Category: Views & Ramblings

1. 10 ways to plan the best summer holiday

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 18th Jul 2019

   Many things that could ruin a beach holiday. Give the following some thought prior to travel. If all the events happen in a lifetime you will be extremely unlikely. Fortunately most of them can be avoided, or mitigated, through careful planning and forethought.

   

   In first place, consider the journey to the beach. It would be ruinous not to get there. It is possible to be denied a flight by arriving late or forgetting a key travel documents such as a passport. Flight delays can of course ruin ongoing connections to the beach resort.

   Second consider the hotel, resort and country where you choose to stay. It could be a horrible place. The hotel could be half built, the beach polluted, and the locals unfriendly. Although most travel brochures give more accurate descriptions of the hotels and resorts compared to the case a few years ago it is wise to give the descriptions careful scrutiny. Check that the resort is suitable, not noisy if you seek a quiet life, nor sleepy if you seek out a lively nightlife. In certain countries it might pay to consider the problems of crime and political unrest. Make sure that the resort is suitable for the holiday. Is it over commercialized? Is it family friendly?  Is the beach clean and safe, sandy and gently shelving for safe bathing?

   Third, consider the disappointment of a holiday cancelled or cut short. Cancellations can happen if the airline, tour operator, or hotel proprietor goes out of business. In such cases you might be offered an alternative holiday, or a refund of the operator is protected under a travel industry bond. More unusual reasons for cancelled flights include bad weather, industrial action by airport staff, security alerts and dust in the atmosphere arising from volcanic eruptions. Be mindful that there are situations which could leave a traveller stranded at a holiday resort. In such circumstances seek advice from your travel insurer before incurring any non redeemable expenses.

   Fourth, consider the problems of sickness or injury while on holiday. Minor self inflicted such as sunburn, sunstroke and too much alcohol can ruin the enjoyment of a holiday. Food poisoning can lead to more serious discomfort. Follow recommended guidelines as to what is safe to eat. If the water supply is suspect stick to bottled water and avoid salads that are washed locally. On the beach watch for local insects and be careful if there are jelly fish in the water.

   Fifth, avoid the problems of bad weather that could spoil a beach holiday. Chose a resort that has reliable sunshine and warmth for the time of year of your visit. If the weather is unreliable check that alternative activities are available for a cool, or rainy day. In many resorts have are indoor pools or leisure centres. Alternatively, there could be places of historic interest which could be worth a visit on a day not perfect for the beach. At the very worse, the holiday could be ruined by very bad weather such as a hurricane which lays waste to a West Indian resort.

   Sixth, keep control of your money and possessions., Shortage of money, or loss of possessions and luggage is a sure way to ruin a holiday. Tourists are often careless, or targeted by local criminals. Be careful with cameras and carry money close to the body on money belts. Keep some money elsewhere in reserve in case there is a theft. Although a nuisance loss of property is covered, subject to an excess, on a standard travel insurance policy. Make sure that you stay within budget while on holiday, taking into account fuel surcharges which many be being added to current airline ticket prices and unanticipated changes in exchange rates.

   Seventh, avoid any circumstances that give rise to stress. Taking a family through airports, watching over them on the beach, and keeping an entire family amused can be stressful and ruin the personal experience of a holiday. Relax and enjoy the sunshine. This is made easier through good organisation and use the facilities offered within the resort to entertain the children. Above all, cater for all the interests of the family and avoid family arguments as this is a sure fire way to spoil a family holiday.

   Eighth, many holidaymakers complain that fellow holidaymakers have ruined their holiday. Their behaviour ranges from the plain rude, to the discourteous, selfish or the mildly irritating. Crying babies and badly behaved children are a common irritant. The best remedy is to be tolerant and exemplary in one’s own behaviour.

   Ninth, make sure that your attitude does not spoil your holiday. Make sure that your expectations match the standards of the holiday and resort that you have booked. An approach which seeks to find fault in the holiday and seeks to identify issues upon which to claim is sure to spoil the enjoyment.

   Finally, watch for the wild card. There are many unexpected circumstances could ruin a beach holiday. Could anyone who travelled to the Maldives for a Christmas vacation in 2004 have anticipated the Boxing Day tsunami in Sumatra that left many of the low lying islands knee deep in water?

   In spite of all the things that could ruin a beach holiday the chances are that you can take them in your stride provided that you prepare beforehand, keep a cool head and approach the difficulties as they arise with good humour. 

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2. 7 Sunday Self Care Tips for a Busy Mum

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 3rd Jul 2019

   Raising kids can be overwhelming, so much so that an entire week can quickly go by in a blur, and you may not even realize that. If that sounds like you, here’s something to help you get recharged over the weekend.

   Read on to discover 7 super effective self care tips that you can implement on a Sunday, even if you’re a busy mum, and find yourself ready to take on the new week!

   Sleep In

   Yes, that’s right. There’s actually nothing healthier than getting enough sleep every night, and if that’s not really working out in your favor, utilise your Sunday and give your body the rest it needs. Turn off the alarm and wake up whenever your body wants to. If you still need to be up at a certain time to get things done, get some sleep in the afternoon, let your partner take over the childcare just for an hour or so.
   

   

   At Home Spa Sesh

   Ah yes! Bring out those sheet masks and bath bombs, and turn your bathroom into a full-blown spa on a Sunday afternoon, especially if you’ve got younger kids and you don’t have the luxury of heading off to the spa for a couple of hours. The skincare benefits aside, a home spa session will help you truly relax and unwind after a long and tiring week.

