The Journal's Family & Parenting Guide

family&parenting JUNE 2015

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

The Journal

Swim Lessons

Learning to swim will help kids stay safe

Avoid the ‘Summer Slide’ Keep your children learning over the break

Sports Parenting

Youth athletics has many rewards

2

Summer 2015 • FAMILY FUN

Avoid the “summer slide”: Keep kids engaged during break Linda Farneth Keeping Kids academically engaged throughout the summer doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

School officials and community groups are always coming up with activities for children to continue to exercise their bodies and their minds.

“I encourage our high school students to stay engaged during the summer,” Colonial Beach High School Principal, Jennifer Grigsby said.

She suggests participating in, educational summer camps or programs to explore special areas of interest, athletic camps and programs.

Grigsby suggests stimulating students’ minds as well.

“Make reading a daily occurrence for at least 15 minutes,” she said. “Reading can occur in a number of ways. Reading the newspaper, magazines, graphic novels, books, and articles online are just a few ways to keep your child reading every day.”

Grigsby and other educators want to help students avoid the “summer slide.”

Summer Slide is doesn’t have anything to do with playground activities. Rather, it refers to knowledge gained during the school year that may be lost over the duration of summer break.

The National Summer Learning Association says many students lose about two months of gradelevel equivalency in math com-

putation skills over the summer.

Students tend to score lower on standardized tests after summer vacation than they do when the same tests are taken at the onset of summer.

Minds left to sit idle can haunt children when it’s time to return to the classroom. But parents who engage kids throughout the summer and reinforce educationally sound activities can prevent summer slide.

Meredith Stroud, a librarian with the Colonial Beach Public Schools, pointed out that many teachers send him summertime activity sheets said to help students retain what they have learned over the previous year.

Pre-K teachers send home a summer packet that includes materials to prepare for kindergarten.

The packet also includes a summer reading list and a sight word packet with activities and sentences.

Title I is a federal grant program designed to give educational. assistance to students living in areas of high poverty. Stroud said Title 1 students in Pre-K through Grade 5 received a back pack filled with a book, a journal with reading and math activities, a kite, and a craft kit.

Stroud said she sends home a summer reading list for all students and invites them to participate in the 2015 Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. Registration information is also available on the school web page.

“Students in the elementary

grades have an account with Reflex Math, an online program that allows students to practice their fact fluency.” Stroud said.

Primary students can review addition and subtraction while upper elementary students can practice their multiplication and division facts.

“Teachers felt that it made a big difference for them this year and encourage them to continue and use the account over the summer.”

Stroud said.

Here are some other suggestion for keeping kids engaged during the summer:

Fun For Everyone at Parks & Rec

• Make vacations educational.

Visit a locale kids have studied in class and explore its culture and traditions. Westmoreland County, King George County and Fredericksburg Virginia are all rich in history. Fredericksburg offers battlefields and downtown buildings from the revolutionary war. Westmoreland is the birthplace of presidents George Washington and James Monroe. King George offers Belle Grove plantation, Caledon State Park and the King George historical society.

Colonial Beach has one of the summer homes of Alexander Graham Bell, which is now a Bed and Breakfast. All these places can be researched on the internet before visiting. Children can exercise their research

skills by looking these places up, getting background information and directions. By letting kids be in charge of planning a day trip and ask them to be your tour guide they will get a chance to be the teacher and retain more information from the experience.

• Ask teachers for work packets.

Students can stay on top of their studies by doing some light schoolwork throughout the summer. This can reinforce lessons kids have already learned and keep their minds sharp.

• Purchase a journal. Encourage kids to write about their summer adventures in a journal.

Chances are their teachers will ask about summer vacations and may require an essay when students return to school.

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FAMILY FUN • Summer 2015

3

How to find more time for family Working parents tend to have hectic schedules, and those responsibilities often impede on the time moms and dads get to spend with their families. Many parents strive to make more time for their families, and doing so can prove a greater reward than any promotions or bonuses earned at the office.

For those parents whose efforts to achieve better work-life balances remain works in progress, the following are a few ways to free up more time for those people who matter the most to you.

