If you’ve got kids then you’ll know that it can sometimes prove difficult to keep them entertained during weekends and holidays while also staying on budget. Better weather appears to be here so the number of low cost days out and activities available to you are likely to increase, such as heading out for a walk in the great outdoors. However, this is the UK so it’s always best to be ready for anything! Here are a few ideas that could provide memorable days out and help you to stay busy come rain or shine.

 Visit a museum

 An increasing number of museums across the country are now free to access and suitable for visitors of all ages. Many have also adopted a child friendly approach – such as hosting activity days and providing hands on exhibits – that will ensure even the most energetic of kids will enjoy their time there. Two great examples of this in Manchester alone include the Museum of Science and Industry and the National Football Museum, so why not find out what’s available near you? And if you do get lured in to the gift shop then make sure you use a credit card with a good rate to save unwanted bills further down the line.

 Cheap cinema deals

 If the weather outside does happen to be less than welcoming, then it can be tempting to stay indoors and watch the television. However, if you do want to venture out a number of cinemas offer special kids showings at an affordable price. Odeon, for example, show movies especially for little ones every Saturday and Sunday morning and most days during the school holidays. In the majority of locations tickets are just £2.50 each for adults and children. Cineworld also cater for juniors, showing a range of flicks at its venues across the country at the weekend for just £1. And if you want to keep the cost down even more then take in your own drinks and snacks rather than buying at the cinema.

 Look for special offers

 Many leading attractions from theme parks to aquariums have a number of money-saving offers available to those who book in advance, such as kids go free and two for the price of one. Cash savvy parents will probably not think twice about shopping around to find low rate credit cards and such like, so the same logic should be applied to days out. Check online if any vouchers are available before setting off to your location of choice.

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A baby is born in an impoverished village in Africa. Because this child is born into a poor family, her mother is malnourished and ill, causing her to be unhealthy before she is even born. The infant mortality rate in this situation can be high, but this baby manages to grow up and become a child. In the village where they live they have little access to clean drinking water and food, so she is chronically malnourished and at risk of water-borne diseases.

The chronic malnutrition that she suffers leaves her stunted and suffering from irreversible damage to her development. This limits her ability to learn and grow. It makes her tired and ill, unable to affect change and just struggling to survive.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 30% of primary school children are not enrolled in school so she has a good chance of becoming one of those 33 million children who miss out on an education. She doesn’t have the chance to go to school, earn a living or lift her family out of poverty. Her parents only made it through a few years of school and the most educated person in the village only has a high school education. At age 12, her parents die and she is left to care for her two siblings. She is married at age 14, becomes pregnant and soon… a baby is born in an impoverished village in Africa. The cycle continues.

Why is Poverty a Cycle and How Can We Break It?

A ‘cycle of poverty’ is defined as a set of factors in which poverty, once it begins, is very likely to continue unless there is some type of outside intervention. When a poor family or community is trapped in poverty for more than three generations, the community has no surviving ancestors who can pass along the social, cultural and intellectual advice to lift the family out of poverty. The family or community has very limited resources and experiences disadvantages as a result of their poverty, which in turn increases their poverty.

So how can we work towards breaking this cycle and improving the lives of these people for the better?

• Education – If a child is able to receive an education, they will learn valuable skills and knowledge that they can use to improve their communities, get jobs and help their families escape from the cycle of poverty.

• Health – Providing healthcare allows impoverished people to be treated for the diseases and conditions that are largely a result of their situation and are bringing them down and stopping them from being able to function.

• Water & Sanitation – Many poor villages and towns do not have access to clean drinking water, which leaves them vulnerable to many diseases. Clean and safe water is essential to a healthy and functioning community.

• Nutrition – Providing the community with healthy food and the means to farm and produce it themselves allows everyone to become fed and nourished, improving health.

Plan UK can’t do this without your help, so contact the charity today to find out more about how you can support our programs to break the cycle of poverty in Africa. Log on to www.plan-uk.org to learn more about child sponsorship in Africa.

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You may be on a tight budget, but you also owe it to yourself to have something nice occasionally. Following are some good, sensible ways you can treat yourself without breaking the bank.

