Travel & Tourism Archives - Jen is on a Journey

Raising a Teenager with 1 Minute Parenting Tips

March 2, 2021 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

#parentandteen, #1minuteparentingtip, Raising a Teen

This post is made possible with support from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, part of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. All opinions are my own.

Are you raising a teenager like I am right now? Now, more than ever, families are searching for the best way to navigate the world safely and lovingly with our children, especially our teens. The Center for Parent & Teen Communication website (CPTC) provides science-based strategies to support healthy family relationships. The Center is made up of doctors, researchers, and advisors bringing years of knowledge and expertise on youth to today’s parents. I have been reading and watching their 1-Minute Parenting Tips, easy to implement tips and practical advice. I am not too proud to say that I need help with my teen these days, I’m taking notes!

One tip that struck a chord is called “Self-Interested Teens.” My 15-year old spends many hours on her phone taking selfies, posting them online, and the same amount of time in the bathroom mirror. Chores are put-off, doors are slammed, simple questions are replied to defensively, and my husband and I sigh in despair. I’ve cried myself to sleep many nights praying that tomorrow she will be happier and offer concern for others than herself. The video turned the light bulb on for me. Of course, it’s self-interest! They are finding themselves; looking for their place in this big world. Happy tears fell this time because I’m not raising an uncaring child—it’s quite the opposite.

These thoughtfully stated parent tips are concise, to-the-point explanations of valid concerns we have with our teens. They make you think of things in a different way, perfect for me as I often over-analyze my methods of parenting. I’ve signed up for the CPTC 100-word, daily parenting tip newsletter, you should check it out too. Watch the six animations, http://bit.ly/2Z9bqXa, and let me know in the comments which one you can relate to the most. I know they all have some truth in them and hit some nerves for me, especially this past year.

4 Things to See in Cincinnati

July 8, 2020 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Cincinnati isn’t a city that gets a lot of love when it comes to attractions and entertainment options. The city is often overshadowed by bigger cities on the coasts, and Cincinnati rarely comes up in conversations. The Queen City is also often overshadowed by other Midwestern cities, as cities like Chicago, Cleveland, and Milwaukee are often discussed much more often. Despite all that, Cincinnati has many sights that both residents and tourists can take advantage of. So if you’ve just closed on one of the Cincinnati houses for sale and are looking for some sights to see on the weekend, what are your options? Here are some of the top things to see while in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Art Museum
A great thing to see while in Cincinnati is the Cincinnati Art Museum, an institution with hundreds of great pieces on display. The Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest and most historic public museums in the entire country, and they deliver extremely high-quality exhibits. The museum covers over 18,000 square feet, housing all sorts of different paintings and sculptures that will keep you enthralled. One of the most famous exhibits in the museum is the two adoring angels made by famous Italian sculptor Odoardo Fantacchioti, a truly great masterpiece. If you’re looking for some great sights in Cincinnati, try looking at the exhibits at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Great American Ballpark
One of the main attractions of Cincinnati is its home baseball team, the Reds. The Reds are one of the oldest organizations in Major League Baseball, as they were established in 1882. The Reds are essentially synonymous with the city of Cincinnati at this point, as they have represented the city for so long. Great American Ballpark was built in 2003 to be a new home for the Reds, and the team has used the ballpark ever since. Spending a day at Great American Ballpark is always a blast, as you get to experience a great day of baseball. There’s nothing more fun than spending the day with family watching America’s pastime, as it truly is the perfect family activity. If you’re looking for some beautiful sights and a great time, catching a Reds game is the perfect way to do it.

Cincinnati Zoo
The Cincinnati Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and has long been a staple of Cincinnati entertainment. The zoo has several great exhibits with all different sorts of animals including lions, cheetahs, crocodiles, and monkeys. You’ve probably heard of the Cincinnati Zoo, since the zoo gained infamy in 2016 with the shooting of one of their gorillas. A young child snuck its way into the exhibit, prompting the zoo’s security to shoot the gorilla known as Harambe to protect the child’s life. Even with the incident, the zoo has remained strong and is still a top entertainment destination for those in the Queen City. If you’re looking for some great sights in Cincinnati, try viewing the amazing animal exhibits on display at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Smale Riverfront Park
If you’re ever in Cincinnati and want to get away from the bustling city life, then taking a visit to Smale Riverfront Park may be a great option for you. The park is great for the whole family, as it is the perfect place to take a nice afternoon stroll. You can also see some gorgeous views of the river, making it the perfect place to picnic by. Kids will especially love coming to the park, as it has several playgrounds and water activities for them to enjoy. There’s just so much family fun to be had in Smale Riverfront Park that it absolutely has to be high up on your places to visit.

Partnered Post

Tired of Grandma’s House? Try These Holiday Destinations Instead

November 26, 2019 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

It’s the holiday season and if the thought of packing up the kids, the dogs, the husband, a metric ton of presents and hauling your fruitcakes to grandma’s house again this year makes you feel like imbibing some spirits, rather than filling you with Christmas spirit, it may be time to expand your travel plans.

Let’s face it, millions of Americans are heading home for the holidays, and we at National Today love our families. But sometimes, doing a little something different — mixing it up, creating new and interesting holiday traditions — is critical for everyone’s mental health.

