Posts by Harlan Gray:
Get the Most Out of Your Short Break
April 30th, 2010If you are planning to take the family away for a short hotel break then get ready for a relaxing few days, with no distractions or stressors.
Well, this can be the case, as long as you plan ahead carefully enough. Taking the time to get a few details right before you leave can make all the difference when you are transporting the family away for a weekend.
A big factor is the makeup of the family. If you have very young children or babies then this can affect the amount of time you have to prepare. Most hotels have cots and high chairs and are quite family friendly, but if you don’t let them know you need a cot for example, then there could be a delay when you arrive. Even worse, the hotel could be completely unprepared for you, which could ruin the short break.
The same need for preparation holds true if you have older children. Most short break hotels have something on site as regards entertainment for the kids. And if they don’t, there is often something near the hotel. It is worth checking here though, just to be sure. It could seriously affect your short break in a negative way if you have no entertainment for the part of your family that needs it the most.
To check out the surrounding area and the amenities available in it, nothing beats contacting the hotel and getting a good sense of what they think there is near them. On top of this, doing a quick search on the Internet will usually give you the lowdown.
If you don’t have family considerations as regards children and so on, then the break is more about the type of escape you want. Some people like to have a total escape, with relaxation being the main priority. When this is the case, you need to be sure you buy into a break that has both a relaxing setting, possibly one that is out of towns and cities, and plenty of opportunities to relax when you are in the building. Spa hotels are good for this, as they allow for pampering and other therapies that help you to unwind.
If you are the type of person or group that wants to enjoy a more fast paced experience, then city breaks are probably more suited to you. Book one of these if you want to be right in the middle of the best a city has to offer. Whether you are taking one in the UK or overseas, having the pulse of a city and it’s nightlife on your weekend doorstep could be just the kind of escape you need.
Whatever your needs when it comes to a weekend break, good research is a key aspect of your preparation. We now live in an age when we have the most detailed information about destinations available. The majority of the information you need to organise a great weekend break is no more than a mouse click away. The basic lesson is clear: if you want to enjoy your weekend break, get prepared and find all the knowledge you need before you go.
Dave Matthews is writing on behalf of the Kettering Park Hotel, a luxury Northamptonshire Hotel and Spa, perfect for short breaks.
Convincing a Spouse It’s Time to Have Another Child
February 17th, 2010When that “I have to have another baby” feeling hits it is difficult to set it aside. It is almost as if there is some unexplainable desire inside many women that tells them exactly when it is time to have a baby. Surprising, even after one, two or even three kids many women still want to have more. Your hormones go into overdrive and you may wait each month that ‘missed period’ that says your dream has come true. Many women keep this desire secret while others seem happy to share it with a spouse. Even more interesting is that often it is the men who want the baby. Either way, if you want another child and your spouse is not so sure, convincing them to do so can be tricky.
It is important for parents to understand why they want another child. Okay, it may be a bit ‘unexplainable’ but there are many mothers who desire more children because they don’t know what else to do with their time. This happens when the other kids hit school and mom finds herself not having anyone else to take care of. Having another baby can be ‘job security.’ Another sense that women get, although rarely admitted, is that they get lonely when the kids grow up and start doing their own thing. There is that longing for another human to coddle and nurture. Are these reasons good enough? That is up for you to decide, however each stage of parenthood comes with its pros and cons.
Another reason people want to have another baby is so that there one child is not an only child. This seems like a pretty good reason and most will agree that a house with brothers or sisters is nicer for the kids. Plus, you already have everything you need so the financial investment isn’t that great. If this is the case and your partner still won’t budge try to articulate how you imagine your child’s life as an only child when he or she is an adult. You may also have two boys or two girls and want to mix it up genetically speaking. Be careful with this one because you don’t always get what you ask for and many people find themselves for 4 or 5 boys or girls.
Convincing a spouse can be difficult and it should be something that is brutally discussed. It’s easy to sit back and get angry when someone won’t agree with your decision to have another child, but there is a good chance they may their reasons. It is easier to provide for fewer children or they may simply want more time with the ones they got. Each time you have more children just because you have room for more love, doesn’t necessarily mean your current children are going to love splitting their time with you even more. Some parents feel this pressure to be equal and spend time with all the kids much more strongly than others. It may not be about love or the relationship and just about your spouse’s feelings towards spreading themselves too thin.
It is advisable to stay away from all the arguments to having another child that claim you will do all the work blah blah blah. This will cause resentment and anger and frustration and you may find that the extra child adds just enough to your to do list that you overflow like a waterfall.
