Local Spring Travel Ideas with Children

As a parent, you want to spend time with your children. However, you do not want to worry about costs, or travel issues . Here are three possible spring time activities to enjoy with your children and experience local travel. 1) Think about visiting your local museum. Contact a museum representative. Ask about the hours of operation and any family discount specials. 2) Enjoy bike ride as another spring time activity with the children. The family can have fun outside, travel through neighborhoods and spend time together. 3) Watch a local softball game in person. Save money and bring your own snacks. Snack ideas include popcorn, chips and juices for the children.

Children and Summer Fun

June is a good time to create an educational fun plan for your child/young relative. For instance, borrow or buy an arts and crafts book and help him/her with a project.

This can be done once per week to give your child/young relative something fun.

Spending Time with Your Children

Finding ways to spend time with your children can be a challenge. We still have another 4-6 weeks of winter so try a few of the following ideas:

1) Have a picnic in your living room. Prepare nutritional sandwiches such as chicken breast, turkey, and tuna with avocado, mustard, or low-fat mayonnaise along with non-butter popcorn or granola bars.

2) Invite another child such as younger cousins or a neighbor's child. You can dim the lights to give a relaxing atmosphere and take turns telling stories.

3) You may want to hold the picnic on a Friday evening so that you can schedule Sunday as quiet day. Also, the picnic can change into a nice Saturday outing at the mall or the movies.

Your children (and the neighbor's child) will get a kick out of the picnic and you gain the opportunity to create a fun memory.

Relationships (Children)

Are you late in the morning trying to get your children ready? Do you wonder if the clock was turned back on purpose? As a mother with a chronic disease/disorder it can be trying to get your child/children ready when your own energy levels are low. Depending on the ages of your child/children they may be able to help in the morning. Actually, it starts in the evening after your child's bedtime. When I was young the following is what my parents did based on their time and what my adult nephew and adult niece do now:

If you have 10 exta minutes you may want to try:

• Place their favorite cereal, bowl, and spoon on the kitchen table.
• Keep the milk/the juice at eye level so he/she can reach them in the morning.
• Provide a choice of two to three fruits (perhaps an apple, an orange, and a banana).

If you have 20 extra minutes you may want to include:

• Leave two to three outfits for the morning.
• Check his/her alarm clock.
• Write down if he/she need to clean bedroom, organize shelves, or toys.
• If you can find 30 extra minutes (smile since not everyone can), here are a few options:
• Review his/her schoolwork-homework-activity folder for needed signatures.
• Check his/her homework especially if he/she has been having school problems.
• Decide if there is a central location within your apartment/home to keep backpacks/coats/umbrellas/shoes-if can save time.

If you have a two-parent household, the above is easier since your mate can cover you when you are not feeling well. However, if you a single parent, it is more important since your disease/disorder may cause more fatigue/pain in the morning.