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Posts tagged ‘Parents’

Family Beach Vacation Ideas

All across the world, there are several locations you can choose for your family beach vacation.  Below, you will find many different locations, and what they will offer you and your family.

Maui Throughout the West Coast of Maui, you’ll have many choices for your beach vacation.  If you plan to enjoy golf, the Kapalua Resort is a great choice, as guests will receive 30% lower golf rates than those who don’t stay at the resort.  The resort also includes the Kapalua Bay Hotel, Kapalua Villas, and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

One bay over from the Kapalua Bay is the Napili Kai Beach Resort, which is a low rise family resort that offers comfortable beach front condos.  The Napili Kai also offers complimentary programs for children ages 6 – 12 from mid June to the end of August, during Easter and Christmas.  The condos are seconds away from the beach, and they include kitchens as well as laundry facilities.

If you prefer a more secluded area, the Maui Prince hotel is located in a quiet setting surrounded by two scenic golf courses and a large sandy beach that kids never seem to get enough of.

Mololai family adventures The island of Molokai is filled with empty beaches, no traffic lights, and few tourists.  Many tourists visit only for a day or so, with some going to the island because they assumed they were going to Molokini (which is a snorkeling site near Maui).

The island of Mololai is accessible by ferry from Maui or by plane from Honolulu.  The island is ideal for those who like the outdoors with a twist of adventure.  When you visit here, you shouldn’t expect shopping or nightlife.

Florida The Breakers Hotel in sunny Palm Beach Florida has a spa, golf course, and a 1/2 mile sandy beach.  There is also a separate pool for the kids, a family entertainment center, and a kid’s program.  Families can reserve up to five adjoining rooms while children under the age of 16 can stay for free in the same room as their parents.

If you decide to take your beach vacation in Orlando, the Loews Hard Rock Hotel offers you plenty of beach and amusement rides, with a 240 foot slide and a white sandy beach.

Florida also has SW Florida beaches with many wonderful places right on the beaches from Marco Island all the way up to Captiva Island. Whether you want to just relax in the SW Florida sun or enjoy the backwater fishing or Fishing in the Gulf Of Mexico, Or enjoy recreational boating to Shelling. Whatever your Vacation desires you will find it here in the SW Florida area of Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Sanibel Island or Port Charlotte. If nature is your thing to do we have sightseeing tours from the Gulf of Mexico or go inland to ride a air boat or swamp buggy. Enjoy dining while watching the sunset by boat or restaurant, Enjoy deep-sea fishing for some Grouper, Marlin, or Red fish , Along the shoreline for trout, Snook or even a Catfish for a good fight, Try backwater fishing for Snapper, Sheepshead, Trout or whatever might be running with the tide Also don’t forget the freshwater fishing for those Large Mouth Bass. If golfing is for you then we have many of the state’s top courses in the local SW Florida area, We even have several putt putt courses for the beginners. Most of all whether you want to bring the whole entire family to enjoy the SW Florida area or just want to escape with that special someone then SW Florida is the place to relax, unwind and enjoy yourselves to the fullest, after all we are the sunshine state.         

California With several family beach vacation resorts in California, the Hotel Del Coronado is among the most famous.  The hotel offers many different facilities for families, including lessons in kayaking, surfing, tennis, and biking.

Georgia The barrier islands in Georgia offer ambiance, sandy beaches, and a laid back prospective to life as you know it.  Jekyll Island offers you miles of paved bike path with three 18 hole golf courses, which is perfect for golf enthusiasts.

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Enjoy Other Places, SW Florida Areas

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Popular Pool Accessories for Toddlers

Swimming pools are a great way to cool off.  During hot weather, individuals of all ages go for a swim, including toddlers.  While pool safety is always a concern, it is even more important when toddlers are involved.  This is because most toddlers do not know how to swim. Just because a toddler does not know how to swim, it does not mean that they can’t enjoy the pool, like everyone else. However, extra precautions should be taken to ensure their safety. Those extra precautions may involve the use of pool accessories.

If you are a pool owner, it is likely that you know that pool accessories include a wide variety of different items. These items may include, but should not be limited to, pool fixtures, cleaning supplies, pool toys, and lifesaving devices.  If you are the parent of a toddler, or if a toddler is planning on using your swimming pool, you may want to equip yourself with some of the most popular pool accessories, especially those that are designed with toddlers in mind. 

