New ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ PSA Presents An Alternative Positive Future for At Risk Young Boys

Posted on April 12, 2016

www.IamMBK.org Proud To Present 60 Spot YouTube

Here is something else I caught during this Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards: A new 60 second spot promoting an initiative started by the President of the United States called “I am My Brother’s Keeper“. It included flashes of bright, optimistic and hopeful looking young boys to the audio in the background of positive, impressive introductions for accomplishments, and recipients for esteemed awards and recognition.

It was moving and presented an alternative to the cycle of poverty, violence and death from inner city gang activity and other negative influences that are ever present for some children of color in many communities in the U.S. You could easily understand how opportunities and positive mentoring and influences could usher in a brighter, positive and different future for those same kids.

It’s the reason for the MBK initiative, first created in 2014 to bridge the opportunity gap for boys and young men of color, many whom are left behind and do not meet their full potential because of negative distractions in their communities.

www.IamMBK.org Proud To Present 30 Spot YouTube2

So far, the public-private partnership has led to over 200 Communities accepting the President’s My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge and plenty corporations and foundations to invest hundreds of millions of dollars toward independent projects and initiatives inspired by the goals of My Brother’s Keeper. The NBA ( National Basketball Association) teamed up with MENTOR to create inventive innovative new campaigns like their “Mentor In Real Life” initiative.

A task force created from the campaign has announced new policy initiatives, grant programs and federal guidance to clear pathways to success for children from cradle to college and career. Cool stuff.

Check out the spot here:

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5 Tax Credits for 2016 Parents Should Know

Posted on April 11, 2016

This year, we all got an extension for the deadline to file our taxes because the traditional date falls on the District of Columbia’s holiday, Emancipation Day which celebrates the end of slavery in DC. So instead of April 15, this year taxes are due on April 29, 2016!

So as you prepare to file and head off to the tax man last minute, here are 5 credits parents need to know about and should consider claiming this year.

1. Exemptions for dependents

You can claim your new baby as a dependent, which, for 2015, exempts $4,000 of your hard-earned money from taxation. For 2016, this number actually goes up to $4,050. This exemption is phased out at certain income levels. For 2015 taxes, the limit is $258,250 for single parents and $309,000 for married couples filing jointly. For 2016, the limits are $259,400 and $311,300, respectively. Similarly, you can’t claim an exemption if you’re subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax.

2. Child Tax Credit

Depending on your income, you may be able to claim a $1,000 tax credit every year until your child reaches age 17. Better yet, you can start claiming the credit the year your child is born, even if that doesn’t happen until December. In other words, if you had a baby on Dec. 31, 2015, you can still snag that $1,000 for 2015. Sweet!

Remember, unlike with deductions, credits lower your tax bill dollar for dollar. However, similar to exemptions for dependents, the child tax credit phases out at higher income levels, though you cannot even claim it until you’ve earned more than $75,000 if you’re single or $110,000 if you’re married and filing jointly. The credit has the ability to reduce your tax liability to zero, but it is not refundable, meaning, it cannot count towards a refund from the IRS! Booo!!

3. Earned Income Tax Credit

Don’t worry those of you in the low to moderate income bracket, the Earned Income Tax Credit makes you eligible for up to 3,359. However, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax benefit for those with with only one qualifying child. And the EITC is a fully refundable credit, which means that if it’s more than large enough to reduce your tax liability to zero, then you’ll receive any remaining credit money as a refund from the IRS.

Yippeee!

4. Child and Dependent Care Credit

Childcare costs increases each year and makes up the chunk of most family budgets. The Child and Dependent Care Credit lets you claim up to 35% of the cost of qualifying child care expenses (such as a day care center or summer camp) up to a maximum of $3,000 for one child under 13, or $6,000 for two or more children under 13. For example, if you have an infant in day care and pay $5,000 per year, you can claim up to $1,050 (35% of the $3,000 maximum) as a tax credit depending on your income.

Lower income people who earn less than $15,000 can qualify for the full 35%. That percentage falls by 1% for every additional $2,000 of income you earn until it reaches 20% for an income of $43,000 or more. You must have earned income to qualify for the credit, and if you’re married, you must file a joint tax return. Additionally, you must have paid a child care provider for the purpose of enabling you and your spouse to either work or look for work.

