Welcome to the July 2002 edition of SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL e-zines - a continuing series of monthly newsletters created for the community of single parents (and other non-traditional families) who travel with their kids.

In this issue:
I. GLOBAL BRENDA'S MESSAGE
II. OUR SPONSOR: -DIVI
III. PACKING IV. THIS JUST IN - ARIZONA
IV. UNCOVERED - SINGLE PARENT SPECIALS
V. TOOTING THE HORN - GLOBAL BRENDA IN THE NEWS
VI. A CHILD WHO WETS CAN DAMPEN YOUR TRAVEL PLANS
VII. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

I. GLOBAL BRENDA'S MESSAGE

Glacier National Park
I can finally relax! On July 1st, I finished my book, "The Single Parent Travel Handbook," and sent it off for professional editing. To reward myself, I am taking a long-awaited one-week vacation to Glacier National Park in Montana. While I am away, my daughter Monique will screen my emails. Those questions she cannot answer will be forwarded to me for my reply upon my return home. Thank you for your patience.

In the next newsletter, I will write up information about Glacier National Park, often voted the national park people most want to return to. It is easy to understand why. Besides spectacular scenery and Class 1 Air Quality, the park contains 32 glaciers, and lots of grizzly bears and mountain goats.

Keeping the thread
The volume of email I receive is increasing daily, especially since the recent article in the New York Times. I enjoy hearing from everyone and personally answering each one. Thank you all for taking the time to write and ask questions and give me feedback. I now often answer as many as 100 emails a week, many of them second messages. I don't always remember what I have written or what you have written me and, if I don't have the thread, it takes me awhile to hunt for the original email in my files. So PLEASE don't forget to copy the previous emails in the new email that you send me. This is especially true for AOL subscribers since AOL's email program does not keep the thread.

Member Drive
Last month we started a member drive and we had asked you to forward this newsletter to at least three friends. Our goal was to have over 200 subscribers sign up for the month of June. Well, we are happy to report that we have had 201 sign ups in the last month! We beat our goal by one subscriber! Keep spreading the word!

Sponsorship
With our May 2002 newsletter we began accepting sponsorship. Our goal is not to inundate you with advertisements, but to cover our costs to run the newsletter. We received some questions regarding the difference between sponsorship and our single parent special lists. Allow me to explain the difference: Sponsors pay us money to advertise; travel suppliers listed in our single parent specials do not. We do require that our sponsor's products or services be in some way related to family travel or the life of the single parent. The requirements for the single parent specials are listed here. We take pains to separate the two and label them appropriately. Please take a special look at our sponsors. They really do offer some excellent products and they help keep the newsletter and the Web site running.

Happy Travels,

Brenda Elwell

II. OUR SPONSOR: DIVI TAMARJIN ARUBA
(Paid advertisement)

Now thru December 20, 2002 single parents traveling with children up to age 18 can enjoy savings of nearly 30% off all inclusive nightly rates
- Kids up to age 18 STAY, PLAY and EAT FREE when sharing a room with one paying adult
- Single accommodations for parent with no single supplement (maximum 3 children in room with one adult); restrictions apply.

To book the Single Parent Program or for more information call 1800-554-2008, 207-594-7888 or visit our web site at http://www.tamarijnaruba.com/family.html

Founder's Note: We have featured the Divi Tamarjin and the Divi Aruba in the single parent special sections of our newsletter the past two months. These properties are making special efforts to cater to the single parent. Should you decide to make one of these properties your vacation destination, tell them SingleParentTravel.net sent you. We welcome your feedback upon your return.

Previous sponsors: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/ads/Sponsors.htm

III. PACKING

Given that this is the beginning of vacation season, we thought a piece on packing would be appropriate. Once your kids are old enough to read hand them a packing list and let them assemble the items on the bed and check them off. Praise them for their thoroughness and then show them how to pack everything into a duffle or suitcase. By the time they are pre-teens (10, 11 or 12), they should be able to pack everything on their own, with the help of a detailed packing list. Be as detailed as possible on the list; for example, don't say "underwear," instead say 7 pairs of socks and 7 pairs of briefs.

• Little kids like packing lists because it makes them feel grown-up.

• Teen-agers like packing lists because it eliminates the need for communication, especially of an instructional nature, from a parent.

• Grown up kids like packing lists because it keeps them organized. Coming off final exams, and busy rescheduling his part-time job, my college-age son still uses a packing list to prepare for our summer family vacation.

