Here in the US we may be tightening our belts and opting for a staycation, but it’s not so elsewhere.  Research from Visit London and Visit Britain have found that convincing Brits of the value of a staycation has been a very tough sell.  Despite challenging economic times, UK residents will cut back in other areas of the budget in order to put a priority on vacation.
The research showed that although 90% of the population was cutting back on spending in general, only 45% were cutting back on holidays, breaks, or day trips.  Instead, spending was reduced on items such …read more

How do you know when your tween is ready to stay at home alone? This is the Weary Parent Touchy Subject of the Week. There is no clear cut answer to this question as laws vary from state to state and city to city, not to mention that every child is different.
In our area, the government says I can leave my child home alone for short periods of time at age 8. There is no way my 8 year old is ready to stay home alone – she doesn’t even like to go upstairs alone. However, my 10 year old …read more