Parents Want to Know 101

Welcome to Parents Want to Know 101. Parents Want to Know 101 was created for parents and those interested in parenting issues and trends, from birth to college, and beyond. It provides exposure to important and current information, relevant to raising a healthy, happy, independent, successful child. What should we, as adults, contribute to our families, the community, and our country to make this happen? The children are our future. Parents need one another; it does take a village.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Parents Want to Know 101: Toy Guide 2014 - 2015

By Sharon Rose

Our all new list for 2014 - 2015. Unique, fun, and educational toys. *Prices taken from Walmart price list, unless otherwise stated. Prices will vary throughout holiday. *Some prices given found online.

1. Anki Drive Starter Kit Smart Robot Car Racing Game; Age 8 +. Price: $149.99. Description: Toys and video games partner-up in a first-of-its-kind, real-life robot battle-racing game. Starter kit includes 2 robot cars, and the starter track that can be rolled out on a table or the floor. To race the cars, download the free app needed to take control of the cars. Each player must have an iOS or Android device to take control of a car. *Look for further device information when you shop for this game.

Anki Drive Starter Kit Smart Robot Car Racing Game

2. Disney Frozen Sparkle Princess Elsa Doll; Age 4+; Price: $14.99. Frozen Sparkle Anna of Arendelle; Price: $12.79, Amazon.com. Description: Lovely character dolls, made famous and endearing to children who are fans of the Disney movie, "Frozen."

Frozen Sparkle Princess Elsa and Anna of Arendelle

3. Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car, Fisher Price; Ages 6 mos. - 3yrs.; Price: $38.99, Amazon.com. Description: Shaped like a car and child sits in it to play. Plays more than 75 songs to sing-a-long with, can twist steering wheel, honk horn, shift gears and turn the key, etc. Imaginative play.

4. Parum Pum-Pum Drum; Ages 18 months +; Price: $34.00; Description: Comes with drumsticks, jingle bells, tambourine, maracas with clackers, and 2 egg shakers. All fit inside for easy travel.

Parum Pum Pum Drum

5. Bright Eyes Blanket; Ages 3 and older; Price: $19.99, online purchase only. Description: Use for blanket, towel, or dress-up; choose from puppy, duck, panda, or kitten attached hood.

6. Fisher Price Classic Two Tune TV; Ages 1 yr. and up; Price: $22.22, Amazon.com. Description: this picture, music box has been around for generations to enjoy. Plays, "Row Row Row Your Boat," and "London Bridge Is Falling Down," while related scenes scroll across the screen.

Fisher Price Classic Two Tune TV

7. Melissa & Doug Classic ABC Wagon Pull Cart, Ages 3 yrs. and up; Price $12.99, Amazon.com. Description: 30 alphabet blocks, a colorful way to learn the ABCs. Use as building blocks and pull in cart.

8. Hot Wheels Street Hawk, Remote Control Flying Car; Ages 5 - 15. Price: $49.92. Description: Lots of excitement when kids see this flying car take to the skies.

Hot Wheels Remote Control Flying Car

9. Tekno Robotic Puppy Blue; Ages 5 yrs. and up; Price: $69.95, Amazon.com. Description: Robotic puppy, with bone and ball, responds to voice commands, lights up, makes sounds; interactive fun.

Tekno Robotic Puppy Blue

10. Zoomer-Interactive Dino, by Leap Frog; Ages 3 +; Price: $79.88. Description: Roars, moveable, and ready to be trained by his owner to dance, follow you around, and more. The perfect pre-historic pet. Has storage section to hide away treasures.

Zoomer Interactive Dino

11. LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids Learning Tablet - pink or green; Ages 4 - 9 yrs.; Price: $149.99, Target. Description: WiFi /Kid Safe Web, pre-screened by Leapfrog has appropriate content only. Play games, download music, write, draw, search, etc.

LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids Learning Tablet

12. Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch; Age 4 +. Price:$49.99, Kmart. Description: Perfect for young photographers, this durable smartwatch makes it easy to take photos and record videos on the go.

Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch

13. VTech Pop & Count Vacuum; Ages 12 mos. - 36 mos.; Price: $19.49, Amazon.com. Description: Interactive push toy introduces counting, has sing-along songs, and more.

