Vacation Ideas for Dads with Daughters

August 3, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Vacation Ideas for Dads with Daughters

If you’re a father with one or more daughters, you may have experienced the scenario where what you would like to be doing is very different from your daughters’ idea of a good time. Of course, making gender assumptions such as girls love shopping and men don’t, or men like sports and women don’t, is outdated and offensive. However, it is true to say there are fewer activities dads can share with their daughters that you will both enjoy. It is particularly true as your girls get older. When they are small, they’ll be happy to join in with whatever their parents get up to, but as time passes you might be grateful for a few good vacation ideas you can all enjoy.

Skiing

This is perfect for dads and daughters, as even children who aren’t very interested in sports enjoy the feeling of being on skis – or maybe a snowboard. If your daughters are into fashion and the media, they will view skiing as a very desirable pastime, and ski resorts are seen as some of the most aspirational places to visit. Luckily there is no shortage of fashionable resorts all across the United States, so you won’t have to splash out on a trip to the European Alps to enjoy a luxury winter break! Colorado and Utah are hotspots for ski resorts, and of course, Canada has some of the best mountains in the world. For the ultimate in convenience, you could stay in one of the Whistler ski in ski out rentals, saving yourselves the hassle of walking down to the ski lift in the morning and trudging back home each night.

Boat trips

These could be an ocean or river cruise, or simply a tour around a lake, but whichever option you choose you will all have activities to keep you happy. The scenery is bound to be spectacular if you or your girls want to relax and watch the world go by, or do a spot of sunbathing. You’ll have restaurants on board for mealtimes, and on larger ships, there will be a range of activities and facilities to entertain all different tastes. Some boats will have spas and beauty parlors, so if your daughters prefer the idea of a pamper session to taking in the view, they won’t get bored. It’s also a perfect opportunity to just chill out together, have a chat and a laugh, and spend time being in each other’s company without the need to rush off somewhere else as there so often is in everyday life.

You might have a daughter who shares your passion for science fiction and would like nothing better than to spend her vacation at Comic-Con with you. Or you might have girls who enjoy going hunting and are happy to head off into the woods in their camouflage and orange vests. Fathers and daughters have a wide variety of relationships and connections, and the most important thing is to find the place where you will both be happy and enjoy being together.

Destin Florida is a Great Florida Vacation Spot for Families!

July 10, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Beach vacation anyone? Destin, located along the Emerald Coast in Florida’s panhandle, is a must-visit with the family. As a dad, there is a ton to be had with the kiddos at the beach, and at Destin’s beaches in particular.

Known around the world for its soft, white sand and emerald green waters, there is no end to fun beach experiences that happen here. Think about it. Snorkeling and exploring the world beneath the waves, as the kids get excited when they find small fish, crabs, sand dollars, and more. Building sandcastles on the beach with moats and bridges to protect the fortress from imaginary sea creature invasions. Relaxing under the sun while the kids bury your legs in the sand, turning you into a mermaid, and using their creativity to decorate your new tail with shells they find in the sand. And this is just the start of your beach vacation fun!

When you need a break from the sand and sun, Destin also offers a number of attractions that are fun for both dads and the kids. Check out these spots to add another level of excitement to your vacation.

Destin Kids Fishing

Love to fish? Never fished before, but want to give it a try? No matter your fishing experience, Destin Kids Fishing by Destin Inshore Guides provides an awesome venture for the whole family. This charter fishing experience is the only one that focuses specifically on kid trips. With experienced captains at the helm, you and the kids will have the opportunity to learn more about fishing in the area, as well as have fun casting and catching plenty of fish! Besides a chartered fishing boat experience, there are also general, family-fun boating packages that include all sorts of fishing, dolphin cruising, and exploring secluded areas that will have you making memories that last a lifetime.

Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park

With over 40 attractions, Big Kahuna’s is the largest water park on the Emerald Coast, and it is a dad and kid-friendly adventure. Attractions include water slides, rivers, pools, kiddie rides, and an adventure park. Have a mini-golf tournament with the kids – winner gets to pick the restaurant for dinner! Or relax as you float down the lazy river and the kids enjoy the giant wave pool or surf the halfpipe. With so many options, this attraction will keep you busy all day long.

The Track Destin

The awesome vacation experience does not end with the beach, a fishing boat, or a water park. The Track Destin is the ultimate spot for family fun. This venue features multiple go-kart tracks, including a unique elevated track, which are perfect for some father/kid competitions! Additional attractions include an arcade, thrill rides, kiddie rides, and bumper boats.

Experience Destin the right way with each of these vacation attractions that will have you and the kids laughing and having a good time – the whole time! Ready to start planning your getaway? Visit the Ocean Reef Resorts website to book your stay at one of their family-friendly Destin vacation homes or condos.

Visiting Henderson County North Carolina Starts With Hendersonville

June 24, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

My family and I visited Henderson County North Carolina for the past few days and we have been exploring a number of the sights thanks to the Hendersonville Visitor Center.

The first stop on our visit was exploring the downtown area of Hendersonville itself. Hendersonville, North Carolina is a very quaint downtown with a little bit of everything for everyone. There are some great restaurants, coffee shops and many specialty shops too.

The day that we explored Hendersonville, they also had a vintage on-street fair with so many booths of antique items for people to explore. This made the whole downtown very busy (in a good way). We ended up walking up and down one side and then we came back up the other side of the street. There were so many things to see and do. Some of our favorite stops while in town included:

The Mast General Store – an amazing store that has items that not only celebrate Hendersonville, but really offers a little bit of everything including candy, popcorn, clothes, footwear, home goods and other unique items!

Beehive – A Resale Shop – My family loves resale shop and this is an upscale resale shop that has a bit of everything for women. I did not see any clothes for men, but I know that the ladies in my family found some fun finds!

Dancing Bear Toys – This toy store had so many unique items that I have not seen in other stores. Unique plush items, games and the employees are so knowledgeable of the toys that they have in stock. They even give you a ton of recommendations based on the things that you say they you like.

Wine Sage & Gourmet – If you are looking for unique kitchen items this is the shop that you will want to stop within. The employees know kitchens and have a ton of ideas to help you find the right item for your own home or for a gift! While you are here though you will want to go into the basement where they have a HUGE variety of wine and also do cooking classes. Stop in for a wine tasting with experts that really know their wines.

There are so many other places to explore. Check out a full list of stores

While the whole list of stores is above, also check out all of the restaurants. We had lunch at the Mountain Deli and the sandwiches were HUGE (the sandwich you see above is only half of what we received)!

This is a great town with a little bit of everything for anyone. If you have never explored this great town, I highly recommend it to everyone!

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The Perfect Short Breaks for Dads and Daughters

April 23, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Bringing up daughters, every day can be an adventure, and every day can bring new joys for all the members of the household. The simplest of things can be a pleasure, such as watching a film together or baking cakes, but getting out of the home for a short family break offers even more opportunities for all concerned to have a wonderful time. With the warmer weather on its way, here are three perfect short breaks for dads and daughters.

Sprinkle Some Disney Stardust

Few people have done more to make childhood magical in the last century than Walt Disney. His films delight youngsters and adults alike, and his theme parks are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any child: girl or boy. With Disney parks now located across the globe, they’re more affordable than ever before, and easier to reach. It’s now possible to travel from Birmingham Airport to Disneyland Paris in an hour and three quarters, including the transport from Charles de Gaulle Airport. With regular flights and cheap Birmingham airport parking available, including a Birmingham Airport meet and greet service found at birminghamparking.com, you and your family could soon be having an exciting break in Disney’s magical kingdom.

Camping in Style and Comfort

If you were taken camping as a child, you probably remember a cold, draughty tent with little space to turn around in, or a caravan with dated décor. Thankfully things have changed and there are a number of luxury camping, or glamping, options available that are perfect for dads and their daughters. A camping break allows you to experience the wonders that your own country has to offer, from its stunning and contrasting countryside to exciting historical sites. A glamping break can be a great bonding opportunity for parents and children, as well as educational, and the best thing of all is that you no longer have to go without the luxuries that you love.

Soccer and Much More

The days of sporting stereotypes are gone, and now girls are as likely to love football as boys, so if you have a daughter who loves football then a weekend in Barcelona is a perfect break. Even if you can’t get a match day ticket to see Lionel Messi and his team mates, stadium tours of the world famous Camp Nou are sure to delight lovers of the beautiful game of all ages. Barcelona also has some of the world’s best shopping, centred around Las Ramblas, and is home to beautiful, golden beaches. It’s a city that has it all, including frequent flights to it from Birmingham Airport and beyond.

Short family breaks don’t have to cost a lot, even if you fly to exciting cities like Paris or Barcelona. They may last only a few days, but they can linger a lifetime in the memories of your daughters, and so make a perfect birthday present. A short break is also a great way to congratulate your children on a special achievement, such as an exam result, and whether you take one at home or abroad you’re sure to be able to find one that perfectly matches your daughter’s tastes.

Visiting Walt Disney World Brings Your Family Together!

April 5, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Over the past week my family and I stayed on site at Walt Disney World’s Saratoga Springs Resort. As a part of this we decided to be able to take the kids to the parks over three of our days. While this was not enough time to be able to see everything, we focused our attention on Walt Disney’s The Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios on this trip.

My family has been HUGE Disney fans forever. I grew up on Disney and have continued this love with my own girls as they have grown up. We have been a bit lucky to be able to bring the kids to the parks a few times in their lives thanks to another family member who is a part of Disney’s vacation club.

Staying on-site definitely has its’ perks. If you are staying at one of the Disney resorts, not only is their transportation from the resort to all of the parks and Disney Springs, but you also have access to the parks early on days where they have Magic Hours (where they open an hour early). One thing we learned this go around about these hours though for Hollywood Studios was that the whole park does not open early, it was specific rides, and for when we went, we only really were able to ride one ride in that hour because there were so many people!

The resort that we stayed at was wonderful. As you will find in all of Disney the culture is that of total customer service and this transcends into the parks, resorts and everywhere you go. Saratoga Springs is set up with a few different areas. We stayed in The Grandstand. Each of the areas is just a little different and is setup like the old says within Saratoga Springs New York. There are a ton of walking trails and even a golf course (I did not use as I do not golf). Almost all of the areas within the resort have their own pools which were also unique and two of them have their own water slides. There is also a walkway from one of the areas at Saratoga Springs that will allow you to walk over to Disney Springs for shopping or nightlife entertainment.

As I mentioned we took time to go to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios on this trip. It had been a while since we had last gone to Hollywood Studios and not a lot had changed except for the Great Movie Ride being gone and having the Star Wars Launch Bay now open. There was a lot of anticipation for Toy Story Land to open in only a few months and you could see the new Star Wars land being built as well. While there was still construction happenings, the people at Disney keep this under wraps and allow you to experience and enjoy the other areas of the park. There are new Star Wars shows throughout the day that were great and we loved riding the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, Toy Story Mania and more! The one thing that we found was to make sure that you get fast passes for Toy Story Mania at least as the lines were very busy! Also, the Roller Coaster lines could also get long!

At Magic Kingdom, we decided to spread this out over two days and I am so glad that we did. We found that there were a lot of people in the parks and the lines did get long on some of the rides, so it was nice to be able to spread out the park and not feel like we did not have to rush through things and we could actually see every show and ride every ride if we so chose. I have not been to the park since the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride opened and we added this to our fast pass which is definitely a must as lines were over two hours at times and sometimes longer. The ride was worth it though and the amount of effort to add in amazing visual effects along with the thrill was a ton of fun too! This park was such a great one for families and for kids specifically. The rides are fun, and some even thrilling. There is a bit of everything for everyone, and you definitely get to see so many of your favorite characters at this park.

