Latest news with #familyVacation
South China Morning Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Malaysians flock to Thailand, unfazed by unrest, political crisis and disease risk
Thailand remains a top holiday destination for Malaysians despite the country's latest political crisis. The suspension of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra coupled with ongoing violence in some of the country's southern provinces and a surge in respiratory illnesses are unlikely to deter Malaysians. Hat Yai, a city close to the border with Kedah state, remains a favourite for a quick break. Executive Erma Idayu Mohd Yusop, 38, is planning a weekend trip there with her family despite the country's troubles. 'I'm not worried at all. In fact, we're heading to Hat Yai this weekend for a short family vacation,' she said. She said she would avoid the so-called Deep South – the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla – where violence linked to a decades-long insurgency has increased.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
5 Spectacularly Kid-Friendly Airbnbs in California for an Unforgettable Family Experience
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. California is a big state with mild, sunny weather and lots to see. Still, some of the biggest, most expensive cities are not (or shouldn't be) the main attraction for families traveling with kids in tow. (Take it from me, a California native with two kids of her own!) For this reason, I compiled a list of five compelling and very kid-friendly Airbnbs in California that might give you a different experience of the state—and one that will be truly memorable for the young ones in your brood. From magic treehouses to interactive farm stays and crazy residential arcades, here are my top picks for making memories with your children in The Golden State. 27 Kid-Friendly Airbnbs to Rent for Your Next Family Vacation Airbnb Enjoy a nostalgic childhood-inspired vacation in the vibrant city of San Jose with this whimsical treehouse stay. This unique place can comfortably accommodate a family of four and, while it might look scant on kid-friendly amenities, this is an experience-oriented rental that allows kids to live out childhood dreams—perhaps inspired by family-friendly movies like The Sandlot, Hook or Tarzan. In fact, the glowing five-star reviews frequently mention what a special experience it is for the kids. And, given the unique setting, I probably don't even need to mention that there's ample outdoor space available for romping around. File this one under 'magical treetop glamping.' book now Airbnb Located just six minutes away from Joshua Tree National Park, this property allows families to enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the area without, you know, having to rough it. What's more, the rental features numerous kid-friendly features—including a game room with a pool table, foosball table and indoor swing. The outdoor space, complete with hammocks and lawn games, isn't too shabby either. Plus, the bedrooms are butterfly themed and there's even a photo-op wall that will come in handy for your future scrapbook. book now Airbnb When it comes to paradise for kids, this impressive, gaming-themed home gives Disneyland a run for its money (literally). For starters, there's a huge arcade in the living room, plus a separate gaming lounge with a jumbotron theater. In fact, not a single room in the house is without some kind of game—the dining room and the themed bedrooms (Super Mario!) all have arcade or video games available—and that applies to the backyard, too, where there are lawn games galore. In other words, if you're aiming for a vacation with built-in kid entertainment so you can just relax, you can't do better than this. book now Airbnb Sprawl out at this palatial hillside retreat in the Fallbrook region of California and you might be tempted to book a permanent stay. You can suspect supreme privacy and a sweeping view from every bedroom of the gorgeous natural surroundings. Take a cold plunge in the pool, soak in the hot tub and then enjoy some family fun with ping pong and foosball in the very well-appointed game room. Oh, and did I mention the expansive backyard, yoga deck and exercise room? Yep, this place has something to offer any member of your group. Book now Airbnb Families looking for a nature retreat will delight in the offerings available at this unique farm stay. Kids can enjoy close-up encounters with all the animals on the property (think: bottle feeding a baby goat). The vacation rental is a well-appointed, detached home on a 5-acre property, so there's plenty of outdoor space to play. That said, the magic is really with the animals—and the hosts, parents themselves, are committed to providing the most memorable, interactive experience gift possible for families who visit. Bonus: The property is also located right outside Sequoia National Park, so there's plenty of sightseeing to be had if you can pull yourself away from all the cuties on the farm. book now 35 Cheap Family Vacations You Haven't Thought of Before
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Teen, 15, nearly died after falling ill with a bacterial infection while menstruating
