Mommy Has to Work

The Top Summer Adventures To Have With Your Kids

May 20, 2016 By Anne

One of the best things about this time of year is that you get to start thinking about summer holidays. When you have a whole family to think about, planning for the summer can be a challenge. However, it is also a real joy – especially with young children in the mix. Finding suitable holiday destinations can take a considerable amount of time and effort. No matter, it is always worth it when you get to go on that holiday with all the family. One great idea for those with kids is to go to an adventure park or a holiday park. The great thing about this option is that these destinations tend to have everything taken care of. It is unlikely that you will have to worry about catering or accommodation, as it will all be included. This certainly has one major benefit: it makes planning the trip that much easier. It also means that you can spend less time on your holiday rushing around, and more time relaxing. The only question now is: which park? To help you out, here are a few of the best, from all over the world.

Image Credit

Avventura Etna

If your little ones have a penchant for the woodland, then this is probably your ideal choice. Set in the glorious area of Mount Etna, this is a family holiday park with a difference. Complete with treetop adventures and zipwire screams, this is great for those who have a wild streak. And for those who just want to relax on their holiday, it caters for them too. The accommodation is truly Italian, with terraces and sprawling garden you can unwind in. The variation in this park makes it ideal for the family which has difficulty deciding between options. A definite must-consider for any family. See http://www.parcoavventuraetna.it/ for more information.

Image Credit

Disney World

It is a real classic, and that is for a very good reason. For many years now, Disney World has been delighting adults and children alike with its magical ways. If you are planning a holiday for 2016, then you can’t ignore the possibility of going to Disney World. This place has so much to offer that it is impossible to name it all. No matter how old your children are, they are sure to have the time of their lives. What’s more, there are plenty of activities for adults too. You can even get involved in some Disney Golf if that takes your fancy. For more information on that, see atthetee.com.

Southerness

Located in a beautiful area in rural Scotland, the Southerness holiday park is one unlike any other. This is a sea view park with miles of beaches and a stunning setting. If you or your kids tend to enjoy water parks, then there are not many which are more successful than this one. Most of it in indoors, which is good news if the weather turns sour. However, the beauty of Scotland is that it is glorious in any weather. Consider Southerness for a holiday park with a difference this year. Look here for more: www.parkdeanholidays.co.uk

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!

3 Important Tips for Parents Drafting a Will

May 20, 2016 By Anne

Drafting your own last will and testament can be both time-consuming and stressful. There are tons of things you need to consider before you can finalize everything. That is why you have to be very careful on how you make your will and testament.

Many parents think that writing a will is easy but actually it is not. Aside from confronting the idea of death and leaving your family behind, it is extremely difficult to divide your properties. It is easy to say that you will divide it equally to your children to avoid any bad feelings, but the truth is some of your children would need the money more than anyone else. And some would not even care about your property and would just sell it despite its sentimental value.

However you divide your will, it will always be prone to contestation. Some of your family member wouldn’t care about it while others will feel like they deserve more. This is the reason parents should draft their wills seriously. Everything should be thought properly and you have to prioritize your whole family’s future as well.

To make the entire process a lot easier, here are important tips to remember when creating a will:

Hire a personal will executor

It is important that you decide on who will execute all your wishes when you die. The best way to choose one is to hire a legal expert to avoid any disputes among your family members. While it is true that you can save more when you decide on appointing a family member as your personal representative, this decision could be stressful when you are dividing your assets. Personal interest of the family member could affect your decision making, so take your time in hiring an experienced and reliable legal expert to administer your assets. This representative will also handle and organize all your important documents.

Select your beneficiaries carefully

The beneficiaries of your will get all your assets in case something bad happens to you. But you have to name them in your will to ensure that they will receive the properties you left for them. Always be clear with all the possessions you want to share with your spouse, children, relatives, and family members to prevent problems like contesting a will, improper division of property, and probate fraud. When someone thinks that your will isn’t properly executed, he or she could take a stand against it. This is the reason you have to draft your will in accordance with the law.

Appoint a trustworthy guardian for your children

Generally, when one parent dies, the other parent automatically gets the custody of minor children. However, if one parent is unfit or both are no longer around, the court and your family need your last will to decide who becomes the guardian of your children. In case you haven’t written a will or the guardian is not named, the state will then make the decision. Thus, it is essential to write your own will and choose a guardian whom you can entrust the future of your beloved children.

Drafting a will is tough and scary but it is one of the most important things every parent must do for their children and relatives.

Remember, your children’s future should be secured at all times, so they could live well even when you are not with them anymore. Simply follow the helpful tips above and you can already write your will any time.

Anne

Children’s Book Review and Giveaway: ‘Monsters in Manhattan’ by Daniel Jude Miller #Review #Giveaway @djudemiller

May 18, 2016 By Marijean

I was asked to review a children’s hardcover book called Monsters in Manhattan. This book is written by Daniel Jude Miller.

