tips from restaurants to eat it and hotels to stay in to stores to shop at and tourist attractions in the area you’ll be visiting.

There are a lot of places in the world worth seeing, and some of those places may even be closer to you than you think. Whether you visit a city close to you or travel to the other side of the world, be sure to plan wisely so you can enjoy yourself!

I am always concerned about safety. I always have kids in the car whether they are mine or they belong to someone else I just am surrounded by children. I get absolutely nervous with driving other kids because of course you know they aren’t mine so if something happens to them you have to explain it to their parent or guardian as to what the heck happened. I dread that day.

However, I don’t dread it as much because of how safe my car is. I love the sedan it was just an easy choice. Not only was it a financially sound investment, it also met my “it has to look rich while not being expensive” needs I have of a car. Yes I can be shallow as we all can but heck if I’m buying a new car I darn well better be getting my monies worth in the looks department.

I have to say I have the best Camry out there. So far no other car can compare. I know other people love their cars but I don’t think they can honestly love their car as much as I do. I have to say my baby is pampered. I honestly don’t know if I could even get an animal or have children and share my car. I refuse to share my car with whom ever I am even dating at the time.

Yes I am that annoying person that makes you wipe your feet before you put your toes in my precious baby. I mean really I don’t want your dirtiness stinking up my gorgeous girl, she is too perfect to be sullied up by your icky shoes I tell you! I am constantly cleaning it out, taking it to the car washed and getting it waxed. She still looks brand new and will always look that way if I have my say in it!

It has to be my favorite car of all time. It is absolutely perfect for being a single woman to being a mother of four. I can honestly say my friends were jealous when they saw me pull up for the first time in my gorgeous new camry.

It is not the beautiful red you see here but a great hunter green. Green is one of my favorite colors so I couldn’t wait until I got my hands on a green camry. I have the 2009 edition so it is still relatively new and still oh so shiny and gorgeous.

I have to say I was first inspired by it since my own mother owned one for quite awhile and it lasted her the longest of all her cars, and when my brother in law purchased one I was beyond jealous that is when it sealed my fate I was saving my pennies for a down payment on my own Toyota. It really came down to whether I wanted a Camry or a Corolla but I have to say I loved the sporty look of the Camry.

If you own one please tell me how much you love it!

There is a lot to be said about taking a vacation and being able to save money. I like the fact that with my new bank I can actually pay for my amazing cruise while earning airline miles for a future vacation s0 I can rock the boat (pun completely intended) with it and kinda get a two-for in the end. I absolutely am so excited about this website. I can’t wait to start planning my trips.

My friend Donna and I are now on the look out for awesome packages for vacations because she nor I ever do anything for ourselves. We are always running around taking care of her kids, or work, or just every day errands and there isn’t a moment when you sit down and say hey this is for me. The only time I get that now is when I am on a date but even then you’re still preoccupied with the concern that someone else is enjoying themselves so partially it isn’t so much for you in the end. However, taking a cruise or any trip at all will definitely be all for me (and my guest). I cannot wait to start saving my pennies. I love this site since you won’t need that many pennies to get yourself on a fantabulous cruise! Heck, the cruises are say awesome you even have to make up a word to describe them…lets all say it out loud together. FANTABULOUS!

Medina, NY –

WHO: Thomas the Tank Engine

WHAT: • A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine

• An opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of The Railway

• Activities for the whole family, including arts & crafts, storytelling, video viewing, live

Music, Thomas jump tent, jugglers, clowns and a 204 ft long HO-Scale model train layout

• A special display at every DOWT location celebrating 65 years of Thomas the Tank Engine

• 2010 commemorative merchandise and giveaways, including a mini-view finder giveaway that   tells the story of Thomas’ upcoming adventure, Misty Island Rescue

WHEN:            May 7- 9 & May 14-16, 2010

TIME:               9:30 am-6:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday

11:00 am to 6:30 pm on Friday

WHERE:           530 West Ave.

Medina, NY 14103

Tickets for Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010 are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free 866-468-7630, or by visiting http://events.hitentertainment.com or http://www.railroadmuseum.net Ticket prices are $18 for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply).

For more information and directions contact the Medina Railroad Museum at 585 798-6106 or www.railroadmuseum.net.  For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com

Since we’re gearing towards the time where we all like to take vacations before the summer comes I figured I’d tell you about a really great website that has deals on all sorts of cruises that I’ve found out about! The Caribbean cruises by Liberty Travel have 5 nights from $399! Their cheapest ones are the Bahamas starting at $169 so really you can’t beat that! With airfare etc, the prices are unbeatable. I dare you to find those prices at any of those places we all see commercials on! I am definitely bookmarking this site.

