A look at issues of interest for parents and their children.

For our annual parenting guide, we wanted to explore some of the topics of discussion that frequently arise for families in the area. From caring for aging loved ones as well as children with special needs to educational concerns and the latest health and wellness trends, we draw on expert advice and insight to find out how approaching these aspects of life can help shape the family dynamic and build stronger bonds.

FAMILY FUN
What the pandemic means for your summer travel plans.

With coronavirus still a threat, summer travel in 2020 is all about staying close to home.

According to a survey released in early May by the U.S. Travel Association and MMGY Travel Intelligence, once the pandemic subsides 43% of Americans expect to travel to destinations close to home. Meanwhile, a June report from Destination Analysts, found that more than 60% of travelers are likely to choose to vacation in a familiar location.

So, whether it’s heading out to see the sights in your own backyard or taking a day trip to the coast, travel in the short-term is trending away from far-flung destinations and toward easily accessible and familiar attractions.

Playing it Safe
Alan Fyall, a professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, says this year destinations will be upping their marketing to residents.

“This year it’s local, local, local,” he says.

For many people, traveling this summer means avoiding airport crowds and not taking a gamble on places they are unfamiliar with.

This is true for readers of TravelingMom.com, according to editor-in-chief of the website, Cindy Richards, who says many families are still planning to take a vacation this summer, but are looking to get out into nature.

“[People] are searching for information on road trips, RV rentals, national parks, beaches and other healthy outdoors vacations,” she says. “They’re looking for the hidden gems and secluded beaches they can visit safely with their kids.”

Traveling with Little Ones
Family travel is often complicated by the demands of attending to children. This year, parents may feel even more added pressure with also having to protect their children from COVID-19.

But it is possible to get where you’re going even with kids in tow. Richards says it’s all about weighing your options and finding what works best for your family.

“I just heard about one mom who normally drives from her home in Florida to visit her parents in San Antonio each year,” she says. “But this year, she’s flying with her two little ones. She decided that it was less risky to take a direct flight than road trip with the two preschoolers because that would require her to stop for bathroom breaks, food and overnight stays, potentially exposing them to much more risk.”

When it comes to accommodations, Fyall says brand trust will weigh heavy in favor of recognizable hotels who can assure guests that their facilities are meticulously cleaned.

Head to the Great Outdoors
Some people are not wanting to step foot in a hotel or vacation rental this summer. Instead, they’re using this opportunity to rent or buy a recreation vehicle.

Larry McNamara, CEO and owner of Giant Recreation World in Winter Garden, says his business has seen a huge jump in sales for RVs because this mode of transportation and accommodation is a safe way to vacation right now.

“It’s like staying home, except you can bring your home with you,” he says.

Exploring the outdoors is a great choice for families wanting to avoid crowds and RVs are ideal for camping. But McNamara says the biggest draw has to be the family bonding RVs make possible.

“It’s a lifestyle and it’s rooted in family and togetherness,” he says.

Have a Plan B
Richards says her best piece of advice for families traveling this summer is to have a fallback in case your original plans go awry.

“That way, if the crowds are too big when you arrive or the destination is closed, you have another vacation option ready,” she says.

For families, booking ahead for travel was a must before the pandemic but now it seems more people are making plans on the fly. Visit Orlando economist Daryl Cronk says people are waiting to see how things play out before committing to travel.

“There is that glimmer of hope that if the situation resolves itself in a reasonable time, there could be an unusually large number of very short-term, last-minute bookings for late summer into the fall,” he said in a Visit Orlando webinar.

Getting Away
Although Americans are wary about traveling now, experts predict people will still try to take their vacations this year.

“People are very reluctant to give up their vacation,” Fyall says.

With all of the struggles people have faced over the past couple of months, he expects people will be itching to grab a bit of normalcy by not foregoing travel completely. Richards concurs.

“It’s important to get away from the day-to-day pressures—especially now,” she says. “Even a day trip to explore something new gives you a change of scenery and a chance to relax and just have fun together as a family.”

ROAD-TRIPPING
Sixty-eight percent of Americans say they feel safest right now traveling by car to visit outdoor destinations, according to a May survey released by the U.S. Travel Association and MMGY Travel Intelligence. Below are some ideas to inspire wanderlust.

Clearwater
About a two-hour drive from Orlando, this Gulf Coast city has sugar-sand beaches and stunning sunsets. Take a jaunt north to Caladesi Island State Park for untouched natural beauty or head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for an educational experience with the kids. For lunch, you’ll find plenty of al fresco eateries serving fresh seafood along Clearwater Beach.

Key West
This Florida island is known for its iconic attractions and laid-back vibe. Be sure to get your picture taken at the Southernmost Point Buoy, then spend the afternoon viewing 15 acres of native flowers and greenery at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. For dinner, options abound on Duval Street.

