My family moved to Asia (from Australia) 4 years ago. At that time, we comprised of 2 adults and three rather outgoing 'typical aussie' kids (aged 6 and under).

While living in Asia, we've made an effort to travel out of country every three months for well needed 'environmental relief'.

At first we limited our travels to places such as Hong Kong & Thailand. Nothing too spectacular from memory.

Then, after that first year, I was handed a copy of 'The Family Travel Guide' by an American friend. I didn't think I'd get much out of it...

WELL, that book hasn't left the coffee table since. It's been used primarily for 'inspiration' over the years, but the contact details have also proven most useful.

WE TRAVELLED TO ROME AND ROVANEMI (FINLAND)ON THE STRENGTH OF THAT BOOK - AND FOR THIS I WISH TO THANK THE EDITOR!

My children will never forget the time they met Santa (last Easter) or the Pope waiving from his window in the Vatican City (six months prior).

To add to this, they've now been priviledged enough to visit the likes of Scotland, Turkey, Nepal, China and several other nations in SE Asia.

This book taught me that 'kids clubs' are not the "be all - end all".

More parents, if they're fortunate enough to have the funds to travel with their tribe, should curl up on the couch with 'The Family Travel Guide'. It's been a God's send to us!

I've seen those ads for minivans with little monitors for passengers in the back seats to watch movies. Frankly, the idea of appals me! Don't our children also need a vacation from TV & movies? How much real life are they missing? How dull will our children's brains become, being force-fed with endless artificial stories?

"Are we there yet?" is a question rarely asked when you bring MILES OF SMILES along on your journeys. It is a good book for travellers, chock-a-block with things to do with eyes & brains. Thinking on the move, exercising the brain cells, learning to wrap the tongue around strange words, thinking inside the head, rather than passively, staring into space as someone else's ideas reel into the mind.

In my childhood, the only way we went on vacations was by family car. My mother was the driver, with my father navigating. To retain his sanity, he invented all sorts of brain teasing games. So, I was thrilled when I came upon Carole Terwilliger Meyers' handy little book MILES OF SMILES. It's perfect for a glove compartment or a seat pocket. I have, however, played many of these games with my kids on busses, trains, even 'planes.

MILES OF SMILES is a book that will let you think, use your brain, get to know your family. It has a whole slew of new games to play, which can be adapted to any age passengers. In the Introduction, Carole Terwilliger Meyers even gives parents a clue as to how to entice teenagers into the games.

Pick up a couple of copies of MILES OF SMILES - just in case you lose the first!

This book shows not only how to start a co-op, but gives many good ideas and examples on keeping records, juggling time and getting the most out of your co-op! Excellent resource book for any size baby sitting co-op!