Rhonda Gales, Author at Mother 2 Mother Blog

Valuable Tips to Get Affordable Last Minute Flights

July 23, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Planning a trip on short notice either out of impulse or because your busy schedule suddenly gave you a window? So, a nice holiday abroad can be challenging. But, mothers traveling with their family don’t need to break the bank. Check out our travel tips on tips to get affordable last minute flights. With an average of 8 million people who fly to various destinations on a daily basis, you can book a last minute flight calmly. Skyscanner states that the key is flexibility. Flexibility allows you to book cheap flights. By the way, Skyscanner is one of the most trusted flight aggregator brands in the world.

Check out our other tips on affordable last minute flights:

Last Minute Travel Deals

A popular way to save money when booking last minute is to look for vouchers and promo codes. Vouchers and promo codes produce better results than trying to study airfare pricing techniques. The pricing methods of airlines can be a bit confusing. However, understanding how carriers determine the price tag of airfares can come in handy too. Former airline planning executive Robert W. Mann’s statement to CNN Travel in 2017 says, airlines employ revenue management techniques where carriers charge premium prices to high value passengers.

If an airline notes that a certain route usually has leisure passengers, they will assume that said passengers will book relatively early. With this in mind, carriers charge premium prices to early birds. Furthermore, they adjust their prices based on the response of the market. Booking last minute, in this case, is beneficial to travelers. For business routes such as London to Frankfurt, booking early can save you a lot of money. While booking late may mean paying the premium price.

Letting Your Budget Decide

When scrambling for that much needed family vacation, choosing the right destination is often the first order of business. Another way to get affordable last minute flights is to align your overall budget with your destination. According to Life Hacks, this will ensure that you won’t be spending more than your budget. Travel tools such as Wander, for example, allows you to input your overall budget along with your home base airport into the search criteria. And in just a click, you will be shown a number of places that fits your budget.

As a result, mothers planning a last minute holiday should not be overwhelmed. Simply counter the airline’s high prices by using promo codes and flight aggregators like Skyscanner and Kayak. They can help you book affordable last minute flights. Additionally, check out Wander and other similar apps as well.

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: family travel tips, travel destinations, travel tips

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #184

July 21, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 7 Comments

Welcome to Week 184 of Sunday’s Best. We’re continuing our Lets Make a Splash theme. So we’re looking for all things beach or pool relatable. Recipes, crafts, games, gift ideas, vacation destination ideas, tablescapes and more. So blow the dust off those old posts that you might have that will help us cool off.

Additionally, we also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, gardening tips, SEO & blogging information, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard hot dog roasts, and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and share those on our linkup too. They’re are great for inspiration.

Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends, they will want to join the party too.

So, each week your hosts will select their favorite post. The posts will be featured the following week. Also, an image from your post will be used on our linkup the following week along with a link back to your blog. As a result, be sure to check back to see if you’re a Sunday’s Best Featured Blogger. All Featured Bloggers will have their posts pinned to Rhonda’s Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board and Kim M. pins the weekly featured bloggers to her Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board too!

The post with the most clicks will be the Reader’s Choice post(s). We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best Linkup featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best Linkup will be promoted on Twitter. The Post With the Most Clicks will be selected. Additionally, a post for our Monthly Themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Brittany at A Mama Tale Kim at Life in a House of Testosterone

Here are the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like Rhonda’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter;, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin, or subscribe/join her blog on the right sidebar before you leave.

Kim from Life In A House: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter;, Google+;, Pinterest;, Bloglovin;, or Instagram; before you leave.

Brittany from A Mama’s Tale: Please like Brittany’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, or Pinterest before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. Please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Your readers may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. We appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now, let’s party!

Rhonda selected Smothered Chicken from Munaty Cooking

Kim selected Strawberry Lemonade Moscato Punch from Janine Huldie

cocktail punch

Brittany selected DIY Girl’s Accessory Holder Bars from Anika’s DIY Life

The Post with the Most Clicks

Happy Birthday USA from Paper Seedlings

and

Peaches and Cream Dessert Bars from Delightful E Made

Our Favorite Theme Post(s) – Let’s Make a Splash

Coastal Decor from Across the Blvd.

and

Seashell Hurricane Votive from Purple Hues and Me

Last, congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you participating on Sunday’s Best Linkup. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. Finally, your hosts would like to invite all of you back to link up your post(s) again. We could select your post next week! Finally, while you’re here take a minute to visit these great blogs. It’s a great way to meet and connect with new bloggers. Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love and be sure to connect with others on social media.

