Prints Charming

Today, I've found some inspiration for easy, diy, family keepsakes featuring hand prints and thumbprints.

hand prints on canvas

I like the idea of including the hand prints of the entire family. 

hand print tree

paper cut out hand prints

framed handprints

Thumbprint trees are very popular alternatives for guestbooks at weddings and baby showers, and I like the idea of using them as family trees as well.

thumbprint family tree

Air-dry clay or a polymer clay like Sculpey make easy and darling pendants with thumbprints. If you have two children, combine each of their thumbprints to form a heart. Many sellers on Etsy can create custom thumbprint pendants in fine silver, as well.

diy clay thumbprint pendant

custom silver thumbprint pendant

Tips for Planning a Family Vacation - courtesy of Jennifer Hunter

As an Independent Travel Advisor, specializing in custom family and group vacations, I am often asked for my tips for travelling with children.  As most parents know, every child presents their own set of challenges just going to the grocery store, let alone a 5 hour flight to a Caribbean destination.  Although flexibility is key, there are a few things you can do in advance, to make things go a little smoother when preparing for a family holiday.

Documentation
Any travel outside of Canada requires a valid passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months past anticipated return date.  Passport Canada is implementing new rules for travel documentation applications for children under the age of 16, effective December 1, 2011.  Be sure to check out Passport Canada’s website regarding requirements www.ppt.gc.ca

Plan and book ahead
Last minute deals are few and far between...  Even if you do find a “fantastic deal”, it really isn’t a bargain if you don’t enjoy the trip.  The savings are much better with advanced purchase and early booking offers.  Get the kids involved.  Look through brochures together; ask them where they want to go. If they are involved in the planning, they will be much more excited when they get there.

Pay for that advanced seat selection
There is nothing more un-nerving for families than going with the free at check in seat selection, arriving at the airport to find out the family will be split up on the plane.  If you are travelling with pre-schoolers, you have to anticipate a good majority of that flight is going to be spent in the bathroom. No matter how prepared you are, I guarantee you will not be able to keep them confined to their seats the entire flight. Bulkhead seating gives you more leg room and a little extra space for the little one to crawl around or stand up and stretch their legs.

Go with an age appropriate destination and family friendly accommodations
Yes, you have always wanted to watch the sunset from the Eiffel tower and view the Mona Lisa at the Louvre but chances are that isn’t going to thrill your 8 year old princess.  Stay in accommodations with kids programs. Kids like to be active and meet other kids.  Moms and Dads need some quiet time to relax.  Stay in accommodations large enough for your family.  Although you think you won’t be spending a lot of time in your room, a family of 5 is never happy stuck in a standard room with 2 double beds and a cot.  Many resorts accommodate larger families with adjoining rooms or family suites.

Packing
Create a list of must-have items well in advance and then pack as light as possible.  Most scheduled airlines charge per checked bag and most charter airlines allow for one free checked bag. Be sure to pack enough in a carryon to occupy the kids on the plane ride as well as keep them clean during the flight.  Diapers, wipes, snacks, drinks (must be purchased at airport after clearing security), crayons, colouring books, hand held video games, comics etc. Bring a change of clothes for them as well as yourself in case of accidents or delays. Find out in advance if resort has strollers or pack n plays.  The minimal fee may save the aggravation of lugging them along.

Hire a professional
Have a travel advisor be your partner in planning and booking your adventure.  Ask yourself this question, would you design your new dream home and create blueprints between diaper changes and carpool?  No, you would hire an architect.  You might think booking your vacation is as easy as checking out a few internet sites and clicking the buy now button.  When planning a family vacation, there are many good reasons to use a professional.  Travel advisors can offer you advice on family friendly destinations.  They offer one stop shopping when it comes to hotels, car and flight bookings.  They also can be your personal concierge organizing everything from character dinners at theme parks to golf tee times.  When travelling with kids, always expect the unexpected.  A travel advisor can sort through the travel clutter and be your advocate should something unexpected arise. Family vacations should be memorable.  Travel advisors can customize your trip to meet the needs of your family.

