Do you ever enter the kids’ playroom and want to crawl under a rock? The tracks are always a huge issue, as the kids will be so upset if you dismantle their handiwork. There is finally a solution. Wall Tracks by Hot Wheels go on the, well, the wall. A spacial revelation, kids can use the vertical axis to create play – they will even bend around corners. The modular pieces can be assembled in hundreds of ways, and Command wall strips from 3M ensure that your precious paint isn’t damaged. Now we just need a solution to the Lego mess issue..
So I was invited on this amazing trip that was sponsored by General Motors and included my whole family. We flew to Orlando, stayed in a stunning home, saw various Orlando attractions and drove a Chevrolet Orlando from Florida to Toronto in the span of 3 days. The only part I was worried about was the long drive with the kids. My husband is injured and unable to drive, so I was on the hook for it all. I was shocked at how enjoyable it was. It was the quintessential Modern Road Trip.
Not only did we love the car, but the technology that was placed in the vehicle enhanced the trip to an incredible degree. The gadgets helped endlessly with ‘Are we there yet?’, fighting in the backseat and getting lost. The only issue was that it was a bit too easy. Too comfy. Compared to old-school road trips, where part of the fun is getting lost and having a good old-fashioned family feud about whose fault it was, we were all blissful. Next time we’d research a few fun things to do off the beaten track and incorporate tech-free hours. It never really occurred to us that the point of a road trip is that you see things along the way – not just your end destination. Channeling the movie ‘Cars‘: “All you see on the interstate is the interstate”. That being said… for the hours you have to put in getting from point A to point B… here’s what got us through.
Components of the Modern Roadtrip:
1. iPads. Each child in the back of the car was given an iPad and a credit for iTunes. And here I was thinking that my next vehicle had to have AV installed. For the cost of a couple of first-generation iPads and back-of-the-seat attachments, the kids can look at movies as well as find the golden eggs in Angry Birds. That’s modern. (Maybe not great parenting but modern all the same).
2. OnStar – Oh WOW – where have I been? I feel so secure and I loved talking to a real person. OnStar got us to Disney and home, though I am so bad at paying attention, my hubby still had to remind me to change lanes. After a few days I realized that you could also dial friends and family. I think that’s when my driving deteriorated.
3. MiFi: Rogers MiFi created a hotspot in the car so that laptops and iPads could be connected to the internet. If I hadn’t been driving I would have been seriously geeking out…
4. Sirius XM radio – we made a pact. If I drive I got to listen to Broadway the whole time.. And Martha Stewart, and favourites from Y2K. (I was actually nice and changed the channel once in a while). But I still sang at the top of my lungs as the Appalacian Mountains whisked by.
5. The backup sensor. As a tech innovation I have to mention it. Great tool – especially when someone walks unexpectedly behind the car. I’ve driven a few cars with video backup and I like the simple beep better. Less visual distraction.
6. The USB hookup. iPods can be connected directly to the car, and you are able to see your whole playlist on the stereo controls. The best? There’s a hidden compartment for the music player so you don’t even have to worry about it being stolen when you leave the car. (Or look at cords all the time).
7. The fold-down seats. Popping carseats in and out was super-easy, and all seats in the back folded down flat with tremendous ease. You don’t even have to jimmy the headrests off – they duck down when you pull the lever. Because of our fun accommodations as we drove through Savannah and West Virginia, we didn’t actually sleep in the car, but with this feature, you could create a campout in the back. Think of all of the fun you could have as a family hangin’ in the trunk.
Part of the success of the trip was the vehicle itself. I haven’t been asked to write anything about it, but I was so impressed that I feel like gushing. For the past few years we have been test driving BMWs, Land Rovers, Porsches and lots of family vehicles. (Well, expensive family vehicles.) We’re starting to develop a pretty clear idea of essentials for busy moms and families. In terms of the Chevrolet Orlando, we gave it a high score. Here’s why:
1. Carseats clipped in easily.
2. Good visibility and windows that were large.
3. The backup sensor (we’re usually pretty tired).
4. Not only can the stroller get into the trunk with ease, but there was a ton of room for our shopping after a trip to Target. (Much room needed, believe me).
5. You can you see the kids in the back seat (the Orlando has a childview mirror)
6. 7 seats with the option of putting 6 up so that there is still storage in the trunk.
7. Don’t laugh. It’s important. I didn’t break a nail or two when opening the driver door quickly. The handle is long-nail-friendly.