• Parents like packing lists because then they can not be blamed for packing the "wrong shirt".

As a traveling Single Parent Family, you and your kids should be able to walk at least two blocks with your luggage. Keep that in mind when you pack your bags or prepare to buy a new suitcase. It can save you money. For example, when traveling by train in Europe, the train station may only be a block or two from your hotel. Why hail a cab? When arriving at an airport in Latin America, it may save you many dollars (or pesos) to walk a couple of blocks out of the airport area and hail a cab near the main road. Many airports in Latin America are quite small, even in the capital cities.

Today there are many types and sizes of luggage that come on wheels, making it very easy for each member of the family to be self-sufficient. A small child can easily pull along a suitcase with wheels designed to hold his or her clothing. Bigger kids may prefer a duffle. For some of our more remote trips, such as the Amazon or the Andes, we found double duffels on wheels to be most appropriate. They can be carried or pulled and can easily be squished to fit into tight compartments or onto transfer canoes.

Several examples of packing lists on are on our Web site as well as other important lists, like first-aid kit list, that serve as a great starting point for your own lists. Please see http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Pack/index.htm .

IV. BY POPULAR DEMAND - ARIZONA

We had a few requests for information on Arizona, so we decided to post a section on the Web about this special place. Every month, we have many requests for information, especially this past month. Now that my book is in editing, I will have more time to write up information on destinations and post it to our Web site. Meanwhile, please keep the email requests coming, so I know what areas to write about (or research) next! "I fell in love with Arizona the first time I visited it, and although my kids and I have been there many times, each time we visit, we again fall prey to its charms. Many people, especially Easterners, think of Arizona as the Grand Canyon with desert all around it. Wrong, very wrong. Did you know the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine Forest in the world is in northern Arizona? Did you know you can go skiing in Arizona and it's not on artificial snow? Do I have your attention now?" To continue the article click on http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Arizona.htm

V. UNCOVERED - THREE SINGLE PARENT SPECIALS

Once again, we have found specials that don't discriminate against the single parent family. You may contact your travel agent to help you book any of the specials below.

SP Special #1 - Beaches Family Resort in partnership with Vacation Kids

For the month of September 2002 Beaches is offering 35% off at any Beaches Family resort single supplement has been waived. In addition, Vacationkids, a travel agency for families (both single and traditional), is kicking in a $100 discount. You can find full details at http://www.vacationkids.com/beachesres.htm/ . You can also contact Sally Black from Vacation Kids at mom@vacationkids.com or 610-681-7360.

SP Special # 2 - Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Allegria Spa

The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Allegria Spa is offering a single parent special. Starting at $330 in the summer and $618 in the winter, you get one night's lodging for one adult and one child, one 50-minute adult's massage per night, three hours of Camp Hyatt, one adult's and one child's room service breakfast and milk and cookies. Additional child in same room with package amenities is $55.00 per night. Be sure to tell your reservation agent the ages of your children.

SP Special #3 - Tamarijn Aruba Beach Resort Mega Announces New Single Parent Program

From July 1 to December 20, 2002, the Tamarijn waives their single supplement on all-inclusive nightly room rates for parents traveling with children up to age 18. Up to three kids can stay in the same room with one parent. If the parent is seeking a bit of privacy they can take advantage of the Mega Family Extra, which is available as an add-on option to the Single Parent Program. With the Mega Family Extra, the paying adult can purchase a separate room for children up to 18 years old (maximum four children per second room), for just $130 per room, per night until December 20, 2002.

The Tamarijn Aruba Mega is all-inclusive: all meals, snacks, beverages (at a selection of bars and restaurants) and entertainment is included. In addition, guests can use the facilities at both the Tamarijn and Divi resorts. The single parent program includes a children's camps for kids aged 5 - 12 years old with orientation, nature walk, shuffle board, shirt decorating, sand sculpture, movies, cooking, special projects, story-telling and dancing. Activities for kids of all ages include the use of the resort's freshwater pool, non-motorized water sports including snorkeling and snorkeling lesson, sunfish sailing, floats, canoes, beginner's windsurfing equipment and "Learn to Windsurf" beach clinic, tennis, volleyball, bicycles and fitness area.

For more information contact your travel professional, or call 1-800-554-2008, 207-594-7888 or visit the resort's Web site at www.tamarijnaruba.com.