Unlike some other credits, this one doesn’t have an income limit, however families with Stay-At-Home moms who have a nanny caring for the kids can NOT take this credit. It is also refundable.

5. Adoption credit

If you adopted a kid last year, you can claim up $13,400 per child for qualified adoption expenses. This credit phases out, depending on the income at $201,010 which is a higher income phase out level compared to the income level for the child tax and child care credits. Though this credit was once refundable, that’s no longer the case . However, any credit in excess of your tax liability can be carried forward for up to five years.

Of course, keeping track of all these tax breaks could prove challenging when you’re juggling the dozens of daily tasks that come with raising children. But when you sit down to do your taxes this year, it pays to see whether you’re eligible for any of them, because any amount of money can go a long way toward diapers, school supplies, and the ever-growing list of supplies you’ll need to navigate the wild and crazy journey that is parenthood.

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You Need Date Night Ideas: We got 25 of Them for you!

Posted on April 9, 2016

Whether you are pregnant, have a new baby, or a vet parent, going out with your partner or spouse without the children (if you already have them) is essential to keep the spark in your relationship alive!

Here are 25 Date Night ideas of things to consider for a night soon with your sweetheart!

Go dancing at a night club
Get Dinner and a go to a movie at the cinema
Go shoot some pool and grab beer at a local watering hole and chill
Plan and go out for dinner with other couples
Go see an exhibit at the art gallery and grab lunch afterwards
Find a drive in or second run theater and catch an old movie on the big screen
Go Rollerskating or Iceskating (if its’ winter) at a rink
Go to the Driving or Shooting Range
See an outdoor concert on the lawn when a favorite act comes to town
Go Bike Riding (or Running, Jogging or Kayaking or whatever active sport you both enjoy)
Check out a local jazz club and sip wine while enjoying the performance
Test our your own vocal skills and go to Karaoke night
Go Bowling
Go on a road trip to a nearby town, book a room and stay overnight (if you have a sitter for that long of course)
Check out a Comedy Show, Order the 2 drink minium
Go Miniature golfing
Go Go-Kart racing
Check out a professional sports game like Baseball, Basketball, Hockey or Soccer
Have a picnic in the living room after the kids are asleep
Go for a walk on a beach
Have a movie night in the basement and pop your own popcorn
Use a Living Social or Groupon deal for a cooking class or rock climbing or something else you wouldn’t ordinarily do unless you got it at a really good price
Go RockClimbing in an inside rock climbing center
Go for drinks at a lounge and chill
Find one of the highest elevation points in the city, get out a blanket and star gaze

There you have it! Plenty of ideas to get you thinking! Enjoy!

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Names You Give Your Baby if You Want Her to be a Musical Greatness

Posted on April 8, 2016

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Laura Woods

From Dizzy Gillespie’s expertise with the trumpet to Dick Van Dyke’s memorable performance on Mary Poppins, music pervades every corner of our culture.

Using data from MusicBrainz, MooseRoots identified the names that, up to the present, are most common among musicians relative to the general population.

While a name is by no means a predictor of musical success, patterns certainly exist among artists leading up to today.

To do this, MooseRoots analyzed the names of 249,549 male and 65,442 female musicians to find the top names of each gender. After comparing the frequency of the top musician names with the frequency of those names in the general population during 2014, we compiled a list of names more likely to appear among musicians, and ranked the list from lowest to highest frequency relative to the general population.

Note: All values are rounded to the nearest tenth.

Download MooseRoots’ app on the Google Play Store for information on thousands of baby names.

Mary

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 3.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 5,598.7

Babies per 1 Million: 1,346.9

Held by Mary J. Blige, Mary ranked No. 120 among baby girls in 2014.

Maria

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 3.5

Musicians per 1 Million: 6,384.4

Babies per 1 Million: 1,413.4

The Latin version of Mary — shared by the late singer Maria Callas — ranked No. 115 among female newborns in 2014.

Amanda

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 3.9

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,652

Babies per 1 Million: 537.5

Meaning “lovable” and “to love,” and held by Dresden Dolls singer Amanda Palmer, the name ranked No. 314 among girls in 2014.

Jane

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 5.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 3,241.3

Babies per 1 Million: 525.1

Shared by actress and singer Jane Powell, the feminine form of John ranked No. 322 in 2014.

