Rev Up Your Romance
8 Date Ideas For Parents Night Out! All couples, but especially those with kids, need to rev up the romance with a little quality time every now and again. Sure, dinner and a movie is the go-to date night staple; but this option can become a little lackluster. Break out of your romance rut with the following date night suggestions ─ hidden gems for Central Florida parents! For... Read More
Fundraiser Fallout
I have taken a vow: I will not buy any school or organization fundraiser item unless the tasked mini-salesperson contacts me directly! Soon after the start of each quarter throughout the school year, the solicitations begin in full force. Children and teenagers seem to come out of the woodwork with financial requests to aid sport teams or other recreational activities. Yes, my husband... Read More
Five Things to Know About Finding the Perfect Babysitter
Many couples look forward to getting out for an overdue date night or get-together with friends. Some parents, however, dread leaving their children home with a new babysitter. How do you find a reliable, trustworthy sitter to avoid having a parental panic attack? Explore the following five questions to help identify the perfect babysitter for your family. Know Where To Look Other... Read More
WonderWorks Orlando
Enter to win (4) complimentary admission passes to WonderWorks Orlando, where you and your family will enjoy over 100 interactive exhibits that are Fun for All Ages! Contest ends on February 15th. One entry per family. Oops! We could not locate your form. Read More
37th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games
Enter to win (4) complimentary admission passes to the 37th Central Florida Scottish Highland Games on either January 18th or January 19th at the Central Winds Park in Winter Springs, Florida. The town of Winter Springs will again play host to thousands of brave-hearted, plaid-covered folk who will fill Central Winds Park to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of all things... Read More
Babycakes Flip-Over Cake Pop Maker
Enter to win a “Babycakes Flip-Over Cake Pop Maker” Bakes 12 cake pops or donut holes in just minutes. Pop sticks and standing tray are included. Contests ends January 31st. One entry per family. Winner must be able to pick-up prize at the offices of Orlando Family Magazine located at: 7708 W Sand Lake Road, Suite 303, Orlando, FL 32819. Oops! We could not locate your... Read More
Three Florida Hospital Mobile Apps for Parents On The Go
Convenient Tools for Illness and Growth The popular trend of downloading the latest mobile applications (apps) to your smartphone is likely here to stay. But phone apps are no longer just for entertainment. Recently, Florida Hospital launched three useful apps to help Central Florida families access medical care and tools. DOCS2GO As a parent, there is nothing more stressful than... Read More
Non-Profit Organizations Founded by Kids
Kids Helping Kids Through Philanthropy Each New Year, resolutions inspire people to vow to lose weight, strive to become eco-friendly, or aim toward another personal objective. For three ambitious youths in Central Florida, helping children in need continues to top their individual resolution goals! In fact, these go-getters embody such passion that they all founded non-profit organizations... Read More
Mind Your Mommy-To-Be Manners
Everyone can agree that a baby shower is a memorable experience for both mommy-to-be and her loved ones. Yet, some may disagree on the proper party protocol. For example, traditionalists say that mothers should only have one baby shower and just for the first child; while others find it acceptable (and necessary) to host two or more baby showers depending on the circumstances. Use... Read More
Orlando Family Magazine’s Twelve Days of Christmas Contest
‘Tis the season for Christmas carolers to sing about elaborate gifts in the classic holiday tune “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” To thank our loyal readers, Orlando Family Magazine is pleased to provide free holiday gifts to twelve lucky winners. Register for your chance to WIN one of the twelve gifts below. On the first day of Christmas, Orlando Family gave to... Read More
DECEMBER 2012: HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Cannonball Christmas Express Wooton Park Station, Downtown Tavares Get into the holiday spirit on board the Cannonball Christmas Express with a magical trip to the North Pole on select dates through Dec 23rd. Ride in vintage coaches pulled by a 1907 steam locomotive, while singing Christmas carols and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with cookies. Santa will board the train at the... Read More
The Best Last Minute Gifts May be Virtual
The most coveted last minute gifts this holiday season may not be something you can wrap or stuff into a stocking. In a recent study at Carnegie Mellon University, researchers talked to young people about their most prized possessions. Many said that virtual assets–music, photos, Facebook Credits, and items in online games–were more important to them than material possessions... Read More
Holiday Gift Guide for Kids
Finding the best gifts for your children during the holiday season can be overwhelming. With so many toys out there to choose fromand the added pressure of your children being bombarded with advertising, it’s hard to decide which toys are right for them. So many questions come to mind when selecting a gift: Is it fun? Is it safe? Does it interact with or teach something... Read More
Camaraderie Foundation: Supporting soldiers and their families
In 2009, Marnie Waldrop, loving wife and mother of two young children, recognized a need to extend support to U.S. Military service members and their families. She founded the Camaraderie Foundation, a Central Florida based non-profit organization that provides counseling, as well as emotional and spiritual support to deployed or re-deployed service members and their loved ones. “I... Read More
Celebrating Miracles With Children’s Miracle Network
It’s not every day that a seven-year-old gets to hang out with the President of the United States; but that is exactly how Emma Provenzano recently spent her time! Of course her White House adventure wasn’t just a family vacation. In fact, Emma’s journey from Orlando to D.C. literally began the day she was born with a serious heart defect, called Transposition of the Great... Read More
Teen Dating: How Young is Too Young?
I think many of us can relate to Deanna, mom of three girls (one of them a teen), when she said, “Dating? Not my babies!” My own first date happened when I was 16 ½ and my parents were hardcore: If I missed curfew by 1 minute, I was grounded for two weeks (and yes, I was grounded quite often). For me, 13 or 14 would have been too young for dating because boys still freaked... Read More
Parents Guide to College Savings
For many families, seeing their children realize their college dreams is a life-long goal. Yet with the cost of higher education skyrocketing across the nation and in Florida, for many, college unfortunately may not become a reality. Nearly $250 million was cut from the state’s higher education budget last year, allowing universities to increase tuition by an average of 12 percent.... Read More
Jilted and Jaded: How To Help Students Move On After College Rejection
They say the first heartbreak is the hardest to get over. For many students, this comes in the form of a rejection letter from their dream college. Tuition deposits may already be past due, yet some students are still pining over their lost love. Parents try to lift their spirits by proudly wearing college sweatshirts (of the runner-up choice) and slapping stickers on the car, all... Read More
Cell Phone Mischief And How To Shut It Down
Cell phones present unique challenges for parents. In a wired world, these electronic devices seem essential for keeping kids safe and connected. But, they also make it much harder for parents to monitor where their kids are and who they’re talking to, not to mention what apps (applications) and media they may be accessing. Without supervision, even the best behaved kids can get... Read More
Florida’s Presidential History
After months of intense political focus on our “battleground state” of Florida, citizens will cast their vote for our country’s Commander in Chief. Though the President will reside in the White House in Washington D.C., our Sunshine State will continue to embody a rich presidential history. Floridians don’t need to take a trip to the nation’s capital to gain Presidential... Read More
The New Normal
Show:The New Normal Airtime: Tues., 9:30/8:30c on NBC Rating: TV-14 D, L, S (suggestive dialogue, coarse language and sexual situations) Genre: Comedy Cast: Justin Bartha, Andrew Rannells, Georgia King, Bebe Wood, NeNe Leakes, Ellen Barkin Ok for Ages: 16+ Official Site: http://www.nbc.com/the-new-normal/ Parents Should Know: Nothing is off-limits in this comedy from... Read More
