Sunday Drive

I live about 12 miles from the Spanish border, and almost everyone I know goes across to fill up on petrol, not something I did before but now I am using my car more with my husband's new job it makes sense. So today me and girls took a little trek across the border and it is worth it. And in the petrol station there are more portuguese cars than spanish!! But the price difference is crazy, 20c minimum per litre so to fill up you save at least €10. But everytime it amazes me how many people do this, it is full of portuguese cars but that is alot of money being lost to the portuguese economy, if only they would lower the cost of petrol abit.

Stupid friday

I have just got back from a property vist out near Messines where I was following a handrawn map, (unfortunately for me,unlike the others I do not have a Tom-tom) ended up taking a wrong turn down a muddy track and couldnt get back up!! Had to be pulled out by a 4x4, very lucky for me they were there at the time or else, could have been much worse and with an 18mnth old in the back or at night, would not be good. Will be more careful next time in rural algarve.

www.totstotravel.co.uk
www.holidayhomerentalsite.com

A new step in family travel

Finally the travel industry is waking up to the lucrative young family market, personally I will take the break in Cyprus, a week of sleep and relaxation in the sun.

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/katy-holland-a-new-arrival-is-not-such-a-tie-wake-up-to-the-babycation-2219838.html

www.totstotravel.co.uk
If you fancy the break in Tuscany or any other child-friendly breaks

Five ways to a better life!

1. Get more sleep
2. Relax more doing the things you enjoy
3. Spend more time with people you care about
4. Eat better
5. Believe in the good things, worry less about the bad

Also worry less about money and people who are bad for you.

Life comes at you!

Hi All,

When I was younger, in my teenage years I knew what I wanted to do, I knew I would not do A'levels but something more vocational, of course I had my crazy dreams of being a film director etc but in reality, I knew I wanted to go to university and travel and work abroad, those were my dreams, nothing too spectacular, but I did them all. After that things went off track a bit, and life ended up in a place I never imagined but good anyway. But I have learnt that that is how life is and now I dont make plans anymore but more take things as they come and deal with them as best as we can and move through life with the resources with have at the time.

Sometimes life can be so hard and give such challenges that you feel will never end, but if you stay positive and strong and keep the faith that you will come through the other side you can.

Child rearing

When I had my first daughter, 5 years ago, I was quite a nervous mother, as most are. For the first 2 weeks she would not sleep at night and cried alot. It was very hard, although I had a fair amount of support and advice. But reading books and websites, I realise now that some of the 'advice' was terrorizing, I would read stories about children with 'sleep problems' and 'food issues' and so everytime my daughter would have a couple of bad nights or wouldnt eat much (for instance), it would have me panicking that she was developing some awful habit that would take months to turn around. I was so worried all the time if I was doing the right thing. And this is not abnormal for a first time mum, but my second child was much easier because I was calmer and realised not to panic at the first 'routine change' and they are both perfectly fine, sleep well, eat well etc. But some of that information can be detrimental, I think there must be another way to share information to new mums (without the horror stories).

www.totstotravel.co.uk
Take a relaxing family holiday! not a stressful one.

Child's play - what is too much?

Hi All,

My daughter,who has just turned 5 and is quite a timid child (sometimes) goes to a kindergarten as they call it here. It is a 'steiner' school but that is irrelavant, I think or maybe not. But regularly, I see or my daughter tells me of children pushing, some biting and saying some mean things etc. Now I know kids play rough at times, but when does it become too rough? Where should the educators draw the line?

I was talking of this with my husband who is 7 years older than me and portuguese, so an age gap and a different culture and we both said the same thing, when we were kids, we didnt play games where we would hit or push others, we would play chase or on playframes, with balls etc but not pushing and hitting games, is this the new play or an issue with the school or the parental guidance of the others? Im not saying Im perfect, far from it but I think this type of play on an almost daily basis is crossing the line.

I would really like to know what others think? What do you think?