If you are feeling stressed, grab your family and hop in the car. There’s nothing that lifts your spirits like being out on the open road.

Outdoorsy released its Road to Wellness survey last summer and it found that 94% of North American families are happier and healthier after taking a road trip and spending time outdoors. 

Road trip

According to the survey, 71% of those who had to cancel their summer travel plans due to COVID-19 are now considering alternate vacation options such as a road trip. Of those who responded 70% would rather go on a road trip with family or a significant other rather than going alone. 

Air travel is still a hassle. 65% of parents say that it is easier to drive with children than to fly with 75% of respondents noting their last road trip was a “much needed escape” and would plan to take one again soon. 

Those working from home have caught the travel bug. Remote workers are 2.5 times more likely to say they would take more road trips if they had access to an RV, with 72% reporting they are planning to take more road trips as a result of the widespread work from home policies as a result of the pandemic. 

Parents find that their kids are much more appreciative on road trips. Of those surveyed, 93% said they feel more bonded with their children when on a road trip with 75% adding that their kids say “thank you” more often when on vacation. 

Millennials are 2.13 times more likely than any other generation to spend their COVID-related stimulus funds on a road trip this year and Boomers are 1.8 more likely to opt out of plane travel this year.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash

 

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I was born in 1950, the youngest of five children in a white, working-class family living in a predominately blue-collar neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There were not many books in my household, but I distinctly remember the “Dick and Jane” series, which were the school textbooks that were used to teach reading, back in the day. And I definitely remember the illustrations and how the families in those books were portrayed.

Television shows like “Father Knows Best,” “The Donna Reed Show,” and “Ozzie and Harriet“reinforced a father’s image, always dressed in a suit and tie, which was not a common sight in my community. I remember asking my mother why my father or any of the dads we knew didn’t dress like the fathers represented in those books or on the TV shows we watched.

I have heard from friends who are Black describe what happened in their homes during that same time period when a person of color appeared on television… everyone in the family would excitedly come running to witness this rare occurrence.

These anecdotes illustrate a child’s natural inclination to look for a reflection of themselves in the world around them. This is what representation – or the portrayal of a person or group in books and other media—is all about.

And it matters!

Children need to see themselves included and represented, and that representation should be truthful and not based on stereotypes. How people are depicted shapes how they see themselves and how others see them. It also defines or limits possibilities that one can aspire to depending on whether the representation is positive or negative.

For those readers who responded to my recent blog: Should We Continue To Celebrate Dr. Seuss? with a “don’t like it, don’t read it” reaction, I would counter that continuing to publish children’s books with offensive illustrations sends the wrong message to anyone who comes across them. It is crucial for all children to be exposed to truthful and positive images, not just non-white children; otherwise, we as Americans have no chance at becoming a better nation where all are seen, heard, and treated equally.

I hold out little hope for any mutual understanding from those respondents who replied with hate and disdain to my posting.

But I was heartened to hear from people who said they reconsidered their impulse to roll their eyes at the Dr. Seuss news. While they frankly expressed fatigue at times with the reexamination of misguided and immoral thinking and actions from the past, they acknowledged that they had discovered some understanding of the power of representation with further consideration. Many offered that when they recognized the significance of negative and offensive illustrations and how they contribute to division and hate—which is on the rise—they realized this fatigue was nothing compared to what non-white individuals had and continue to experience.

I have always cringed when people talk about the “good old days.” While I have many fond memories of the past, I am quick to recognize that it was far from perfect. I acknowledge that women, people of color, and any group considered to be “other” had to be submissive in that past. And that there were unjust laws in place or the mores of the time that limited the freedom of many of our citizens. That history must be confronted and identified for what it was…wrong. Calling it out doesn’t cancel anything or take away from what was positive about those times, nor does it proclaim that everything nowadays is ideal and without reproach.

Fortunately, progress is being made and representation in books and other media is becoming more inclusive and more positive; that said, we need to be vigilant in looking honestly at the past, as well as critically at how people are represented going forward.

This post originally appeared on Why Is Representation So Important?.

