Camping with kids may sound like a stressful idea, but it doesn’t have to be. Some input from everyone will help the trip run a little smoother right from the beginning. The best thing about camping with kids is that you don’t need special skills, just some life lessons. Some of my all time favorite childhood memories revolved around camping. I used to pretend I was an explorer and I called myself Tiffiana Jones, LOL. I would hike, look for animal bones, catch craw fish (and let them go), and generally have a good time roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate. I ended up marrying a big camping buff and while we were dating we went on many camping trips with big groups of people…good times. Even the time when my hubby’s daft best friend sent me down and 4 wheel drive only trail in a rented Ford Explorer.

If you are new to camping I would pick up a book about camp sites, trails, and hiking places in your state. I have TONS of these kind of books, although most are specific to Arizona since that is where I lived most of my life. I am slowly building an Ohio collection.

Camping with kids is also a great time to teach them about nature and the wonderful things that are out there. Maybe a good first lesson would be about poison ivy/ oak. What it looks like, where it is, and why they should stay away from it. Also educate them about dangerous wildlife in the area…bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, etc.

Just like anything else, preparation helps out immensely. Camping with kids is more fun for everyone when they feel involved. Having them ‘pack’ their own survival kit will come in handy when they get bored. You know- toys, bedtime buddy, favorite blanket, pillow, whatever fills their needs. My oldest would be over the moon with a compass, Swiss army knife, magnifying glass, Canteen etc.

Meal time is a good time for the kiddo’s input. It also helps them to want to be part of the food preparation. They might even volunteer to go to the grocery store to help you. Of course, camping with kids you most usually hear about eating hot dogs and marshmallows. That is not really our style. Our list would probably include homemade marshmallows (hubby makes them), trail mix, dehydrated fruit, flax crackers, homemade beef jerky, and Larabars. Plus we almost always go somewhere were hubby can fish so fish would likely be on the menu.

Campfire time can be relaxing and start toning down the day toward bedtime. Kids love roasting their marshmallows. Story time at the campfire is always fun when you are camping with kids as well. Watch out for teens that like to fling flaming marshmallows into the hair of the girl they like….a no-so-cute tactic of my husbands.

Remembering things that you liked as a kid really comes into play, too. Playing ball, taking a hike, and races are always good for a fun time. Family swim time is an awesome activity to strengthen the family and the family bond. When I was young we used to go a place called seven springs and it would take all day to hike all of the springs. Sometimes we would have to wade through water just below our necks but it was so much fun. There was also a bridge with a rope we could swing on. Man…now I want to go camping!

You have many choices as to what environment to camp in. There is the old fashioned, go out to the deep woods camping- going back to the natural basics. There are campgrounds that have different facilities, like a pool, tennis court, basketball court, and much more. Also, there are family campgrounds, which are especially oriented toward camping with kids. The family campgrounds usually have an activity list for what they are doing, and at what time. For camping with kids the friendliest atmosphere is the family campground.

For sleeping facilities there are also several choices. You can go with just the sleeping bag and pillow under the stars. There is the old home made stick and blanket tent. Store bought tents come in many shapes and sizes now from the little pup tent all the way up to the family size with rooms attached. Of course for vehicles you can camp on the back of the truck, in a camper or in an RV.

To keep things earth friendly remember to pack it in and pack it out. Leave the area the way you found it or even better. Build a fire in an established fire ring only and hike on designated trails. Use solar lights and flashlights if you can and keep food locked up if there are wild animals around.

There are many options when it comes to camping with the, but most importantly keep them involved and enjoy the time together, and it will all work out well in the end. If you have a “bad” trip, just call it a practice run and do better next time or change the location. Here is to giving our kids camping memories that will last forever…

A family camping pic:

Homeschooling is one of the most misunderstood institutions in the world as we know it. Many people are misinformed by the powers that be, that homeschooling is not good for children. What they share are mostly myths and fallacies. When I had my first child I dreamed of homeschooling. I imagined studying world history with my kids as we actually traveled it…taking in the ancient pyramids of Egypt or the visiting the Colosseum in Rome. Well, it didn’t exactly work out like that. My oldest had many health problems and when it came time for him to go to school according to the public school schedule, he had so little socialization under his belt it was sad. I think I could count one hand how many times he had “played” with another child and have fingers left over. Since kindergarten is supposed to be about fun and games I decided to let him go to public kindergarten and live it up. He had a blast too. Then he wanted to continue going to public school which as you may recall from previous posts is not the same bed of roses and we will be homeschooling for second grade.