St. Augustine
Known as the “Old City,” this historical town is about two hours away and has plenty of sights to see. Visit the Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park to learn about Spanish conquistadors and the Timucua Native Americans or stop by the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park to see crocodilians up close. For a bite to eat, jump over to St. George Street for a slice of pizza or scoop of ice cream.

Winter Haven
About an hour away from Orlando by car, this city, with its canal-linked Chain of Lakes and cultivated grounds, should not be overlooked. Start your day at Legoland for some block-building fun or journey just right outside of town to Bok Tower Gardens for a stroll through the flowers. For a sitdown meal, Winter Haven’s Main Street is where you’ll want to go for some good eats.

EDUCATION
Seven things students should know before going off to college.

This fall, thousands of teenagers will head off to college and, for the first time, live away from their families. While this year’s freshman class is certainly stepping onto campus at a time when coronavirus is changing the college experience, there are still some undeniable hallmarks of that first year at university.

To make the transition from mom and dad’s house to school dorms or off-campus apartments easier, here are seven things for college freshmen to keep in mind when going off to school.

Be Your Own Advocate
High school students are used to teachers and parents championing them and pushing them in the right direction so they may be unskilled at being their own advocates in college. However, it’s essential they learn to do so.

Amy Parker, recruitment, enrollment and retention assistant vice president at Valencia College, says this is the time when students need to be in control of their own learning.

“It’s really for the students to take the driving wheel, really take responsibility,” she says. “A lot of that has to do with them really being engaged.”

Parker says this means keeping up with college communications by checking email and staying up to date on deadlines for things such as financial aid and dropping classes.

Manage Your Time
Director of College Guidance at Montverde Academy, Rick Ellis says time management takes on a new meaning in college.

“On average, college students spend anywhere from 15 to 18 hours a week of actual class time, compared to the 30 to 40 hours a week you are used to from high school,” he says. “On the surface that seems more manageable, but the work you will be expected to complete outside the classroom in college is demanding.”

To not fall behind, freshman students should create a study schedule for their time outside of class.

Ask (and Find Answers) to Questions
Parker says her biggest piece of advice for incoming students is to not be afraid to ask questions.

“If you don’t know, if you’re concerned about something, you’re confused about something, you think that you’re being asked to do this, but you’re not really sure; ask the question,” she says. “I always say the people in higher education, we chose to be here. … We want to help students be successful.”

At each of Valencia’s campuses there is an Answer Center that students can visit to get responses to their questions on everything from admissions to financial aid. Currently Valencia’s Answer Centers are closed, but the college has created a virtual center for students to connect with advisors.

Colleges such as the University of Central Florida have separate offices for different matters such as financial aid or campus housing where students can seek information.

Take Advantage of Campus Amenities
A campus tour is also a good way to become acquainted with all the amenities available to students. Ellis says one resource freshman should not overlook is career services.

“Career services are not just for seniors in the same way college counseling was not just for 12th graders,” he says. “I think if you asked any career services director, they would tell you those students who are best prepared for employment or graduate school likely spent time in this area long before the last year in college.”

Parker says college tutoring centers are another underutilized resource. One benefit of college-sponsored tutoring? Unlike education help found off-campus, this service is free to students.

Care for Yourself
Living on your own and taking on a more rigorous academic course load can be taxing on those who are doing it for the first time. Parker and Ellis say students need to make self-care a priority.

“I think all these pieces are so important: getting your sleep, eating well, taking care of yourself, creating good balance,” Parker says.

Additionally, most colleges offer counseling centers. “Your mental health is just as important as your physical health,” Ellis says.

Try New Things
College is not just a time to learn new things but a time to explore.

To that end, Parker encourages college freshmen to take part in college organizations and attend campus events like lecture series.

“Trying to make connections that way so you feel a stronger tie to your institution, I think that’s really important and that helps students feel at home,” she says.

Have a Plan (and Be Ready to Change It)
Planning your college career, the classes you want to take and imagining the path you want to be on after graduation is essential to succeed in higher education. But, as this year’s high school graduating class can attest, things don’t always go according to plan.

Ellis says seniors experienced their final year of high school in a way no one could have predicted but, if anything, they’ve gained an ever-important skill for success in college and life: the ability to adapt.

“It is great to have plans, we encourage you to do so,” he says. “We also remind you to be flexible, to be able to adapt to the curves and adversities that come your way.”

REDUCING HOMEWORK HASSLES
No matter your child’s grade level, the tips below will make homework time easier.

• Get organized by having your child keep a schedule for when he or she will do homework. Use this calendar to also keep track of what assignments are due when.
• Talk through the assignments with your child. After your child reads the instructions, ask him or her to explain what the assignment is asking to make sure he or she understands what they’re supposed to do.
• Watch for frustration and if your child hits a roadblock, let them take a break.
• Give praise when your child does well. Children respond to encouragement from their parents and it will motivate them to complete their assignments.

**Source: U.S. Department of Education

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
How to talk to your kids about the pandemic.

