Category: Family & Parenting

College graduation is one of life’s happiest and most exciting milestones, but possibly one of the hardest to find an appropriate gift. The gifts we get our young adults and their friends will vary according to the kids themselves, but rest assured here are things that everyone would be thrilled to receive. Here are some of our favorite graduation gift ideas.

We are a reader-supported site and receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links in this post. 

Great College Graduation Gifts

1. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

If you are looking for a tech gift that your son or daughter will use (and thank you for) EVERY DAY, this is it. Apple AirPods Pro are wildly popular and have amazing functionality. They have noise-cancellation capabilities, an upgrade from earlier models, which can be very helpful in open offices. This is a device that has practically become a necessity for our young adults.

2. YETI Tumbler

YETI is a legendary brand, and your son or daughter would love to have a travel mug to keep their coffee hot all morning. Personalize it with their initials or the logo of their alma mater, and they will use this — and thank you — every day. This is one of the best gifts and will last forever.

3. Start More Than You Can Finish: A Creative Permission Slip to Unleash Your Best Ideas

We are massive fans of Becky Blades, author and artist of one of our favorite HIGH SCHOOL graduation gifts, Do Your Laundry. She has just published her second book which would be a perfect gift for your COLLEGE grad. This will inspire your new grad to live their most creative life as they leave the world of school and move into this exciting new phase of life.

4. Classic Leather Tote

Your daughter will love this leather tote with room for everything, including her laptop. The leather is lusciously soft but lightweight. Several great colors to choose from, and get it monogrammed for an extra personal touch. This would be a stylish gift for a new job.

5. Tile Pro

Seriously, we have yet to meet a teen or young adult who doesn’t need this. This Bluetooth tracker, durable, water-resistant, and loud, will help them keep track of all their things. Can’t find your phone or keys? Well, as long as you have your Tile, you’re golden.

Use code GN25 for 25% off any order of $75 or more through 12/31/22. This is in addition to the “Holiday Sale” of up to 60% off that is happening now.

6. Echo Dot 4th Gen

How did anyone live before Alexa? She is a voice-controlled smart speaker, and she is everything. Just ask Alexa the weather, the time, the score, the spelling of a word, who was President in 1936…she knows it all. Just trust us, your new college grad needs this, and actually so do you.

7. Personalized Tote Bag

Minted is our go-to site for unique, artist-designed gifts, including stylish cotton tote bags. Made from 100% cotton with leather straps, the totes can be personalized with your grad’s name engraved on the leather tag for free. Seventeen patterns to choose from.

8. Panda Planner

Are you always trying to suggest novel ways for your young adult to be better organized or to set goals? If you are, this is the gift idea for you. It’s a daily planner for six months. It has a nifty daily view, which would allow them to organize their life on a daily.

An end-of-the-day review helps them focus on everything they have accomplished that day.

9. TAKEYA Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Is your soon-to-be grad a cold-brewed coffee lover? This reusable, at-home cold brew maker has a 4-cup capacity and produces smooth, well-balanced, concentrated coffee. Save money and the environment, and enjoy delicious coffee. We think this would be a perfect gift, especially if they move into a first apartment.  

10. Meet 100 People by Pat Hedley

Young adults can learn the art of meeting people to expand their network of professional contacts, a skill that will enhance their professional development and career prospects. Pat Hedley has written THE book on the topic.

Watch Pet Hedley’s TED Talk here:

11. The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them by Dr. Meg Jay

In this riveting book, Dr. Jay explains that the twenties are the most defining years of adulthood. These transitional years should not be squandered because this is the decade to get things done; the things not accomplished will have far-reaching consequences — your twenty-something NEEDS to read this. NEW, updated and revised. (March 2021)

Watch Dr. Jay’s Ted wildly-popular TED Talk here:

12. GMorning, GNight: Little Pep Talks for You & Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda

No one in the universe may inspire more admiration than Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the amazing musical Hamilton. But before creating that mega-masterpiece, he posted daily tweets to inspire his followers. This New York Times Bestseller is a collection of his very best and would be a great gift

13. The Last Lecture By Dr. Randy Pausch

In one of the most famous lectures ever given, Dr. Pausch imparts wisdom, humor, and inspiration, all reprinted in this slim volume that belongs on every new grad’s bookshelf. Facing a terminal diagnosis, computer science professor Randy Pausch gave his students (and all of us) a true gift when he shared his advice for living, all while he was dying. This is a must-own title that young adults will reach for again and again when coming face to face with the real world.

14. Cutting Board

This cutting board is both beautiful and functional. Made of walnut, cherry, and maple, it is reversible and has a built-in well to make it easy to chop and sort ingredients. Beautiful to use when you young adult wants to serve charcuterie to their guests.

15. Leatherology Slim Wallet

If your son could use a more conventional wallet with room for all ID, insurance, and credit cards, consider this slim bifold wallet from Leatherology. Add initials and choose from 10 different colors. Available with RIFD (radio-frequency identification) blocking, too. Slip in a gift card to Starbucks or a favorite retailer for an added treat.

16. Instant Pot 3 Qtr

For the college graduate, this is the thing. Learning to cook can be challenging, but learning to cook with the Instant Pot, not so much. Our young adults will be out of the house most of the day, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a healthy, warm meal at night, and it gets expensive to eat out every night. Get them this Instant Pot — it’s miraculous.

17. Lululemon Backpack

The Lululemon aptly named “City Adventurer Backpack” is perfect for life on the go, from work to the gym and everywhere on weekends. With plenty of pockets, including an exterior one for a 16″ laptop, and inside ones for the rest, this smart-looking bag comes in a handful of sleek colors. A new backpack is a very useful gift and one they would love.

18. Everlane for Gifts and Apparel

We are big fans of Everlane and think that just about ANYTHING you find your grad on their site will be a welcome and stylish gift. They have modern and versatile apparel, shoes, and accessories and would be a great site for outfits that are more grown-up looking for job interviews and suitable for any type of work setting.

19. Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones

It was not just the dorm or college apartment that was noisy for your grad. Open office floor plans or working from home with roommates(!) are all distracting and loud. These wireless headphones are excellent and would be a very welcome gift.

20. Tumi Continental Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-On

This Continental Carry-On meets the carry-on size luggage requirements for travel within North America. It includes a built-in USB port, and a separate garment sleeve for a suit. In addition to being an extremely functional suitcase, it is extraordinarily well-made. It’s such high quality that your recent grad will tire of it long before they need to replace it. Perfect for leisure travel or business trips!

21. Riedel Wine Glasses

If your new grad likes to entertain, they will love this set of eight class-shaped Riedel wine glasses.

22. Yurman Cable Classics Center Bracelet

We love David Yurman jewelry, including their beautiful necklaces and earrings, but this sweet bracelet caught our eye, and we guarantee your graduate will love it.

Still Looking for More Graduation Gift Guides:

Great Graduation Gift List

Published: December 24, 2022 | Last Updated on: December 24, 2022
| by Hema

Regardless of how much joy it brings, a pregnancy always comes with some challenges. For example, the biggest concern of a soon-to-be mom is what to eat and what to avoid during these precious nine months. If you are going through the same dilemma and wondering if you can eat pomegranates during pregnancy, this blog is for you. Read it till the end for value-added information.

Is It Safe to Eat Pomegranates During Pregnancy?

YES! Pomegranates are safe for pregnancies. Consuming this fruit while pregnant is highly recommended and beneficial to both you and the fetus. Pomegranate is high in folic acid and it aids in the prevention of neural tube defects, which can cause damage to the fetal spinal cord. Another benefit of folic acid is that it prevents birth defects. For example, pomegranate prevents this problem when the baby’s lips or mouth are not fully formed.

Can Pregnant Women Consume Pomegranates in the Afternoon or at Night?

Any citrus fruit, including pomegranates, should be consumed in the morning. If you are planning to eat pomegranates during pregnancy, eat it in the morning. But please note, you must not eat citrus fruit on an empty stomach because it contains acid. It is preferable to eat pomegranates for breakfast instead.

What is the Nutrient Content?

Pomegranates are an abundant source of vitamins, photochemical compounds, antioxidants, and nutrients that are good for heart health. Pomegranate contains:

• Iron
• Calcium
• Folate
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Fiber
• Protein
• Potassium

The Benefits of Eating Pregnancy during Pregnancy

• Get rid of anemia and iron shortage

If you eat pomegranates during pregnancy, you can prevent iron deficiency. Pomegranates are a good source of both vitamin C and iron, and vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron better. In addition to this, both vitamin C and iron help prevent preterm birth.

• Defending the Body from Free Radicals

Human bodies generate free radicals, which usually turn into waste materials and toxins that needs elimination. Otherwise, they harm the mother and the fetus. Pomegranate is high in antioxidants and it helps to remove free radicals as much as possible.

• Reduces Pregnancy Complications

Every woman’s pregnancy is unique. Some women may be at risk of complications during pregnancy. Pomegranate or pomegranate juice consumption in this situation can reduce the risk of complications. Indeed, oxidative stress in pregnancy can result in a variety of complications, such as preeclampsia, miscarriage, stunted fetal development, or premature labor. It also contains a significant amount of fiber, which can help to alleviate the problem of constipation during pregnancy.

• Oxidative Damage

Pregnancy can cause an increase in oxidative stress in the body, as well as the placenta, which can cause an increase in oxidative stress. At the same time, it can lead to miscarriage.
When you eat pomegranates during pregnancy it can protect you and the fetus from the effects of oxidative stress. According to studies, pomegranate juice can help reduce placental oxidative stress.

• Muscle Cramp Prevention

You must consume enough potassium if you want to avoid muscle cramps during pregnancy. Include potassium-rich fruits like pomegranate in your pregnancy diet to avoid cramps.

• Beneficial for Fetal Brain Development

Because of its high folate content, pomegranate promotes the proper brain development of the fetus. Folate is an essential nutrient during pregnancy that aids in the formation of neural tubes and the development of the child’s nervous system.
When it comes to pomegranate benefits in pregnancy, pomegranate juice can provide 10% of the folate requirement.

• Blood Pressure Management

Pre-embolism, which raises blood pressure, is a common problem in pregnant women. Pomegranates lower and regulate blood pressure because they contain valuable nutrients and chemical compounds. So, you got one more reason to eat pomegranates during pregnancy.

• Improvement of Memory

Pomegranates have the power to protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s and strengthen brain cells. Pomegranate helps the fetus’s memory, including its verbal and visual memories, because it is packed with essential nutrients.

• Bacterial Resistance

Pomegranates have been used for centuries to protect people from various infections. Pomegranate consumption protects the mother and fetus from internal infections.

• Enhancing the Immune System

Every expectant mother needs to receive special care. When you eat pomegranates during pregnancy, it also aids in your body’s defense against illness. Pomegranate contains a variety of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals that are crucial for expectant women. However, the fruit’s tangible composition also has numerous advantages for women.

Delicious Pomegranate Recipes

Do you love pomegranates? Try these wonderful pregnancy-safe recipes today!

The Final Thoughts

Pomegranate can be consumed either after lunch or for breakfast in the morning. However, when it comes to quantity, it is preferable to eat it in moderation. To reap the benefits of pomegranates during pregnancy, one fruit per day is ideal. There is currently no conclusive scientific evidence regarding its quantity. It would be wise to get medical advice if you still have doubts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Being a parent while running a business definitely is not easy. Both place large demands on you. How can you do both successfully? Here are some tips.

Always Give 100%

To be successful, 100% effort and dedication is needed at all times in both roles. This can be a huge challenge as your family will undoubtably come first but you need to become good at balancing your duties at home and at the office. It may take time to get into the flow of keeping both sides going so it’s important to remember that. Start by doing up a realistic schedule that you’ll be able to manage. List the most pressing tasks at the top and work your way down throughout the day. If you feel like your dedication is slipping, dig deep to find some motivation and take some time away from your tasks if you really need to.

Secure Funding

Do you plan to start a business? Are you tight on cash? It’s a good idea to look into taking out a small business loan that will help to get things up and running. There are also government grants and extra funding that you should look into. Taking on some debt may actually be a good thing depending on your circumstances so look into all available options and choose the best option based on your circumstances.

Organization is Key

How organized you are will reflect in every facet of your home and business life. Here are some tips that are especially designed for busy parents:

• Plan your day the night before
• Learn how to meal plan and batch cook meals at the weekend
• Delegate jobs to other family members
• Wake up before everyone else in your home
• Maximize your time at the weekends when you’re away from work
• Have set routines when it comes to doing homework and eating
• Download productivity apps that help to keep you focused
• Stay on top of appointments

Be Fully Present with Your Kids

We’ve all been there. Doing fun activities with the kids or watching a movie while thinking about tax returns and paying the energy bills. Dropping them off to school while taking the first call of the business day. Pretending to help with homework while trying to connect to a Zoom call. Sounds familiar, right? Instances like these help no-one as you get nothing done and the kids feel neglected. They’ll feel like you’re never really present and, in time, they might resent you for that. 

The advice here is to be fully present when you’re with your kids. If you promise to watch a movie, put your phone away and make the popcorn. Get into the habit of eating at least one meal together at the kitchen table as a family. Play with your kids and be fully present when you are. These are just some steps you should take to ensure your family life isn’t sacrificed.

If you have a PDF document and you want to extract pages of a PDF Simultaneously or more than one page at a time, you’ll need to do it manually. Fortunately, the process is pretty simple. Here’s how you can extract PDF pages.