Julie

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 6.1

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,848.4

Babies per 1 Million: 400.3

The French form of Julia only ranked No. 409 among baby girls in 2014, but it is shared by the legendary Julie Andrews.

Helen

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 7.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 3,339.6

Babies per 1 Million: 408

Defined as “Greek,” “ray,” and “sun,” the name held by singer Helen Vita ranked No. 404 among female newborns in 2014.

Laura

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 7.3

Musicians per 1 Million: 4,420

Babies per 1 Million: 535.5

Laura, a name meaning “laurel,” is held by Broadway star Laura Benanti and ranked No. 318 among baby girls in 2014.

Karen

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 8.7

Musicians per 1 Million: 3,143.1

Babies per 1 Million: 325

Shared by the late Karen Carpenter, the name ranked No. 492 among girls in 2014.

Christine

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 9.3

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,160.9

Babies per 1 Million: 210

Shared by former Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, the French form of Christina ranked No. 689 among female babies in 2014.

Mara

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 10.3

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,357.3

Babies per 1 Million: 208.4

Held by singer Mara Carlyle, Mara ranked No. 695 among newborn girls in 2014.

Marie

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 11.7

Musicians per 1 Million: 3,437.8

Babies per 1 Million: 269.8

Marie, the French version of Maria, ranked No. 579 among baby girls in 2014, and is held by a number of luminaries, including singer Marie Osmond and the Australian operatic soprano Marie Collier.

Sandra

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 12.1

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,357.3

Babies per 1 Million: 179.5

Held by musicians like Sandra Chambers, the nickname for Alessandra ranked No. 800 among female newborns in 2014.

Linda

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 12.5

Musicians per 1 Million: 3,241.3

Babies per 1 Million: 240.4

The name meaning “pretty,” “soft,” and “tender,” is shared by Linda Ronstadt and ranked No. 615 among baby girls in 2014.

Sharon

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 12.6

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,160.9

Babies per 1 Million: 159.4

A Biblical name, Sharon ranked only No. 879 among female babies in 2014, even with the star power of singer Sharon Cheslow behind it.

Jenny

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 14.4

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,652

Babies per 1 Million: 172.3

A nickname for Jennifer and shared by singer Jenny Lewis, the name ranked No. 822 among baby girls in 2014.

Anne

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 14.8

Musicians per 1 Million: 4,518.2

Babies per 1 Million: 286.8

Anne, shared by music industry heavyweights like Anne Murray, was a unique choice for girls in 2014, ranking just No. 553.

Susan

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 15

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,652

Babies per 1 Million: 165.6

Susan, the vernacular form of Susanna and the name of singer Susan Boyle, ranked No. 851 for female newborns in 2014.

Ann

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 18.6

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,848.4

Babies per 1 Million: 145.5

Held by jazz singer Ann Richards, this alternate spelling of Anne earned the rank of 945 among baby girls in 2014.

Louise

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 21

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,259.1

Babies per 1 Million: 102.7

Shared by singers like Louise Griffiths, the feminine form of Louis ranked just No. 1,219 in 2014.

Betty

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 21

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,160.9

Babies per 1 Million: 98

Held by singer and actress Betty Buckley, the short form of Elizabeth ranked just No. 1,254 among female babies in 2014.

Rita

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 21.9

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,964.4

Babies per 1 Million: 85.6

Rita, a pet form of Margarita, is held by Rita Quintero, and ranked only No. 1,382 among girls born in 2014.

Anita

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 22.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,964.4

Babies per 1 Million: 84.6

Originally a nickname for Ana, the name Anita ranked only No. 1,390 among female newborns in 2014, but is held by jazz musician Anita Baker.

Lisa

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 27.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 5,402.2

Babies per 1 Million: 191.4

Lisa, a variant of Liza and held by Lisa Marie Presley, only ranked No. 750 among baby girls in 2014.

Barbara

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 34.7

Musicians per 1 Million: 5,795.1

Babies per 1 Million: 162.5

Derived from the Latin word meaning “foreign woman,” the name shared by Barbara Mandrell ranked No. 863 in 2014.

Kim

Gender: Female

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 71.8

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,553.8

Babies per 1 Million: 35.1

Held by reality star and singer Kim Zolciak, the short form of Kimberley ranking just No. 2,577 for newborn girls.

