Travelling with children this Holiday Season

Flying with babies, toddlers and kids

The idea of flying with kids is probably the biggest single cause of stress for travelling parents. Nobody looks forward to lugging a lot of luggage through the airport with a tired and unhappy child (or children) in tow, and the prospect of keeping them seated, quiet, and happy for hours on end can be terrifying. While we can't promise that your kids won't have a meltdown, our travel tips will help streamline your air travel and keep everyone in a better mood! We also have helpful advice for making travel with infants easier.

Getting ready

• The first step is to get to the airport early. It is time consuming to get through the airport and security in any circumstances and you won’t be as able to make a last minute dash to your gate as you would without a child (or children) in tow. The extra time at the airport will give your child a chance to exercise (find an empty gate area or ask if there is an airport play area) in between the long car ride and the flights.
• When possible, check in and secure your seat assignment online before you leave for the airport. Don’t forget to print the boarding passes & put them in your carryon!
• Be sure to pack your itinerary (including any phone numbers you'll need) and a map of your destination in your carryon. Nothing is worse than struggling to find your hotel with tired children in tow.

Getting to the airport

Unless you live in an urban environment with good public transportation, getting to the airport can present a challenge. The need to bring a car seat makes it difficult to have a friend drop you off or take a taxi, but it can cost a fortune to park at the airport.

• Consider airport transfers from your home to the airport this is very affordable, safe and convenient. Contact Sure Zorgvliet Travel to arrange safe and affordable transfers to and from the airport, we will even provide car seats for babies and toddlers.

Checking in

Hopefully you have already checked in online & just need to drop off your baggage. Here are some helpful tips that will make airport check-in with kids easier.

If the line is long, the open spaces in the airport can be a good place to let the kids run a little while one parent waits in line to check the bags. Remember to stay close in case the gate agent needs to see each of the passengers or check ID’s

• Don’t check your stroller unless you plan to carry your child in a sling. Most airlines will allow you to push your stroller all the way to the gate. They’ll then check it at the gate and have it waiting for you outside the plane door when you deplane. Some airlines will even let you bring a small stroller on board if there is space.
• Make sure that your stroller has a tag with your name, address, and phone number. If you do check-in your stroller, consider packing it in a bag as many airlines consider strollers “fragile items” and will not reimburse you for damage.
• If you are travelling with a lap infant in a carrier car seat, consider keeping the car seat with you until you find out whether there is a free seat on the plane that you can use for the baby.
• Check with your airline in advance about baggage restrictions. On international flights, some airlines will allow a lap infant to check baggage, other airlines exclude baby items like a car seat or stroller as part of the parent's baggage allowance.

Airport security with kids

The most important thing you can do to ease your trip through security is to have everything organized in advance. Having lots of loose items, stuff hanging off the stroller and in the basket underneath will make it take forever to gather everything and you will risk leaving something behind.

• Explain to your child exactly what will happen. It can be scary for them to put their shoes and lovey on the conveyor belt and say goodbye to them.
• Put everything on the security belt and remove everyone’s shoes before you remove your child from the stroller, then wait until you can get your child back in the stroller before gathering up your other items.
• If there is a family lane, use it! At most airports, the family lane has extra agents to help families gather their belongings and often there is a little bit of extra space where children can put on shoes.
• Keep your tickets and ID in an easy to reach place until you board the plane.
• If you’re travelling with an infant, it’s often easiest to get through security with the baby in a metal-free sling. They can sleep without being disturbed, note that you will be required to remove the baby from the sling before take-off.

After security

Your kids have co-operated (or not) with a lot of craziness up until this point. Hopefully you’ve allowed enough time at the airport that you can give them a break and take care of their needs now. Get them a (non- sugary) snack, change diapers or visit the restroom, and spend a little time exploring with them. Now is also the time to wear your kids out so that they will sleep on the plane.

• Many airports have a play area (check the airport's website or ask a gate agent for details), but if yours doesn't there is often an empty gate area to play in. Even though you’re probably exhausted from packing and getting through security you need to resist the urge to keep your child seated or contained in their stroller while you rest. There will be plenty of time to sit down once you’re on board.
• Use this time to pick up any drinks or snacks you will need on the plane. Not all flights carry milk, and airplane tap water is not considered safe to drink (especially for children or babies). Furthermore bottled water supplies can be limited. Buy what you need now.
• The gate agent can also give you a gate-check tag for your stroller.
• If your child was recently potty trained, put them in a diaper for the flight. You'll be glad you have it if the flight is delayed on the tarmac or if there is turbulence in flight.