Here’s How To Extract Certain Pages Of A PDF

You can extract one or multiple pages of a PDF at once, but it’s important to note that the extraction will always be in order. In other words, if you want to extract page 6, you’ll have to extract pages 1-5 first.

If you are extracting multiple pages from a single file, then this isn’t an issue since they will all be sequential anyway.

But if you’re trying to save a few different versions of an entire document (or many individual documents), then this could become confusing if there is any overlap between those documents’ contents.

Here’s how:

• Open Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer;
• Click “File” and select “Open” from the menu bar;
• Navigate to where your PDF is stored on your computer and double-click on it;
• Select which page(s) you want to be extracted by clicking them in sequence as shown above (each time).

Here’s how to extract entire pages of one PDF and save them as a separate document

To extract entire pages of a PDF, you’ll need to use a PDF editor. The most reliable way to do this is by opening the PDF in your favorite editor and choosing Edit > Extract Pages.

This will bring up an interface where you can select which pages you’d like to extract into their own documents.

If your computer has multiple processors (or if you’re using virtualization software), make sure to check “Use Multiple Processors.” That way, when it comes time to extract the files, they’ll be split into smaller chunks and thus take less time overall.

According to the professionals at Adobe Acrobat, “If you want to save space on your hard drive or make sure there aren’t any duplicates that could cause file conflicts later on down the line, consider converting all of those extracted documents into .pdf format before saving them as separate files (or just keep them in their original format).”

You Can Also Extract Multiple Pages From A PDF At Once

You can also extract multiple pages from a PDF at once. To do this, you will need to use the “Extract [number] Pages” option under the File menu of the Acrobat Reader program or similar software.

Once you have selected this option, click on each page that you want to extract and then select “Pages” in your preferred order.

The software will then maximize your productivity by extracting all of these pages at once instead of individually.

Next, choose File > Export Selected Images… Then give your new file a name and save it where you want it to be. You can also click on the “Export” button at the bottom of your window to choose an image format for your PDF.

If you want to extract an entire page from a PDF, it’s easy with Adobe Acrobat DC. Just open the document and select the pages that you want to export, then choose File > Export Selected Images.

Then give your new file a name and save it where you want it to be.

Also Read: 7 Trending Happy World Photography Day Quotes

Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Pinterest

Tinydale is on YouTube, Click here to subscribe for the latest videos and updates.

Looking for a vacation rental with an indoor, private pool? These mountain cabins and vacation homes are particularly perfect because they all include a private indoor pool. Your family can enjoy mountain towns and things to do, plus cozy fires, games, and swimming in your own private pool. We think these cabins and homes make a pretty perfect trip, whether you’re looking for a little vacation away from the crowds, or just some quiet family time together.

This article includes:
Vacation Rentals with Private, Indoor Pools in North Carolina
Vacation Homes to Rent with Private, Indoor Pools in Tennessee
Vacation Homes with Private, Indoor Pools in Georgia
Rent a Vacation Home With Private, Indoor Pool in Virginia
Vacation Home With Indoor Pool in Missouri

Through a STAY22 affiliate relationship, Kidding Around earns when you book through some of these links.

North Carolina Mountain Cabins With an Indoor, Private Pool

Asheville, NC
Artists Home in WNC

This single-level home is spacious and perfect for a family retreat! It is located just a short drive from Downtown, Asheville, and offers cozy comfort, a heated indoor pool, a koi pond to admire, and all the amenities of the home. The walls and decor of the home are unique and beautiful, adding to your stay. The property does have a caretaker with a private apartment on the property, and the property does not allow pets.

• 2 Bedrooms; Sleeps 6
• Indoor, heated swimming pool
• Minutes from Downtown Asheville
• Chef’s Kitchen
• Does not allow animals

Boone, NC
The Lodge

The Lodge is a Boone, NC area rental cabin perfect for a relaxing vacation with extended family and friends. There is space for everyone with its 6 bedrooms, indoor pool, game room, gym, and open living spaces with amazing views.

• 6 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms
• Sleeps 16
• Indoor pool, gym, game room
• Gorgeous indoor spaces
• Book The Lodge

Chimney Rock, NC
“Hidden Cove”

This gorgeous, 4100 sq ft home is located just minutes from Lake Lure in Western North Carolina on 360 private acres! The location also has direct access to the riverfront, a large heated pool, and close to tons of outdoor activities. Guests can enjoy the patio, play in the game room, and play some friendly games of billiards. This home is perfect for large family vacations, as it sleeps 12 and has 5 bedrooms.

• 5 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms
• Indoor heated pool, hot tub, and firepit
• Located on 360 acres of private land
• Close to downtown Chimney Rock and Lake Lure
• Book “Hidden Cove”

Hendersonville, NC
Mountain Timber Frame Home

This stunning home, located just outside of Hendersonville in Batcave, North Carolina, is close to all the exciting things to do in Western North Carolina. The home has an indoor lap pool, sauna, billiards table, and even shuffleboard. The home is close to Chimney Rock, which is great for hiking and spending time exploring the village.

• 5 Bedroom, Sleeps 12
• Indoor lap pool
• Conveniently located near Asheville, Hendersonville, and Chimney Rock
• Home theater, sauna, billiards
• Book “Mountain Timber Frame Home”

Hickory Nut Lake, NC
“Rainbow Reflections”

This charming vacation rental is perfect for large family gatherings that are looking for a vacation on the lake! With 6 bedrooms, a large heated private indoor pool, a game room, an inflatable jacuzzi, access to the lake via the dock, and a paddle boat to explore, this home is an excellent choice for your vacation. The home is just minutes away from the village of Chimney Rock, NC for shopping, exploration, and hiking. Lake Lure is just a few minutes away as well.

• 6 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms
• Access to Hickory Nut Lake via the dock
• Located in a gated community
• Indoor heated pool
• Book “Rainbow Reflections”

Tryon, NC
Tryon’s “Mountain Manor”

This stunning mountain home has gorgeous views and would make an excellent vacation stay for large families. With an indoor pool, pool table, and a large deck for entertaining, this home has everything you need to enjoy the mountains of North Carolina. The home is located just 20 minutes from the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

• 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
• Indoor pool
• Sleeps 17
• Luxury cabin feel, with plenty of high-end finishes and amenities
• Book Tryon’s “Mountain Manor”

Tryon, NC
Columbus Home

Located with just a 10-minute drive to the Tryon International Equestrian Center, this Columbus home has a chlorine-free heated indoor pool that is open from April through October, a jacuzzi, pool table, and you can bring your furry friends because pets are welcome! The home is located in a neighborhood, and the property is cozy and feels like a home away from home.

• 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
• Indoor heated pool from April – October
• Close proximity to Tryon International Equestrian Center
• Pets are welcome
• Book “Columbus Home”

Tennessee Mountain Vacation Homes With Private Indoor Pools

Cosby, TN
Large Secluded Cabin

Located in a private resort, this xl cabin has a private indoor swimming pool, movie theatre, and large spacious areas for the family to gather. There is also a game room to keep the kids (and adults) busy while enjoying your vacation. Enjoy views of the forest and watch wildlife scurry through the area.

• 4 Bedrooms, 14 beds
• Sleeps 26
• Large, heated indoor swimming pool
• Close to all the attractions in Gatlinburg
• Book “Large Secluded Cabin”

Gatlinburg, TN
“El Chalten”

You’ll find impressive family amenities at this Gatlinburg luxury cabin, including a pool table, air hockey table, and indoor pool. In addition, the cabin is less than 2 miles from Downtown Gatlinburg and all its great attractions.

• 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
• Sleeps 12
• Game room space and indoor pool
• 1.5 miles to Downtown Gatlinburg
• Views of the Smoky Mountains
• Book “El Chalten” on VRBO

Gatlinburg, TN
Splashing into Heaven

Looking for luxury and all the family amenities? Splashing into Heaven has it all. We love the gorgeous indoor pool with waterfall, hot tub, beautiful decks, indoor and outdoor dining spaces and spectacular game room.

• 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms
• Sleeps 12
• Indoor pool with waterfall
• Hot tub
• Game room with pool tables, foosball, and more
• Book Splashing into Heaven on VRBO.

Gatlinburg, TN
“Movie Dive-Inn”

This Gatlinburg cabin is full of family fun. We love the pool table, theater with surround sound, and the indoor pool. Plus, you’re only a short drive from everything Gatlinburg has to offer.

• 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
• Sleeps 10
• Theater room, indoor pool, game room
• Near Gatlinburg attractions
• Book “Movie Dive-Inn”.

Gatlinburg, TN
“Poolin Around”

Perfect for a small family looking for a getaway, this one-bedroom cabin offers a year-round heated indoor pool, mountain views, and is a cozy cabin close to Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

• Sleeps 4, 1 Bedroom
• Heated Indoor saltwater pool
• Close proximity to Downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
• Book “Poolin Around”

Gatlinburg, TN
“Dream Inn the Smokies”

Located in the Outback Resorts gated community, this spacious cabin offers an indoor pool, 4 bedrooms, an 11-seat movie theater, a game room, and a hot tub. The cabin is close to all the fun activities that Gatlinburg, Tennesee has to offer.

Gatlinburg, TN
“Splashtastic View Lodge”

This luxurious log cabin has room for 20, and one of its most brilliant features is its private indoor pool that your family can enjoy all year long. There is also a hot tub, indoor theater, gorgeous views of the Great Smoky Mountains, and all the amenities to make your family comfortable in this large home away from home.

• 7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 20
• 2310 sq foot Log Cabin
• Indoor pool, home theater
• Stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains
• Book “Splashtastic View Lodge”

Gatlinburg, TN
“Hilltop Haven”

An excellent choice for families with kids, or for a romantic getaway, Hilltop Haven has a theater, game room, indoor heated pool, and all of the amenities you need to have an easy and relaxing vacation. The cabin is located at Laurel Estates at the Glades Resort, so there are even resort amenities to enjoy.

• 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12
• Theater, game room, and heated indoor swimming pool
• Outdoor space with stone fireplace
• Close to all the attractions in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Book “Hilltop Haven”

Nashville, TN
Madison Tennessee Home

If you’re looking for a vacation home with a heated indoor pool, outdoor pool, a massive arcade with multiple arcade machines, and that is able to accommodate a family of 12, then this home right outside Nashville is perfect. This home even has a mini golf course! You have to check this home out for yourself.

• 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12
• Huge heated indoor pool; Outdoor pool
• Mini golf course in the backyard
• 8 miles from Downtown Nashville
• Book “Madison Tennesee Home”

Pigeon Forge, TN
“Grace Manor Lodge”

This luxurious cabin located just miles from all of the top attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennesee features a large indoor swimming pool and a jacuzzi, and can sleep 17! The location in the mountains is perfect for unplugging and unwinding while on your vacation.

Pigeon Forge, TN
Smoky Mountain Ridge Resort Cabin

Located in Smoky Mountain Ridge Resort, this three-story cabin offers an entertaining game room, a large home theater, and an indoor heated swimming pool. There is even an arcade, so you won’t have to hear your teens say they are bored! The cabin is just a short drive to downtown Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Sevierville, TN
Splashing Cubs

Bring the kids, or cubs as the case may be, for some splashing and family fun at this vacation home in Sevierville, TN. We love the indoor pool area, ping-pong table, and arcade games. If that’s not enough fun for you, Pigeon Forge attractions are just 7 miles away.

• 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
• Sleeps 13
• Ping-pong and arcade games, plus an indoor pool
• 7 miles to Pigeon Forge
• 14 miles to Great Smoky Mountain National Park
• Book Splashing Cubs on VRBO.

Sevierville, TN
Mountain Splash

Mountain Splash is a perfect family getaway with amenities that will keep everyone happy. We love the game room with pool table and arcade games, and of course, the indoor pool.

• 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• Sleeps 8
• Pool table, arcade games, indoor pool
• Gas fireplace
• Book Mountain Splash.

Sevierville, TN
Time to Unwind

Play pool, shuffleboard, arcade games, and more at Time to Unwind. More amenities include a private, indoor pool and outdoor hot tub with mountain views.

• 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
• Sleeps 12
• Game room
• Bunk beds
• Theater room
• Hot tub and indoor pool
• Book Time to Unwind on VRBO.

Sevierville, TN
The Mountains Are Calling

What’s not to love about this Sevierville cabin? The indoor pool, hot tub, and game room with pool table will keep everyone in the family busy and having a blast.

• 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
• Sleeps 10
• Located in Bear Creek resort, near Pigeon Forge
• hot tub, indoor pool, pool table
• Book The Mountains Are Calling.

Sevierville, TN
Luxe Smoky Mountain Cabin

This luxury Smoky Mountain cabin offers a heated indoor pool, all the modern amenities, a game room, a movie projector, and only a short drive to Pigeon Forge. There is also a private outdoor seating area to enjoy the view under the covered porch or in the jacuzzi. The cabin is great for a small family mountain vacation or a romantic trip!

• Sleeps 8; 1 King Bed, 3 Queen sleeper sofas
• Indoor heated swimming pool
• 9-foot movie projector
• Near Pigeon Forge attractions
• Book “Luxe Smoky Mountain Cabin”

Georgia Vacation Homes With Private Indoor Pools

Towns County, Georgia
Lake Haven on Chatuge

Gather your extended family, or get together with a group of friends for a reunion. There’s plenty of room for everyone at Lake Haven on Chatuge. Even better, you can enjoy the lakefront location and the heated, indoor pool. You’ll have fun no matter the weather. Other amazing amenities include a private dock and fire pit.