A woman reveals how she slipped in a coma and almost died after suffering toxic shock syndrome . rom a tampon as a teenager Now, Shannon Turner has laid bare the horrifying ordeal exclusively with saying: 'It put me in a coma and nearly took my life - I hadn't even had my period for a full year yet.' Shannon, who just 15-years-old and on a family vacation at the time, revealed she began to feel sick in the evening after she landed, but she assumed it was just jet lag, but woke up the next day with extreme symptoms, including: vomiting, diarrhea, a fever, and fatigue. She continued: 'I was brought to the doctor that afternoon, given a shot for nausea, and sent home.' 'I continued to deteriorate and was brought back to the doctor later that same day.' She recalled: 'My last memory is collapsing in the office and laying on the ground because it hurt too much to sit up.' 'My heart rate was extremely high, my blood pressure was dangerously low, and I was rushed to the ICU. I didn't wake up until a few days later.' While Shannon was unconscious, doctors worked furiously to diagnose her - initially misdiagnosing her with meningitis and nearly performed an unnecessary spinal tap. She said: 'Thankfully, my mom mentioned to a family member that I was on my period - and that's when menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) was suggested.' 'The doctors were informed and my treatment plan shifted. I was incredibly lucky the infectious disease doctor on call had studied toxic shock and knew exactly what to do, but because mTSS progresses so quickly, I was still given a 50/50 chance of survival.' She explained that after the doctors saved her life, she was sent home with 'little guidance' on what to expect during recovery, or how long her symptoms would last - and the aftermath was brutal. 'My hospital stay was only a few days, but the recovery afterward took much longer,' Shannon said. 'I dealt with memory loss, anxiety, attention issues, and depression. My periods also became extremely painful. 'From the age of 15, I was put on prescription painkillers to manage my menstrual pain.' Her experience led to her starting her nonprofit, Protect Her Inc., which is dedicated to 'revolutionizing menstrual health education.' 'We believe knowledge is power - and yet, so many people are navigating their cycles with almost none,' she pointed out. 'I began to see why [there were no recourses], because periods have been taboo for far too long. It's the same reason I never talked about my experience with mTSS, and that silence was incredibly isolating.' Now, over 15 years later, Shannon regularly shares tips on how to avoid the life-threatening situation happening to other people - as well as the symptoms she ignored. 'My message to anyone using tampons is: use the lowest absorbency possible. Your tampon should be saturated when you remove it - if your flow is light, opt for a liner instead,' she listed. She also advises against using tampons overnight, noting if you begin to get sick you won't notice the symptoms if you're asleep. 'We need to stay aware of what our bodies are telling us - especially when there's a foreign object inside us,' she pointed out. Shannon added it's important to learn about the brands of sanitary products you're using, and make sure you're comfortable with their ingredients and manufacturing standards. She urged: 'Most importantly, be in tune with your body. It's always communicating with us, if we take the time to listen.' Shannon also advises people to immediately take a tampon out if they start feeling sick - describing the symptoms as flu-like. She insisted: 'So [if you experience] headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever - take the tampon out. If you feel even worse go seek medical attention.' Shannon now hopes to educate young women through her non-profit, Protect Her Inc, which provides comprehensive menstrual education to adolescents aged seven to 18, with 'a focus on practical knowledge that fosters confidence, health literacy, and open dialogue.'
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ellie Kemper Knows It's Just a Phase
Fact checked by Sarah Scott Actress Ellie Kemper is embracing the growing trend of multigenerational travel. This summer, she and her husband, comedian and television writer Michael Koman, are taking their two sons, James, 8, and Matthew, 5, on a trip to the East Coast with members of their extended family. The Office alum calls this the ultimate summer family vacation. 'I say this for selfish reasons,' says Kemper. 'A, there are plenty of people to watch the children, so I can take a nap. And B, the kids have other kids to play with, and that's the best because then they just play. And again, I can take a nap. At first, I thought, 'Oh, that's so much stress.' It's actually less stressful to have more people.' The reality is, a stress-free vacation is any parent's dream. There's a nagging overwhelm that often comes with navigating those months when kids are out of school. One survey from Harmon Research found 68% of working parents are overwhelmed once school is out, particularly because of the need to manage their child's activities, while making sure they are engaged and safe. Meanwhile, a Talker Research survey of 2,000 parents with kids, ages 5 to 12, found 64% of them are most stressed about how to keep their kids entertained during vacation. Kemper's key to getting through summer guilt-free is by keeping her expectations low. 'Summertime is a new experience every year because, obviously, my kids are getting a year older every summer,' she says. 'I try not to set my sights too high. I'm just like, 'Let's keep it manageable.'' That means sending her boys to summer day camps, which they are all for. 'Sometimes they try a camp where they don't know anyone, and they're surprisingly at home, which makes me happy,' says the Bridesmaids star. 'I don't know if I could do that as an adult, so I envy that they're able to adapt so easily.' It also means ditching the strict routines that tend to take over during the school year. 'I'm looking forward to having not as much structure,' the St. Louis native says. 'I know that all the parenting experts will tell me that structure is key, and I agree with that to a point. But I think it's also nice to let some of the structure slide during the summer, which is sort of natural.' It comes down to understanding her family's comfort level. That's why another rising family trend—the road trip—won't be on this summer's itinerary. 'Unfortunately, we are not a road trip family,' she says. 'My kids spent the first years of their life in New York City, and I swear that made them unable to handle car rides because they were on the subway or walking, so they don't do so well in the car.' In 2024, the family moved to the opposite coast and is living in Southern California due to Koman's work. Kemper, who starred in Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt for four seasons from 2015 to 2019, has been busy at work herself. She started podcasting in 2023. 