• Stop working. Once you leave the office for the day, resist the temptation to pick up your smartphone and check your email or listen to your voicemail messages. Smartphones have made it easier than ever before to stay connected to the office. But many working professionals feel this convenience has a significant downside, making them feel as if they are working round-the-clock, even during moments that were initially earmarked as family time. Working parents who want to make the most of the time they have with their children should ignore their smartphones during dinner or the time they spend hanging out with their kids or helping them do their homework. You can always sneak a peek at your emails when the kids go to bed.

• Shake things up. If your list of responsibilities is truly taking time away from your family, don’t be afraid to shake up your routine. For example, instead of cooking dinner alone, involve the kids so you can get some extra time in with them. If you like to go on a nightly jog around the neighborhood, let the kids accompany you on their bicycles so you can still get your exercise without having to sacrifice time spent with your children.

• Propose changes at work. Work is one of the biggest consumers of parents’ time. Parents who feel their work schedules are inefficient or in need of some change should try to think of ways to approach those inefficiencies so they aren’t having such adverse effects on family time. Business travel was once a reality of life for many working professionals, but nowadays technology, such as video conference calls, can let working moms and dads stay closer to home without sacrificing their productivity. Before bringing any issues to your boss, think of realistic ways to institute change so you and your coworkers can get more time with your families without falling short of company goals.

• Move closer to the office. Though this might be a drastic change, moving closer to the office might free up more time for parents to spend with their families than any other potential change they can make.

According to data from the United States Census Bureau, more than 8 percent of workers have a commute to work of 60 minutes or more. The Census Bureau’s 2013 American Community Survey also found that nearly 24 percent of workers worked outside their county of residence, which no doubt contributed to the nearly 26-minute average commute time to work.

Parents who feel their commutes are greatly diminishing the time they get to spend with their families may want to consider moving closer to their offices so they spend less time sitting in traffic and more time with their families.

Many parents are determined to spend more time with their families, and those willing to make a few adjustments can find that goal is not as difficult as it seems.

Parents can invite youngsters to join them as they prepare meals in an attempt to increase family time.

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6/16/2015 2:01:35 PM

4

Summer 2015 • FAMILY FUN

Learning to swim vital for kids of all ages Phyllis Cook Swimming is an important skill for all to learn.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 14 years, and the fifth leading cause for people of all ages.

The King George Family YMCA offers swim lessons to anyone of any age and ability or disability year-round. According to aquatics director Vicki King, class sizes range from 1 to 5 per teacher.

“If we have more than five in a class, we will assign a second teacher. Small class sizes ensure a safer class, and more time with the instructor,” King said. “We focus on water safety, technique, and endurance. Our classes are arranged by age and skill level, so every student can work on mastering their level before learning new skills.”

The six-week sessions offer

45-minute lessons at a cost of $55 for YMCA members or $110 for non-members.

In addition to those year-round sessions offered for all, there are additional opportunities to improve swimming skills offered listed on the YMCA website, with more details provided, www.family-ymca.org/branches/ KingGeorge/KGOverview1.html or call (540) 775-9622 Also, the King George YMCA has also recently completed its second year of a program providing free swim lessons to all second grade students from each of the county’s three public schools during the school year.

King George YMCA executive director Elizabeth Taylor has described that second grade swim program as a “great partnership.”

She reported on the program to the School Board last fall and thanked the group for its partnership. “One of the reasons we chose this program is because we live be-

tween two rivers,” Taylor said.

Ken Novell, a long-time swim enthusiast, coach and international competitor, as well as a current member of the King George School

Board, is one of the organizers and lead volunteer instructors for the second grade swim program.

“Teaching swimming is an important part of an education,” No-

vell said. “The program is characterbuilding and it builds self esteem.

It’s quite an accomplishment for the kids. And they feel that.”

SUMMER DAY CAMP!

School is OUT! It’s time for fun, sunshine, friendships & tradition! YMCA Summer Day Camp is an actionpacked, full-day experience for children & teens! YMCA summer camp reveals a fascinating world of field trips, swimming, arts & crafts, games, sports and much more!

