Tips for Taking Extended Trips with Kids

Some family holidays can be hectic, moving from one place to another all the time. To make your adventure happen as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips.

To avoid the syndrome of feeling that you have "been there, done that," cover diverse locations. Try alternating rural and urban locales and iconic sites with brand-new destinations. It is a good idea to pick spots that have similar climates, however, as it allows you to pare back on packing.

Another tip is to ease children in and out of culture shock by going to the most exotic areas in the middle of the trip. If you are going to be flying regularly during the holiday, keep in mind that some kids suffer ear discomfort because of it.

If this is the case for one in your family, there are specially designed earplugs for kids that could make all the difference.

The world of make-believe: Kids and imaginary friends

Imaginary playmates are common with young children studies suggest that 65 percent of children age 7 and younger have had them. Parents sometimes wonder whether they're a symptom of psychological problems, though. Shouldn't a well-adjusted child be interacting with real people instead of invisible companions?

Don't worry. Even though the line between fantasy and reality can be blurry for toddlers, most children are perfectly aware that Mister Bear and Princess Blue-Eyes aren't real. Imaginary friends can serve a variety of purposes: They can protect children from perceived dangers; a barking dog seems less scary when a child has a pretend lion walking at his or her side. They can also allow children to deal with issues of helplessness and control, allowing them to be in charge: A child who gives an imaginary friend a shot may be working through anxiety about going to the doctor. And they help children entertain themselves, especially after a family move that takes them away from friends and familiar surroundings.

Pretend playmates can help children develop a richer imagina?tion and vocabulary; they can also teach kids how to socialize with their real-life friends. Often they serve as role models for correct behavior (although they can also take the blame for misbehavior).

If your child prefers to play exclusively with a make-believe pal, avoiding interaction with real children, or if he or she uses the pretend playmate to avoid certain situations, you may want to find out whether something serious is going on.

Otherwise, don't fight it. Pretend play is important to a child's development, and setting an extra place at the dinner table for Danny the Dinosaur is a small price to pay for your child's well-being.

The Causes of Common Allergies

More than fifty-five percent of Americans suffer with allergies. For most of them the condition is nothing more than a minor inconvenience, but there are cases where people suffer such a severe allergic reaction that they need to be hospitalized. A range of allergens, including dust, pet dander, pollen and some foods, can cause reactions. It can be very difficult to discover the cause of an allergy, and some people resort to blood and skin tests. Once the cause of the allergy has been identified, it can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Pollen is normally breathed in and thus affects the sinuses, mucous membranes and airways as well as the eyes, throat and lungs. Symptoms include watery and itchy eyes, sore throat and a runny nose. Allergic reactions to pet dander include watery, itchy eyes and coughing and sneezing, which are also symptoms of an allergy to dust mites.

Antihistamines are normally used to treat common allergies.

Make Downtime Part of Your Routine

One way to make sure that you have the correct work/life balance is to make sure that downtime is built into your weekly schedule. When you are planning your week, make certain that you have scheduled time with family and friends, as well as activities that help you unwind and recharge.

Whether it is a softball game with friends, a night at the movies with the whole family or a date night with your loved one, this technique not only ensures that you will have something to look
forward to during the week but also means that you have given yourself an additional incentive to manage your time successfully so that you do not have to cancel the event.

It can also be a good idea to take a look at activities that may not be enhancing either your work or personal life in order to see whether you can reduce the amount of time you spend on them.