That’s why this year we’re suggesting that instead of sitting in traffic on the Garden State Parkway, you hop a flight to someplace new, exotic and off the beaten path. To help, we’ve put together a short list of places, similar to our calendar, that are seriously up-and-coming, and/or seriously great holiday destinations. There will be no Disney’s, all-inclusive cruises, or tourist traps on this list. If you’re looking for that there are plenty of other places on the internet to find them. We want to help you bring only unique and memorable holiday travel experiences this year.

Ambergris Caye – Belize
Lush rainforests, Mayan ruins, gorgeous beaches, and one giant beautiful blue sinkhole make Ambergris Caye the kind of place you could just relax, play with the kids, and make some real memories. Central America has had its share of rough times, but Belize is emerging as a scenic place to unwind that’s nearly in our backyard. Also, Richard Branson is planning to mount an expedition to the bottom of the Blue Hole sometime soon. If it’s good enough for the Virgin Galactic founder, it’s good enough for us.

The Catskills – New York
Not looking to update your passport for a little holiday jaunt then look no further to upstate New York’s Catskill mountains. Quietly becoming a hotspot for hipsters, the Catskills boast some of the east coast’s finest skiing and the restaurants have become top-notch. Best of all, it’s just a short trip outside of the city but feels like a world away.

Lisbon – Portugal
This is the first off-the-beaten-path European destination on this list but it won’t be the last. Lisbon boasts all of the old world charm you’re looking for in a holiday destination. Visit the Sao Roque church for wonderful Christmas concerts, check out the lights along Rossio Square, and round out your Christmas shopping at the Christmas market in Campo Pequeno. While you’re at it, grab some rabanadas (Portuguese french toast) for the full Lisbon experience.

Colmar – France
Quaint doesn’t even begin to describe this delightful enclave near the German border. Medieval and Renaissance- era architecture surrounded by cobble-stoned streets make for a picturesque holiday experience. Enjoy the Gothic architecture of the Eglise Saint-Martin Church and sample some of the Alsace region’s best wines (once the kiddos have gotten in bed).

Kyoto – Japan
Even though most Japanese are Buddhist and Shinto, they are not above a little Christmas spirit. Satisfy your heart’s desire for eastern culture (and food) by visiting this ancient city at the holidays. In fact, it’s a particularly good time to dine on eastern cuisine as most Japanese use the Christmas season as a time to check out western-styled restaurants. Buck that trend and check Japan off your bucket list.

These are just a few of the non-traditional holiday destinations that the family will enjoy and will help create memories for years to come. Visit grandma next year, she’ll understand, especially if you bring her back some sweet swag from your travels.

Partnered Post

Traveling to Turkey During the Winter Season

December 16, 2014 by The Mom Jen 8 Comments

If you’re getting tired of the relentless rain, the bite of cold snaps and the darkening nights it might be time to book a holiday. Turkey is not an obvious winter destination, but there are plenty of reasons why this endlessly fascinating country is simply better when visited in the off-season. While your peers are slumped in front of the television or paying over the odds for a ski holiday, explore the alternative of a winter getaway in Turkey.

The price

While they’re not doing a roaring trade, there is enough business for most hotels in Turkey to stay open during winter, particularly in Istanbul and the Mediterranean coastal areas. Not only can savvy travellers sniff out cheap off-season flights, but they can also benefit from excellent room rates, and even consider the possibility of a heavily discounted 5 star stay.

There are fewer tourists

To anyone who has had to queue for hours to see an attraction, been jostled by a rude day-tripper who can’t wait their turn or had to endure a five hour flight surrounded by a chorus of howling babies, there’s a lot to be said for off-season travel. Turkey holidays in particular see significantly fewer tourists in winter because of the absence of the cruise parties that swarm its western coastline in summer.

You can meet the locals

The ratio of visitors to locals decreases in winter, meaning you might actually be in with a chance of chatting with shopkeepers, guides and townspeople. You’ll go from being just another tourist to being a warmly received guest in this hospitable country, and will gain a greater cultural insight because of it.

The weather

Turkey can become oppressively hot in summer, but in winter months, the temperature drops to reasonably cool, without becoming uncomfortably cold. For those who don’t care about sun-worshipping, the winter conditions in Turkey are ideal for urban exploration and exhilarating hikes.

You can experience the sights

Experience the relaxation of a Turkish bath without being uncomfortably crowded. Grab a cup of steaming Turkish coffee without waiting in line, or shop in the bazaar without having to wait to look at pretty local handicrafts and goods. Enjoy the true power of the Hagia Sofia when viewed unobstructed by gawking crowds, or be awestruck by Ephesus without the blistering heat. If you’ve come for the culture, you’ll get a chance to see it unmolested by the hell that is thousands of tourists all vying for the same thing. Most points of interest are open year-round, but coastal areas do tend to become quieter as the summer season winds down.

This coming year, skip the crowds and embrace Turkey in all its wintery glory.

Guest post provided to Jen is on a Journey, images by Martin Fisch and Özlem Ercan used under the Creative Commons license.