VTech Pop & Count Vacuum

14. Nintendo Wii Gaming System in Black Bundle with Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort; Ages 6 yrs. and up; Price: $129.00. Description: Action packed games; you control action on screen; includes Wii console, remote, nonchuck and game. Other games available include: Michael Jackson: The Experience, $14.96, Walmart, and Just Dance Kids 2014,$39.25, Amazon.com

15. Furby Boom, by Hasbro; Ages 6 yrs. and up; Price: $63.99. Description: Comes in many colors and bold designs. Plush interactive toy that talks, dances, blinks, etc. Develops a personality based on how you play with it. Comes with an app that you use to take care of your Furby Boom: bath, dress, and even have it hatch an egg to create a new generation of Furbies.

Furby Boom, by Hasbro

16. Leap Frog Tag Learning System & Books; Ages 3 yrs. and up; Price: From $38.00 up. Description: Encourages beginners to read; uses “touch to word” wand with audio.

17. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn - Learning Puppy; Ages 6 mos. - 36 mos. Price: $14.99, Amazon.com. Description: huggable toy that teaches alphabet, numbers, counting, parts of the body, sing-a-longs and more. Heart lights up and twinkles to the music.

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn - Learning Puppy

18. Mini Micro 3 in 1 Scooter; Ages 1 - 5; Price: $91.99, Amazon.com. Description: Available in various colors. Interchangeable, 3 size versions in 1 as kids grow.

Mini Micro 3 in 1 Scooter

19. FurReal Friends Get Up and Go Go My Walking Plush Pup Pet; Age 4 +. Price: $26.99, Amazon.com. Description: Experience what it's like owning a cuddly pet. Plush pup is controlled by lease to walk it, wags tail, tilts head, barks when you talk to it, and more. *See other FurReal Friends. Prices of other animals vary.

FurReal Friends Get Up and Go Go My Walking Plush Pet

20. WowWee MiP Robot RC Robot; Age 6 +. Price: $96.99. Description: WowWee Robot shows off personality by communicating through motion, sounds, and RGB LED eyes. Robotic modes include, roam, dance, stacking, and programming.

WowWee MiP Robot RC Robot

21. Flutterbye Flying Fairy Doll; Ages 5 - 9; Price: $24.77. Description: Launches from base and magically flies through the air. See instructions.

Flutterbye Flying Fairy Doll

22. Xbox One Bundles; Ages 5 to adult; prices vary. Includes, Xbox One Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundle - $329; Xbox One with Kinect and Forza 5 Motorsport - $429.99; Xbox One Bundle with Choice of 1 game & 12-month Xbox Live Gold Card $379.

XBox

23. Baby Alive Wanna’ Walk Doll; Ages 3 and up; Price: $34.88. Description: Doll walks and talks. Over 40 fun phrases and sounds.

Baby Alive Wanna' Walk Doll

24. Barbie Collector Holiday Doll 2014, Ages 6 & up; Price: $33.97, Amazon.com. Description: From the Barbie collection of dolls, wearing a beautiful, red, shimmery gown. Popular with collectors.

Barbie Holiday Collector Doll 2014

25. Sofia the First Talking Sofia Doll and Animal Friends Play Set; Ages 3 yrs. and up; Price: $32.88. Description: Sofia, dressed in a beautiful ball gown and crown can talk to the animals. Imaginative play.

Sofia the First Talking Sofia Doll and Animal Friends Play Set

26. Hot Wheels Wall Wheel Starter Set, by Mattel; Ages 4 yrs. and up; Price: $47.97. Description: Race track that mounts on wall at eye level; wall protective strips provided.

27. VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker; Ages 9 mos. - 36 mos.; Price: $29.99; Amazon.com. Description: Helps your baby go from crawling to walking while having fun and learning with the removable activity board.

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

28. First Act Disney Mater Acoustic Guitar; Ages 4 yrs. and up; Price: $39.94, Amazon.com. Description: Starter instrument - Cinderella, Lightening McQueen pictures on guitar, etc. *Prices vary depending on Disney character and level of instrument.

29. Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes; Ages 0 - 6 mos.; Price: $8.00, Amazon.com. Description: Baby version of MP3 player. Promotes an appreciation for music, has colorful dancing lights, and handle to carry along. Baby will hear classical tunes by Mozart, Chopin, etc.

