LilSugar

Expectant Mamas Can Fly High Without Worry

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:00:12 -0700

Flying the friendly skies just got a bit less burdensome for expectant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has revised its recommendations regarding pregnancy and travel by air, deeming it safe for women who are not considered high-risk. According to the new recommendations:

Since 2001, "a number of observational studies have been published confirming that air travel is generally safe during an uncomplicated pregnancy. These new studies have made our previous recommendations stronger and more detailed . . . When a patient with an uncomplicated pregnancy asks about occasional flying, we should feel comfortable saying, 'It's safe.'"

That's great news for women whose work requires them to travel and for those looking to squeeze in a relaxing babymoon or trip to visit distant friends prior to the lil one's arrival. The new recommendations should also ease the minds of moms-to-be who like to fly themselves, like Angelina Jolie who was piloting her own plane while pregnant with Vivienne and Knox and Gisele Bundchen who recently took up helicopter lessons. How far into your pregnancy did you continue to travel by air?

LilSugar's Downloadable Travel Games for Labor Day Weekend!

LilSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:20:04 -0700

Labor Day signals an end to Summer, but it doesn't stop the fun! Before you head out for one last hurrah on the open road, chugging down the tracks or taking to the friendly skies with your family, download LilSugar's fun travel games to keep the kiddos occupied on the journey.

Train Games - an I spy sheet and a train maze will keep your wee ones entertained while they whistle down the tracks.
Road Trip Games - a cool coloring page and backseat license plate bingo allow parents to keep their eyes on the road and put the pedal to the metal while their kids busy themselves in the backseat.
Airplane Games - a foldable paper plane and a tray table memory let mom and dad relax while families ride a mile high.

Mommy Dearest: Family Vacation Interferes With School

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:00:48 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My husband's parents' 50th anniversary is coming up in December and they offered to take the entire family on a trip to celebrate. They selected a cruise that does not return until the 5th of January. While the trip works for the rest of the family, it means my preschooler and kindergartener will miss the first two days back to school after Winter break. My mother-in-law says that I shouldn't worry because the children are young. Though I am grateful for the vacation, I am wary of the kids missing class. Should we skip the trip?

– Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama,

It's your in-laws' 50th anniversary - a once in a lifetime event that your children are lucky enough to be a part of- I say take them on the trip and don't worry about the two days of missed class. While the vacation is a generous offer, the experience is one your kiddos will always remember and likely means a great deal to your husband's parents. Prior to leaving, sit down with your children's teachers, explain the situation and see if any assignments need to be completed.

– Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new Community page.

Things Moms Can Leave Behind When Flying

babysugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:00:28 -0700

When moms begin flying with their wee ones, the friendly skies quickly turn into anxious ones. Parents embarking on their first airborne adventure with a child will quickly learn that some things are not what they used to be. There are five things that most every parent can leave at home when they've got their child in tow.

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Chugga Chugga Choo Choo! lilsugar's Train Games

LilSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:15:50 -0700

All aboard! Pack your bags and whistle down the tracks with your tots! lilsugar has new downloadable train games that parents can print out before they head to the railroad station. From a cool coloring page to an I Spy and a train maze game, families can chug along to their destination in peace, since the children can entertain themselves.

If you and your junior jet-setter are traveling by car or plane, check out our other downloadable activities!

Mommy Dearest: Taking Children on Business Trip

LilSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:00:58 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

I have an overseas business trip coming up to a beautiful European city. While I will be working during the day, my evenings and weekends will be free. In the past, I have used this time to sightsee and shop for gifts for my family back home. This time, I'd like to mix work with pleasure and bring my elementary-school-aged kids to experience a new country and culture. My husband would watch the kids during the day and we could take family adventures in the evening. He doesn't like the plan because he thinks a vacation should be free of distractions and that my colleagues will think it's unprofessional. What do you think?

– Jet-Setting Mommy

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Jet-Setting Mommy,

Combining business and leisure is not a new concept. Plenty of parents add a few days onto a business trip for a little vacation time in a unique location. Adding kids to this equation can work, if it is done properly. First, you should ask your boss if there's an office policy and abide by it. If it's permissible, you can set up a schedule that provides ample time for you to concentrate on work and then allots for fun periods with the family. Also make sure your spouse is up for the challenge, otherwise it's best to schedule a work-free vacation.

– Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

Airplane Zingers For Traveling Broods

babysugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:55:00 -0700

Traveling with youngsters is no easy feat, especially when mama is the only adult in her party. Though the time on board is usually short, a screaming infant and scowling travelers in a cramped space can make it seem like an eternity. When all of the words of travel wisdom have failed, fellow flyers often make their displeasure known with less than complimentary comments. Though we find most jet-setters to be more kind than not, here are some of the toughest zingers we've heard. What's the worst you've gotten?

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Mommy Dearest: Family Assigned Separate Seats on Flight

LilSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:00:40 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

We recently returned from a short vacation and traveling home was a nightmare. Our flight was canceled and my husband, son and I were put on a different flight - all three seats were in separate rows. The customer service agent told us the flight attendants would move people so at least one parent could sit with the child. But, once we boarded that didn't happen. One attendant told us to just ask passengers to swap seats. Thinking people wouldn't want to sit next to a four-year-old boy we inquired, but no one budged. The people sitting next to my son said we should have never boarded knowing we were separated. Luckily, another attendant persuaded a man to move after I told her the alternative was to have my son sit on my lap. What would you have done?

– Recovering From Flight

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Recovering From Flight,

I am glad that everything ended up working out for your family. I would have assumed that a sympathetic traveler would have aided you in your situation sooner. Perhaps, you'll consider writing a letter to the airline so this doesn't happen to others in the future.

-Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

Non Voyage: Leave Your Heart in San Francisco

LilSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:23:05 -0700

You don't have to travel to San Francisco to leave your heart there. As we continue our week of metropolitan non voyages, we head to the city by the Bay where the kids can get in on the West Coast fun.

Famous for being just seven by seven square miles, San Francisco is completely walkable. Have your children slip into some comfortable shoes and go for a scenic jaunt.
Fisherman's Wharf is a circus unto itself with all of kinds of activities. It's well known for its fresh seafood and sourdough French bread, so see if your local fishmonger has any Dungeness crabs and prep a delicious hands-on meal with the kids.
Lombard Street is incredibly crooked, and children love taking the slow ride down the residential street. Recreate a pint sized experience with a crazy course on your driveway for your tots to man their trikes through.
Cable cars are moving landmarks that attract tourists and locals alike. Though a ride on the trolleys may be hard to simulate, craft some models out of shoe boxes and other materials.
The city is richly diverse and has many cultural neighborhoods including Chinatown, which is the largest one outside of Asia. Set up your own little area with beautiful fans and lanterns and introduce lil ones to dishes like chicken lo mein or pineapple fried rice. Don't forget to have the kids use chopsticks!
During the Summer of Love, hippies with flowers in their hair migrated to Haight Street. Celebrate peace, love and happiness by tie dying colorful tees with your tots.
From the beat poets to political activists, San Francisco is a place of progressive thought where people are celebrated and appreciated for their unique opinions. Have your children put pen to paper and jot down their ideas in a poem.

Non Voyage: Bringing the Deep Heart of Texas Home

LilSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:39 -0700

As our non-voyage moves across the country, we head on south to the great state of Texas where cowboy hats and boots abound. The destination offers up a number of kid-friendly activities that can be experienced right at home.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center introduces both kids and adults to wildflowers and other native plants. Pack up the kiddos for a lil hike and see just how many different flowers they can find on the trip.
The Alamo may be one of the main attractions in San Antonio due to its historic place in the Texas Revolution and the role Davey Crockett played in the battle. Help tots re-enact the battle by building a real-life backyard fort. Allow them to eat, sleep and play in the fort for a day and see how creative they can be with their limited space.
Austin is known for its live music festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. Check your local calendar to see if there are any live shows planned for your area. If not, start your own! Gather up the neighborhood kids, have them each pick a song they want to "perform" and call all the parents around for an evening of fun and music as your tots take the stage. To make the evening even more festive, consider adding some colored lightbulbs to the lamps.
You can't get more Texas than a little line dancing. Grab your tots and swing them round with an afternoon of toe stepping just for them. Either search for some line dances on YouTube, or use a video as your guide.
If the plains of Texas are calling out to you, consider recreating the ultimate ranch-hand experience with these ideas.
Chowing down has never been more fun than when you let your kids build their own meal. Tex-Mex-style items like burritos, tacos and fajitas are delicious and nutritious. See who can include the most colors in their creation.