We may not want to admit it, but summer is slipping away and back-to-school is sneaking up fast. Make the most of these dwindling days of vacation by checking off this list of essential summertime activities. Click through to see them all!
What do you want to get out and do before summer is gone? Tell us in the comments below.
—Erin Feher
Breaking the bank doesn’t have to go hand-in-hand with out of town vacationing. Believe it or not, you can keep on inspiring your kids with out-of-this-world experiences while keeping your budget spreadsheet happy. See more for less with these wallet-friendly travel tips from our friends at Mom.me.
Got any other travel tips to share?
— Constance Summer
Read More from Mom.me:
Top 10 ways to enjoy your family vacation (and avoid parental meltdowns)
11 Tips for Traveling with Kids
How to Make Traveling with Toddlers Enjoyable
mom.me is for moms who love being women, and women who love being moms. We focus on all facets of a mom’s life. From parenting and relationships to style and home to mind and body, the site serves the whole woman. By providing a platform for dialogue on issues that mean the most to us, mom.me connects women to each other and the world around them.
It may be hard to believe, but summer is almost over. With the back to school rush comes a desire to fill what remains of summer with a few more fabulous outings and adventures – preferably ones that will lower your temperature during the dog days of summer. Here are the best ways to keep cool until it’s time to head back to school.
How do you say cool in Los Angeles when the temperatures rise? Let us know your favorite spots to chill in the comment section.
-Krishann Briscoe
Ivanka Trump’s resume includes former model, businesswoman and writer. Her latest role? Full-time mom to Arabella, 2.5 years and Joseph, 8 months. We recently caught up with this New York mama of two to find out what’s at the top of her family travel bucket list, her daughter’s favorite apps and what you’ll always find in her purse
What are you most looking forward to doing with your kids this summer?
I’d love to take the kids up to Blue Hill Stone Barns to see the animals.
What’s your most memorable family vacation and why?
We recently came back from Aspen. We took a family vacation there with my brothers and their families. We really enjoy spending time together as a family and it is great for the cousins to ski and play together.
Where have you always wanted to travel with your kids but haven’t yet?
Once of my favorite destinations is Patagonia. When the kids are a bit older I would love to take them there.
When jet setting with your kiddos, what are your must-pack items for family travel?
A fully loaded iPad! Seriously, what did parents do on planes before iPads?
Are there any apps or books that your kids are into if they need a distraction during long road trips or plane rides?
Arabella loves the app Monkey Math and Elmo’s ABC’s. I try to keep the iPad full of educational apps, for the rare breaks Arabella might take from watching Frozen over and over again.
If we took a peek in your bag, what are five items as a mom you can’t live without?
iPhone, Aquaphor, string cheese (a great snack for me and for them!), “emergency” stickers and kids organic lollipops.
How do you document your family vacations? Do you use any apps or photo sharing devices or services to cherish your family vacation memories?
I really love instagram, I tend to share a lot of photos from vacation via social. Jared and I collectively gather our photos after trips and make ibooks out of them–our coffee table is full of a bunch of photo books from our journeys.
Do you also always leave the house with a fully loaded iPad like Ivanka? Tell us your kids’ favorite travel apps below.
When the Red Tricycle editors and staff aren’t on the lookout for the next cool local hangout, they’re masterminding up their ultimate family vacation. On their bucket list are a myriad of fun family destinations—some local and others very exotic. Flip through the gallery to find out what spots made the cut.
What’s your top travel destination you’ve always dreamed of visiting? Fill us in below!
This girl sent an absolutely adorable and thoughtful letter to “Google worker,” lobbying for her dad to get the day off for his birthday. Written in bright blue crayon, the letter is polite, cute and ends with just enough sass. And what do you know — her pop’s manager responded and gave Katie’s dad an entire week of vacation to spend with his little girl. Check out the letter below!
Share this with your friends and fam, and get those summer plans started!
— Christal Yuen
I’m a good parent. And I lie to my kids.
The lying isn’t what makes me a good parent, but it doesn’t automatically mean I’m a bad one, either. Because you lie to your kids, too. I know you do. And if you say you don’t, you’re a dirty goddamned liar.
We lie to our children for a multitude of reasons. Because we want to protect them. Because we don’t always know the right answer. And yes, because sometimes we’re lazy.
There’s a difference between lying to kids specifically to hurt them, and telling little white lies. The latter is the result of taking care of tiny humans who inevitably drive you to your breaking point and threaten to send you careening over the edge.
So, with that mind, here are 19 common lies parents tell their kids.
*****
19. “It’s time for bed.”