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes

30. Leap Frog Pad 2 Power Kids' Tablet for Learning; Ages 4 – 9 yrs.; Price: $89.73. Description: Kid-friendly tablet that imitates the iPads of their parents. Includes rechargeable battery with battery pack; never buy batteries again ($40 value); take pictures and videos, play games, and much more. Price shop this one as prices widely vary.

31. Simon Swipe Game; Ages 6 yrs. and up. Price: $14.76, Amazon.com. Description: It's the modern twist on a classic game, Simon. It is a fast-paced game in which you remember and repeat the patterns.

Simon Swipe Game

32. Disney Doc McStuffins Time for Your Check-up Doll; Ages 3-6 yrs.; Price: $32.97. Description: African American doll is one of the hottest selling dolls, taken from Disney Channel TV show hit. Talking doll is dressed as doctor with bag of magical tools to fix toys. Includes talking lamb, Lambie. Batteries are included.

Disney Doc Mc Stuffins Time for Your Check-up Doll

33. Disney Doc McStuffins Deluxe Get Better Check-Up Center; Ages 3 and up. Price: $69.99, ToysRus. Description: Center has everything needed to heal the sick toys, to include The Big Book of Boo Boos to help in giving a diagnosis.

34. Evenflo Exersaucer, Mega Around Town; Price: $61.95; Evenflo Exersaucer Bounce & Learn Bee; Price $81.99. Evenflo Exersaucer Activity Center, Mega Splash; Price: $54.99. Ages 6 mos. - 14 mos., all at Amazon.com. Description: Baby walker and bouncing toy; rocks, spins, and bounces.

Evenflo Exersaucer, Mega Around Town

35. Toy Story Power Blaster Buzz Lightyear Action Figure; Ages 4 yrs. and up. Price:$33.74. Description: Battery-operated character from the movie has bonus items, including a power blaster and energy shield, which fit into Buzz Lightyear's hands. Posable and talking action figure features retractable helmet and buttons that activate a variety of 20 well-known sayings and sound effects.

Toy Story Power Blaster Buzz Lightyear Action

36. Strider ST-3 No Pedal Balance Bicycle; Price: $87.50 - $181.99, Amazon.com. Description: Pre-bike, balance bicycle for toddlers. Comes in girl and boy colors. Fits height 30" to 44" tall. *Note that there are no pedals.

Strider ST-3 No Pedal Balance Bicycle

37. Spider-Man Boy's Bicycle (Multi-16 inch); Ages - Base on height of child; likely will need to try out for height; Price: $97.99, Amazon.com. Description: Comes with training wheels, adjustable seat, movie graphics. Spider-Man Helmet, Age 3 +; Price: $20.00, Kmart.

Spider-Man Boy's Bicycle 16 '

Spider-Man Helmet

38. Razor Crazy Cart, Ages 9+; Price: $299.99. Description: Go cart style riding toy goes forward, reverse, sideways, diagonally, and everything In-between. Goes speeds of up to 12 mph.

Razor Crazy Cart

39. Y – Volution Y Fliker F1 Scooter; Ages 5-9 yrs.; Price $99.99, ToysRus. Description: Unique 3 wheel scooter.

Y – Volution Y Fliker F1 Scooter

40. Fisher-Price Little People Animal Fun Sounds Farm; Ages 1 yr. - 4 yrs. Price: $37.99. Description: Imaginative play with farm, Farmer Jed, and animals who make sounds.

Fisher-Price Little People Animal Fun Sounds Farm

41. Imaginarium Mountain Rock Train Table, Ages 3 and up; Price: $109.99, ToysRus. Description: Train set has over 100 pieces and 23+ feet of track. There are 5 different play areas, including Two Tower Bridge with lights and sounds, a 2-Level Mountain Tunnel, and Passenger Train Station. Hear the sounds of a real working train station. *Price shop; prices vary widely.

Imaginarium Mountain Rock Train Table

42. Bright Star, Having a Ball, Get Cookin' Kitchen; Age 1 year +; Price: $34.99, Target. Description: Playtime in the kitchen, with 2-sided display.

Bright Star, Having a Ball, Get Cookin' Kitchen

43. Tabeo E2 8 Inch Kids Tablet- Silver (personal computer); Ages 6 - 11; Price:$189.98, Amazon.com. Description: kids' tablet, like adult version, to explore the Internet, watch movies, play games, etc.

