3 Kids and Us

RV Friendly Craft Ideas to Keep Your Kids Busy

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Do your kids get restless while traveling in the RV? This list of RV friendly craft ideas will help keep them busy and out of your hair.

Traveling with younger children is always a bit of a challenge.

However, when you’re traveling in an RV?

That challenges increase tenfold.

You want to be able to find ways to keep your children busy and entertained (and to prevent them from asking “Are we there yet?” one more time.) However, you also don’t want to have to spend half of your vacation time picking up after their crafting decisions.

Before you cancel your trip, read this post.

We’re sharing our best RV friendly crafting ideas with you and your family.

Origami

When you’re in the market for RV friendly crafting ideas, your main priority is looking for options that will keep your kids entertained and won’t have you cleaning up for hours afterward.

One of the best solutions?

Origami, which requires nothing more than paper, a YouTube tutorial or other how-to instructions, and a whole lot of patience.

Your child can learn the art of paper folding without getting glitter and glue all over the interior of your RV. Plus, they can also create affordable and handmade zoo animals, hearts, and much more.

This means that they’ll have toys to play with throughout your journey, and you’ll save tons of money in the process.

One of our favorite creatures to fold is the traditional bird. Get inspiration and instructions from this list of the top origami bird creations to inspire your child at any level of folding experience.

Stringing Beads

Another RV friendly craft that won’t break the bank or cause you to spend half of your vacation scraping craft glue off of your furniture?

Beading bracelets and necklaces.

All you need is string, a few awesome beads, and maybe a kid-friendly plastic needle to help with the threading.

Encourage your child to express themselves by stringing together lots of different colors and shades. You could even “commission” them to make you something special to wear around the campfire.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: how can I prevent these beads from ending up all over the floor?

The solution?

Tupperware and beading trays.

You can store beads and other supplies in Tupperware, or even old baby food jars if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option.

Then, you can use a beading tray or board to help your child to string out and design their jewelry. Many of these trays also come with a cover, so you can click it shut and avoid disaster if you’re going over any bumps in the road.

Do your research online before your trip starts to gather inspiration, and even bake some clay beads so your child’s necklace will be all their own!

Making Paper Chains

Continuing on our theme of paper crafts that are RV friendly (like the origami example above) let’s talk about another favorite: paper chains.

Especially if you’re on the road frequently, it can sometimes be tough for your kids to feel like their space is their own. They don’t have a “room” to decorate with stickers or line with posters.

So, give them the next best thing — the ability to decorate a tiny section of your RV with paper chains!

To avoid a mess, we suggest cutting the strips of colorful cardboard paper ahead of time. You can also look for tape dispensers that give out smaller strips of tape to loop the chains together, mess-free.

If your child is old enough, of course, they can also use a stapler.

In addition to standard paper chains, we also love the idea of making this paper chain caterpillar. Invest in some googly eyes for a truly fun look!

Rely on Coloring Books

When all else fails, the truth is that few RV friendly crafts work as well as the classic coloring book.

They entertained you as a child for hours on end, and we’re confident that they’ll be able to do the same for your kids.

Make sure to get a variety of coloring books, so that kids don’t get bored. Get themes related to their favorite cartoon characters, books, or even toys. To keep them guessing, pick up lots of different drawing materials.

We love the fun look of glitter pens, stamp markers, and colored pencils.

To make sure your children know that you appreciate their artwork, hang up a few of your favorites around your RV’s interior.

If your child is a little bit too old for coloring books, but still enjoys painting and drawing?

Maybe it’s time for them to graduate to paint by numbers! They can choose to copy famous paintings, landscapes, or even their favorite mythical creatures! To avoid a mess, use basic watercolor paint on the canvases.

These are especially awesome activities to do outside in the sunlight when you’re camped out for the afternoon. Then, let them dry on the picnic table.

Want More RV Friendly Lifestyle Ideas?

We hope that this post has helped you to realize that it is possible to find affordable and fun RV friendly crafting ideas for children (and yes, even adults) of all ages.

From creating paper chain creatures to encouraging your child’s inner artist with coloring books and paint by numbers, the possibilities are limitless.

Of course, we know that you also need lots of other advice on how to cook, clean, and generally get the most out of the camping lifestyle.

We’ve got you covered.

Spend some time on our website and blog to get access to how to conquer and thrive in the nomadic lifestyle!