Buy an Affordable New Car

Image via Flickr by gareth1953

You may think that buying a new car at a place like hoffmanlincoln.com is going to be expensive, but it can actually be very reasonable. First, you can investigate factory and dealer incentives that can shave down the price considerably. You can also make a larger down payment and lower your monthly payments by a considerable margin. When you take a few basic steps, getting a sensibly priced new car will save you a ton of money on maintenance and still be reasonably inexpensive every month.

Get an Auto-manicure

Some people love to get manicures and pedicures, but in some cases these are either impractical or too expensive. Even guys can enjoy having the hand massage that comes along with having nails and cuticles tended to. However, you can spare yourself some money (and the awkward feeling of emasculation) by
learning how to do them for yourself. All you have to do is check out a library book or look online for resources about reflexology, which is the study of how to massage using pressure points.

Use Coupons for Tasty Food

Coupons are often a fun way to shop for splurge items. First, you can use your coupons to buy the kinds of foods that you might not otherwise get to enjoy. Beyond that, you can use coupons to enjoy more of the foods you love. So instead of limiting your portions to a significant extent, you can indulge and
eat as much as you want.

Granted, you don’t have to become gluttonous just because you can. You can also use your coupons to keep an “emergency fund” for food and other essentials. Much like having a hefty amount in your savings account, there are few things in life more comfortable and confidence inspiring than having a few
weeks’ worth of food items that you’re in no immediate hurry to eat. You can even use your overage as a way to experiment with recipes that may or may not work out. If all else fails, you certainly won’t go hungry.

Look Into Rewards Programs

Rewards programs are a good way to live a richer style life. While some people think these programs barely offer anything of value, you often can get movie tickets, deep discounts on meals at great restaurants, event tickets, and even upgrades to all kinds of different venues. When you join a rewards
program, sometimes you get a few gifts just for joining. Often you’ll get something on your birthday and during holidays. From there, you can rack up points for making purchases that roll into more rewards. It can become an addictive little hobby.

You don’t have to go on a crazy spending spree to have a nice treat. If you’re trying to stay within a certain budget, you just need to be prudent and exercise some common sense.

Sources:

http://voices.yahoo.com/five-ways-treat-yourself-like-queen-budget-2699814.html?cat=46

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-live-large-small-budget-224000607–finance.html

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When children get sick, their whole world comes crashing down. If they are too young to tell their parents exactly what is wrong, then all the children can do is cry. Even when the child can talk, he may not know exactly how to express his discomfort. That is why parents need to be able to spot the symptoms of a sick child and know how to react immediately.

Fever: Baby is Hot to the Touch

Image via Flickr by LizMarie_AK

The more common symptoms of a fever in a child include loss of appetite, being warm to the touch and constant fatigue. If your child’s temperature is 103 degrees or higher, then call the doctor immediately.
Otherwise, restrict your child’s movements and try to give him a warm bath to help relieve the pain. You can give your child ibuprofen in doses recommended only by your doctor, but you should never give your child aspirin.

Newborn Eating Habits: Stick to a Feeding Schedule

The quickest way to tell that something is wrong with your newborn baby is if he starts to alter his eating habits. If he seems to sleep a lot more and eat a lot less, then something is bothering him. The first thing to do is take his temperature and check for a fever. If there is no fever, then try using a
formula that is designed to be more soothing to a child’s system. Call your doctor immediately and report the changes in eating habits so that he can run tests and determine the true nature of the problem.

A Drowsy Child: Overly Sleepiness Should be Monitored

Young children will often deny feeling ill so they can stay up and watch television or do whatever it is they enjoy doing. But, as a parent, you need to keep an eye out for signs that something is wrong. A drowsy child is normally a child that is not feeling perfectly healthy. If your child seems lethargic during the day, then you need to check his temperature and start to ask him how he is feeling. In most cases, it is a fever. But if his temperature is normal, then make an appointment to get him to the doctor immediately.

Ear Infections: A Child’s Worst Nightmare

Facilities like New Hope Fertility Center help make parents out of couples who could not have children on their own. The doctors at New Hope will mention the signs of ear infections in newborns because these types of conditions are common, and painful. In most cases, an inability to sleep and a fever will indicate that there could be problems with the ears. Some children will experience this problem as part of the advanced stages of a common cold. A warm cloth over the ears can help with the pain, but you should get your child to the doctor as soon as possible.