• 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
• Sleeps 16 people
• Lakefront, kayak rentals available for your stay
• Heated indoor pool
• North Georgia, Hiawassee location
• Book Lake Haven on Chatuge

Lake Arrowhead, Georgia
Lakefront 5BR Home

This gorgeous home situated on Lake Arrowhead in Western Georgia offers an indoor pool, a huge dock with seating, and an enclosed patio with beautiful views. This home is beautifully decorated and will make you feel at home for your vacation.

• 5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12
• Indoor pool, game room, billiard room, sauna, and hot tub
• Located on Lake Arrowhead, Georgia
• Maximum occupancy is 10 adults, 6 children
• Book “Lakefront 5 BR Home”

Blue Ridge, Georgia
“Tranquil Staycations”

This luxury home is a huge heated indoor pool on the bottom level of its Blue Ridge, Georgia home. The home is close to Downtown Blue Ridge and Lake Bridge, so you will be close to the lake life if you want.

• 5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14
• Close to Downtown Blue Ridge and Lake Bridge
• Heating of the indoor pool requires an extra fee
• Allows pet with additional fee (no pets in the pool)
• Book “Tranquil Staycations”

Virginia Mountain Vacation Rental With Indoor Pool

McGaheysville, Virginia
The Pool House on the Massanutten Mountain

This vacation home on Massanutten Mountain in Virginia has an indoor pool and a fire pit in the home’s courtyard.

Vacation Home With Private Indoor Pool in Missouri

St. Louis, MO
Retro Ranch

If you plan to visit the St. Louis, Missouri area with the family, you’ll want to check out this Retro Ranch with a private indoor pool and game room. The vacation home includes floats for the pool, games, movies, and more.

• 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
• Sleeps 10
• Indoor pool with poolside dining and fireplace
• Sauna
• Ping-pong
• Book Retro Ranch on VRBO.

If you’re visiting St. Louis, be sure to check out City Museum with the kids where you can crawl through a cavern, ride a Ferris wheel, swing on a rope, climb a treehouse and many more amazing adventures.

Bonus: Homes with Heated Outdoor Pools Open All Year

Hemp, GA
Swim All Year

Vacation in true luxury at this Hemp, GA home. Although the saltwater pool isn’t indoors, it is heated all year long, so your family can enjoy the pool well into winter! There is also a waterslide into the pool, trampoline, stadium theatre, and so much more to have an epic vacation.

• 9 Bedrooms, 18 Beds
• 7000 sq foot home
• Heated year-round outdoor pool
• Indoor 15-seat cinema
• Book “Swim All Year”

Trion, GA
12 Private Acre Cabin Retreat

This private cabin in Trion Georgia offers the perfect place for your family to enjoy a getaway. Their pool isn’t located indoors, but it is heated all year round, making it an excellent choice for booking if you’re looking to swim in the colder months. The property also has private walking trails to enjoy the sights, an all-year hot tub, and large cozy bedrooms.

More Amazing Family Vacation Rentals

Still, looking for the perfect vacation home for your next vacation rental? Check out these family-friendly vacation homes full of great amenities your family will love!

Does your family have any upcoming travel plans?

My dad is an expert when it comes to buying and selling things for profit, like with stocks. Forex seems to have some overlap, predicting trends, buying low and selling high. Some people make enough money this way to have it be all the income they need. But I know nothing about these topics. So I’ll leave them to the experts to explain. Here is an explanation on how you can earn money with forex trading.

Forex trading is one of the most profitable and popular online professions that have attracted a huge number of fans in the last couple of years. From the two words “foreign” and “exchange,” it is clear that this is the business of trading foreign currencies for profit.

The Forex market is a world-famous financial market that is considered the largest and most volatile, with a daily turnover of 6.6 trillion dollars. Considering that an increasing number of people are interested in Forex, the competition in the market is growing significantly.

Also, many people who once managed to make profits as a hobby now find it much more difficult because Forex requires a lot of dedication and time. So, what does an individual trader need to know to achieve a meaningful professional career in Forex? Here are some tips.

Make sure to use a suitable Forex trading strategy.

Choosing a suitable, high-quality, and proven strategy in Forex is one of the priorities of every trader who wants to achieve significant success. Whether you choose a pin bar strategy where the pin bar candlestick would be of the greatest help to you, or you’re more in the mood to use day trading, trend trading, scalping, or position trading, it is up to you to make a decision.

Each strategy is proven to be good if used smartly and dedicatedly. No person has not achieved at least some significant result in trading with the proper use of one of these strategies. The key is just dedication and practice until the profits start rolling in.

Deal with regulated and legitimate Forex brokers only

Undoubtedly, one of the most important indicators for success in Forex trading is the selection of a high-quality brokerage firm. With a legitimate and regulated broker, you have every chance to achieve significant success in the market.

Not only do you have all the available features, such as plenty of accounts, 24/5 customer service, and no hidden fees, but you are also guaranteed to deal with a top broker who will help you advance your career. After all, the best brokers offer the highest quality educational material that can only help you! Use it wisely!

Practice Forex trading with a demo account first.

If you are a newbie in Forex and want to become a professional as soon as possible, it is very important to understand that every success takes time. It is crucial to spend some time practicing Forex trading on a demo account to gain practical experience.

Start with a demo account because you don’t have big risks of losing a lot of money. Once convinced that you have gained relevant experience, choose the ideal Forex trading strategy and start small. Feel the terrain, and see how you progress.

If a certain strategy doesn’t turn out to be ideal, try another until you find your pattern for success.

Conclusion

There is no universal recipe for achieving a long-term successful Forex trading career. The only thing is that you need to devote more time, effort, and energy to trading and finding the ideal broker and strategy. Everything else is a matter of your skill, knowledge, and patience! Don’t give up on your way to success! Good luck!

Looking for free or cheap things to do near Greenville, SC this winter? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve gathered up our favorite free and inexpensive winter activities in Greenville. 

Winter can really put a damper on outdoor activities because of the cold but do not fear, here’s a list here of free and inexpensive things to do in the Upstate that will keep you and your kids from crying boredom and will help relieve that cabin fever. “Inexpensive” in this case means the total cost of the activity is less than $20 for a family of four to do.

Looking for more? If our winter list isn’t enough, check out our full list of Free and Inexpensive Things to Do in Greenville.

A quick tip: if you don’t have one already, we highly recommend purchasing a Greenville Attractions Dining & Value Guide ($20), which has great coupons to use at not only tons of restaurants in the area but also has vouchers for many entertainment venues and attractions and significant discounts off of admission to the Pavilion and Pump It Up bounce houses, water parks, and DEFY, among others. I saved over $200 last year using it.

Now to the fun part.

Free Things to do During the Winter in Greenville, SC

Go sledding if it snows!

Typically staying in your own neighborhood is a good idea, especially if the roads are bad (and it’s free). Ideas for improvised sleds: tape up the seams of larger cardboard boxes with duct tape, use pool toys, a large cookie sheet, lunch tray, tops of garbage cans, an old car hood, laundry basket, or plastic kiddie pool. [disclaimer: don’t blame us if these ideas don’t work]

But if you’re looking for something more (that does cost money) KAG readers recommend Maggie Valley,  Moonshine Mountain, and Jonas Ridge, which are all in North Carolina.

Sign up for a free trial toddler class: Piano Central Studios, and The Little Gym.

Eat for free using our Kids Eat Free list.

Library: Both the Spartanburg and Greenville County library systems are enormous and they have a ton of free stuff to do – virtual storytimes, craft kits, and special online events. Most branches have free parking but the ones downtown do charge anywhere from $1-$2.

Enjoy the fish at the small aquarium at Cabela’s on Woodruff Road and have your kids pick out their favorite wild animal on display all around the massive store.

Visit small creatures at local Petco or PetSmart stores, the Greenville Humane Society, or Greenville County Animal Care.

Continue kindness! Just because the holiday season is coming to a close, shouldn’t mean the end of being kind and thoughtful. Write a nice note for a service member and send it with a care package, bake cookies for your local firefighters, volunteer for Meals on Wheels, catch up on thank you notes for all those Christmas gifts.

Go on a driving waterfall tour of North Carolina waterfalls that involve little to no hiking at all. Bonus is that you may get to see a frozen waterfall or two!

Winter Hikes are free (depending on your hiking location) and have lots of fun. Enjoy the crisp, fresh air and a hike without the sweltering summer heat! We have 6 Upstate Winter Hike locations for you to try.

Spend an afternoon at one of Greenville’s Park with Sunny Spaces and Playgrounds.

Inexpensive Things to do During the Winter in Greenville

Warm-up with hot chocolate at these places with great hot chocolate in Greenville.

Splash in the fun indoor slide and play area at the Kroc Center Pool (daily passes available, $5-10). Reserve space online.

Family Fun Gym at Acrosmith Gymnastics is offered Mondays-Thursdays at 9:00 am and 10:15 am, and Fridays at 10:15 am. The 9 am time slot is for kids walking through six years old and the 10:15 am time slot is for kids up to age 12. It is an open gym with parent participation, remaining within the arm’s reach of the child. Kids get to bounce around on trampolines, try the balance beams, and test their ninja skills on the obstacle course.
You must pre-register. Registration closes at the start of Tot Time.  The cost is $6 per session, and sessions are limited to 50 children – winter schedule available online.

Take children ages 6 and under to DEFY, a trampoline park, for the KidsJump hour every Monday-Friday from 9 – noon. It’s $15.99/child and parents/caregiver jump for free.

If you buy a membership pass to Big Air, it works out to be inexpensive fun. They offer open jump as well as Toddler Time, Homeschool Jump, and Cosmic Nights! That coupon book we mentioned earlier can really save you a good bit at Big Air too.

FREE Lowe’s Kids Workshops: Build a Snowman Picture Frame January (2023)

Ready to load up the kids for a FREE DIY Kids Workshop at Lowe’s? Each month your kids will enjoy a new project and it’s totally free. Build and complete your project right in person at Lowes and you won’t even have to deal with the mess at home, or bring your free kit home and build whenever you want! Free project and free fun out of the house on Saturday? We love it and we think you will too! Here’s everything you need to know to sign up and join in the fun.

This article includes:
About the Lowe’s Kids Workshops
Sign-Up for Lowe’s Kids Workshops
2023 Lowe’s Kids Workshop Schedule
Lowes Kids Workshop FAQ

Kids Workshop at Lowe’s

The Lowe’s kids workshops are similar to the other big box store where kids get a free construction project that is geared for their age and they get to put it together.

Ideally, kids do this with some help from parents. Some help, not all the help. They have to learn somehow!

Have fun creating something together and watching your child learn and grow their skills!

What Do Kids Make at Lowe’s DIY Kids Workshops?

The projects are all kinds of fun crafts like little cars or games or frames or insect houses. Recent past projects include a dancing turkey toy, jolly holiday ornament, and a football goalpost. The people who come up with these kits are pretty creative and we love how the crafts are festive and fit the season.

The free kits include all the materials necessary to complete the projects. This may include wood, nails, glue, stickers, and more. They really are 100% free.

The crafts are designed for kids ages 4 and up. It’s a really fun activity to do together.

While there is no cost to do a kids’ workshop, you do need to sign up. The workshops are from 9 am – Noon on the days they have the kids’ workshops. Walk-ins are accepted after 12 for any remaining kits, but we highly recommend reserving your kit.

Signing Up for Lowe’s Kids Workshops

When you go to sign up for the workshop online, you will be asked to create an account and then choose a time slot, either 9 – 10 am, 10 – 11 am, or 11 am – Noon.

Lowe’s has everything you will need to complete the project so there is no need to bring anything extra. When I took my kids to the Lowe’s workshop, they never had painting projects so your kids should be fine to wear whatever they want as they won’t be using paint.

What is this Months Free Lowes Kids’ Project? (2023 Schedule of Lowes Kids Free Workshops)

Wondering what your child will be making at the next Lowes Kids’ Workshop?

Additional 2023 Lowes Kids’ Projects Coming Soon!

We will update our calendar when Lowes adds more kids’ workshops to their schedule!

FREE Kids Craft Events at JCPenney Kids Zone

Did you know that JCPenney offers free kids’ craft events on the second Saturday of each month? Just visit your local participating JCPenney between 11 am and 12 pm on the second Saturday each month for a totally free craft kit for kids, plus a store coupon for mom and dad.

We love free activities for the kids! For more free kids activities from national chain retailers, see the FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop and FREE Lowes Kids Workshop.

Going out for a little family fun doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Kids just want to spend time with the people who love them. This is why we love free kids’ activity events, like the monthly kid’s crafts events at JCPenney.

About Kids Zone, FREE Crafts for Kids at JCPenney

JCPenney Kids Zone happens on the second Saturday of each month. Just drop in between 11 am and 12 pm, you do not need to sign up in advance. These kids’ crafts are totally free and include all the supplies necessary to complete the craft.

Plus, kids will receive an ID badge, lanyard, and a collectible pin at the completion of each craft. Once kids have completed 6 kids zone crafts, they will receive a Master Medallion.

Kids must be accompanied by an adult. That adult will receive a coupon for 10% off their shopping trip, so you get to save a little money, too! No purchase is necessary for the kids to do their free craft.

Free Crafts for Kids Schedule at JCPenney (2023)

Saturday, January 14th: Penguin Pillow

Includes the supplies to stitch a small penguin-shaped pillow, including felt pieces, plastic needle, thread, stuffing, and stickers.