Since pool safety is a major concern, when it comes to toddlers and other small children, you may want to consider purchasing some accessories that are also known as lifesaving devices. These items may include arm floaties and life jackets.  Arm floaties are safety devices that go on a child’s arm.  Many young children use them.  In fact, they enable a child, who would otherwise not know how to swim, to stay afloat.  Life jackets have a similar purpose, expect they attach on to a child like a piece of clothing. 

In addition to lifesaving devices, such as arm floaties or life jackets, you may also want to consider purchasing pool toys. As with most pool accessories, pool toys include a wide variety of different items. These items may include, but should not be limited to kickboards, swim rings, baby floats, and beach balls. If you are looking for entertaining toys, you may want to consider purchasing a beach ball or smaller toys that float on the water, such as fishes.  Many small children, including toddlers, find these toys to be entertaining.

As previously mentioned, swim toys may also include kickboards, baby floats, and swim rings.  While these popular pool accessories are considered toys, they may also assist those that are unable to swim on their own. Swim rings are ideal for toddlers who may have some swimming knowledge. They can also be used in conjunction with arm floaties or a small life jacket. For smaller children, such as small toddlers or infants, a baby float may be ideal. Baby floats, unlike traditional swim rings, often have leg holes and they are specially shaped for stability. 

While pool toys and lifesaving devices are the most popular pool accessories for toddlers, they are not the only ones. Whether you are looking for additional pool hardware, fixtures, or something else, that is safe for toddlers, there is likely something on the market that will meet your needs. By examining these products, you may even find a new toy or lifesaving device that you were previously unaware of. 

If the above mentioned pool accessories, for toddlers, seem like something you would like to have on hand, you will need to start shopping.  Pool accessories can be purchased form a wide variety of different locations. These locations may include storefront retail locations or online retailers.  Most stores, whether they are on or offline retailers, are likely to have a fairly large selection of these popular pool toys and accessories.

The cost of all swim accessories, including those for toddlers, will depend on what accessories you are purchasing and where you are purchasing them from.  For low-cost swim accessories, such as arm floaties, floating toys, or beach balls, you may be able to shop at your local discount store or dollar store. For more expensive items, such as a life jackets, kickboards, or baby floats, you may need to shop online or visit your local pool supply store.

When it comes to entertaining toddlers and keeping them safe, you do not always have to purchase items that are considered top of the line, although you may want to. Regardless of which of the above mentioned swim accessories you purchase, it is likely that your young swimmer will be pleased with their new water toys.

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Swimming Pool Tips

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Parents: Why You Should Monitor Your Child’s Use of Online Video Websites

Are you a parent?  Whether your child is still considered young in age or if they are teenager, there is a good chance that they will be using the internet. In the past few years, a lot of focus as been placed on internet safety. Many parents, as well as teachers, politicians, and police officers, are concerned with the individuals who come into contact with children online, especially predators.  Much of this focus has been placed on the monitoring of online chat rooms and social networking sites.  However, as a parent, you should also be concerned with online video websites.

Online video websites, such as YouTube or Google Video, are known as websites that allow internet users to view the videos that are hosted on the site.  Many of these sites allow free video viewing. What many parents are unaware of is that internet users can also make, upload, and share their own videos.  As a parent, you will want to know whether or not your child is doing this. 

Your child makes online videos, so what?  Is that what you are thinking?  There is a good chance that it is because a lot of parents feel that way.  Unfortunately, many are unaware of the types of videos that can be found online.  Some online video websites prohibit videos that have pornographic materials, but besides that little restrictions are in place.  In fact, there are some internet users who have decided to use online videos websites as if they were dating websites.  Is your teenager one of them?

One of the first things that you should do is talk to your child about online video websites.  Even though you may not want to alert them to these websites, there is a good chance that they already know about them. It may be a good idea to ask your child whether or not they have made their own online videos.  It may also be a good idea to determine what the content of those videos are and where they were hosted.

