Cruising is often thought of as the ultimate vacation: spending your day lounging by the pool, fruity drink in your hand and enjoying a beautiful sunset before dancing the night away and then spending the next day with your toes in the sand on a beautiful beach. If you’re a parent of young children though, the idea of “getting away from it all” while changing diapers, dealing with toddler tantrums and trying to keep picky eaters satisfied can seem overwhelming at best and the impossible dream at worst.

Cruising with small children doesn’t have to be complicated or scary! With a little preparation (and a healthy dose of flexibility!), you and your children can make a lifetime of memories aboard your favorite ship.

Planning Your Cruise

When cruising with small children, careful planning can make all of the difference. Before you book your cruise, it’s important to research your options and pick the ship and destinations that suit your child’s temperament.

Perhaps your dream is to sail on transatlantic cruises from Florida? Maybe you want to see all that Alaska has to offer? Maybe spending the day swimming with dolphins on the shores of Mexico is more your style? Whatever your dream cruise is, it is important to choose the right ship. Many ships today have abundant offerings for young children, from all-day childcare to pools and water parks just for the ship’s youngest passengers. It is important that the ship is a good match for your child’s temperament and personality. If you know your child will have a meltdown when hungry, for example, book your cruise on a ship with all-day buffets or kid-friendly food options. If your child needs to be in bed by sunset, look for a ship with early dining options and evening in-room childcare.

Ships with family cabins can also help make cruising with small children easier. Family cabins often have connected rooms or ways to section off a child’s sleeping area so that the adults can watch tv or enjoy conversation without waking up a baby. It is important to note that many ships do not have bathtubs in the staterooms, so if your child cannot use a shower, you might wish to pack an inflatable bathtub or plan on sponge bathing your child during the cruise.

Arriving at the Ship

When cruising with young children, it is essential to give yourself extra time to deal with diaper blowouts, hungry children or frequent bathroom breaks. If you can, plan to fly in a day early to account for any delays or last-minute issues. This also gives you time to pick up some snacks, diapers or other important items before you get on the ship.

When you first arrive at the ship, it is possible that your stateroom will not yet be ready for you. If you brought a stroller or a baby sling, start by taking a leisurely stroll around the ship to acclimate yourself to the ship’s layout—if you’re lucky, your little one will decide to take a nap during your walk!

Enjoying your Cruise

Cruising with small children might look a bit different than cruising with teens or adults. It is important to understand that many areas on a cruise ship are not necessarily baby-proof. Seek out safe places for your little one to freely explore. On many ships, there are designated areas designed just for young children. These areas are often staffed with caregivers trained to work with young children. During the day, childcare (or Kids Clubs) are often free of charge, allowing your child to play and enjoy their vacation with new friends while you enjoy some much-deserved kid-free time.

Evening childcare or in-room childcare is often offered at an additional charge. Check with your cruise line before embarking to see how in-room childcare works. For some cruise lines, these services can be booked before you board, while for others, in-room childcare is first to come first served.

Excursions and On-Shore Experiences

Many people find on-shore experiences to be some of the most memorable parts of cruising. When choosing your excursions, pay careful attention to the intended age of the excursion. Many cruise lines set age limits for excursions for the safety and comfort of all participants. Another consideration is the length and intensity of the excursion. If you have a child who is impatient with long bus rides or needs a middle-of-the-day nap, a long excursion might not be a good option. Look for family-friendly or child-friendly excursion options, especially if this is your child’s first travel experience.

Finally, it is important to remember that you and your child are on vacation! Relax, slow down, eat well and make memories. One of the best things for a child is to travel and experience the world. With careful planning, cruising with your young child can be a memorable bonding experience for your entire family.

Dealing with a parent who suffers from some type of dementia is rather difficult, but if, on top of that, you have your own children to worry about, the whole situation becomes double the challenge. Still, keep in mind that you’re not alone. Many people face the same difficulties as you do and look for the best ways to approach their kids so that they can effectively help them cope with the change they see in their grandparent(s).

Try your best to answer the kids’ questions

It’s perfectly fine to open up to your kids on the matter of their grandparent’s dementia. After all, there’s no other way for them to learn more about this properly than by you talking to them. So, if they ask you questions, don’t hesitate to answer them. And if you happen not to know the answer, tell them so. There’s no reason to avoid this subject with kids when all they want is to understand what is happening to their grandparent better.