Dog Travel: 10 Tips for Traveling With Your Pup

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You’re super excited to bring your dog with you on vacation. But, pets can be a handful on vacation. Follow these dog travel tips to make sure things go well.

Dogs have been humankind’s best friend for tens of thousands of years.

Whether you’re like Brazilians who tend to favor small dogs or you can relate more to the Saudi’s who prefer larger breeds, we can all agree dogs are great.

But many people seem to think that if they have a dog, they won’t be able to travel. Fortunately, that’s not actually true; dog travel is very possible.

You just need to know what you’re doing. After all, if you can travel successfully with small children, it can’t be that difficult to travel with a pooch.

To help you out, here are ten tips for traveling with your beloved pup.

1. Do A Test Drive First

Before you engage in any type of dog travel, do a test drive first. You may find out that your dog gets carsick.

Maybe your dog has a fear of driving or barks incessantly.

This is not something you want to find out the hard way. Make sure you are fully aware of how your dog will react in new situations before you travel.

If your dog can’t handle surprises, meeting new people or other animals, or is fearful, keep your dog at home.

2. Crate Your Dog When Traveling

It’s much safer for you and your dog when you crate them. Dog travel is hard enough without worrying if your dog will go flying if you stop your car too fast.

Also, you don’t have to worry that the dog will somehow open the car door or get out through the window. And you can rest easy that your dog won’t try to start playing with you as you’re trying to focus on driving.

There are several types of dog crates to choose from. Which one is best depends on your needs and the breed of dog you have.

3. Create A Traveling Kit

Many people keep a travel kit containing toiletries in their suitcase for when they travel. You can do the same for dog travel as well.

In the kit, you should keep any travel papers your dog might need. You’ll also need their food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plenty of plastic bags, and grooming supplies.

Consider having your pet microchipped for identification purposes. Make sure they are always wearing a collar with a tag that has your home address imprinted on it.

Go one step further for safety and create a temporary tag that has your cell phone number and any other relevant contact information.

4. Take Them For A Walk Before And After Any Dog Travel

Most parents are savvy enough to ask their kids if they’ve gone to the bathroom before embarking upon any traveling. Even if it’s just to the grocery store.

Do the same when you embark on any dog travel vacations. Make sure your dog goes for a walk before you travel.

Make sure you plan out plenty of time to take them for a walk, not just so that they get exercise right before a long trip, but so that they urinate and poop outside rather than in their crate.

During periods of long travel, try to walk your dog as often as possible so they can use the “bathroom” and stretch their legs as often as possible.

When you arrive, don’t forget to take your pet on a nice, long walk.

5. Talk To Your Vet About Medications

Any medications your dog needs should go into their dog travel kit. But make sure you speak with your vet about your dog traveling first.

If your dog gets nervous or reacts negatively, you may want to consider giving them a small sedative before they travel.

And your vet should be aware that your dog travels. He or she may have a new set of instructions regarding the canine’s healthcare while the dog is traveling.

6. Call Ahead To Learn The Rules

Different businesses have different policies regarding pets. Call ahead to make sure you don’t encounter any unexpected and unpleasant problems.

Check to make sure your hotel is pet-friendly. Ask them what their policies are regarding your breed.

Call ahead to the airlines to see what their rules are. Often, you need a note from your vet explaining that your dog has already had its shots.

Even if you plan on visiting family, call ahead to make sure it’s okay to bring your own pet.

Sometimes, family members might have allergies or another pet who won’t take kindly to a stranger in their midst.

7. Ways To Keep Them Calm

It’s important to keep your dog calm while traveling.

Make sure they get plenty of exercises to help keep them calm. Talk to them in a soothing voice if they start to get nervous.

You can also stroke them if they seem too excited.

Try rubbing lavender oil on your palms to give them some aromatherapy or giving your dog a massage.

8. Let Them Explore New Places

One way to make dog travel easier is to let your dog explore their new surroundings.

Dogs are naturally curious, and they need to inspect their surroundings. Let them roam around and sniff away.

Be vigilant that there’s nothing around your dog can choke or accidentally ingest. Keep an eye on your dog at all times.

9. Bring Their Food Along

Dog travel is hard enough without trying to find out if a local store has their favorite food.

Plan ahead by bringing their food along. Try looking into freeze-dried food.

If you want to know why freeze-dried dog food is better – click here.

10. Don’t Forget Their Favorite Toys

Don’t forget to bring along their favorite toys and a blanket.

Toys are great for two reasons. One, they provide a great deal of comfort for your dog while they are far from home.