COST Members: $220/child per Session (2 weeks) $150/ child for 1-week of the session Participants: $270/child per Session (2 weeks) $200/child for 1-week of the session CAMP HOURS: 8:30-4:30 PM Extended Care: additional $40 per session per child; additional $20 per session for weekly rate per child; for children under age 13 EXTENDED CARE HOURS: Massad: 6:00 am - 8:30 am AND 4:30 -6 :30 pm

This unique teen camp is for pre-teens that have completed 5th – 7th grade. Extended care offered.

All the fun of summer camp, but geared towards teenagers 13-15 years of age. No extended care.

The YMCA offers Financial Assistance to anyone regardless of age, sex, race, religious affiliation or economic status. Please contact the Members Services Department at 540-371-9622 ext. 1063.

Session 2A: June 29th- July 3rd Session 2B: July 6th-10th Session 3A: July 13th -17th Session 3B: July 20th -24th Session 4A: July 27th- July 31st Session 4B: Aug. 3rd - 7th Session 5A: Aug. 10th-14th Session 5B: Aug. 17th-21st Session 6A: Aug. 24th- 28th

2 commercial 30-ft. slides Zero-depth beach entry w/ splash toys 25 x 25 meter pool 15-foot youth slide

All King George YMCA members have access to our water park and four indoor tennis courts 212 Butler Road Falmouth, VA 22405 Phone : 540-371-9622 Building Hours: Monday - Friday: 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday: 5 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sunday: Noon - 6 p.m.

Kindercamp is an exciting time for campers ages three to five that is filled with a variety of activities for children. Our activities provide a developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning environment that is implemented through the use of centers. In addition, the program is enriched with water play, sports, and movements.

FAMILY FUN • Summer 2015

5

Sports parenting can be challenging but rewarding Richard Leggitt Mothers and fathers of children who participate in youth and high school sports learn many valuable lessons, but more important is that the young athletes learn lessons that will last them a lifetime, according to parents of young people who have successfully completed in athletics.

“I believe it is important that parents realize the value of sports as a teacher of lifelong lessons,” said Washington & Lee High School Athletic Director Malcolm Lewis. “Athletics teaches preparation, commitment, teamwork and selflessness as well as what it takes to win and how to respond to a loss. Those are invaluable lessons.”

“Youth sports is a great way to get kids active,” said Elizabeth Taylor, the executive Director of the King George YMCA, which helps hundreds of young people participate in sports each year.

“Competition is a positive process where victory is kept in the right perspective. Learning to compete and be cooperative in a competitive world is essential.”

Sports parents agree that it is important to give children a gentle nudge toward athletics.

“All too often I hear parents say they are not going to urge their children to play sports, that if they want to get involved it is up

to them,” said Lewis, whose two sons competed in youth and high school sports. “But many kids will be hesitant or reluctant to take that first step into athletics on their own. Encouragement is good, this is your child and you are their parent. And, definitely don’t be the parent that allows your kids to opt out because you don’t want to drive them to practices and games.”

Making participation fun is the key to getting kids involved. One way to do that is for patents to do more than simply shuttle kids to practices and game.

“Make sure everyone is having fun,” Taylor said. “Get involved, be a coach, a practice assistant, bring healthy snacks, or do whatever the team needs. Encourage and use uplifting words about the entire team. As a parent, you are your child’s first role model. At the Y, everyone plays and that means everyone wins.”

Giving kids choices is also a key.

Let kids try multiple sports and pick the ones they enjoy most.

“It is important to be sure it is something the your child wants and not just something you want for them,” said Rich Baumgardner of Colonial Beach. “Trying multiple sports when they are young and letting them pick the one they like best is huge. If they find a sport they truly like, they will have fun and it will encourage them to work harder at it and make them

successful.”

Sports and other extracurricular activities also helps kids get and stay fit by avoiding too much time staring at a computer or television screen.

“We’ve had a family policy: Each child must do an extracurricular activity of their choice each season. No exceptions. No sitting around the house after school playing video games,” said Ruth Daiger of Westmoreland County, who with her husband Gary, has raised three athletic children.

