Special Needs Children and Camp: Part III – Best Camps for Special Needs

Camp is beneficial for children with special needs, and choosing the right camp is extremely important. The wrong camp can make for a miserable experience, while the right one is not only fun for your child but can also help prepare her for life. Here are some of the best camps from around the United States. *Please note that these camps are ones I have found through research. If considering one of these camps, please research it and meet with the staff to ensure it is the best pick for your child. Camp For All, Texas Camp For All is … Continue reading

Deals for Frugal Summer Travelers

Many frugal travelers avoid leaving their hometowns during the summer season because they know that vacationing in June, July and August is not cheap. In fact, many top vacation destinations jack up their prices to make the most of summer crowds. However, every once in a while you will be able to find scorching hot summer travel deals like these: CANADA From now until the end of October, the Best Western Primrose Hotel Downtown Toronto is offering a super tour deal. For just $533 per person you will receive three nights accommodations at the 335-room hotel located near beautiful Allan … Continue reading

Best Summer Sports

Summer is just around the corner. Many of us are already experiencing warmer temperatures and thinking about summer sports. Sports are a great way to keep fit. If you are looking for ideas on some of the best summer sports, here is a list for you. Try your hand at volleyball. The great thing about volleyball is when it’s played on a beach. Not only do you get to play but you get to lie out on the beach when you are resting. Volleyball really works your arms and legs. Biking is another fun sport that allows you the opportunity … Continue reading

Summer Deals for a Steal

With summer fading fast, many hotels and resorts are trying to make the most of last-minute family vacations by offering unbeatable seasonal rates. The following are sample savings found at some of the most popular family-friendly vacation destinations: MEXICO Mexico’s Riviera Maya boasts sparkling white-sand beaches and picturesque ancient ruins. It’s also home to the Maroma Resort and Spa, which features 65 spacious, sunlit guestrooms and suites featuring king-sized beds, handcrafted mahogany furniture, and hand-painted tiles. Right now you can book a 3-night weekend stay for just $395 per night. The Best Deal Days offer includes complimentary inclusions valued at … Continue reading

Paying Off Your Debt for the Summer

Whether you have a large mortgage payment or owe your best friend $50, paying off your debt can be satisfying, not only for your financial well being, but for your self esteem as well. But how can you pay off debt when you are overwhelmed? Summer is a great time to pay off some debt. Here are some tips. Go on lock down Stop adding to your debt and avoid spending money on anything new. Obviously, you will need food and shelter. Unless you are going around naked, new clothes are not a necessity. Stay home, cancel the gym membership … Continue reading

The Best of George Carlin

Michele just wrote a blog of George Carlin’s life, but I feel that he was such a big part of pop culture for so long (5 decades!), that Families could stand two blogs. George and I had very little in common – he was a hippie type who liked to rag on the government and the president. I am a Republican yuppie who strongly supports most things our government does. However, somewhere in between, we found a common ground and more times than not, George had me laughing so hard, I cried. Like him or not, the world truly lost … Continue reading

Summer Tip–Stick to a Schedule (within Reason)

For a busy single parent, summer time can be chaotic. With the kids out of school and vacations and events, there is often much more to do than we can reasonably manage. Although summer time may be known for its freewheeling reputation, for a single parent, having a schedule and sticking to a plan for the days of the summer can be the best approach. Of course, we need flexibility—and we need down time and unscheduled leisure too, but as a single parent, we also need enough structure to make sure that the kids are cared for and entertained, work … Continue reading

Travel Tidbits: Good News for Sports Lovers and Bad News for Smokers

GOOD NEWS FOR SPORTS LOVERS I grew up in a house with four guys and every one of them was a sports fanatic (and still is). If your brother, father, son, or husband has dreamed of taking the wheel of a NASCAR racecar or slamming a stick into a NHL hockey puck coming at him at 120 mph make sure your summer travel plans include a stop in New York City. That’s where your favorite sports nut (male or female) can experience what life is like as a professional athlete. On May 7th the Sports Museum of America will open … Continue reading

Summer Lovin’: New York and Las Vegas

Still looking for the perfect place to spend part of your summer vacation? Take a look at why these famous cities should be at the top of your list: NEW YORK So you didn’t make it there in time to see Pope Benedict XVI preside over Sunday Mass, but that’s no reason to by pass the chance to sit in a seat at New York City’s Yankee Stadium, especially since time is running out for you to do so. This season marks the last that sports fans will be gathering in the House that Ruth Built. The 85-year-old Bronx ballpark … Continue reading

Meet a Families.com Blogger – Courtney Mroch!

Courtney Mroch is the next awesome blogger to be featured here in our Families.com Blogger series. Courtney, thanks for taking the time to chat with me today. How long have you blogged for Families.com? I started in December 2006. What topics do you blog about? I started out assigned to Pets, but in September 2007 I also took on Marriage. But I like to guest blog in Food, Travel, Computing, and have recently ventured into new territories in Home, Money, and Health. What is your favorite thing about blogging for Families.com? Hands down, my fellow bloggers and the readers! (Something … Continue reading