Saturday, February 11th, 2023: Sloth or Panda Valentine

Includes the supplies to make your valentine, including foam figure, stickers and markers.

Check back soon for additional JCPenney Kids Crafts in 2023.

JCPenney Free Kids Crafts at Haywood Mall, Greenville, SC

Check with your local JCPenny to ensure participation. These in-store events happen only where local mandates allow. The JC Penney location in the Haywood Mall, Greenville, SC does participate.

Discover More FREE Fun for Kids and Families

FREE Lowe’s Kids Workshops: Build a Snowman Picture Frame January (2023)

FREE Kids Craft Events at JCPenney Kids Zone

Un article traduit de l’anglais par Soizic Le Gouais et Chloé Saint Guilhem formatrice certifiée Hand in Hand

“Patty, Je sais que lorsque mon fils aîné devient agressif envers mon petit dernier, c’est parce qu’il se sent comme isolé . Il cherche alors  par tous les moyens à ce que je m’occupe de lui. Je sais qu’il ne peut pas se contrôler. Mais au lieu de répondre à son besoin et réagir comme je voudrais, je me sens vraiment folle de rage. Comment puis-je passer de l’état de folle furieuse à celui de maman présente et à l’écoute lorsque je sens que je vais exploser ? Quelles sont les techniques pour dépasser ma colère?”

“Chère maman qui te préoccupe tant du bien-être de tes enfants,

Tous les parents que j’ai connus se sont demandés un jour ou l’autre quoi faire lorsque leurs enfants les poussaient à bout. Car malheureusement, nous ne possédons pas un réservoir de patience infinie dans ces moments-là.

Mais il existe des moyens efficaces pour éviter d’exploser de colère en tant que parent. Certaines nous permettent de nous défouler. D’autres nous aident à nous relaxer par le rire, ou en nous apportant une oreille attentive lorsque nous nous sentons à bout. Elles aident les enfants à sortir du mode défensif face à votre colère, et aident à déculpabiliser en tant que parent.

Voici cinq options pour nous aider, nos enfants et nous-mêmes, à traverser ces moments de colère :

1. Fabriquer un panneau “Je t’aime” pour créer un déclic et sortir de sa colère.

Fabriquer un panneau avec ses enfants ou leur proposer d’en fabriquer en écrivant dessus « Papa/Maman, je t’aime » et le ranger dans un endroit qui reste à portée de main. Dire à son enfant qu’il peut le sortir et nous le montrer chaque fois que nous commençons à sortir de nos gonds.

En voyant ce panneau, cela peut provoquer en nous un déclic pour sortir du mode « colère » dans lequel nous nous trouvons, et pour nous aider à voir notre enfant sous un autre jour.

2. Proposer à son enfant de décider d’une petite chanson, d’une phrase ou d’un “mot magique” qui signifiera pour nous “Maman/Papa, arrête !”

Il est possible de choisir n’importe quelle chanson ou comptine. Le mot magique peut être “Bananes !” ou “Caméléon !” peu importe. Le choisir ensemble et demander à son enfant de dire ce mot chaque fois que le ton de notre voix lui fait peur, et s’engager à tout arrêter dès que nous l’entendons.

3. Se créer un “espace de la colère” pour soi-même et s’entraîner à l’utiliser pour déverser sa colère loin de ses enfants.

Pour les fois où nous sommes vraiment en colère et que nous sentons que  nous allons dépasser les bornes, s’assigner un espace de la colère spécial Papa/Maman dans la maison : un mur dans sa chambre, un coin dans le garage, ou sur un lit, sur lequel il est possible de taper de toutes ses forces. C’est l’endroit où nous pourrons aller pour évacuer notre colère et notre frustration, en tapant sur le mur ou le lit, voire en étant très vocal.

Ensuite, rassembler ses enfants et leur dire : “Je ne veux pas être méchant avec vous lorsque je me sens vraiment énervé. Du coup, la prochaine fois que ça arrivera, j’irai dans mon espace de la colère. C’est juste là.” Leur montrer l’endroit. Leur dire ensuite qu’ils entendront peut-être du bruit, mais qu’après quelques minutes, nous serons moins énervés et mieux capables de réfléchir.

Faire quelques “simulations” avec eux.

Imiter un petit moment de colère dans la cuisine, avec ses enfants juste à côté de soi, sous forme d’un scène un peu comique, et sans utiliser de mots sérieux. On peut dire quelque chose comme : “Dis donc, toi, petit chou de Bruxelles, la moutarde commence vraiment à me monter au nez ! Pourquoi es-tu si difficile à couper ? Tu es censé être plus mou. Je commence à être vraiment en colère contre toi, espèce de chou vert !”

Ensuite, on peut dire : “Bon, allez. Je crois qu’il est en temps de rejoindre mon espace et de me débarrasser de ces sentiments”. Rejoindre alors son espace de la colère d’un pas léger. Une fois arrivé, mimer avec humour et auto-dérision un moment de colère que nous aurions pu avoir. Puis dire : “Ahhhhh ! Je me sens beaucoup mieux  !” et conclure en leur faisant un gros câlin.

Ne pas hésiter à répéter cette simulation de colère plusieurs fois.

Plus tard, le refaire dans la vraie vie autour de quelque chose qui nous énerve légèrement. Le but ? Que nos enfants et nous-mêmes puissions encore nous entraîner avant un moment de vraie colère. Leur demander s’ils préfèrent que nous laissions la porte ouverte ou fermée lorsque nous sommes dans notre espace de la colère. Essayer les deux options, et voir celle qui marche le mieux.

Voir des émotions de grands exploser devant eux peut être impressionnant et effrayant pour les enfants

C’est pourquoi cette solution n’est pas sans risque. Je sais, c’est compliqué, mais il faut veiller à ne pas commenter à voix haute les sentiments que nous éprouvons.  Les garder pour soi, aussi fort que cela puisse bouillonner en soi.

Évitons-les : “Pourquoi ai-je eu des enfants ?” Ou encore :  “J’ai envie de te jeter par la fenêtre !”. Ou  enfin “Je n’en peux plus ! Je ne peux plus faire ça ! Je veux partir !” A la place, mieux vaut se mettre à grogner ou autre. Les enfants ont besoin d’être protégés de ce genre d’explosions émotionnelles.

On peut leur dire que nous avons juste besoin de faire du bruit et de pleurer fort pour nous sentir mieux par la suite. Lorsqu’ils comprendront, nos enfants nous dirons peut-être qu’il est temps pour nous d’aller dans notre espace de la colère. Ce sera sans doute exaspérant à entendre, mais croyez-moi, c’est sans doute la meilleure chose à faire.

“Matérialiser un espace de la colère peut vraiment être efficace, parce que lorsque nous sommes en colère, nous ressentons des sentiments de menace qui sont très probablement enracinés dans notre petite enfance. Nous sommes poussés à l’envie de nous défendre avec tout le pouvoir que nous n’avions pas lorsque nous étions enfants. Lorsque nous disposons d’un endroit sûr pour utiliser notre puissance physique et faire du bruit, nous nous rappelons, au niveau cellulaire, que nous avons grandir, que nous ne sommes plus impuissants comme nous pouvions l’être enfant, et que plus rien ne nous menace vraiment.” Patty Wipfler

4. Préparer une liste de contacts en qui nous avons confiance et qui pourront être appelés dans ces moments-là.

Lorsque la colère monte, mieux vaut avoir un adulte qui entend votre colère plutôt qu’un enfant.  A nous de dresser la liste des noms et numéros de téléphone des personnes de confiance ( et qui ne nous jugeront pas) à appeler dans ces cas-là.

Si on a un partenaire d’écoute, son nom peut figure en bonne place sur notre liste – Et on peut y ajouter un dessin ou une photo pour les reconnaitre facilement – puis laisser son enfant s’entraîner à les appeler. Lorsque nous sommes sur le point d’exploser, lui donner le téléphone – s’il n’a pas déjà couru le chercher.

5. S’allonger par terre, et rester allongé.

Oui, c’est bien ça ! Ne pas aller sur le canapé ou le lit, s’allonger sur place. Nous n’avons pas les idées claires, alors n’essayons plus de prendre les choses en main. A la place,  la chose à faire, c’est s’allonger sur le sol de la cuisine ou sur tout autre endroit où on se trouve. Tout en laissant nos enfants continuer à faire les bêtises qu’ils font.  Cela n’est pas le moment de gérer cela. Alors n’essayons même pas.

Parfois, s’allonger peut nous permettre de nous confronter aux émotions qui bouillonnent en nous et de pleurer. Ne pas hésiter à pleurer. Même fort. En général, si quelqu’un dans la famille pleure, les autres cesseront leur comportement débordant. Si nous nous mettons à pleurer, cela modifie l’attention et le comportement de nos enfants.

Parfois, cependant, les choses peuvent se passer autrement.

Voici comment une maman a mis en place cette technique avec ses enfants, un jour où elle était à bout : “Je suis particulièrement mauvaise dans la gestion des conflits entre mes enfants. Or ce jour-là, ils se disputaient pour savoir qui serait le premier à faire quelque chose. J’étais au milieu de cette dispute et je sentais la colère monter en moi. Je me suis alors retournée et me suis allongée par terre, renonçant à prendre les choses en main. Je pense que j’ai ressenti un tel soulagement que j’ai ri plus fort et que je en l’avais pas faire depuis très longtemps ! C’était ce genre de fou rire extraordinaire que l’on n’arrive pas à contrôler. Le genre qui vous ferait flotter au plafond si vous étiez dans une scène de Mary Poppins. Je ne pouvais pas m’arrêter de RIRE ! Et les enfants ont adoré ça ! Cela à clairement permis de voir les choses sous un nouveau jour et de désamorcer l’irritation que je sentais monter en moi.”

Une fois que nous sommes allongés au sol, nos enfants finiront par s’approcher de nous.

Parce qu’ils sentent alors que nous ne sommes plus en position de contrôle, et qu’ils ressentent en eux un profond besoin de connexion avec nous, ils viendront s’asseoir sur notre ventre, nous apporter un ballon pour jouer avec nous. Ils prendront l’initiative de rétablir la connexion. Ils ne peuvent rien initier tant que nous sommes devant eux, menaçants et hors de nous.

Il ne peuvent se risquer à venir vers nous que lorsque nous sommes à terre, et que nous réussissons à nous recentrer. Et une fois qu’ils sont autour de nous, c’est l’occasion de reprendre tous ensemble un nouveau départ.

Voici donc mes cinq idées pour gérer ces moments compliqués, et donner à nos enfants les moyens d’agir au lieu de rester figés dans la peur.

Prenons le temps de les simuler plusieurs fois à l’avance. Plus nous nous entrainons, plus nos enfants réussiront  à sortir du mode défensif dans les moments difficiles. Et en général, lorsque nous parvenons à retrouver le contrôle de nous-mêmes au milieu d’un incident de ce genre, nous évacuons du même coup les tensions à l’origine de notre colère. Cela nous épargne le poids de la culpabilité d’une scène qui était en train de dégénérer. Bon courage, chère maman !”

You might also find these articles helpful

Photo and interview by Louise Kinross

Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou is the new head of research at Holland Bloorview. Evdokia, a child neurologist, clinician scientist and co-lead of our Autism Research Centre, becomes director of the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) on Jan 9. She takes over from Dr. Tom Chau, who has held the position for eight years, and returns to lead the Prism Lab. We spoke about how Evdokia got into the field of children’s brain development and what she’s learned since she came to Holland Bloorview in 2008.

BLOOM: Why did you want to be a doctor in the first place?

Evdokia Anagnostou: In my mid teens I knew I wanted to do something that had meaning embedded in the job. I truly liked science and biology and was fascinated by the body. I was one of five sisters. My mom had breast cancer and was pretty ill and I’d seen how impactful physicians were in her and our life—in both directions. Good physicians were really supportive and made a big difference in how we thought about her condition and upcoming death. Doctors who did not see her as a person within a family, and the fact that she was dying in her 40s, had a detrimental effect.

BLOOM: How did you decide to work with children?

Evdokia Anagnostou: I didn’t know what kind of doctor I wanted to become until the end of medical school. I was exposed to a pediatrician at the Montreal Children’s Hospital who was truly inspiring. At the time he was running the Inuit program and seeing families from Iqaluit. He understood that physical health and mental health go together. He taught me that the patient is both the kid and the family and the physician’s role is part of a trajectory that is not just about a particular condition. It’s about a family and child envisioning a path towards a good life, and that can be interpreted in many different ways.

BLOOM: What kind of work do you do now?

Evdokia Anagnostou: I have a clinic one day a week, as well as doing research, teaching and some administration.

BLOOM: What is a clinic day like?

Evdokia Anagnostou: I see kids who have a neurodevelopmental diagnosis who have behavioural or mental health concerns. They’ve received care in the community and not benefited adequately and need additional support. They could be kids with autism or intellectual disability or fetal alcohol syndrome or genetic syndromes. They most commonly are referred for severe irritability and aggression. Others have anxiety and mood disturbance, or severe ADHD that is not responding to usual medications.

I work as part of the psychopharmacology team. By the time they come to us the concerns typically go beyond medication. They usually have a biological condition that is difficult to manage, but there are often also other social determinants of health that contribute to the complexity of their issues. It can be hard to identify and prioritize exactly what is impairing their quality of their life and ability to learn.