Being a parent can be hard work, especially when you have a sick child and you cannot figure out what the problem is. If you know what warning signs to look for, then you can help reduce the stress for your child and give detailed information to your pediatrician.

Resources:

http://www.life123.com/parenting/young-children/childhood-illness/warning-signs-of-a-high-fever.shtml

http://www.ehow.com/how_2311602_spot-signs-sickness-newborns.html

https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/child-sickness-%E2%80%93-danger-signals-english-version

http://www.childrenscolorado.org/wellness/at_home/

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Plan is a global charity which works with children in the world’s poorest countries in order to help them to build a better future. The charity is also one of the early pioneers of the sponsor a child scheme.

The charity believes that considerable attention must be paid to the early development of children involved in emergency situations. Plan has considerable experience in the area of early childhood care and development (ECCD) in emergencies and intends to raise awareness of just how critical this development is. Plan highlights that much greater investment from governments and other bodies is required in order to help facilitate this.

When emergencies and disasters strike, children can often be separated from their family. This subsequently means that children lose their support structure and often suffer abuse and neglect. Humanitarian crises can also often result in children being deprived of nutrition and health care and learning opportunities are often stunted.

The Hard Facts

The first eight years in the life of the child are undoubtedly the most critical in terms of cognitive and physical progression, as well as social and emotional progression. Are you aware that without sufficient nutrition in the first 1,000 days after conception – a child’s brain development and physical growth could be stunted? Subsequently, the affected child is then more likely to have a weak immune system. Low immunity can increase the chance of death from typically preventable illnesses, as well as the risk of the child having long-term psychological issues. These facts only serve to highlight why it is imperative that considerable attention is paid to the early developmental stages of children who are involved in emergency situations.

Plan aims to make its work with young children caught up in emergency scenarios more widespread. However, this of course requires valuable public support.

The charity places considerable emphasis on ensuring that children affected by emergencies are as fully supported as seemingly possible, so as to ensure that children still have a chance of being able to learn and develop. It is imperative that emergency situations do not have lifelong implications for those children affected.

Plan has recently unveiled two new publications focusing on helping support children affected by emergencies. It is hoped that this new material will raise awareness of the impact of disasters on children and how this can be limited.Investing in the youngest: Early childhood care and development in emergencies provides details of the impacts of disasters on children’s development. Early childhood care and development in emergencies: A programme guide is a practical introduction to the necessary activities and support.

To find out more information about Plan and to see how you can offer much needed support, by sponsoring a child, please visit http://www.plan-uk.org/sponsor-a-child/.

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Time flies so fast that my two boys are growing up. They are trying hard to make me laugh and cry hahaha and I guest that’s kids. They have a good times and bad times just like the adult ones. But I am happy for my kids they really grow fast and one day they will leave me and find their own way of living. I am hoping that they will be a good person and help one another and also to others.

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The Internet is undeniably a great and revolutionary invention. We have an almost unlimited information base at our fingertips. Information is freely and easily accessible and this is one of the internet’s best features.

Anyone can surf or roam the Internet freely but younger Internet users may find themselves stumbling upon or accessing dangerous or inappropriate material and be unsure of how to approach this safely.

It is important that parents teach their children about safe internet browsing. The Internet can have a very positive impact on a child’s life and can help them to learn and develop new skills but only if it is used in a safe and responsible manner.

Passwords

It is always a good idea to make sure that your child is keeping their password a secret. Many people will be accessing sites that require usernames and passwords and kids should be made aware of the dos and don’ts of passwords and usernames.

Make sure that they are aware that they should never reveal their password to anyone else. Recorded passwords should always be protected too. Sometimes people receive password requests via email and children using the internet should be told that must never reply to an email that requests their password or username.

Children should also never type their password on public computers that they do not have control over. Internet criminals can log into public computers and gain access to information that has been typed onto it so it’s important kids are aware of the risks.

Social networking

It is also a good idea to ensure that your kids use social networking sites in the correct way to make sure that they are safe. Make sure that your children abide to the age restrictions imposed by some social networking sites; after all they are there for a reason.

Make sure that your children never give out their full name whilst using social networking sites either and help them adjust their privacy settings so that sensitive information is kept safe.

