Field trips are something kids look forward to because they get to get out of school and visit certain places with the rest of the people in their class. It’s a fun time to learn a few things. And for really small children, this trip is always a memorable one.

I remember the first time I took a field trip as a kid going into kindergarten and I can still picture the images in may head. I don’t remember having a parent with me in these trips but it’s not the case for kids today.

When I had my own children going on their trips, I always accompany them. I was there when they went to the park, to the museum, to a factory and even a trip to a city fair. It was sort of a learning experience for me as well, as I’ve never been to some of these places, which is why I have to admit that I also look forward to this.

However, there came a point when I though — when am I going to stop going on field trips with the children? At some point, the child would have to be embarrassed being with their parents on the bus with them, right?

I stopped going with my kids on field trips by the time they are 8-9 years old. But I still see many parents joining until the child is about 10 or 11. There are some schools that never allow parents at all.

At what point did you stop accompanying your kids on trips?

It is really nice to come across something that actually works–it seems like it doesn’t happen very often, so I thought I would share it with you when it did.  The other day my son was coloring, with markers, on the couch, and we ended up with a thick dark marker line across the upholstery.  I ran to check if we had any upholstery cleaner, and we had Tuff Stuff.  Clorox puts out this product, and I’ve seen it listed from $2.99 to $4.99.  We bought it at our hardware store, and I’m sure we didn’t pay very much for it.

Anyway, I sprayed it on the couch cushion and let it sit for about 30 minutes.  Then I took a damp washcloth and wiped it, and the marker actually disappeared.  It was totally clean.  I don’t think that has ever happened before.  So, you might check it out.  It worked for us, maybe it will work for you, too.

Or ice day, as the case may be.  Where I live, we get very little snow, but a ton of ice.  The effect is the same, though–5 people stuck in the same house together for 72 hours or more.  Usually we consider it a nice, roomy house, but on these days, it starts to feel a bit crowded.  

So, let’s talk about what to do to keep from going crazy on snow days. 

First of all, take a deep breath and get a grip on your patience.  You’re just going to have to accept that your day is going to be different, and much more kid-centered, than you had planned.  This can be a problem if you work from home (I can’t even count how many times today I told my kids, “Just because you’re home doesn’t mean that Daddy and I don’t have to work.”).  But kids aren’t entirely unreasonable.  If they’re old enough, make it clear when you need them to be independent and when you can give them attention.  You may have to reinforce it a few times, but they’ll usually work with you.

Here are some other ways to pass the time in a positive way.  Don’t forget that any of these can be spaced throughout the day or traded off (Dad plays board games while Mom reads, Mom bakes cookies while Dad uses computer).

• Trilogies.  Star Wars, Back to the Future, Shrek, Indiana Jones… at least 3, sometimes 4 or even 6 movies.  Watch one in the morning, one after lunch, and one after dinner.   This way they don’t veg in front of the TV all day, but it can still be fun to watch the whole series.  You can use the in-between time to work while they play, draw, or do chores.  Yes, you heard me, I said…
• Chores.  You might need to supervise, but why shouldn’t they fold socks, vacuum, or put away the dishes?  Not all day, of course, because snow days are supposed to be fun, but after a movie or an activity is a good time to say, “Now before we do anything else, I need everyone to bring me the sheets off their beds.”
• Board games.  Admit it; you have a bunch of games, but you hardly ever play them as a family.  Snow days are tailor made for some good family game time.  Younger kids can team up with parents or older siblings if they can’t play on their own.  And like I said above, one parent can play best 2-out-of-3 in Candyland while the other parent takes a break or gets some work done. 
• Work out tapes.  Our kids are usually in better shape than we are, but that’s because they’re used to being active.  If they are stuck inside the house all day, all that energy is going to be diverted to fighting with siblings or bugging you.  Work some of it out with them by doing an aerobics tape together.  Another way to fit in some activity is to put on a CD and dance around the living room for several songs.  But it’s no fun for them unless you get up and get moving with them.
• Baking.  Even little kids can pour a cup of flour in a bowl, and they take such pride in eating what they’ve helped make.  And then when they start whining that they’re hungry, you have something to give them!
• Reading out loud.  Give them coloring or drawing materials and start a chapter book.  You can do several chapters throughout the day, or just do a few at night.  The sitting and listeing involved helps keep everyone calm, and it has also been known to divert arguments.  The drawing during a story helps them process what they’re hearing and tap into their creative side.

Snow days don’t have to be crazy-making.  With a little patience and a good attitude, they can be some of your family’s best memories.

The summer holidays are swiftly approaching and it’s the perfect time to organise your children’s time off. And to build in some time for yourself to ensure you find the perfect balance between spending enjoyable quality time with family while finding time to yourself to enjoy a relaxing break. Whether you need to spend time with your partner, in the garden or browsing a black dating site UK for a date, it’s great to have some extra time to ourselves.

 Day trips

Be inventive and whisk the kids off for lots of day trips. Adventure parks, farms, activity days, trips to the sea – there are lots of very affordable options that the whole family can enjoy. The Tussauds Group often have vouchers and deals for their theme parks, which will save you even more cash. Whilst the kids are entertained on the latest rollercoaster, feeding the lambs or making sand castles, you can be enjoying a relaxing day in the sun, with only minor supervision required.

 Morning classes

Does your kid always nag you about one of their favourite hobbies? Well, now’s the time to indulge them. Organise a daily class to get them playing the piano beautifully or reciting Shakespeare sonnets verbatim. This will give you a couple of hours to yourself each day and a very grateful child.

Activity weeks

Many gyms, leisure centres and sports clubs organise annual activity weeks just to help stressed parents and their listless children. Sign your kids up to one of these and you’ll have the equivalent of the school day to yourself! Plus when they get home they’ll be so exhausted it will be early nights all round, leaving you free to browse free dating sites UK and get stuck into your new book.

 Family visits

Go and stay with your parents or other relatives – they will definitely appreciate the visit and will enjoy the novelty of time with their grandchildren while you catch up on your sleep and sunbathe in the garden.

Group holidays

Why not go on a group holiday this year? If you go with friends who have children of a similar age to yours, the kids will look after themselves and play together for the whole trip. This is a win-win situation for everyone and you’ll definitely find time to relax.

However you do it, make sure you have a slice of summer for yourself this year!

With many of the kids and the kids at heart eagerly anticipating the sequel to Disney Pixar’s Cars, many parents may want to be on guard for the upcoming Cars 2. Being among the people who have already seen the screeners of the much awaited sequel, the scenes may be a bit too violent in a sense for the toddler audiences who may be watching the film.

As you may already know, Lightning McQueen and Mater take their act to the international route for a wider race coverage called the World Grand Prix Race. But rather than McQueen being the focus of Cars 2, Mater is the focus this time around after being tied up with some espionage twist regarding fuel.

Unlike the first one, there is more action and violence in a sense. Mater teams up with two agents, Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and Holley Swiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer) which may all seem familiar to you if you have watched those spy movies or the James Bond flicks.

While the movie does offer some new characters and funny antics courtesy of Mater, some folks may be a bit disappointed on the production of this one. Overall, it is nice to see Lightning McQueen and Mater on the big screen again.

But as far as the movie goes, the action-packed espionage team may be a bit too harsh and the producers may have forgotten that kids are keen on watching the sequel as well.

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