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!

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.

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.

How To Stay Healthy When Your Kids Are Unwell

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Sometimes kids get sick despite all the good you try to do to stop it from happening. As part of being a parent, you will naturally be there for them to help them nurse them through their ailment and get them back to full health as soon as possible. However, this can be tough if you catch the same bug that’s going around. It’s far better to try to stay as healthy as possible so that you can look after your little ones and get on with your work; here are some ways to do it.

Wash Your Hands

The idea of washing your hands after you use the bathroom when you’re cooking after you do anything or touch anything that is dirty, has been reinforced since we were all little. There’s a reason why our parents and teachers kept telling us to do it and why it’s probably a habit still today. Washing your hands can reduce the likelihood of you catching a bug or cold from your child. However, a quick rinse is not what we mean because that just doesn’t work effectively enough. You need to scrub your hands for around 20 seconds using warm water and soap if you want to rid yourself of the germs that could make you sick. For added security, you could use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer too; these can be great if you need to wash your hands and you’re nowhere near a sink.

Look After Your Own Health

The healthier your immune system, the less likely it is that you will catch whatever it is that’s going around. That means eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and taking vitamin supplements if you need to. It also means keeping yourself as healthy as possible. If you smoke or drink too much, then quitting is your best option as these things can seriously compromise your immune system. Further, they’re not a great way to be a role model for your kids. If you find that giving up alcohol is hard on your own, check out rehab facilities to get the extra help you need. It will be worth it.

No Sharing

One rule to implement when your child is unwell is minimal sharing, as the more they share, be that toys, clothes or food, for example, the more chance there is that you may catch the illness.

Less Cuddling

This is a hard thing to do, especially when your child is unwell, but if it stops you from getting sick, then it must be done. Viruses can’t travel beyond around three feet, so you don’t have to stay in a different room, for example; just don’t get too close. If your child needs soothing, then you can still be there for them, but aim to slightly keep your distance as this will help prevent you catching whatever they have. Tell them you love them as much as you can, and soon you will be able to get back to normal with everyone feeling great.

Your Guide to How Surrogacy Works

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Are you struggling to get pregnant? You probably know you can hire a surrogate mother to carry your baby. Click here and know how surrogacy works.

Got baby on the brain? Having a child can be a beautiful journey but that doesn’t mean it has to be done in a conventional way. If you want a surrogate mother to carry your child, you should understand the ins and outs of the process.

Whatever your reason is, surrogacy can be a great option for you. Find out how surrogacy works and see if it’s right for you.

Types of Surrogate Mothers

Generally, there are two types of surrogate mothers.

One is a traditional surrogate. This process is when a woman gets artificially inseminated with the father’s or donor’s sperm. The surrogate mother carries the baby for full-term and delivers the baby for the parents.

The other type is a gestational surrogate. This process uses a technique called “in vitro fertilization” (IVF). This involves gathering eggs from the mother and fertilizing them with desired sperm.

The embryo is then placed into the surrogate mother.The surrogate still carries the baby until birth.

Legally speaking, the gestational surrogacy method is less complex. This is because both parents have genetic ties to the baby.

Gestational surrogacy has become popular over time. Roughly 750 babies are born each year using gestational surrogacy.

Why Consider Surrogacy

Some of the reasons why surrogacy may be an option are:

  • You or your partner had medical issues that make fertility difficult
  • You or your partner had a medical procedure that prohibits fertility
  • You or your partner have conditions that make pregnancy impossible or risky for you
  • You simply prefer surrogacy pregnancies

Surrogacy may be an option for same-sex couples. In these cases, only one of the parent’s sperm or egg can be used in the process.

Finding a Surrogate

Once you decide on surrogacy, one of the next decisions you will have to make is who your surrogate mother will be.

Sometimes you know best who will be a good surrogate option for your child. If you know a friend or relative who you can trust with carrying your child, it may be best to ask them.

If you decide to have a family member as a surrogate, be mindful of how it may affect the relationship. You may need to have important discussions upfront to avoid legal issues later.

When selecting a surrogate, try to choose someone who:

  • Has experience giving birth to at least one healthy baby
  • Understands the medical risks of pregnancy and childbirth
  • Understands the emotional bond with a newborn
  • Has passed a psychological screening by a mental health professional
  • Is willing to sign a contract about her role and responsibilities in the pregnancy

If you don’t have someone in mind, consider hiring an agency. There are hundreds of global agencies that help parents find surrogate mothers.

An agency will help you find the right surrogate and help you manage the process. They will also help you understand how surrogate mothers are paid.

Understanding How Surrogacy Works

The surrogacy process can be for parents who either cannot or wish not to carry a child themselves.

Regardless of your reasons, surrogacy always starts with an understanding of the process. Be sure that you understand how surrogacy works before you make this decision.

The process can seem daunting at first, but there are resources that can ease the process. The ultimate goal is to create a lifelong bond between parent and child.

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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!