One of the things that I definitely encourage you to do if you go to the Magic Kingdom is to make sure you see the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade which happens every afternoon, and you stay for the electric light parade and the Happily Ever After Fireworks show at night (Simply amazing!) . While I know this can make for a long day, it is something that you and your family will never forget.

Eating while in the

parks is easy and convenient. The staff in the parks have food service down to a science and while you may wait in a bit of a line, you will get your food pretty quick and it tastes great. One of the things that I love about the food at Disney in general is the wide array of variety. They rank their restaurants by dollar signs. They have restaurants that rank from one to four dollar signs based on how expensive the restaurants are. Thus, whether you want something quick or a sit down meal you can definitely get it. The one thing you need to keep in mind though is planning things out. If you want to have a character breakfast or a nice meal out as a family or as a couple, you need to plan this or you may not get to go to the restaurant that you want to go to when you want to go there. J-Mom and I decided to use a park hopper ticket which was provided by Walt Disney World, to do and experience a restaurant at Hollywood Studios on the second day that we visited the Magic Kingdom. By setting things up on MyDisneyExperience.com we were able to select the day, time and look at the possible restaurants that were available. We chose to eat at The Crystal Palace for a character breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and his friends and it was such a great experience and the food was great too. On top of getting to meet characters up close and personal the chefs use high quality ingredients and create food that you will remember.

I mentioned park hopper tickets, and probably should explain for those that have never been to Walt Disney World. Park hopper tickets allow you to visit multiple parks in one day. This allows you to not be bound to only visiting one park, but instead allows you to split your day the way you wish. These tickets are more expensive than single park tickets, but if you want to be able to have the flexibility of moving around the parks during the days, they are well worth it.

The final thing I will comment on this go around, is the importance of setting up your fast passes ahead of time! Depending on the park you can set up a specific number of Fast Passes for your visits. At Magic Kingdom it was three and at Hollywood Studios it was two. While you can change them when you get to the park if you so choose, it is important to set these up early, especially if you are going at a busy time of year. So if you have purchased your tickets in advance you can also set up your week at Disney at the MyDisneyExperience.com and when you have selected your parks, you can set up fast passes for some of the most popular rides.

Walt Disney World is a magical place and a place where you definitely can feel at home. The Walt Disney Company has done it right and continually makes you feel like the most important guest when you are visiting. I started a fan and remain one. If you have never experienced this, you should!

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Grand Rapids is the perfect spot for a Beercation!

February 24, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Grand Rapids is a great town. The city itself has not only re-invented itself but it has come to be known as the Beer City in Michigan because of all of the amazing breweries that that not only popped up but have stayed in the Grand Rapids area for many years. That being said, with all of the breweries you and a few of your friends could easily make a Beercation out of a weekend and even become a Brewsader by visiting at least 7 breweries that are listed in the Beer City Brewsader passport that you can get while in Grand Rapids.

Over the next day I will be sharing my experiences in Grand Rapids as well as my experiences visiting a few breweries in the Grand Rapids area as a part of a group of guys that are exploring the Grand Rapids area with ManTripping and thanks to the great people at Experience Grand Rapids.

On day of our Brewcation one we first visited Brewery Vivant. Brewery Vivant is a brewery that has been in existence since 2010. The concept behind the was to provide unique beers as well as amazing made from scratch food. We were able to have tour of their brewery and I was able to capture some of the tour here:

Visitibg @breweryvivant during the #GRBeerTrip #ExperienceGR https://t.co/ohL836MAZ9

— DadofDivas (@dadofdivas) February 23, 2018

In this tour we really got to get a much better understanding of what Brewery Vivant standds for. I was very impressed that it currently makes 5000 barrels of beer a year, but they have a goal of having 10,000 barrels this year.

