Traveling with your baby? Fighting boredom while on the road

If you are heading out on the road this spring break, you might be wondering what to bring along for your kids. Packing light with children is not an option, as they will always want to bring another toy or a beloved stuffy.

To keep them busy in the car this spring break, Travel BaBees has come up with a few tips for entertaining them along the way:

Movies - Whether they watch them on your iPhone or on a portable DVD player, movies will make your trip much more relaxing. If you have several children, consider loading a separate movie on to your phone for your toddler and another onto the portable DVD for your older child.

Road games - Counting the blue cars as they go by can be an entertaining game for a half hour. There are many driving games you can play with your children. Make a few up along the way and you'll watch the miles disappear.

Backpacks - Stuff your child's backpack with a new toy, coloring books, new markers, and a few other odds and ends that you've picked up at the bargain store before your trip. A backpack works very well if you surprise your child with it.

Books - Books are a no-brainer for long road trips, and they can make the time fly by. Be sure to put a pillow with your child so they can be comfy while reading, and don't be surprised if they doze off for a nap.

Your upcoming road trip doesn't have to be stressful. Be prepared for when they are bored and pack light, because Travel BaBees can supply you with everything you need once you arrive.

Cabin fever relief for the snowbound

It's hard to believe that some parts of the country are experiencing spring like weather conditions when the other half is completely snow bound. If you are one of the unlucky few who have experienced a harsher than average winter, you are probably ready to explode from cabin fever. I'm sure you've run through every activity you can think of for your kids, so instead of posting arts, crafts, or games, here are a few web sites you might not have visited to get some fresh new ideas to keep you sane this winter:

• Do you have a budding astronaut on your hands? Spend some time on the Nasa kids club. You and your child can build a rocket or explore deep space. The best part? There are a variety of levels so your child can play solo. 
• The Smithsonian is out of reach for everyone who doesn't live in the area, but you can still visit the museum online by spending some time at Smithsonian for kids. Their interactive walkthroughs take you and your child through virtual exhibits. It's fascinating, and they can learn at the same time. 
• How Stuff Works is interesting for adults, but when you are trying to answer the endless questions that come out of your child's mouth, this is a great web site to find the answers. 

Although it's difficult to be cooped up in the house with your children, it's best to take advantage of the time you have together and make the most of it. The snow will melt eventually. Happy winter!

Traveling can keep your kids in shape, if you do it right

One of the little known benefits of traveling with your kids is the fitness aspect of it. Depending on where you go and what you do when you get there, you can turn almost any vacation into one that focuses on family fitness.

Fitness is at the forefront of the news as of late. Michelle Obama has taken on the task of slimming down USA children. In recent years there has been a growing problem with young children and obesity, whether that is due to personal diet, poor food in schools, and busy lives causing parents to prefer to line up at the drive through rather than prepare a home cooked meal.  Children are spending more time being babysat by the television and less time running around outside.  It's a formidable problem that the First Lady has taken on, one that affects all aspects of a child's life.

As a parent, when you take a vacation you'd like to kick back and relax. No cooking, no cleaning, and no stress! You can still have all of that, but you can also do yourself and your children a favour by incorporating a proper diet and exercise no matter where you plan on taking your vacation:

• DisneyWorld/Land - Yes, Disney is a mecca of food, fun, and sweet treats, but it's also a huge place. There are endless opportunities to walk and many places for your children to run and play. It's easy to avoid bad food choices at Disney by purchasing fruit and plain water at the various kiosks. Many of the restaurants also sell healthy food choices. 
• Road Trips - Plan stops for driving breaks. Map out your route and find playgrounds along the way so your kids can run and play. Bring your own food to avoid stopping at fast food resturants. If you must stop, avoid sugary sodas and purchase fresh juices instead.
• Beach - The beach is a great place to relax, but it can also be a wonderful place to excercise.  If your family is staying right on the beach, get your kids out for a run each morning. There is nothing so beautiful as a run along the ocean.  Play beach volleyball with your children or have a lively game of frisbee.  BBQ fare is healthier than frying, and BBQ vegetables are often a hit at a beach picnic. 

No matter where you travel with your family, you can find ways to trim the fat and add some exercise. Taking a tip from the First Lady, we can all do our part to ensure our children have a long and healthy future. 

Pack light on your next family vacation by renting from Travel BaBees!

Grandchildren on their way? Be prepared!