About the book:

Mike is a regular kid from Queens, NY. He’s super-psyched for the start of his Christmas vacation and has all sorts of awesome plans for his week off from school.Snowball fights, sledding, snowmen and lotsa fun! Unfortunately, it all goes south when he finds out that his horrible cousin Mary Lou from Kalamazoo is coming to visit New York City for the holidays. She’s the worst. She’s rude, obnoxious, disgusting and totally gonna ruin all of Mike’s plans. Mike needs to find a way to get rid of her. And fast! If he can scare her away by showing her all the creatures, goblins and ghouls that lurk at Manhattan landmarks, then maybe, just maybe, he can save his Christmas vacation!

This book is hardcover (also available in Kindle edition) and has 35 pages. The Illustrations on each page are colorful and highly detailed. My kids loved pointing out the funny things in each Illustration. I love how this is not a quick to read and finish book. I spent 3 bedtimes reading this to my children. I love how each page has many paragraphs, and tells of a new adventure in NYC. My children were always excited to get to the next page and find out what happens to Mike and Mary Lou.

About the book:

About the Author Daniel Jude Miller:

Much like the main character from Monsters in Manhattan, I started out as just a regular kid from Queens, NY. A kid who filled countless notebooks with ideas and creations and then always seemed to get a box of fresh drawing pads from Santa at Christmas. After graduating from The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan I embarked upon a career in Editorial Illustration only to find it less fulfilling than I had anticipated. Something was missing. Sure, I loved doing the drawings, but I needed more. And that’s where I found writing. Creating odd and interesting characters has always been my passion and as an author I have the opportunity to bring them to life as well as tell their stories. Thanks for visiting my site and I hope you enjoy my books!

This book is good for ages 5 and up.

Click here to purchase this book, and to check out other books from this Author!

Connect with the Author: Website Facebook Twitter Youtube

***I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the book. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.

GIVEAWAY

Would you like to win a copy of this book? Enter the contest, one lucky reader will win! Ends 6/3. U.S. Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Why Buy It – When You Can Win It! #win #giveaways

May 16, 2016 By Anne

List your giveaways here!

Anne

Mars…with Venus Rising – Book Review

May 15, 2016 By Sharon

Penn Davenport, the book’s heroine, has dreams of moving out of her small town of Mars, and being a CPA in the big city. Penn experienced terrible tragedy in her life when she lost both her parents in a plane crash and now lives with her two Great Aunts. She struggles with her faith and her meaning in life as she falls in love with with the new guy in town, John Townsend, an airplane pilot.

Mars…With Venus Rising is a Christian Romance novel by Hope Toler Dougherty. It is a slow developing love story that I wish had just a touch of spontaneity in it. I found myself yelling internally at the main characters at almost every turn. Penn is fearful to the point of ridiculousness. For example, she was shocked at her first encounter with John because he was wearing head-to-toe black and rode a motorcycle. *rolls eyes* John has a zest for life but absolutely no social skills when it comes to interacting with women. If the hero of the story is going to ride a motorcycle you have to give him at least a touch of suave.

The story however, is saved by Penn’s Great Aunts, Winnie and Janice. They are the types of grandma figures you want to have in your life. They bake and cook for you, advise and interfere even when you don’t them to, and you love them for it all anyway. The best part is the fact that the author included recipes from the story in the back of the book. I plan on trying every recipe, as soon as I can convince my children’s Grandma to make them all.

Overall, I thought Mars…With Venus Rising had a lot of potential but wasn’t my favorite. The Christian notion of “anything worth having is worth waiting for” seems to be the message here and I can appreciate that.

A meddling horse, paper bag floors and a flying saucer on the town square. The little town of Mars has it all—including a brand new resident who might spell heartache for one of its own.

Twenty-something Penn Davenport yearns for an exciting life in the big city and wants to shed the label of orphan that she’s worn for years. To achieve that dream, she must pass the CPA exam then move away from the two aunts who reared her after her parents died in a plane crash.

When John Townsend—full of life and the joy of living—moves to town, he rattles Penn’s view of herself, her life, and her dreams . . . which isn’t such a bad thing until she falls for him and discovers he’s a pilot.

Purchase a copy:http://bit.ly/1VE0NoV

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University as well as York Technical College. A member of ACFW, RWA and SinC, she writes for Almost an Author. Before writing novels, she published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children to writing apprehension. She cheers for the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football. Hope and her husband, Kevin, live in North Carolina and chat with their two daughters and twin sons through ooVoo.

See more reviews here:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/hdougherty

Sharon

My name is Sharon Geyer. I am originally from New York City and currently live in beautiful Ponte Vedra, Florida. My husband and three kids keep me very busy as a stay-at-home mom. I also teach ballet, organize community events, and I love to read books. I typically choose historical fiction when reading something new but I also enjoy science fiction and fantasy, and the occasional romance novel.