Not only does Brewery Vivant do some fun things to keep staff happy, but they also have created a way to be fully sustainable in the products and practices that they do. Part of this keeps them using local food together as well as creating some very unique food and beer offerings at their location.

Speaking of the location, I have to say that their location off Cherry Street in Grand Rapids is so unique. As you want in you see venue that looks like a past church and whether you want to purchase a T-Shirt or not you walk through a gift shop as you enter.

I was amazed that all of their brewing happens on site and as you walk through their brewing facility you will see the huge vats that they use to create their unique brews.

The beer itself was amazing. I ended up trying a flight of beer that included: Cryotherapy Juicy IPA, Undertaker, Ski Patrol and Tart Side of the Moon. All four of these were very good in different ways. I will say that of the four my favorite was probably Undertaker, but all were amazing!

After experiencing the food and brews here I would highly recommend this for everyone!

Later in day one we went to explore The Mitten Brewery for a Brewcation dinner! As we walked into this facility I have to say that my first opinion was that it was so packed with people. I was glad that we had a reservation or we would have had to wait quite a long time before we would have had the chance to sit down. As we did sit down I was amazed to see the extensive menu of beers that were available. The menu itself was expansive and when I asked our waitress a question about the beers I found that all of the beers on the menu were beers that they created. Also, in asking our waitress, I found that they created many of the specialty beers on site while mos of the other beers were ones that were brewed across the street from the restaurant.

I ordered a flight of beers and I loved that they came in the shape of Michigan as 5 oz glasses. All of the beers that I tried were amazing. I tried a very diverse amount of beers and I was impressed with each one in different ways. The beers that I tried included a wide-array of different beer types (as you can see in the picture above). My favorites of these were probably the Hard Apple Cider and the Mango Gold, however, each was good in their own way.

On top of the beer we also ordered a flight of different pizzas. As the pizzas came I tried different ones and I will honestly say that these pizzas were amazing and definitely ones that I would recommend to all as they were so diverse and delicious! My favorites included the Chicken Pesto and the Chicken and Waffles, however, all of the pizzas were so unique and the flavor was remarkable too.

All-in-all this was a great start to our visit to Grand Rapids! I am looking forward to sharing Day 2 with you as well!

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Fun Family Activities for a Camping Trip

December 5, 2017 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Camping is one of the best outdoor activities for the whole family to do together. Not only is it a mini-vacation, it’s also a wonderful educational experience for little ones, and an excellent chance to spend some time together as a family and bond with each other. Taking some time away from home and all the distractions such as TV and the internet will be good for the whole family, and you’ll come back feeling refreshed and revitalized from the experience. If you’re planning your first family camping trip, we’ve put together some ideas for outdoor activities that are sure to keep you all entertained.

#1. Fishing:

If you’re going to be camping at a site that has a lake or a river nearby, then fishing could be the perfect relaxing activity to kick off your camping experience. Fishing is fun for the whole family, and it’s easy to pick up, meaning that even the youngest of kids can have a go. You might even be able to find a campsite where you’re able to fish and then cook your catch of the day, making for a great family meal!

If you’d like to carve some time for yourself and enjoy hunting you can try and see if there is a hunting location nearby as well. Head over to woodburyoutfitters.com where you can find all the hunting, fishing and camping gear that you need.

#2. Stories Around the Campfire:

No camping trip would be complete without telling stories around the campfire! Don’t forget to pack plenty of marshmallows for roasting and making s’mores, and take along a box of matches to keep your fire going. Spend the day as a family collecting dry wood to create a traditional campfire, then in the evening, you can all gather round the fire together. You could even make it into a fun game by starting a story and having everybody add to it after a certain number of minutes – who knows where the story will go!

#3. Arts and Crafts:

If your little ones love to be creative, then incorporating arts and crafts into your camping trip is a fun idea. For example, there are several things that they can create out of twigs and sticks, such as rustic vases, pictures, or even decorations for your tent or camper! Don’t forget to take along craft supplies such as paper, paints and glue to keep them occupied for hours on end. You could even go on an adventure to find craft supplies to take back home, such as colorful leaves, flowers for pressing, sticks, and unusual pebbles and stones.