8. The technology was amazing – electrical ports front and back, and USB.
9. Drink holders in the armrest in the back for the kids.
10. Automatically locks when you put the car in drive.
11. Windshield wipers covered a big surface area.
12. OnStar handsfree calling and Navigation – knowing where you’re going reduces stress.
13. Low back windows in order to increase kids’ visibility – it keeps them entertained.
14. Don’t laugh again. I liked the look of the car. I want a friendly-looking beast of a vehicle.
15. I loved the driver’s armrest.
16. Ease of cruise control rocked – right on the steering wheel.
17. All seatbelt clips had fabric around them which prevented mini lego pieces (and Cheerios, and smarties… ) falling into Neverland (excuse the Disney reference).
18. The material of the seats seems totally durable and dried really well when we soaked it. With rainwater. Stop snickering.
19. The seats go very high up for short/vertically challenged people.
20. Directional compass right on console is so helpful for those of us who are navigationally impaired.
21. Easily cleanable cockpit without many places for dust and schmutz to collect.
22. You can put a drink in each of the doors.
23. You can open the trunk hatch with one hand when you’re carrying a baby as well as groceries.
24. The driver’s seat goes really far back in case you need to use the car as a nursing/feeding place.
25. Especially with seats 6 and 7 down, the back makes a great diaper change area.
Mom stuff that’s crucial – wouldn’t you agree? In all, we loved the car and also the idea of a family roadtrip. We became closer as a family and saw areas of North America that we have only ever heard about. Now, if only we could find the rest of those Golden Eggs.
Disclosure: UrbanMommies was provided air and car travel, accommodation, meals and one day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. For more insights, we Tweeted under the hashtag #chevyorlando.
After an incredible trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, I feel super-connected to my family and am flooded with memories and images that I will cherish for a very long time. The kids gave up the bunks for their own king bed together. They held hands as they slept. The grins and shyness at meeting the ‘real’ Woody and Jessie are etched into my consciousness. We enjoyed every minute. We felt like great parents, and all of the bits of good behaviour and thankfulness made us feel as if we’ve done a bang-up job for the past few years. (Especially when we left a store at the end of each ride empty-handed and no meltdown occurred).
Both of our boys (3 and 5) were transfixed with the rides, the performances that popped up out of nowhere, the Jedi training Academy, and the plentitude of characters that were wandering around. I was very impressed with how many opportunities there were for photos with Disney stars.
That being said, I had already booked a lunch with the Disney princesses (the last time I came, I was 8 and I remember that being the only way one could see characters). We jumped on a boat from Hollywood Studios to Epcot, and raced to lunch. I should mention that my husband is currently in a wheelchair (torn achilles tendon) and I pushed him (usually with the kids on his lap) around for hours. When we got to Akershus (Norway Pavillion) I was soaked with the 90 degree heat but the lunch (and the air conditioning) was out of this world. Apparently Johnny Depp’s fav restaurant at Disney (he donated his red throne from Pirates of the Carribean), we were whisked into a castle only to meet Belle (in the gold gown) at the front. Needless to say, my 5 year old son dove for cover. Not because he’s against girly things (pink is his favourite colour) but because he was so taken by her princess beauty that shyness overwhelmed him (after just having done a rollercoaster and conquered the dark side of the force). The little one, incidentally, was asleep in the wheelchair, and missed every princess. My husband and I proudly have an 8 x 10 of he, I, and Belle (me looking like the soaked-in-sweat third wheel). Lunch was exquisite, the service was even better, we (well not my shy son or the asleep one) met all 5 Disney princesses and the chef will be emailing me recipes of my favourite dishes – not because they even knew I was a writer, but because that’s what they do. Cool.
In all 4 Disney parks we experienced customer service like I’ve never seen. You know.. it’s super expensive for a family to come to Disney (and the Park didn’t sponsor me in any way, by the way). But throughout our day, I didn’t have one single criticism of the place. No chips in any paint. Perfect smiles from every server, security person and vendor. The ‘Magical’ experience for every family seems to be taken to heart by all Disney personnel (or ‘cast’ as they call them.) Many families save for a lifetime to allow their kids to experience Disney, and you know, I think Walt Disney World does such a good job that all of the saving is totally worth it. The key, though? Good parenting. After every ride, everywhere you turn, there is stuff to buy. Stuff that kids really want (Disney does their homework on desirable kitch). I overheard one mom screaming at her child in the ladies’ room for asking for more toys, and witnessed so many tantrums. Most people would say: ‘prepare the kids’. ‘Know what you’re getting into before you go and figure out how you will handle it.’ But really? How are you supposed to prepare? Disney is like no experience on earth. Just set some boundaries, stick to your guns, and know that this experience and the sensory overload is probably just as overwhelming and difficult to manage for your children as it is for you.