The pandemic has significantly altered the lives of every person in America. For children, it’s been an interruption to schooling, activities with other kids and their normal routine. That’s true of teenagers as well but with the added sting of missing milestones like walking across the graduation stage and going to prom.

With such a seismic shift in their lives, children and teenagers may be feeling a range of emotions, some of which may be hard for them to express. However, with some expert advice, traversing this new terrain with your children is possible.

Signs To Watch Out For
Young children often don’t have the words to say how they feel, says Kimberly Renk, a University of Central Florida professor and clinical psychologist with expertise in child trauma.

“I think parents have to be more on alert for changes in behavior,” she says.

Parents should be on the lookout for modifications in their child’s eating patterns and sleep, as well as a more pronounced expression of sadness, aggression or frustration.

Renk says since the pandemic started, she’s seen a lot of children manifest their uneasiness through clinginess, crying and whining.

Starting the Conversation
Michael Westerveld, a clinical psychologist at AdventHealth, says starting a conversation about the pandemic with children can begin with just a simple question.

“Ask them what they know about this,” he says. “What have they heard about it? So, if they’ve heard wildly inaccurate things, you can actually give them factual information that is presented in a way that is consumable for whatever age they’re at.”

This may be particularly important for older children who may have unfettered access to social media and the internet through their cell phones.

For Little Ears
Parents speaking to young children about the coronavirus need to pick language that is understandable and talk about issues in a way that is developmentally appropriate. Renk says parents should validate their child’s feelings, too.

“The parent’s job becomes to organize that child’s feeling and provide a safe space for an ongoing conversation to occur as new things come up,” Renk says.

Talking When They Don’t Want to Talk About It
Sometimes children may withdraw into themselves because they are not comfortable speaking about what they’re feeling. Westerveld says in these cases parents just need to let children know it’s safe for them to talk about their emotions.

“So, you say, ‘OK, you don’t have to talk about it but we’re going to have a family meeting and mom and dad are going to talk about it and maybe your brother, if you have a brother, or a sister, if you have a sister, may want to talk about it,” he says. “So, you’re letting them know it’s OK to talk about it and it’s OK to not be OK at times.”

Financial Concerns
Right now, many families are suffering financially with people out of work for the foreseeable future. Renk says parents need not get into the nitty-gritty details of their finances but it’s crucial for them to address this new family dynamic with their kids.

“I think having an open discussion again is going to be important,” she says. “Where you say, ‘Well, you know, the circumstances around the pandemics certainly have affected our family. We don’t have as much money as we did when we were able to work, but that’s not something you have to worry about.’”

Parents should tell their children that this means the family may not be able to do all the things they are used to. But most importantly, they need to reassure the children this is something that will be figured out.

Take Care of Yourself
Of course, children are not the only ones going through grief and other extreme emotions right now. Parents may be feeling turmoil themselves, something they need to address before talking with their children.

“It’s kind of like putting on the oxygen mask on the airplane on your face first, before you help your kids,” Renk says. “You want to make sure that you are taken care of and your emotions are under control before you have any of these discussions, before you approach those difficult situations, because your children and adolescents are looking to you as to how to cope with these things.”

Without regulating your own feelings first, it can be difficult to help children through their own. Ultimately, how parents handle this crisis is how their children will also.

“I think parents always have to keep in mind that our children are the best observers of our behavior and they look to us—they socially reference us for so many things,” Renk says.

NUTRITION IN THE PANTRY
With kids at home now more than ever, it is helpful to have lots of ready-to-eat or quick-to-prepare snacks on hand for when they’re hungry. Of course, you’ll want these snacks to be healthful and filling. For that, we have you covered with advice from Gracie Barresi, a registered dietitian at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children; and nutritionist and cookbook author Carly Paige. 

• Look for snacks that are low in sugar and high in protein and fiber. “The combination of these nutrients will help kids feel full and satisfied,” Barresi says.
• Bring kids into the process of cooking or assembling their snacks. “This gives them a sense of ownership and helps them become familiar with healthy ingredients they would otherwise turn their nose up to,” Paige says.
• Skip the cookies, chips, high-sugar yogurts, muffins, Pop-Tarts, etc.
• Set up designated snack times to avoid mindless eating. “It is important to start conversations with kids on why they are actually eating,” Barresi says. “Are they craving a food, eating out of boredom, eating when sad or another form of emotional eating?”
• Try healthier takes on kids’ favorites such as sweet-potato brownies.

SNACK TIME
Low-sugar but high in fiber and protein, these snack options are ideal for kids, according to Gracie Barresi, a registered dietitian at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

• 1 small apple, sliced + 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• 3 cups low-fat popcorn
• 1-ounce of cheese + high-fiber cracker
• 1-ounce of nuts + 1 handful of fresh fruit
• Hummus + fresh veggies
• Dry roasted edamame or chickpeas
• Low-sugar granola bar
• Rice cake with peanut butter and banana
• Green pea crisps
• Yogurt with less than 10 grams of sugar, topped with fresh berries