Despite the fact I did not hoemschool I very much supported it and it really angers me when I see people spouting off about how homeschool kids lack social skills, are falling behind in math and sciences, can’t get into college or are being indoctrinated by Bible thumping, prejudiced parents. The last one is really common and it bugs me the most. I am not particularly religious and not a bit prejudiced about other races and nationalities. If anything I want to homeschool because I feel the opposite is true and I want my kids exposed to all different kinds of people and many different belief systems. There is something seriously wrong with any institution that says you can only find truth and knowledge here.

How does one debunk those homeschooling myths? Let’s examine a few and consider the facts of each.

Myth: Homeschool children are not socialized

In his book, The Hurried Child, Dr. Raymond Moore writes, “”The idea that children need to be around many other youngsters in order to be ‘socialized is perhaps the most dangerous and extravagant myth in education and child rearing today.”

The truth is that a homeschooled child who is around his parents and siblings more than other peers are more self-confident, respect themselves more, and, feels more worthy than those who are bothered with peer pressure on a daily basis in traditional school. Children model behaviors that they see. Do you want your children modeling the behavior of their peers because that is what they are most commonly exposed to 9 months of the year?

The homeschool community is very good at providing activities for homeschooled children and families. There are sports associations, theatre arts groups, teen circles, books clubs, and more. And just like traditionally educated children, homeschool kids have friends who they hang out with too. Why so many people don’t “get” that is beyond me.

Myth: Homeschoolers Can’t Get Into College

In the past this may have been true, but today many colleges welcome homeschool students. Homeschoolers are eligible to apply for any college they wish to attend. The fact is a homeschooler can attain the credits, grades, and all the necessary requirements it takes to get into college.

There are many colleges that do not look for a diploma or GED for admissions requirements from a homeschooler. They are looking for capable, motivated learners, and responsible people to attend their schools. Colleges like Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown, and MIT accept homeschoolers because they see the students have great leadership skills, a strong work ethic, and stronger moral values.

There is no need to fear that a homeschooler can’t get into college when there are over 1400 colleges who accept them.

Myth: Parents Need to Have Credentials to Teach

The fact is that a parent does not need a teaching degree to homeschool because children learn in so many different ways. Traditional schools tend to focus on teaching one type of child; the auditory learner; and credentialed teachers are trained to teach in this manner. The homeschooling parent for the more part focuses on teaching according to the needs of the individual child.

When it come to teaching the child a homeschool parent has many options such as online charter schools, guided curriculum, homeschool co-ops where parents work together to teach children, and tutoring. I know if there is ANYTHING my child wants to learn that I cannot teach I will connect them with the resources they need. In that sense you are more like a learning facilitatior than a teacher.

With the homeschool family, the sky is the limit when it comes to teaching. There is no set way of learning for the homeschooled child.

Debunk the myths of homeschooling by being wise and knowing for yourself the truths about homeschooling. And when someone says something that you know is not true, enlighten them with the facts.

The belief that green living is expensive is not always so. Sure there are some green products and processes that are very expensive, but green living does not always constitute a lot of money. There are MANY ways to live naturally and green AND save money.

Grow Your Own -If you love to get your hands dirty, starting a garden will save you enough money to go on a small weekend getaway by year’s end. With the price of food and gas today, if you have a garden you have your own fresh produce to cook with. A garden filled with herbs, grains, fruit, and vegetables will keep you from weekly trips to the store because you can make your own dressings, seasonings, and even items like bread, cookies and cakes. With a garden, your trips to the grocery store are limited to meat purchases and staples that you can’t make at home. Cut meat out of your diet and think how much more you will save. There is no need to run to the store and waste valuable fuel and time. Just go to your backyard with your reusable grocery bag and fill it up with fresh produce. Doing this is also a source of fun and exercise for the whole family.

Buy Second Hand – Many people miss the huge savings in purchasing used. Thrift stores and yard sales are a treasure trove of items that you would pay five to ten times more for in department stores. Items like clothes, books, dishes, linens, and furniture can all be found in your local thrift shop at your neighbor’s yard sale. Sure not everything is in great condition but for the most part the items are in decent to good condition; sometimes you can even find items that have never been used before. Most thrift stores also have special half off days and on those days you can add more change to your savings account.

Go Virtual - What about managing your financial affairs in the virtual world? By doing things like getting investment reports and paying bills online, doing direct deposit, and opting out of receiving catalogs in the mail, you can save $150-200 per year because you are not using checks or stamps; and you even avoid those dreaded late fees. You can also buy music and movies online and watch them right on your computer.