44. Fisher-Price Imaginext Super Friends Batcave; Ages 3 - 8; Price: $29.99, Amazon.com. Description: Kids can pretend to protect Gotham City while living in the Batcave. Super heroes Batman and Robin mini-figures included and more. Download the free Imaginext Batcave app on your iPhone. Use it with this Batcave for interactive fun on your iPhone screen and is compatible with iPhone 3G/3GS, iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 5 and iPod touch 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th generation (device not included.)

Fisher Price Imaginext Super Friends Batcave

45. Monopoly Empire Game, by Hasbro; Ages 8 yrs. and up; Price: $21.99, Amazon.com. Description: Classic game with a new twist. Players buy their favorite brands and offices to build to the very top of their tower. Win by filling your tower with billboards.

Monopoly Empire Game

46. Our Generation 20" Thoroughbred Horse, and Our Generation Lipizzaner Horse, and various other models w/accessories; Age 3 +; Prices $13.99 - $27.99, Target. Description: Includes saddle and saddle pad, bridle with reins, blinders, a pair of leg warmers, a brush, a carrot, a bottle, and a trophy. Various horses have varied accessories.

Our Generation Thoroughbred Horse and Our Generation Lipizzaner Horse

47. Our Generation Horse Stable; Age 8 +; Price: $112.00, Amazon.com. Description: Pretty pink stable includes 3 stalls for horses and every thing needed for a little girl to care for her horse. Fits 18" American Girl Doll.

Our Generation Horse Stable

48. American Girl Doll; Age 8 +; Price: varies from about $174.00 - $275.00. Many choices for doll outfits and accessories with varying prices. Description: Dolls who represent girls from many walks of life, circumstances, cultures, historical eras, and achievements. American Girl Dolls fit Our Generation Horses.

American Girl doll with friends, doll with horse riding outfit, and doll having hospital visit.

49. Woofer, Hound Dog Guitar; Ages 2+; Price: $19.99, Target. Description: Plays 20 familiar to and 9 doggie ditties. Has realistic strings.

Woofer Hound Dog Guitar

50. Elenco Snap Circuits Green - Alternative Energy Kit; Ages 8 +; Price: $48.95. Description: Learn about energy sources by building any of 125 projects included in the kit. Create working electronics circuits that include, solar cells, windmill, LEDs, and more.

51. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Shell Figures; Age 4 +; Price: Prices vary from about $9.99 to $19.99. *See 11” figure for $15.19, Amazon.com. Description: Each turtle figure is uniquely sculpted, with heights ranging from 4.25” to 11”. Each figure captures the individual personalities of the characters from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV show. Each Turtle is wearing his signature bandana and comes packed with their two core Ninja weapons and added weapons rack.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Shell Figures

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

My Favorite Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe: Picadillo-Stuffed Turkey with Orange-Tamarind Sauce

By Sharon Rose

Picadillo-Stuffed Turkey with Orange-Tamarind Sauce

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Day is just a few days away! I feel so joyful and grateful to be able to share a meal of Thanksgiving, prepared with love, with my extended family on Thanksgiving Day. I want to share with you, this Picadillo-Stuffed Turkey with Orange-Tamarind Sauce Recipe. This is my TURKEY RECIPE choice for my family Thanksgiving Day meal. You may want to try it! Families will soon gather at their dinner tables, with gratitude; the turkey, the center of attraction. Whatever your turkey recipe choice for your family, I wish you many blessings and, Bon Appetite!! Make it a special family day filled with gratitude and love!

"For many families, Thanksgiving means coming together with extended
family to celebrate the many blessings they have been given."

Picadillo-Stuffed Turkey with Orange-Tamarind Sauce

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 lb. ground pork

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup PLANTERS Slivered Almonds, toasted

5 large navel oranges, divided

1 frozen turkey (15 lb.), thawed

1 pkg. (14 oz.) frozen tamarind pulp, thawed

1/2 cup sugar

4 1/2 tsp. cornstarch

1 Tbsp. butter

How to Prepare:

HEAT oven to 325ºF.

HEAT oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 3 min. Add pork; cook 5 min. or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato sauce; cook 2 min. Add stuffing mix, raisins, nuts and the juice of 2 oranges (about 1/2 cup); mix well. Cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Cool 15 min. before stuffing the turkey.