Boarding

As flight time nears, stay close to your gate and listen for the agent to announce pre-boarding. It is helpful to get on the plane first and get yourself organized before everyone else is trying to board. If you are able to split up, send one person ahead with the carryon baggage and car seats while the other parent stays with the kids. This way the first parent can get everything organized and ready without the distraction of kids, and the kids get a little bit more time to move freely. The second parent and kids can be among the last people to board.

• Once on-board, make sure that you keep any items you need during take-off or at the beginning of the flight within your reach while seated.
• At the gate check your stroller, make sure it has a tag with your name, address, and phone number and get a claim ticket from the gate agent. At the bottom of the jet-way, collapse your stroller and remove any loose items. Do not expect that the airline personnel will know how to collapse and stow your stroller without damaging it. It is also a good idea to put your stroller in a plastic or cloth bag to protect it from damage. Most airlines consider strollers to be fragile items and will not reimburse you if they are damaged or destroyed.
• If you expect your child to sit in their own seat during take-off, discuss your expectations before the final seatbelt warning. You don’t want to be one of the handful of families each year who delay (or are removed from) flights because their child refuses to be belted into their seat.

Flight delays with kids

Here are some ideas for dealing with a flight that has been delayed after boarding.

If the plane door has not been closed yet, ask whether you can let your children walk and play on the jet-way. Flight staff are often cooperative (they don't like crying children either.)

• Try walking your children up and down the aisle.
• Get your children involved in some positive play with the neighbours in front of and behind you. (Peekaboo is hard for even the most stoic travellers to resist). They'll be a lot more understanding when your children have a difficult time later if they've seen them being cute.
• Even though you're frustrated, try not to let your kids know it. They'll only pick up on your mood.
• Resist the temptation to keep your kids (temporarily) quiet with juice or sugary treats, it will only make them harder to manage later. High protein snacks (especially ones that take a while to eat) are a great choice though.
• Engage your kids in quiet play. If they're old enough, try making up stories about why the flight is delayed (maybe squirrels in the cockpit?), where the plane should go instead, or make a list of things you would pack if you were staying at your destination for a year.

Take-off

Babies and young children do not know how to clear their ears to reduce the pressure during take-off and landing. Unless your child is asleep, you will need to help them. For older children, gum is a good aid. For babies, nursing, a bottle, or a pacifier will work. In addition to helping with ear pressure, milk also acts as a mild sedative, so feeding your child can set the stage for drifting off to sleep.

If your child is tired, consider going through as much of your sleep routine as possible during take-off (reading stories, singing quietly) and tell them that you’ll be sitting for a long time, so this is a good time to sleep. Young babies often sleep well in flight with the motion of the plane and the engine noise providing a very soothing environment.

In Flight

Set expectations about what behaviour you expect before your child gets into trouble. Acknowledge that it’s really hard to sit still for so long and tell them that you know they can do it and that you will help them when it gets difficult. Remind them about all the fun things you will get to do when you land. Here are more Tips for Keeping an Active Child Calm on a Plane

You need to make your travel toys last, so try not to bring them out until your child asks for them or gets bored. They’ll probably be amused for quite a while with just looking around, talking to the neighbours, and having some one-on-one time with you. When you do get out toys, get out one at a time so that each has a period of novelty. It’s fun to have some (or all) wrapped as gifts. The wrapping won’t add significantly to your load, but it will provide a little extra excitement and entertainment for your child. When possible, choose toys that work well together. For example, I might start with a doll and horse. When that gets boring, I could add a stroller, or a wheelchair or a car to the mix.

Baby noses sometimes get stuffy during flight. Consider bringing along some saline drops (available at the pharmacy) and a small syringe. You can drip a few drops into baby's nose during or after the flight to clear things up. Some sources also say that cleaning the nose helps reduce baby's chances of getting sick Others recommend using expressed breast milk (if you have it) because it is non-drying and antibacterial.

Landing

As with take-off, you’ll have to help your child with pressure in their ears during landing (if they are awake). If you need milk, water, or juice, get it from the flight attendant before the landing process begins.

After landing, it is easiest to wait until the other passengers have disembarked to gather your belongings and children. Despite your best efforts, some of their toys will be scattered on the floor or around the seat, and you won’t want to lose anything. If you’ve gate checked a stroller, it won’t be available immediately anyway, so you might as well wait in your seat instead of at the bottom of the airplane door. Best of all, not being part of the crush of passengers exiting the plane will also give your children a chance to peek in the cockpit.

Contact Sure Zorgvliet Travel for more advice and affordable packages in South Africa and Internationally for this coming Holiday Season.

Lilanie Janse van Rensburg


Sure Zorgvliet Travel
Tel:016 421 3753
lilanie@zorgvliettravel.co.za

Is it more beneficial to train in the comfort of your own home?

Well, each person is different when it comes to working out, and what they like. The home-workout experience is not quite like the commercial gym scene. Training at home means you will have to have a little more dedication, but it can definitely be done! One benefit of working out at home is that you can get right into your workout – no need to be shy, no one staring and no need to wait for equipment. You can also dress as comfortably as you please (that old tracksuit you would never wear in public…) and you don’t have to look gracious while doing any odd workout routines. At home, you know exactly whose sweat is on the equipment (gross right?), you don’t have to share equipment and you don’t have to engage in unnecessary conversation with regulars at the gym.

Of course working out in a gym has its own benefits as well – a variety of equipment, trainers for assistance and the unique atmosphere and sound of people working out. Some people even go to socialise with other gym fanatics.

What really counts though, is the results of your training – whether it be at home or at the gym, your muscles will respond to the weight training in exactly the same way – they will grow. It all depends on how dedicated you are; the more you put in, the more results you will see. The process of hypertrophy applies to both working out at home, and in a gym: the more you train, the bigger your muscle fibers grow, the easier it gets to lift those barbells. Your body’s only concern is adapting to your workout so that it can be ready the next time you ask it to push around some weights.

So if you prefer training in your own home for whatever the reason, all you will need is a good bench, and a couple of dumbbells. With a bit of drive and dedication, you’ll reach your goal in no time.

Here are a few barbell/dumbbell exercises for your home workout:

Barbell/dumbbell front squats

1. Hold a bar next to your chest with a shoulder width, overhand grip. Raise your upper arms until they’re parallel with the floor, letting the bar roll back so that it’s resting on the front of your shoulders.
2. Push your hips back, bend your knees and lower your body until the top of your thighs are parallel to the floor.
3. Pause in this position, and return to first position.
4. Do 4 sets of failure (as much as you possibly can in one set).

Push-ups

1. Assume the push-up position facing down on the ground, arms straight and hands slightly beyond shoulder width in the floor. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your ankles.
2. Bend your elbows and lower your body until your chest nearly touches the floor.
3. Pause in this position, then push your body back to the starting position.
4. Do 4 sets of failure once again.

Chin-up

1. First you will need to install a chin-up bar in a doorway of your home. Grip the bar shoulder width apart, underhand grip, and hang at arm’s length.
2. Squeeze you your shoulder blades down and back, bend your elbows and pull the top of your chest to the bar.
3. Pause in this position, and then slowly lower your body back to the starting position.
4. Repeat action, and do 4 sets of failure.

For your full workout programme, you can email Westley on westley.matthews@virgin1on1.co.za.

Enjoy your workout! Remember, stay lean and healthy!

Westley Matthews
Personal Trainer/Conditioning Coach
Cell:072 014 6298
westley.matthews@virgin1on1.co.za

Summer Hair Care Tips

Consider some of these basic tips for preventing unnecessary damage and having great summer hair:

1. Give your tresses a summer shampoo break

• Shampoo less often to allow tresses to absorb natural oils. Or switch to more gentle cleansing methods which won't dry out sun exposed strands.
• Hair needs to be treated more gently during the summer. Consider switching to a more moisturizing and overall gentle shampoo.
• When possible, finish with a cool to cold rinse to seal the hair cuticle and impart natural shimmer.

2. Go natural

• Depending on your hair type, texture and condition you may wish to consider avoiding hair care products which contain known ingredients (some forms of alcohol) which may be drying to some type, textures or condition of hair.
• Consider switching to hair care products which are as natural as possible.

3. Back off heated hair styling tools

• If you normally use hot styling tools (blow dryers, hot irons, rollers), give your hair a rest during summer months. Air dry whenever possible or opt for easy chic styles.
• Braid damp tresses waves which create natural waves as the hair air dries. Play with half up/half down styles or Boho side braids.
• If you're attached to your blow dryer and can't give it up, use a leave-in conditioner designed to protect your hair against dryer heat. When you do blow dry, dry on high heat.