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hop, linky party, social media

Why Use a Beach Cruiser Over a Regular Bicycle

July 19, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

There is a lot of excitement with each passing moment as the holidays approach. They present the best opportunities to go on an island vacation. Riding a beach cruiser is a great way to enjoy the view and have a little fun along the way. They feature long handlebars, a longer wheelbase and often a well-cushioned seat. As a result, a beach cruiser is a perfect ride to explore the island at your own pace. Here are four reasons to choose a beach cruiser over a regular bicycle:

The Fat Balloon Tires

First, a vacation by the sea is no place for a regular bicycle. A beach cruiser is built with large balloon tires that will ensure a slow firm grip on the sandy shores of the beach. Furthermore, these tires are wide, typically sized 2” to 4.7” wide and also low-pressure which allows the ride to float over sand like magic.

Extremely Comfortable

Next, while you are cruising down the beach you will notice how comfortable it is to sit on a beach cruiser. It’s because it was designed for maximum comfort, ease, and stability. The long, low frames add to the comfort level. The beach cruiser also sports a pedal forward design that gives room to stretch your legs. Additionally, it allows for easier paddling. Also, the seats aren’t so high where your legs can’t reach the ground at will like on other bikes. You get to sit upright on a well-cushioned wide seat while cruising on your bike. So, be sure to bask in the afternoon sunshine while enjoying your ride.

Ride In Style

Beach cruisers have a cool retro look to them. As a result, they are like the Cadillac of bicycles. They are stylish with a distinctive and iconic silhouette. The parts used to make the cruisers are famous for their inability to corrode or wear. Their sexy and curved frames separate them from most ordinary bicycle brands too.

Furthermore, some beach cruisers are suitable for males while others have been carved for females. So, the cruisers have attracted many cyclists due to its stylish looks. As a result, get a cruiser bike for that unique ride on the beach!

Easy To Paddle And Maneuver

If you’re a beginner to riding on sand, beach cruisers are among the easiest bicycles to pedal. Unlike speed bikes, cruiser bikes make for a rather slow ride. Which is ideal to explore the island at your own pace. Ordinary rides on the beach will frustrate your cycling experience. But, that is not the case when it comes to cruiser bikes. The cruiser is designed for comfort. As a result, choose a beach cruiser if you want the ultimate beach biking experience.

Conclusion

Finally, you don’t have to do much comparison between a regular bike and beach cruisers. For example, the regular bicycles for men are not as stylish or as comfortable as a men’s cruiser bike. Check each out, and than decide if you should opt for a cruiser bike for a beach vacation or not.

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: family activities, family vacations, vacation tips

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #183

July 13, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup

Letter B Activities: B Is For Banana

July 8, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

B is for Banana. Welcome to our Letter B Activities. Our picky eaters may be receptive to our Letter B word of the week. This week’s word is Banana. If you’re unfamiliar with our fruit and vegetable activities, they are designed to familiarize children with a fruit or vegetable that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

Did your child enjoy the Letter A activities? Fortunately, if you missed them you can download them here. Additionally, the printables will help them with cutting skills, writing each letter in the word, and eventually working their way to writing the actual word of the week.

Have the kid find the fruit in the magazines or seed catalogs. They can practice cutting and pasting the picture on to a piece of paper. I requested catalogs from various on-line seed sites. They are wonderful for this activity, and they are free. If you have other magazines that you can use, that’s fine too. Using pictures is great for visual kids.

They can also color our banana coloring page. Show pictures of yellow, red or green bananas, and let them decide how they want their banana to look.

