Tips for a Successful Camping Trip with Your Family

March 23, 2022 By Anne

Going on a camping trip is a great way to explore the outdoors and spend more time with your family, not to mention the plethora of benefits your family can reap just by spending less time on screens and more time in nature. Camping can often feel like a chore, as you have to get yourself to the site, set up a tent, and make sure you pack everything you need. However, it doesn’t have to be complicated, or difficult, as long as you have sufficiently prepared in advance. If you can plan a trip and feel prepared, you will have an excellent time.

Camping can benefit the entire family. Being out in nature has been shown to boost your mental and physical wellbeing, and can significantly reduce boredom and screen time. It is a great way to take the family out of their usual environment and do something new and exciting. Camping can be done on any size budget, and there are endless possibilities. You can choose to go hiking, swimming and exploring the local area, or you can chill in your tents, cook food on the bbq and play games. It is an excellent way to bond with your family and spend quality time together, and that time will be much more personal and special as you are somewhere new, away from home. Camping is a great way to let kids run free, be themselves and worry less, especially if the school has been tough for them. Children need time to expend pent up energy, and camping is an ideal way to do that.

To get the most out of your camping trip and reap the benefits, you should prepare as much as possible. Here are some tips to help you get started and have the best time away from your family.

Make a plan

Making a plan is especially important if you like to leave things to the last minute or if you are going away with children. While spontaneous trips can be fun, they also come with a lot of risks. By making a solid plan that you can stick to, you will minimize those risks and make the trip much more enjoyable for everyone, and give you much less to worry about. You should start by planning where you are going to go, how long for, how you are going to get there, the food and all the essential items you need to bring for the journey, as well as the trip itself. Depending on the type of trip you have planned, you may also wish to create an itinerary of activities that you have planned. This step takes a little time and effort, but when the time arrives to go away, you will be pleased you have it.

The next step on the plan is to acquire all of the essential items you may need (a tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, food, etc) and write down the dates you are going to purchase them. Put these in your diary and make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare. Your camping trip is a time for you to enjoy, so if you can prepare in advance when the day comes, you can head off with less stress and more excitement. You can then plan the day of leaving, and include what time you are going to leave, what route you are going to take, what you need in the car with you and what can go in the boot, and the instructions to access the campsite.

Choose the right campsite

You must consider all the activities you want to do on the trip before you choose a campsite. Each campsite will have different rules, and some will allow parties, games and loud playing, whereas some are more reserved and impose curfews. Make sure you choose the right one to suit your needs. Some campsites also have a range of activities onsite for children to get involved in, such as rounders, tennis, swimming pools, farm animal visits, and much more.

You should also consider the amenities that are available on the campsite. Do you want to go wild camping, with no amenities, or would you prefer camping where you can shower, use a clean toilet, wash up your plates and utensils, etc?

Lastly, you want to make sure that if you are venturing out of the campsite to enjoy additional activities, they are accessible to you from your location. If they are too far away and you have to drive far to get there, it can completely take away from the experience and immersion of the trip. Try to find a campsite that is located close to your chosen activities, whether it is in the mountains ready to hike, or on the coastline so you can spend the day at the beach.

Unless it states otherwise, make sure you reserve a spot at your chosen campsite as early as possible, to avoid disappointment. This will mean that you can go ahead and make plans around the location. The last thing you want to do is make a plan, schedule appointments and get excited about a campsite, and leave the booking to last and not be able to get a spot. They will fill up extremely quickly, especially in the spring and summer.

Make sure you have all the essentials

The essentials are important to a successful, safe and enjoyable camping trip. If you go camping unprepared, it can quickly become stressful and ruined. REI is a great place to get all your camping needs. Here is a list of some of the basic equipment any family needs when going on holiday to a campsite:

– a tent big enough for everyone to sleep in and store your items

– sleeping bags with the appropriate rating to match the season and weather

– a camping bed, cot, mattress or something similar (the ground is uncomfortable)

– first aid kit (and one for pets too if you plan to bring them along with you)

– flashlights

– spare batteries

– cooking equipment (stove and fuel)

– places and utensils

– food

– water

– sunscreen

– waterproof and warm gear

– insect repellent

– cool box

– medication

– offline maps

You should make sure you are familiar with the campsite and local area, to ensure you bring everything they recommend, and equipment that will enable you to access freshwater (such as a water carrier). You should also consider the seasons. If you are going in summer, you may consider a fly net to cover your tent and a portable AC. If you are going in Winter, you may consider bringing more waterproof clothing, spare clothes, and a tarp to put under your tent to protect it.