BLOOM: What are some of the social factors?

Evdokia Anagnostou: Parents’ mental health has been ignored. We’re living in a system where kids get service in children’s hospitals and parents are supposed to get help in another sector. But the symptoms of the child affect the mental health of the parent, and the mental health of the parent makes it harder for the child to get the full benefit of interventions. We built the system that doesn’t think of the family as a unit, and doesn’t think of the health needs of every family member.

Poverty is another factor. 

BLOOM: It’s hard to do anything when you’re hungry.

Evdokia Anagnostou: Parents who have food insecurity concerns have burdens that overshadow everything else. We also see new immigrants who can’t figure out how to navigate the system, especially when there are language barriers. These are families with many skills but we fail them because we don’t think of the barriers they face in using these skills. They also often have a history of trauma that affects how they understand, trust and take advantage of services. 

Many of these kids end up on medication early, instead of being given access to services that teach skills. We forget that medication doesn’t teach skills. It can reduce stress in an anxious person or make things a little better for a highly irritable person that can’t self-soothe. But it can’t help a child and family find meaning in life or rethink a good life, or get the skills to achieve what they want in life.

BLOOM: What has your research focused on and what’s something important you’ve learned?

Evdokia Anagnostou: I’m very interested in using multiple modalities, from basic science and genetics and brain imaging to studies of lived experience, to understand the different versions of a good life, and the barriers to it. 

In the last 10 years we were funded by the Ontario Brain Institute to determine whether diagnostic labels like autism or ADHD speak to the underlying biology that kids have. Does the diagnosis help us pick the right intervention—whether therapy, a medication, devices or other supports? Or are there other factors?

We’ve learned that the diagnoses do not map to the genetics or to the structure or function of the brain. 

If we truly want to personalize health or do precision health, it’s not the diagnostic labels that will tell us what medication or intervention a child will benefit from. We’ve shown that many kids who have different labels have similar biology, and will benefit from similar approaches.

On the other hand, lots of kids with the same diagnosis, whether it’s intellectual disability, ADHD, OCD, or another mental health condition, have different brains. So when we prescribe based on a diagnostic label, there’s a good chance the child in front of us won’t respond. The problem is that we don’t know what the markers are that will help us choose the right approach for the child in front of us and their unique brain.

BLOOM: What research are you most proud of?

Evdokia Anagnostou: It took some guts for us to say the existing labels we’ve built our careers on may be wrong, and may not be serving kids, and can we step back to collect the data to test whether they’re wrong.

We got lots of pushback from all kinds of communities that are attached to those labels.

BLOOM: So the silo approach is counterproductive?

Evdokia Anagnostou: Those silos are hurting and they’re not even true to biology. They’re hurting our advocacy and hurting how we build health care for a lot of kids that have needs that cut across conditions. When you exclude some kids and include some kids it creates inequity. 

Thinking about kids and neurodevelopmental differences can be done without labels, but the whole sector is based on labels. We need to rebuild on a new understanding, but it’s hard to have a conversation about that when we don’t have the alternative yet.

BLOOM: What’s the greatest challenge of your work?

Evdokia Anagnostou: Our health-care system is not flexible enough to follow the science. The  differences that produce challenging impairment don’t fall into neat categories. We need to move away from consensus ideas based on labels to evidence-based practice that comes from understanding the child in front of us. What differences in that particular child are part of a problem and what are not part of a problem? How can we use the differences in a way that helps them envision a good life?

BLOOM: But right now all funding is based on the labels.

Evdokia Anagnostou: We need to redirect the funding to something that looks different. Changing the sector would require a lot of collaboration. It would include sharing our data across the different sectors and jurisdictions. Clinicians need to be able to access real-time data to show how kids are doing in their practice; a hospital has to access data in real time to evaluate how the programs they’ve put in place are changing patient outcomes; and systems should be able to access real-time data to see, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, pilot project by pilot project, and study by study, how outcomes of kids are changing. 

BLOOM: What are the joys of your work?

Evdokia Anagnostou: I’m really lucky. I’ve been blessed to find the meaning that was part of my existential distress as a teenager. I get joy out of seeing families thrive. I get joy out of the scientific exercise that gives us insights on the nature of things, and how the nature of things can be used to improve kids’ and families’ lives. I get joy out of collaboration with like-minded colleagues and youth and families who have become really good at helping us think through what’s important and what’s not. I get joy out of trainees who think they’ve found their passion, whether they’re on the graduate student route and mostly doing science or the clinical route and have found their calling in serving kids and families. 

BLOOM: What emotions come with the job?

Evdokia Anagnostou: Excitement. Hope. Devastation, when I feel my skill set is not the one that’s going to change a child’s life. If what a family needs is income, mental-health supports for parents and housing, I know I’m not going to change their life. I still try to envision a role for me and that’s one of advocacy to call into the system. That’s why we need to develop a system that meets the needs of children with complex chronic conditions across sectors.

BLOOM: How do you manage stress?

Evdokia Anagnostou: I have colleagues here that are my sanity circle. It’s a safe space where we share an understanding of the population we serve and the complexities. We can talk about solving problems. We can also talk about when we can’t solve problems because we’re failing, and we’re feeling burnt out or losing perspective or we’re only focused on what we don’t have control over.

We feel safe sharing about when we get out of a clinic and we don’t think we were our best selves with families.

We talk about science to get excited and think about what’s possible and think through thoughtfully what the future could look like, and what procedures to put in place or grants we need to write or networks we need to build.

I also have a community of like-minded scientists all over the world that provide a safe place to have bigger conversations about how we secure funding and how we scale appropriately research to answer bigger questions. 

I camp a lot in a tent from May to October, and some years when I’m more brave I do winter camping until the holidays. In the winter months I camp in a yurt. Being in nature helps me bring my heart rate down and clear my head and find joy. I need to take a big breath and stop and reorganize my thoughts. Other things that feed my soul are music and theatre and the arts and Toronto has been a very good place for that.

BLOOM: How have your thoughts about autism changed during your journey here?

Evdokia Anagnostou:  A lot. I started my career thinking that autism was something that only needed to be considered in the context of solutions. I no longer think like that. I think of it as a developmental difference that comes with strengths and challenges and different kids have different combinations and that’s why I’m so committed to personalized and precision medicine.

I know the label of autism doesn’t mean much when I have a kid in front of me and we’re thinking together about what they want for themselves, what matters for them, and where any interventions should focus.

There are a lot of kids with autism I don’t see at all. Not all combinations and features of autism require intervention from health care. That was a transformative insight. The second one was that even when they need help, their needs and visions and trajectories are quite diverse and understanding them at a personal level is critical. There’s no such thing as an average child with autism that we create interventions for. Our clients’ visions of life are different, and they have very different definitions of what is most challenging for them. 

We have kids who are not concerned about social impairment, and are concerned about mental health. We have kids who are particularly motivated to be socially included and devastated by the social rejection they experience. 

BLOOM: How has this work changed you as a person?

Evdokia Anagnostou:  I’m much more accepting of individual differences and of different visions of what a good life is for a child or family. I’ve been thinking about the different roles of the physician. It’s not always about biology and the science of medicine. I’ve been thinking about our role in advocacy and how we should be able to help shape the health system and interact with other systems have have a large impact on our kids. I’m thinking of the role more broadly. 

BLOOM: Why do you want to lead the Bloorview Research Institute?

Evdokia Anagnostou: I want to leverage my experience in national and international partnership-making to expand the impact of our work beyond the kids we serve here. The vast majority of children with developmental disabilities don’t live in Canada or the U.S. or Europe. They live in parts of the world we don’t typically interact with. I’d like to find ways to export our knowledge to impact globally the lives of kids. 

I’d like to bring our research experience of disrupting traditional diagnostic labels to national and global systems. How can the BRI play a role in disrupting current thinking in neuroscience, in interventions and in concepts of disability in a way that can transform outcomes for children, youth and families?

I think I’m well suited to serve as a bridge between the hospital and the research side because I’ve worn both hats. I’d like to contribute to a nimble system that goes back and forth and makes changes faster than usual.

The failure we see of translation from research to actually changing kids’ outcomes is because of the ‘in-between’ systems we build as administrators that become barriers. I hope I can be in a position to influence how systems get built, remove barriers when possible, and develop the BRI into the group the government talks to for advice. 

I have a personal motivation to break the glass ceiling for scientists that share the many identities of the children and youth we serve, but also the leadership glass ceiling for women in science. We need to produce not just good data, but good leaders. 

I’d like to expand the way that people with lived experience and families influence how we hire, how we build research units, how we develop priorities, and how we speak to the health-care system.  

These are my original thoughts and motivations. But first we are working with our investigators, families and other partners to co-design priorities in research and to co-develop strategies to build the next generation of leaders and to impact children and youth beyond our walls.

Like this interview? Sign up for our monthly BLOOM e-letter. You’ll get family stories and expert advice on parenting children with disabilities; interviews with activists, clinicians and researchers; and disability news. 

Looking for a great cup of coffee near Greenville, SC? If you’re craving the perfect cup of coffee, espresso, or your favorite coffee-based beverage, this list of local coffee shops near Greenville, SC should have just what you need. Most places on this list offer drip or pour-over coffee, unique specialty lattes, or a fabulous view and relaxing atmosphere to hang out. Each of these Greenville coffee shops is locally owned and unique. No chains here!

We’re pretty sure the best coffee in Greenville, SC is on this list.

This article includes:
Favorite Local Coffee Shops Near Greenville, SC
Great Local Coffee in Downtown, Greenville
Great Local Coffee in the West Village of Greenville, SC
Great Local Coffee in Greer, SC
Great Local Coffee in Travelers, Rest, SC

Favorite Local Coffee Shops Near Greenville SC

Bridge City Coffee

1520 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville | 864373.9150
164D South Main Street, Travelers Rest

Bridge City Coffee offers two cafe locations in Greenville, SC. One in Greenville and another in Travelers Rest. Whichever you choose to visit, you will find friendly baristas and excellent in-house roasted coffee.

• in-house roasted beans
• drive-thru
• outdoor seating available

Crave Coffee

1099 East Butler Road, Greenville | 864.509.6934

Along with a great cup of coffee, Crave Coffee in Greenville, SC offers infused tea, delicious sweets from their bakery, and tons of specialty and regular flavored syrups for their drinks.

• outdoor seating
• serves Due South roasted beans
• sells infused teas and macha in addition to coffee

Cohesive Coffee

301 Airport Road Unit I, Greenville | 864.202.6538 

Grab a cup of coffee in Greenville, SC from Cohesive Coffee, and enjoy their literal works of art in your cup. The cafe’s atmosphere is inviting and vibrant, so it is perfect for grabbing and cup and hanging out. 

• locally sourced pastries, sauces, Kombucha, and coffee beans
• located at Junction at Downtown Airport
• artistic coffee creations with Latte art

Coyote Coffee Cafe

3527 SC-153, Greenville | 864.509.0334
1035a South Pendleton Street, Easley | 864.850.1287

With three locations in the Upstate, this locally owned coffee cafe, Coyote Coffee, offers some of the best coffee in Greenville. Their Greenville location is in Powdersville but is worth the drive for espresso, hot coffee drinks, and delicious specialty combo drinks. 

• over a dozen specialty coffee drinks in hot, cold, and frozen
• non-coffee and kid-friendly drinks
• breakfast bagels, croissants, and muffins are available

Due South Coffee Roasters

1320 Hampton Avenue, Greenville | 864.283.6680

If you haven’t made your way to Hampton Station in Greenville, SC, then you are missing out on one of Greenville’s favorite coffee shops. The laid-back atmosphere, in-house roasted beans, and friendly Baristas make Due South Coffee Roasters one of the best coffee roasters in Greenville.

• in-house roasted beans
• location near restaurants and activities
• sale pastries and other small food items
• outdoor seating

Exchange Co. Coffee Bar & Bake Shop

110 South Main Street, Simpsonville | 864.757.1670

Exchange Co. Coffee Bar is the perfect place to have a date, meet with friends, or enjoy a simple cup of some of the best coffee in town. In addition to coffee, they sell delicious crepes, salads, biscuits, and more that keep patrons returning.

• curb-side pickup
• serves Bridge City roasted beans
• offers house made syrups and milk alternatives
• non- coffee items and smoothies are available

Steam Coffee & Cream

113 A East Main Street, Fountain Inn | 864.409.2364

You can grab a delicious cup of coffee with breakfast or lunch at Steam Coffee and Cream. The coffee shop is perfect for gatherings and is kid-friendly due to its selection of non-coffee based drinks, ice cream, and treats.

• a kid-friendly coffee shop
• serves a variety of breakfast and lunch items
• offers both cafe blend drip coffee and pour-over coffee
• Kidding Around Visited: Learn More About Steam Coffee & Cream

Junto Coffee

232 Mill Street, Taylors | 864.202.4979

Junto Coffee is an excellent coffee shop choice if you’re looking for a unique experience. Their cafe is located in a repurposed fabric mill at Taylor’s Mill and has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for a day date stop. The baristas are knowledgeable and friendly, providing great coffee and conversation.

• in-house roasted beans
• outdoor seating
• located at the Mill at Taylors Mill
• close to restaurants and a brewery
• Kidding Around Reviewed: Learn More About Junto Coffee

Mountain Goat Greenville

120 Shaw Street, Greenville | 864.735.0821

Mountain Goat Greenville slings all that coffee for a wonderful cause! 100% of their profits go to support at-risk youth. They are a family-friendly cafe, bike shop, and bar all wrapped into one.