Clean Green – The average U.S. household spends approximately $600 per year on household cleaning products. By learning to use inexpensive items like baking soda, vinegar, lemons juice, essential oils, and borax to clean your home, you can cut the cost by about $500. Add to that a savings from using only cloth rags instead of paper towels and you have saved a bunch. Your home will be naturally clean and you will feel better knowing that you have a safer home with some cash in your pocket.

Natural Beauty – You can make natural beauty products and toiletries right at home for cheap. Make your own toothpaste, lotions, deodorant, diaper rash creme…the possibilities are endless and the solutions are just as good as what you pay top dollar for in a store.

Cloth Diapers – This option has gone mainstream and for good reason. Cloth diapers are a superior product, they are safer for children, and they save a lot of money. Parents will easily spend thousands of dollars on disposables diapers for just one child…but a nice collection of cloth diapers will usually run from $300 for the minimalist to $800 for the snazzier diapers with bells and whistles AND they cloth diapers can be used for one or more subsequent children or sold. The used cloth diaper market is huge. I cloth diapered two kids and LOVED every minute of it.

Green is Healthy – Using green and safe products and eating sustainable, organic foods often translates into health. Think about all the doctor visits and prescription drugs you can avoid because you are living healthfully. Let me just give you an inkling of what I mean. My bad choices in years past resulted in cancer. Conventional treatment was oh so modestly priced at $7000 a week, every other week for 6 months. Add to that what I spent on natural and homeopathic products and treatments and you can see why I wish I could have avoided it altogether.

Long Term Savings – Even the so-called expensive green investments like solar panels or energy star appliances are not really more expensive in the long run. You save money on lower energy costs every month for the life of the product.

There are many ways to save money living green. That is a good thing. However, the benefits of going green far outweigh the amount of cash you have in the bank at the end of the year. It is about helping your family to get healthy. It is also about the longevity of an Earth that is more than good to the people who dwell in it. Do you part and save money while you help the Earth.

Now it is your turn. How has going green saved you some green?

One of the best ways to have natural fun in the summer is to have a mix of spontaneous and planned activities for your kids to enjoy. Summer is all about FUN…kids are out of school (unless you homeschool) and the weather is great. The days are also long so there is plenty of time to pack a summer full of activities.

First you’ll want to see what planned activities your kids will be involved in. For instance if they’ll be taking swimming lessons or day camps look at what their days or weeks will be like and coordinate schedules with friends and family who may have kids that will want to join your kids for some planned and not so planned fun.

Summer time marks the return of birds and all kinds of wildlife that was either hibernating or away for much of the winter. Take the time to teach your kids to watch and record the wonderful changes happening around them. My kids and I can’t get enough of this. We can just meander outside all day looking at spring blossoms and all the life bubbling over after a long winter. Today we spent quite a bit of time trying to find the source of a lovely black licorice smell. It was divine…I wish I knew what tree was responsible so I could plant ten more of them!

This is not only fun but a great learning opportunity especially if you home school your kids. Have your kids write down and catalog the types of birds in their yard or neighborhood. If you have mature trees where you live it can be a wonderful activity to watch the various types of birds that are attracted to your trees and garden. Right now we are seeing Cardinals and Blue Jays and some unidentified yellow and brown birds that seem to love our birdhouses.

To attract more birds, do some research with your kids to determine the kinds of seeds preferred by various birds. You might even take a trip to the library to make this a really interesting research project.

Some local bird feed and pet stores can be a wealth of information about seeds and the types of birds that are indigenous to your area. Talk to these store owners and consider some of their suggestions. Obviously they’ll be able to offer bird attracting devices like bird houses, bird baths and all the different types of bird feeders you need to consider when trying to attract certain types of birds to your property or home area. Our yard is filled with them…seriously we have probably a dozen birdhouses and another dozen feeders.

Still keeping with the topic of wildlife, why not plan to make a few trips to the zoo this summer. Take a little different approach than the usual stroll through the pavilions. Spend some time getting to understand each animal’s habitat. Ask your children to tell you what they find interesting and unique about the wonderful and exotic that have been gathered at your local zoo for their enjoyment and education.

Encourage your kids to interpret their perspective of animal life by drawing pictures of the animals they see at the zoo. That kind of activity makes the experience more meaningful and it will provide and interesting record in the years to come. I have seen kids doing this at the zoo before and thought it was awesome. Who knows…your child may develop such an interest in the animals they focus upon that they’ll end up wanting to support initiatives that help to protect these animals in other parts of the world where they may be endangered.

