Special Needs Blog Week in Review – April 8-14, 2012

The Special Needs Blog Week in Review is a great way to keep up with everything that has been posted on the blog in the past week. It gives you a brief description of each one, so you can quickly find something that you are interested in reading. What did you miss last week? The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on April 9, 2012. This week, I’d like to point out an episode of “Hold the Gluten” podcast, which is called “Help With Celiac Research”. The episode featured Dr. Daniel Leffler of Beth Israel Medical Center, who discusses a … Continue reading

Traveling For The Holidays

As the holidays get closer many people get prepared to travel to visit family for the holidays. As a single parent sometimes just getting everyone out the door on time in the morning is a challenge so traveling requires a bit of planning. First, if you are flying try to fly on less busy days and times. The flight will be much easier if your little one has some room to spread out. If you are going to be driving I always found it easier to plan most of my driving around nap times. It’s boring to sit in a … Continue reading

Mini Mickey: The Ultimate Disney World Travel Guide

Learn how to avoid the crowds This weekend my family and I engaged in an activity along with many others across the country: raiding the clearance sales at Borders. I’m devastated at the mega-bookstore’s demise, but that didn’t stop me from seeing what books I could obtain. Before I made a separate trip to the store with my mother, she gifted me with three books she’d bought there earlier in the day (thanks, Mom!) They’re all unofficial guides to Disney World. Between them the three contain myriad tips on taking a Disney vacation: how to find the best savings, how … Continue reading

Travel Tip: Know Before You Go

When I go through security checkpoints at the airport I am fully aware that I may not be reunited with my carry-on post pat down. Frankly, I am a bit surprised that I have fared as well as I have given that I am typically too busy trying to get my young child through the metal detectors and past wand-swinging TSA agents to keep an eye on our bags. Needless to say, my concern about losing my material possessions while flying only intensified after learning about the recent TSA employee-run robbery ring that was uncovered a few weeks ago. Am … Continue reading

More Family-Friendly Spring Break Vacation Hot Spots

There’s nothing like including your kids in your bucket list. I do it all the time. I have a list of places I want to travel to and explore before I die and I’d like to take my daughter with me to as many of them as possible. With spring break just around the corner, now is the time for us to start crossing items off the list, including visiting some of the world’s most family-friendly travel destinations: Washington, D.C.: Ideally, I would love to visit the tourist hot spot during the cherry blossom festival, but with so much to … Continue reading

Tech-Free Family Road Trip

Are we the only family on earth that doesn’t have a built-in DVD player in our vehicle? I almost asked that question out loud during a recent playgroup discussion about family road trips. Most of our friends have young children. Consequently, they tend to drive to their summer vacation destinations, rather than fly. This fact led to the DVD player conversation. Every single mom I spoke to swore that she would never leave the driveway if her vehicle weren’t equipped with a DVD player. Apparently, when traveling with kids, preservation of one’s sanity hinges on having an electronic device that … Continue reading

Thanksgiving Themed Family Getaways

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away; do you know where you’ll be gobbling up turkey this year? More importantly, what fun family activities do you have planned for the long holiday weekend besides stuffing your face? A few million Thanksgiving diners will be heading out to the streets of New York prior to chowing down on turkey and all the trimmings. The massive crowds are just part of the biggest Turkey Day event in the country—-Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. At 9 a.m. sharp on November 27th, more than 10,000 Macy employees and volunteers will gather at 77th and Central … Continue reading

More Vacation Packages for Overworked Moms

You’ve spent the entire summer schlepping kids from swim lessons to soccer practice, planning the family road trip and washing an endless amount of beach towels. Mom, you need a break! Fortunately, hotels across the country agree and many of them have designed special travel packages to help overworked females rest and rejuvenate so they can make it through the upcoming holiday season. Take a look: LOS ANGELES Omni Hotel is currently offering a “Housewives on Hiatus” special targeted to overworked and under appreciated females. The package includes a one-night stay in a deluxe room plus a gossip magazine and … Continue reading

Vacation Packages for Overworked Moms

Perhaps it’s because the new school is fast approaching and kids will be heading back to class after being home with mom all day or maybe hotel marketing people simple know that the words “slave labor” and “mother” are easily interchanged. Regardless of the reason, lodgings around the country are running some outstanding deals on travel packages that cater to women who need a break from their chaotic lives. Take a look: PALM SPRINGS The snazzy Parker Palm Springs is offering a great deal on a “Rest and Rejuvenate” package. It includes two nights in a king room, breakfast daily, … Continue reading

Family Travel: Something for Mom in Massachusetts

In my previous blog I encouraged moms to earmark sometime on their annual family vacations to indulge in one of their favorite activities—-be it shopping, horseback riding, getting pampered at a spa, etc. Easier said than done, I know. But, thanks to some creative marketing folks at hotels around the country, travel packages designed specifically for overworked moms are ripe for the picking right now. If you plan to be in Massachusetts sometime in the next few weeks consider taking advantage of these great deals: BOSTON The Boston Marriott is offering a “Baseball and Shopping” package for moms who want … Continue reading