• craft coffee supplied by Methodical Coffee
• large selection of craft beer and wine
• authentic yeast-based Liege Waffles 

Grateful Brew

501 South Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville | 864.558.0767

Hand-crafted beverages, an espresso bar, and fresh pastries? Yes, please! Grateful Brew is one of Greenville’s favorite coffee shops and is a cozy combination cafe and craft brew taproom in Greenville, SC.

• espresso bar
• outdoor seating, and cozy indoor aesthetic
• dog-friendly cafe 

Chestnut Coffee House and Market

325 Rocky Slope Road #101, Greenville
110 East Curtis Street, Simpsonville

Located beside Legacy Park in Greenville, SC Chestnut Coffee House and Market offer sustainably sourced coffee and clean ingredients. They offer the classics such as espresso shots and drip coffee in addition to more interesting drinks like oat milk-based lattes.

• great location next to Legacy Park
• relaxing and beautiful atmosphere
• has creamy oat milk lattes

Coyote Coffee Cafe

3527 SC-153, Greenville | 864.509.0334

With three locations in the Upstate, this locally owned coffee cafe, Coyote Coffee, offers some of the best coffee in Greenville. Their Greenville location is in Powdersville but is worth the drive for espresso, hot coffee drinks, and delicious specialty combo drinks. 

• over a dozen specialty coffee drinks in hot, cold, and frozen
• non-coffee and kid-friendly drinks
• breakfast bagels, croissants, and muffins are available

Great Local Coffee Shops in Downtown, Greenville

Coffee Underground

1 East Coffee Street, Greenville | 864. 298.0494

Coffee Underground in Downtown Greenville is a staple of the coffee scene and one of Greenville’s most well-known local coffee shops. Along with their great coffee, they regularly host events, live music, and Theatre Underground. 

• sandwiches, burgers, and other meal items are available
• social coffee shop in the heart of Downtown Greenville
• relaxing cafe atmosphere

Methodical Coffee

101 North Main Street, Greenville | 864.735.840
147 Wellborn Street, Greenville | 864.362.1779
207 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville | 864.280.7194

Methodical Coffee has some of the best coffee in Greenville, SC. They sale a large variety of bagged coffee, many of which other cafes utilize. With three locations throughout the Greenville area, its not too far of a drive to grab a cup of coffee and savor it! Their Tres Leche latte is highly rated! Their espresso machine is handbuilt, so you know this coffee shop means business.

Spill the Beans

531 South Main Street, Greenville | 864.242.6355

One of the most popular coffee shops in Greenville, SC, Spill the Beans offers a gorgeous view of Falls Park as you enjoy great coffee, ice cream, and other specialty drinks.

• family-friendly coffee shop and ice cream parlor combination
• excellent view of Falls Park and Liberty Bridge
• great location to relax or get work done 

MODAL In-House Coffee Shop

813 Augusta Street, Greenville | 864.884.2834

This micro coffee shop is located inside Modal, A Modern Bespoke Hostel located on Augusta Street in Downtown Greenville. They serve craft coffee, beer, and wine in a location that is pleasant to hang around and relax or grab a room if you need lodging.

• in partnership with JUNTO Coffee
• offers gluten-free and vegan food options
• variety of lattes, teas, and traditional coffee available

Great Coffee in the West Village in Greenville, SC

Unlocked Coffee Roasters

556 Perry Avenue – Suite b116, Greenville | 864.263.7695

Wanting to try a foodie adventure, but with coffee? Unlocked Coffee Roasters located in the West Village in Greenville, SC offers coffee flights, allowing you to test out multiple flavors at once! In addition to pour-over and cold brew coffee, they offer Aeropress brews using a piston-style brewer, and Tinto-drip coffee.  Check out our Kidding Around review of Unlocked Coffee Roasters.

• in-house roasted beans
• outdoor seating
• coffee flights available

The Village Grind

1258 Pendleton Street, Greenville 

Much more than a coffee shop, the Village Grind located in the arts district in West Village in Greenville, SC is a vibe! A relaxing environment, plants everywhere, and delicious treats to go along with your great coffee make it an excellent choice to grab a coffee. The Village Grind is quickly becoming a local favorite coffee shop in Greenville, SC. 

• freshly made coffee and homemade syrup options 
• indoor and patio cafe seating
• pastries and doughnuts are available 

Great Coffee Shops in Greer, SC

Stomping Grounds Coffee House

208 Trade Street, Greer | 864.801.1555

If you’re searching for a great cup of coffee in Greer, SC, then Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop is the place. Located on Trade Street in Downtown Greer, you can grab some coffee and hang out, or take a stroll under the lights. They offer brewed coffee, pour-over coffee, and french press coffee in addition to lattes, cappuccinos, and other coffee and non- coffee-based drinks.

• serves Little River Roasters (Spartanburg) roasted beans

Barista Alley

101 Trade Street, Greer
Located in Downtown Greer, you can grab a cup of coffee and head to City Park. Downtown Greer has a ton to see and do!

• Fun location in an old bank with a historic vault
• delicious crepes in addition to coffee
• easy walking distance to Greer City Park, or stroll down Trade Street
• indoor seating

Scändi Tiny Coffee

301 Simply Less Circle, Greer | 864.616.6575

This adorable coffee shop is a true gem for coffee in Greenville, SC. Located near Lake Cunningham in the Lake Walk Tiny Home Community, the coffee house itself is a tiny structure! There is cozy seating both inside and outside, and the shop offers traditional coffee drinks, espresso, pour-over coffee, single-origin and filter coffee, and some seasonal specials.

Flying Fox Coffee (in Cartwright Food Hall)

Favorite Local Coffee Shops in Travelers Rest, SC

Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse

2 South Main Street, Travelers Rest | 864.610.2245

Delicious coffee alongside a plate of savory or sweet crepes? Say no more. Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse offers sustainably sourced coffee by Counter Culture coffee based out of North Carolina

• drip coffee available
• nitro on draft cold brew coffee
• tea, Kombucha, and handcrafted sodas are available

Leopard Forest Coffeehouse

403 North Poinsett Highway, Travelers Rest | 864.834.5500

Leopard Forest Coffee House, located in Travelers Rest, SC, offers in-house roasted beans and an excellent cup of coffee. This hidden gem is popular with local residents and is a great stop when visiting downtown Travelers Rest. Be sure to pick up some bagged coffee before you leave!

• in-house roasted beans
• outdoor seating

TReehouse Cafe and Art Studio: Coffee, Lunch and Lots of Art With Kids in Travelers Rest, SC

The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, TN is one experience you really won’t want to miss. This one is unforgettable. If a crystal clear lake, a glass bottom boat, cave flowers, and a guided tour through amazing geologic features sounds like your kind of adventure, then put America’s largest underground lake on your bucket list.

We visited the underground lake and caverns in Tennessee and it did not disappoint. So, get planning! Here’s everything you need to know about the Lost Sea Adventure!  

Always looking for my next adventure, when I heard of the Lost Sea just outside Knoxville, Tennessee, I knew I had to go. I actually keep a running list of all the cool things I want to do and places to go and this one had been on my list for the past couple of years because it is legitimately a crystal clear, cold lake 150 feet underground amongst creepy and cool caverns. An underground lake. 

Did it live up to my expectations? Oh yeah, it did. 

The Lost Sea Adventure

The Lost Sea is the country’s largest underground lake, which you get to see when you tour the extensive caverns in Sweetwater, TN. And take a boat ride on! 

The caverns are huge and have been in use since the days of the Cherokee tribe, who often used the caves to hold councils. Many Cherokee artifacts have been found that point to this history. 

During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers mined the caverns for saltpeter, which was used to make gunpowder. Before that, settlers made use of the constant 58-degree temperature in the caves to store their produce. 

It wasn’t until 1905 when a 13-year-old boy, Ben Sands, set out to find the rumored lake at the bottom of the caverns. He did end up finding it but no one believed him until decades later when explorers found the same lake. To this day, no one knows how big the lake is. The visible part you see on the tour is 800 feet long by about 200 feet wide and around 75 feet deep. Divers have attempted to explore underground tunnels that protrude from the lake but have not been successful in mapping out how big the lake is. 

The Caverns

The majority of the tour is on solid ground amongst the vast cave system that is part of Craighead Caverns. There are all kinds of rare formations throughout the caves that your guide will show you and point out. Many of these formations have taken thousands of years to grow to their current size. 

Parts of the caverns have massive rooms and ceilings. If you love geology, you’ll certainly enjoy the tour. The prevalence of the rare “anthodites”, which we learned are called more commonly, “cave flowers” are abundant in these caves. Most caves do not have these anthodites and because of this, these caverns have been designated a Registered National Landmark by the US Department of the Interior. 

One particular story that I thought was quite funny was about how one giant room of the cave was a bar and dance hall in 1947. Guests were served moonshine and because of the depth of the caves (or something like that), the effects of the moonshine weren’t felt on the people drinking, which led them to believe they were getting watered-down drinks and drinking all the more moonshine. They would feel the effects of the alcohol once they exited the cave and started up the tunnel to leave. Then it was mayhem. The bar only lasted for all of two months. 

Underground Waterfall

I had seen photos of waterfalls in caves before but had never seen one in person till this tour. 

Crystal Falls is the name of the small underground waterfall in these caverns that spills from somewhere in the ceiling of the cave onto the formations below. Our guide said it’s the only known source of water coming into the caves. It was super cool and flowed into a small stream next to the lake. 

The Boat Tour: A Glass Bottom Boat

So getting to the lake was just as exciting as I pictured. The caves open up into this huge room that is dark except for the lights shining underwater, illuminating the perfectly clear water. I really wanted to grab my kayak or paddleboard and take a ride. They don’t allow that, in case you’re wondering.

The fish all start swimming up to the dock once you reach that area. Now, these are no ordinary fish. These are all Rainbow Trout (no, you cannot go fishing here) that are stocked here every couple of years and are enormous. They are some of the biggest trout you’ll see anywhere. Why? Because they are fed on every single tour that comes into the caverns. 

The lake is so clear and untouched that no microbes or algae grow that fish can feast upon. They can’t even breed here. Therefore, they get to live pretty sweet lives being coddled and fed several times a day. Leaning over the boat to get a good look at them was really cool. Part of the boat has a glass bottom so you can view them that way as well. 

This was our favorite part of the tour just because it was so unique. Our group was pretty small also and not very talkative so the boat tour was very quiet. In fact, the entire time we were in the caves, it was very silent whenever our guide wasn’t talking. In a world full of constant noise, it was just a different feeling and noticeable. 

Wild Cave Tour

If you are up for even more of an adventure, the Lost Sea offers the Wild Cave Tour that includes all of the cool stuff of the normal tour and boat ride plus climbing into undeveloped rooms and seeing all the neat things you don’t get to see on the regular tour. 

These tours are for groups like Scouts, camps, churches, or people who just want to explore more. A minimum of 12 spots need to be reserved for this tour and bookings have to happen at least two weeks in advance. 

Eating Nearby at Sweetwater Valley Farm

The restaurant and General Store at The Lost Sea wasn’t open when we went so I had to figure out something else for lunch. And that we did. 

We went 20 minutes away to Sweetwater Valley Farm, a dairy farm set on rolling green hills, for their grilled cheese sandwiches, milkshakes, and cheese samples. This was one of the best-grilled cheeses and milkshakes I had ever had. 

The farm also does tours of their dairy and cheese operations if you wanted to make it a longer day trip to the area. I’m already dreaming of when to go back and get a milkshake. 

Things to know about the Lost Sea + tickets

• The tour is a walking tour and you’ll walk about three-quarters of a mile in total with the last quarter mile being all uphill. 
• The boat tour is around 15-20 minutes and the total tour time is an hour. 
• Some parts of the trail in the cave are slippery so wear proper shoes. 
• Kids have to be watched at all times. 
• Tickets are $24.95/adult, $14.95/ages 4-12, and kids 3 and under are free. 
• The Lost Sea is open all year round except Thanksgiving and Christmas. 
• No pets are allowed in the caves and on the tour.
• There is a glass blower, trail, picnic tables, and ice cream shop on the property as well if you want to explore while there.

Homeschool Days at The Lost Sea

Homeschool days are offered every Monday (except holidays) August through May and tickets are at the educational rate of $12/student and $21.95/adult. 

The Lost Sea
140 Lost Sea Road, Sweetwater, TN 423.337.6616

Medical marijuana is a lifesaver for many people. I have been dealing with chronic pain with doctors basically telling me there’s nothing they could do about it; I’ve been on all the medication suggested other than opioids and they didn’t work and my situation was written up as being treatment resistant. I went to a pain clinic and the doctor there told me there was nothing he could do for me, while I bawled the entire appointment in frustration. What could be done? The only suggestions both the endocrinologist and spinal specialist had for me were that I should try medical marijuana, and apply for disability. Fortunately, I got approved for medical marijuana within 48 hours (I hear that is extremely quick) and I was lucky in that the medical marijuana almost completely takes my pain away.