A couple of my girlfriends and I have been debating on what we’re going to do for a vacation. We’ve been tossing around some ideas. I know my one friend is counting our going to Blogher as a vacation but quite frankly a vacation does not include working! That is what we’ll be doing there so I really want to teach her the ways of a true vacation. Now that I found some cruises that are so inexpensive I will be informing her that is what we’ll be doing, no if, and, or but about it! Screw Vegas I’ll be taking a cruise!

Remember these aren’t the only great resources but they are valuable ones none the less so check them out today!

children in thousands of schools across the country. You can pledge here: www.WetOnes.com and take the Wet Ones Pledge.  Upon signing the pledge, consumers will also receive a downloadable coupon redeemable for $1.50 off a Wet Ones(r) product purchase, along with

information on how to help keep their family healthy, including a simple and effective Flu Prevention Plan developed by renowned pediatrician Dr. William Sears, M.D.

Keeping hands clean is the best defense against the spread of germs this cold and flu season. That’s why renowned pediatrician Dr. Sears is partnering with the Wet Ones^® brand, to educate families about his five-step flu prevention plan and how to help stop the spread of germs.

William Sears, M.D., is the father of eight children as well as the author of over 40 books on childcare. Dr. Sears is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Dr. Sears received his pediatric training at Harvard Medical School’s Children’s Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto — the largest children’s hospital in the world, where he served as associate ward chief of the newborn nursery and associate professor of pediatrics. Dr. Sears is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a fellow of the Royal College of Pediatricians (RCP). Dr. Sears is also a medical and parenting consultant for BabyTalk and Parenting magazines and provides advice to millions of parents through his Web site, www.AskDrSears.com.

Tips to Help You Stay Healthy:
Regardless of other measures you may take to stay healthy, here are a few easy additional things you can do to protect yourself from the spread of germs and illness:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Use hand sanitizer gels, or antibacterial hand wipes like Wet Ones®, when soap and water are not available.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent germs from spreading.
• Avoid people who are ill. If you feel sick, stay home from work or school and consult with your doctor.
• Stay informed, Visit the CDC Web site to follow the latest public health advice or call
  1-800-CDC-INFO. Have a plan to care for sick family members. If you live with someone who has the flu or flu-like symptoms, talk to your doctor about preventative methods to stay healthy.
• Stock up on household, health and emergency supplies such as water and non-perishable foods.

How Wet Ones® Antibacterial Wipes Can Help
Wet Ones® Antibacterial Wipes are useful for situations when you or your family come into contact with germs in public areas. In the absence of soap and water, Wet Ones® Antibacterial Wipes kill 99.99% of germs just as effectively as an alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer but they also clean away dirt and messes, and won’t dry out your skin like alcohol-based cleansers. Consider using antibacterial wipes to sanitize hands on the go.
For example:

• Travel – to wipe hands after touching tray tables, blankets or luggage during airplane, bus, or train rides (avoid the hassle of liquid gels at airline security)
• Shopping – Store in your car to clean hands after touching money or visiting common dressing rooms
• Commute to work – Carry in your purse or briefcase when coming into contact with banisters, elevators, escalators, and mass transit.
• At work – Keep at your desk to reduce germs on hands after using computer keyboards, phones, meeting rooms and shared kitchens
• Socializing – Add to your bag or purse for use after shaking hands, visiting restaurants or sitting in public areas
• School – if you have other children, pack in the backpack so they can use them as needed prior to lunch, after recess or between classes or when riding the bus

One of my favorites this year, by far is the 2009 Infiniti EX35.  Just look at that image!  Is that not one of the sleekest vehicles you have ever laid eyes upon?  Aside from the infiniti‘s feast your eyes out looks, it is an extremely versatile vehicle that does just about everything.  It’s easy to drive, has plenty of power (are you reading this fellas?) and has an ample amount of cargo room.  The Infiniti EX35 takes the best aspects from both car and SUV by combining them into one vehicle.

And the greatest aspects of this vehicle had to be saved for last– it’s features! I will only list a few of my favorites, as there are many amazing features to this particular vehicle:

• Cruise control (a must with my lead foot)
• Rear view camera
• Keyless ignition
• 5 person total seating capacity (hello third baby!)
• XM satellite radio
• Cargo area light
• Climate control
• Folding armrest with storage (we store tissues, hand sanitizer and sunglasses in ours)
• Rear door child safety locks

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, this is definitely one to take a look at.  If the features were not enough, then be sure to take a look at the packages available.