I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

HOW TO ENTER: The Contest (“Contest”) will run from 3/22/2021 at 12:00 a.m. PST to 3/31/2021 at 11:59 p.m. PST and will run on the Red Tricycle website. Any entries received after the contest has closed will not be included in the Contest. In order to enter the contest, participants are required to do the following:

  • Submit a short description of a mom who is creating a better story for themselves, their family or their community.
  • Submit their email address and the email address of the mom they’re submitting

Only online entries will be eligible. No print submissions will be accepted for entry into this Contest. Any use of automated or programmed methods of effecting entry is prohibited.

ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Employees or Sponsor, their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to win the prize package.

SPONSOR: This Contest is sponsored by Once Upon a Farm (“Sponsor”). Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Contest at any time and substitute another promotion in its place. The Sponsor is deemed to be the party providing the prize package for this Contest. The Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment within 30 days of the winner providing requested mailing information. If winner does not receive prize within 45 days, the winner is to email Red Tricycle for follow up (kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net). The winner forgoes any prizes after 180 days without follow up.

WINNERS SELECTION: Five winners will be selected within 72 hours after the close of the Contest period from among all eligible entries received during the Contest.

Winners will be determined by Red Tricycle and Sponsor. Entries for winners will be judged on the following criteria:

(50%) Quality of Submission — We’re looking for moms who have made big strides in bettering themselves, their families or their organization

(50%) Adherence to Theme – Remember, this is all about starting a better story.

Weekly winners will be selected from submissions received between the following dates: March 22, 20201 to March 31, 2021.

Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. A list of winners can be requested at any time by contacting kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net. Red Tricycle is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive winner’s emailed information on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, email being inadvertently flagged as junk or other email form, or at any website or any combination thereof. Every reasonable attempt will be exhausted prior to prize forfeiture and a new winner being selected, including, but not limited to review of all sub-folders and accounts where emails may inadvertently be directed.

PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE: Prize is valued as follows: FIVE (5) PRIZES: One (1) one-year customizable subscription to Once Upon a Farm, valued at $775, and one (1) $100 Visa gift card. Prize winners will be required to submit an IRS W9 form. 

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By submitting a Contest Entry, Contest Entrant warrants and represents that: (a) Contest Entry does not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other legal or moral rights of any person or entity; (b) Contest Entrant owns all rights to the Contest Entry, including without limitation, copyrights, and has received prior written permission from a third party if any Submission was photographed or videoed by someone other than the Contest Entrant him/herself; and (c) Contest Entrant will indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsor, Administrator and related entities, agents and assigns from any claims and damages (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or relating to the breach or alleged breach of your representations and warranties herein, the Contest Entry, or Contest Entrant’s conduct in creating the Contest Entry, the acceptance or use of any prize or otherwise in connection with this Contest.

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With 2020 firmly behind and the 2021 summer around the corner, our hopes are on the rise for the resumption of travel this year. While grateful for being relatively COVID-safe in Singapore’s golden cage, the smallness of our island has us pining for the outside.

2021 and there are 227 inhabited Greek islands. Where should we even get started?

As they say in Greece, hope dies last. Under lockdown, I’ve combed through island after island, selecting our visions of paradise for the next three summers. By now, I’ve read every major travel magazine article, little known blog post, and forum review on the destinations of interest. Each island has a tab in my spreadsheet and a file on Instagram collecting information and inspiration as I go.

Finally, I have the luxury of time to plan a vacation. A true rarity for moms. And finally, I’ve found exactly what we’ve been looking for: stylish and reasonably priced vacation villa gems located directly on child-friendly beaches in mid-size Cycladic seaside villages. Day trip options for semi-private cruises to neighboring islands with out-of-this-world beachscapes. Where to send the kids for a pottery workshop while in Sifnos…Any trip from here will never be so well planned. And as parents with the load of baggage we carry, some volatile with surprises, invaluable is a seamlessly organized holiday.

The simulation of travel in the planning process soon became therapeutic escapism. From home, I visualized us on that beach house patio with a cool glass of Assyrtiko in hand. Slowly sipping, we watch the kids frolick in fine white sand as the sky changes color. Later, we take an evening to wander through cobblestone paths of whitewashed villages, alive with the soul of Greece. I deviate to shop online for kaftans. I think we will dine at a Greek restaurant tonight.

