Long distance relationships suck.

Really, they do. But if you find yourself in a geographically challenged partnership you can totally reduce the suckage by establishing a few simple laws. The important part is to make sure those laws match your relationship style, and both partners physical and emotional needs. And since the typical “true love waits” sentiment is completely overdone, and in my opinion, a crock of shit, here are my revised rules for long distance dating:

1. Communicate! Talk, text, write, twit, picture share or otherwise communicate in some way everyday. And be open about how you’re feeling and whether things are working.
2. Get with the times and get a webcam! A private video conference every couple days can help keep you connected and build up the physical attraction even when you’re thousands of miles away.
3. Faithfulness is in the heart, not between the legs. If you don’t think you can keep your urges to yourself then be honest with your partner. Decide if that’s a factor in your relationship and set ground rules on what is acceptable and what is not.
4. Be honest!!! In this day and age of stalker tools and public internet transparency, you’re gonna get caught so you might as well be straightforward! If you went out, got drunk, and spent the evening hanging all over the hottest thing your beer goggles could find, confess before we see the pictures of your tongue down their throat tagged to you on myspace. It’s only right.
5. Make friends with their friends (at least online). Become an active part in each other’s social circles in some way to help bridge the gap and feel like you are a part of their everyday lives. It also helps you see your partner from another perspective.
6. Quit while you’re ahead. We’ve all been there… when the relationship isn’t good anymore. When it’s more work than reward and you spend your days lonely and sad. Don’t do that to yourself or your partner. Sure, cutting the ties are hard, but dragging them along until someone really gets hurt is just cruel.

In the end love from afar is complicated and requires a greater level of trust and communication to make up for all the one-on-one face time that traditional couples have. Otherwise the same rules apply. Respect, honesty, and communication. That is all.

It’s summer vacation and the kids are driving me nuts! HELP!

It’s the same old story. I work from home, but when the kids are on summer vacation all work stops and my home turns into a full time daycare. I can’t afford to send them to summer camp and I also can’t afford to take my own summer vacation to play all day. The solution? Imagination. Between the kids imagination and my resourcefulness, we’ve found a long list of activities that keep them busy without breaking the bank. Here are my top 5 favorites:

1. Salt Dough - Possibly the coolest stuff since sliced bread, salt dough is easy for the kids to make and they love it! The ingredients are super-cheap, and you can add color and fun scents by mixing in dry kool-aid powder to the dough.
2. Wading Pool - Those cheap hard plastic wading pools are good for so much more than wetting your feet. They’re an emergency shelter in a waterfight. They’re an easily washable wrestling rink when filled with jello. And right after you wash it you can have your kids bob for mini marshmallows. Plus, fun in the sun is almost always followed by strangely subdued and exhausted children so naptime makes this one a double bonus!
3. Sock Puppets - Using a marker and whatever crafty supplies you have around the house, you and your kids can create the coolest to creepiest little sock creatures ever seen! Any box or window can be converted to a “stage” while they let their inner-thespians shine!
4. Dry Erase Markers - Whether you have a white-board or not, dry erase markers can keep kids busy for hours and they’re really easy to clean up. You can find a spare whiteboard at most thrift shops, but any glass surface will do the trick. Whether they’re playing teacher and student, drawing up plans for their latest invention, or just coloring for the pure fun of it, the re-usability of this office supply makes it a winner.
5. Box City - This requires a certain tolerance for a temporary mess, but large appliance boxes have always been entertaining for kids. Get a couple from your local hardware retailer and build a town!