4. Amp up rinse-out conditioning treatments

• When you cleanse be sure to apply a rinse-out conditioner appropriate for your hair, type, texture and current condition.
• After towel blotting tresses apply a drop or two of a great leave-in product into the palms of your hands. Rub hands together and then distribute leave-in products completely through your strands.

5. Schedule deep conditioning treatments

• Hair regularly exposed to the sun needs regular deep conditioning treatments and moisture replenishment.
• For extra conditioning treatment apply deep conditioner to tresses (damp or dry) then wrap in plastic wrap or a shower cap.
• Allow conditioner to soak into damaged hair sections for an extended period or overnight for extra repair and re-moisturizing benefits.
• Keep in mind some hair care products designed to add shine, may only add shimmer, but not necessarily add moisture.

6. Use protection

Hanging out in the sun without protection for your hair and scalp is the worst thing you can do. Use leave in hair products with SPF protection when you know you will be at the beach if you're unwilling to wear a hat or a cover-up.

7. Cover up

When you find yourself out in the sun, the beach or at the pool without pre-planning, reach for a hat to cover delicate strands.

8. Be religious about trims

Be religious about your trims. Since summer sun can rob moisture from your tresses, make sure you have your ends trimmed every 4-6 weeks during the summer months. When your ends are fizzy, it’s a sure sign that they are either damaged, split or both.

9. Block frizz

When the summer heat is hottest, contain potential frizz by wearing hair up in a knot, bun or braids. Or combine a cute side braid with a chic cap or hat to keep tresses covered.

Depending on your hair type, texture and condition you may be also be able to use shine products as a quick fix to control frizzies. Remember that a little bit goes a long way.

10. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

• While it's important to amp up your moisturizing and conditioning duties during summer months, remember to keep your roots and hair hydrated from the inside out.
• Drink plenty of liquids to keep roots and strands flush with fluids. Water will also keep your skin soft and plump. While it's tempting to drink ice cold alcoholic drinks keep in mind that they can dehydrate skin and strands. Water is always the best choice for your tresses.

 

Grazia Farelo
Grazia’s Hair
Tel: 016 423 3961grazia@telkomsa.net

How to make your own Mosaic table top

Mosaic table tops are very fashionable, and can brighten up a porch, garden or room in your house. Why not make one yourself and personalise it with colours and designs that best suit your decorative needs. Here’s how:

1. Wrap the ceramic tiles in a towel and gently knock them with a hammer. Alternatively, use tile nippers to create shards of varying sizes.
2. Lay out the broken pieces on the surface you want to cover and move them around until you are happy with the arrangement.
3. Working from one edge, use a notched spreader to create an even layer of tile adhesive over a small section of the surface. Position the pieces of tile on top and press lightly into the adhesive. Work in small sections until you have covered the whole area.
4. Press a piece of wood or MDF evenly on top of the tiles to ensure the surface is level, and remove and excess adhesive with the spreader. Leave the adhesive to dry thoroughly, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Once dry, fill the spaces between the tiles with grout using a squeegee and wipe the tiles clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Leave to dry.

You will need: ceramic tiles, towel and hammer or tile nippers, tile adhesive with notched spreader, piece of wood or MDF, tile grout, squeegee, damp cloth.

Time needed: 4 hours plus drying

Riana Kriek
Décor Home Design
Cell:082 337 2399
Riana@cinema-architects.co.za

MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY SYSTEMS

Whether you are already married or if you intend getting married soon, it is important to know that in South Africa there are three matrimonial property systems. Your choice in this regard may be one of the most important decisions of your life. This has a direct effect on your assets. It is, therefore, important that you consider it carefully.

If you are planning to get married you and your fiancé (e) should visit an attorney together to choose a suitable property system. You need to make an appointment to see the attorney at least two weeks before your wedding day and take the following documentation with:

• Your identity documents;
• A detailed list of your property and assets with an assessment of their value;
• Particulars of policies that may be ceded.

Your attorney will explain the three property systems to you. These are

• Marriage in community of property;
• Marriage out of community of property;
• Marriage out of community of property, with accrual.

Ask for further advice and clear up any doubts and uncertainties before making your choice. Your attorney will draw up an agreement according to your choice and make a further appointment for you to sign the agreement. The attorney must register the signed agreement with the Deeds Office. You will receive one registered copy, but may ask the attorney for more certified copies if need be.