Sure, I may have to cancel everything a month before June but herein lies a precious exercise in non-attachment and letting go: There is meaning in learning to defer to forces beyond our control. So much of our days as parents never go as planned anyways. And if the process of pursuing an end result designed to bring happiness, instead dominates with anger and frustration, what then is the point of the whole endeavor?

Savor the planning, inhabit the surprises, heal if you must, and journey on. Enjoy the entirety of your travels, and consider 2021 an opportunity for the most well researched you, ever. Whether in a summer sojourn, or the journey of life.

 

A restless city-loving Singaporean learning how to be still, embrace the antithesis of her husband's Greek nature and homeland, and master motherhood. After moving from Athens, we now live in Chicago, and are set to return to Singapore for a proper village welcome of our second baby.

 

Photo: Peyton Manker

COVID-19 has forced places like zoos to close, social events like school dances to cancel, and even people like the Queen of England to shelter-in-place. It’s a huge bummer, but kids around the world are making the best of it. Check out what these kids are doing to help lift their spirits, as well as the spirits around them.

Problem: Zoos are running out of money to care for their animals.

Solution: Andy Soulard, age 6, set a goal of raising $200 for the Oakland Zoo. She started by contributing her own money—the $5 that she received from the tooth fairy. Word soon spread and animal and zoo-lovers across the country joined her effort. Her goal of $200 was quickly surpassed. She has currently raised over $200,000 for the Oakland Zoo. As a thank you to all of those who supported her fundraiser, she is making them bracelets!

Problem: First responders don’t have enough personal protective equipment to help care for those sick with COVID-19.

Solution: Ayan Gupta, a high school student and his classmates at Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, Washington, wanted to do something to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. When someone suggested that they print face shields for local hospitals, they got right on it! With Ayan’s background in science and robotics and the help of his like-minded friends, they were able to prototype, 3D print, assemble, and distribute masks to local hospitals within forty-eight hours from when the idea was suggested to them.

Problem: People are bored while sheltering-in-place.

Solution: 7 year old Timothy Madders loves word searches so he decided to make a word search for the Queen of England because … well … he was concerned that she might be feeling a little sad and bored while sheltering in place. He made sure to include cheerful words such as happiness in his word search, and boy did Queen Elizabeth appreciate it! As a thank you for his gift, she sent him a personal thank you letter. That’s a royal recognition of appreciation if you ask us! Good job, Timothy!

Problem: Prom was canceled!

Solution: High school student Peyton Manker wasn’t going to let a canceled prom get her down. Instead, she decided to enter a competition for designing and making a prom dress. She spent 395 hours and forty-one rolls of duct tape to create a prom dress that reflected how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world. She even completed her outfit with a purse shaped as a coronavirus. Her thoughtful design and hours of work paid off—she won!

This post originally appeared on Xyza: News for Kids.
Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation? 

Pregnancy brings with it so many exciting changes including an entire wardrobe overhaul. Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod just announced the launch of Motherhood Rental, a new maternity clothing subscription service that makes it easy to dress for every stage of pregnancy. Subscribers can swap out styles as often as they want, choosing from A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood’s “most loved” best-sellers, customer faves, and new and seasonal deliveries, to build your dream closet through all three trimesters.

Motherhood Rental

Shoppers can build out their closet by choosing a minimum of eight of their favorite styles, prioritizing their must-haves like the perfect dress for your baby shower. You can also place items on hold that you’ll want later on down the line. You will find everything you’ll need from comfy work-from-home outfits to special occasion outfits to graphic tees and leggings. Some members have 50+ items at a time on their rack!

Motherhood Rental

With every order, you’ll receive three items to mix into your wardrobe, and you have the option to purchase them using exclusive member deals or return them via the included pre-paid bag to swap out for newer styles. You can swap out your items as many times as you’d like to keep your wardrobe fresh and accommodate your growing baby bump. Update your rack anytime with new deliveries and seasonal items. 

