However, not every event has to lead to an empty wallet.  If you are clever, you can make sure your kids have fun, while keeping your savings from running dry.

First, instead of doing play dates at expensive kid-related stores or venues, get some mom’s together and alternate houses for play dates.  Ask other mom’s to bring snacks, if you develop the entertainment to keep the little one’s entertained for an afternoon.  You will find that kids are pretty much happy wherever they are, as long as there are friends and toys a plenty.

Next, skip the convenience stores and head straight to the grocery store.  Don’t drag kids into convenience stores with the idea that you are only going to pick up one item.  Instead, be thorough in your planning and list making, if you need to shop make sure you are not running in for one item, those are the times your kids is going to think they have a free reign in the candy aisle.

Finally, arrange a “toy swap.”  Depending on the age of your kids, get together with other mom’s and their children to trade toys.  It can be made into a fun event where your kid feels as if a giant toy chest was just dropped into their lap.  Plus, it gives moms the ability to get together and save some money in the process.

• Pack a portable high chair:  Not everywhere you go is going to have a high chair for you to use. 
  Whether it is in an airport cafe or at grandma’s house, keep this close by and enjoy your meal too.
• A new toy or toys for the trip:  Nothing can hold a child’s attention the way a new toy can.  Therefore, get a few new toys that are easy to pack and travel with for the car, the train, the bus, or the plane.  Possibly gear the toys towards the theme of the vacation for added excitement and adventure.
• Invest in a stroller that has a removable car seat:  This will mean you have much less to pack.  When you have one of these strollers you can effortless transition between being active and jumping in the car.
• A variety of books:  Sometimes the toys get old and you need to pass the time easily.  Pack a variety of books, if you don’t have a lot of books, go to your local library and check out some for the trip. 
• An ample amount of medicine:  You know how fast your kid can go from being healthy to sick, therefore, why should vacation be any different.  Prepare for the worst and pack the Benadryl, the Children’s Tylenol, and the Robitussin.  That way you won’t have to search for a pharmacy.  Furthermore, make sure prescriptions are filled or have refills when you leave town.  There’s nothing worse than trying to get in touch with a doctor when you are on vacation.

To start off with, a child’s knowledge of what money is and how it works should start when they are young, meaning the moment they start looking all googley-eyed over the toys at the local store is the moment you need to start making them understand that those toys are not free.

Money knowledge can be a hard subject to teach. The first thing that any parent needs to instill in their child is the recognition of what money is physically. Children need to be taught to identify each individual coin and paper bill. They need to learn how much each piece is worth and be able to identify specific characteristics related to money. Furthermore, when this is done successfully, children are also able to get a leg up on math studies.

The next lesson in teaching children about money should include them learning how to add up money in order to make a total. For instance, if there is an item that they want to purchase that costs $3.50, how do they get to that number? Teach them which coins and bills add up to the amount they are trying to get to.

When these skills and lessons are taught at an early age, you increase your child’s ability to be responsible with money and allow them greater awareness that nothing is ever free.

First, we all know that any active family creates a lot of dirty laundry.  It is best, in order to manage this effectively, to pick one day per week to do laundry.  It will allow you to get everything done at once and will allow you to focus on the task at hand.

Next, determine another day that is strictly for house cleaning.  On this day, only clean the house.  Don’t try to do yard work, ironing, or other activities.  Make it a game and get all family members to participate.

Another helpful tip is to sit down and plan a grocery list once a week and designate dinners for every day of the week.  Know what you are having on what day.  This will take stress out of the eternal question, “What’s for dinner?”

Finally, the night before school or work, lay out the clothes that you are wearing the next day and what your kids will be wearing to school.  When you do this, you will make your morning run easier and get out the door on time.

When you employ simple rules and practices into life around your house, you will be able to keep your family organized.

There are a few “road trip routes” that are very popular with families.  The first encompasses one of the most famous stretches of land in America, Route 66.  Called the “Main Street of America” Route 66 runs through eight states, all the way from Illinois to California and is littered with attractions that range from the ordinary to the quirky and extraordinary.

Next, head to the Northeast and find the beginning of Route 1, just outside of Portland, Maine.  Along this stretch of road you will find a variety of fabulous kid-friendly restaurants that serve everything from Lobster to chocolate delicacies, sure to be a win with any child (and adult).

If you are thinking about catching some rays and finding some warm weather, pick up I-10 outside of Tallahassee, Florida.  It is here that you will be able to explore some of the most famous swamps in the country; you will be able to visit zoos that house the famous manatee and take glass bottom boat rides, where you can see wildlife and local flora and fauna in their natural habitat.

Regardless of your interest, there is a road trip that won’t only entertain your children, but also help you stay within a budget and provide for some great family fun.  Pull out a map and truly recognize what the roads of America have to offer!

This is a common quandary that can be solved for the most part with a little advanced planning. The better you prepare your children for what’s to come, the more likely it is you will all have some fun on the road. These tips can help:

Take a shorter drive to get them used to the idea - If your baby, toddler or even older children have only driven around town, they will be in for a huge shock when they are restrained for hours on end for a long trip. To ease them into the idea, take a trial, shorter-term trip. This will help them get used to longer car rides and it can start clueing you into what you might need to help occupy their time. You don’t have to plan anything elaborate here. Visit a friend who lives a few hours away on a weekend or go see a nearby curiosity that you have been wanting to see for a day trip.

Show them on the map - If your children are old enough to understand a basic map, show them where you are going. Explain how long it will take. Point out landmarks on the map that will show them they are getting closer to the destination. When you are on the trip, point out those landmarks and remind them of what comes next.