If you have to convince someone to have another child, that may be good enough reason to not open up the whole can of worms. While it is beneficial to understand why they don’t want one and why you do, there is no way to meet in the middle. You can’t have another child some of the time, it is an all or nothing deal. Each human has different instincts and desires when it comes to having children. Many people come into marriage with a preconceived notion of how many kids they want. Many spouses don’t necessarily resent the children you do have but long for a time when they can be with their spouse again without a diapered imp sleeping in the middle. There is nothing wrong with that.
Wanting children and having them are totally different things. It is important to understand if your desires are more about something you lack or if they are truly because you don’t feel your family is complete. It is important to keep the lines of communication open yet be flexible to whatever happens. There are millions of children in this world born to parents who didn’t want anymore; but they realize they can’t imagine their life without them now. The future can hold many things and a decision today doesn’t have to feel or be a door shut. Not pushing or forcing the issue and talking openly about your feelings are the best way to deal with the decision to have another child or not.
David Beart runs the Professors House. Our family based site covers everything from pregnancy to raising children, health, nutrition and marriage advice.
Buying Boy Crib Bedding Sets
December 29th, 2009If you know someone who is expecting a baby boy anytime soon, or you yourself will soon be the proud parent of a baby boy, then you know there is a list as long as forever of items that need buying.
Buying the right boy crib bedding set needs careful consideration, whether it’s for your own baby or someone else’s. It’s about getting the right design, at the right price, with as many extras as possible. Remember, as many things as a baby requires when they are first born, it isn’t very long before they outgrow the expensive wardrobe and accessories, and the whole process of buying and outgrowing is repeated. This simply isn’t economical, and at the moment, every penny counts for a lot of families. Make the most of your money by setting a budget and sticking to it. Boy crib bedding sets will vary greatly on price depending on the make and the materials included.
When looking at what material is best you need to make special considerations. Cot death is an unfortunate situation many parents have top deal with. Research in to cot death has allowed the development of new bedding materials, cot styles, new ways to lay your baby in the cot, all in the aim of preventing cot death. When choosing your crib bedding, be sure to look for safety standards and approvals.
Once you have the safety considerations checked, your next decision will be choice of colours. If this is a gift purchase, check to see if the parent already has a theme in mind for the baby’s bedroom. Many parents settle on a theme and stick to it, and its futile buying a gift that will never get used. By buying an entire crib bedding set, you are really making sure the crib looks welcoming throughout for the baby, and providing a great amount of support for the mother by giving her one last big package to worry about.
Many people go for classical baby blue, which can range in shades from a pastel light blue to a more vibrant sky blue. These are often mixed with white, cream, and navy blue. However, more modern designs have developed for boy crib bedding sets with shades of gentle yellow, beige, cream, green and natural brown, which include patterns of zoo and farm animals, as well as other simple designs.
Crib bedding in general is moving more towards gender neutral designs, with introductions of new colour combinations and styles. This is a through a change in how parents dress their child’s nursery. Many parents chose to move away from conventional decoration of the nursery, usually based around the child, and instead theme the room in keeping with the d?cor around the family home.
By buying a crib bedding set, you can be sure that the baby will be constantly warm. The climate is changing, so no matter whether it’s the hot sticky nights, or the cold long nights, with crib bedding set a parent can ensure their baby is comfortable during their sleep.
Find out more about a Baby Boy Crib Bedding Sets by reading our Boy Crib Set Reviews.
Baby Convertible Car Seats
December 29th, 2009New legislation in the UK means that your child must be seated in a car seat for almost every journey, with some exceptions. All children, until the age of 12, or until they reach the height of 135cm, must travel with the appropriate safety restraints in place. If you are unsure about the full requirements of the law, check government provided sites for accurate and full information.
The responsibility falls on the driver and not the parent to ensure the law is being adhered to within a vehicle. You need to remember this if you provide transport for children of friends and loved ones, as you will be held accountable if their child is not safely secured appropriately.
If you are expecting a baby, you will be asked by your hospital if you have a car seat for the journey home after birth, making this a purchase you have to buy before your baby is born. These will need replacing as your child grows, which can prove quite expensive.
New car seats have been developed to help you reduce the frequency and costs of replacement car seats. Baby convertible car seats will adjust and expand as your child grows, from infancy through to toddlerhood. The car seat will start out with a comfortable head rest for newborns that is easily removed as they grow. Newborns do not have the neck strength to hold their head in one spot, so this head rest helps them stay comfortable and safe.
