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Mommy Dearest: Family Vacation Interferes With School

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:00:48 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My husband's parents' 50th anniversary is coming up in December and they offered to take the entire family on a trip to celebrate. They selected a cruise that does not return until the 5th of January. While the trip works for the rest of the family, it means my preschooler and kindergartener will miss the first two days back to school after Winter break. My mother-in-law says that I shouldn't worry because the children are young. Though I am grateful for the vacation, I am wary of the kids missing class. Should we skip the trip?

– Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama,

It's your in-laws' 50th anniversary - a once in a lifetime event that your children are lucky enough to be a part of- I say take them on the trip and don't worry about the two days of missed class. While the vacation is a generous offer, the experience is one your kiddos will always remember and likely means a great deal to your husband's parents. Prior to leaving, sit down with your children's teachers, explain the situation and see if any assignments need to be completed.

– Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new Community page.

10 Reasons to Travel in Packs

babysugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:00:20 -0700

Taking a small family vacation can be fun and relaxing, but it can also be exciting to holiday with other families. If the couples agree on parenting philosophies and a destination, the outcome can be heavenly. Mommies and daddies share the load of cooking, bathing, and playing with the kids - giving each other a rest. And, the tots relish in having travel buddies.

View Slideshow ›

Non Voyage: Bring New York's Bright Lights Home

LilSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:36 -0700

Get your walking shoes on and prepare to see the bright lights of some of our nation's biggest cities! Families looking to explore the culture and variety that urban centers offer can do so in the comfort of their own homes with projects and foods that celebrate the metropolitan destinations. Our week of big-city "Non Voyages" kicks off in the largest one of all – New York City.

Start the morning off with Eloise's favorite mealtime delight - room service. Kids will love seeing their breakfast served bedside.
Lady Liberty has long been a hot spot for families visiting the Big Apple and the just reopened crown provides great inspiration for tots. There are 354 steps from the base to the top of the statue. Have kids try to stack that many blocks to see the height. And, use construction paper to create your own crown hats.
The Museum of Natural History is known for its dinosaur exhibit so put together some 3D dinosaur puzzles and study the giants.
Even though it's not as bright as the lights of Times Square, check to see if there are any local theater productions that appeal to your tots. Introducing children to theater is wonderful even if you're way off Broadway! Or, prepare for a marathon of Disney movies including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins, all of which are currently playing in the Big Apple.
They say there's a great pizza shop on every corner of New York. Get down to business in the kitchen and create the ultimate thin-crust pie. Just be sure to eat it like a New Yorker – folded down the middle with the grease dripping off.
Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate is beloved by all visitors to the city. Re-create it at home and give your kids a new perspective on the treat.

Do You Plan to Take a Child-Free Vacation This Winter?

LilSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:00:00 -0800

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season about to become history, I'm already looking forward to 2009. Several moms I know said that the hectic holiday season has pushed them over the edge. Despite the economy, they are planning child-free getaways in the next month even if it's just one night at a local hotel.

Are you planning to take a break?

Source

Junior Jetset: Vacation Windows

babysugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:00:12 -0700

Looking for a way to have your lil one sleep like a baby? When we go to Grandma's house for vacation, my babe hits the hay in unfamiliar surroundings - a pack and play in the study or my sister's old room. Luckily, my daughter is a sound sleeper. The challenge is keeping her from waking up at the crack of dawn with the time change and flood of morning light. To see my trick, read more.

To avoid this, I hang a thick blanket over the windows to shut out the sunshine. This allows my child to stay on California time and power through naps. If you're staying at a hotel, the drapes are generally thick enough. If not, check the closet for an extra blanket.

You Know You're a Mother When: Vacation Dreams

babysugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:32 -0700

There is no better vacation than one spent with my hubby and baby girl. Having said that, I recently took a jaunt down to Florida for a reunion with my girlfriends.

But, instead of dreaming about a suntan, crystal blue water and daiquiris on the beach, I craved snoozing in a dark room and cuddling up with a good book.

In the end, I stayed up late with my friends, didn't indulge in too much slumber and barely turned a page of my book.

I'm still longing for a vacation.
Source

Baby Bump: Babymoons Are on the Rise

babysugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:00:20 -0800

Pregnancy has become an industry of its own with couture clothes, high end belly rubs and push prizes, but before an expectant mama's stomach gets too stretched, there's one last hurrah - the babymoon.

Just as newlyweds take a trip to kick off married life, expectant parents enjoy a babymoon to cherish each other before infant makes three.

Not everyone can afford a trip around the world, but here are some getaway options for parents-to-be. To see our recommendations, read more.

$ – Rent a hotel room for one night in your city. Order room service, set up massages and enjoy a night with your sweetie.
$$ – Plan an escape to a local town where you can spend some quality together time over a romantic dinner.
$$$ – Book a long weekend in NYC, San Francisco, the Rockies, or a Florida beach where you can enjoy the scenery and plan some exciting activities.
$$$$ – If you've got the money and time, arrange an extended trip to Italy, Mexico, Hawaii or another exotic location where R&R is served up first–class.

The generation that touts rhinestone pacifiers is making babymoons more of a pregnancy staple than a rarity. But, not everyone is born with a silver spoon.

What's your take on this trend?

Source

Live the Dream

FabSugar — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 21:12:23 -0700

Even those of us that love our day jobs have moments where we imagine what it would be like to do something totally different. Maybe you'd be a great weathergirl or television producer? Maybe an architect or art gallery owner?

Portland-based Vocation Vacations is giving people a peek into life on the flip side by offering its clients a variety of two-day "mentorships" in fields from fashion to dude ranching and beyond.

For those of you dying to spend a few days in the wild world of fashion, here are just a few of the options:

* Perfect the art of the make-over in San Francisco, California and shadow style expert Kate Rice;

* Become a costume designer for New York stage plays;

* Bag your current career and head to Laguna Beach, California to try your hand at being a handbag designer;

* Go totally Hollywood and find a niche in the world of industry make-up artists.

Whatever your dream job, chances are they'll have a vacation package that suits your needs just perfectly. Be sure to send us a postcard!

Are You Excited For Another Vacation Sequel?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:30:54 -0700

Hollywood may be taking a Couples Retreat this Friday, but we all know that Chevy Chase and National Lampoon put trip-themed films on the map with the Vacation series.

Now the Griswolds are back for another sequel, but this time Clark's son Rusty will be the dad commandeering the adventure. Ethan Embry played Rusty in the most recent Vegas Vacation, but a variety have actors have played the kids over the years and I'm sure we'll get a new pair this time. David Dobkin (one of the masterminds behind Wedding Crashers will produce and possibly direct, and of course the door is open for Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo to make appearances as the original Mr. and Mrs. Griswold. The Vacation movies will always hold a special place in my heart, but are you excited for the sequel?

Would You Take a Virtual Vacation?

GeekSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:15:34 -0700

There's nothing like feeling the warm sand under your toes as you step out onto a beach during the first few moments of a vacation. You know you're really on vacation. That is, of course, if you have saved up enough vacation time and money to go. But what if you could take a virtual vacation anywhere in the world with just a few clicks of your mouse instead of worrying about all the hassles of planning a real vacation?

Websites like Vizzera let you travel to far reaches of the globe in a 3-D interactive tour of the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu, whereas Wonder Rotunda - which is aimed at kids - takes you on underwater and high-flying adventures around the globe.