One piece of large crowded areas that always scares me is safety. The kids have business cards in their shoes and know their names and numbers, but I still wasn’t relaxed. I mentioned lost children to the lady at the will call booth, and she handed over shiny buttons sporting ‘My First time at Disney’, on which I wrote all info on the back with a sharpie marker. (Several employees throughout the day picked up on the buttons and talked to the kids about it being their first time). Still…. what if (gasp) some psycho-crazy nabbed them and easily disposed of the buttons and cards. (I also wrote on their arms with pen but it was so hot the sweat got rid of it within an hour). So I conjured up an idea. Henna Tattoos. Can I patent that? I think I might be brilliant.
A highlight of my day at Hollywood Studios was the Muppet 3D experience. It is so comforting to know that the stuff I watched every Sunday when I grew up still goes strong. And it has also evolved. The 3D experience transposed on Kermit and gang was so warm and current. And the kids liked it as much as the new stuff – Cars, the Little Mermaid, or anything else.
At both Epcot (for obvious reasons) and the Magic Kingdom, I was so impressed on the inclusion of different cultures and esthetics into the park. The catch? A parent must choose to go to these places over the roller coasters and help children understand (yes, I was the obnoxious one on ‘It’s a Small World’ teaching about continents) but the learning opportunities are certainly there, provided by Disney.
Magic Kingdom is all about tradition – an American tradition, a cultural icon that is Disney – and there is no alcohol at the Magic Kingdom. While it would be nice at times (ahem) to have a glass of wine after the “why can’t I get the 3 foot Buzz Lightyear temper tantrum”, it is also incredible. I’m sure more money could be made if they sold liquor, but the party atmosphere didn’t suffer a bit, and I am sure parents were more attentive and tuned in to their kids without the late afternoon beer skin. Good job, Disney, on being a role model. That’s one lesson I’m certainly taking home.
In all, we have come back with so many family memories. My goal for the year is to incorporate as much magic into our daily lives as possible – Magic a la Disney.
New parents have a lot to learn. Let’s be honest: How many of us really tried to bathe a newborn before having children? And who knew babies could go through a dozen diapers a day? Stages come and stages go, and with each passing one, we learn something new. There is one consistent task that is challenging for even the most experienced of parents – how to feed children. From kids who constantly spit up to super picky eaters, feeding kids is one of the most daunting tasks of parenthood.
Whether you are breast- or formula-feeding, eventually your baby will drink from a bottle and you’ll need to know the proper temperature for feeding, how to prevent clumpy formula and how best to clean the bottles to prevent mould and bacteria from causing contamination. As wee ones start solids, parents must become skilled at whipping up the right consistency for the food and finding proper seating positions for safety and ease of mealtimes. And as kids enter toddlerhood, questions of texture and safe food size and shape arise.With the right knowledge and tools, parents can easily transition their tots from bottles to purees and beyond. We’ve answered five questions parents always ask about feeding their kids
1. Why should I wait until my baby is six months old to start solids? The World Health Organization and Health Canada both recommend you wait until six months before introducing solids. This will help ensure your baby has the proper neck and tongue muscles to swallow and may reduce the risk of developing food allergies.
2. When do I introduce a sippy cup? Depends on your baby! Some babies are eager and are ready to start at six to seven months; others don’t have much interest in learning to use a sippy until nine months. Your best bet is to watch for the signs and experiment. If more milk is ending up on her bib and not in her mouth, wait a few weeks and try again. With the Prince Lionheart Sippy Cup Upgrade Kit, learning to use a cup makes the transition easy. Handles can be added for independent bottle-feeding and nipples replaced with a sippy spout!
3. Can I feed my toddler solids while she sits on my lap? Sure, but be prepared to “wear” your baby’s food. Try using a boosterPOD.® This comfy booster seat makes sitting safe, fashionable and fun! The soft seat design and practical base attaches securely to both child and chair.
4. Do I really need to cut grapes in half or hotdogs lengthwise? Choking is always a fear with young children. Cutting food into small, bite-sized pieces will reduce the risk of choking. Teaching tots to chew is important at meal times.
5. Can I use a bottle more than once without cleaning it? Not a good idea! Whether you are using formula or breast milk, when using a bottle it is imperative to clean and dry it properly. Standing milk or formula can breed harmful bacteria – hazardous to an infant’s health. The Prince Lionheart Complete Dishwasher Basket System will ensure your bottles are cleaned and dried properly.
Lianne Phillipson-Webb would love to share her tips on how to best feed your baby as they move through those (messy!) early stages. She knows the tips and the tools required to help make mealtime a fun, stress-free part of your day.