Greg

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 106.5

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,429.1

Babies per 1 Million: 13.3

Held by famous saxophonist Greg Banaszak, the name Greg ranked No. 3,805 in 2014.

Dave

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 121.8

Musicians per 1 Million: 4,653.9

Babies per 1 Million: 37.9

Held by famous jazz musician and trombonist Dave Panichi, the name Dave ranked No. 1,883 in 2014.

Friedrich

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 134.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,136

Babies per 1 Million: 8.4

Meaning “peace” and “power” and held by the composer Friedrich Cerha, Friedrich was a rather unique choice among male newborns in 2014, ranking just No. 5,280.

Dieter

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 134.7

Musicians per 1 Million: 732.9

Babies per 1 Million: 5.4

Although Dieter, a name meaning “army and people,” is shared by cabaret artist Dieter Hallervorden, it only ranked No. 7,132 among boys in 2014.

Philippe

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 138.4

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,575.7

Babies per 1 Million: 11.3

The name held by singer Philippe Katerine is very distinctive, earning the rank of No. 4,325 among male babies in 2014.

Art

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 141.9

Musicians per 1 Million: 842.8

Babies per 1 Million: 5.9

Though shared by legendary artist Art Garfunkel, the name defined as “bear and champion” ranked just No. 6,615 among boys in 2014.

Michel

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 148

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,832.2

Babies per 1 Million: 12.3

Uncommon for boys in the U.S., the name Michel — held by composer Michel Legrand — earned the rank of No. 4,059 among male newborns in 2014.

Stan

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 156

Musicians per 1 Million: 769.5

Babies per 1 Million: 4.9

Shared by saxophonist Stan Harrison, the name remains uncommon among male babies in 2014, ranking just No. 7,981.

Bill

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 160.4

Musicians per 1 Million: 3,664.5

Babies per 1 Million: 22.7

Held by singer Bill Hudson, the name ranked only No. 2,605 among baby boys in 2014.

Chuck

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 176.5

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,136

Babies per 1 Million: 6.4

Despite being held by the renowned artist Chuck Berry, the pet form of Charles was a distinctive choice for male newborns in 2014, ranking just No. 6,321.

Georges

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 182.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2

Babies per 1 Million: 4.4

Held by the late composer Georges Bizet, this unique name ranked No. 8,300 among boys in 2014.

Werner

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 205.7

Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2

Babies per 1 Million: 3.9

Defined as “army,” the name of famed jazz musician Werner Neumann was a very distinctive choice for boys born in 2014, ranking No. 9,512.

Rob

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 216.7

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,502.4

Babies per 1 Million: 6.9

Shared by rock stars like Rob Zombie, the short form of Robert is a rather unique choice as a given name, earning the rank of No. 6,195 among male newborns in 2014.

Ernst

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 266.6

Musicians per 1 Million: 952.8

Babies per 1 Million: 3.6

The name held by the late singer Ernst Busch, Ernst — derived from the German word meaning “serious business” and “fight to the death” — hasn’t been given to more than four baby boys in the U.S. since 2013.

Hermann

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 292.2

Musicians per 1 Million: 732.9

Babies per 1 Million: 2.5

Meaning “army” and “man,” and shared by multitalented musician Hermann van Veen, the name ranked No. 12,676 among male babies in 2014.

Phil

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 315.8

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,868.9

Babies per 1 Million: 5.9

The short form of Philip and held by iconic rocker Phil Collins, the name only ranked No. 6,912 among boys in 2014.

Rolf

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 321.5

Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2

Babies per 1 Million: 2.5

Rolf, meaning “fame and wolf,” ranked only No. 13,566 among male newborns in 2014, and is shared by musician Rolf Harris.

Pat

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 321.5

Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2

Babies per 1 Million: 2.5

Shared by singer Pat Boone, the nickname for Patrick ranked just No. 13,431 among baby boys in 2014.

Doug

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 338.7

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,209.3

Babies per 1 Million: 3.6

Though held by musicians like Doug Sahm, the name remains uncommon — no more than four baby boys have received the name since 2013.

Al

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 338.9

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,345.3

Babies per 1 Million: 6.9

Held by the late Al Jolson — an actor and singer — the name Al is used more as a nickname than a given name, ranking just No. 5,963 among male newborns in 2014.

