3 Kids and Us

The Importance of Family Road Trips

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When it comes to vacations, it’s not always about the destination; it’s also about the time you spend with the people you love.

Taking your kids on vacation will give you the time to help teach your children essential life skills and more. In fact, there is a far better chance for them to remember the lessons and activities you did together rather than the destination itself.

Aside from that, there are a lot of reasons to go on a much-needed vacation with the family. Here are a few of them:

New Experiences

There are experiences that reading can’t give you. Allow your children to experience life first hand. They will absorb the lesson better, and it will make them eager to learn more about nature, culture, and more.

As part of encouraging experience, push them to try different activities and to face their fears within reason. For example, if one of your kids is afraid of horses, show them that there’s nothing be afraid of and try to get them to pet the horse, and eventually ride one.

When you take it one step at a time, it allows them to adjust and see that not everything is out to get them. After all the adventures and experiences, you can see your kids having more confidence in trying things out for themselves.

Promote Family Relationships

One great thing about road trips with your family  is that everyone is free from the usual distractions. There are no board meetings to attend, no school, and no television; it will be just you, your kids, and the open road.

Use this time to reconnect with each other through games and stories. Ask them about what they are looking forward to on the trip, school, or any other future activities. Communication is key to developing well-adjusted individuals in the family.

Recharge

Meeting work deadlines, ensuring that everyone has their packed lunch before they leave the house in the morning, and you still need to arrive at the office on time is a lot of work. Over time, you can feel yourself getting burnt out from everyday life. Recharge and relax on your road trip with your family.

Go camping and share outdoor skills with your kids. Put up a tent, start a fire, and roast marshmallows. At night, tell each other ghost stories and funny tales from work or school to remind yourself that there’s more to life than deadlines and chores.

Ditch Digital

An advantage of going on a road trip and choosing a destination with little to no cell signal is that everyone will be forced to put down their devices and spend time with each other.

Now is the perfect time to let your child’s creativity shine and allow them to try their hand at entertaining themselves without the use of digital means. Let them play in the dirt, swim in rivers, and let them have fun in a different way.

When you make road trips a regular part of your family’s yearly plans, you help create a bond with each other. Not only that, but you also create a family tradition wherein everyone can pitch in their ideas and support in their unique way.

Letting your children help in the planning and packing for the trip gives them a sense of responsibility and gives them the confidence to take the lead in school and other activities. So, plan your next family road trip, find and rent a compact car, and have fun with the essential people in your life.

5 Ways to Enjoy a Weekend Away from the Kids

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When you’re a parent, your life revolves around your children. You spend a huge amount of your time caring for them, worrying about them, and doing things for them, that it can be easy to forget about yourself. However, it’s important that you maintain your social life –– if for no other reason than to keep your sanity! That’s why you should plan for the occasional weekend away from the kids. And to that end, here are the five best ways to get the most enjoyment out of a big weekend on your own:

Arrange a Trustworthy Babysitter

If you’re a parent looking to reduce your stress, the last thing you want to do on your weekend excursion is fret about your kids. So before you do anything else, make sure to line up a sound babysitter to look after your kids. Friends or family are preferred in this instance, but if you have to use a stranger make sure to vet their credentials beforehand. Otherwise you’ll constantly be checking in on the situation back at your house, and not living it up.

Diversify

A truly delightful weekend is a combination of high and low-energy activities. Don’t make the mistake of staying out all night, only to plan a rock-climbing excursion the next morning. Plus, adding a wide array of different events will help to keep all of your friends engaged.

Find the Right Spot

If possible, spending the weekend out of town can be a great way to blow of steam for a few days. The key here is to identify a destination that is close enough to reach quickly, but far enough away to offer you a chance for new experiences. When in doubt though, don’t travel too much. Since you only have a few days available, make sure to dedicate them to relaxation –– not travel.

Hit an Old Haunt

Sometimes rather than experiencing a new city, the best way to have a blast on your free weekend is to rediscover an old restaurant or bar. Going back to an old haunt can help you keep in touch with friends or well-wishers you may not have seen in years.

Party Down

Ultimately, your weekend away form the kids is all about you. Go out there and party, relax, and enjoy yourself while it lasts. Also, if you coordinate your plans with a group you should consider a party bus rental to provide a safe ride and fun atmosphere for everyone involved. At the end of the day you should return to “normal” life on Monday and be all the more refreshed for your exploits.

Say So Long Fare Well to the Norm – Go on a Solo Holiday

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Trying to find someone who will enjoy the sort of holiday you do is not always easy. It can be a huge let down when you expect to go on an exhilarating holiday with someone, only for them to pull out last minute. A solo holiday can combat this; it’s an opportunity to take on your desired adventures without any restrictions.

Whether you like action packed holidays filled with activities that leave you buzzing and bouncing, or if you prefer more of a relaxed holiday where you can sink your toes into golden sand and drink cocktails in the sun; whatever type of holiday you like, you can choose to embark on it, and mingle with like-minded people that will make the journey even more of an exciting and worthwhile experience. Here are just a few of the many benefits of being a solo traveller. Go abroad on a solo holiday and experience these delights.

It’s in Your Favour

You don’t have to compromise your desires, you don’t have to cash out on a holiday that you’re half-hearted about because someone else is going, and you just want to get away too. This is the one time that you can be selfish, and pick a holiday that suits you completely. A solo holiday is one that you can truly appreciate because it takes you to the places you want to be. Whatever Landmarks you want to be lured by, activities you want to act upon, luxuries you want to fall in love with, you can holiday to your hearts content.

