News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Many family vacations include a stop or extended stay in Washington, D.C. As our nation's capital, it's a favorite summertime destination. The rich history is fun for adults, but can kids enjoy it, too?

"One spot we like is the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (at the North end on the D.C. map) located just off Military Road, NW. The park, with hiking trails, creeks and scenic views, has rangers on horseback, which delight kids. The Nature Center has a separate Discovery Room, with an array of items for youngsters to handle, a planetarium, and even stables nearby for horseback riders."

If you have kids of varying ages, consider sending one adult with each child to age-appropriate attractions. There's also a huge underground cafeteria between the East and West wings of the National Gallery - a great place to cool off and grab some ice cream. Source: Fodor's

Labels: summer, independence, vacation

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

No matter how much the world changes, some things always stay the same; like kids fighting in the car during a family vacation. Despite inventions like iPods and portable DVD players, vacations almost always include some family tension. But, some parenting experts say there are ways to reduce the tension and make the trip fun for everyone.

"The worst thing moms and dads can do is sit the kids down and talk about how awful the drive will be and then threaten them to behave. When [Carleton] Kendrick took long drives with his children, he tried to make the road a fun experience and to do 'goofy things we've never done before.'"

Play games, sing songs, and above all - take your time. Don't try to cram too much into one day. Instead, consider picking a closer destination so you can drive less and spend more time stopping and enjoying the scenery along the way.

Read more at BendBulletin.com.

Labels: driving, role_models, vacation

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments