Category: Well-Being

Remember when you were a kid and the only thing you lived for was summer vacation? You and your family would pack up and head off to the beach, mountains, or anywhere that suited your fancy. You cherished the memories and vowed to do the same for your family. When you kids are small, but not so little that they can’t remember the time you spend together.

So, if you’re still trying to decide on where to take your kids this summer, here are some of the best vacations destinations you should consider visiting this summer.

Planning Your Trip

Before we let you in on the top vacation spots, let’s talk about planning your trip. Aside from deciding on a destination, you need to create a checklist of everything you want, need and even the things you’re willing to forego. After all, vacation costs can add up quickly, so you want to make sure that both you and your family can make the most out of your time together. You also need to think how much you want to spend and whether or not your dream vacation fits into your budget. If you have a vacation fund, then make sure that you have enough to cover all of the expenses, including potential emergency trips to the ER. As a parent, you already know how fast accidents can happen.

If you’re short funds but still want to get away, you have a couple of options. You can either choose a less expensive location, or you could consider getting a personal loan. Personal loans can be tailored to meet your specific needs, which means you aren’t obligated to borrow than you can easily pay back. You should also check out your credit report prior to applying. It’s not uncommon to find mistakes, which if severe, might disqualify you from being approved. Check out your report and if you find any errors, make sure they’re corrected before you apply.

Another cost factor is how close you are to your destination.  If you live in the United States, here are a few options in various locations.

Miami Beach, Florida

What’s not to love about the sun and the sea? No matter what time of year your travel, southern cities like Miami make it easy to plan a hot vacation any time of the year.  If your family loves to spend time at the beach, Miami Beach is the place to go. With beautiful blue water, white sand beaches, and plenty of kid-friendly hotels, the hardest decision will be deciding when to head back home.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

If rural settings and small towns are more your cup of tea, you might want to check out Jackson Hole. This serene vacation spot has something for every kind of nature lover in your family. You can go white water rafting on Snake River or tubing Snow King Resort. If your children are into castles, you can head to Teton Village. There are also plenty of budget-friendly hotels in the area as well.

Islands of Hawaii

If you want to visit the tropics but want to remain in the US, Hawaii should be on your radar. All of the islands are family-friendly, and offer a wide variety of activities to keep you busy. On Kauai, you can hike until your heart’s content, or simply take in the beauty of Waimea Canyon. If you’re more into lively beach vibes, Honolulu is the place to go. White sand beaches and the smell of coconut oil create the perfect backdrop for any family getaway. You can even attend a luau or learn how to do the hula with the locals.

Disney World

If you’ve been wondering whether Disney World is really worth the hype, then you’ll be happy to hear that yes, it is. If you want to instill a love of travel in your kids, this long-term family favorite has something for everyone. You can visit Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs. You can opt to stay on site at Disney Villas, or you can stay in one of the numerous hotels of all price points.

Dinosaur Valley, Texas

Located 75 miles southwest of Dallas, your little ones can see some of the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in history. In addition to scouting for tracks, you can also hike along the Paluxy River, go mountain biking or take a ride in a covered wagon. There are also plenty of museums to visit in nearby Glen Rose, which happens to be the dinosaur capital of the world. When it comes to accommodations, you can pitch a tent, rent an RV or stay in one of the many budget-friendly hotels.

Black Hills, South Dakota

From taking a walk back in history to the wild west in the town of Deadwood, to the epic view of past presidents on Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota will not disappoint.  There are plenty of places to camp, fish, and hike in the Black Hills National Forest. Drive through a pasture of roaming buffalo, witness archaeology digs for dinosaurs,  or take a ride on a steam engine.  There are endless activities and events that a family of all ages will never forget.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a home for Gatlinburg, which in itself is a historic destination in the heart of the park.  It is a small town that offers visitors a chance to see the natural beauty of the area. There are several trails that lead to different parts of the park. Some of them are easy while others require hiking skills.  Hiking is not just about seeing the scenery, but also about getting closer to nature. Head north to Pigeon Forge and experience the charm of the south. This trip provides a glimpse of what life was like before the arrival of man.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is an excellent vacation destination for families due to its diverse attractions and vibrant culture. The city offers engaging experiences like the Georgia Aquarium, one of the world’s largest, and the Atlanta Zoo, home to over 1,500 animals. Families can explore interactive exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta or enjoy the scenic beauty of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. History enthusiasts will appreciate the Atlanta History Center and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. With its blend of educational, recreational, and cultural activities, Atlanta provides a memorable and enriching experience for visitors of all ages.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

