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?

A week!

Hi

This has been a bit of a strange week in my head. On monday I had my first visit for Tots, which was interesting and a good learning curve. Tuesday just disappeared to nowhere, wednesday was my daughter's 5th birthday. In her collegio on the children's birthday they invite the parents in, read a special story about an angel who travels to earth and comes as a baby - very sweet and have cake, but after that Sophie did not want us to leave, and we stayed too long and she got histerical and it all turned into a bit of a regretful nightmare, in between my 18month old who was with me at the school threw up, nothing serious but the repercusions lasted until today! So very unhappily, we took our 5 year old home again - not the day I had planned. Later that day I went to meet friend for coffee but Grace was not herself. She had not been eating or sleeping well but nothing was obviously wrong, then it occured to me it may be chickenpox as it had been going my daughters school and one of her friends had it this week, so that night she started developing some spots and had a temperature and I was convinced it was the 'pox'. Having googled it I knew that I would know fairly definatively by the morning. So the next morning, no chickenpox but instead a complete rash over her tummy and chest and big red blotches on her legs and face (so now what is this!) but she is fine in herself so by the afternoon we call the doctor who says it may be measles (WHAT?) so we make an appointment to go the doctor the next day, in the mean time keeping a close eye on her. But in 2 days we are supposed to be having a birthday party for Sophie, full of kids and babies(what to do?)
Anyway all was fine, the next morning the blotches had gone, the rash had moved to her back so no measles or chickenpox. Turned out it was just a virus so now we get ready for the party, panic over. Now I need a lie-in!! Good luck with that.

www.totstotravel.co.uk

Family friendly holidays

Hi

I have 2 young children, but unfortunately have not had a holiday in 2 years. But holidays with young children can be very stressful, being in a new place with new dangers which you are not aware of. Sometimes going away can be more stressful than being at home, so what's the point. This is something I have discussed with many of my friends with young children, but there is a solution. Tots to Travel,are a holiday company who specialise in family-friendly holidays particularly for young families, all properties they rent have been extensively vetted by their agents for suitability and safety, their feedback is great and they have industry awards as well. Im not going to hide anything, I am a tots mum in the Algarve but I think what they do is fantastic and I wouldnt work with them if I didnt believe what they were selling, which is a less-stressful family holiday (and much lighter lugguage). See for yourself

www.totstotravel.co.uk