“We would do everything possible to accommodate their selection but they must commit and attend every lesson, meeting, or practice and must finish the session or season. No quitting allowed. Even if that means sitting on the bench at five-years-old whining because they are too scared to play t-ball.

Eventually they will get up and join in.”

Getting involved with your kids in sports is a great way to build a stronger connection.

“Spending time with your child watching their sport is bonding time,” Baumgardner said.

“It gives you an awesome opportunity to spend more quality time with them. And, it lets you both enjoy watching athletes play their sport and so later you can discuss and enjoy the game with your child.”

Finally, Lewis said despite the

importance of parental involvement, it is essential to let your child be coached.

“This is one of the biggest mistakes we make as parents,” he said.

“Once your child is involved, encourage and assist but stay in the

background. Talk through any misunderstandings and never, never approach a coach in public when your are angry or upset. This almost always results in a scene no child should witness.”

How to be a good sports parent

Extracurricular and summer season sports leagues keep thousands of children occupied. Youth sports promote physical fitness and teamwork while helping children acquaint themselves with sportsmanship and camaraderie.

The Journal of Sports Medicine says three out of four American families with school-aged children have at least one child playing an organized sport. While many kids play just for recreation, others play competitively.

Sports are meant to be sources of enjoyment for children, but parental pressure and poor adult behavior on the sidelines can make kids reluctant to compete. Parents who behave poorly may inadvertently pass on bad habits to their children or cause kids to prematurely abandon their athletic pursuits. The following are a few tips for parents who want to encourage their kids’ passions for sports in positive ways.

• Show respect for coaches and officials. Parents should not act like they are the final authority on calls

or how team members should play.

Respect should always be shown to coaches and referees.

• Let your child have fun regardless of his or her performance. Too often parents get swept up in how their children are performing when the goal for young athletes should be to enjoy themselves. Resist the urge to focus on performance and focus instead of whether or not your child is having fun.

• Recognize college scholarships may not be in the cards. Although some children are destined for athletic greatness, many will not play sports after high school. Pressuring older children to improve their performance in the hopes of landing college scholarships can make the little time they do have to play their favorite sports less enjoyable.

• Take cues from the child.

Children are often great indicators of parental behavior at sporting events. Parents whose children seem unenthusiastic about mom and dad attending their sporting events may be trying to tell you

they don’t appreciate your behavior at the games.

• Provide constructive criticism.

Early coaching and practice with parents can give kids a leg up on the competition. But keep your advice constructive. Parents who become pushy or force constant practices can make sports unenjoyable.

• Place emphasis on fun and learning skills. Find out what the kids hope to accomplish by playing sports and help them to achieve those goals. Focus on being supportive rather than emphasizing winning, as doing so can help children view sports participation in a more positive light.

If children seem to have lost interest in sports, parents can ask why in an effort to make sports fun again or encourage other pursuits. Many sports now require year-round participation, which can cause burnout in some youngsters. Sometimes a brief break and some fine-tuning may be all that’s needed to rekindle a child’s passion for sports.

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6

Summer 2015 • FAMILY FUN

Weeknight activities the whole family can enjoy Many families have their own routines on weeknights. Kids may tackle their homework before dinner, and once everyone’s plate is clean, family members may spend time together or go their separate ways, spending time online with friends or watching their favorite television programs on the couch.

Parents who feel their weeknights don’t include enough family time are often on the hunt for more family-friendly activities the whole family can enjoy even if everyone has to go to work or school the next day. The following are a handful of family-friendly weeknight activities that can bring families closer together.

• Movie night: Family movie night is a tradition for many families, and parents who want to spend more time together as families may find that movie night is a great way to share a few laughs or even facilitate discussions about important topics broached in certain films. Each week let a different family member pick that week’s movie and ask him or her to explain his or her choice and why they think it’s a film the whole family will enjoy. Let the kids join you as you get the popcorn ready or make special treats to enjoy while the movie is playing.

