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| Answers from Alecia Devantier |
| Do you have any fun recommendations to keep an infant entertained on a plane? |
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| Alecia Devantier replies: Thanks for your question. I've actually had occasion to make very long plane trips with each of my sons when they were infants (one was five months old, the other was six months old). It can be a quite challenging adventure when you're travelling with a little one. |
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| First, don't forget to pack a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or other "lovey" in your carry-on. |
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| New toys can be another great for infants, so be sure to pack an assortment in your carry-on as well. I would suggest a couple of toys with suction cups on the bottom (usually designed for high chairs); that will help free up your hands for a bit, and hopefully help reduce the number of dropped toys. Many children are fascinated with those plastic "links" that snap together. If your child is old enough, those might be a good choice. Knowing your child's personality, choose several other toys you think will hold his or her attention. |
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| Another great diversion, especially for a fussy infant or child is snacks. Pack an assortment of favorite healthy snacks. |
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| With a washable marker, you can turn your hand (or even your child's) into a simple puppet. For you, make a fist. Draw eyes on the outside of your index finger, a nose on the outside tip of that finger, and a mouth on the back of your thumb. For your little one, you can draw silly faces on the back of your child's hand. |
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| If you get to a point when the things you've planned No longer hold your child's attention, take a deep breath and think outside the box. A simple sheet of paper kept one of my boys occupied for quite a while during our 18-hour flight. For my other son, it was an empty paper cup. |
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| Good Luck and have a great trip! |
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| More answers from Alecia Devantier |
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| I want to craft more with my kids, but I'm on a pretty tight budget and can't spend a lot on supplies. What can I do? |
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| Alecia Devantier replies: Just because a particular item is listed in the supply list doesn't necessarily mean you have to have it to complete the project. In fact, being creative and thinking outside the box when looking for items you can substitute for the things you don't have will bring a new dimension to the whole process. |
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| One of my daughter's favorite places to find supplies for her creative endeavors is our recycling tub. Between what she finds there and the odds and ends she's saved from other projects, she has a great time stretching her creative wings and coming up with some really neat projects. |
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| If there are some materials and supplies you really need or want, check with crafters you know. They might be more than happy to send leftover supplies your way. Some crafters hang on to everything with the thought that it may work into another project, but others are happy to get rid of the scraps so they have room to replenish their supplies. |
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If you don't know any crafters, check on your local Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org/) or Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/) for people willing to help you build your "stash." |
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| Help! I'm not crafty at all. |
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| Alecia Devantier replies: Honestly, it's okay to not be crafty. Some people love all different crafts and love trying new things. Others enjoy just one or two creative outlets. Still, others don't enjoy crafting at all, and choose to put their time and talents into other types of hobbies. |
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| Regardless of how crafty you think you are, it's still a great activity to do with your child. Follow his lead and learn along with him. You're bound to enjoy the time you spend together, even if you don't really enjoy crafting in general. |
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| If your child wants to pursue a craft that requires skills beyond simply reading and following a set of instructions, look for someone to help. If possible, attend the classes with him or her, even if you don't have any desire to learn. By being there, you'll show her that you care about her interests. |
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| If you don't craft, or don't enjoy it because you don't think you're any good, relax your standards. When I have the opportunity to clown, one of my favorite things to do is balloon art. Truth be told, I'm not very good. But, the kids are always thrilled with my sculptures. So, try and enjoy the creative process. And, even if your knitted potholder isn't quite square or your balloon dog looks like some creature from outer space, take pride in your results. |
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| Between my work schedule and the kids' homework and extra-curriculars, there's no time for crafting, how can I fit it into an already jam-packed schedule? |
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| Alecia Devantier replies: I'm glad you see the importance of sharing fun and creative time with your kids. Looking at the schedules of most families, it's amazing to think there are enough hours in the day to cram all those things in. Add to that the fact a work day no longer means 9-5. With the advent of cell phones, PDAs, and e-mail, many parents are on "call" 24/7. Finding time can be a challenge, and sometimes takes some creativity of its own. |
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| Make the most of the time you have. In the car or at the dinner table, you can tell jokes; do a round-robin story where one person starts off and then you take turns adding a few words, challenge each other with a brain buster story or puzzle, or make up new words to simple, familiar tunes (a favorite at our house). |
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| For craft projects look at the instructions and see if they can be broken down and done over a period of time, maybe one step per evening until the project is done. |
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| If all else fails, make an appointment with your child. Pen (not pencil, no erasing) a block of time on your calendar to do a project with your kids. If possible, block off a separate chunk of time for each child. By making and keeping these appointments with your child, you'll show them just how important they are, and how much you value your time together. |
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