Control access

Chances are your kids will be accessing the Internet from home so make sure you’re broadband service offers you the control you need. Many providers offer parental controls so you can block certain websites or restrict access at certain times of the day and Virgin Media fibre optic broadband is a great option.

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There is a saying that goes “charity begins at home”. Parents are the pillars of a family and it is therefore our duty to teach our children the qualities of charity. The world is in need of people that are kind and giving since there are many people suffering in the world. Teaching your child all about charity will make the world a better place. If people were taught the quality of charity from a tender age then many communities would be filled with respect and love for one another. Many countries have shown that they uphold the works of charity through the donations they make to struggling nations. Examples of struggling nations are those that face war, hunger and natural disasters among others.

Buy them a pet

If you want your child to gain the quality of charity then nurture it from a tender age. A pet is a good may to nature this quality. Pets such as dogs, bunnies or a fish need to be attended to in order for them to survive. The child will learn to love their pet as they feed, bath and clean its home environment. Let your children learn that it is important to ensure that the pet is happy and contented. As the child grows up they will always see it as important not to leave anyone in need. The child will find it joyful to help those that are suffering.

Let them see you giving

You have to back up your words with action. If you are telling your kids to be charitable then they need to see you in action. Children copy the behavior of their parents so use this aspect to teach them charity. Make sure that you never pass a needy person while you are with your child. Donate the things that you do not need or use to elderly and childrenhomes or other places of need.

Teach them to care for the environment

If there is an outdoor activity that features charity work let your kid come along with you. For example if there is a tree planting day allow your child to participate in the activity. As the child grows up they will learn that caring for the environment is important in creating a safer and cleaner place for others.

Let them join worthy cause activities

Involve your children in activities that raise funds for a worthy cost. There are many projects that you can come up with; you can even ask the school where the child is studying to join in. You can encourage the kids to sell cookies or candy to people so as to raise money for buying something for needy children. Tell them that they will be given a price if they raise a certain amount. The child learns that there is always a fulfilling reward, as small as it may be for doing a good deed.

Make the act of giving fun

Children love fun and if they see that helping other people is fun then they will want to associate themselves with it. During birthdays let them also give a small gift to all their friends. The present will depend on how much you want to spend. Let the child learn that there is more joy in giving than in receiving.

Some of famous charity organizations:

1.    Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBSSA) http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5962335/k.BE16/Home.htm is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States,
2.    Mater prize Home http://www.materprizehome.com.au. All funds raised from the Mater Prize Home Lottery go directly to supporting patient care and research at Mater hospitals and the Mater Medical Research Institute,
3.    Canines for Disabled Kids (CDK) http://www.caninesforkids.org is a relatively new charity, having begun only in 1998. This organization provides assistance dogs to children under age 12 who are autistic or have hearing or physical disabilities.

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No matter what part of this grand country you live in, there’s an affordable family vacation nearby that you’ve never even thought of. If you’re terrified of the rising gas prices and want to faint when you see the local theme parks’ admission fees, here are some family friendly trips they’ll leave everyone satisfied and keep your wallet intact.

Lakes & Beaches

Image via Flickr by cruiznbye

If you live within a few hours’ drive of the beach, this vacation doesn’t have to set you back half the kids’ college funds. For land bound families, nearby lakes and rivers offer many of the same opportunities. To make this an affordable vacation, book a vacation rental instead of a hotel. It’s cheaper to stay in most vacation rentals for a week than to put the family up in a hotel. Besides, all the family members have their own bedrooms.

Pack groceries or hit the grocery store once you check in and get settled. This saves money, but also means you don’t have to bathe and dress the kids every time someone gets hungry. Most vacation rentals include microwave ovens, so a few frozen dinners, snacks and drinks are all you need. Steer clear of the local money traps, such as amusement parks, miniature golf and clothing outlets. Let the water, beach and sun serve as entertainment.

Ranches & Farms

Image via Flickr by woodleywonderworks

Every age kid from toddlers to teenagers enjoys animals. Many ranches and farms are open to day trips and some even allow week-long adventures. Depending on what type of farm or ranch you visit, you and the kids will likely get the chance to care for animals like horses, pigs, chickens, cows and goats. Other farms allow you to pick vegetables or fruits. All these adventures are hands-on ways for kids to learn where food comes from.