Franz

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 440.1

Musicians per 1 Million: 2,381.9

Babies per 1 Million: 5.4

The German form of Francesco, the name held by composer Franz Waxman earned the rank of No. 7,160 among male newborns in 2014.

Georg

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 440.9

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,502.4

Babies per 1 Million: 3.4

Georg, a name held by musicians like Georg Ots, remains uncommon and ranked No. 9,924 in 2014.

Ed

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 487.6

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,465.8

Babies per 1 Million: 3

Ed, a nickname for Edward and shared by rapper Ed Skrein, is seldom used, and ranked No. 11,018 among baby boys in 2014.

Dick

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 711.8

Musicians per 1 Million: 1,722.3

Babies per 1 Million: 2.4

The name Dick, held by icons like Dick Van Dyke, ranked only No. 11,466 in 2014.

Bob

Gender: Male

Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 1,354.9

Musicians per 1 Million: 4,067.6

Babies per 1 Million: 3

Made famous by the great Bob Marley, the short form of Robert wasn’t commonly used as a given name for male babies in 2014, ranking just No. 10,796.

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Parenting

20 Solid Tips for Saving Money and Beating Long Lines at Disney World

Posted on April 6, 2016

An online friend recently asked for tips on Disney vacations and instead of retyping my thoughts from past blog posts, I’m sharing them here for her and you! There are 20 tips here from my personal experience and from researching what others have shared.

On Saving Money

Nearly every kid dreams of going to one of the Disney theme parks during their childhood years, but parents are usually a little more hesitant to book the trip because of the hefty price tag that accompanies it. If you are thinking about taking a trip to a Disney park and are looking to save money, check out the following ways to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on your trip. Keep in mind that Disney would like you to think that buying their packages is the best way to save money, but often you can save more by buying things separately.

Stay off the Disney campus. Surrounding hotels have lower pricing to entice travelers away from staying at Disney. Keep in mind that you will need to have a way to travel back and forth from Disney if you stay off campus.

Book your trip during the off season. Disney has many seasons ranging from “Value” to “Peak”. Unfortunately there isn’t a 3 month period that is considered to be the off season. Weekdays during the fall months are cheaper, and the period after Thanksgiving and before December 21st, when “Holiday Season” starts, is cheaper to book as well.

Book a hotel that includes breakfast. While breakfast is one of the least expensive meals to eat out, it can save you a surprising amount of money by eating at the hotel. Before heading back to your room, grab some extra fruit for a snack later in the day.

Bring along a soft sided cooler. You are allowed to bring in soft sided coolers to the park, and the ones that will fit in a backpack or are a backpack are ideal. This allows you to bring in both snacks and lunch. Plan to stop at a discount store or a grocery store to stock up on some food to take in for when family members start to get hungry.

Plan to eat your evening meal outside of the park. By dinner time you’ve spent the majority of the day at Disney and everyone is probably ready for a break. Take this opportunity to head back to your hotel and let everyone rest a bit and freshen up. Then, before going back to the park, stop and eat something.

Bring a refillable water bottle and flavored packets. There are water sources around the park that you can fill up a water bottle with, but it’s well water and doesn’t taste very good, so plan on bringing some flavored packets to sweeten up the water. Staying hydrated at the park is very important since you will be outside much of the time.

Check out local ticket hubs for discounted tickets. Disney wants you to think that you can’t buy tickets anywhere except through Disney and their affiliates, but this isn’t true. Keep your eyes open for ongoing deals. Sometimes you can make a donation to an Orlando hospital and the hospital will give you tickets to Disney for your family. Different programs like this pop up all year long so keep your eyes open for deals. Local ticket hubs can save you 5 to 10%, which may not seem like much, but once you do the math it starts to add up.

Join the Cirque club to receive 35% off of tickets. Joining the club is free and you must buy your tickets 30 days in advance to receive the discount. The discount is only offered for the Cirque de Soleil performances that are during the Tuesday through Saturday shows. Check the online club for applicable dates.

Go to Disney Quest for half price. If you’d like to check out Disney Quest (a virtual-reality theme park in downtown Disney) you can check for a manager’s special. Often if you go within 2 hours or less of closing you can save half off the ticket price. It would be something different to do and if you can go for half price it might be worth it. This discount isn’t always offered so check while you are there.