You need to bear in mind three essential factors when purchasing a car seat.
Firstly, the size and age of your child; make sure the car seat you purchase is right for your child’s age and height. As the child grows, also keep an eye on the width of the seat. When you think your child has almost outgrown their current seat, look to replace it. Don’t wait until they have outgrown it to resolve the issue.
Next, your car; think about the size of your car, and the ease of getting a child in and out of a seat. Make sure the seat can be fitted with room to spare for manoeuvring.
The final thing to consider is your own skills and time. If you are not the most practical when it comes to pushchairs and car seats go for simple and easy to use products.
Making sure that your child is safe is an essential part of being a parent. As new parents worry about every small thing; having a reliable car seat can be just one less thing to worry about. Infant car seats also need to be rear facing, so keep that in mind as well. They never need to be placed in the front seat of a vehicle. If a car wreck were to occur, the air bag could seriously injure your child, or even be deadly. Car seats are always confusing, so make sure that you read through the instructions thoroughly. This will make you feel more at ease with the safety of your child’s car seat. Keep your family safe. Ensure that everyone is wearing their seatbelt; even though teens hate it!
Find out more about a Baby Convertible Car Seats by reading our Convertible Car Seat Reviews.
Where Are Kid’s Museums in All the New York Boroughs?
November 30th, 2009The next time you are looking for something to do with the kids, especially when the weather turns cold and wet, remember that New York’s museums extend beyond the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, or the Museum of Modern Art. Brooklyn is home to the first children’s museum in history and set the standard for children’s museums, and Staten Island has its own children’s museum. Check out these and other museums for days of education and fun for kids and adults.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum was founded in 1899. Every day, kids are offered workshops such as Little Artists, Feeding Frenzy (feeding time at the Neighborhood Nature exhibit), and Taste of Brooklyn. The workshops are an opportunity for adults and kids to learn about and try various cuisines available in Brooklyn through after school programs and a summer camp. Admission is $7.50. Admission is free before 11:00 a.m. on the second weekend of each month. Adults must accompany children. 145 Brooklyn Avenue (at St. Marks Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11213, 718-735-4400.
The Staten Island Children’s Museum
Regular Hours: 12 – 5 p.m. when New York City public schools are open; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. when NYC public schools are closed (including weekends)
Summer Hours: June 27 – September 6, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, July 8th – August 26th, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
All the exhibits at this museum are interactive. At Portia’s Playhouse, kids put on skits using props and at The Big Game, kids play giant board games including chess, checkers and dominoes. Feeding Time and Story Time are daily activities. The museum is located in the Snug Harbor Cultural Center Park on the northwestern edge of Staten Island. Admission is $5 per person. Admission for grandparents is free on Wednesdays. 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301, 718-273-2060.
New York Transit Museum
Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The Transit Museum is located in a subway station from 1936 and is dedicated to preserving the history of New York’s public transportation. In one exhibit, kids can play in trains and buses and learn how they run. There is a screening room and an archive collection. General admission for adults is $5; for children three to seventeen and senior citizens admission is $3. Senior Admission is free on Wednesdays. 130 Livingston Street (at Boerum Place), 10th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201, 718-694-1600.
The New York Hall of Science
Times and days can vary.
The Hall of Science boasts more interactive exhibits than any other museum in New York. Aside from regular exhibits that deal with the Internet, Biology, Math, and more, there is Rocket Park, The Science Playground and Preschool Place. Rocket Park is home to the Hall’s long-standing two rockets and miniature golf course where kids can learn how rockets work. The 60,000 square foot Science Playground offers fun while incorporating exhibits on wind, solar and water power; motion; balance; sound; sight and structure. The Science Playground is open April 1 to December 31, weather permitting. Playground admission is $4 plus the general admission price. General adult admission is $11, children and senior citizen admission is $8; admission is free Fridays 2 – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 – 11 a.m., September through June. Rocket Park Mini Golf is $6 per person and $5 for children and seniors. The Hall of Science is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park just off the entrance at 111 Street. 47-01 111th Street, Queens, NY 11368, 718-699-0005.
Marty Craigs is a Employment Coach and a lifelong New York City resident. Want to find a job faster? Find 7 surprisingly powerful articles on how to find a job by visiting http://www.allny.com/jobs/tips/ – including 4 ways networking can speed up your job search; how to find a bartender job in New York City; resume advice; and more.