REMOVE and discard neck and giblets from turkey cavities. Rinse turkey; drain well. Free legs from tucked position, but do not cut band of skin. Place turkey, breast-side up, in roasting pan. Spoon stuffing into neck and body cavities, being careful to not pack stuffing into turkey too tightly. Return legs to tucked position; turn wings back to hold neck skin in place. Cut 1 orange into 8 slices; arrange over turkey. Cover breast loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.

BAKE 3 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices. Meanwhile, combine tamarind pulp, sugar and juice from remaining 2 oranges in saucepan. Remove foil; bake turkey 45 min. to 1 hour or until done (165ºF), brushing with 1/4 cup of the tamarind mixture for the last 15 min.

REMOVE turkey from oven; let stand 15 min. before carving. Meanwhile, stir cornstarch into remaining tamarind mixture until completely dissolved. Bring to boil; cook and stir 1 min. or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in butter. Serve warm with turkey.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve with sides, such as more stuffing/dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato yams, corn-on-the-cob, and your favorite hot steamed vegetables.

Food Facts: A 12- to 14- lb. frozen turkey needs 3 to 3-1/2 days of thawing time in the refrigerator. The cooking time will range between 3 to 3-3/4 hours until the turkey is done (165ºF).

Keep it Safe: Do not stuff turkey until ready to roast.

Helping Mom in the kitchen at Thanksgiving makes wonderful childhood memories.

The turkey is the center-piece of the Thanksgiving Day table. We are sharing recipes
for families to enjoy. Add your favorite side dishes to complete your meal.

"We are grateful for each other." "Happy Thanksgiving!"

FREE RECIPES, Our Source: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-entertaining/holidays/thanksgiving/turkey-recipes.aspx

Friday, November 21, 2014

Travel Guide for the Well-Traveled Family, Part 5: Traveling with Children

By Sharon Rose

I love to travel! This is going to be fun!!

Holiday time is here and families with children will travel during this time to visit family, friends, and to festive entertainment venues. Since it is the most challenging, we are going to talk traveling on an airplane with children. I have heard some travel advisers strongly suggest traveling with children at nighttime so they will sleep and therefore not be a problem. I believe children should have the opportunity to travel anywhere and be wide awake so they can learn through the experience. The best way for children to learn is through exposure to the world they live in. Issues that come up while traveling with children, such as, flight delays, fidgety or boisterous behavior, cabin pressure, or a fellow passenger that has a low tolerance for children can be managed. Let’s get started sorting it out.

Safety

A few days before you depart for vacation, take some time to go over basic safety rules and strategies with your kids, some of which may already be in place in your home. A good way to approach this would be to remind them that these are rules that they are already familiar with because many are the same rules we have at home. The reminder is needed; after-all, the excitement of new places and experiences can be overwhelming, and curiosity may cause kids to set their rules aside. Go over home phone number, address, and the proper use of the 911 emergency number. Since you are away from home it is vital that your child memorize your cell phone number, as well. There is also the option of creating a safety card, and have your child keep it with him, for example, in his pocket. The card should have all vital information on it, to include, the name of the hotel where you are staying, your cell phone number, and your first name. If you don't mind writing on your child you can write your phone number on your child's arm. There is even a company that has introduced information temporary-tatoos for children with a space for the parents' phone number. This, your child would not be able to loose, as with a card. Remind young ones what to do if they get separated from you, who they can trust and about safety in numbers. Also, this is a good time to remind them of stranger-danger that you have, most likely, gone over many times. To further insure the safety of your children, if two parents are traveling with more than one child, before you leave home choose teams, with each parent as a team captain. Have each parent be responsible for their team. Divide the responsibility up. Making it a game gets the trip off to a fun start.

Young, First-Time Fliers

Prepare children who are first-time fliers for what it is like going through the security checkpoint at the airport. Everyone, including the children, should wear shoes that are easy to take on and off. Removing your shoes is just one of the strict safety measures in place at airports for all passengers, who are required to go through a security check-point. Role play with your child the way in which travelers are required to go through the metal checkpoint door frame, the way it may "buzz," and why, how the wand is used to wave over the travelers body, and a "touching" body check done by the security agents. Try to put your child at ease. Although much of the extra security check actions may not happen, you would want to prepare your child just in case it does. TSA officers will work with parents to resolve any alarms at the checkpoint. TSA has modified screening procedures for children 12 and under that reduces the likelihood of a pat-down. Taking the fear out of traveling for your child will make for a traveling experience filled with fun from beginning to end. Get all the current facts of going through the security checkpoint beforehand, in order to share them with your child. Once you board the plane, secure your child’s seat-belt and prepare to help him have an enjoyable flight. Make it fun!