When it comes to getting information from your child, especially teenagers, there is a good chance that you may get an inaccurate response.  But, if you know that your child is making use of online video websites, you may be able to find their video or videos on your own. This can be done by visiting popular video websites, such as Google Video or YouTube, and performing a search.  You may want to try searching for your child’s name, the town in which you reside in, or any screen names that they may have used.  If your child has posted an online video, there is a good chance that you will be able to find it.

Whether or not you find an online video that your child has made, it is important that you emphasis on safety.  It is perfectly okay, as long as you agree, for your child to view online videos or make their own, but they need to be aware of the consequences.  It is important to let your child know how to stay safe online, especially when making their own videos to share with other internet users.  Let them know it is unwise to include personal information about themselves, such as their full name, their telephone number, and their address. Be sure to emphasize the fact that online video websites are viewed by millions of people. This means that their video will likely get watched by people who they don’t even know.

If you are concerned with the way that your child is or may be using an online video website, you may want to take action. That action could involve having the websites blocked or just monitoring them.  As previously mentioned, you have the ability to decide what is or isn’t right for your children. However, it is also important to note that a number of fun and educational videos can also be obtained online.  If you plan on monitoring your child’s use of online video websites, you are encouraged to take a look the sites with them. In fact, you may enjoyable entertainment that you weren’t expecting to find.

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Social Net / Computers

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Parents: Warn Your Teens about the Dangers of Using Social Networking Websites

Are you the parent of a teenager?  If so, there is a good chance that you are wondering about their safety online, as you should be.  Although the internet has changed for the better, that change has made it easier for people to access the internet and pretend to be someone that they are not, someone who you would likely not want socializing with your child.  For that reason, you are advised to take the proper action needed to protect your child when they are online, especially when they use online social networking websites.

Online social networking websites?  What are they?  If you are not an internet user yourself, you may be completely unaware of social networking websites, what they are, and how they operate.  The first step in protecting your teen is to familiarize yourself with them.  Social networking websites are known as online communities that aim to connect internet users with each other.  Unfortunately, these social networks have become the stomping grounds for many online predators and who are they after?  Teenagers and chances are your teen may be one of them.

When it comes to protecting your child, your first thought may be to prohibit the use of online networking websites. Of course, you can do this if you want to.  You are the parent, you can do anything that you want; however, there is really no need to. Despite the fact that danger exists, social networking sites are relatively safe, even for teenagers.  However, to be safe and stay safe, your teenager needs to know what to avoid and who to be on the lookout for.  Essentially, this means that they best way to protect your child from online predators is to educate them on the danger that is out there.

One of the first things that you may want to discuss with your child is who they are talking with online. Although they may not want to give you an answer, you need to emphasize the importance of knowing who they are talking to. Since social networks work to connect individuals who do not physically know each other it may seem impossible, but it can be done. Your child should fully read and try to understand the content of their friend’s online profiles. This will enable them to watch out for inconsistent stories or any inaccurate information.  Tell your teen that if they learn that someone is being untruthful they need to end the conversation right away. 

In addition to who your teen is taking to, it is also important to learn what they are talking about. As with who they are talking to, your teenager may not want to give you a straight answer. Even if you are unable to get an answer out of them it is important to let them know what is appropriate and what is not. Be sure they know that it is best to completely avoid individuals who like to speak of sex, drugs, and other illegal activities.  Although they  may enjoy having a number of online friends, there are plenty of other individuals, especially teenagers, who would more than willing to have pleasant and harmless conversations with them.

Perhaps, the most important thing to discuss with your teenager about social networking sites is arranging physical meetings.  Let them know that these meeting are unacceptable.  There have been numerous reports, over the past few years, of teenagers being lured away from their home in hopes of meeting a new friend, who they thought was their age.  Unfortunately, many of these online friends turn out to be older and, in many cases, sexual predators.  In the event that your teenager wants to meet an online friend and you feel that they would with or without your permission, you may want to offer to go with them. Of course, it is advised that you use caution and all meet in a public place. 

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, your child should still be able to use social network sites, but use them safely. In addition to the above mentioned safety concerns and precautionary measures, you may have your own.  Whether you do or not, it is important that you keep your child aware of the dangers that lurk online, awareness is the key.

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Social Net / Computers

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