Summer is here and what better place to go then the beach?  Beach days offer fun and excitement to children of all ages; however, it can often seem like a daunting task for parents.  Follow these 5 tips and your beach day will truly be “as easy and relaxing as a day at the beach”!

1. Bring sun coverage. We don’t just mean lather on the sunscreen (an obvious)…bring a tent, large umbrella or other object that will provide respite from the heat. This allows for a sun break and offers a place for little ones to nap, if needed.

2. Plan for hunger, thirst and scope out a sand-friendly place to eat. Portable prop up trays and/or tables are great to keep sand out of food, and consequently, out of children’s mouths.  Kids use up a lot of energy in the sun and water, so bring nutrient dense foods, apples, cheese sticks, frozen grapes, peanut butter sandwiches on whole wheat (avoid any meats), hummus and veggies. Also, prepare frozen water bottles because everything melts so quickly. By the time the children are thirsty, it will have turned from ice to ice cold water.

3. Aim for “comfy” weather.  Go early in the day or late in the afternoon rather then the middle of the day when the heat is at it’s highest. Overall, this will make your day more enjoyable and the chances of sunburns are a lot less.

4. While lifeguards are a must, they are not a replacement for mom and dad. Don’t rely solely on the lifeguards; make sure you watch your child at all times! Also, other parents are not responsible for your children.  If you want to rest and relax yourself, bring a babysitter or a friend who can take on “supervision duty” while you take a break.

5. Bring toys and rely on Mother Nature to provide entertainment when taking breaks from the water and waves. Children love the water, but it’s important to break, rehydrate and reapply sunscreen consistently. Bring sand toys to keep your child busy. Also, remember Mother Nature provides entertainment. Look for seashells, start a collection that you can bring home to paint or string the ones with holes to make a souvenir necklace! This will help to avoid a fight when you tell them to get out of the water.

The beach is a place to make many wonderful family memories. If you are prepared, it will be a great bonding experience for families of all sizes and children of all ages. Life should always be as wonderful as a day at the beach!

With holiday travel a lot of people will be headed “over the river and through the woods” but as any parent knows, traveling with little ones is an adventure all on it’s own….and by the time you actually arrive at your destination you already need a vacation from your vacation.  Here are some easy and helpful tips to make sure your journey goes smoothly and you all arrive in good spirits no matter where you are going.

• Pick a Time That Works Best for Your Family Routine:  Know your little one’s schedule and the most convenient time for your family to “get moving”. Some families are better leaving at night while the little ones sleep, while others are better hitting the road first thing in the morning. Also, keep in mind there might be traffic and/or delays depending on when you leave.

• Engage the Kids In a Physical Activity Before Leaving: When traveling, children are often expected to sit for extended periods of time. Have them run around before getting in the car or plane so all that excess energy is already expended and they can tolerate sitting still for a longer period of time.

• Leave Extra Time to Get To The Airport: Remember, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year. Make sure you have enough time to make your flight; but keep in mind, things always take longer

• Don’t Allow Tech Toys to Replace “Real” Toys: While iPads, smartphones and tablets are great ways to occupy travel time you should expect delays (in the car or the airport) and all those devices have a tendency to run out of battery.  Make sure you have other activities readily available such as books, crayons, and small games (i.e., cards).  When all else fails, there is always “I spy” and there are many items you can “spy” in a crowded airport or packed automobile.

• Bring Lots of Snacks: This may sound like a “duh” statement, but the key is to bring the right type of snacks.  Avoid anything sugary to prevent from amping a kid’s energy level. Sugar highs are never good when you’re confined to a plane or a car.

• Listen to Audiobooks Together: This is a great activity that involves the
  entire family. You can check them out at the library so it won’t cost a thing and it is especially helpful on long drives.

• Stick to Bedtime Routine: Obviously with any sort of travel, “routine” is interrupted. Don’t be stressed if nap time comes a little early or late, but try to your best to keep the kid’s on a sleep schedule. At nap time, quiet the conversation, put on relaxing music and pull down the window shade.

But most of all, no matter what “adventures” your travel leads to make sure you keep your sense of humor and enjoy the family time!  Happy traveling!