#4. Scavenger Hunts:

Scavenger hunts can be a fun way to keep your little ones occupied at the campsite, and there are so many great things that they can look for. You can even hide candy and other treats along the way to make it even more exciting for them. Some fun ideas to look for on a camping scavenger hunt include bird feathers, pine cones, smooth rocks, water from a stream, maple leaves, or even animal footprints. Don’t include anything on the list that shouldn’t be moved, such as birds’ nests, and ensure that your kids are aware of the boundaries of the hunt and have a cell phone or whistle in case of emergencies.

Enjoy your camping trip!

Top Amazing Hikes You Can Take With Your Children

September 15, 2017 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Top Amazing Hikes You Can Take With Your Children

When you are planning your vacation, first you have to find the perfect place that will offer relaxation and cool activities.

If you are an active person, who can’t stand in one place for too long, I recommend hiking. The view from up the trail and the fresh air is all you need to feel in full connection with Mother Nature. But is this the type of vacation you can do when you have kids? Of course! I’m sure the kids will appreciate getting out of town and into an adventure. However, it’s best to look for places with easy hikes so everyone will have fun.

Below I listed some of the most impressive trails in the world where children are more than welcome.

Lighthouse Park

If you are going in West Vancouver you must visit this park. It has a lot of hiking trails – some are a little bit difficult to hike but most are perfect for kids who can learn a lot about nature and see amazing views.

If you are looking for a picturesque location, you can just follow the path that goes right by the picnic tables and up onto a rocky outcrop (you’ll see the lighthouse over the tree line). But if you just want a short walk, there is a wide trail that goes towards the lighthouse – this is an excellent place for a picnic with the family.

Bluestone Turnpike Trail

This is a moderate historic trail that is very popular in the Bluestone National River Park. It follows the path of an old river bank road that was timbered and farmed until 1940. While hiking, your children will observe remains of the human history from that area and will discover a lot of different plants and river wildlife.

Capilano Regional Park aka Capilano Canyon

In this location you can find a lot of points of interest for you and your kids, like Cleveland Dam and Salmon Hatchery. Even better, there are trails that go through the forests of the park then cross the pipe bridge over the canyon.

The view of the river below is breath taking! Some of the trails might be a little hard for the kids but with patience and a lot of encouragement they might make it the end.

Brandywine Falls

If you are planning a vacation to Whistler and you want a short hike for your family then Brandywine Falls is the perfect spot. You only have to walk about 15 minutes from the parking lot before reaching the viewing platform where you can see the wonderful waterfall from above. If you want more, with another short walk, you can go to the end viewpoint where you can see Daisy Lake. Not only that the view is amazing, but you can also see a hydroelectric dam that generates electricity for BC Hydro.

Othello Tunnels

These tunnels just north of Hope were built for a railway line. The hiking trail goes across the steep cliffs of the Coquihalla River and through several of these old train tunnels. I’m sure that the little ones will enjoy this hike while their minds will be with the trains that passed through the area some time ago.

CCC Snipe Trail

Kanawha State Forest near Charleston is the perfect place to feed the curiosity of your kids. It has a great diversity of plants and wildlife. A lot of trails have a difficulty from easy to moderate, but for people traveling with toddlers, there may be too many hills. But the CCC Snipe trail is a 3-4 mile flat trail, and I think toddlers will do just fine. Only make sure to remember to buy those special hiking shoes for toddlers – you’ll congratulate yourself on the trail for this smart decision!

This hike allows you to discover a historic sealed mine and tourists have the chance to learn more about it on guided hikes with the park rangers.

Gold Creek Falls

This waterfall is located in Golden Ears Provincial Park and it’s a pretty easy hike. The round-trip takes 2 to 3 hours and there is a stop along the river’s edge where the kids can take a break. But if you are the one that needs to take a break then the kids can play there. From start to end you’ll find several campsites that are perfect for families with or without children.