Motherhood Rental

Every item goes through a thorough cleaning process that includes both wet and dry cleaning. Additionally, all garments also go through a high-heat steam tunnel that is at least 240º F. No dyes or perfumes are added during the cleaning process. After each garment is cleaned it is inspected three times in a state-of-the-art laundry facility before being shipped out. 

The program costs $69 per month, and there’s no long term commitment. You can cancel at any time or once you are out of maternity clothing.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Motherhood Rental

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Photo: Vrbo

After countless weeks at home, canceled plans, and postponed festivities, some families still want to salvage their summer vacation plans. And while the decision of where and when to travel again is unique to each family, there’s no doubt that they will prioritize safety and comfort on their next journey. To help families stay properly informed and empowered as they make travel plans, Vrbo is sharing the top questions we’ve heard the most from families:

1. Is it safe to travel this summer? And where can I go? There won’t be a moment when all travel is magically declared safe again. My comfort level for my family is driving to a lake house and staying with another family we know has also been social distancing. Another family might have a different set of standards, but all families should check the current situation at the destination before traveling. With COVID-19 cases continuing to fluctuate across the country, it will be hard to predict whether area attractions, restaurants or amusement parks will be open or closed. When booking your summer vacation, consider vacation homes that are a destination unto itself in case area attractions end up being unavailable. There are plenty of short term vacation homes that provide amenities that can entertain the whole family, like a pool, backyard fire pit, game room or home theater. 

2. What about flying versus driving, what’s safer? We’re seeing a jump in demand for Vrbo vacation homes within 500 miles of home, so it’s clear that most families feel more comfortable taking a road trip. It makes sense that driving in your own car to a private vacation home is the way to go in order to avoid crowds and practice social distancing. The beauty of domestic travel is that there are drivable destinations to explore no matter where you live. And a lot of those lake, mountain, or beach destinations don’t have resorts, but they do have entire homes available to rent. Everyone is looking for the silver lining these days, and for me, it’s discovering the lakes near where I live in Central Texas, that I confess I passed over in the past for places a lot farther away.      

3. What about the vacation rental versus hotel debate—which is cleaner or safer? Everyone expects anywhere they stay to be clean and safe. The best thing you can do is to review your accommodations’ cleaning guidelines. Both hotels and vacation homeowners have stepped up their cleaning protocols—brands like Vrbo have rolled out new cleanliness guidelines that advise homeowners to use enhanced cleaning and disinfecting methods, have antibacterial soap and sanitizers available for guests, offer contact-free check-in and make their homes unavailable for a gap between stays. If the information isn’t clear on what’s been done to clean your accommodations, ask!

4. What happens if there is another flare-up of COVID-19 and I want to cancel my trip?  It’s all about knowing the cancellation policy. People renting vacation homes for the first time need to know cancellation policies can vary among homeowners. Some offer no refunds after booking, some offer refunds with a 30-day notice, and some offer refunds with a 14-day notice. Before you book, review the property’s cancellation policy to see what specific date you can cancel by penalty-free. When COVID-19 began, the vast majority of vacation homeowners and property managers made generous exceptions to their existing cancellation policies and offered refunds and credits to their guests because the pandemic was such an unprecedented situation. Now travelers know to expect the unexpected and they’re looking for properties with those more flexible cancellation policies. Vrbo is making the cancel-by dates very clear on the site and app.

5. Is it safe to return to amusement parks or major tourist attractions? Will that affect how families travel? We predict that travelers will want to take their next vacation to see and spend time with their loved ones who they’ve been missing. After weeks of sheltering in place, people want to reconnect with their extended families, grandparents, and close friends. Even though some theme parks are beginning to reopen, families may be hesitant to return to crowded, high-trafficked places right away. That’s why vacation rentals in mountain, lake, and beach destinations are appealing. Families can enjoy a change of scenery and spend much-deserved quality time together. Also, as COVID-19 rates ebb and flow, I’d rather know the amenities of the house I’ve chosen to rent are enough to entertain my family rather than choosing the destination based on area attractions.

A mom herself, Melanie Fish is Vrbo's travel expert who speaks on the fastest growing segment in the travel industry everyday. 

As the world adjust to the new normal, everyone is making changes to events that draw large crowds, especially theme parks. While many are starting their plans to reopen that include increased safety measures such as temperature checks and mandatory face masks, they are also evaluating events within the parks that could be a cause for concern.