   Get Out

   Oh yes, self care isn’t just about bubble baths- taking a walk in the park, barefoot, phone turned off can be self care too. Infact, getting out for a breath of fresh air can be deeply relaxing and refreshing; so much so that you might find yourself hooked. Studies have found that spending some time outside can also relieve stress and anxiety, and boost the production of those ‘feel good’ hormones in your body. 

   

   Soak In

   Speaking of bubble baths, there’s nothing better than the feeling of soaking in a warm bath, uninterrupted for a good 20 minutes, and if that’s what your Sunday self care idea feels like, go for it! You don’t even need those fancy products- just get in there and feel your tense muscles ease!

   Digital Detox

   Here comes the hardest of them all- a digital detox may not exactly seem like pampering, but trust us on this, it is! There’s a different kind of rejuvenation and energy that comes with not incessantly scrolling through your Instagram feed, or checking your emails every few minutes. You’ll be surprised at how much lighter and ‘free’ you feel, and guess what- you can actually use that free time to do what you like! 

   Enjoy Solitude

   As parents, we tend to overwork ourselves, push ourselves more than we can, and often set our expectations from ourselves way too higher than it needs to be. The result? Burnout. That’s not all though- in the process of doing so much, we often lose ourselves, our choices and even our identities. This time, take self care up a notch by enjoying some ‘me’ time, even if it is for just half an hour- reading a book or sipping on a cup of coffee at the coffee shop, all alone!

   Netflix & Relax

   If nothing else seems to be going your way, consider settling on this no-brainer. Some good old Netflix-ing and chilling can again, be a great way to relax on a Sunday. Stay in your PJs, grab a bowl of popcorn, put on a random Netflix show or movie and enjoy some time with your kiddos (or spouse)!

   Self care isn’t overrated. It is infact, absolutely necessary. It is all about keeping yourself in good shape physically and mentally to go on with everything in life, and tackle it all with a smile on your face!

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3. Childhood Car Memories

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 14th Jun 2019

   Childhood memories can be a funny thing and I am frequently saying to my husband that we need to give the children memories not material things. I remember the holidays we had when I was a child and bizarrely I remember the cars we had. I can even quote the number plate from the brand new Ford Sierra we had when I was about 10 or 11.

   

   Bizarrely I also remember that song by Janis Joplin that went …..

   Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? 
   My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends. 
   Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends, 
   So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

   (Sorry if that is stuck in your head all day now!!)

   There are strong leather smells that evoke memories of travelling in the back of my Mums Triumph 2000 with its plush spring seats and no rear seat belts (it is horrifying to think that we just used to slide around in the back of the car).

   My dad was (and still is by trade) a mechanic and we would always have a car being built in our garage at home and spare car parts were almost part of the furniture. My brother and I have fond memories of his latest project being ready “for Christmas” ….. although I have a feeling that we may still be waiting on completion. I remember being taken to school in a variety of different cars that my dad was working on, from luxurious Mercedes and Jaguars, through to hand painted vans and Hot Rods. I was always a little embarrassed getting out in the school car park and never realised just how cool it was to have a Dad that drove such a variety of cars.

   

   Fast forward to the present day and both my husband and I have had the pleasure of owning a Mercedes Benz …… although none of our friends drive Porches so there is no need to make amends! Getting the right car detailer is now more of a concern for my husband. My girls are never embarrassed about the cars we drive, they are more concerned with making sure I am not singing in the car when they have their friends in there on our road trips.

   I know as parents that embarrassing our children is almost part of the job description but while they won’t have memories of sliding across the back seat of the car without a seat belt on, or being taken to school in a Hot Rod, I hope that they will remember the car journeys we have had, the giggles on the school run each day and maybe, just maybe they will smile as they remember me singing in the car with their friends.

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4. Are social networking sites unhealthy for teens?

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 11th Jun 2019

   If you have a teenager, you will know how much time they "want" to spend on social media, so we have been looking at whether the use of Instagram and Snapchat is hindering the development of relationship skills for teens? One study suggests that it depends on the teenager. Some psychologists believe that social networking sites have tuned the internet into a more intimate and safer place for teens and young adults than it was ten years ago.

   

   Parents of teens have good reason to be skeptical and seek answers about teenage activities that weren’t available when today’s parents were coming of age. It's normal for parents to wonder whether it is healthy for teens and young adults to spend a bulk of time instant messaging or updating their Instagram grid or Snapchat story.

   News reports and daytime talk shows continue to warn parents about teen internet use, online bullying and sexual harassment issues that teens may encounter online. Most parents of teens would admit they wonder about the kinds of messages teenagers are writing back and forth to each other online. Some parents of teens also wonder if using social networking sites prevents young adults from learning relationship skills.

   Psychologists at the University of Amsterdam, Patti Valkenburg and Jochen Peter have studied internet use for teens for the past ten years. In the 1990’s, only one in ten teens routinely used the internet and ones who did had only public chat room sites for interaction. In the twenty first century, the world-wide-web has experienced an explosion in networking opportunities.

   

   In Social Consequences of the Internet for Adolescents: A Decade of Research (Current Directions in Psychological Science, February 2009), Valkenburg and Peters credit networking sites like Facebook for the increase in positive interactions for teens on the internet. They believe that social networking sites have created a more intimate atmosphere where teens and young adults are more likely to connect with peers and discuss personal issues in a positive way.

   Research can offer a bit of comfort for parents of teens who are concerned about internet use and its effect on relationship skills. Although studies can show the positives of sites like Facebook and others, as parents we should always continue to monitor internet use and activity for teens and young adults and educate adolescents about unsafe internet practices as well as promote face-to-face relationships for teenagers.

   Easier said than done though eh?

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