Some farms double as bed and breakfasts, but others may require you to get your own lodging offsite. Vacation rentals are another good option here, but there are also many inexpensive hotels to choose from. Since you’ll spend most of your days on the farm, you won’t need much except a place to bathe and sleep.

State & National Parks

Image via Flickr by jmd41280

Our government’s parks are generally well-kept, and offer the most beautiful scenery around. Some have lodges or cabins to rent affordably, and most offer campgrounds for tents and RVs. Depending on the park you visit, the family can enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, sunbathing, staring at the stars and more. If you’re camping out, you can often rent equipment, which is cheaper than buying something you won’t use very often.

Caves

Image via Flickr by matthewvenn

The best thing about visiting a cave is it doesn’t matter what the weather is like. Caves aren’t just cheap vacation spots, they’re ideal trips when the weather is too cold or hot. Caves are a comfortable temperature year round, and most welcome children of any age. Since caves are tourist attractions, there is almost always affordable lodging nearby, and restaurants galore.

There are lots of travel opportunities for families traveling on a budget. You just have to be open to all the possibilities around you, not just the obvious choices.

References:

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/51-mini-family-vacations

http://www.familytravelnetwork.com/articles/10vacations-babies.asp

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Today I want to share a miracle that what I call it of something happened today.  I brought my son at the doctor’s office for a check up since he got a high fever for two days (103-104  degrees). I tried to give him a medicine and yesterday his a little better. Then last night he has a fever again but its only 100 degrees. He has something in his finger that give him a fever. The doctor said it was an infection since he has a tiny cut and he played anywhere in the house so he got a germs and it went inside his cut. Anyway, after we came home I ask one of our neighbors to help me out getting the medicine of my little boy.

We went to WalMart and get the prescription that the doctor prescribe but when we went there they told us that I we need to wait for 1 hour. Will, I shop a little for some stuff for the house and also our neighbor buy some her groceries. We went back to the pharmacy and the line was too long. She ask the consultant if how long it will take to the medicine to be ready and she said its now ready. Then I started to be in the line since its a long way I just waited. Well, I look at the time and wow its already 3 pm. My son will be in the bus for 3:30pm and if I am not there I do not know where I can find my son. There are still 3 people ahead of me and I say a little prayer that “Lord pls if I will be the one called to get the medicine then I can reach the time for my kid to arrive from school and guess what to my surprise the cash register called my name and wave at me. I am surprised because there are 3 people ahead of me in that long line. I am thankful to God for the answered prayer. But is that a miracle or coincidence? You decide…

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Choosing a new car is always something that needs careful consideration. When there are other people in the family, especially children, a new car becomes much less about what you want and more to do with what is needed for family life.

Yet, with modern family cars, you can often have the best of both worlds. As long as you understand some factors that may be required from a family perspective, you have a wide and open choice ahead of you.

Running Costs

First of all, bear in mind that a car is not just a one-time payment. As long as it’s on the roads, you’re going to face various additional costs. A new car often needs less in the way of repairs or maintenance, yet is still subject to tax and insurance.

However, the right choice of car can also cut down your petrol usage. Most family cars are arguably made to be reliable and fuel efficient, rather than a fuel consuming muscle car. In this regard, looking at how many miles to the galleon a car can do is worth looking into.

If you think how much driving a mother can do in a typical week, from dropping and picking the children at school Monday to Friday to the weekly shopping, it can be surprising how many miles get racked up. With the additional pressures occasional holidays or visiting family elsewhere, and the travel requirements become longer. The last thing any parent wants is to be constantly worried about petrol usage. Buying a fuel efficient vehicle will put many of these worries to bed.

How Much Can You Fit?

Likewise, you can also reduce any choice with simple maths. If you have a family of 5, for instance, a typical 4 seat car might not be advisable. This may have a fifth ‘seat’ in the middle, but these aren’t always practical. Getting a car with a dedicated extra seat would be much more advisable; it’s also something that will become greatly appreciated as children get older, bigger and in more need of space.

With this in mind, the right car choice should become a lot clearer. Whether it’s an estate or a smaller car, as long as you have enough seating to suit your needs, potentially factoring in for life’s unexpected surprises as well, then any car can be justified. Yet you should also consider boot requirements. More children mean more shopping and luggage and this all needs to be stored somewhere when traveling.

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