My parents agreed that security (especially when it came to the kids) was the best measure.  For Christmas, we are receiving a GPS tracking system.  You see, the reason for wanting the said device is this.  As a truck drivers wife, I am usually stuck doing things on my own.  After a long day of running errands, both children usually fall asleep in the vehicle by the time we pull into the driveway.  I am always scared to pieces about leaving my children in the car, but during these occasions, I am guilty of carrying them in one by one and delivering them to their beds.

I take the precaution of locking the vehicle before leaving a child in there by themselves for the two-three minutes they are in there, but it does not always give me the peace of mind.  Having the Victoria GPS Tracking System will give me a certain piece of mind because should someone steal my vehicle in that two-three minutes I am running one child into the house. Some of the details about this particular device are:

• Vehicle tracking by time and distance: every 10 seconds if the vehicle is moving at least 10 miles an hour; Every 20 feet if unit is moving less than 10 miles an hour.
• Alternative power options: Battery, or cigarette lighter adapter.
• Live (real-time) vehicle tracking as well as 90-day Historic Playback.
• International coverage
• Live technical support
• Clip for attaching to sun visor, pocket, purse.
• Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
• Automatic alerts for violations of speed or geographic limits.
• Motion sensor
• Month-to-month billing; NO ANNUAL CONTRACT

System includes:

• Victoria Tracking System unit
• USB cable
• Wall charger

The holiday season is upon us, which means lots travel, unhealthy food, memorable moments, and our famous excuses such as, “I’m traveling, there are no healthy options!” and “I’ll work it all off when I get home.” A typical American may gain upwards of 15 pounds during the winter months, including holidays. Why put you and your body through this when there are simple tips and ways around the holiday bulge?

Whether you travel by plane, train, or automobile, the only things moving are the means of transportation.

When traveling by car, I suggest the following tips:

• Stop to eat instead of sitting in the car and going through the drive-thru.  For the budget conscious, this doesn’t have to be at a restaurant, there are some great sandwich shops that offer healthy and affordable meals!
• Take a break from the long drive and walk around for 10-15 minutes, this short amount of time can be a great benefit to your health.
• For close destinations, pack a picnic.  This is a great wayto get the family involved and find a great place to pull over and eaton the way.

When traveling by train:

• Get up, walk around and stretch as much as you can.
• Bring snacks to avoid over eating the full, typically, unhealthy foods trains provide. Trail mix and nuts are some of the best options to bring!
• Bring a book! The train is the perfect place to relax and stimulate your mind.

When traveling by plane:

• Power walk in the airport! Don’t worry, you won’t look weird, usually others who are late to their flights are doing the same so you’ll fit right in!
• Make sure you plan ahead.  If you are traveling internationally check to see if they offer a vegan menu or bring your own food to eat that you know you’ll enjoy.
• Snack frequently, never allowing yourself to over eat or binge at one sitting.
• Keep alcohol to a minimum while traveling, as well as caffeine, and sodium. All tend to dehydrate the body, and while flying it is important to stay hydrated, plus it helps prevent the dreaded jet lag!

With these simple tips, you can help keep the pounds off while traveling this holiday season! Remember, being prepared is the key to traveling success!

About Shauna Johnson

Shauna has a passion for healthy living, including living and cooking a healthy diet.  She has been the head instructor for flagship Wellspring Academy of California for four years, and has designed the curriculum for Wellspring Camps around the globe.  Shauna earned her Nutrition and Culinary Education degree at Fresno State University.  Shauna has also continued taking courses, including a recent “Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives” curriculum developed by Harvard Medical School in association with Culinary Institute of America.

Although my husband and I do not “own” a GPS tracking system, we have had the opportunity to witness the device at work first hand.  One of the devices I would most like to see up close and maybe even test out someday is LandAirSea’s newest GPS system, The GPS TracKing®.  From what I understand about this little contraption is that it is not much larger than the two AA batteries that power it, it operates up to 80 hours on a battery cycle and can be connected to your vehicle’s main power supply.  And most importantly, it does all of this at no monthly service fee.

You’re probably wondering how all of this actually works, so please let me explain.  The data is committed to flash memory in the GPS TracKing®. You then download via USB port to personal computer using the LAS Past-Track software package (included free with the GPS TracKing® purchase). There are three data viewing options: a daily text log; route display over animated digital street map; or route display on satellite imagery with Google Earth interface.

While this may all sound a bit “high-tech”  for some, I assure you that anyone can use this device to their advantage.