This week, Disney announced that it would be canceling Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a fall event that lasts from August to Nov. 1. The spooky extravaganza offers trick or treating, characters in special garb, fireworks, parades and stage shows––all experiences that put park-goers in very close proximity to one another.

While there has been no official announcement, we assume the parks will still be decked out in Halloween decor, so guests can get in the spirit despite the ticketed event being cancelled. Since tickets to the event went on sale this February, more news is expected to be released about refunds.

In addition, the parks have made the decision to cancel Disney H2O Glow Nights. The special ticketed event at at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is finished for the remainder of 2020, and guests who have purchased tickets already will get refunds in the near future.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Disney Parks

 

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merci for Moms Photo Sweepstakes Official Rules

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

 

HOW TO ENTER: The Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) will run from 4/27/2020 at 12:00 a.m. PST to 5/10/2020 at 11:59 p.m. PST and will run on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Any entries received after the sweepstakes has closed will not be included in the Sweepstakes. In order to enter the sweepstakes, participants are required to do the following:

 

  • Post a photo of a mom moment you are thankful to have had to a public account on one of the following social platforms: Instagram, Twitter or Facebook AND Include #merciForMomsSweepstakes in the post

 

OR

 

Photographs and videos must be in digital format. Only online entries will be eligible. No print or film submissions will be accepted for entry into this Sweepstakes. Entries are limited to one entry per person per day. Any use of automated or programmed methods of effecting entry is prohibited.

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WINNER SELECTION:  Winner will be selected within 72 hours after the close of the Sweepstakes Period from among all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes. Winner will be determined at random by a Red Tricycle employee. Winner will be contacted via email from Red Tricycle. Winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected at random from among the remaining eligible entries. A list of winners may be requested at any time by contacting kenzie@tinybeans.go-vip.net. Red Tricycle and merci are not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive winner’s emailed information on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, email being inadvertently flagged as junk or other email form, or at any website or any combination thereof. Every reasonable attempt will be exhausted prior to prize forfeiture and a new winner being selected, including, but not limited to review of all sub-folders and accounts where emails may inadvertently be directed.

 

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After having to cancel their upcoming performances due to coronavirus concerns, the Metropolitan Opera announced it would stream encore presentations from the award-winning Live in HD series of cinema transmissions on the company website for the duration of the closure. This new offering will begin Mar. 16 with the 2010 HD performance of Bizet’s Carmen Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and starring Elīna Garanča in the title role and Roberto Alagna as Don José.

Auditorium chairs

All “Nightly Met Opera Streams” will begin at 7:30pm EDT and will remain available via the homepage for 20 hours. The homepage link will open the performance on the Met Opera on Demand streaming service. The performance will also be viewable on all Met Opera on Demand apps.

“We’d like to provide some grand opera solace to opera lovers in these extraordinarily difficult times,” said Met General Manager Peter Gelb. “Every night, we’ll be offering a different complete operatic gem from our collection of HD presentations from the past 14 years.”

Monday, March 16 – Bizet’s Carmen

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, starring Elīna Garanča and Roberto Alagna. Transmitted live on January 16, 2010.

Tuesday, March 17 – Puccini’s La Bohème

Conducted by Nicola Luisotti, starring Angela Gheorghiu and Ramón Vargas. Transmitted live on April 5, 2008.

Wednesday, March 18 – Verdi’s Il Trovatore

Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Anna Netrebko, Dolora Zajick, Yonghoon Lee, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Transmitted live on October 3, 2015.

Thursday, March 19 – Verdi’s La Traviata

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, starring Diana Damrau, Juan Diego Flórez, and Quinn Kelsey. Transmitted live on December 15, 2018.

Friday, March 20 – Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment

Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez. Transmitted live on April 26, 2008.

Saturday, March 21 – Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor

Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczała, and Mariusz Kwiecien. Transmitted live on February 7, 2009.

Sunday, March 22 – Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin

Conducted by Valery Gergiev, starring Renée Fleming, Ramón Vargas, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Transmitted live on February 24, 2007.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Pixabay via Pexels

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