Rice Lake

This Lake is located in Lynn Headwater Regional Park and is the perfect place to teach the youngsters how to fish. The lake is full of rainbow trout and the dock area is big.

You also have a 3 km trail that goes around the lake. It’s easy to hike and it offers some interesting views. This is a perfect place to teach your kids two of your passions: hiking and fishing.

Shoreline Trail

This trail is a 6km round-trip hike that begins at Rocky Point Park and ends at the Old Orchard Park. Both parks have playgrounds and there are a few places to explore on the trail as well. Out of all the available stops, I’m sure that the most popular one will be back to Rocky Point Park buying your kids ice cream. For all the effort they put in, I’m sure they deserve a reward!

Whytecliff Park

There is a rocky beach area along the shores of Howe Sound in West Vancouver that your kids will definitely love to explore! There is also a large rocky outcrop just off the shore, perfect for an easy hike.

In the end, I’m hoping you’ll have a lot of fun with the kids on these trails! Just keep in mind to make things easier for them and get them excited about the thrill of discovering and learning new things.

Author Bio

Rebecca lives in USA, but loves hiking all over the world. Her favorite is Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. It usually takes 16 days, but she likes to slow down, enjoy mountains, company of other adventurers and take more pictures, so it took her 28 days last time. Another of her passion is the ocean, so all short and long hikes along the ocean shore bring a lot of joy. She also writes for HikingMastery.com.

The Summer Vacation Technology Contract Every Family Needs

April 6, 2017 by dadofdivas 2 Comments

The Summer Vacation Technology Contract Every Family Needs

Every summer, families hit the road or the skies to embark on new adventures together. Nothing says family fun quite like a summer vacation, but there is one thing that can put a damper on the excitement—smartphones. Teens spend about six hours per day on their smartphones and tablets. It can be hard to create memories and bond together as a family when your teen refuses to put his or her cell phone down. How can you share funny stories, snap family photos and soak in the beautiful surroundings of your exotic destination if your teen can’t look up from his or her smartphone screen?

Before you start planning your vacation itinerary, follow these tips to create a summer vacation technology contract:

No phones allowed.

Every summer vacation technology contract should include information on “no phone zones.” Clearly outline where kids are allowed and not allowed to bring their phones while on summer vacation. For example, if you’re taking a long road trip across the country, you could allow kids to use their phones to pass the time. However, phones should be off limits at family dinners or fun excursions. As long as you make the rules fair, your kids will abide by them.

Keep it on silent.

Make sure kids know that phones should be kept on silent at all times, even in places that you have not designated as a phone-free zone. Take the example above, for instance. If you allow your teen to use her phone on a road trip, she should keep it on silent while it’s in use so she doesn’t annoy everyone else in the car.

Focus on the now.

So many kids are more interested in snapping photos than they are about living in the present, so this should be included in your technology contract. Make sure kids understand that every stop on your family vacation is not an excuse to take a dozen selfies. Designate one person in the family as the official photo taker so your kids don’t become obsessed with documenting every move of the vacation.

Give them responsibility.

The contract should make it very clear to kids that they are solely responsible for taking care of their phone during your family’s summer vacation. Kids should learn that smartphones are a privilege, not a right. If your family is heading to the beach, kids should be responsible for making sure the phone is not damaged by sand or water. Traveling on an airplane? It should be your kid’s responsibility to keep track of where they put their phone—not yours. Make sure you include ways that your teen can pay you back for replacement or repair costs if something does happen to the phone. This way they know the consequences are serious, and they’ll be more likely to keep a close eye on their phones.

Talk about safety.

Although the main purpose of the contract is to keep kids off their phones, you should also use this document as a way to talk to kids about online safety. Mention in the contract that you will be monitoring activity on the phone to make sure that your teen is not visiting dangerous apps or websites or engaging in inappropriate conversations with people.