Choosing a car or booster seat for your child can seem difficult. There are many to choose from in the store, but how do you know what type of seat is the right one to keep your child safe?
Nutrition is something we as parents have to take more seriously than we used to. Obesity and its wicked cousin, diabetes, are on the rise everywhere, and kids are the targets of all kinds of fast-food and convenience-foods marketing that tempts them with things that they don’t need. Snacks should be healthy, meaning low in fat and calories, filling, and have good nutrition. Sounds impossible, when you want them to taste good, too? Nay, my friend. There are tons of options out there! Here are just a few items you should always have on hand, because with them you can construct a legion of fun, flavorful and fully good-for-you treats!
Basic Ingredients (try to have on hand):
- Whole wheat tortillas, bread, English muffins, bagels (as bases)
- Fruit
- Low-fat cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, edam, cream cheese)
- Cut-up and cleaned veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, etc.)
- Granola
- Dry cereal
- Chocolate chips
- Raisins, Craisins, other dried fruit
- Nuts (unsalted and unsweetened, preferably)
- Tomato sauce
- Salsa
- Peanut butter
- Jelly
- Yogurt
- Low-sodium/fat lunch meats, like turkey and chicken breast
With these basic ingredients, you can assemble an amazing legion of simple, yummy and fun snacks, such as:
- Mini-Pizzas: Season tomato sauce with some Italian spices, drizzle on an English muffin, top with mozzarella. For fun, add veggies; toast. Very crunchy, tasty and filling!
- Mexi-Pizzas: Drizzle a tortilla with salsa, mozzarella, and chopped veggies; toast. Ole!
- Fruity K-bobs: Cut fruit chunks and space them on a skewer with small pieces of cheese. Pear and apple with cheddar is awesome, and a great source of vitamins and calcium.
- Banana Bombs: Dip a banana in yogurt, roll it in crushed cereal or granola; freeze for 30 minutes to an hour. A chilly treat.
- Home-Made Lunchables: Cut up lunch meat and thinly-sliced cheese and serve with crackers, Lunchables-style.
- Ants on a log: Fill celery with peanut butter or cream cheese, then stud it with raisins or craisins. Kids love it.
- Faux Banana Split: Serve a banana with strawberry and vanilla yogurt, sprinkle with chocolate chips, in a “boat” like a banana split.
Other suggestions:
- Clear, low-sodium broth-based or tomato soup served with whole-wheat toast or crackers
- Half a turkey and veggie sandwich
- A bowl of mixed granola and dried cereal, with a few chocolate chips thrown in every now and then
- Peanut butter and jelly—try it as a sandwich or even as a yogurt smoothie!
- Veggies served with hummus or low-fat ranch or Italian dressing for dipping. Most vegetables are fat-soluble, so it’s best to accompany them with a little bit of fat for better nutrient absorption.
- Instant oatmeal
- Unsalted, unbuttered popcorn tossed with a little salt and parmesan cheese
- Peanut butter on crackers
So, you found the perfect play date mate for your child! This is an important step, helping to ensure a well-balanced, socially-adept childhood. No pressure or anything. You’ve never had a play date before; likely you’re as nervous as you were on your first real date! No worries, though, because here are some simple, practical tips for making your kid’s play dates simple and fun, the way they’re supposed to be!
First, Stop Stressing. Unless you picked a preppy, pretentious family with whom to have said play date, just dress yourself and your child normally, in play clothes. You don’t need to get the car detailed or get a bikini waxing—and your child doesn’t need his teeth whitened or highlights put in. Just you and your kid are enough for a good time.
Have an Exit Strategy. Not wishing the whole thing badly, but have something in reserve for if things fail miserably. Sometimes it’s a terrible match between your child and theirs, but you never know until it’s happening. So, keep the date short to start out with, and it doesn’t hurt to have an errand or event afterward that could suddenly become more urgent in the event of a kid-sized meltdown.
Easy Does It. The last think you should do with a shy child is to plunk him or her down in the middle of a busy play-date with a bunch of strange kids and expect miracles. That is a recipe for disaster, actually. Start slow and start small: one new kid, on your home turf, or on a common ground your child is familiar with.
Don’t Push. Think of it a bit like a date: don’t push it. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Sometimes it will take a bit of time to elapse before they truly start warming up to each other.
Choose Play Friends Wisely. If you have a shy child, don’t ask the rowdy, rambunctious neighbor kid over as your first choice. Try to find someone more like your child, who won’t frighten or overwhelm them.
