What is a UM traveler, you ask? In airline talk, a UM (usually pronounced “U. M.” but sometimes “um”) is an Unaccompanied Minor traveling without an adult, with airline personnel providing some supervision. 1. Qualifications for UMs are surprisingly scant. On most major US and international airlines, if children have reached their fifth birthday (yes, […]
Kids/Winter/Sunglasses
Having your kids wear sunglasses when the ground is covered with snow is as important as having them wear them on a summer day at the beach – perhaps even more so. Wearing the right winter sunglasses prevents snow blindness and, more important, helps prevent cataracts in later life. 1. “Snow blindness” is not exactly […]
Leaving Children at Home Alone
Should parents take vacations with their kids – or from their kids? Family vacations expose kids to new experiences, strengthens family unity and build memories for the future. But for many parents, family vacations are stressful and expensive obligations, not the relaxing and refreshing breaks from everyday routine that vacations are supposed to be. In […]
Amusement parks/Children/Safety
Rides at amusement parks are not always amusing. Each year about 9,000 American kids fourteen years or younger require an additional ride – to an emergency room (ER), the result of a park-related injury. Many more injuries are seen at first aid stations, by private doctors, or handled by parents. Rides that are intended for […]
Keeping kids healthy and safe on cruises
Of the 14 million passengers who sailed from American ports last year, 1.5 million were children. Families are the biggest growth segment for cruise ship companies. Every ship being designed has children in mind. Some ships are planned entirely for families. (Some adults without children are clamoring for adult-only voyages; children have overtaken ships, especially […]
Children /Hotel Bathrooms/Safety
Warning: hotel bathrooms are hazardous for your children – even more hazardous than the bathrooms in your home. 1. Upscale hotel plumbing is all about sleek appearance. Even adults have difficulty deciphering the numerous knobs on tubs and showers, for example. One never knows where the water is going to come out, and at what […]
Update on Children / Vacations*
Update on Children/Vacations* Unreasonable parental expectations and poor parental planning mar more family vacations than obstinate children. While traveling with kids will always have its ups and downs, savvy parents can keep the inevitable squabbles down to a manageable few. Here is what you should know: Your primary goal should be kids having fun. Family […]
Is it OK for Kids to Miss School to Visit Disney World?
You’re planning to take your family to Disneyworld: parents, two children, one in fourth grade, the other in second. You are as anxious to go as they are: you’re feeling guilty. Lately you’ve spent too little time with them because of your work schedules. You find a package that seems too good to be true: […]