family vacations Archives - Raising World Children

5 Great Places to Visit During Spring Break 2020

February 18, 2020

by Featured Guest with No Comment Travel

Spring break 2020 will soon be here, which means you’re running out of time to choose your vacation destination. Fortunately, you can take a quiz to find your ideal vacation spot, or consider these five spots make for great family vacations.

San Diego, California

You won’t find many spring break destination lists that miss San Diego, and for good reason! There are beaches and boardwalks, the zoo that sprawls over 100 acres, Seaworld, Legoland, and a safari park to keep family members of all ages entertained. Head just outside the city to hike if you need a break from the tourist spots. When you’re ready for a break, you can enjoy a meal at one of the city’s many restaurants.

Columbia, South Carolina

There’s no shortage of things to do in Columbia, South Carolina. Whether you want to enjoy the pairing of modern buildings with storied architecture or go kayaking on one of the surrounding rivers, you’re sure to be delighted. The city truly defines southern hospitality, which helps it stand apart from other spring break destinations. Everyone will enjoy everything the South Carolina State Museum has to offer with its exhibit and planetarium.

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

It may still be chilly in Wisconsin over spring break, but don’t let that stop you! Head indoors to the Kalahari Resort and Waterpark, an indoor oasis in Wisconsin Dells, the watermark capital of the world. The park includes rides, roller coasters, and go-karts. Park entry is included with resort tickets, or you can stay offsite at one of the many cabins and hotels in the city.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Try this destination if you prefer someplace a bit more exotic and warm for your spring break. Puerto Vallarta is located on Mexico’s western coast between Mazatlan and Acapulco. The old town is paved with cobblestone, and you can enjoy Mariachi music in the shaded plazas. If you enjoy architecture, there’s always the Baroque-style Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Also, the whole family can enjoy sports such as snorkeling, parasailing, and kayaking on the water.

Ogden, Utah

Most people want to head where it’s warmer for spring break, but if you’re not like most people, you might want to head to the mountains with the family and enjoy some skiing. The views in Ogden, not far from Salt Lake City, are gorgeous. Choose from Snowbasin Resort or Powder Mountain to ski before enjoying your evening meal on the charming main street.

Of course, any destination can make for a good spring break when you’re with your family.

Camping with an Autistic Child: 4 Ways to Handle and Prevent Sensory Overload

May 7, 2019

by Meghan Belnap with 3 Comments Parenting Specially Abled

There are many challenges to raising children. This is especially true for children who are on the autistic spectrum, especially during the early years when they are still learning how to cope with sensory over-stimulation. However, this doesn’t mean that the family has to miss out on your favorite activities, even if those activities take place outdoors. While family outings such as a camping trip may take some extra effort and planning, it can be done in such a way that the entire family can enjoy the outdoors together.

Predictability is Key

It is very important to talk with your child well ahead of the time that you will be going on your camping trip. Autistic children need routine and can become agitated when their routine is disrupted. By talking with your child ahead of time and having them help with some of the planning, they will be more mentally and emotionally prepared to enjoy the trip. The uncertainty is often what overwhelms them in a new situation. They thrive on predictability and it is essential that they are well aware of an upcoming change to their schedule so that they aren’t caught off guard and overwhelmed.

Make a Sensory Go-Bag

Picking out a special backpack that is specifically for your child is vital. You will want to fill the bag with some of your child’s creature comforts of home that can give them a feeling of stability and promote a safe feeling for them. This can include smooth rocks, fidget toys, a favorite stuffed animal, or other favorite objects that they can carry with them. You will also want to include items that can help them to quiet the outside world during periods of over stimulation. These may include items such as sunglasses, noise canceling earmuffs, an MP3 player with headphones, a lap-pad or weighted blanket, and or even favorite coats or jackets. Don’t forget to bring this backpack with you when hiking or trips away from the campsite.

Create a Space for Sensory Time-Outs

A child that has autism needs to have space where they can regroup when they are experiencing sensory overload. Not having a space that is quiet and secure during times of over-stimulation can lead to an agitated state of being and even a meltdown. While this may seem like a task that is difficult to do while camping outdoors, it is not impossible. Camper trailers are an ideal way to offer your child that needed space during times of anxiety. While a tent may block out the visual stimuli, a camper can provide them with the benefit of quiet and complete isolation from the bugs and smells outside during times of stress. Let your child set up their own space in the camper with blankets and other things to help them remove themselves physically from the stimulus outside, and even just the knowledge that the space is there for them can help them face extended periods of high stimulus for longer.

Consider the Location

When going camping, you can make it easier for your child to enjoy the trip by choosing the right type of location. Avoid places that receive heavy traffic as a tourist location, as the isolation from society can work in your child’s favor when preventing anxiety. You can also look online at ratings to know if an area is heavy with mosquitoes or other insects that can aggravate your child’s senses and find places with fast-moving rivers for calming background noise. Another important thing to consider is to have a campfire ready site, whether you are cooking outdoors or not. The flickering flames of a campfire can provide a natural form of focus and promote a relaxed state in a child who is experiencing sensory overload.

With the proper planning, both you and your child can enjoy your time together camping outdoors. You know your child better than anyone else. Applying your knowledge with the steps listed above can go a long way with your child when making the transition of home routine to camping routine.