Technically, bedtime is in an hour. But since I’ve had a long day, you can’t tell time, and the end of daylight saving time has brought on the sweet merciful darkness, the night-night train is boarding early.
18. “Oh honey, this tastes delicious.”
No it doesn’t. I don’t care that it’s called “Dada’s Surprise,” because I know the surprise is you took a little bit of everything in the house and mixed it together to create this abomination currently accosting my taste buds. I can’t prove you did it on purpose because you know I’m parentally obligated to imbibe it, but we both know you’re old enough to realize milk and orange juice don’t go together.
17. “That drawing is FANTASTIC!”
Look, I’m your dad. I’m never going to tell you something you worked hard on sucks. But why do you insist on playing this game where you make me guess what you drew? If I’m being honest, it looks like a sphincter with three arms — not Batman. In the future, just tell me what you drew so we don’t set ourselves up for mutual disappointment.
16. “No, I don’t know where your art project went.”
Yes I do. I threw it away. Not to be mean, but because I have to. Seriously, buddy, you bring home five art projects a day from school. Our kitchen wall is filled with your creations. If I don’t make at least a little room, we’ll be on Hoarders in a hot second.
15. “My phone is dead.”
Can I play with your phone? Can I play with your phone? Can I play with your phone? Sometimes I give in and placate you, but dammit IT’S MY PHONE AND I WANT TO PLAY WITH IT! So I lie to you and tell you it’s dead in the hopes you’ll get distracted by something shiny and allow me to tweet about how annoying it is when young kids are completely hooked on technology.
14. “Your mom and I are going to bed, too.”
After a certain point, The Bedtime Wars drag on so much that anything is fair game. Which means I will lie to you and say whatever is necessary to put you down. So yes, of course we’re all going to bed. Don’t mind the sound of the TV downstairs, I’m just leaving it on for the dog.
13. “No, I don’t think you’re getting a shot at the doctor’s today.”
Actually, you’re getting four shots. Which means I really didn’t lie.
12. “We can’t have a cat because you’re allergic to them.”
We’ve never had you tested, so technically this might not be a lie either. But I will tell 1,000 lies if it keeps those godforsaken felines out of my domicile.
11. “The dog ate your candy.”
Unlike cats, dogs are fantastic animals and man’s best friend. They are also a great tool for parents to shift blame. Because the truth is, I ate your candy. I’m not even sure how a box of Thin Mints became yours. I paid for the damn things. I should just be able to tell you I ate them because I was hungry and dammit this is my house! But then you hit me with those sad eyes and I have no choice but to do the right thing — blame an innocent and much beloved household pet.
10. “Babies are made when two people really love each other.”
Or when two people have too much wine. Or the condom breaks. Or mommy forgets to take her special pill. Or the vasectomy doesn’t take.
9. “Santa/The Easter Bunny/The Tooth Fairy doesn’t come if you don’t poop in the potty.”
Yeah, we actually told Will this when he was potty training. MJ and I got a six-pack of beer, blocked him in the bathroom, and waited him out. Then, at the end of our ropes, she told him the Easter Bunny would skip his house if he didn’t poop in the toilet. Thirty seconds later, he dropped a few chocolate nuggets in the porcelain basket, and potty training was finished. See? Lying is just good parenting.
8. “I think your favorite stuffed animal is on vacation.”
If by “vacation” you really mean somewhere in the 50-mile stretch between the grocery store, pet store, and toy store, then yes — he’s on vacation. A permanent one. Ultimately, this will end in disaster and tears and crying and refusal to sleep without your old friend, which is exactly why I’m going to lie to you for as long as you’ll buy it. Sometimes parenting is strictly about survival.
7. “The toy store/candy store/Disney World is closed.”
I’ve told you no. Repeatedly. I’ve explained to you with perfect logic and reason why we can’t go to any of the ridiculous places you’re begging me to go. But you don’t care. It’s not your job to care. I get that. But it’s my job to be on time (or at least not ridiculously late), which means it’s a million times easier to lie to you and tell you the place you want to go is closed. Some day you’ll be able to tell time and this ruse won’t work, but today is not that day.
6. “We’re all out of ice cream.”
Until you go up to bed. Then it’s ice cream city up in here.
5. “It’s a tie.”
Bullsh*t! I won. Not only that, I mopped the floor with you. It wasn’t even close. I’m not sure why I have to spare your feelings, since it’ll only be a few years until you’re older, I’m weaker, and you dance on my withered bones once you’re able to defeat me in just about everything.
4. “Caillou isn’t on TV anymore.”
Not on OUR TV, anyway. That bald-headed whiny little sh*t.