To have a true smartphone-free summer vacation, everyone in the family has to be on board with the rules above—even parents! Set a good example for your teens by sticking to the rules of the contract and focusing on the fun that you have planned for the family. In fact, you should even work with your teens to create a “parents’ pledge” section of the contract. This section should include rules such as “I promise to be a good role model” and “I promise to set reasonable expectations for my child.” This way, teens won’t feel like they’re being singled out for their smartphone use, and will instead feel like the whole family is working towards the goal of spending more time together and less time with their eyes glued to a smartphone screen!

The Plimoth Plantation Will Let You Experience Life In the 17th Century

July 1, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

For many that are making the pilgrimage to Plymouth, they are doing it to see Plymouth Rock or to learn about the Plymouth colony. As a part of this you have to take the time to experience the Plimoth Plantation and sites while visiting.

We took the time to go to the Plimoth Plantation while we were in Plymouth and we were very glad that we did. We had the chance to visit this with my friend Drew Bennett from Benspark.com and his family. My youngest daughter and his have been pen pals for a few months now and this was the first time that they met in person and they became fast friends quickly!

We decided to arrive at the Plimoth Plantation right when it opened as we had heard that it could get busy and seeing the size of the parking lot I can bet that it does. When we arrived there were not a lot of guests yet so we were able to go right in.

The area that the Plimoth Plantation is in is beautiful. Tucked away in a well-established forest, you get transported back in time. You first are able to visit a Wampanoag village and interact with people in period garb that will act and answer all questions that you may have about their life. Know that they will act, react and answer your questions in character, so you have to be wary of this and phrase your questions with care! We learned a ton about life in a Wampanoag village and about what they would have to do in different times of the year to live and survive.

As you leave the Wampanoag village at the Plimoth Plantation you will arrive at the craft house which is a fully-functioning artisan facility that has people showing you traditional craft work from the 17^th century. On the day that we were there we saw candle making, pottery, head-dresses being made and rugs on a loom. However, there is a location for bread making too. The artisans are very interactive and are more than willing to interact with you.

You leave the craft facility and enter the Plimoth Plantation 17^th century village. You could spend hours in the 17^th century village if you chose to do so. The people in the village all have personas that they play to a tee and they do not waiver in their portrayal of the characters. Just like in the Wampanoag village you have to figure out how you want to phrase questions or your answers too. They may ask you where you are from and when you tell them, they may answer that they are not aware of such a village, but that there are so many that are being founded or something else like this.

The Plimoth Plantation is very authentic. We truly appreciated the time and attention that everyone apart of this spent to make this a living experience and we learned a ton about life in the 17^th century and the harshness of the land and of living in those times.

I appreciated this more than most as my first ancestors in America came over on one of the first ships to America and was even a member of the church at the Plymouth colony for a number of years. Being able to talk to and experience this gave me some idea of what life would have been like for him and his family.

From the Plimoth Plantation we went to visit the2, the replica ship that gave you an idea of the ship and conditions that the first Pilgrims experienced. We were surprised to see how small the ship was as there were 100 people crammed into the hold where the passengers lived for 70 days. When you see the size of this place you will see why I was surprised that they could have survived the journey. Also, in speaking to one of the people on the ship you learn that they had to eat pre-made food on the ship for 70 days, so no cooking or hot food during all of that time over turbulent seas.

Leaving the Mayflower 2 we walked a short distance to view Plymouth Rock. Unfortunately, it was being worked on by city employees so we could not get too close.

The Plimoth Plantation also has a Grist Mill close to downtown Plymouth that also offers you a very authentic experience too. You can see that this grist mill still is a working mill and you can purchase flour from the mill if you so choose.

If you are going to be visiting Plymouth in the future, you definitely need to make sure to visit the Plimoth Plantation. It is a truly authentic experience that entertains and educates!

If you want to read more about out day as shared by my friend Drew Bennett, this is his vlog about the day!

Here are my thoughts on the Plimoth Plantation

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