VI. TOOTING THE HORN - GLOBAL BRENDA IN THE NEWS

We were thrilled to discover that the New York Times article, which appeared on Sunday, June 23, spurred a number of forthcoming reviews for my book, including Travel & Leisure and Parenting Magazine. Separately, Rudy Maxa mentioned SingleParentTravel.net on his radio show, The Savvy Traveler. A story about single parents should appear in National Geographic Traveler sometime soon. (We never know exactly.) If you ever see a mention of our Web site, book or newsletter, or even a story about single parent travel, PLEASE inform us as soon as possible, giving us the date of the article. With regard to public relations, we believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. The more single parent travel is mentioned in the press, the more single parent specials we will see.

VII. A CHILD WHO WETS CAN DAMPEN YOUR TRAVEL PLANS

Founder's note: When Reno Lovison approached us about including his article, I felt this was an important topic as many camps and children's programs exclude children who bed wet. I, myself, have had many interrupted nights on a trip and at home due to this problem. I hope this article helps some of you.

"Bedwetting precludes many children from a variety of social opportunities that involve overnight stays, and for parents who like to travel, a child who wets can dampen your plans as well. The good news is that bedwetting can be overcome.

It's important to note that bedwetting or "pediatric nocturnal enuresis," is not a result of a "lazy child" or bad parenting. Most likely your child's wetting has a genetic basis. Therefore she is no more responsible for her wetting then she is for choosing the color of her eyes. Also, you are not alone. According to the National Kidney Foundation approximately 5 million children wet the bed every night."

To continue this article go to http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/TryForDry.htm

VIII. SUBSCRIBERS SPEAK UP-REQUESTS, INQUIRIES, COMMENTS

THE SINGLE PARENT TRAVEL MARKET: THE UK VS. THE US

Since starting this email, we have noticed a wide difference in the travel offerings for single parents based in the US and the UK. One of our subscribers, an American based in St Andrews, Scotland, had this to say. "But I have been aware of the wider options here for families, especially in all-inclusive resorts. I think the difference is fundamental in that almost all Brits and Europeans take a consistent holiday every year, scheduled well in advance. I think that in America, vacations are more random, with an emphasis on school holidays of course, but in a more haphazard way than here, where all schools, government and most businesses observe the exact same holiday schedule. So resorts, I believe, can plan and implement their offerings more secure in the knowledge that they will have a demand."

It is our goal, eventually, to incorporate more information about places in the UK, or to have a UK version of this site. We hope to be able to do that in about a year. In the meantime, we probably will only be able to focus on the US. Our apologies to our international readers.

DOCUMENTATION

As a follow-up to documentation, one of our readers, E.R., is a single mother taking her minor son on vacation to Cancun. She has a certified letter/order of protection issued in 1994 indicating that his biological father was abusive to her and her son. The court had mandated that his father not have any contact with him. The document also established her as the sole custodian. She inquired with the Mexican consulate if this document would be sufficient to replace the notarized letter of permission that they require. E.R. was kind enough to forward the Mexican consulate's response, "That document will work if it says clearly that you have sole care custody of the child and is a document issued by the court." To see more information on the documentation that is needed to travel abroad with minors, see http://www.singleparenttravel.net/Writing/Documentation/index.htm.

VACATIONING IN SF

J.G. writes, "I am a single mom of a 14 year old boy. We finally took a "real" vacation last year (meaning, not a visit to the relatives) and it was wonderful. We went to California, rented a Mustang convertible in San Francisco (very cool move in his eyes) and did the tour down the coast. We did everything from Chinatown to Muir Woods to Sausalito to Alcatraz to the 49 mile drive tour of SF in the first couple days. It was wonderful. I decided to forego my passion for art museums and focus on things we could enjoy together.

We stayed in Big Sur (okay, I let him sleep in while I walked in the woods) and thoroughly enjoyed the coast highway and its wonderful views. We did the obligatory tour of the Hearst Mansion (he was impressed) and then did a day at Magic Mountain (theme park - we both love roller coasters even though we are from Orlando!) We moved on to tour the Hollywood hills, made a stop in Beverly Hills - where I got my turn and did some art galleries (much smaller art doses went over okay).

We stayed in accommodations ranging from a hotel at Fisherman's Wharf to the cottage in Big Sur to a B&B in Santa Barbara. I just made sure that we had two beds wherever we were and got over the funny looks of the desk clerks.

It was a wonderful trip. I highly recommend it to others."