SANTO DOMINGO

Stay connected with your family and friends every week with these simple tips. Remember, it's the little things that count! So make someone's day by letting them know you're thinking of them. Learn a Music Video Dance Routine If it's quality time with your tween or teen daughter you're after, pick out a music video with an elaborate dance routine and learn it with her. (Incidentally, if you have a hard time laughing at yourself, this tip may not be for you.) It's great exercise, you'll do a fair amount of laughing and your daughter will either think you're a clown or you're cool; you win either way. For example, you and your tween/teen can try learning Beyonce's dance routine from Single Ladies . Contorting yourself into Beyoncé's dance moves, or pouring yourself into a one-shouldered black leotard is the stuff lasting memories are made of.

Stay connected with your family and friends every week with these simple tips. Remember, it's the little things that count! So make someone's day by letting them know you're thinking of them. Botany 101 If you haven't gotten in touch with your inner nerd lately, get outside with your grandma, mom or daughter, a couple of flower identification books and spend an afternoon identifying your local flora. This is an interesting way to also learn about noxious weeds and what wild flowers and plants you can and can not eat. Don't be surprised if this becomes a little addictive, especially once you identify a rare species. The best part about taking Grandma is that she probably doesn't even need a book. Most grannies can tell you the name of the flower, the Latin moniker, the plant's growing region, and what Native Americans once used it for. If you take your daughter and you're still reaching for that elusive Mommy-of-the-Year trophy, press the f...

In addition to packing in your carry-on baggage and necessities such as baby food, diapers, medicine and items that will keep your child entertained, there are a few more steps that you should take to make the flight safer for yourself and your baby. Debra Holtzman, JD, MA an internationally recognized safety and health expert and author of the book, The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety , offers these tips. 1. Fly non-stop It is more than inconvenient to have to change planes, running the risk of missing a connecting flight and racing through a busy airport carrying a baby or toddler and all of her gear. A nonstop flight is actually safer. Most crashes occur during takeoff, climbing, descending and landing than the flight itself. Sometimes changing planes cannot be avoided. Most airlines will provide assistance in transporting your child, child safety seat (CSS) and luggage. Arrange for this in advance. 2. Plan ahead for the appropriate child safety seat ...