• Family walk: Walking is a great way for parents to instill a love of physical activity in their children, and nightly walks also make great opportunities for families to leave their devices behind and discuss the goings-on in their lives. Weather permitting, take a family walk after dinner each

night, which can help make your family healthier and strengthen the bonds between family members.

• Writing activities: Another way families can escape their devices and resist the temptation of social media on weeknights is to get together for weekly writing

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sessions. Ask each family member to create brief lists on a range of topics, whether it’s a list of favorite books or countries each person wants to visit or a bucket list of things each family member wants to do at one point in their lives. Allow about 15 minutes for each person to write his or her

lists, and then discuss each person’s list, including the inspiration behind each item that made it onto the lists.

• Game night: Classic board games or games like checkers might not be as popular today as they were prior to the advent of the Internet, but that does not mean a night centered around such games does not still make for a very family-friendly evening.

Stock up on some classic board games and share the responsibility of choosing which game to play each week. Board games can take up to a few hours to play, and that’s a great opportunity for families to share some laughs without being interrupted by their devices.

• Crafts night: Arts and crafts night is another great way for families to spend time together.

Parents can choose age-appropriate projects that can help kids and adults alike tap into their creative sides. Solicit ideas when planning crafts night so everyone feels like they played their part.

Nights together as a family do not need to be limited to weekends. Parents willing to get a little creative can enjoy family-friendly evenings no matter what day it happens to be.

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9th Farm to Fork Dinner • Sat. July 25 • 4-8 pm

“Barbeque, Brews and the Southern Bred Band” Luscious Local Meats, Vegetables & Fruits Cooked by Local Chefs. Tickets are $40.00 in advance - $50.00 at the door.

(Call: 804-450-8182 or 804-450-2373 or 804-761-5952 for more information.)

Young Farmers Day • Sat. Aug. 8 • 10am-2pm

Day of Fun for Young People at the Museum, Plus Animals, Equipment, Museum Tours, Face Painting, Hayrides, Food ,Games, Bounce House And Much More!

Northern Neck Farm Museum

12705 Northumberland Hwy • Heathsville, Va. 22473

6

Summer 2015 • FAMILY FUN

Weeknight activities the whole family can enjoy Many families have their own routines on weeknights. Kids may tackle their homework before dinner, and once everyone’s plate is clean, family members may spend time together or go their separate ways, spending time online with friends or watching their favorite television programs on the couch.

Parents who feel their weeknights don’t include enough family time are often on the hunt for more family-friendly activities the whole family can enjoy even if everyone has to go to work or school the next day. The following are a handful of family-friendly weeknight activities that can bring families closer together.

• Movie night: Family movie night is a tradition for many families, and parents who want to spend more time together as families may find that movie night is a great way to share a few laughs or even facilitate discussions about important topics broached in certain films. Each week let a different family member pick that week’s movie and ask him or her to explain his or her choice and why they think it’s a film the whole family will enjoy. Let the kids join you as you get the popcorn ready or make special treats to enjoy while the movie is playing.

• Family walk: Walking is a great way for parents to instill a love of physical activity in their children, and nightly walks also make great opportunities for families to leave their devices behind and discuss the goings-on in their lives. Weather permitting, take a family walk after dinner each

night, which can help make your family healthier and strengthen the bonds between family members.

• Writing activities: Another way families can escape their devices and resist the temptation of social media on weeknights is to get together for weekly writing

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sessions. Ask each family member to create brief lists on a range of topics, whether it’s a list of favorite books or countries each person wants to visit or a bucket list of things each family member wants to do at one point in their lives. Allow about 15 minutes for each person to write his or her

lists, and then discuss each person’s list, including the inspiration behind each item that made it onto the lists.

• Game night: Classic board games or games like checkers might not be as popular today as they were prior to the advent of the Internet, but that does not mean a night centered around such games does not still make for a very family-friendly evening.

Stock up on some classic board games and share the responsibility of choosing which game to play each week. Board games can take up to a few hours to play, and that’s a great opportunity for families to share some laughs without being interrupted by their devices.

• Crafts night: Arts and crafts night is another great way for families to spend time together.

