Link Your Giveaway Thursday April 26 - May 2

 

Do you have a giveaway going on? Link it here to my Linky, every Thursday.

All you have to do is type in the name of your site, the name of the item you are giving away and the date the giveaway ends. Then add the direct link to your giveaway.

I have a Giveaway Linky Directory, if you have a giveaway linky and you would like me to add you to my list please send me an e-mail: momsmiscadventures at yahoo dot com. Also, please send me an e-mail to update your linky. Be sure and check out my giveaway linky directory.

I am updating my Giveaway Directory. Click on this link to add your meme or giveaway linky. Memes and Giveaway Linky List

Be sure and check out my Food and Health Carnival on my other blog, every Thursday.

Gift Ideas for any Occassion

 

Camping Improves Family Bonding and Relationships

Thanks to financial constraints, many families are now looking into more cost effective measures and destinations when it comes to their family holiday.

Camping is becoming extremely popular, and in addition to the fact that it is cost effective, many families are finding that camping is a great way of improving their family bond and relationship. There are many reasons why this is the case.

Cost Effectiveness

Yes, it’s been mentioned but the fact that camping is a lot more reasonable in terms of cost than other holiday destinations means that the family either has more to spend on daytime activities whilst away or less financial constraints during their time at home. This increase in available money (in either case) can mean that they have less in the way of stress and can instantly improve relations between them.

Fresh Air

There can’t be a person who as a child was told by an older relative or adult that the fresh air was good for them and they shouldn’t be indoors. It’s hardly a shock to find out that this is true but activities and sleeping in the fresh air of a campsite are great for increasing circulation, encouraging endorphins and promoting happiness throughout the family. Tie in (hopefully) the great British summertime and it is little wonder that so many people find the joy in camping to be infectious and inviting to them and their families.

Memories

Family holidays, whether you go, are a great way of making memories to last a lifetime. Camping brings about the epitome of these memories. Whether it’s an over-confident dad insisting he can put up the tent on his own and then, almost as though it were scripted, chasing it around the field, or the time you woke up surrounded by sheep as far as the eye can see, a camping trip can bring out the memories like nothing else. Families are built on memories and in the future, when tempers start to fray – those memories will act as a conduit for laughter.

No Distractions

One of the biggest obstacles in family time now are the various distractions which stand in the way of having fun. Whether because of work, the television, household chores or games consoles, it can often seem as though the family are too busy to bond or work on their relationship. Having a lack of these distractions can have the effect of almost forcing the family to bond together (albeit without hands being forced up backs) and encourages them to spend time together as opposed to away from each other.

In an effort to promote this distraction free bonding, parents or even the children might suggest a return to “old fashioned fun” with ball games, word games and just general conversation filling the gap where the distraction might otherwise sit.

Many family members might complain that after the camping trip they miss the closeness and the time when the distraction did not get in the way of family time and many alter the way they manage their time at home as a result.

This is a guest post on behalf of Barry Magennis who enjoys blogging on campervan insurance, family life and travelling.

Link Your Giveaway Thursdays April 19-25

Do you have a giveaway going on? Link it here to my Linky, every Thursday.

All you have to do is type in the name of your site, the name of the item you are giving away and the date the giveaway ends. Then add the direct link to your giveaway.

I have a Giveaway Linky Directory, if you have a giveaway linky and you would like me to add you to my list please send me an e-mail: momsmiscadventures at yahoo dot com. Also, please send me an e-mail to update your linky. Be sure and check out my giveaway linky directory.

I am updating my Giveaway Directory. Click on this link to add your meme or giveaway linky. Memes and Giveaway Linky List

Be sure and check out my Food and Health Carnival on my other blog, every Thursday.

Gift Ideas for any Occassion

 

Encouraging Love of Horses in Children

For many people, the thought of having children is an exciting time, where they start to plan the ways they will instill values, morals and traditions to their kids as well as passing on their passions.

Passing on your love of your horses is more than a simple labour of love; it’s essential in order to continue the various sports, activities and care of horses. So how do you promote your passion of horses?

The Fun Factor

It almost seems too good to be true but making any activity more fun for a child will ultimately make them want to be a part of it. This is why so many parent adopt the “aeroplane game” when trying to entice a toddler into eating vegetables and it is certainly a tactic worth trying at this stage.

Luckily for you, children are naturally curious about animals and a cute pony nuzzling on their ear or eating a carrot from their hands in a petting zoo or farm is a great place to start feeding their interest.

Seeing you then interacting with your horses and having a grand old time of it is sure to win them over.

It’s also well worth finding a tame pony in your yard on your equestrian property to give your little one a short and safe ride as you look on.

Afterwards, it’s important to talk to them about what happened and even assure them that the pony enjoyed seeing them too. Adding a “they can’t wait to see you again” is sure to be met with wide eyed wonder.

Find a good child friendly stable or trainer

If the first contact went well and you think they’re ready for some more interaction then remember where you started. Book them a lesson or let them ride with you. If your stables aren't particularly family friendly or you don’t have a suitable horse for your child to ride then you may need to spread your loyalties into another yard but the sacrifice will be worth it in the end.

Whichever approach you take, it’s well worth remembering that just as is the case with everything else they do; only your child can decide when they’re ready so take your cues from their natural behavior. If they seem anxious then speak to them about it, if they seem unsure about riding but want to pet or help you to care for your horse then this is a great start.

Finally

You already know this but it’s very important. Horses are your passion. There’s every chance that because your child has seen your love and enthusiasm they will follow naturally from that but you can’t force them to share your love and trying to will only make them rebel and less likely to want to be involved. By making their introduction to the equine world as fun as possible you’re making a great start but after that, it’s essential to let them find their own way into a hobby or interest. Forcing something on them won’t make them love it – they will just end up resenting you.

This is a guest post on behalf of Anna Wright who enjoys horses, equestrian property and the outdoors and is looking for horses for loan.