Hit ‘Play’ and Hit the Road Audiobooks the Whole Family Will Love
The stress of holiday road trips can tempt any parent to let their kids zone out in front of a screen, but don’t give in! To prevent bored youngsters from disappearing into their tablets or phones during long drives, consider healthier modes of entertainment, such as audiobooks. Unlike passive entertainment media such as movies and video games, audiobooks can accelerate a child’s reading ability by making more complex language accessible. Also, the whole family can enjoy listening to a good audiobook — even sitting in separate seats in a moving car! Apps like Libby or Hoopla provide access to audiobooks and ebooks through participating public libraries. Amazon Prime subscribers can access some free audiobooks through Audible. For
suggestions on family fare, ask your local librarian or check out the nonprofit Common Sense Media website for recommended holiday-themed books. For elementary school children, consider “The Snow Queen,” a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. This classic story of a girl saving her friend from danger, read by Julia Whelan, will inspire listeners with its lessons about fidelity and courage. Another classic is “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden. Read with dazzling energy by “Monk” actor Tony Shalhoub, this tale of a streetwise city mouse encountering a country cricket in a New York subway station is an engaging, easy listen. For tweens, “The Mother-Daughter Book Club, Book 5” by Heather Vogel Frederick tells of five book club members setting out
on holiday trips from the tropics to the Alps. Of course, numerous disasters befall them before the book’s satisfying ending! Another Christmas-themed winner is “Nickel Bay Nick” by Blair Jackson, a coming-of-age novel about a troublemaking 11-year-old boy who gets a chance to redeem himself when a mysterious neighbor blackmails him to perform acts of charity in their down- and-out town. And “Juniper’s Christmas” by Eoin Colfer is a Christmas adventure about 11-year-old Juniper Lane, who is accidentally exposed to North Pole magic after she asks for help from a mysterious woodsman living in a nearby park. As you listen, you can enjoy knowing that in addition to entertaining the family, you are stimulating your child’s imagination and language ability as they visualize the people and places in these delightful stories.
ESTATE PLANNING MEETS TRAVEL PREP Peace of Mind for Every Trip
For starters, it’s essential to have someone you trust who can step in and make decisions on your behalf if something happens. A durable power of attorney allows that person to handle your financial and legal matters. A health care power of attorney or advance directive does the same for medical decisions. If you’re a parent traveling without your kids, you should also create a temporary guardianship document clearly stating who will care for them in an emergency. Finally, if you don’t already have one, you need a will or trust in place. No one wants to think about the worst-case scenario, but these documents will ensure that your wishes are followed and your loved ones aren’t left in limbo if the unthinkable happens. Once you have everything in order, you also need to make sure that you share your plans with your loved ones and keep them easily accessible. Ensuring that the people you trust have access will help things go as smoothly as possible during an already stressful time. At Zihmer Law Firm, we’re here to help you prepare for the unexpected. Estate planning shouldn’t be stressful. It’s really about preparation and peace of mind. And when you’re prepared, you can actually enjoy your time away knowing that everything important is protected.
Before heading out for a trip, most of us are focused on packing, transportation, and making sure the house is locked up and safe while we’re away. But one question we’re hearing more lately is, “What if something happens to me while I’m on vacation?” It’s something you might not want to think about, but making sure you’re prepared is important. And the best time to plan for the unexpected is before anything happens. Whether you’re traveling overseas or just a few states away, life doesn’t always follow your itinerary. A medical emergency or accident can happen anywhere. And if something occurs while you’re away, it can create complications that extend beyond what your travel insurance covers. That’s why it’s important to have these legal documents in place before you go.
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