Make sure you know how to use the equipment

If you have never put up a tent or cooked food on a bbq, or there has been a long period since you last went camping, it is a good idea to brush up on some basic camping skills before you head out. You can watch YouTube tutorials, speak to friends who have good camping knowledge, conduct a trial run in your garden or with your friends, or anything that will help you feel more prepared, both mentally and physically. It may seem easy, but you should not underestimate the time and effort it takes to put up a take, cook food on a small bbq or camping stove, and navigate the campsite, especially if the weather is not as you predicted. This will help you to worry less, and make the experience much more enjoyable for everyone on the trip. It will also ensure you can stay safe, sleep comfortably and eat well.

Camping can be great fun for the whole family. Make sure you fully prepare yourself, so you can make the most of the trip.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Threats to Your Health That Might Exist in Your Home

January 13, 2022 By Anne

We all want and expect our homes to be places where we can be happy, relaxed and comfortable. That’s all well and good, but there might also be aspects of your home that are actually doing damage to your health and that might be holding you back in certain ways. That’s obviously not what you want at all. So if you want to start removing those health threats from your home, here’s more about them.

Mold on the Walls

When there’s mold on the walls of your home, even when it doesn’t look like there’s too much of it, you need to take action and get it removed. The mold will release spores into the air, which can then be detrimental to your health when you breathe it in. That’s obviously not what you want, so address mold problems as soon as they arise.

Excessive Dust

Too much dust in the air will also be bad for your health and your lungs in particular. That’s why you should do what you can to keep the dust under control. That means taking the time to do more cleaning and also thinking about how the ducts and air filters in your home are cleaned and replaced. You need to stay on top of all of those things if you want to limit dust in your space.

Mosquitos and Other Bugs

It’s a good idea to think about how pests and insects in your home might be having an impact on your health and your general ability to feel relaxed and comfortable at home. If you have mosquitos taking over your space, for example, it’s a good idea to call mosquito control and have it dealt with. Bugs and insects can be a huge negative for your physical and mental health.

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Unclean Pets

Yes, we all love our pets but they can sometimes be detrimental to our health too when we don’t keep them clean and clean up after them properly. Like it or not, you have to spend more time cleaning your home when you have pets living in them. Some of the bacteria they leave lying around in the home can be quite nasty and can cause illnesses in humans in some cases.

Poor Air Quality

The general quality of the air in your home is definitely one of the things that can impact your health. That’s why it’s something that you need to try and stay on top of. You can improve it in lots of ways, such as by measuring it and using purification methods, and simply by letting in more fresh air more often. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on.

As you can see, there are many potential health threats that might exist in your home, and now is the time to do something about them. If you can address the issues discussed above, you’ll immediately make your home a healthier place and you’ll have less things to worry about in that department.

Anne

Make Sure You Are Ready For An Emergency With These Tips

January 13, 2022 By Anne

Let’s face it: a family emergency is something that all of us hope that we’ll never have to encounter. From health problems to house problems, though, we’ve all suffered from emergencies at some point. Here are some tips on how to get your life in order so you’re as prepared for an emergency as you possibly can be.

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Keep Everything Up To Date

First and foremost, it’s vital that you keep everything in your home and in your life as up to date as you can. If your boiler requires annual checks, make sure that you schedule them rigorously. Likewise, you should get your car checked frequently, particularly if it’s an older and more unreliable model. Your own health should be even more of a priority than the material objects in your life. If you don’t feel well, make sure that you go to the doctor, and ensure that you get an annual physical. If you have any health problems, it’s best to treat them as early as possible to have the best possible recovery. Likewise, if any family members don’t feel well, encourage them to get medical treatment as soon as you can. Make sure you know where your nearest

urgent care center is.

Have An Escape Planned

There are plenty of emergencies that crop up from health issues to car problems to house things that need to be fixed quickly, but there are other emergencies like fires, floods and earthquakes that might mean you need to leave your home immediately. Make sure that you have your escape planned – you should know a rough area of where your pets sleep at night so you can grab them quickly, and you should ensure that your kids know exactly what to do if they smell smoke or notice something strange in your home. Keep the essentials next to your bed so you can grab them if you need to – you might need your glasses, your medication, your passport, your charged cell phone and a bank card. Even if you lose everything else to a fire or another natural disaster, having those things with you will help you make it through the next couple of days.

Help Your Kids To Be Independent

Finally, it’s important to raise your kids to be independent and resilient. If you have to be out for the evening, then you want your teenagers to be able to make dinner for themselves – or at the very least to know how to call for pizza! Help your kids to be contributing members of your household by assigning them chores to do so that if they have to take on more responsibility one day because you’re tied up elsewhere, it won’t be too much of a shock to their systems. Teach them how to use your washing machine and dishwasher, and encourage them to learn to drive as early as they can. If your kids are independent, then they’ll be able to help out as much in an emergency as they can.

