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Posted on November 15, 2008 | Filed Under Parenting

The Holidays are the busiest time of the year to fly and traveling with kids can make things even more challenging. Here are some tips to make the trip as smooth and easy as possible on everyone involved, so everyone will be in a great mood when you arrive at Grandma’s house.

Despite the long waits at the airport to get through luggage checks, Americans choose to fly when they have to travel long distances during the holidays. This may be partially due to the fact they may not have much time, but often travelers like the convenience of not having to drive to get somewhere.

Flying with your children over the holidays may be a new experience for you. If it is, be prepared for long lines, unfriendly people, and possible delays. Here are some ideas that may help make the trip more enjoyable for everyone in the family.

Make your reservations way ahead of time if you can. This will help you get the cheaper fares. Remember to tell them if any of your children are under two and will be in a car seat during the ride. In most cases they will give you a discounted fare for children under two. Be sure to pay for the seat for the young child rather than holding them in your lap to get a free ticket for them. They’ll be much safer strapped into a car seat on the plane than in your lap.

Pack as light as you can but include some of everyone’s clothes in each suitcase. This way if one of the bags is lost during your travels, everyone will have some clothes to wear, at least for a few days.

Take along books or games for your children to enjoy while you’re waiting for the flight and during the flight. Try to do your best to keep them occupied so they don’t bother other passengers. You may also want to bring along some sugarless snacks your child can eat if they begin feeling hungry.

Don’t let what others think keep you from flying with your children over the holidays. Do your best to keep your children happy and quiet during the trip, but don’t worry too much if they aren’t. It’s unlikely you’ll ever see the other passengers again, so don’t stress out too much about noise.

Try to use smaller, regional airports instead of the larger, international airports. The number of people flying out of the smaller airports is greatly reduced. Because there are fewer people, the people who work for the airlines will be less stressed and friendlier, as well. If you choose this route, be prepared to have to drive a little to your final destination. It’s unlikely you’ll get a direct flight to larger cities from regional airports.

Book your flight so that it’s a direct flight, if you can. If you can’t, try to have a minimum of an hour layover between flights. This will allow you to get something to eat, use the restroom, and get from one gate to the other before your next flight.

Flying with your children over the holidays doesn’t have to be traumatic or stressful, for you or anyone else in your traveling party. Use these ideas to help make your trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Posted on November 14, 2008 | Filed Under Recipes

There is nothing better than some fresh hot bread with dinner (or supper). Here’s one of our favorites. The family loves the taste of it and I like how quickly and easily it comes together. We love this with any type of soup or stew or really just about any meal.

Sour Cream Bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 large eggs at room temperature
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream at room temperature
1/2 cup skim milk
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions:

Place the flour, cornmeal, salt, brown sugar and baking powder in a sifter. Sift together into a large mixing bowl.  Add the eggs and sour cream.  Pour in the milk and butter.  Mix with a rubber spatula just enough to moisten the dry ingredients.  Heat the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Spray a baking pan with the non stick cooking spray.  Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.  Bake 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Posted on November 14, 2008 | Filed Under Parenting

As a parent you want to build character in your child. You want him or her to develop into a person who values honesty, integrity, thankfulness and charity. Today, lets look at how you can convey the meaning and the importance of charity to your child.

The old saying is that it’s better to give than to receive.  You want your child to be able to empathize with others who need help and to willingly give of their time and substance.

The following are some ideas you may want to use to teach your child the meaning of charity:

• Show the importance of charity by being charitable yourself.  If you have clothing you no longer wear that is still in usable condition, take them to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or a women’s shelter.  Tell your children that the items are to help others who are less fortunate.  Whenever and whatever you do to help others, let your children know that it is an act of charity.
• Let them pick out some canned goods or other non-perishable food items that you can take to a local shelter or food bank.  Explain to them how charity has good effects on the people that will receive the food.  Maybe the recipients just lost their home to fire and have no food.  By your giving these food items to the food bank, this family will have food to eat this week.
• Use your child’s interests to find charitable activities they can do.  If your child loves animals, they may be able to help at a veterinarian’s office or a local animal shelter.  They can also donate pet foods to the shelters and humane societies in your area.  Those involved in sports may be able to walk or run in charitable events to help earn money for a particular cause.  They may even decide to help with Special Olympics events.
• Point out that many sports personalities, actors, actresses, and other well-known people give to charities or start charitable organizations to help others.  If they’re not sure, go together to the internet and look up Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, Paul Newman, Chuck Norris, or anyone else they may be a fan of.
• When very small children receive a new toy, you can ask them to give away an old toy to another child who doesn’t have it.  The toy needs to be in good condition rather than one that’s been torn up.  You can keep a box in a specific location in your home to put items to be given to charity once the box is filled up.  Not only will your child learn about charity, but you’ll also help clear some of the clutter from your home.
• Offer to go to a neighbor’s house to help them work in their garden.  Take your children with you so they can help, as well.  Your children can help rake leaves, mow the lawn, or shovel snow, depending upon the season.
• Baked goods are appreciated by those overseas in the military.  Maybe once a month or every two months you and your children could bake several dozen cookies to send to our soldiers in foreign lands.

Every parent wants their child to think of others instead of being selfish.  The above are some things you can do when trying to think of how to teach your children the meaning of charity.  Begin working with them while they’re young and they’ll most likely be charitable for the rest of their lives.