Of course, answer with the kids’ age in mind

As mentioned, being open with your kids about their grandparent’s condition is paramount if you wish to establish a better connection between your parents and children, and help the kids deal with the situation as painlessly as possible. But, you also have to provide the answers in an age-appropriate manner. You may be more open, logical and even use medical terms with a teenager, but if you have pre-school kids, use the simple terms they will understand.

Encourage the connection

Depending on the type of dementia and the overall condition of their grandparent, the kids can explore different ways to spend some quality time with them. Of course, you should suggest ideas as well. Sometimes it’s enough to watch TV together or have your kids read to the ill grandparent. And in case your parents enjoy some of the current dementia home care programs, the professionals on the matter can suggest activities that would both grandparents and children find entertaining. These programs are highly individualized with skilled and energetic staff that’s always there to help.

Share the fondness and love in your parent’s stead

In their state of confusion, your kids’ grandparent may not be able to express all the love, pride and fondness they feel for them. Not to mention that younger kids may misunderstand the behavior and think that their grandparent no longer cares for them. This is why it’s so important to talk about all the loving and nice things the grandparent has said about your kids and communicate the love they feel for the youngsters.

Make the most out of available literature

You don’t have to rely on your power of explanation only when it comes to helping your kids cope with their grandparent’s dementia. Thankfully, you can also utilize some books that carefully and engagingly deal with the whole process of dementia change. For instance, books such as Still Alice or Dancing with Rose are good for older kids, while the younger kids may benefit more from books like Still My Grandma or The Memory Box. If necessary, you can read it to them.

Whatever unfortunate situation you may find yourself in, don’t leave your children in the dark. They deserve to know what’s going on with their grandparent. What’s more, being able to understand what’s happening to their grandma or grandpa will help them overcome their own insecurities, and spend some more quality time caring and enjoying the company of their grandparent. This will mean the world for all of you as a family.

Caring for an aging parent with a health issue is never easy. It can become quite overwhelming with constant challenges along the way that can take a toll both physically and mentally. Moreover, it weighs down on other family members as well.

Knowing that most health problems, especially Alzheimer’s and dementia, progress in time, many families consider assisted living as a possibility. At some point, caregiving becomes a burden too heavy to bear and the cost of paying it too high. What is crucial in this process is recognizing when is the right time for your beloved parent to join an aged care facility.

According to experts, the following are typical signs that the time has come for assisted living arrangements.

Escalating care needs

If your parent is still in the early stages of their illness, your first step should be getting the paperwork in order. Before things escalate and your parent’s cognitive functions become compromised, it’s important you all plan ahead before it comes to making the critical decisions.

Next, you need to evaluate the current situation you’re in. Ask yourself whether you can handle your parent’s care needs, both physically and mentally, or the health of both of you is at risk. If the answer is positive, you should consider the option of assisted living.

This should be a joint family decision and before you make your final choice, do the research so you can pick the best place possible. Visit the communities before choosing and be sure they offer proper medical support and amenities suitable for patients with the needs your parent has. For instance, at Mark Moran Vaucluse retirement living residents will receive individualized care, 24-hour medical support, a life free of concerns and financial security. Set in gorgeous surroundings with panoramic views of the ocean on side and gardens and the city skyline on the other, residents are always in close contact with the healing powers on nature and sunlight.

Behavioral changes

Behavioral changes commonly accompany dementia and this is particularly hard on the caregivers as it causes more pain and even resentment. Sundowners syndrome is very characteristic of Alzheimer’s patients where they become very agitated as the day progresses. It can disrupt the family routine and take quite a heavy toll on the caregivers. Wandering becomes much greater and frequent so the probability of falls and injuries increases. When it gets to this state, it’s time to consider placing your parent to an assisted living facility.

Caregiver stress

Watching a parent lose their health can never be easy. For children, this means they lose the parent twice – first to the disease, then again when they pass. It’s hard not to ask yourself if you’ve done all you could have so it’s normal to feel anxious when you decide it’s time to move your parent away.