I want to interject here and say that I generally call this pot. Or weed. Because why not? Some people think that if you’re using something medically you should only call it cannabis, because that’s the scientific name, and that using pot or weed makes you sound like someone using illicit drugs, but pot is pot, no matter what you call it. It should be legalized period, but at the very least if I have a license for it, I won’t pretend it’s something else other than what your “stoner” friend smoke just to sound more sanitized for people. Not to mention all the people that use it illegally either because they don’t have a license or because of strict rules that they are in may very well be using it medically as well, since it helps so many different health issues. So throughout this, I will refer to it as either bud (the form it comes in), flower (its a flower bud), weed, pot, marijuana, medical marijuana, mmj (medical marijuana), or cannabis. They all are the same and I see no reason to stick to one specific name.

The thing is this. I never smoked because cigarettes are bad for you, and while smoking marijuana isn’t nearly as bad for you as cigarettes are, inhaling smoke on a regular basis isn’t amazing for your lungs. Edibles, though, can be really pricey to buy, or difficult to find if you have any food restrictions. 

Homemade edibles theoretically would be the best option, but most of the recipes out there are complex with lots of steps and can be tricky to get right. But I learned about firecrackers and they have been a staple in my house now, the best way to consume medical marijuana without dealing with the smoke. They, unfortunately, can’t be the only way for me to use it, because unlike smoking marijuana that goes into your lungs and then your bloodstream and has a close to immediate effect, edibles have to first make their way through your digestive tract and only then will start working, depending on your metabolism. I have a slower metabolism, and sometimes it can take up to an hour or two even for me to feel the effect of weed edibles, so if I am in a lot of pain and need immediate releif I still smoke it, but will use these more when I can predict that I’ll be needing the pain releif in the future.

It is important to note that with edibles made at home it is hard to get exact dosing right, so you need to play around with this and figure out how to use what you made. The first time you eat a firecracker, take just a nibble and wait a few hours and see how long it takes to affect you and how much it affects you. This way you can guage it and know in future times how much you need to have the effect that you want.

The original firecrackers are basically a cracker spread with peanut butter and weed and baked together. I updated that and made mine with gluten free tea biscuits (petit burre) since we don’t have gluten free graham crackers locally, and then I often add marshmallows and chocolate to make mine into smores, though that is just optional and fun and not required at all if you don’t like those.

To make edibles, it’s important to know and remember two important facts about marijuana. First is that it needs to be decarbed. This doesn’t mean getting rid of carbohydrates, but rather, going through the process of decarboxylation, a process that actives the psychoactive compounds in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant has both THCA and CBDA in it, acidic forms of THC and CBD that, according to Leafly.com have an additional molecular carboxyl ring, which prevents them from binding to receptors in the brain that make you feel the affect of the cannabis, and decarboxylation makes it more bioavailable. Heating the cannabis does this, so when you’re smoking it happens automatically, but when you’re eating it, that needs to happen separately.  

The second thing to be aware of is that THC and CBD, the chemical components in marijuana that you want, are fat soluble. So if you want to eat them and have your body be able to digest them, mixing them with fats makes you get the most of it. (This is why cannabutter, cannabis infused butter, is so popular with edibles.) This is why you use peanut butter for this recipe, but you can also use other nut butters or even chocolate spreads like Nutella. If it’s a fat and it’s a spread, you’re good to go.

I knew when making these that I ended up getting more bang for my buck with edibles than when smoking, but I don’t have a quantifiable way to prove that since I’m not exactly testing THC and CBD levels in the firecrackers. But I tested it out and using approximately 30 small flowers, 1/4 cup of buds, I made 65 firecrackers. From my estimation, each firecracker gives me the same effect as one flower smoked, but this isn’t a scientific thing. You’d have to test this out yourself and see about the effects yourself, trying just a bit at a time, and seeing its effects, to make sure you don’t end up too high and uncomfortable.

I use primarily THC flowers because while both THC and CBD work for pain relief, THC specifically works for muscle spasms, and most of my pain is because of spasmed muscles because of subluxations due to my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I’ve found it to work really well, and surprisingly, when I’m in a lot of pain, the THC seems to go straight to the pain and doesn’t make me high, whereas when I’m not in as much pain I get high more easily with the same amount. It is very curious.

I learned how to make this from this recipe on hightimes.com. And I either refer to these as my pot cookies or my medicine, depending on my mood. 

Firecracker Peanut Butter S’mores Recipe — Easy Homemade Cannabis Medical Marijuana Edibles Recipe, Gluten Free Vegan

Ingredients:

30 small cannabis flowers, 1/4 cup
1 cup peanut butter

130 gluten free petit burre type cookies/tea biscuits (chocolate is my favorite for the s’more flavor) or equivalent amount of graham crackers, gluten free if needed, and an extra 65 if making firecrackers into smores

Marshmallows if making s’mores

Chocolate chips if making s’mores and not using chocolate petit burre

Yield: 65 cookies

Instructions:

1. Grind your buds in a spice grinder or grain jar of a strong blender until coarsely ground.

2. Preheat an oven to 250 degrees. 

3. Lay out your ground marijuana on a lined baking tray so that it is evenly distributed. 

4. Bake for 15 minutes. This is the decarb step of the process.

5. Remove from the oven and raise the oven to 300 degrees to preheat. 

6. Grind your decarbed cannabis into as smooth of a powder as you can, so you can spread it as uniformly as possible.

7. Mix your powdered weed with your peanut butter, making it as uniform as possible. 

8. Spread your peanut butter on 65 petit burre cookies, trying to make it as even as possible so that each cookie will have the same amount of pot on it and the dosage will be the same. Top with another cookie.

9. Wrap your cookies with aluminum foil. This makes sure that none of the THC or CBD fumes get out. I have no idea if this is scientific whatsoever, but these were in the instructions I read so I stick to them and mine work well.

10. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes.

11. If making into smores, unwrap and add a marshmallow or two, and some chocolate chips if not using chocolate cookies, and bake for 1-2 more minutes or until the marshmallows start to melt. Cover with another cookie and let cool.

12. I store these in my freezer until I’m ready to use them. 

Enjoy!

Let’s discuss marijuana here. Is it legal where you live without a license? Do you have a medical marijuana license? If you’ve used cannabis before, was it edibles? Smoked? Something else? How much do edibles cost where you live? Have you made edibles before? How did you make them? Does this look like something you’d try?
And just to make this fun, anyone want to debate why or why not cannabis should be legalized for everyone?

How to Prevent Baby Spitting Up Curdled Milk? Is it harmful? Find the answers to these in this definitive guide on spitting up for new parents

Breastfeeding can be a challenge for many new parents, and it can take quite a bit of effort to make it work. Now just as you’ve got the hang of it and are beginning to enjoy it, you find that your baby is spitting up the milk your body worked so hard to make!

Yes, spitting up can be messy, but it can also be distressful for new parents who aren’t sure if this is normal or if their baby is missing out on valuable calories and nutrients. If the spit-up has a curdled appearance, parents become even more alarmed

If you’re worried about this too, don’t worry – spitting up is quite common among babies, especially in the first few months, and generally subsides by the baby’s first birthday.

What causes spitting up in babies?

1. Immature digestive systems – The human body possesses a muscle between the stomach and the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for keeping food down in the stomach. This muscle is still underdeveloped in babies, which results in some of the stomach contents coming up. This effect is more pronounced since babies’ stomachs are small and can only hold a little at a time.

2. Acid reflux – Acid reflux is common in young babies, and occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close completely, causing some of the stomach acid to come up and lead to spitting up.

3. Food allergies – Some babies can have an allergic reaction to something in the formula they are consuming or even in the mom’s diet. However, in such cases, the spitting up is often accompanied by symptoms like diarrhea.

4. Pyloric stenosis – The pylorus is at the bottom of the stomach through which food passes into the intestines. If the pylorus muscles are enlarged, it can lead to spitting up. This is a serious condition that requires surgery, but it is an extremely rare condition, occurring only in 3 out of 1,000 babies.

Types of spitting up

Normal spit-up – This spit-up has a smooth texture and looks almost identical to the milk the baby has had, whether it is breast milk or formula. This kind of spit-up is generally seen during or immediately following feeding.

Curdled spit-up – This spit-up has a chunkier, curdled appearance and is usually seen a while after the baby’s feeding. The curdled appearance is due to the action of the stomach acids on the breast milk or formula while it is in the baby’s stomach.

Colored spit-up – For young babies who consume only milk, the spit-up is likely to be whitish in color. For older babies who’ve started solids, the color of the spit-up will change depending on what foods they eat. However, red could indicate the presence of blood, while green or yellow could indicate the presence of bile or phlegm.

Vomit – Vomiting is actually completely different from spit-up and is generally a sign of the baby being unwell. For instance, spit-up usually occurs close to the baby’s body, while vomit travels farther. Spitting up is gentler, while vomiting requires more force and can be painful for the baby.

Should I worry about my baby spitting up?

Seeing the baby spit up can worry most new parents, but it is generally harmless. In fact, your baby may appear to be more comfortable after spitting up and getting that release. Spitting up can also free up space in the baby’s tummy, making room for more milk.

One thing to remember is that the spit-up milk usually appears more than it actually is. It may seem like your baby has spit up everything she ate, but that is very unlikely. The mess on your clothes is no indication of how much your baby has actually spit up!

In a nutshell, spitting up is not harmful and should not affect your baby’s growth and well-being. As long as your baby seems fine otherwise, there is nothing to worry about. However, if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, it is better to consult a doctor:

• Forceful spitting up
• Spit up that is red, brown, green, or yellow
• Spit up that looks like coffee grounds
• Suddenly starts spitting up after 6 months of age
• Refusal to feed
• Insufficient weight gain
• Blood in the stool
• Increased irritability or crying
• Cough or difficulty breathing
• Fewer wet diapers

If you notice any of these signs, it could be a sign of an illness, so it’s best to see the doctor right away. As for regular spit-up, you can reduce its occurrence by following a few simple tips.

1. Choose the right feeding position

Babies who feed in lying positions tend to spit up more than babies who feed in other positions. While feeding your baby, keep the baby’s head at a higher level than the feet. Ensure that the baby stays in this position throughout the feeding and doesn’t dip down. This helps the milk to flow down easily and reduces the likelihood of it coming up.

2. Ensure a good latch

A good latch is essential for multiple reasons – reducing pain, improving suction, and also reducing the intake of air. Swallowing air while sucking can increase the likelihood of spitting up as well as acid reflux. A good latch means that the baby’s mouth is open wide around the areola and not just the nipple. The baby’s chin touches the breast and the lips appear turned out.

3. Avoid overfeeding

Feeding too much or too fast can both result in spitting up. Rather than feeding a lot few times a day, increase the number of feedings and feed a little less at each feeding. This ensures that the baby’s little tummy doesn’t get stuffed beyond capacity. Keep an eye out for the signs of fullness, like slowed sucking, relaxed hands, or getting distracted.

4. Control the flow of milk

Along with ensuring that the baby isn’t overfed, you also need to control the flow of milk into the baby’s mouth. This can be an issue for mothers who have an oversupply of breast milk or a powerful let-down, which can cause a sudden rush of milk that the baby can’t handle. Express some milk before starting the feeding, so your baby gets a more controlled flow of milk. If you’re bottle feeding, choose a nipple with a smaller hole.

5. Avoid distractions while feeding

As your baby starts becoming more aware of the world around her, she may start stalling during feeding and getting distracted. This can lead to a loosening of the latch and swallowing more air, increasing the likelihood of spitting up. Try to feed in a quiet environment without distractions around, and try to keep the baby focused on the feeding. If she is too distracted, she may be full, so you can remove her from the breast.

6. Remember to burp your baby

Burping the baby is one of the best ways to reduce spitting up, although if you’ve overfed the baby, burping could lead to more spit up! Burp frequently during feeding as well as after, by holding the baby up and patting on the back to release any trapped air. If bottle feeding, burp after every 30 ml of milk.

7. Keep your baby upright after feeding

Even after burping your baby, it helps to hold him in an upright position for the next 20-30 minutes so the milk has a chance to settle down in his tummy. Avoid any active play like bouncing or swinging since this can lead to spitting up or even vomiting. Instead, simply sit down with the baby or walk around holding him.

8. Put baby to sleep on her back

Experts recommend putting babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. This is also helpful for another reason – it reduces pressure on the tummy and reduces the chances of spitting up.

9. Raise the head of your baby’s mattress

Keeping the head in a raised position is a great way to reduce the chances of spitting up or acid reflux. However, it is not recommended to use pillows for babies, so an easy way to achieve this is to roll up some blankets and place it under the baby’s crib mattress. This keeps the head elevated without hurting the baby’s posture.

10. Reduce pressure on baby’s tummy

While placing the baby on her back is a good way to reduce pressure on her tummy, it also helps to dress her in comfortable clothes. Avoid anything that is tight at the waist, like pants with tight elastic bands. This also applies to diapers – fasten the seals in a comfortably loose manner, leaving some room for the baby’s tummy.

11. Look at your own diet

If you are breastfeeding your baby, your diet may have an impact on the baby’s spitting up. Some babies react adversely to certain foods in their mothers’ diets, like tomatoes, citrus fruits, spices, and carbonated drinks. You can try avoiding these foods and see if it’s reducing your baby’s spitting up.

12. Change your baby formula

If you are bottle feeding, it may help to look at your baby’s formula. Switching to a formula with low-lactose content or a hypoallergenic formula may help reduce spitting up. Always consult your pediatrician before changing your baby’s formula.

If you’ve tried all these methods but your baby is still spitting up, there may be another problem. Please watch out for any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, and if you notice any of them, consult your doctor right away.