Two, dog toys are a great way to keep your dog entertained while in a new and strange environment.

Follow Our Travels

We love traveling around the world with our family. We also love sharing the tips we’ve learned along the way to our readers.

From how to cope with a divorce to learning how to handle being a new mum, we’ve touched on nearly every subject family’s deal with.

Keep coming back to read our blog for travel tips and follow us on our adventures.

Should You Become a Foster Carer?

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Across the world, there are thousands of children that are in care who are all looking for homes. However, there is a shortage of suitable homes that can take these children in and make them part of a family again. Not everyone thinks that becoming a foster parent is for them, or they think that they won’t be selected. In fact, there are probably more potential foster families out there then you think. Here’s how to decide if you should become a foster family.

What Types of Foster Care Are There?

For those that want to foster children, there are several types of foster care you can do. Short-term care is when you are looking after a child for a few months until they can be found a permanent home. There is also respite care that involves taking children for a few days or a couple of weeks. Respite care is usually used to give long-term carers a break and is often for children with disabilities or special needs. The last type is long-term care and involves fostering a child until they reach adult age.

Are You Suited to Foster Care?

There are no sets of rules for those who can foster and those that cannot. However, it is important that you have certain characteristics for it to be a success. Fostering a child can be full of challenges and in many ways demands more from you than a birth child. You need to have an empathy and understanding for children to get the best from the experience. You also need to have a loving nature but be able to set boundaries and be aware of their needs. For some people, fostering is not what they are looking for; some people who are looking to give back might decide that they want to find out how to become a surrogate instead, which is a completely different experience, but just as rewarding.

Do Plenty of Research

Taking on a fostering role is a big responsibility, and you should be fully aware of the requirements before applying. That is why you need to do a lot of research into fostering and what it entails. Read stories from other foster parents to see what challenges they faced, try to join forums where you can ask questions or read about other fostering parents.

Understanding the Process

Once you have decided to apply to become a foster carer, you need to understand what the application process involves. It can be quite an in-depth process and also invasive to you and your family. It needs to be like this so that the authorities know you are the right person to foster a child. The authority workers will need to speak to you and your family about your lives and also look into your financial and work backgrounds. After all of this, you will be told if you are successful or not.

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your life. For those who cannot have children of their own, it also means they can still offer the love they cave to a child.

Your Ultimate Guide to No Credit Check Loans

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Do you need a personal loan, but your credit is bad? Check out this ultimate guide to no credit check loans and how to get one for yourself.

Do you have a bad credit history?

Are you worried that no one will give you a loan? Are you wondering if you are eligible for no credit check loans?

If you were nodding your head in agreement or saying yes to any of these questions, then you are reading the right post.

Getting a loan when you have a bad credit history can be tricky, but it’s not impossible.

Here are some tips that will help you to secure a loan as quickly as possible.

1. What Types Of No Credit Check Loans Can I Get?

In order to increase your chances of getting a loan when you have bad credit, you must know exactly what types of loans are available to you.

Knowing your options will help you to make an informed decision.

Here is a rundown of three of your best options, how they work and what they can offer you.

Payday Loans

These loans can be taken out online. They are also referred to as a cash advance or pay advance loan. Although they started out as loans that people would take out and pay off once they got paid, they have evolved.

Payday loans are no longer just associated with a borrower’s payday, since they can now be requested and paid off on days other than a payday.

The key features of these loans are:

  • Short term payback
  • Requires no security
  • Pays out small amounts

Lenders will usually not do much digging into your credit history for these loans. They usually just want proof that you have a job.

Payday loans are a great choice if you find yourself needing small amounts of cash for urgent needs.

Installment Loans

Installment loans are no credit check loans that offer larger amounts than a payday loan. These loans will give you a longer period to pay off what is owed.

This type of loan will suit you, if you have a large bill for home maintenance, medical bills, tuition fees or any sizable emergency expense.

The key features of this loan are:

  • longer payback times
  • Higher interest rates
  • large amounts to borrow

You will need to present proof that you have a steady income and you will also need to show that you have a valid checking account.

Line Of Credit Loans

Even if you have bad credit many lenders will give you a line of credit. A line of credit involves getting a set amount from which you can borrow at different times.

These are great no credit check loans because no payments will be due until you actually make a withdrawal from the line of credit.