In a word.  It’s big!  The Grand Canyon is truly one of the natural wonders of America.  It spans across 277 miles in northwestern Arizona.  You simply have to see it, to believe it.  And that what makes this vacation destination memorable with it’s epic depth and towering peaks and gorges and ravines throughout.  Stay overnight in one of the nearby towns to explore all the Grand Canyon has to offer or make a day trip from Las Vegas.  Either way, it’s truly one of the wonders of America.

Glacier National Park, Montana

If you choose to make Glacier National Park your destination make sure you take the slow way there.  Going-to-the-Sun Road is perhaps the most awe inspiring mountain road there is.  Large trucks and camper trailers are no long allowed which makes it a pleasure for in cars to meander through the mountain road.   Plenty of roadside turn outs make is easy to stop and look over the edge. Make sure to check for seasonal road closures so you don’t have to turn around and take another road into the part.  The park feature melting glaciers, beautiful alpine meadows, valleys, and crystal clear lake.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Mammoth Cave in west-central Kentucky is an adventure for explorers at heart, with caves to the east and west that are connected.  It’s been called the largest mapped cave system in the world. The caves possess striking stalactite and stalagmite rock formations.  Many unique animals make this area their home in the dark caves, from crickets, eyeless fish, and eyeless crayfish.  Lighted tours reveal all the wonders of the caves that were first seen by native humans with fire and later by the first explorers with lanterns.

Gen Z is currently the second youngest generation, occupying the years between 1995-2010. They’re the most diverse generation, having 48% of its members nonwhite. They identify as LGBT+ 20% of the time, double the rate of any other generation. And they’re posed to be the most educated generation in the near future.

These are all important facts to know when considering the fact that by 2031 Gen Z is projected to reach over a quarter of all global income. This equates to over $2 trillion in earnings, an amount greater than even millennials. This is all to say that Gen Z’s opinions and consumer habits matter.

So what are those habits and opinions? What do members of Gen Z value in the brands and products they consume? The answer seems to ultimately lie in values. Gen Z have the lowest trust in institutions at large, the least loyalty towards brands, and want to find brands they can morally trust.

Gen Z Values

In practice this means 65% of Gen Z research a product before they buy it. Above all 63% of Gen Z trust friends’ recommendations, but regardless of where they’re getting their info, they’re looking for a specific set of values in brands and companies.

These values are sustainable business practices, affordability, ethical business practice, overall shared principles, and inclusivity. And in contrast, the values selected against are any form of sexism, racism, homophobia, and scandals at large. Gen Z is likely to completely refuse to buy from companies who exhibit any of these negative values and will create public outcry against those same companies as well. These same values are also influencing their career motives, which will ultimately determine their spending power.

Gen Consumer Loyalty

Two factors that deserve a little more attention are definitely sustainability and inclusion. While 73% percent of Gen Z consumers will pay more for sustainable products, 54% even saying they’ll pay more than a 10% increase, only 25% consider the environmental impact of a business at large before purchasing. This means that sustainability in products and specific examples is worth more than sustainability at large.

On the other hand inclusion is definitely a more overarching and comprehensive desired value. While there are specific desires, such as 65% of Gen Z consumers wanting options to search for clothes without specifying their gender, most are more general. For example, 51% of Gen Z wants brands that support inclusivity initiatives and 87% believe there should be better gender equality within the fashion industry.

These are just two values that members of Gen Z consider before supporting or buying from a brand. Beyond values, the market of social media and advertising specifically to those on their phones is also getting much larger. There’s many ways for brands to alter themselves and appear more desirable to Gen Z, and the time to do so is now before the consumers of Gen Z become the dominant economic generation.