Marriage in community of property

This marital system will automatically apply if you don’t sign an ante-nuptial contract before the marriage. The property owned by both parties becomes part of their joint estate at the moment of marriage and you will cease to be the sole owner of your property. In theory, each party owns 50% of every piece of property. The only exception to this will be an inheritance or gift that was explicitly excluded from community of property by the testator or donor.

Both spouses share equally in the assets and liabilities. Spouses have equal powers of administration and (with some exceptions) both can act independently. Written consent of both is required for certain important transactions such as those relating to fixed property, suretyship and credit agreements. Informal consent of both is required for transactions such as the selling of goods of the joint household, such as furniture.

Consent is not a requirement for transactions relating to the trade, business or profession of the spouses. The Act provides for the protection of the spouses should one act to the prejudice of the other.

Advantages:

This system rests on a sound principle: namely that marriage is a partnership and as such can be conducive to a harmonious marriage relationship. It promotes both legal and economic equality of the spouses. During the marriage and on its dissolution both partners are entitled to a half share in the joint estate and each one has equal powers of administration.

Disadvantages:

Insolvency of one of the spouses affects the total communal property. Where a risk of insolvency exists, it is not the recommended system. The system of equal powers could, in cases where the temperament of one or both marriage partners is not collaborative, lead to conflict in the marriage.

Marriage out of community of property with the accrual system

For this system to apply the parties have to sign an ante-nuptial contract specifically incorporating the accrual system.

During the marriage each spouse retains control of his/her own property, builds up his/her own estate and each is responsible for his/her own debts. On dissolution of the marriage by death or divorce, the value of the assets obtained during the marriage (the accrual) will be shared equally. The accrual is determined by calculating the difference in the gross value of the estate of each spouse and then subtracting the starting value in the ante-nuptial contract as adjusted by inflation, debts, any assets excluded in the ante-nuptial contract, non-patrimonial damages, inheritances, legacies and donations. On dissolution of the marriage the difference in the accruals of the two estates, as determined, is then divided equally. The Act enables each spouse to share in the accrual at dissolution of the marriage.

Advantages

The accrual system is a modern, equitable system and may be conducive to a harmonious marriage relationship. During the marriage, the right of the spouses to deal with their own property is not limited in any way, provided that the one does not or will not seriously prejudice the right of the other to share in the accrual. It offers protection during the existence of the marriage against, for example, insolvency of one of the spouses and, at the same time, at dissolution of the marriage each spouse has an equal share of the accrual.

Disadvantages

A possible disadvantage, especially in the case of a wealthy spouse, might be that he or she feels that he or she is not quite free to deal with his or her property since the other could apply to court for the immediate division of the accrual should the latter feel that the former, by entering into a specific transaction, might, prejudice his or her right to share in the accrual. This may cause friction. Another disadvantage of the accrual system is that spouses do not share in each other’s creditworthiness, which can have the result that a non-working wife may have little creditworthiness during the marriage if her estate is small. Remember: If you do not want the accrual system to apply, it must be excluded specifically in the ante-nuptial contract.

Marriage out of community without the accrual system

When each party wants to remain the sole owner of their property, they should conclude an ante-nuptial contract.

You can have your attorney draft an ante-nuptial contract tailored to your own individual needs.

Such a contract is recommended where:

• both parties are business people in an exceptionally high income group and where they plan not to have children;
• widowed persons conclude a so-called marriage for companionship; and
• the interests of children may be involved in second and further marriages.

In these cases independent legal advice for each of the parties is advisable especially for the woman, who on account of domestic obligations may be out of the labour market for a long period, to ensure that their interests are properly protected. At the dissolution of the marriage the parties have no claim whatsoever against the other party regarding the assets in their respective estates.

Customary marriages

A customary marriage is concluded in accordance with customary law, being the customs and usages traditionally observed among the indigenous African peoples of South Africa and which form part of the culture of those peoples. A customary marriage is recognised if it complies with the provisions of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998. If it is a first marriage, it is in community of property in accordance with the applicable sections of the Matrimonial Property Act, 1984.

Reference: Law Society of South Africa (2001) Brochure Marriage the Legal Aspects

Ronelle Prinsloo
Legal advisor
Cell:071 889 5062
ronelle.prinsloo@gmail.com