By: Maria Smith Like millions of American families this summer, we are headed down to Florida this month.  Specifically we will be in Orlando.  We will spend some time at Walt Disney World but since our kids are too little to spend many days at the theme parks, we didn’t want to stay at a Disney resort.  Since my husband and I have gotten used to

By: Maria Smith People might say that a trip to Disney World should wait until the children could remember it, but visiting the magical world of Disney with preschoolers, toddlers and even infants can be kind of fun all its own. And, Mom and Dad will certainly remember it if the kids don't. We took our kids to Disney World for the first time when my oldest was 2

By: Maria Smith I recently spent a weekend with my family in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Being about 350 miles from Atlanta, Myrtle Beach is a simple trip and is perfect for a laid-back family. It is easily accessible from East Coast cities like New York and Washington DC with direct flights. Myrtle Beach is definitely a “no shirt, no shoes, no problem” kind of town.  We

By: Maria Smith This past Spring Break, my family of five jumped in the car and headed to Myrtle Beach, SC for a weekend beach getaway. Knowing it would take us about 7 hours with stops for the potty, food, gas and the prerequisite Starbucks, I tried to plan for the unexpected. And we made it! Both the kids and the grown-ups survived.  Now if I could have just

By: Maria Smith While there are many great family destinations to add to your summer itinerary, why not head down South? In addition to great hospitality and a fantastic glass of sweet tea, you can find some great deals and special events since it isn’t peak season in many places.  Check out these three destinations and see if they don’t tempt you to take a trip past

By: Crystal Cook We want the best for our families and where we choose to live is no exception. What makes one city more desirable than another is subjective, since we all have our own criteria for that perfect place we’d like to call home. Every year, dozens of helpful lists are published to assist us in making this monumental decision. Trouble is, each list is as

By: Wendy Helfenbaum When I was six and my sister was two, our plane to Miami was delayed indefinitely due to a snowstorm, forcing us to sleep at the airport. My sister and I were filled with excitement. My parents, however, not so much. I remember the way their pinched faces twitched each time the cheerful airline spokesperson announced that our flight would definitely be soon

By: Kelsey Childress If you have more than one child, or if you have a hectic life, then you surely know the value of spending quality time alone with your children. Children appreciate being singled-out to spend alone time with one parent, especially if it is a mother and daughter. There are many activities that little girls might enjoy doing with their mother, especially as they