Keep them busy - Be sure to pack toys, games and even books to occupy their time. Portable DVD players can also come in handy.

Resign yourself to some grumbling - While family road trips go off without a hitch on television, the real world just doesn’t operate that way. Prepare yourself for a little whining and have some tactics ready to cope.

While road trips can take some adjustment time for the kids, you can make it to your destination with your sanity intact. Just plan ahead, prepare the kids as best as possible and think on your feet to keep the atmosphere in the car pleasant. Not every minute will be a picnic, but you can ensure the ride is as enjoyable as possible.

If you are traveling with small children, however, it is a good idea to build in at least a little extra time to make pit stops. When you make sure there is breathing room in the schedule for stretching the legs, taking in some fresh air and making potty breaks, everyone will be better off for it.

While it might be tempting to keep on driving through if you do not need to stop personally, there are three signs that will tell you beyond a doubt it is time to stop for at least a little bit. They are:

The wiggles - While kids will be kids and they will squirm in their car seats on long trips, when the wiggles get out of control, it’s time to stop. Try to pick places where they can run off a little energy if at all possible. Parks, playgrounds and even fast-food restaurants that have children’s areas are all great for letting little ones burn off some steam.

The whines - If the kids have had it up to their ears with sitting and being good, the whining might start. While this could signal they are about to conk out for a nap, a change of scenery might be in order. If they do not start snoozing a few minutes after the whining starts and other distraction methods are not working, consider making a stop soon to let them stretch a bit.

Your own barometer - If you have had enough of being in the car, chances are you children hit that point quite a few miles ago.

Getting to your destination is a priority on family vacations, of course. Just remember the journey should be half the fun. Build in time for stops and so take advantage of them to ensure a smoother ride for everyone.

There are a few things you can do to ease the transitions from inside to out when you are on the road. To make sure everyone is snug and does not suffer too much from the extremes, try to:

• Set the heater at a reasonable temperature – You do not have to drive around with the heater blasting so hot the inside of your car feels like the tropics. Doing so might feel comfortable now, but it can make those transitions back into the outdoors really rough on you and the children. Plus, it can dry out little noses and generally make everyone miserable. Keep the heat on, but avoid blasting it.
• Take heavier jackets off in the car – If you and your little ones stay bundled up the entire ride, your coats might not provide the protection you would desire when you make your exits. Instead, take off the heavy wear and put it on before you exit the car. If you are too cold inside, consider lap blankets or lighter jackets instead.
• Keep a holding bag on hand for other gear – When you get back into the car after a rest stop, have a bag handy to hold onto hats, gloves, scarves and other gear. You do not need these in the car, but being able to find them before you get out is important.

Traveling during the winter can require a serious balancing act when it comes to staying warm and comfortable. Strike the right balance by treating a heated vehicle like an indoor environment.

So, what do you really need to pack for babies, toddlers and small children?

Beyond the obvious things like standard clothing, nightwear, any required feeding supplies and so on, be sure to bring:

• A blanket and pillow for the car – While these come in handy during the summer months, too, they will be especially appreciated during colder season travel.
• Tissues – Make sure to have tissues on hand in the car and in your suitcase. Cold weather turns little noses into little faucets.
• Hats and gloves – If you happen to be from a warmer climate traveling to the north for a vacation or holiday event, it is all too easy to overlook the importance of these items. You will want to have gloves or mittens for the entire family. Hats, too, are important for keeping everyone toasty warm.
• Sun gear – You and your children can actually get a sun burn when there is 10 feet of snow on the ground! If you intend upon playing outside, make sure you have sunblock along. Sunglasses can also come in handy to keep the glare from snow banks down to a minimum.
• A thermos or two – If your children are off formula, having a thermos full of hot chocolate or other favorite warm drink can really come in handy after mad dashes into the car from the cold. Keep an extra one on hand with coffee for you, too. Soup or broth can also be welcomed additions on a winter road trip.

Keeping your children happy, comfortable and warm on a winter road trip can make the experience that much more enjoyable for everyone. Plan ahead by making sure to pack the essentials that go beyond clothing and toys.

While it is nice to think Norman Rockwell moments will dominate a car trip, any seasoned parent will tell you this just is not the case. Of course, you and your children will have fun along the way. The reality, however, is that long car rides are rough on everyone. The kids will get tired and cranky, they will ask you “how much further” and they might even cry and act out if trapped in their seats for too long. Even the best behaved children can have a hard time of it on a long trip.

 If you want to keep your kids as happy as possible, minimize sibling rivalries and generally just keep the peace in the vehicle, there are plenty of tricks you can employ. One of the most effective involves rewarding youngsters along for the ride for good behavior. To increase your chances of rewards actually working, consider doing these things:

• Buy “prizes” before you leave home and put them in a goody bag. These can be small trinkets for little children, special snacks or other desirable items the kids would enjoy.
• Set the ground rules in advance. Tell the kids what you expect from them behavior wise and let them know they will earn rewards if they stick with the program.
• Be consistent with the rewards. If you said you would give your children a chance to dip into the goody bag if they are well behaved for an hour at a time, make sure to dole out the rewards every hour.
• Have an “end game” prize in mind. Dangle a carrot for the end of the trip in front of them.  If they are reasonably well behaved the entire ride, give them something special when you reach your destination.

Making sure the kids are well behaved and everyone has fun on a road trip takes a little work. If the kids do their part, show your appreciation and you just might enjoy more than a few “perfect family” moments.