Furthermore, Hawaii is the only state to grow bananas in the United States. And, bananas are grown on bushes that can reach 25 feet or more. They grow in clusters called hands. Get additional facts from our Banana Fact Sheet Banana Combined

Additionally, talk about how bananas can be used. For example, muffins, smoothies, banana splits or other snacks. Use our Banana Fact Sheet to come up with a few other interesting facts to share. For example, discuss how monkeys peel bananas, from the bottom up. Not from the top down as we do.

Also, fix a snack using bananas for our Letter B activities. Making food fun can help eliminate picky eater problems too. So, whip up a batch of banana muffins. How about a banana smoothie. Letter B is for a Banana Smoothie. Additionally, stay tuned for Letter B Snack ideas.

Finally, you can download more of our Letter B activities here. So, our next lesson will be Letter C Activities: C is for Carrot.

Filed Under: Education, Printables Tagged With: educational activities, kindergarten activities, preschool activities

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #182

July 7, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 8 Comments

Welcome to Week 182 of Sunday’s Best. This is the first week of our Lets Make a Splash theme. So we’re looking for all things beach or pool relatable. Recipes, crafts, games, gift ideas, vacation destination ideas, tablescapes and more. So blow the dust off those old posts that you might have that will help us cool off.

Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends, they will want to join the party too.

The post with the most clicks will be the Reader’s Choice post(s). We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best Linkup featured bloggers.

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Brittany at A Mama Tale Kim at Life in a House of Testosterone

Here are the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like Rhonda’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter;, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin, or subscribe/join her blog on the right sidebar before you leave.

Kim from Life In A House: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter;, Google+;, Pinterest;, Bloglovin;, or Instagram; before you leave.

Brittany from A Mama’s Tale: Please like Brittany’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, or Pinterest before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. Please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Rhonda selected Summer Patio Outdoor Beverage Cart Clean and Scentsible

Kim selected Black Bean and Corn Salsa from Janine Huldie

salsa recipes

Brittany selected Caramel Cheesecake Bars from The Kittchen

The Post with the Most Clicks

Jerked Chicken Salad from Marilyn’s Treats

Our Favorite Theme Post(s) – Let Freedom Ring

Red, White and Blue Pancakes from Celebrating Everyday Life

and

4th of July Cocktails from Across the Blvd.

and

Patriotic Goodies and Decor from Two Chicks and a Mom

and

Red White and Blue Edible Center Piece from Around the Table

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog linkup, linky party, social networking

Tips to Help Manage Childhood Stress

July 5, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 1 Comment

It’s something that isn’t talked about enough, but children get stressed out just as much as adults. That may seem impossible, given that children aren’t dealing with the workplace, marriage or families. However, they are dealing with the pressure of school, peer pressure and the pressure that comes with new children joining the family. Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on childhood stress.

Pressure can lead to chronic stress in children. Stress can negatively impact their routines and sleep patterns. Unfortunately, children can become cranky, exhausted and unable to manage their day or their emotions properly.

Stress can lead to a number of issues besides sleep issues. Children can become anxious. They may want their parents to sleep in bed with them again as if they were a toddler. Poor sleep leads to more stress. It’s a vicious cycle for your child to have to cope with. A good way to help reduce the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, is to help your child manage their sleep cycle. As an adult, you know that insomnia comes with feeling stressed out. So, imagine your child feeling that very same way? Below, you’ll find tips on how to manage childhood stress. Our tips will help your child’s body get back into a good sleep routine, and slowly eliminate childhood stress.

Set The Mood – Some people like to sleep with the lights on. Some people like it dark. Sit with your child and ask them how they like to sleep. Without knowing their comforts, you can’t provide them with the right space for sleeping. Invest in blackout blinds. Also, learn the best mattress with Mattress-Guides.net/. You can create a sleep space that is comfortable and relaxed with the right mattress. Involve your child in the selection of the mattress.
Set A Bed Time – Routine is key for children. But, for those who can’t sleep they need a routine that’s going to help get a good night of sleep. Strive to kept the same bath time, story time, and bed time routine until it sinks in. The body and brain learn to expect what comes next.
Set An Alarm – Next, with a bedtime routine comes a morning routine. If your child is to be in bed at 8 p.m., set the alarm for 7 a.m. the next day. If the bedtimes and wake up times are consistent, you get the body into a pattern that works.
Set A Screen Limit – Blue light technology has an effect on the brain and how children are able to function. So, if your child is staring at a screen within two hours of bedtime, you need to put a stop to it. Children need time to allow their brains have time to switch off and unwind. Kids need their melatonin production to stay consistent.

