10 Things I Look for When Choosing a Resort

Planning a vacation can seem like a daunting task because of the large number of resort options. You may wonder where you even start.

Here are 10 things I look for when choosing a resort:

APPEARANCE

Is the resort attractive and in good condition? Does it look family oriented or geared towards adults? What sets the resort apart from others I’ve looked at? Does it have areas we can walk around or spots where you can relax and hang out? How are the gardens and the lobby? Does it look like it needs major upgrades?

Beaches Resort

SPACE

I can’t stress it enough…my family likes our space! Especially when the girls were younger and had early bed times, we needed a place to unwind for a few hours without waking them up. I’ll never forget when, in Bermuda, my husband sat in the bathroom watching a movie on his iPad so he wouldn’t wake up the kids. A suite with a door to the bedroom is a great solution. That way, you can all sleep in the same room but not have to do it at the same time.

August 1, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

Tips for Going to Farmers Markets During COVID-19

My weekly trip to the farmers market is one of my favorite things about summer. There’s nothing like it…musicians playing in the background, farmers telling you when the vegetables you’re holding were picked, and hearing the young sons of the fisherman saying they helped catch the tuna we’ll be eating that night. A farmers market is a great place to bring kids/teens. Here are 10 Tips For Going to Farmers Markets:

HELP PLAN MENUS

Kids will be more likely to eat a meal if they had help planning it. Each week, give them a new item off the menu to plan. For example, each week they can plan the main dish, a side, and a dessert. Give them full rein on it and although you can offer suggestions, let them do most of the work. Whatever they plan, they will be responsible for helping cook.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Give each person in the family the task of choosing something your family has never tasted. Is there a type of cheese that looks interesting? Is there a veggie that looks odd? Have them ask the farmer for suggestions on how to cook it.

PRACTICE RESPONSIBILITY

Give your kids a job while at the market. Give everyone reusable bags and have them hold your purchases. Teach them how to choose ripe produce. Give them the task of paying.

July 25, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

10 Things Kids Gain from Sleepaway Camp

A few years ago, my friend Julie and I were miserable because our girls went to sleepaway camp for two weeks. We were missing our kiddos, obsessing about whether they were OK, and we started asking ourselves why we even send them. Is it really worth being away from them for such a long time? After feeling sorry for myself (and making a really big mojito) things started to come into perspective. The girls LOVE camp and they are lucky to be able to have this experience. So Julie, as we head into another summer of our girls being gone, let’s think about all the things they gain from sleepaway camp.

INDEPENDENCE

I can be a bit controlling at times (OK…my girls sometimes call me their ‘smother’) so camp gives them a chance to make some decisions on their own. They get to choose what activities they do during free time, when to write home (only once last year for my youngest…big sigh), and when to brush their teeth (I’m embarrassed to tell you how many times that actually happened!). Camp gives them the chance to make unexpected choices like when my older daughter chose to go on a long bike ride with a group of girls she didn’t know and ended up having a great time.

SOCIAL SKILLS

When you are placed in a cabin with 11 other girls, it is a crash course in social skills. You learn to be cooperative, respectful, and empathetic. This is a great chance to learn problem solving since there are bound to be disagreements.

July 18, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

Stone Zoo

The Stone Zoo is on 26 acres, so it is a small zoo that can easily be enjoyed in a few hours. Since the zoo is only about a half hour from Boston, it is the perfect day trip.

Our favorite animals at the Stone Zoo

There are so many incredible animals to see at the Stone Zoo in their many exhibits. Let me introduce you to some of our favorites:

My all-time favorites are the flamingos!!

June 27, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

25 Best Summer Reads for 2022

Tomorrow is the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!! Is there anything better than lying on a hammock by the lake or sitting with your toes in the sand at the beach? Actually yes…doing it with a book you can’t put down. Here are 25 of the best summer reads for 2022! Not all of them are new releases. Some are blasts from the past you might have missed.

Have a fabulous summer!

(Click on the title to get more information!)

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

BY: Alma Cuervo

(Yes, I’ve recommended it before…yes, it’s that good!)

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

The Upstairs Wife

By: Rachel Hawkins

June 20, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

De Palm Island, Aruba

De Palm Island

(Aruba)

De Palm Island is a wonderful place to escape to spend the day relaxing and playing in the sun. Swim, eat, drink, and enjoy a stunning little island.

Getting to the Island

If you have your own transportation, you can drive yourself to the ferry terminal. However, if you have no car, no worries…you can get picked up from your hotel by the De Palm bus and they’ll drive you over. Once you get to the terminal, jump on the small ferry and take a lovely 10-minute ride over to the island.