Here are the key advantages of this type of loan:

  • Flexibility to use as you choose
  • Available whenever you need it
  • Ability to gauge interest rates based on how much you borrow

If you prove to your lender that you are responsible, it might even be possible to extend your line of credit, if the need arises.

2. How Can You Be Sure You Will Qualify For A Loan?

Now that you know the different types of loans that are available, you may be wondering if you can actually qualify for a loan.

Every lender is different but there are certain basic requirements that are necessary. Here is a look at the most common ones:

Age

You must be at least eighteen years of age in order to get a loan. It doesn’t matter which state you live in, you cannot get a loan if you are under eighteen years of age.

Employed

You must be employed. The minimum for some lenders is one month of employment.

However, don’t be surprised if there are lenders who refuse to give you a loan unless you have been working for six months or more. Every lender is different.

Checking Account

A checking account is necessary if you want your lenders to feel more secure about giving you one of their no credit check loans. They will need to know you can pay off your debts.

Citizenship

If you are not a citizen or at least a permanent resident of the United States, then it will be impossible to get the loan. This is one requirement that is legally binding and no legitimate lender can get around it.

Now that you know the basic requirements, the next best thing you can do in your quest for a no credit check loan is to shop around.

Look into the various options offered by each lender and create a list of your needs. Compare and contrast each offer with your most urgent needs.

This will help you to make the right choice.

3. What Fees Will I Have To Pay?

Now that you know about the types of no credit check loans and the requirements for each, you are probably wondering about fees.

These are the major fees that you should know about:

Establishment Fees

These fees are unavoidable and they usually take about twenty percent of the actual loan.

When you decide to borrow you should take this into consideration especially if you need a certain amount. Always factor in the removal of the establishment fees.

Accounting Fees

These fees may vary but you can look to pay at least four percent per month.

Government fees

This is a fixed amount that is paid. However, if you get lucky you might find a lender who pays this fee for you.

Default Fees

If you fail to repay the loan you will incur a penalty which usually means additional amounts will be added to what you owe.

Final Thoughts

Having a bad credit history can make it seem impossible to get a loan. If you desperately need the money, you may find yourself feeling extremely worried.

Fortunately, the options discussed here are easy to access. However, the most important thing you can do, if you have the time, is to compare the pros and the cons of taking the loan from each lender.

Make sure that you are doing what is best for you in the long run, no matter how pressing the need is. If you would like more advice on financial matters, check out our blog where we give you practical advice on how to make your money work for you.

How to find time for yourself as a parent

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If you are in charge of a busy household, it may feel as though you never have a moment to spare. Whether you are preparing packed lunches, completing the school run, or tripping over toys, there is always something more to be done. In amongst all of this chaos, you may find yourself pushing your own needs to the bottom of the pile. This is not a healthy decision to make. Below are four tips that will help you to turn things around and find time for yourself as a parent.

Find an adult only activity

One of the best ways for you to find time for yourself as a parent is by looking out for an adult only activity. This will leave you no choice but to separate yourself from your brood. Perhaps you could select a horror movie that you would like to watch alone in the evenings. Or, maybe you could visit brokedick.com to purchase vaping equipment that you can experiment with during your break times. Whatever you decide, the most important thing is that you are embracing your own independence. Of course you will need to be there for your family, but there is no shame in grabbing a few moments for yourself.

Invest in your social circle

In addition to spending time alone, you should also make an effort to spend time with your adult friends. If you are struggling to manage a busy schedule, you should endeavor to make friends with your fellow parents. This will allow you to plan your meetups around the school run and play dates. However, if you have a little more time to spare, you should think about reaching out to people who don’t have kids. They are less likely to want to talk about family matters. Instead, they will be able to provide you with a welcome escape from your usual topics of conversation.

Get your little ones into a routine

The next tip is to get your little ones into a set bedtime routine. Although you might face some resistance at first, this is the best thing for your entire family unit. For your children, you will be providing a sense of structure and security. For yourself, you will have the opportunity to plan your days ahead of time. This will improve the chances of you finding a moment for yourself. It will also help you to stay motivated, as you will be able to look forward to your upcoming activities.

Don’t feel guilty

Finally, it is important that you stop yourself from feeling guilty. This may require a little practice, but it is vital that you push through the pain. As a parent, it can be so easy to doubt yourself and to feel as though you just aren’t doing enough. However, holding onto your own identity is a fantastic way for you to set an example for your little ones. You need to teach them that it is possible to be part of a family unit, without losing the unique qualities that make them special. Lead by example and take pride in your efforts.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!