Finally, sleep is so important in order to to set up the day. So, manage childhood stress by implementing the rules above and you’ll quickly notice a difference.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: bedtime routines, bedtime tips, kid's bedtime tips, sleeping tips

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #181

June 30, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 7 Comments

Welcome to Week 181 of Sunday’s Best. This is the last week of our Let Freedom Ring theme. So we’re looking for all things red, white and blue to celebrate the 4th of July and patriotism. Recipes, crafts, games, gift ideas, tools, tablescapes and more. So blow the dust off those old posts that you might have that will help us celebrate our nation’s Independence Day.

Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends, they will want to join the party too.

The post with the most clicks will be the Reader’s Choice post(s). We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best Linkup featured bloggers.

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Brittany at A Mama Tale Kim at Life in a House of Testosterone

Here are the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like Rhonda’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter;, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin, or subscribe/join her blog on the right sidebar before you leave.

Kim from Life In A House: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter;, Google+;, Pinterest;, Bloglovin;, or Instagram; before you leave.

Brittany from A Mama’s Tale: Please like Brittany’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, or Pinterest before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. Please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Rhonda selected Summer Patio Decorating Idea Clean and Scentsible

Kim selected Mango Chicken Quesadilla from Five Spot Green Living

chicken recipes

Brittany selected S’mores Camping Kit from The Scrape Shoppe Blog

The Post with the Most Clicks

Cucumber Melon Fruit Salad from Delightful E Made

Our Favorite Theme Post(s) – Let Freedom Ring

Red, White and Blue Fudge from Busy Being Jennifer

and

4th of July Parade Scavenger Hunt from Grandma Ideas

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hop, linky party, social media

5 Things About Single Parents You Should Know

June 30, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on things about single parents you should know. Being a single parent is tough. It’s all the trials of parenthood, but the load is double and carried whether by choice or not. Furthermore, if a parent is single due to a separation or divorce there’s income to worry about as well.

According to Miller & Steiert, P.C., a family attorney in Denver, “Child support is determined here in Colorado by the calculation of each party’s gross income. This includes the calculation of the amount of overnights that each party has with the children or child, the amount of money that’s spent for daycare, for health insurance, for extraordinary expenses.”

Even if an ex-spouse is required to pay out child support, getting an ex-partner to fork out payments might be a source of stress, too. So, there are a few questions single parents wish you would stop asking. Here’s the rundown that will keep your next conversation with a single parent from going into awkward territory.

Stop asking if they’re ok.

The most well-meaning question of them all, but single parents have heard it from every person in their life. They don’t need to hear it from you too over and over again.

“I don’t know how you manage it when I can barely manage my kids with a partner.” This might be your attempt at a compliment, but it won’t sound as such to the person you are talking to. Instead, it might come across like you are boasting about being in a relationship.

Empty compliments bring nothing to a relationship. If you want to compliment the other parent, or if you truly admire them for the way they are handling their children, get specific. And then ask them how they handle certain situations that you find difficult. You might walk away with some tips that might work for your brood.

Do not compare your weekend alone with their situation.

You find out that a mom you see regularly is a single mom. You immediately feel like you can relate since your partner is away for the weekend. Do not go there. It is not the same.

Managing on your own for one weekend does not compare to the workload that a single parent carries daily. Avoid voicing a comparison of your situations. Unless you want to ruin all chances of a friendship or a friendly acquaintance.

Making good mom friends is hard enough. Your chances of gaining a buddy will be higher if you avoid this unintentional gaffe.

It is none of your business why or how they became single parents

It is natural to be curious. But asking why and how a person became a single parent may feel intrusive, and downright rude. Occasionally, you might come across a parent who does not mind sharing her story. But as a rule, do not ask. When they are ready and feel comfortable they will tell you their story. Until then, talk about the things you have in common. Not the things that make you different.