When renting a car don’t get stuck on size. If you plan on renting a car once you reach Disney make sure to check rental sites often, because specials do change. Rebooking your reservation could save you a bundle. Compact cars tend to rent out first so check the next size up; you can still end up saving because the rental companies may have a bunch of bigger cars they need to rent out and as such will give you a free upgrade.

On Beating Long lines

Go late in the evening. The benefits of going after 5pm are numerous. First, the sun has set so it is cooler. Second, by then the crowds have thinned. The last time I took my family to Disney World in Florida, we went to Space Mountain around 8pm and timed it the exact time the nightly Electric Parade was going on along Main Street. Most people skipped off to see that. Our wait was 15 minutes flat. We were in and out.

Use the “Fast Pass” option. Disney’s amusement parks actually have a system that lets you skip the line legally. It’s called Fast Pass. You go to your ride of choice and are given a pass with a specific later time stamped on it for you to return to the ride. Go grab a bite, go on a ride with no line or explore other sites and return at the time on the pass. You get to go straight to a special no-wait line – your reward for patience and using the system. Essentially, you just have time and schedule your visit right to get the benefit of this option.

Go early in the morning. The other alternative to going late is going very early when the parks first open. There are usually very few families that can get their kids up and out that early so then again, you will be faced with shorter lines. Also, for beating the heat purposes, since the temperature is usually hottest mid day, you can beat the glaring sun by starting your day super early.

Go during off peak times. March thru May and Early June, and hurricane season in October (for Disney World in Florida) are the times of the year when the crowds are less. Combine the other tricks with going during an off peak time of the year, and you’re almost guaranteeing a seamless ride process.

Go during the middle of the week. Many people who travel incorporate the weekend and choose Saturday or Sunday to fraternize the parks. That is when locals also are likely to also visit. If you are staying in the area for at least a week, go in the middle of the week to save lines and ensure fewer crowds.

Bonus from a commenter: Take advantage of the single rider option. You also get a chance to go through the line faster if you don’t mind riding in a car alone or with someone else you don’t know.

On Dealing with Small Kids

Pack small snacks: A lot of irritability from long strolls from attraction to attraction can be caused by slight hunger. Offer goldfish crackers, cereal, or another fave snack.
Opt for the umbrella stroller: A bulky stroller will be hard to maneuver in tight spaces. If you have one, bring a smaller umbrella stroller. Also, for rides when you have to park the stroller, it is easy to fold them up and put them aside than finding a space among a sea of strollers.
Take Plenty Breaks: Avoid the urge of wanting to get everything in. Keep your eye on the clock and the attraction map, but make sure you schedule in mini breaks too.
Put a cap or Hat and Sunscreen on baby. The sun can be unbearable and the heat would make a small child fussy. Make sure you keep them cool and hydrated and protect them from sunburn by applying plenty of sunscreen before and replenish the application mid-way through. Sweat lessens the effect of some sunscreen lotions.

I hope these tips are helpful! Good luck parents! Let me know if you use any of these tips and if they work out for you!

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Parenting

When to Let Your Child Use Social Media & Teen Screen Time Guidance (TIPS)

Posted on April 3, 2016

When is a good time to start letting your child use social media? What is the most effective way to curb a teen from using their mobile device for too long during the day? In this increasingly digital world we live in where children as young as 4 or 5, sometimes, own smart phones and know their way around an iPad app; and where everyone in the family may have their own device, parents now have a new set of challenges in reigning in all that screen time.

A little while ago, Emmy nominated series Larry King Now focused on the health and wellness of social media. During the show, Larry King welcomed a panel of social media experts and influencers including Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Nicholas Carr, to evaluate the good, the bad, and the ugly of the ever-expanding digital world.

I was most interested in the segments related to social media and mobile phone use by children. Clinical psychologist Dr. Jeff Nalin discusses the appropriate age for children to start using social media and provides tips for lessening use among children who already have access to smartphones and apps.

Watch the brief clip below about this topic and then watch the full episode on Ora.TV HERE!

I also highly recommend parents head over to CommonSense Media to find tons of tips, guides and information for parents (and educators) on helping their children navigate the digital world safely.

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This Spring, Re-Decorate your Family Room; We got Tips!