Another idea for summer fun activities is going to a local state park. The beaches, trails, camping and boating would definitely keep the kids entertained for quite some time. Most parks let them bring their bikes as well and biking is great exercise.

We can’t forget that summer is also the best time for great outdoor activities that don’t require 30- minutes of gear preparation! A bathing suit and towel are the basics for a great day of swimming or running through the sprinkler. If you don’t have your own pool make sure you get the schedule for your nearest community center pool and arrange it so that your kids can swim regularly. It’s great exercise and it is a good way to ensure that your kids get the experience and teaching they need to play safely around water. Don’t forget the non toxic sunscreen. My kids will NOT be bored in this regard. Their grandparents bought them a Vortex Spin Slide and Pool. This thing is MASSIVE…but they are going to love it.

One of the age old activities that kids have done in the summer months to wile away the hours is to create a skit involving neighborhood children. Electronic games and TV may have placed a damper on this activity in recent decades, but with the renewed emphasis on physical activity you have an opportunity to get your kids involved in this kind of creative fun once again. Help them along by suggesting venues (the backyard deck), theme ideas and suggestions for a script, costumes and the creation of a “kids’ promotion team” to advertise the play to neighbors and friends. Need cool props? Check out this play parachute and these playsilks.

Most importantly though…enjoy the summer fun!

When it comes to summer vacation, one thing is for sure, parents always get worried about keeping their kids occupied and kids just want to have fun. Keep these simple things in mind when planning your summer: Kids want to get wet, be outside and have their friends around, with these in mind, you are good to go when it comes to planning.

As you read this I am on vacation! But of course obviously you are reading this so how is that possible? Welcome to the miracle of scheduled posts. You’ll be seeing pre-written stuff for a few.

I am super excited but also anxious about keeping kids entertained on the way to and from Florida and also nights at the hotel. Family trips can be a great experience or a source of extreme stress. They can be fun, educational and rewarding too. Without planning, however, the family road trip could turn into a nightmare. Kids get restless and irritable when boredom sets in and the next thing you know you have a battle going on in the back seat.

I have been getting creative lately in preparation. Here are some of things I have planned.

DVDs – I know…I am sooo bad but oh well. We have a DVD player attached to the roof of our car so the actual trip will be a breeze. We also have a portable DVD player for the hotel room.

Coloring – This is an all time favorite activity for all 3 of my kids but I don’t want to lug around tons of crayons or crayon boxes so we are using our homemade crayon rolls. They each hold a dozen crayons or more and they roll up very small. These are perfect for restaurant and hotel entertainment.

Peak-A-Boo Bags (also called I-Spy Bags) – My kids really like these. They are little fabric bags with a see-through window that contain a filler material (ours has rice) and several little trinkets that you need to find like buttons, bells, paper clips, dice and other little items you would likely find at a craft store like a mini baseball or a snowflake. The one we have has a card attached to you can cross all the items off as you find them. They are really fun. We get ours from my friend Deb at Made by Mama. She rocks!

Games:
Slugbug – You look for Volkswagen beetles and yell Slug bug when you find them. Kids love this game. You are supposed to hit the person next to you when you find them but we leave that part out. ;)

Create a Story – Create a story while traveling from the names on highway signs and billboards. The first player picks a name off a sign and begins telling a story using the name in the sentence. After each sentence the next player goes picking his name and adding a sentence to the story and continuing back to each player until the story is done.

My Road Trip Journal – Prepare a backpack for each child with notebooks, sketchpads, markers, crayons, sticker, scissors, and paste. The children can keep an account of the trip. They can write down events, draw pictures of things seen, and paste collected items such leaves, pamphlets, and colorful stones into the journal. Pictures from the trip can later be added to their journals.

Books and Quizzes – Kids love to guess. Pack plenty of puzzle and word fill books, flash cards and easy trivia games and the children will be occupied for hours.

Listening Music and Stories – Kids of all ages love stories. Books on CD’s can be borrowed at the library to bring on the trip. Add to the list music CD’s; family sing-a-long songs are great fun. I am taking my iPod and car adapter so we have plenty of all the above for mom and kids.

Bring along lots of snacks and drinks to prevent whining when hunger pangs strike. We have trail mix, dehydrated fruit, beef jerky, Horizon milk cartons, and Larabars for the road.

Allow time to stop every two or three hours for the bathroom, meals or just to let the kids run for a while. A family road trip does not have to be a disaster. Plan wisely and the road trip will be a pleasurable experience…I so I am saying now…I will let you know later…when I am really here cause right now I am not. :)