'Who isn't?' jokes Kemper, who hosts the Born to Love podcast with her good friend Scott Eckert. It features some famous guests, including her former co-star Jenna Fischer who plays Pam Beesly on The Office. 'It's a joyful podcast,' Kemper explains. 'We have guests on to talk about something that they love, and the premise is simple, so I really enjoy doing that.' You may have also caught her on TV starring as the 'Kohl's Mom' in Kohl's latest marketing campaign. She plays a lovable mom with a big, humorous personality. It's not so far off from who she is in real life. 'I am a mom, like a Kohl's mom, and I love a good deal,' she says of why the partnership was a no-brainer for her. 'I feel like it's a great space to shop for families. And I always feel better when I go there.' (Her shopping list includes a Summer Fridays lip balm, faux flowers from Sonoma, and, of course, whatever she might need for her husband and kids.) But Kemper, the author of My Squirrel Days, says navigating her work schedule during summertime can sometimes be challenging. While the Emmy-nominated star has flexibility at this point in her career—something she acknowledges is a huge blessing—things aren't always set in stone. 'In our industry, a lot of jobs may come at the last minute, or schedules have to shift based on any number of factors,' she says. 'I personally try to keep the summer a little bit free for me just because the kids don't have school, and so it's sort of nice not to have that priority. But I think it's always something that you're—sorry to use this word—juggling.' Kemper doesn't pretend to have it all figured out. In fact, she doesn't even define her parenting style. 'It's constantly evolving,' she shares. 'And by that I mean that, while my husband and I have rules and boundaries and structure in place, I've learned that I need to ease up on certain things. So, it's kind of something that I'm constantly refining.' Easing up can be necessary when you have two elementary-school-age boys with tons of energy. 'This is a blessing and a curse,' says Kemper. 'I don't have daughters, so I don't know if that's different from daughters.' It helps to lean on what she calls the best parenting advice she's ever received (it was from a magazine, if you're wondering). 'Mostly everything is a phase,' she says. 'When my kids were like 2 years old, I thought, 'Oh, they're having tantrums; this is gonna be the rest of my life.' No, everything is a phase, and it will pass. I think that's very helpful to keep in mind.' On particularly tough days, she also turns to her own mom for parenting wisdom. 'I hope I'm not bragging about myself, but she raised four great children," she says, referencing her sister and two brothers. 'I would, of course, want to learn from her. She's a very good mom.' The actress even takes some notes from her character Kimmy Schmidt, a woman who reclaims her life in New York City after being rescued from a doomsday cult. 'I was always envious of her ability to endure,' says Kemper. 'And so I would say, in terms of parenting, just knowing that you gotta outlast the tantrum, you gotta outlast whatever undesirable behavior is going on, and just keep moving forward.' It's these qualities that make Kemper believe Kimmy would be a better parent than Erin Hannon, her character on The Office. 'She knows hardship, and I feel like she has the mindset of an athlete, and so she would be able to keep plugging along,' she explains. The good humor of her characters can be an asset in parenting, and–perhaps unsurprisingly–Kemper and her husband lean into that. 'When we are in the trenches and things feel very hard, it's so nice to be able to turn to him and make a joke,' she says. And their kids are following in their funny parents' footsteps. 'The greatest joy I get is that I have two really funny boys, and they make me laugh a lot, and they have endless energy,' says Kemper. 'I want to borrow some." Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Woman Says Her Sister's Kids Have ‘No Respect' After Seeing Their Behavior on Vacation: ‘Driving Me Insane'
A Mumsnet user can't believe how messy her sister's children are being during their ongoing family vacation 'I've banned them from my bedroom after they trod mud all over my white duvet,' she gave as an example The aunt is now wondering how to handle the kids' behaviorAn aunt feels as though she's boarded the hot mess express! The woman took time out of her family vacation to vent on the forum Mumsnet that she's 'never known kids so messy' as her sister's kids. 'They're driving me insane already,' she began, before listing the ways they're being messy. 'Within five minutes of being here a full glass of juice was spilt over the sofa. They wander around with their dinner plates, gravy spilling everywhere, potatoes falling onto the floor and getting trod on, squished into the carpet — the place looks like a disaster zone.' 'We went to a nature park, where everything was pristine,' she continued. 'Nephew got a milkshake and it ended up all over the table, all over his hands and face, and then when he went to put the carton in the bin he somehow managed to get the milkshake all down the front of the bin.' The aunt explained that she has 'another week' left with them on the trip. 'I've banned them from my bedroom after they trod mud all over my white duvet,' she said. 'My sister thinks I'm being uptight, so there is already tension, but I'm starting to feel myself feeling really frustrated with the kids. There is no respect for anything.' is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! The majority of fellow Mumsnet users reassured the aunt that she's not being unreasonable for feeling the way she's feeling. 'What animals. You could just walk out and leave,' one person replied. Another commented, 'I'd pack my bags and go home and leave them — better to be at home and do without than put up with that behavior.' Other people wondered if the kids' messiness happens at home too, with one asking, 'Their behavior can't be a complete surprise to you? You presumably agreed to go knowing what they're like?' Read the original article on People