It’s almost inevitable to feel stressed and the usual symptoms are disabling anxiety, avoidance behavior, depression, and hypervigilance. These symptoms do not only come from the pressure of taking care of your ill parent, but also from the disruption to the normal daily routine. When you spend most of your time caregiving, eating and sleeping patterns are disrupted and your health will suffer.

As a caregiver, it’s hard to find enough time for your loved ones, let alone yourself. However, staying healthy is one of the most important things you need to do in order to provide the care and support your parent needs. Therefore, find a way to rest and recuperate and seek out the help and support from professional counselors and therapy groups, if necessary.

Assisted living is a great choice to help your parents. But it’s never too bad to have an extra dose of safety. By using wandering tracking watches you will feel more relaxed knowing your parents are where they should be. 

The bottom line is that as a human being, there’s only so much you can do without compromising your health, so make sure you do your research and evaluate all your options before making the important decision of placing your loved one in an assisted living community.

Being a mom is probably one of the most fulfilling things in the world, but even with a toddler running around, you need to have some me time that you’ll dedicate to yourself. Staying fit as a busy mom might seem difficult at first, but with some time-management, you also can look good and have time for your kids at the same time. Here are some essentials on how to achieve your body goals and still spend some quality time with your family:

1. Be organized

Managing your time while having kids should be an Olympic discipline, no kidding. Since you’re probably too busy to fit exercise into your schedule, the best option is to manage your time carefully. Planning your day ahead can be very useful, so get yourself a daily planner notebook or find a to-do-list app. That way, you can know when you have some time off to spend on working out. Instead of being stressed, make sure your day is planned, so you’ll be able to exercise without feeling stressed. If you’re someone who likes to be more spontaneous, you don’t need to plan everything in advance, but at least make sure you have the most important tasks written down. That’s how you can keep track of everything you’ve done. Try to find at least 30 minutes during the day when you can work out.

2. Remember that movement also counts

If you don’t have enough time or money to go to the gym, remember that any type of body movement is considered exercise. Running around your kids still burns calories, and carrying your toddler around can help you tone your arms. Don’t feel overwhelmed if you can’t afford to go to the gym, try walking instead of driving, playing rough-and-tumble with kids and spending time outdoors as much as you can. Kids love being physically active, so going for a swim is a great way to have fun with your children and also stay fit. In some countries, such as Australia, women work out more than men, and being a mother should never stop you from staying in shape. A lot of women use motherhood as an excuse, instead of finding a way to do both.

3. Ask for help

Many mothers feel like they have to do everything by themselves, instead of admitting that asking for help is normal. Even if you’re not one of them, if you think that your family and work duties are stopping you from staying fit, then maybe you should consider asking someone to give you a hand. That can be your partner, friend or a babysitter. There’s nothing wrong with going away for an hour and spending time on your physical well-being. It’s no longer that difficult to get affordable activity clothes. For example, finding comfortable gym wear in Australia has never been easier, and with some effort, you can look gorgeous and feel fit while raising your little ones at the same time!

4. Do it at home

For some, working out at home might feel normal, but others like to leave the house. If you find going to and from the gym time-consuming, then you might want to consider exercising at home. It can be convenient for busy moms like you, since that way you can be more flexible. Whether you prefer Pilates or a treadmill, working out at home will give you all the privacy and you can also watch the kids. Even better, bribe them with a cartoon marathon, so you can work out in peace. Home exercising can have many benefits, so if you’re still uncertain, there’s no better place to start than your own home! You can even take breaks to go and check on your children. Home workouts are convenient for working moms because they cost next to nothing and you can do them whenever you want.

So, staying fit isn’t something you should live and breathe, especially if you have children demanding your attention, but exercising occasionally is definitely recommended. Use every chance to move your body. That also includes dancing with your kids to the music you love the most!

Struggling financially could be really tough for everyone. It could, however, be extraordinarily stressful in the case of a single parent who is juggling with his finances, parenting, and work all on his own. If you are a single parent, you seem to be responsible for the smooth functioning of your household and happy life for your family especially, your kids. As you are running the show without a partner, you would be solely responsible for your family’s destiny. We know that many individuals are compelled to live with a huge trauma of financial concerns for years before they start seeking debt relief options and effective debt solutions.

https://www.forbes.com presents some mind-boggling statistics to prove that the United States is actually, plagued with debts. “Average credit card debt for indebted households is now at $16,048, and average student loan debt surged over $37,000 last year. The average loan for a new car is over $30,000 and nearly 69 months long, and Americans owe an average of $196,014 on their mortgages according to Experian.”