Don’t try to set them up with your friends

You have their best interest at heart, but just because they are single doesn’t mean that they are looking for love. Many women today are choosing to experience motherhood on their own.

The impression you give when you try to set someone up is that their life must be sad and lonely without a partner. You are showing a narrow-minded view, and your statement suggest they must be miserable without a husband or a wife.

If the single parent asks for dating advice or makes it clear he or she is looking, then that’s the green light for you to trot out your single friends.

Be helpful, parent to parent

If it seems that interacting with single parents comes with navigating many potential landmines, it’s not. You are both parents. They get exhausted and want to ship their kids away to a grandparent just like you. They have parenting issues with their children, just like you.

So, if you really want to help talk to them parent to parent. But do not offer advice because they are a single parent. Offer because they are a parent—and parenting is tough—single or not. No further qualification necessary.

Filed Under: Confidence, Divorce Tagged With: parenting advice, parenting information, single parent tips, single parenting, single parents

Working From Home: A New Parent’s Guide to Side Cash

June 28, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

You did it! You spent 9 months of time, energy, spending money, and sleepless nights preparing for your new baby. Now that your baby is home, the bills are stacking up and things are getting stressful. However, you can’t bear to send your baby to daycare. Furthermore, you’re not sure you can afford it. So, how do you come up with side cash ideas and still get to enjoy being a new parent? We have a few ideas on how to make side cash and put you on the path to empowering yourself. Check out the tips below:

Blogging

A popular option for stay-at-home parents is to blog. This is especially popular for new parents. Your audience will love to take the journey with you. Soon, they feel like a part of your family. You’ll get advice, tips, prayers, goodwill, and some good side cash. You’ll want to look up tips to make your blog successful, research good marketing tips and tools, and have a regular publishing schedule to really make money blogging. And don’t give up hope if it doesn’t take off right away, but great things take time.

Cash Back & Survey Apps

If you’re wanting a job you can do one-handed when Baby is fussy, eating, or sleeping, trying cash-back and survey apps. All you need is a phone and a free finger to start making money. They may not pay out huge, but with consistency, they can pay out decent cash at a steady rate. They’re easy, fun, and you don’t have to worry about putting your baby in childcare while you work.

Article Work & Writing

Maybe you don’t have the finances to start a blog, but you like the idea of writing. There are several sites – like HubPages and Textbroker – that can help you generate cash by writing. Each one pays differently, has different metrics, and employs different rules. So, read through each carefully to make sure you’re choosing a good platform for you. Additionally, make sure the work is easy, doesn’t take too much time, and you get paid very consistently.

Tutoring & ESL

Did you know that you can teach ESL without a degree from the comfort of your home? With sites like iTalki, you can set your own rate and schedule and get paid regularly. You must speak English or any other language fluently to qualify. It really is that easy! There are lots of other tutoring and language learning sites out there that will pay you to teach from the comfort of your home as well.

Get Crafty

Crafts are great side cash ideas. With sites like Etsy, you can bring your crafting, DIY, and refurbishing skills to light and make money. For a small fee, you can sell all sorts of things on Etsy. You can even do the crafts with your kids and make it a family event. Now is the time to experiment and have some fun.

Be a Friend

While this isn’t technically a stay-at-home job, it is a job that you don’t have to go to every day. Sites like Rent a Friend will let you set your own hours and schedule. You get paid to hang out with people, and the people who pay you also pay for your meals, events, concerts, and more. It’s a pretty sweet deal. These are strictly platonic and you get to make tons of new friends.

Freelancing offers fun and wonderful way for side cash ideas or full-time cash if you put the work in! But, it is also not for everyone. You get what you put in. Find an avenue you like doing work that you enjoy, and that won’t be a problem at all. Good luck and congratulations on your new baby!

Filed Under: Empowerment, Finances Tagged With: finances, how to earn money, money making ideas

Valuable Tips to Get Affordable Last Minute Flights

Why Use a Beach Cruiser Over a Regular Bicycle

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #183

Letter B Activities: B Is For Banana

Tips to Help Manage Childhood Stress

5 Things About Single Parents You Should Know

Working From Home: A New Parent’s Guide to Side Cash

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