Posted on March 30, 2016

The family room is that place where everyone congregates to watch TV, play games, lounge and chill. It doesn’t have to be just functional. It can have style as well. The designers at Decor Aid offer great tips on how to decorate your family room so it is chic and practical.

They start by advising to get a super comfortable sofa.

“While comfort is key, you also want to look for a piece that’s tailored and holds its shape so that it doesn’t look disheveled every time you sit down,” Decor Aid’s recent blog states. “Look for features like a single seat cushion or a tight back. As for materials, look for comfortable, durable fabrics–like leather, velvet, wool, and linen–in forgiving shades.”

You can check out the rest of their wonderful tips HERE. In the meantime, get inspired! Check out some of my fave family rooms that I curated on our Home board on the Bellyitch Pinterest page:

The following 3, I found at Jane Lockhart‘s website.

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6 Ways to Conquer the ‘Go-To-Bed’ Battles with your Kid

Posted on March 30, 2016

Have a consistent bedtime routine. Have you ever noticed that a young child loves to read the same books over and over again? Children love repetition and love anticipating what comes next. The same is true with bedtime. Kids find comfort in consistent routines. When a solid bedtime routine is established, it builds feelings of comfort, safety and security in the child. Each evening, start your bedtime routine after dinner. Give your child a bath and follow it up with a quiet activity, like reading a book, together. When it’s time to put your child to bed, give him a hug and a kiss before tucking him in. The more consistent your bedtime routine is, the less pushback you’ll get from your child.
Set the mood of the room for sleep. Have you ever noticed that babies can be lulled to sleep by the sound of a vacuum cleaner? The white noise a vacuum creates is soothing and drowns out other sounds. Young children, especially babies, tend to sleep better with white noise in their midst. Whether it’s a fan or a white noise machine, having white background noise helps kids fall and stay asleep. Having the room dark and the temperature set between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit can also boost a child’s sleep quality and amount.
Establish healthy sleep habits. While it can be tempting to rock your baby to sleep, don’t. Instead, put your baby to sleep when she’s drowsy, eyelids heavy, but still awake. Doing so allows her to learn to fall asleep on her own. Many parents allow their older children to fall asleep watching television in bed. When kids watch television right before bed, they have a harder time falling and staying asleep. Helping your child establish healthy sleep habits will ensure he gets enough good, quality sleep.
Keep kids well rested during the day. Many parents stop allowing their children to nap because they believe that if they nap during the day, they won’t sleep at night. The reality is that overtired children are much harder to put to bed at night. Depriving your child of needed daytime sleep will typically make nighttime sleep worse, not better.
Avoid stimulating activities before bed. After work, some parents enjoy nothing more than roughhousing and wrestling with their children. When active playtime happens right before bed, children can get wound up and calming them down becomes problematic. For nighttime family fun, consider playing a quiet board game or reading a book.
Be sure that everyone is on the page. Whether it’s mom, dad or the nanny putting the children to bed, everyone should follow the same routine. If mom’s ready to sleep train the baby and dad keeps going in the room and picking the baby up, the baby gets mixed messages. Children put up less of a battle when the bedtime routine and expectations are kept consistent.

Good luck parents!

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Spring Break Activities: 193 Things for Your Kid to Do

Posted on March 29, 2016

It is Spring Break for a lot of children this week. If you are not traveling anywhere and the children will be spending a lot of their time indoors or near hoke, here is a list of 193 things they can do during the break:

create a chore chart
roller skate
play with playdough
have a jumping jacks contest
ride your bike
roller blade
play basketball
play board games
make a tent out of blankets
see how many times you can jump rope without tripping up
read books
make homemade play dough
write a letter to a relative
clean up your bedroom
practice your soccer skills
clean bathroom
do a craft project
make a self portrait
take a nature walk
paint a picture using oil sticks
watch a movie
make up a story and write it down
explore the backyard or neighborhood using binoculars
use magnifying glass
use microscope to check out the molecular properties of objects
go bird watching
write a play
find a play on line and act out scene from it
ask mom to give you a list of relatives to call and check up on
put on some music and dance
play card games
toss a ball outside
practice hitting a baseball with a bat
go on a hunt to find different kinds of rocks
collect leaves and make impressions out of them, then color the leaves
make a Frisbee out of old plastic lids and then toss them outside
play office with old telephones or an old phone
help a parent by dusting the house
brush the pet
write letters
read a magazine
play dress-up
play Cowboys
pick vegetables
play outside with the pet
build a fort in your rooms
build a fort in the backyard
do a jigsaw puzzle
read a chapter book
play educational games on the computer
listen to a story or book on tape
do school workbooks from past years you never go to finish
do a crossword puzzle
cook something with your mom
prepare lunch
surprise a neighbor with a good deed
have a tea party with your dolls
make up a lunch menu
take your pet for a walk
have a Teddy bear picnic
play with toy cars
play dolls
play house
collect bugs
plant a garden or a pot
collect seeds
look for four-leaf clovers
learn magic tricks
put on a magic show
plant a container garden
make sock puppets
put on a puppet show
make your Christmas list
decorate homemade wrapping papers
make homemade gift cards
make a crafty picture frame
make a pot holder
mall walk with your mom
sew buttons in designs on old shirts
run relay races
make bookmarks
take a nap
take a shower or bath
bathe a pet
feed the birds or squirrels
watch the clouds
organize a dresser drawer
clean under the bed
help parents empty out the dishwasher
vacuum under the couch cushions and keep any change found
write these ideas on pieces of paper and pick out one or two to do
practice musical instruments
perform a family concert
teach yourself to play musical instrument (recorder, harmonica, guitar)
fold laundry
sweep kitchen or bathroom floors
sweep front walkway
sweep or spray back patio
sweep or spray driveway
wash car
vacuum car
vacuum or dust window blinds
clean bathroom mirrors
go grocery shopping and help put items in the basket
clean inside of car windows
help clean the basement
help clean out the garage
play in the sandbox
wash your bike
work with clay
copy your favorite book illustration
design your own game
build with blocks or Legos
create a design box (copper wire, string, odds-and-ends of things destined for the garbage, pom-poms, thread, yarn, etc.)
plan a neighborhood or family Olympics
have a marble tournament
paint a picture with lemon juice on white paper and hang it in a sunny window and see what happens in a few days
finger paint with pudding
make dessert
make dinner
give your pet a party
paint the sidewalk with water
start a nature diary
have a read-a-thon with a friend or sibling
have a neighborhood bike wash
play flashlight tag
My kids made fun things with playdough today during Spring Break!
play Kick the Can
check out a science book and try some experiments
make up a story
arrange photo albums
find bugs and start a collection
do some stargazing
decorate bikes or wagons and have a neighborhood parade
play hide-and-seek
create a symphony with bottles and pans and rubber bands
read a story to a younger child
find shapes in the clouds
string dry noodles or O-shaped cereals into a necklace
glue noodles into a design on paper
play hopscotch
play jacks
make up a song
make a teepee out of blankets
write in your journal
find an ant colony and spill some food and watch what happens
play charades
make up a story by drawing pictures
draw a cartoon strip
make a map of your bedroom, house or neighborhood
call a friend
cut pictures from old magazines and write a story
make a collage using pictures cut from old magazines
do a secret service for a neighbor
plan a treasure hunt
make a treasure map
make up a “Bored List” of things to do
plan a special activity for your family
search your house for items made in other countries and then learn about those countries from the encyclopedia or online
plan an imaginary trip to the moon
plan an imaginary trip around the world, where would you want to go
write a science-fiction story
find a new pen pal
make up a play using old clothes as costumes
make up a game for practicing math facts
have a Spelling Bee
make up a game for practicing spelling
surprise an elderly neighbor or relative by weeding his/her garden
fingerpaint with shaving cream
collect sticks and mud and build a bird’s nest
write newspaper articles for a pretend newspaper
put together a family newsletter
write reviews of movies or plays or TV shows or concerts you see during the summer
bake a cake
bake a batch of cookies
decorate a shoe box to hold your summer treasures
make a hideout or clubhouse
make paper airplanes
have paper airplane races
learn origami
make an obstacle course in your backyard
make friendship bracelets for your friends
make a wind chime out of things headed for the garbage
paint your face
braid a doll’s hair
play freeze tag
make a sundial
make food sculptures (from pretzels, gumdrops, string licorice, raisins, cream cheese, peanuts, peanut butter, etc.) and then eat it
go to the planetareum
start a kid’s club
take a nap outside on your lawn
produce a talent show
memorize a poem
recite a memorized poem for your family

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