3. “Yes, your fish has been very sleepy lately.”
Someday, when you’re older and I’m mentally prepared, I’ll tell you that Nemo now sleeps with the fishes. But in the meantime, your sleepy fish will be totally reinvigorated as soon as the pet store opens.
2. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
For my money, this is the best (and most necessary) lie on the list. And make no mistake — it is a lie. We can strive to protect our kids all we want, but we’ll never have complete control. If gunmen walk into the school, a driver crosses the double yellow line, or armed robbers break into our house, then parents are hard-pressed to be able to keep this promise. But you can bet your ass I’ll keep promising my boys this until the day I die. Because it’s the right thing to do to make your kids feel safe.
1. “Your mom and I were just… wrestling.”
Mom is on top of me because she’s trying to pin me. No, you can’t play too. Yes, we need a lock on the bedroom door.
So, how about it, parents? What other lies do you tell your kids?
To read more, visit Huffington Post Parents by clicking here.
What it really feels like to raise kids today — from pregnancy to high school graduation and beyond. Read personal stories written by moms and dads, celebrate hilarious moments in parenting, get advice from experts and join our conversations.
Legend has it that Dante’s Inferno originally mentioned a 10th circle — being on a long airplane ride with young children — but it didn’t make the final edit. Family vacations can get crazy, but we’re here to restore your faith in them. The big idea? Take a good old-fashioned road trip. Here are a few great destinations, depending on whether you’re up for a quick trip or long haul.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
(1 1/2 hours away)
Lake Geneva was once the vacation playground of Chicago millionaires (Wrigley, Schwinn, Hefner) but it’s just as welcoming to the huddled masses. The charming little downtown is replete with family-friendly eateries and shops, and Geneva Lake is quite warm, especially by frigid Lake Michigan standards, topping out at 82 degrees in August.
Back in the sun at Riviera Beach, one of the lake’s loveliest, or rent a boat or jet ski to fully take advantage of the calm waters. There are plenty of public charters available, too, if you’d rather sit back and enjoy the ride.
Round up your little co-pilots in bikes or strollers, however you roll, to enjoy the 21-mile Geneva Lake Shore Path, which offers lakeside views and a peek into the town’s historic mansions. (Thank the early settlers who deemed the lakefront to be public domain, which means that latter-day visitors like us can glimpse how the other half lives.)
Wind down at Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark, an indoor/outdoor water park that is one of the few geared toward smaller kids with a lazy river, splash pad and tame waterslides alongside a few more daring ones for mom and dad. Stay on-site in family suites with fully stocked kitchens, which is part of the Grand Geneva Resort with golf courses and a spa for grownups to enjoy.
For information, call the Lake Geneva Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-345-1020 or go to www.lakegenevawi.com
Saugatuck, Michigan
(about 3 hours away)
Beautiful lakeside Saugatuck combines the best of a beach vacation with an artsy downtown where grownups can browse galleries and kids can pick up a kite to fly.
Go straight to popular Oval Beach, a gorgeous stretch of sand fronting Lake Michigan, where you can easily spend an entire day swimming and building sand castles. Then head to nearby 600-foot-tall Mt. Baldhead dune for a panoramic view of Saugatuck. If little legs can’t handle the full dune ascent, try a dune ride that bounces over the sandy mounds and mixes in a little history and nature for good measure. Kids will also love the novelty of the Saugatuck Ferry, circa 1838, that travels between downtown and Oval Beach and is still operated by hand crank.
Stay at BeachWay Resort and Hotel, which overlooks the harbor and has family suites, apartments and homes to choose from for rental.
For information, call the Saugatuck & Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau at 269-857-1701 or go to www.saugatuck.com.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
(about 8 hours away)
A vacation to Mackinac Island is less about laying on the beach and more about pedaling around picturesque lighthouses, bluffs and water. A trip here harkens back to the 19th century; Victorian homes and the main drag have a nostalgic air, not to mention the fact that no cars are allowed. (Leave yours on the mainland and ride in via the ferry, taking in the Mackinac Bridge).
Rent a bike to take in the island (an 8-mile circuit encompasses its full breadth, from downtown to naturalistic views of the Straights of Mackinac). Burley and tag-a-longs are available so kids can get in on the fun. No visit to Mackinac would be complete without sampling the island’s famous fudge, seemingly available every four feet.
Though the downtown is often photographed for its charm, more than 80 percent of the island is a state park, with limestone bluffs and hiking and biking trails, and Fort Mackinac. Hike up to the top of the fort to take in the view. Kids love this place (originally a British outpost during the Revolution) for the drum corps, hourly cannon fire and military reenactments. Don’t miss the Mackinac Island Butterfly House, where budding naturalists can walk among the winged.