Don’t let the mundane activities of life keep you suffocated. A solo holiday offers freedom and gives you the opportunity to find you. Life can leave you rapidly going in circles; missing out on who you really are and what you really do, but with this type of trip you can find yourself, and become aware of all that you would like to accomplish in life. Relax, unwind and fill your days with ‘me time.’

It Cuts Cost

Bringing family and friends along can be a costly choice because there are restraining decisions and dear dates that can leave a bit of a hole in the pocket. Taking a solo holiday can eliminate these issues because you can decide on where you want to eat and what you want to do in order to stick within your budget. You can also choose what you want to use your money on, so that you invest in the things that you really enjoy. There are also other considerations like single accommodation, travel and food that will be a lot cheaper if it’s just you.

Learn the Lingo

Experiencing different cultures will help you to develop your language skills. Journeying alone to different countries takes you out of the comfort zone of only conversing in your native tongue. Embrace the various colourful countries on a solo holiday of your choice and embrace various qualities that will not only be good on your resume but in how you interact on a whole.

Fun Times In Florida – Things You Need To Catch On Your Trip

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Road trips can be some of the most fun you will ever have in a summer, fall or spring. Winter road trips can be great but they’re usually reserved more for the summertime – roof down, cold drinks on the go and the tape deck blasting out the best tunes of your teenage years. So if this sounds like the trip to end all trips, where should you go? What spot has a great amount of things to see and do while having it all accessible by great stretches of road for miles and miles? Check out these great stops to make in one of the best states for road trips – Florida!

The Parks

One of the main reasons many people come to this part of the United States is mainly to see the numerous amazing amusement parks on offer. You can head to Disney World Florida for cheaper by booking tickets online and in advance or you can check out other great parks like Universal Studios, where your favourite films come to life in amusement park rides and fun houses. Check out Sea World – one of the world’s biggest and best parks for spotting your favourite marine life, but if you want to spend the day in the water yourself you can visit one of the numerous great water parks like Buccaneer Bay or Typhoon Lagoon!

Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Centre

A seriously great day out for anyone in your party that likes astronomy and space travel, the Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Centre really lets your imagination fly. Visit the Cape and plan your trip to coincide with a rocket launch if possible and then head to the Space Centre to explore the history of mankind’s space exploration including some of the old pieces of Saturn V rockets that were used to shuttle the astronauts to the moon and back. Explore the whole story in the museum which is dedicated to bringing space exploration to life for the everyday person. Be sure not to miss the real moon suit worn on the moon’s surface!

The Keys

Probably the best for sun, sea and sand seekers, this part of the state is awash with gorgeous islands that sometimes feature secluded beaches where you won’t see another soul for hours! Not only that but this is a great option for those looking for a road trip with a difference. By taking the Overseas Highway, you can literally drive to all the islands and back to the mainland again which means this is probably one of the best ways to see some truly gorgeous islands without needing to fly anywhere! So which stops will you make on this great island hopping adventure?

There we have a couple of great suggestions on things to see in Florida on your next amazing road trip! So what are you waiting for? Grab a friend, some awesome snacks, great tunes and hit the open road for a trip through Florida you won’t soon forget!

Got Culture? 5 Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known About India

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If you are planning to visit India, it is essential to know that this is a country full of surprises. There is a myriad of aspects you’ll need to know so you cannot be caught flat-footed. As a tourist, familiarizing yourself with these aspects will make your life easy since India is a country whose culture greatly differs from the rest of the world.

India is a Young Country

Although this may not be known to you, India is pretty much a young nation. About a half of its population is below 25 years, and 67 percent below 35 years. A lot of Indians are confident about what India can offer and no longer look to the West. The homegrown talent in this country is flourishing with many people taking up stunning traditional professions and other careers in arts. Major Indian cities like Channai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are becoming hubs for concerts and live performances.

You’ll Be Hounded

When you are India, people may see you as rich tourist, thanks to your country’s stronger currency. In many occasions, beggars will follow you, shopkeepers will call you into their shops, and taxi drivers will hail you to hire their services. Make sure your Indian friends tell you how you need to act while in the city and how to get yourself a comfortable means of transport.

Temple Etiquette

When you are visiting India, do not forget to take off your shoes when stepping into holy places such as the temples and remember not to put on revealing clothes. India’s visitors are usually tempted to put on shorts, but you need to make sure your lower parts of the body and your shoulders are covered when visiting a temple.  The Indians take their religion seriously, and therefore, you could easily offend them if you leave parts of your body exposed. If you plan on visiting religious centers in India – most of which hold archeological and historical significance – remember to respect their religious sentiments even when you aren’t a believer.

Public Displays of Affection

Taj Mahal’s beauty or the fascinating lagoons of Kerala might make your partner want to hold you close or even give you a quick kiss and a hug, but both of you should think twice before you can display your affection publicly. Although you may find couple canoodling in the parks, it is essential not to showcase your affection in public while in India.

Indian Festivals

With various cultures and religions, you’ll come cross celebrations, fairs, and different styles of merry-making. This is what the rich culture of India is all about. Whether it’s the colors of Holu, Diwali’s shimmering lights, Id Ul Fitr, the extravaganza of Durga, or Christmas, you will encounter incredible Indian cuisine and indigenous customs. You can also spend your nights in amazing hotels such as JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, and enjoy the amazing facilities these establishments have to offer.

There’s so much about India you need to know before you set for a journey to this young nation. Acquaint yourself with information about this country, so you are aware of the dos and don’ts when touring India.

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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!