Parents can choose age-appropriate projects that can help kids and adults alike tap into their creative sides. Solicit ideas when planning crafts night so everyone feels like they played their part.

Nights together as a family do not need to be limited to weekends. Parents willing to get a little creative can enjoy family-friendly evenings no matter what day it happens to be.

2015 Summer Events Threshing Day • Sat. July 11 • 10 am - 4 pm.

See Us Thrash Wheat the Old-Fashioned Way with Antique Threshing and Antique Machinery Plus Hayrides, Barn Bounce House, Sawmill Demos, food and drinks

$2.00 14 and older children under 14 free. (rain date 7/18)

9th Farm to Fork Dinner • Sat. July 25 • 4-8 pm

“Barbeque, Brews and the Southern Bred Band” Luscious Local Meats, Vegetables & Fruits Cooked by Local Chefs. Tickets are $40.00 in advance - $50.00 at the door.

(Call: 804-450-8182 or 804-450-2373 or 804-761-5952 for more information.)

Young Farmers Day • Sat. Aug. 8 • 10am-2pm

Day of Fun for Young People at the Museum, Plus Animals, Equipment, Museum Tours, Face Painting, Hayrides, Food ,Games, Bounce House And Much More!

Northern Neck Farm Museum

12705 Northumberland Hwy • Heathsville, Va. 22473

FAMILY FUN • Summer 2015

7

Conquering the clutter: Cleanliness with kids is not impossible Famed comedienne Phyllis Diller once said, “Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.” Many parents realize that having children means their homes will be filled with a vast assortment of toys, clothing and other items that seemingly spend more time scattered across the family room floor than in children’s bedrooms.

Homes where young children lay their heads at night may not be as tidy as the photos lining home decorating magazine spreads. But while lived-in family homes may never be spotless, they do not have to be overrun with clutter, either.

It’s possible to find a happy balance with the right strategy and by investing in a few organizational products.

• Work one room at a time. Cleaning up cluttered homes can seem like a monumental effort when looking at clutter as a whole. But parents can do themselves a favor by choosing a starting point and tackling the project one room at a time. Find the room that needs the most work or a space where clutter causes the biggest headaches. Once you clean such rooms, you may discover extra motivation to move on to the others.

• Resist the urge to wander. One of the obstacles many people face when attempting to declutter a home is the tendency to remove an item from one room only to add it to the existing clutter in another room. For example, if a child’s toy is in the living room, you may walk that toy up to the bedroom and get involved in tidying up the bedroom, leaving the mess behind in the living room. When organizing a home, stay in a particular room until that room is clean.

Have designated bins or bags for items that need to be carried into another room, but only transfer such containers after a room has been cleaned.

• Cull twice a year. Children accumulate the greatest number of new toys on birthdays and holidays. Set a schedule to go through existing toys prior to these events and sort

out the broken, old or seldom-used items. Donate these toys to preschools, afterschool programs, family support centers, or babysitting centers at your office or gym. Whatever can’t be salvaged should be put into the trash or recycling bins.

• Invest in storage cubes and bins. Toys that are easily accessible and seen are easier to find and put away. Develop a storage system that works for your family.

Labeling bins with words (or pictures for children who can’t yet read) helps children identify where things belong.

Find a system that will have long-term functionality and grow with the family. Many stores sell storage bookcases that blend with home dŽcor.

• Tame the toys. Making too many items available at any given time can become overwhelming to children. Rotate toys rather than always buying new ones so that items will be fresh and interesting. Toys out of the rotation can be stored in a basement or attic.

Belongings that are not requested or missed can be given away. Another idea is to create wishlists for birthdays and holidays. This way friends and relatives only buy what kids want, rather than an array of toys that may just end up taking up space.

• Get items off of the floor. Any organizational system that can move items vertically is beneficial. Children will become accustomed to hanging things up rather than leaving belongings on the floor. Hooks, hangers and shelving mounted on walls, will free up precious floor space.

• Choose furniture that serves double duty. Beds with drawers underneath or a toy chest that doubles as a bench

can work well in spaces that need some clutter control.

