Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Travel probes with kids ?







Hey my 10yr old girl and me and my dog and my dad are going to missasip in 2WEEKS we are from st Louis so ya we have a hando sivic so ya she is boured all the time we have a iPhone for her and that it so eny cheap ideas for my girl ffrom her getting bouerd


Answer
Tell her all about the other children in the world who have no car,no house,no food,no holidays,no electrical gadgets of any kind,get no education,get no healthcare and after that if you have not sent her to sleep with boredom listening to you,you could play I spy.
If you can download an Ap for her I phone on how to speak and spell English correctly,she could give you some much needed lessons.

travel tips please...?




mimi


i'm from the philippines. scheduled flight is on April 23, manila-taipei-new jersey. i'm a mom. will be traveling with 3 children ages 10, 9 and 7. what should i prepare? what should i expect to experience in the airports?


Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and while you have a pretty long journey in front of you, your children are good ages to fly.

First of all, have they flown before? Talk to them about the flight, especially security. Flying is fun for kids but the security can be intimidating. Explain that they might have to take off their shoes and everything has to go on the belt. They will also have to go through this multiple times.

This TSA page from their site is aimed at younger children but you might still find it useful.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

I find my biggest problem with my 8 and 6 year olds is their commentary. Explain that they are to be *very* good while you're checking in and no joking in security period. Also, while there is a language barrier, they shouldn't make jokes or comments even if they wont be understood. My kids are bilingual and think they can say whatever they want in international airports.

Make sure they stay together. Two of mine are "wanderers" and will stray off as soon as they see something interesting. The middle child is good and is always at my elbow but I have to lecture my other two to keep up and not get lost.

Once past security, you all can relax a little before your flight. It's safer in theory because everyone is either flying or working in that area of the airport. Before security, it's basically a public area. Resist the temptation to linger to say good-bye and get you and your kids past security asap. This can take ages and it's better to get it done with as quickly as possible after check-in.

Bring lots to keep them occupied. Have each bring a backpack. I also pack a change of clothes for each of us but if that seems too much, just bring a t-shirt and shorts. If there's a spill inflight, you'll probably have time to rinse and dry clothes (they dry fast thanks to the dry air in airplanes).

Bring some sort of alternate drinking item. I doubt they still use sippy cups but maybe something with a spout. The F/A's will fill these instead of open glasses if you want. This is especially important with electronical toys.

Big subject. Explain that these toys have to be off for take-off and landing but then can be resumed. Bring extra batteries. If you are taking a DVD player or computer, make sure there's at least 5 hours battery life in it. Turning the screen light down saves battery time. Bring the recharger and recharge in Taiwan (plus one for the states). You might need a converter. Fully recharge everything before leaving your home because they can't be recharged inflight. I also only allow the DVD player in the air, not on the ground for practical reasons (dropping it, having to leave quickly, etc). With older kids, this may or may not be a useful restriction or simply allow it while waiting at the gate in Taiwan.

They must keep the volume turned all the way down or off, or some gadgets have the option of earphones. Bring extra pairs (easy to pack and easy to lose!) Same goes for the movie. You may have to buy a gadget that allows three headsets to be plugged in. I have one for my three (forgot it last trip-and regretted it!)

A new movie(s) and/or new games might be a good idea. Keep them occupied for such a long trip. Get reading materials in their native language, as it might not be possible once you leave the Philippines.

Bring snacks. So far, nothing has been taken by security. Mostly they're concerned about drinks so buy those after you get through security, assuming you'll have time.

Consider ordering special meals espcially if your kids are fussy eaters. The kids' meals are often very greasy so I don't recommend them. Ask your travel agent or call the airline for a list of what is offered. We don't eat pork so we order kosher. No, you don't have to be Jewish to do so too!

Hope you have a good trip!




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Monday, June 23, 2014

toys for a 3 1/2 year old?




kirstin


My son loves to build things - do you know of any wonderful "toys" that let a child build and use their imagination? I have the usual - Legos, wooden blocks, big carboard blocks . . . I'm just looking for a new activity for him. Thank you!


Answer
Kid knex is the best construction toy my kids have ever had I bought one cheap set and my kids played with it constantly for a week I then added to it, they have played with that more than anything else since they were around three, they are six and seven now and they are still going strong. I have since introduced the version knex which is for older kids and is just as popular but the kid knex is not on it's way out yet. It is also one of the most popular thing that their friends play with they also have lego, playmobil, mechano, bricks and a room full of stuff.

Are vintage Fisher Price toys safe for 1 year old?




needinghel


My daughter just loves the vintage Fisher Price toys at our church. I recently bought her a 1972 toy, which she sometimes puts in her mouth. Do these old toys pose any health risks to her? Do they contain lead based paint, etc? I would just like to know for sure to be safe! Done some research online, but havn't found much information. Any answers would be appreciated!


Answer
No and "maybe". No if they have been opened and not sealed but due to no limitations in the 70's on lead paint usage I would say no unless the toy is vinyl and not plastic. Maybe if the toy is new and never been opened due to large amounts of metal they used in the 70's and these parts oxidize and you can never thoroughly clean these enough so toys without exposed metal I would say no. It's really not a good choice.
We have 2 kids ages 10 + 13 and we have never let them have pre 90's Fisher-Price due to the "unseen" dangers.
Fisher-Price can send you a testing kit and some other manufacturers offers these too.




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