Cynthia J. Drake

The Best Baby Beach Gear 2020
Our favorite baby beach gear includes some out-of-the-box ideas from parents who have already beach-tested these items with their own babies. Bonus — you likely…
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8 Best Tablets for Toddlers and Kids 2020
You’re headed out for your next family trip and you’ve covered all the bases. Passports? Clothes? Medication? Tablet? Yep, we said it: tablets are becoming…
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23 Best Holiday Gifts for Parents 2020
Buying gifts for the grown-ups on your list can be a challenge—particularly for the adult who’s always on the go and traveling across the globe.…
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What to Pack for Your Vacation Rental: 62 Essential Items to Bring (and What You Can Leave at Home)
Vacation rentals (found on sites such as VRBO, AirBnb, FlipKey, HomeAway, and TripAdvisorRentals) can be a wonderful option for family vacations, as they typically allow…
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13 Best Dinosaur Vacation Spots for Kids
Many kids experience at least a passing fancy with dinosaurs once in their lives, and it’s little wonder that these prehistoric creatures continue to captivate…
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7 Best Apps That Block Social Media
An estimated 42 percent of American children under 8 years old own their own tablet, according to Common Sense Media. Giving children access to the…
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7 Best Bathing Suit Websites for Women 2020
In an era where anything can be ordered with a press of the “buy it now” button, trying on bathing suits in store fitting rooms…
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Disney Cruise vs. Disney World
Like many families, ours has cherished memories of visiting Disney World every few years since our two boys were small enough to get in for…
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10 Best Vacations for Kids Under 10
Some of the most treasured family vacations when you have young kids include a mix of sightseeing, cultural exploration, plus plenty of downtime by the…
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9 Best Beaches in Texas for Families
Texas is known for barbecue, Tex-Mex and live music, among other things, but perhaps lesser known for its beaches. One visit and you’ll wonder why.…
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7 Best Vacations in Texas on a Budget
As the second largest state in the U.S., both by population and land area, Texas has plenty of terrain for you to explore on your…
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KidZania Opens First U.S. Location in Texas
KidZania, an international company that literally puts kids to work with hyper-real role-playing attractions in a city designed just for children, just opened its first…
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5 All-Inclusive Family Vacations in Texas
When it comes to true all-inclusive resorts of the all-you-can-eat-and-drink variety, there aren’t many in the U.S. But if you’re planning a visit to Texas…
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The Best Personalized Kids’ Luggage: 9 Great Options
Parents know all too well the horrors that await you in the event your child leaves behind a beloved stuffed animal or other treasured toy.…
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9 Best Airplane Toys for Babies
Babies under 18 months often don’t need much in the way of entertainment besides a food source, maybe a pacifier and some mommy or daddy…
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9 Best Vacations With Toddlers in California
California is home to some of the biggest kid-friendly attractions on family vacation wish lists, and it’s home to dozens of destinations up and down the…
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7 Best One Piece Swimsuits for Moms
Like most moms, I know that whatever photo shows up on the product model is not necessarily what is awaiting me in the dressing room…
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7 Best Two Piece Swimsuits For Moms
Two piece swimsuits are super practical for moms, since they make bathroom breaks and locker room changes so much easier. When one kid is yelling…
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9 Amazing Family Vacations That Will Take You Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Many families tend to pick the same tried-and-true vacation spots year after year. The temptation to stick with what’s familiar is strong, especially if you’re…
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6 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Rent on Vacation
With the rise of the sharing economy, most people know that renting someone’s private condo or even their car is not only possible, but easily…
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23 Best Swimsuits for Moms That'll Make You Look and Feel Good
When it comes to swimsuits, moms bring a lot of demands to the dressing room. We want a bathing suit that hides our stretch marks,…
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What to Pack for a Summer City Vacation With Kids: 12 Essentials to Bring
If you’re heading out for a city vacation this summer, you’ve probably planned a well-rounded itinerary filled with museums, parks and public transit (for suburban…
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Cruise vs. All inclusive Resort: Which One Is Right for Your Next Family Vacation?
When you’re looking for an easy vacation that requires minimal hassle, planning and decision-making, your two best options are a cruise or all-inclusive resort. Both…
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9 U.S. Motels That Are (Almost) As Fun As Resorts
Motels, usually characterized as roadside hotel stops for budget-conscious travelers, have been occasionally subject to a less-than-positive reputation over the years. But motels make…
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12 Ways to Look and Feel Sexy on Your Next Beach Vacation
To paraphrase an oft-quoted remark about having children, just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you’re dead. Moms can and should embrace their sexiness, however…
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