• Establish a school memory box. Parents can give each of their children a plastic bin where they can store memorable items from school. Not every assignment or drawing sent home needs to be kept. Reserve the memory box for those special things that have the most meaning.

Kids and clutter often go hand in hand. However, there are ways to keep the mess under control.

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$30 OFF 1st Cleaning $20 OFF 3rd Cleaning Promo Code: JOURFAM0615

Expires 10/15/15 Call: 540.492.4131 Valid for new customers scheduling regular service.

Some restrictions apply. Please call for details.

Kitchen, Bath, & Home Improvements...We Do It All, and We Do It Right!!

540-775-4211 • www.Potomackitchenandbathdesigns.com 11399 Ridge Rd., King George

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Summer 2015 • FAMILY FUN

How families can cut vacation cost Family vacations are the one time each year when all members of the family get to leave the daily grind behind to enjoy a little R&R together. Such excursions often strengthen family bonds and help to create lasting memories that parents and kids will cherish for years to come.

Families planning this summer’s annual getaway may already know that the cost of travel is on the rise. While there are always deals to be had, budget-conscious parents may still find themselves looking for ways to cut their travel costs so more of their money can be spent on having fun instead of financing trips. The following are a handful of ways parents can trim their families’ travel costs without sacrificing the quality of their vacations.

• Stay closer to home. It may sound simple, but vacationing closer to home is perhaps the best way for families to save a substantial amount of money on their vacations. Airline tickets can take up a sizable portion of a family vacation budget, and once the plane touches down families may need to add the additional expense of rental cars so they can get around their destination and enjoy all its sights and sounds. But families who choose to vacation closer to home can take their own vehicles, paying only for gas instead of airline tickets, car rentals (including rental insurance) and gas. Find a location close to home that still offers everyone an escape, but one that’s not far enough away that car travel will prove burdensome and exhausting.

• Plan to make some of your own meals. Dining out is another

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considerable expense for families on vacation. Depending on the size of their families, parents may find that their dining budgets will approach or even exceed the cost of air travel by the end of a single week. But parents can drastically reduce those costs by planning to make some their own meals while away on vacation. Bring along a couple of cereal boxes so breakfast is simple and inexpensive, and try to book accommodations equipped with kitchens or outdoor areas where the family can fire up a grill a few times during the week to save on costly dinner tabs.

• Travel light. Families who must travel by air can trim some of the cost of flying by traveling light.

Many airlines now charge fees for bags that exceed preestablished weight limits and may charge for additional baggage as well. Leave hefty jackets and extra footwear behind when traveling during the warmer months, as everyone can likely get by with just some lighter summer attire and less formal footwear. If traveling to a ski

resort in the winter, consider renting bulky skiing attire, including boots, so baggage limits are not exceeded.

• Work with a travel agency that specializes in your locale.

Many families may feel they can now plan their own vacations and save money, but planning through a travel agency may still be a family’s best bet. When booking trips via a travel agency, families can often negotiate with a representative, who can work to tailor a vacation that fits families’ budgets.

Such negotiation is much more difficult when going it alone or working through a travel website.

In addition, many travel agencies include tours and other attractions in the price of their packages, and that can be a great way to earn discounts to local sights and activities.

Travel is expensive, especially for parents traveling with kids in tow. But cost-conscious moms and dads can still plan relaxing and enjoyable vacations without breaking the bank.

Located in the “Old Jail” on the east end of the King George County Courthouse on Kings Highway, the museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or by appointment by calling 540-775-9477 or e-mailing kghistory@verizon.net.

ADMISSION: Free

Jack’s Polar Bear Hershey’s Ice Cream Soft Serve Ice Cream Fish the Potomac River, Virginia and Maryland portions of the Bay. Enjoy a day of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay aboard the Midnight Sun

Open Daily: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

We provide rods, reels, all bait and tackle, ice, licenses, everything and anything you need for fishing!

Special rates available for children. We cater to advanced anglers, as well as first-timers regardless of their skill level!

Clean & comfortable, we do the work, while you do the fishing.

We also clean and filet your catch.

(804) 580-0245 • www.fishmidnightsun.com Reedville, Virginia

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