Grandparents love when their grandchildren come for a visit.  If you struggle for activities that everyone will find fun, here are a few quick ideas for you:

•  Play dough.  Licensed character kits such as Littlest Pet Shop, Barber Shop, or Chunky Monkey are a must have when the grandkids are over, and they can entertain the kids for hours.  Play dough is generally non-staining and low mess, so you don’t need to worry about your furniture. 
•  Crayons and coloring books are a staple, and you would be amazed at the variations that Crayola has come up with in the recent past.  You can purchase extra large coloring books that are almost the same size as the child, or character coloring books like Disney Princess, Bob the Builder, or the Wiggles.   The differences in crayons is significant, and you can get them for little fingers, big fingers, liquid form that only comes out when you shake them, and markers that dissolve with water.   
• No need to run out and buy a bunch of toys when the Grandkids come and visit.  Rent a tub of toys from Travel BaBees. The tub includes books and videos, and are from varied brand names like Fisher Price.
  

A great visit with your grandchildren starts with being prepared. Rent them a comfy bed, a safety gate, or a double stroller for walks from Travel BaBees.

Airline travel: Striking fear into parents hearts everywhere

This fall has been more stressful than usual for parents across the country. We've had to deal with the H1N1 pandemic, resulting in our worry every single time our kids sniff or sneeze. Resign yourself to the fact that your monthly budget must expand to include exciting extras such as Purell and Anti-bacterial soap, at least for the next few months.

Just when we've started to relax slightly, WHAM! We're hit with the upcoming holiday season. Yes, it snuck up on us again. The celebration of Thanksgiving on November 26th begins a month long holiday bonanza that will include parties, family get-togethers, and the two words that cause parents to recoil in horror: Airline travel.

If you've been watching the news in the past month, you will have already heard of the mom and screaming toddler that were escorted off SouthWest Airlines because the child would not settle down. Any parent can imagine being in the same situation.

Traveling with your kids can't be said to be a fun experience, but many, many Americans pack up their kids and their suitcases to travel across the country to be with family and friends. Given how stressful it is to handle your children in large places such as airports and small places such as airplanes, how can you avoid the pitfalls along the way? Planning is key to avoiding some of the stress. Not unlike a commando going into war, plan your itinerary item by item and right down to the last detail.

Need some help? Travel BaBees is here with a few quick tips that will take some of the stress out of your upcoming air travel.

Tip#1 - Pack light and leave unnecessary objects at home
Do you know what it is like to wrestle your car seat from the grasps of the luggage carousel? Or even worse, go through the frustration of hauling your car seats into the airport only to have them get lost when you arrive? It's frustrating beyond belief, especially after a long day of switching flights and dealing with cranky, claustrophobic kids. Leave your car seats in your car and avoid this stress by renting them at your destination from Travel BaBees.

Tip #2 - Decide where your child will sleep before you get there
If you've ever asked your parents what it was like to travel with you, they'll tell you that they just put a blanket down on the floor and you'd pass out anywhere. I laugh when I hear this, because my kids would take one look at that blanket and recoil in horror. After a long day of flying, planning for where your child will sleep is important. Whether you are at a hotel or Grandma's house, having a comfortable bed will help you avoid the long, sleepless nights (for you!) that a cranky, uncomfortable child will bring when in a strange environment. If you have a baby, rent a fully equipped crib. Your fussy toddler will feel right at home in a toddler bed. Making their transition as comfortable as possible is important when traveling, especially when dealing with jet lag.

Tip #3 - You may not believe this, but leave your stroller at home
This tip is often met with stunned expressions. You paid a lot of money for your specialized stroller. It is the carrier of your child, the holder of your extras, and you can check it at the gate. Why on earth would you leave it at home?

I have two words for you: Baggage Handlers

Yes, these experienced airline professionals will check your stroller at the gate, and occasionally it will come back unscathed, but more often than not they aren't that gentle with your prized piece of equipment. I've seen strollers come back with the plastic casing cracked, with one wheel rolling away when you set it back up again, and with fabric seats ripped beyond repair. Think that is frustrating? Have you ever tried to file a claim against the airline for a destroyed stroller? You'll be waiting months for that cheque.

If you want to keep your expensive stroller intact, leave it at home. Travel BaBees can deliver a stroller to your destination, so all you have to do is grab it and go.

Yes, flying with your children is scary enough to make you want to stay home. Fortunately for traveling parents everywhere, Travel BaBees is there to lighten your load.

You too can enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, no matter where you have it this year.