Top 4 Real-World Applications of Predictive Analytics

Helping children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) successfully study at home can be incredibly challenging. This is because children with ADHD have trouble focusing for long periods, aren’t keen on details, and don’t want to engage in activities that take a lot of mental effort.

Studying requires all three of these things, and children diagnosed with ADHD aren’t exempt from studying because of their difficulties. So, we must find ways to make study sessions at home more enjoyable and productive for their unique needs.

Here are eight of those ways below:

Create a Designated Study Space

For a child with ADHD to successfully study at home, a designated study space is a must. A designated study room or corner for your children can help them be more productive. It can also help their brain know it’s time to focus on their studies every time they enter this space.

Decorate their designated study space with calming colors. Adopt a minimalist style. Be sure there’s room for exercise and play. Finally, kid-proof the space and make it as safe as possible.

When you use this study space with your children, be mindful of how you use your time in it.

Manage Time Attentively

Managing time attentively is a secret weapon in helping children with ADHD study effectively. Break up the time your child spends studying in a way that supports their unique needs.

For example, incorporate regular breaks in every session to ensure your children don’t get overwhelmed with the mental effort it takes to study. You could also introduce time management techniques to them, like the Pomodoro method, to limit distractions and procrastination.

Also, incorporating play into studying can help children with ADHD successfully study at home.

Incorporate Play into Studying

One of the best things you can do in a study session with a child with ADHD is incorporate elements of play into it. Children with ADHD need ways to release energy, especially during study time.

Making time for physical exercise, outdoor play, and creative activities can improve your children’s focus and help them control their emotions and impulses.

Take breaks to play during every study session. Also, incorporate fun, hands-on activities that help your kids learn the topic their studying.

Ask Teachers for Advice

Tapping your children’s teachers for advice on how to help them study and learn better is a brilliant move. Your children spend a lot of time with their teachers throughout the week. So, they likely know a lot about how your children learn best with ADHD.

Set up meetings with your children’s teachers to gain insight into how to use what’s working at school and home. Ask them specific questions about how to help your child retain information better and what kind of environment might be best for them to study in at home.

Enlist the Help of a Tutor

Not only is asking teachers for advice wise but so is enlisting the help of a tutor who primarily works with children with ADHD.

You can reach out to your child’s school and ask for information on tutors in the area. You can also search for tutors specializing in working with students with ADHD on the internet. Interview potential matches and introduce them to your child during these meetings to see how they connect.

You may have to cycle through a few tutors before finding the right one, but it’s worth the work.

Explore Using Digital Tools

Digital tools can also positively influence your children’s study sessions because they can help keep them focused and engaged.

For example, you can gamify studying to stimulate their brains and keep the process exciting. You can use projectors or your television to amplify a lesson. You can also use different apps to make studying more manageable.

Whatever digital tools you use to help your children with ADHD study, ensure they’re kid-friendly and easy to use.

Create a Circle of Support

Creating a circle of support comprised of other parents with children with ADHD can help you gather ideas for how to make studying better for your children at home. You’ll also have people who genuinely understand what you’re going through to lean on when times get tough.

It might also be a good idea to add a behavior specialist or counselor to your circle of support. A study on ADHD revealed that “about 6 out of 10 children had received some type of behavioral treatment or skills training.”

Behavioral therapists can help you find studying methods that work for your children’s particular needs. They can also help your children manage the frustrations and emotional triggers people living with ADHD often face.

Be Inherently Positive

Your circle of support can also help you become inherently positive, especially in situations when parents also are dealing with ADHD. Positive thinking and communication are integral to successful studying at home with children with ADHD.

The last thing you want to do is be frustrated or angry with a child navigating ADHD. Being that way can make them feel hopeless and inadequate. Instead, learn to lift them up at all times. Work on your mindset. And grow your patience as well.

Conclusion

It isn’t easy helping children with ADHD successfully study at home, but it’s essential if you want them to thrive. So, use the tips above to create a positive, productive study environment at home for your children to give them the best chance at excelling in their education despite being diagnosed with ADHD.

