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10 Valentines Day Date Ideas that are Simple and Easy

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Valentines Day is right around the corner, and while my husband and I enjoy each others company, we’ve never been big fans of over the top holiday celebrations. That is why we thought others could benefit from some simple and easy Valentines Day Date ideas.

1. Recreate a date from the past

Pick your favorite past date and recreate it. Whether this is a walk in the park or an ice skating night or maybe a little cozy time together on the couch, it’s sure to be a hit for a Valentines Day Date.

2. Cook a meal at home you both enjoy

Every Valentines Day Date I’ve been on has involved food. Now I don’t think food has to be involved, but you are going to need to eat that day anyway. Why not kill two birds with one stone so to speak and make a nice meal you enjoy.

3. Go away together for the weekend

This doesn’t have to be fancy. Get a hotel in your town even, get away together. Visit a nearby city you’ve been meaning to explore or find a way to go camping together for the weekend. Whatever you do, do it together.

4. Get dressed up and watch a movie

No one said you had to spend a ton of money to have a lovely Valentines Day Date together. Pick out a theme or dress in nice clothes and stay home and watch a movie together.

5. Turn off the phones and play board games

This idea might be hard just because I am asking you to give up your phone for a night. You can do anything but be committed to whatever you are doing. For us, this is usually some board game night.

6. Do a Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts can be fun, but sometimes we make them too complicated. Make it easy on yourself by using a pre-made list and using some theme. Since we are talking about Valentines Day Date ideas a love or heart theme would be cute.

7. Write down Memories of favorite moments and then read them

This is an especially fun date night idea if you have to keep the kids around. Everyone can participate by writing down their favorite memories over the past year. Once everyone has completed this task as part of your Valentines Day Date, read them all out loud so everyone can remember those moments.

8. Make some homemade products for pampering

There are so many great DIY recipes you can make on Pinterest. Try making bath salts or fizzes for a spa-like feel. Plus once you are done making them you get to use them! It’s like a spa night at the house!

9. Go to a movie

This is a very traditional idea. However, there is a reason traditional options are a tried and true favorite. A good movie is soothing to the soul. Plus sneaking in a romance now and then is fun too!

10. Find a fancy restaurant and go out to eat

Going out to eat at a nice place in town is a sure hit for your Valentines Day Date. Don’t hold back and find that place you’ve meant to visit. Make sure if the area is super popular you are making reservations.

No matter what you do this Valentines Day, I hope you do it with love and laughter. Enjoy the times you get to spend with family and friends.

10 Amazing Technology Tips Every Preschool Parent Needs to Know

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=If you have a young child then you probably recognize that technology is becoming more and more ingrained in their lives. Technology touches almost every aspect of our children from school work to communication to playing. Here are 10 Tips that every preschool parent needs to know to raise a well rounded technology savvy kid!

First 5 Technology Tips for your Preschool child

  1. Technology is for Communication. Start out by using technology as often as you can for communicating. Most people associated their phones with a major part of their technology strategy.  Phone calls are slowly being replaced by facetime and text messaging requiring us to ensure our children see technology as a communication method.
  2. Be a good Role Model. The most important thing we can do for our young children is to set them up to succeed by role modeling expected behavior. It’s confusing and sends the wrong message if you tell your children they can’t do something and then you do it.
  3. Make sure your child plays with other toys. Like most things in your preschool child’s life you have to ensure they aren’t spending to much time on any one thing. Technology is no exception.
  4. Set Limits. Children expect and need limits on the things they do. This sets them up to expect boundaries later in life.
  5. Do your Research. Look into all the apps you let your children use. Make sure you understand what they are doing and when. Just because something is rated for preschool aged children doesn’t automatically make it a good choice.

Additional Tech Tips for your preschooler

  1. Don’t Let Technology run your life. To often we allow technology to dictate how we act and interact with others. Ensure you don’t limit your experiences based on techology needs. This includes meal time and other family designated times. Preschool aged children need to learn how to socialize with older children and adults as well.
  2. Say NO! Saying NO is encouraged and should be utilized as necessary. Give yourself permission to disappoint your child. Set clear expectations and stick to them saying NO to children is acceptable.
  3. Start early discussions on Safety. As we move more and more into the techology age, it’s so important to ensure our children understand online safety. This includes cyber bullying, predators and technology impacts that may be negative experiences.
  4. Combine Technology and Outdoor Activities. Technology interactions on our phones, ipads and other devices make it easy to combine them with other play and outdoor type activities. These devides are portable making it easy to take with you wherver you are going. This can include games that encourage physical movement, or learning about plants and animals they see everyday.
  5. Screen Time doesn’t equal Alone Time. Do not allow technology to be a substitute babysitter for your children. Preschool aged kids need to know that watching tv, playing on a tablet or other technology device doesn’t automatically mean they are by themselves.

10 Amazing Technology Tips Every Preschool Parent Needs to Know #parentingtips #parenting #tech #technologytips

In conculusion the 10 Tips for technology are:

  1. Technology is for Communication – Facetime with relatives or family friends.
  2. Be a good Role Model – This isn’t just good advice for technology, this is good parenting advice in general.
  3. Make sure your child plays with other toys – Ensuring your child gets adequate outdoor time and play time along with technology time are important to their well being.
  4. Set Limits – Set time limits, how to use limits and where to use technology based on your family.
  5. Do your Research – Stay informed and be involved.
  6. Don’t Let Technology run your life – Put the screens away sometimes and ensure you children are learning social skills.
  7. Say NO – Stick to your predetermined limits and expectations.
  8. Start early discussions on Safety – Age appropriate conversations regarding this topics are and need to be a part of your overall technology strategy!
  9. Combine Technology and Outdoor Activities – Use your technology to learn about the things they see or do. Or use it to help them create a vision board.
  10. Screen Time doesn’t equal Alone Time – Spend time together learning and playing with technology.