I am seeing two interesting trends in the industry these days.  First, people are booking their vacations closer to the actual travel dates, as they want to have the best picture possible of their life before they make the decision to book their travel arrangements. Second, I see the “power of the purse” in action, with more women making the majority of travel decisions and taking responsibility for booking family getaways.  I call it the “anti-Clark Griswald effect.”

So how do you get the most for your money when booking travel for your family? Here are five ideas to make family travel affordable this fall:

1. Picking the right destination: Deals are abundant, but especially at family destinations this year, so now you just need to decide where to go. Occupancy levels at popular family resorts were already low, and with families back to school the hotels have even more empty rooms. If you can steal a break with the kids this Fall, San Diego, Orlando, Hawaii and Los Angeles all offer amazing value this season and plenty of entertainment for your family.
2. Finding flights: Prices are great right now as airlines are trying to fill seats with earlier and more aggressive fares than normal fall sales.  Airline prices change constantly, so look for these low fares now and when you see a great fare, book it immediately. A handful of airlines still offer child discounts, but as a general rule, you will find a better deal if you look out for the lowest fares you can find online and special sales. These are inevitably lower than the full-priced child fares. You can sign up for sale and fare alerts with your favorite airlines and travel sites.
3. Consider All-inclusive resorts: All-inclusive resort vacations are a family’s best friend and are offering some of the best discounts I’ve seen in years. Perfect for a cross-generational family beach vacation – everyone can eat, stay and play at an all-inclusive with one set price. Plus, most resorts offer a “kids camp” so that the parents can enjoy some downtime with a fruity drink and a book by the pool-a rarity on most vacations.
4. Timing is everything: If you want to save even more money and score some incredible deals on flights or beach vacations, try between now and December 19th, when the demand and prices are low.  The next few months before the holidays are a great time to visit Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean for some of the lowest rates of the year.  Vacation packagers will often offer rates at 4-star All-inclusive resorts that include airfare for around $100 per day during these low-season times.  Often children under 12 are able to stay and eat for free at these resorts, so check around for the best pricing.
5. Booking holiday travel: If you haven’t booked your holiday travel yet, I would suggest doing that now.  October is a very good time to book travel because you will still see some good options on pricing and routes. I have a couple of recommendations to keep both your costs and stress in check. If possible, try to fly nonstop out of a popular airline hub.  You will find more competition among airlines and thus better pricing.  More importantly, by flying nonstop you will not get stuck at one of your connections with your tired and cranky family, nor will your luggage with all of the Christmas presents end up at the wrong airport.  If you do have to make a connection, try flying on the off-peak days of the holiday and when picking your routing, avoid hubs that get frequent weather delays. Finally, treat yourself well.  If you don’t want to sleep on grandma’s air mattress, check out the amazing hotel rates during holiday weekends. Business travelers who head home for the holidays leave empty hotels, which translates to great discounts to gain your business.  Or even better, leave the kids on the air mattress and enjoy a hotel getaway for yourselves.

Travel-Ticker.com just revealed its top babymoon deals throughout the U.S. by region so parents-to-be from all across America can enjoy a “last hurrah” before their new bundle of joy arrives.

Relaxing and Affordable Getaways by Region, to Enjoy Before the Stork Arrives
Travel-Ticker.com(r), the inspirational travel website home to some of the best insider deals at many of the world’s favorite destinations, has hand selected its top babymoon deals, by region, to inspire any soon-to-be parents to take a trip. With due dates just around the corner, and exceptionally affordable deals available on Travel-Ticker.com, expectant couples are sure to be looking for that one last bit of salvation before the life-changing and exciting experience of raising a newborn.

“Being a new mom myself, I can relate to all the soon-to-be mothers out there,” explains Barbara Messing, Vice President of Travel-Ticker.com. “It is great for a couple to take one last vacation before embarking on the life-changing experience of having a child and there couldn’t be a better time to do so. Travel-Ticker.com has some great and affordable escapes that can make the perfect babymoon a reality.”

Travel suppliers are lowering prices and offering fantastic deals to entice new customers, as hotel occupancy rates are down, inventory and availability are up. This is a win-win situation for couples looking for a babymoon, as the deals are better than ever right now.

Travel-Ticker.com has a multitude of available deals ranging from one week to four months out, making it an ideal place to find a babymoon. The site is also geo-targeted by region, ensuring that each person who visits the site will see the deals most relevant to them.