Where's the Entertainment?

There may be in-flight entertainment, but don't rely on it alone. Many larger airlines have in-flight entertainment such as films, music, and even children's channels. However, there are times when it might be broken or not appropriate for your child’s age group. Also, wearing the headphones might irritate your child, in some way, because they are sized for adults. Best bet, bring your own assortment of entertaining activities for your child.

Bring along your child's very own earphones. They will fit him better than the
adult-sized earphones provided by the airline.

Some suggestions are: (Choose a few of these from the list.)

1.   Portable video game consoles.
2.   MP3 player, plus music and audio books.
3.   An electronic book that can be played softly.
4.   Coloring books, activity books, blank drawing paper – Don’t forget the pencils and crayons!
5.   Stickers - These are useful for making designs on blank pages while drawing.
6.   Magnetic games - Buy the travel-size game kits.

7.   Books to read together.
8.   Flash-cards:
9.   Kid's puzzle books - Sudoku, crosswords, find-a-word, mad-libs, jokes, etc. (One of my favorites.)
10. Print off some games to play on paper, such as tic-tac-toe, mazes or dot-to-dots. There are many such print-outs available on kids' websites online.
11. A favorite stuffed animal or doll.

Don’t forget to bring along some snacks in your carry-on bag. Choose foods that are not packed with sugar and won’t melt or crumble apart and make a mess. Licorice, apples, pretzels, cereal, and granola bars are good options. Try preparing these snacks in unique ways to keep it fun. Young kids will love cereal, like Cheerios or Fruit Loops, strung onto yarn to form an edible necklace. You can also make up your own bags of trail mix with your child’s favorite combo'.

.....and More

Reward your child for good behavior. Surprise and reward your child for his patience on long journeys. Wrap up a new toy and present him with it after he has proven that he has been well-behaved enough. Nothing big or expensive; check the dollar store in your area. He will feel that you appreciate his cooperation.

Have the kids become vacation planners right along with you, when age appropriate. Contact the tourism board or local chamber of commerce of your destination before leaving for your trip. Request travel brochures and tourist information. Arrange these in a folder for ease of viewing during the flight. Let the kids flip through the fliers and magazines while in flight to further prepare them and boost their enthusiasm

A small challenge of flying with children is cabin pressure. Rapid changes in cabin pressure can make little ears pop, so keep drinks, baby bottle, or pacifiers available for take-offs and landings (sucking helps reduce ear sensitivity). If your child is old enough to chew gum, try that. Chewing gum to combat the uncomfortable, sometimes painful feeling of cabin pressure is something that helps me.

Then, airplanes present unique challenges for parents with young children. Kids under age two are not required by law to be restrained on airplanes, so it's up to every parent to decide how to travel. If you decide to ride with baby on your lap, consider a flight vest that secures your child to your lap belt. These vests are not designed for use during takeoff and landing, but for cruising, when turbulence most often occurs. If your child's small size does not allow the seat belt to fit properly, you can use a child safety harness to secure your child in the seat. *Check with the airline to be sure of what harnesses are allowed.

The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that small children be seated in a car seat. However, this is not the law as in traveling in a car. The only way to guarantee that your child can use a car seat is to purchase a ticket. Some airlines offer discounted fares for kids under two. If that isn't a possibility, select a non-peak flight time that's more likely to have empty seats.

Car seats manufactured in the United States after February 26, 1985 must be US FMVSS #213 or FAA certified, with a red sticker labeled, “This restraint is certified for us in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft,” and “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.” This includes booster seats and any types of harnesses.

For parents with infants, each time that you take a trip on an airplane, and for various airlines that you use, make a call to customer service to verify if a carry-on bag with diaper and feeding needs will be counted as an extra bag. Baby's needs may have to be incorporated into your carry-on, if needed.

Finally, ask questions when in doubt. You’re ready for take off! Enjoy your flight!