Jennifer Hunter
Jennifer Hunter Travel by Design
Independent Travel Advisor with Vision 2000 Travel Group
P: 613-661-6551
E: Jennifer.hunter@vision2000.ca

Raising Charitable Children

I made two new friends at a craft show on Saturday. Erich, age 7 and his sister Allison age 4. What struck me most about these siblings, besides their lovely dispositions and well manneredness, was their participation at the craft show. The two had made dozens of Christmas ornaments (jingle bell wreaths and candy-cane reindeer!) to sell, with proceeds going to the Fire Fighter’s Toy Drive. I was so enamoured with the children and their project, that it lead me to today’s post about raising charitable children.

It begins at home, with parents or guardians leading by example. This was apparent on Saturday, as Erich and Allison’s mom was helping to raise funds for her own project, an Eco-Quest program at Centre Hastings Secondary School. From what I know of this family, the children have been raised in an environment where giving is a natural and encouraged occurrence. Watching parents give something of themselves to others sets a positive example and lays the groundwork for creating kind, compassionate and responsible children and eventually adults.

Talk to your children about a variety of world issues and causes. You don’t have to get into some of the nitty-gritty or scary details that might be over their wee heads, but rather present it to them as an opportunity to make a difference. Would they like to help the homeless? Help cure a disease? Erect a playground? Save the environment? Having this conversation will identify what your children’s concerns are and what matters most to them.

Once your children have an idea of what cause(s) they would like to contribute to, research together the charities and services that are associated with that cause. Have a brainstorming session on how they can help. Many children are eager to help, but don’t understand how. And there can be many more ways other than donating money.

• Keep a jar in your house for donations. Small children will be eager to toss in loose change. Older children can allocate a percentage of their allowance for giving. Even small amounts of money can make a difference.

• Encourage children to donate gently used toys and clothing to charities or families in need.

• Collect non-perishable items for the local food bank. Most grocery stores have a bin for food bank donation items. Allow children to choose healthy items to put in the bin.

• Spend time together making cookies for a bake sale.

• Pick up litter in your neighbourhood park or playground.

• Set up a lemonade stand or even a yard sale and donate the proceeds.

• Do yard work, go grocery shopping, or bring the garbage cans in from the curb for an elderly neighbor.

• Hand out flyers, put up posters or stuff and stamp envelopes for an event in your area.

• Collect books for a local book drive.

• Cut and donate your hair for Cancer.

• Participate as a family in a walk-a-thon.
  
• Collect Canadian Tire money for charities, such as animal shelters.

Talk about it afterward. Why was their contribution so important? How did it make them feel? It is important to remember that the spirit of philanthropy is not about what or how much you give but rather about the feeling that you are helping others in need.

For more information on charities who need your help, follow these links:

http://www.canadahelps.org/Home.aspx

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html

http://www.canadacharity.ca/

http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/main.asp

Welcome to the Quinte Family Resource Guide Blog

Hello there and welcome to the inaugural posting on the Quinte Family Resource Blog. Here is a little bit about me. My name is Cara and I’ve been a stay-at-home-mom to a boy and a girl for almost seven years. Everyday has offered a new challenge and I strive to be a good, fair and fun parent. Admittedly, it hasn’t always been easy!

The Quinte Family Resource Guide has been an idea that has cropped up in our household several times over the past seven years. Whether we were trying to find a pre-school, karate or dance lessons, it was always a several step process – relying on word of moth, the phone book and google – to narrow down the information we sought. If only there was a one-stop Quinte Family Resource destination! It was shortly after my children and I were watching the animated movie “Robots” where the motto of the inventor was “See a need, fill a need”, that I thought to myself, “heeeeyy, I see a need!”. So here I am…and here is the directory…

I am hoping that Quinte area families will find the guide useful and easy to navigate. This blog portion takes over where the guide leaves off, with a fun and creative approach to parenting topics. Content will include helpful tips and tricks for organizing family spaces, photography, menus and more. I’ll be featuring inspiration boards for birthday parties, kids rooms and holidays, local events and interviews and eventually we’ll have some contests and giveaways. Blog posts will be entered everyday from Monday to Friday. Please visit often and feel free to offer any comments or topic suggestions!