About the Author
Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in education, mental health, family lifestyle and online safety. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. You can follow her on Twitter.

A staycation can be as entertaining for kids as going out of town for a holiday, and it just takes a bit of creativity. Kids can easily be amused and have the gifted ability to enjoy almost anything that comes their way. And the good thing is there are different ways you can make their staycation memorable without breaking the bank.

Definition: a staycation is a vacation doing enjoyable activities at home or near by.

To help you get started, here are some summer staycation ideas for kids:

1. Garden Pool Party

A garden pool can be any pool that you make in your backyard. And you don’t necessarily have to have a big one for the kids to enjoy the swimming experience. You can purchase a mobile or inflatable kiddie pool and fill it up with water. The kids will surely enjoy splashing in the pool regardless of the size.

Alternatively, there are many ways the kids can enjoy the backyard beside the garden pool. You can read more about how you can turn your backyard into one of their favorite staycation spaces.

2. Outdoor Picnic

One of the activities most, if not all, kids love is eating. You can create food baskets, fill them with the kids’ favorite snacks, and host an outdoor picnic.  You could go to a local park or entertain guests with a simple set up of lawn chairs and a serving table.  Consider building a backyard kitchen with a built-in grill using RTA Outdoor Living’s guide on how to choose the perfect grill for your outdoor space.

Aside from the delicious treats, you can also be more creative by organizing different outdoor games.  You can also make it theme based featuring your kids’ favorite music group or cartoon character.  It doesn’t take much to organize a family picnic and build outdoor memories on a regular basis.

3. Camping

Camping can either be in the backyard or indoors, depending on the weather and whether you have sufficient backyard space. You can pitch a tent and place fairy lights across the yard if you have backyard space for an exciting nighttime experience. You can also create an outdoor fire and roast marshmallows while sharing stories and listening to music.

You can also camp indoors if you have space to pitch mini tents. You can also make a tent using mattresses and sheets. Adding fairy lights can also work, making the indoor camping experience different from switching on the regular lights.

If the kids are involved in the whole process of recreating a camping experience, they may enjoy it more as they are proud of having taken part in the setting up. Together you can also create a camping theme, and each person will have to dress accordingly or get into the allocated characters.

4. Create A Snack Bar

There are some days when you won’t be able to organize an action-packed day during the staycation for different reasons. And in some cases, you may also find that the kids might not always be in the mood to be active either and may just wish to surf the internet instead.

In such cases, why not create a snack bar where the kids pick out different foods throughout the day while they enjoy lounging around? Try to include healthy foods and research ways to make the foods appealing enough for them to eat instead of serving chips and chocolates regularly.

5. Movie Night

Who can say no to a classic movie night? The kids can take turns picking out a movie to watch on a particular night during the staycation. And to make it more fun, you can redecorate and reorganize your living room space to look like an actual cinema. You can even appoint the kids to design movie theatre signs using their arts and crafts skills.

In addition, the kids can also take part in preparing the snacks for the movie. You can also arrange for the kids to invite their friends for the movie night and organize with their parents. Doing so allows them to create memories with their friends and enhance their socialization skills.

6. Bike Riding

Suppose you have bicycles at home. In such a case, organizing a bike ride around the neighborhood can be another activity to explore. This could also be an opportunity to teach the kids who don’t know how to cycle yet.

By cycling around your neighborhood, the kids may discover areas they may not be aware of, which aren’t so apparent when riding in a car. This can also encourage their adventurous side. Moreover, it’s also a good activity that could boost their physical fitness and well-being.

7. A Drive Around Town

You can also drive with the kids around town, particularly to places they may have otherwise not frequented, perhaps the park or a local diner. By visiting new spaces, they get to learn about other people and the ways of life outside their comfort zone, and what’s familiar to them.

Wrapping Up

A staycation can be as memorable as a holiday getaway, especially if you involve the kids in planning and setting up the activities. And hopefully, with this list of some of the best activities you can do, you and your kids can have a wonderful staycation to remember in years to come.