Anne

How to Ensure Your Family Stays Healthy this New Year

January 6, 2022 By Anne

Many people are already feeling the adverse effects of the holiday season, and it’s only just begun. From overeating to stress to lack of sleep, there are many factors that can cause your immune system to weaken. This is for families with children (or even those without) who need to take precautions in order to avoid getting sick this year.

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#1 Go for the yearly checkup

The first step is to ensure that everyone in your family is up-to-date on their vaccinations and checkups. This will help protect you from many common illnesses going around, and it’s also an excellent way to catch any potential health problems before they become too serious. During a checkup, your medical professional will be able to pick if anyone may have some underlying issue that needs addressing – whether it be testorone replacement therapy for your partner or just an immune booster for one of the kids!

If anyone in your family has allergies or asthma, be sure to stock up on medication and allergy relief remedies. It’s also important to keep an eye on the weather forecast so you can prepare for any extreme changes in temperature that might occur. It’s also a good idea to create a ‘health plan’ for your family – this could include things like exercise routines, stress management techniques, and diet tips. By setting some general guidelines, you’ll make it much easier to maintain your health at its peak.

#2 Focus on nutritious meals

It’s no secret that eating healthy is vital for maintaining your overall health, but it can be challenging to do this when you’re constantly on the go. One way to make sure your family is getting the nutrients they need is by preparing nutritious meals at home. There are many recipes online that are both easy and healthy, so there’s no excuse not to eat well. In addition, try to avoid processed foods as much as possible – these tend to be high in sugar and unhealthy fats.

Instead, focus on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean protein sources. Another way to improve the nutritional value of your family’s diet is by including probiotics in their daily routine. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help keep your gut healthy, and they can be found in yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods.

#3 Take an immune booster each day

For those times when your immune system is already weakened, taking an immune booster each day can be a great way to help keep you healthy. These are also known as vitamin supplements or ‘multivitamins .’ They provide essential nutrients that might otherwise be lacking in your diet.

Some of the most popular ingredients found in these supplements include Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea extract, garlic powder, turmeric root extract (curcumin), elderberry juice concentrate, olive leaf extract, oregano oil – amongst others! Of course, it’s important not to rely on them too much – especially if you’re eating well – but for those days where it feels like something is coming on, they can be a great way to help boost your immune system.

In conclusion, there are many things families can do to stay healthy this year. By following these simple tips, you’ll make it easier for everyone in your household to remain healthy and enjoy the New Year!

Anne

How To Ensure Your Family Remain A Positive Bunch For Good

December 20, 2021 By Anne

https://unsplash.com/photos/5NLCaz2wJXE

In life, one of the keys to happiness and good health is a solid mindset. If you think about the positive things in life, then you’re going to be a lot happier through your time on this planet. You can be the sole destroyer of your life if you’re not careful. Sure, external factors can come into play, but the way you think about them can eat you up whole. Your health and your family’s health can go either way depending on the mindsets of you all.

The good thing about this type of issue is that you can absolutely train your mind and put yourself in a good place mentally. If you’re a little down or anxious right now, there are exercises you can do. It’s also a case of making sure you have all of the right things around you in order, too. Here are just a few ways you can make everyone a little more positive day-in-day-out:

Be A Positive Influence Yourself

Your behaviour will have such a huge impact on the things they say and do. If they see you with a smile on your face, then they’ll likely follow suit more often than not. If you react to negatives with positives, they’ll see this as the default way to behave. Guess what will happen if you are miserable and negative all of the time! That’s right, they’ll copy that kind of behavior naturally, too.

Find The Perfect Home For Everyone

If you all live in a wonderful environment, the chances are that you’re all going to be happier. Obviously, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but it would have such a big impact. Fortunately, a little research and working with the right real estate firm will allow this to happen. You can find more info online about some of the best firms around. They’ll help find the most suitable thing for you all.

Keep Everyone Active And Exercising In One Way Or Another

If everyone in the family is on their feet more often than not, they’re going to feel a lot better in their minds. Always rushing about isn’t good, but neither is sitting around for too long. If they don’t want to exercise through sports, household jobs can always be done!

Ensure Everyone Has Good People Around Them Away From You

Who you spend your time with in life tells you a lot about how things will go. If you have good, positive people around you, then you’re going to feel lifted a lot more. When your kids and your partner are out, make sure they’re with people who make them feel good. This means friendships, school friends, colleagues, and so forth.

Educate Them On Common Tasks And Confidence-Building Things

When kids lack confidence in life, it’s usually down to the fact that they do not have many basic skills. If you can teach them a lot of common sense, then they’ll be a lot more positive about things in life. Domestic chores, shopping, cooking, basic social skills, and these kinds of fundamentals will make life a lot easier for them.