Check Out the Beach

We found a great spot in the first row of papillons and had an amazing view of the stunning beach area. Just look at this view! To warn you, a lot of the beach had rough coral at the entrance. We figured out that if you went in through the left side of the beach, there was no coral. I felt bad for people walking into the water and twisting their faces in pain. You may want to bring water shoes. The beach is smaller than I expected, but it was fine since people seem to spread out on the island.

Snorkel Time

This was our favorite activity we did n the island and we actually did it twice. They provide flippers and snorkels and everyone must wear a floatation device.

You enter the water off this dock.

As soon as you enter the water you start seeing fish.

The reef is not colorful, but it is still really pretty. There were so many different fish and many of them come right up to you.

We had such a great time! You may want to bring an underwater camera.

Adorable Flamingos

These adorable birds were so beautiful and we couldn’t get enough of them.

You could take turns going into the enclosure to take pictures with them but you can’t touch or feed them.

Look at how beautiful they are!

Slides

A set of cement steps (lots of them) bring you to a Body Drop Slide. I was in awe of my daughter as I watched the tube close around her, heard the countdown, and then watched the floor drop from under her as she slid down the steep slide. I didn’t do that one, but I loved the two twisting slides. They were especially fun when you’re racing each other down.

Kids’ Waterpark

Young kids looked like they were having a blast in the kids’ waterpark. It has water cannons, tipping water buckets, slides, and more.

Time to Eat

The island has two spots to eat…the grill and the buffet. The grill has items like burgers, French fries, and hot dogs.

There is also a buffet with salads, potato salad, coleslaw, fish, chicken, desserts, etc. All food on the island is all-you-can-eat! Look at the gorgeous view you have as you eat.

There is also a bar that has cocktails, beer, and soft drinks. Best part…it’s an open bar!

What Else Can You Do There?

For an extra cost, you can do Sea Treks, Snuba, hair braiding, massages, temporary tattoos, and premium seating.

How Long Can Your Stay on the Island?

It is open daily from 10:00- 5:00.

How Much Does it Cost?

Adults (13+) $119

Kids (4-12) $95

Kids under 4 are free

Tips for a Perfect Day

You can rent beach cabanas and private cabanas but you may want to do it in advance because there was none left when we got there.

They offer daily salsa lessons.

Banana boat rides are offered throughout the day.

Bring a change of clothes. There are outdoor showers to get all the sand and salt off your skin.

You need to bring your own towels.

Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats.

Click here for their website.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/depalmisland/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/depalmisland

June 6, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

May 2022 Product Roundup

Hello May! I’ve been anxiously waiting for you and have been enjoying being out in nice warm weather! This month we’re thinking ahead to all those amazing men in our lives and celebrating Father’s Day. Here are some amazing products that would be perfect gifts. Enjoy our May 2022 Product Roundup.

Sock Box

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM

Who doesn’t love a fabulous pair of socks? Sock Box allows you to have 1-2 awesome pairs of socks delivered right to your door. I love the element of surprise that comes with this subscription. Sock Box believes in giving their customers the best. All the manufacturers and brands they work with have high quality products that they stand behind.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

We were thrilled to be given a 3-month subscription. Our April box included:

East of Liberty

Richer Poorer

Our May box had:

Brooklyn Strong

Hitsu Socks

WHAT DOES IT COST?

May 31, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

10 Tips for Taking Kids to a Broadway Show

There’s no better place to watch theater than Broadway! Some people think it is an activity that’s only for adults, but I couldn’t disagree more! There are so many great family shows and kids will never forget their first one. However, family + Broadway = $$$ so you might want to plan ahead! Here are 10 tips for taking your kids to a Broadway show:

May 30, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

Marriott Aruba Ocean Club

Photo Credit: Marriott

Marriott Aruba Ocean Club

Our next stop on our mother/daughter Aruba trip was the beautiful Marriott Aruba Ocean Club. We chose to stay here because we wanted a little more space to stretch out after sharing a room for the first two nights. This hotel was more of a condo style, so we had a bit more privacy. We didn’t have far to walk since the hotel is right next door to the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, where we had spent our last two nights.

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT OUR STAY!

May 23, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino Review

Photo Credit: Marriott

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

After a long, cold winter (did I mention LONG?) my thirteen-year-old daughter and I couldn’t wait to get our toes in the sand. We were on our first solo mom/daughter trip outside of the US, and Aruba was the perfect destination for our stay. There are several Marriott hotels on the island and we couldn’t choose which to stay at so we decided to stay at two of them because they were right near each other.

Click here to read all about our stay.