Provide Common Ground. If the date is on your home turf, have some cool stuff to play with and do available, to avoid boredom. Do something fun, like go to a kid’s museum or animal exhibit, where the kids can get tactile. Get outside so they can roughhouse. All these things are conducive to bonding.
Put the Pets Away. No matter how wonderful Fluffy or Whiskers is, it’s best to put all pets out of harm’s way until the play date is over. Some kids are afraid of animals, some get crazy over them and can cause strange reactions in a normally tranquil pet, while others are allergic. Always ask about pet allergies before volunteering to host a play date, to avoid uncomfortable moments.
Friendships are important to every child. Peer relationships allow kids to see themselves against a larger backdrop, to learn empathy and sympathy, and how to fit in with society at large.Some kids are naturally shy or more reticent than others; it’s as basic as introverts and extroverts. Still, introverts, or people who are not as bubbly and public about everything, have friends, too—usually very deep and long-lasting friendships. Making friends isn’t always easy for some people, especially some kids who are naturally more withdrawn. So how on earth do you encourage friendships for your a child?
Tips for parents to encourage friendships with others:
Start Slow. The last think you should do with a shy child is to plunk him or her down in the middle of a busy play-date with a bunch of strange kids and expect miracles. That is a recipe for disaster, actually. Start slow and start small: one new kid, on your home turf, or on a common ground your child is familiar with.
Don’t Push. Think of it a bit like a romance: don’t push it. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Sometimes it will take a bit of time to elapse before they truly start warming up to each other.
Choose Play Friends Wisely. If you have a shy child, don’t ask the rowdy, rambunctious neighbor kid over as your first choice. Try to find someone more like your child, who won’t frighten or overwhelm them.
Provide Common Ground. Have some cool stuff to play with and do available, to avoid boredom. Do something fun, like go to a kid’s museum or animal exhibit, where the kids can get tactile. Get outside so they can roughhouse. All these things are conducive to bonding.
Teach Manners and Courtesy. No one worthwhile wants to be friends with a rude bully. So, do your kids a favor and teach them how to be polite, courteous, and kind. It goes a long way in fostering friendships and earning a good peer reputation.
Do Team Events. Encourage your child to participate in team-based events. This doesn’t mean just sports; it can include debate and other intellectual teams, clubs, volunteer groups, etc. They will meet like-minded kids and spend time with them in a positive arena. When they’re small, try out Gymboree, baby gymnastics, music and other groups, where they can get used to socializing with other kids early on.
How many of us have seen them, strolling gamely down the street: a child who looked like she ran blindfolded into their closet and put on the first few things they found by sense of touch, no color, pattern or style coordination whatsoever? Usually finished off with a tiara, pair of fuzzy antennae, fairy wings, or a knee-high pair of Ugg or galosha boots? The big question as a parent is – should kids choose their own clothes?
OK, so many of us have found the idea of a dinner table more of an idealistic one; many dining room tables in many homes all over North America are covered in mail, discarded items and unfinished homework, rather than serving as a gathering place for the family to eat. Too many people take their meals at the TV or on the go that table manners seem to be a lost art. Perhaps it’s too late to salvage everything your grandparents insisted on, but there is definitely room for a modern-day reboot. Sweep the crud off that dining room table and start the process today!
Lay Down the Rules. Perhaps you can’t be like grandma and say no elbows on the table, but set some basic rules: no reaching across people or the table, no eating with fingers (except in certain cases), no burping at the table, etc. Simple stuff. If you must, make a chart and keep it up. Think of how proud and relieved you will be when you someday send your child off to college, knowing his table manners…well, perhaps later then, once he’s married. Maybe.
Practice. Sure, why not? Tea parties are perfect for boys and girls to teach table manners and etiquette. Have fun.
Provide Opportunities to Shine. When you go out to eat, don’t always automatically choose someplace silly and kid-oriented that needs no silverware, much less table manners. Kids older than age 7 can (should) be trustworthy enough to eat like people rather than pigs. Let them order something and help them to use their manner. When they succeed, praise them and let them know how proud you are. Plus, you get a meal that doesn’t automatically come with fries!
Some Basics:
- No open-mouthed eating
- No eating with fingers (unless it’s finger food, like fried chicken, pizza, etc.)
- Napkins in laps
- No reaching across the table or across other people
- Ask before taking a serving
- Say please and thank you
- USE the napkin
- Don’t chew or talk with open mouths
- Don’t talk about rude things at the table
- No burping
- If you’re a guest, eat what is served and don’t complain, unless you have a genuine dietary problem…which should have been advised of before dinner was served
- Keep elbows off the table
Good luck and God Speed!!