Here is the list of Travel-Ticker.com’s best babymoon deals by region, as determined by its dedicated team of travel experts:

• Southeast: Miami: 40% off renovated hotel by cruise port — from $59 – Valid now to September 30th. Whether you’re looking for great beaches, restaurants or shopping, Miami has it all.. Miami offers some of the best shopping in the world and 5-star rated restaurants for extreme indulgence – she’s eating for two, nonetheless. Fresh from a $30-million renovation, the Hilton offers guestrooms with Hilton Serenity Beds and a rooftop pool with views of the Miami skyline. You’ll be five minutes from the Port of Miami (cruise capital of the world) and 10 minutes from the beach.
• Southwest: $49 & up: 1-bedroom Scottsdale suite, any night, (reg. $179) – Valid now through November 1st. Couples can recharge and relax at this desert oasis. Right at the foot of the McDowell Mountains, the Scottsdale Links Resort is minutes from dining, entertainment and – of course – golf. Adjacent to the resort is the 18-hole TPC Golf Course, brand new and championship level. Post-par, relax in your suite (complete with private patio and kitchen). Other amenities include pools, hot tubs and WiFi access.
• Midwest: Chicago: hotels across the city on sale — from $65 – Valid now through September 21. Think tall skyscrapers and low hotel rates that leave extra cash to pamper the mom-to-be. Head to the spa, take an architectural tour of the city, or check out one of the city’s many free festivals such as the Chicago Country Music Festival at Grant Park in October. Travel-Ticker.com posted a hotels.com sale for dozens of Chicago hotels. Splurge at the 5-star Trump International for $225 or save at the Radisson – now $62.
• Northeast: New York City: 4-star hotel in Times Square — from $183 Got the small town blues? Then head to the Big Apple for some sweet deals. Travel Ticker(r) picked a deal that lets guests stay at the Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square for $183 – at that price you can even take in a show, possibly your last, at least for a while. Don’t forget FAO’s flagship store is in the heart of Manhattan and the perfect place to shop for toys
  and gear to spoil your new baby.
• Hawaii:  upscale Waikiki hotel w/breakfast and upgrade, $89 – Valid any night of the week, now-December 31.
  For expectant couples who want to spend what remains of their quiet time together to reconnect, relax and rejuvenate, check out this babymoon in Oahu at the 3.5-star Ilikai Hotel & Suites in Waikiki for just $89. An upgrade to an oceanview room with private balcony (regularly $150) and Continental breakfast daily are included in this low rate. The Ilikai has everything you need for your babymoon escape. Catch some rays at the pool and sundeck overlooking Waikiki Marina or stroll down to Waikiki Beach. For some authentic Hawaiian entertainment, join other guests for the nightly torch-lighting ceremony, or check out the Friday-night festival with Hawaiian music and a hula show.

Terms & Conditions: All offers are subject to change and availability. The travel offers in this email are provided by the above-named sponsors. Travel Ticker(r) is not responsible for the content, accuracy or completeness of the travel offers. Please see our Terms of Use for additional details.

Rather than dragging along a pack-n-play for our infant, we have found that using an infant travel bed is much more accommodating. Our infant travel bed has a collapsible frame, is lightweight and full of storage. We purchased the Eddie Bauer Infant Travel Bed, which came with two soft toys, a fitted sheet, and padded sides/bottom to make babies sleep more comfortable.

Now I know that not all infant travel beds are not created equally, so you should probably consider your options before making a purchase.  I am very happy with the Eddie Bauer Infant Travel Bed, but I also know people who prefer other makes/designs. Something else to keep in mind when making this type of purchase is how easy it is to clean, as well as to store.

I hope I have helped solved any sleeping dilemmas some of you PJ Mommy’s have when it comes to travel. And just remember, this is only ONE type of infant travel bed!

However, between driving to work, taking road trips and joyriding without care, teens are on the road a lot more in the summer months. It is no surprise, then, that data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows an annual spike in traffic accidents, injuries and deaths among young people in the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor
Day.

As teens start cruising around this summer, it is important for parents to remind them how to stay safe behind the wheel. Below are a few quick tips for parents of teen drivers from http://www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org.

Create a driving contract for your teen, and be prepared to stick to it. A driving contract is a great way to let teens know that driving is both a privilege and a serious responsibility. It also establishes clear expectations about driving for your teen: always wear a seat belt, never get into a vehicle with someone who’s been drinking, etc. A customizable contract template is available at http://www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org.

Choose an ICE contact. All drivers should designate an emergency contact in the address book of their cell phones under the name “ICE” ? In Case of Emergency. Emergency workers in many towns check for an ICE contact in cell phones.

Set a good example. Practice what you preach. When parents run red and yellow lights, speed down the highway at 75 miles per hour, weave in and out of traffic, ride the bumper of the car in front of them and exhibit signs of road rage, they are telling teens that rules don’t count and this can be fatal. Be a role model for your teen.