Miss the local farmer’s markets in the winter? We’ve got the scoop on Greenville’s best indoor farmers market and it’s really a lot more than a farmers market. The Toasty Farmer is no longer an Upstate secret; however, parents in the know have discovered that the family-friendly winter farmers market can be the perfect outing on a dreary winter’s day.

About the Toasty Farmer

The unassuming frontage road that leads to Brewery 85 might lead new visitors to question their GPS, but you’ll soon know you’re in the right place by the cars overflowing from the brewery parking lot. The craft microbrewery is named for Interstate 85, central to the location on Whitlee Ct. and also to the region, connecting the hometowns of members of the ‘Brew Crew.’ The farmers market is mostly an indoor event, but you’ll find the food trucks outdoors plus a new kids area. And hot chocolate to warm up those kiddos, anyone? Yes, please.

Our love of supporting local businesses, artists, and makers makes The Toasty Farmer a perfect fit for all of us at Kidding Around and we so appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Upstate all in one place, especially during the drearier winter months.

The main entrance opens into the bar area where knowledgeable staff will help make a decision among the multiple beers on tap (they also have cider, wine, and a few non-alcoholic options for kids) that can be taken into the vending area in the main area of the brewery just around the corner.

Before we even make it into the market, the kids get sidetracked by the view of the brewery floor, all the enormous, shiny tanks, kettles and mills fueling their imagination. The brewery opened in 2014, and The Toasty Farmer launched a couple of years later to provide an outlet for farm produce and goods during the winter season (in addition to bringing customers to the brewery).  Doors are open Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm.

The Toasty Farmer’s 2022-23 Season

The Toasty Farmer will be located at Brewery85. Along with many vendors, it has a big movie screen, tables, and includes a taproom. And get this – there is a big sand area for the kids to play in outside. How fun! There is also music, food, trucks, and awesome vendors.

Indoors you’ll find all the great, local vendors that make the Toasty Farmer the Upstate’s longest-running winter farmers market, selling things like soaps, candles, farm-fresh produce, trout, cheese, elderberry and ciders, tomato pies, pimento cheeses, and many unique specialty sweets from cupcakes to delicate and perfect macarons.

The kids’ favorite vendor has a sweet pastry that we allow them to dig into while shopping, and I enjoy browsing cheeses from the creamery and perhaps purchasing a local wine. When the weather is warmer the kids can run around outside while the parents enjoy a beverage at one of the picnic tables, while in cold and rainy weather we seat them with a snack and relax and enjoy the atmosphere indoors. With 45 vendors it’s a sure bet to find a local artisan, producer or farmer to talk with.

Visit The Toasty Farmer

This is the seventh season for the Toasty Farmer, which runs December 3, 2022 through March 2023 every Saturday except for some additional select dates.

6 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC
864.558.0104

For more information, visit The Toasty Farmer Facebook page.

Will you be visiting The Toasty Farmer this winter?

This article was originally published by KA Contributor, Liene, on Femme au Foyer as part of the Food on Friday series, but has been heavily updated by the Kidding Around Team for the 2022-2023 season.

Love ice skating and want to have a fun winter experience doing the winter sport in Greenville, SC? We’ve got just the place for you at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for Skating on the Big Ice.

I can ice skate and not fall (often). I just can’t stop, which means I’m eternally grateful for all the space at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and the sideboards. I had plenty of opportunities to practice though and teach my kids a little about how to hold their own on the ice at Skating on the Big Ice, which happens in December at the arena.

Skating on the Big Ice

The Bon Secours Wellness Arena has been offering Skating on the Big Ice for several years and I’ve always had such a great time with my family there. The ice rink is enormous – the same size they use for the Swamp Rabbits hockey games – and there is plenty of space no matter how many people are skating.

The atmosphere is quite festive as Christmas music is pumped into the arena. Feel free to sing along to the tunes – it’s fun! Even if you are awful at ice skating, you can use a complimentary ice walker that you hold onto and push along in front of you as you skate. Or you know, cling to the sides as you test your skating skills.

There are also fun sleds to pull younger kids along the ice. I tried this solely for the reason of writing it about it. It looked hard because you have to not fall yourself while dragging a kid along with you. It wasn’t exactly easy but it wasn’t hard either. The sled slid easily along the ice and the hardest thing was trying to make sure I didn’t hit anyone else while dragging it along (mission accomplished).

Two Hours of Skating + Skate Rentals

You get two hours of skating time with your admission and your skate rentals are included in the ticket price. The employees at the arena are so incredibly kind and helpful. We had to switch out our skates a few times to find the right size and they were accommodating and patient.

The woman at the rink helping people with the ice walkers was totally on top of her game, switching them out quickly and helping people on and off the ice. And I had cut my finger while tying the skates onto one of my kids and an employee quickly got me a Band-Aid. Everyone was wonderful and I want to give a shout-out to all the employees helping to make that experience a good one for all the people participating.

Parking at the Arena

You get to be a VIP when you go skating at the arena because you can park in the VIP lot right off Church Street. It’s exciting, I promise. And parking is free so even better.

When you pull into the lot, park all the way to the left near the fence and look for signs pointing to the back entrance to the arena. Don’t go up the stairs as you would for an event at the arena. You’ll walk down a ramp on the left into the back entrance to the secret door and begin your adventure.

Skate Roll & Stroll ADA Sessions

The arena again offers Skate Roll & Stroll ADA sessions for 2022. These are totally free and equipment is provided.

The dates and times for the 2022 Skate Roll & Stroll are December 20th from 10- 12 pm and December 30th from 10 – 12 pm. 

Santa at Skating on the Big Ice

Not only can you go ice skating during Winter Break but if you weren’t able to get Santa photos, you can do so at your session before Christmas. Santa is there ready to pose for free photos (bring your own camera) with a pretty Christmas tree.

There are also concessions available for purchase like hot chocolate and soft pretzels. Yum.

Tickets and Skates

Tickets are $15 per person and include your skate rentals. You can also bring your own skates. We saw plenty of expert skaters whirring past us who definitely knew what they were doing and brought their own skates.

You can purchase tickets online or just buy them when you get there. You’ve got two full hours of skating per session so there’s lots of time to enjoy the ice. Ice walkers and sleds are first come, first serve. They have plenty of ice walkers though. Tickets are card only, cash is not accepted.

The smallest size skate the arena has is 7 little kids. We saw kids as young as maybe four years old skating. It was impressive.

Tips to Enjoy Skating on the Big Ice

Here are a few ways to get the most out of your time skating on the big ice:

• Wear socks that go way above your ankle. Skates go high up above your ankle and need to be tied tight. To avoid the skates rubbing against skin, be sure to wear crew socks or the like.
• Go to the bathroom before you start skating. They have restrooms on site.
• It’s chilly at the rink. Wear layers, bring a hat and gloves, and maybe a scarf. I hate being cold so I brought all the things just in case I needed them!
• Parents/non-skaters can sit and watch in the stands if they don’t want to skate. So if you’ve got grandparents in town that aren’t that active, this would still be fun since they can hang out and watch their grandkids attempt to skate.
• Get there around 10 minutes early before your session so you can pay and get your skates to get the most out of your two hours skate time.

2022 Skating on the Big Ice Dates

• December 19th at 12 – 2 pm or 3 – 5 pm – both sessions have been CANCELLED
• December 20th at 12 – 2 pm or 3 – 5 pm
• December 21st at 12 – 2 pm, 3 – 5 pm, or 6 – 8 pm
• December 22nd at 12 – 2 pm or 3 – 5 pm
• December 26th at 12 – 2 pm or 3 – 5 pm
• December 27th at 12 – 2 pm or 3 – 5 pm
• December 29th at 12 – 2 pm or 3 – 5 pm
• December 30th at 12 – 2 pm or 3 – 5 pm

Need other ideas of things to do over winter break in Greenville? See our winter break things to do list of more than 50 ideas!

Bon Secours Wellness Arena
650 North Academy Street, Greenville

If you’ve been a Kidding Around reader for any length of time, you’ve likely seen some of our coverage of Hidden Pastures Unicorn Farm in Fountain Inn, SC. While the farm is open year-round with varying hours, you don’t want to miss Yuletide Unicorn & Night Lights Festival. With Christmas celebrations leading up to New Year’s Day, you and your child are bound to make memories together during a visit to Hidden Pastures. 

Be sure to read our entire review of Hidden Pastures Unicorn Farm.

Yuletide Unicorn & Night Lights Festival

After all of the rain we’ve had lately, we were ready to get out of the house at the first break of sunshine (despite the bite of cold air). We bundled up ourselves and our daughter and made our way to Hidden Pastures Unicorn Farm. Owner Kate greeted us with smiles and gave us a rundown of the history and what to expect once we walked through the entrance barn doors. As soon as we were done talking with Kate, our daughter took off. 

My favorite part of the entire visit? The free-range animals that roam the grounds. Everywhere you turn, there’s either a friendly goat, eager chicken, adorable calf, or magical unicorn ready to greet you (and likely waiting for some snacks to gently eat out of your hand).

There are plenty of outdoor toys for your child to enjoy. There are see-saws, rocking horses, bouncing horses, a tiny toddler playhouse, slides, swings, and a giant inflatable bounce house with a slide. 

But the best part about this time of year? The Christmas decorations, Santa, hot chocolate, live music (select days only), Christmas lights, and a night-time Christmas moving showing with a firepit. If our daughter was a bit older, we definitely would have visited at night. Since she’s a bit young, we made a daytime visit, but look forward to visiting in the evening when she’s a little older.

And if you need something to do on New Year’s Eve, the Unicorn Farm will be showing a special movie, will keep their Christmas lights on, and have a food truck available).

Hidden Pastures Unicorn Farm Yuletide Unicorn & Night Lights Festival with Santa Details

Unicorn Farm Location:
245 Little Virginia Road
Fountain Inn

Visit Hidden Pastures Unicorn Farm

Hours of Operation:

• December 19-23, 2022: open every day 11 am – 9 pm (no Santa visits)
• December 24-25, 2022: Closed
• December 26-31, 2022: open every day 11 am – 9 pm (no Santa visits)
• January 1, 2023: Open 11 am – 9 pm (no Santa visits)

Pricing:

• Adults 18+ – $12
• Kids 3-17 years old – $14
• Babies 2 & under – Free
• *Cash and cards accepted

Planning your trip to Hidden Pastures? Tell us about it!

Ready to celebrate the New Year in Greenville? Kidding Around’s Deborah Pope has compiled this list of great events to ring in the New Year and some fun things to do on New Year’s Day. You’ll find noon-time countdowns, free events, parties, special hikes and more! Happy New Year from all of us at Kidding Around!

“We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!” You may have a plethora of ways to celebrate Christmas with your children, but do you have any ideas for celebrating the New Year in Greenville with your children? And, what do you do with your children on New Years Day? We have compiled a list of various options to celebrate New Years Eve and New Years Day with your children.

Things to Do on New Year’s Eve With Kids

From parties to crafts and noon countdowns, here are several options to help your children celebrate New Years Eve!

Noon Years Eve Party at the Little Gym from 11:15 am – 12:15 pm – Members are $20/child and non-members are $20/child. Perfect for little kids that includes playtime and a balloon drop.

Family Fun at Spare Time Entertainment starting at Noon. You can buy a “party” for your family that includes lane and shoe rental, a large pizza and soft drinks, noisemakers, and unlimited bowling. Lane rentals at Noon and the later the time, the most costly the lane rental. Rentals range from $99.99 – $199.99 for a 2.5 hour rental.

Roller Sports NYE Skate in Taylors from 7 pm – 1 am. Price is $15/person and includes a slice of pizza and drink after 11 pm.

Upstate Holiday Light Show – 6 pm – 11 pm – New Years Eve is the last night to take the family to see this spectacular, drive-through light show.

Hidden Pastures Unicorn Farm– 11 am to 9 pm on New Years Eve and New Years Day. See the animals and enjoy the holiday lights. There will also be a food truck and a special move on New Years Eve! Tickets are $12-$14.

And if you need more lights in your life, several local light displays operate through the first of the year!

Things to Do on New Year’s Day in Greenville & Spartanburg

If your children did not stay up on New Years Eve, they will probably be ready to go on the first morning of the year. Pick up some breakfast from your favorite local restaurant. Then, go have some fun.

Go hiking!

Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site – 10 am – 11 am – Take part in a First Day Hike with a self-guided 1.5-mile hike along the Tyger River Trail. First Day Hike hand sanitizers and stickers will be given out while supplies last. Free park admission.

Musgrove Mill State Historic Site – 9 am-11:15 am, 1 pm-1:30 pm, and 2 pm-3 pm. – Enjoy a self-guided, kid-friendly First Day Hike along the 1-mile British Camp Trail. Admission to the site is free.

Paris Mountain State Park – 11 am-12:30 pm and 4 pm-5:30 pm – This year’s First Day Hike is around Lake Placid. Signs at station posts provide activities along the way. Park admission is $6 an adult, $3.50 a child, and free for under 5.

Or create your own adventure using Kidding Around’s Hiking Guide!

Make Memories at an Amusement Park on New Year’s Day

What about spending the beginning of the New Year at an amusement park? That’s one way to make it memorable!

Dollywood  – A favorite destination for the Kidding Around team, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in at Dollywood and in Pigeon Forge.

Carowinds – Conveniently located just over an hour from the Upstate, a visit doesn’t require an overnight stay.

Six Flags – This could be the year you overcome that fear of thrill-rides. The Pandemonium ride at Six Flags would be the amusement ride version of jumping into the deep end of the pool!