Stay at the postcard-worthy Grand Hotel, which dates back to 1887 and is known for having the largest front porch in the world. Parents will appreciate its beauty and the number of children’s activities, like scavenger hunts and (seriously) Quidditch matches.
For information, call the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau at 800-454-5227 or go to mackinacisland.com.
Where are you and your family headed this summer? Let us know in the Comments section below.
—Rebecca Little
Photos: Courtesy of Lake Geneva Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Saugatuck & Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau
When was the last time you put photos into an album? We’re not talking about Facebook or Instagram, but a physical photo album, which seems almost nonexistent nowadays. Not that we blame you – it’s a lot of work creating a photo book! From taking the pictures, uploading the ones you want to keep, saving a hard copy to take to the photo developer or printing your own pictures (if you have a photo printer), buying a photo album and placing pictures in an artistic way. Who has time for that?
You’ve heard the saying “There’s an app for that” and in this case it’s true. Mosaic is a free, one-of-a-kind app for the iPhone and iPad that makes creating a physical photobook as easy as uploading pics to a social media platform. Here’s a video of how simple it is to use. For $20 you get photo book with 20 pages of photos mailed to you within four days. Your personal photo book is filled with the selected pictures, which are also used as the cover page in a mosaic design you can shuffle to your liking.Mosaic photo books are also not the cumbersome photo albums you remember from your childhood, but small and sleek enough to take with you on the go. Make photo albums for yourself or have them mailed to relatives as a spontaneous gift with pics from the holidays, a birthday party, or a family vacation. Download Mosaic from the iTunes website or from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad to start making those memories solid.
Download Mosaic
Watch Mosaic at Work
Online: heymosaic.com
What pictures will you put in your next photo album?
— Katie Garcia
For our kids, normal is swiping the screen of a tablet dozens of times per day, a mom who carries her laptop around 24/7 like it’s the neglected younger sibling, and never having heard the hum and beep of a dial-up modem. Since technology in all forms has infiltrated our lives whether we like it or not, we’re bound to have some funny (literally laugh out loud) moments with our kids and their interaction with these nifty devices. Below are some funny stories from the modern day, plugged-in mom, which will make you laugh and even say, that’s happened to me too.
My two year old son Cameron totally knows how to navigate himself on our tablet, including skype. One night, Cam decides to skype with his Uncle Lyndon. While “chatting”, his Grandma appears in the background and starts to talk. But he says, “No, no grandma…” and starts to swipe his fingers across her face—as if he could actually move her and “swipe” her off the screen!!
Yvonne, New York City
A month ago, my seven year old daughter decided to send me a message about her one true “need” in life and decided to use my smart phone to deliver it. Well, little did I know there were a number of apps where one could doodle, cut and paste photos and send messages, but much to my surprise, I got the message loud and clear – it was a picture of my daughter with her new “friend” and a note that said, “I want a dog!” (Editor’s note: See photo above for Shamini’s daughter’s creation).
Shamini, San Francisco
When my son was four he accidentally bid $200 on a set of Playmobil trash cans on ebay—and won! We quickly figured out how to lock down the website so he couldn’t make purchases.
Cathie, Portland
We were on vacation, staying in a hotel. There was a newspaper sitting on the table that my husband had bought the day before. My two year old daughter picked it up and handed it to her dad saying “Here daddy, here’s your tablet.”
Alanna, Portland
I knew it was time for a password on my phone when my Kindergartener ran upstairs and interrupted me as I was putting her younger brother down for a nap to say, “Mom, you just got a text from Shannon, she is complaining about her job again. I think you need to call her. She used symbols and A LOT of exclamation marks.”
Kara, Seattle
My daughter is the subject of countless photos, but she must have gotten tired of being the subject because she quickly learned to play photographer using my phone. Now, I find tons of pics in my photo stream, mostly all blurry, of little toes, stuffed animals, even some candids of myself!
Gabrielle, San Francisco
Last spring, my friend gave her four year old her tablet to use in the car during a long road trip. He figured it out rather quickly and spent the entire trip playing games. She said it was one of their best car trips ever! But, the next day my friend received an e-receipt from iTunes for $600. Apparently, every time a pop up ad appeared on the screen her son hit the “yes” button resulting in $600 worth of gaming apps!! Lesson learned: If you give your child your tablet to use, disable your credit card info.
Kristina, Seattle
Got a funny story to share about your kids and technology? Share it with us in the comment section below! We’d love to hear.