We know that slow to almost the flat growth rate of income has definitely, not been able to keep up the pace with the ever-increasing costs of living during the last decade and that has compelled several individuals to depend largely on credit cards and some other effective means of credit for getting by. Since credit has been relatively easier to acquire particularly, during the past two years as lenders and banks have actually, eased some of the lending practices. However, now the debt issue would be further aggravated.

“Americans are in a borrowing mood, and their total tab for consumer debt could reach a record $4 trillion by the end of 2018. Americans owe more than 26 percent of their annual income to this debt. That’s up from 22 percent in 2010. It’s also higher than debt levels during the mid-2000s when credit availability soared” as per https://www.cnbc.com.

One of the worst affected groups is single parents, as far as this ever-increasing credit card debt issue is concerned. Leading a life with just one income could prove to be difficult and full of hardships if you need to bear the cost of bringing up kids. Kids are certainly a costly proposition and no doubt about that. Single dads or moms need to take care of both the basic requirements such as food, shelter, and clothing and also, the finer requirements such as school supplies, medical expenses, and costs associated with extracurricular activities every month.

We know that when you do not have adequate money for making ends meet, several single moms and dads would be depending largely on credit cards for getting by throughout the month. Without radical modifications in the overall lifestyle or a substantial increase in the income, things could culminate in insolvency eventually. However, here are some simple but effective money-related strategies so that they could help you stay away from overpowering debts. Visit toptenreviews.com for perfect debt management and relief solutions.

Generate a Realistic Budget

Most Americans are not used to having a budget and many of them have no idea about ways to create a proper monthly budget. Most people in the United States only love to go on spending money and paying the bills and that is precisely the way they get by throughout the month until the month end. The fortunate ones have ample amount to get through the entire month without any monetary hassles. However, many of them would surely encounter a major shortfall of cash compelling them to use credit cards to make all the payments whenever bills are generated. Americans need to realize that chalking out a budget is a wise step and is not such a difficult task.

You must understand that you have access to a fantastic array of resources and even if you have no knowledge or experience in creating a personalized budget, you could easily go about creating one with the help of effective budgeting tools online. Chalking out a monthly household budget would imply allocation of your portions of income to specific expenses and ensuring that you stick to the budget every month.

You must not dedicate more than 30 percent of your income towards housing since that may lead to financial shortfall or crisis eventually. If you clearly make a comprehensive list of all your present financial obligations and compare them to precisely your net income, you could understand exactly where you are going overboard and overspending. You could even calculate how much shortfall is there in terms of your income to run your family comfortably.

Make Your Bill Payments Timely

You need to stay updated on your bills. You simply remember that if you fall behind on your credit card repayments it may trigger some serious repercussions.

Remember lenders would surely be reporting late payments and the entry would show on your credit report so your credit score could be hurt or damaged. Moreover, lenders tend to be less forgiving and quite strict in terms of late payments. They would be charging really stiff penalty fees on account of late payments. It is important to take some proactive measures if you are failing to pay your monthly bills as per the already scheduled due date. You could request lenders to shift the due date to a more convenient or favorable time every month. Moreover, it is best to pay off all your bills that charge the highest penalties for late payment on a top priority basis.

Get Rid of Unnecessary or Frivolous Spending

You need to evaluate your spending. Go through meticulously all your bills every month. It is the best time to reassess your spending habits and identify effective ways of eliminating expensive and unnecessary expenses. Go through your phone or cable bills and identify areas where you could reduce your monthly payments every month. Start doing some cost-cutting every day and consider lifestyle modifications.

Conclusion

You must follow the above strategies to stay out of overpowering debts. You must consider making certain lifestyle alterations as a single parent and run your house accordingly. You could avoid drinking the costly morning coffee or consider opting out from all sorts of eating out temptations. Try to reduce small expenses that seem quite insignificant as compared to your day-to-day existence. Manage your finances well to stay out of debts.