a kid in a castle

Sure, there's Disneyworld. But why take your kids to Cinderella's castle when they can sleep in a real one? Ireland's Dromoland Castle and Castlemartyr Resort not only offer a true castle experience but design their itineraries with kids in mind.

While parents enjoy an authentic Irish breakfast or a pint of Guinness at the bar (it's OK to indulge, you're on vacation!), kids can try archery, falconry, horseback riding, fishing, tennis, clay shooting, nature walks, duck feeding and the castles themselves. Where else can they play hide and seek in the forests and gardens or spend hours in the Kids' Zone, or play fetch with resident Irish Setters Earl and Countess?

Once they've worked up an appetite, they can enjoy a children's menu or snacks from the in-room dining menu while watching a movie with the family. Special treats also await at check-in and turn-down: lollipops, cookies and warm milk, and teddy bears (a special teddy bear picnic can be arranged).

Nearby you'll find a wildlife park, beaches, Europe’s largest indoor activity center for kids and a go-cart circuit. Yet other family-friendly outings are easily arranged by the resorts’ knowledgeable and enthusiastic concierges; ie: day sailing on the Celtic Sea and shopping in historic-yet-vibrant nearby towns. Go to www.dromolandcollection.ie. or www.castlemartyrresort.ie to book your stay; your kids will be treated like royalty.

traveling with tots

If you have to stay in Brooklyn, check into the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. (It's just over the bridge from Manhattan so it's a great spot to unpack in if you are planning a trip to the city too). In addition to getting all of the basic amenities you get at any Marriott hotel (think clean, comfortable rooms, dependable service, and attention to detail), you'll find it's a great place to escape to with kids. We took Harrison, age 3, and Ava, 20 months, with us for the weekend. The hotel happily provided extra beds and linens, including fluffy pillows and down comforters. You'll love the cityscape and bridge views looming before you; your kids will love the HDTV and selection of Pay-Per-View movies. You can request an in-room fridge to store their favorite foods and snacks. The best thing about the hotel for kids is the lap pool, designed for adults but very amenable to kids who want to splash around a bit. The lifeguard closed a lane for us and some other mini swimmers each time we went down for a dip! Walk a few blocks to visit the New York Transit Museum where kids will love trekking through old train cars and going through the different turnstiles that have been in operation over the years. If you really need a break, leave the kids at home and take advantage of the hotel's romance package ($379 through December 31st; champagne and chocolate covered strawberries included). Go to www.marriott.com and search for the Brooklyn Bridge destination to make your reservations.

guy time

I bought my husband a box of goodies from the Art of Shaving. I have to give him credit here--he actually tried them! But he ended up digging out his favorite Edge shave gel afterward. Many guys, my husband included, are pretty low maintenance. Give 'em a bar of soap and a razor and they're happy. That's why products that offer necessary benefits and seem easy to use are the only ones they might give a second thought to trying. Jack Black skin care products are designed specifically for guys, fuss-free, lightweight on the skin, and dependable. Founded by Curran Dandurand and Emily Dalton who wanted to fulfill a man's skincare needs, they're high-performance products in easy to handle packages. One of the most popular products Industrial Strength Hand Healer ($15) with Vitamins A & E is rich but not greasy and helps soothe dry, chapped hands but also works well on elbows and feet. It absorbs easily and smells a bit woodsy which I think is always nice on a man. The Sun Guard Ultra-Light Spray Sunscreen SPF 25 is so lightweight you can't believe it will actually get the job done. While it also rubs right in, its scent reminds me of Lemon Pledge--which I like but my husband doesn't exactly want to wear. He actually didn't mind the Beard Lube Conditioning Shave with Jojoba and Eucalyptus ($10.50/3 oz.; $16/6 oz.; $79/6-pack of 6 oz. tubes). It's a pre-shave oil, shave cream and facial skin treatment in one and comes in a unique see-through texture so you can see where you're shaving. After a week though, he went back to his usual Edge routine. You can take the guy out of the drugstore but you can't take the drugstore out of the guy. Go to www.getjackblack.com and treat your guy to a dose of these favorites.

germs be-gone!

My son Harrison learned to sneeze into his elbow from "Sid the Science Kid" so I was anxious to try Germy Wormy disposable germ-catching sleeves. When I first heard of Germy Wormy, I had my doubts that they'd be worth the investment, mainly because I wasn't sure if kids would remember to use them. The truth is, now is as good a time as ever to try such an eclectic product. Designed to put an end to the spreading of germs, colds and flus, these disposable sleeves can be slipped onto kids' arms over their clothes to catch germs when they sneeze. Just play the Germy Wormy Germ Smart for Kids DVD for your little ones ($15; it's educational and entertaining), then slide on a sleeve (25-pack, $9.99; 10-pack; $4.50; fits kids ages 1 to 11!) and wait for the big "achoo!" Inventor Margaret Back created the product when her daughter Morgan kept coming home from preschool with every kind of cold, flu and sinus infection under the sun. She claims the product has reduced the spread of illness around homes and school by 50%. Go to www.germywormy.com to place your order and stay out of bed this winter!

Find the Time

Leave it to Dominique MacPherson and Melinda Marinack, founders of www.theminisocial.com and working mothers, to come up with some basic guidelines for balancing children and careers. 1. Toddlers dawdle. Give yourself extra time to be on time with your kids. 2. Color your clutter. Organization is essential. Keep a color-coded calendar for each family member. 3. Top chef. Plan your meals a week in advance to speed up prep time and lessen stress. 4. Me time. Save some time for yourself to read, do a spa treatment or just take a nice long shower! 5. Office space. Turn off the blackberry when you get home and spend quality time with your family. And here's a few that work for me personally: 1. Involve the kids in what you do. I review lots of beauty products and let the kids help me open jars and feel the textures, then tell me what they think. It's fun to hear the adjectives they come up with! 2. Ask for their advice. Whenever I have a work meeting I have to get to in NY, I ask my son to tell me the best way to get there by subway. He loves trains and takes pride in helping me find my way. 3. Tell them when work is done. My daughter's eyes light up when I say, "I finished my work now; what should we play?" By the way, when you do have some free time, check out www.theminisocial.com, one of my favorite sites for moms and kids.

cool it

My son is three and has been walking for two years now. He hates sitting in the stroller but can never seem to make it to our destination by foot. My husband and I end up carrying him part of the way. My two-year-old daughter will cozy up in the Phil and Ted's if she's ready to nap, but otherwise she wants to walk or be carried as well. After lugging around the extra weight, and constantly stooping down to their level to hand them things or pick things up, back strain has become second nature. So I was anxious to try Elemental Herbs® Herbal Cool natural pain-relief spray ($12.49 for two ounces; $20.49 for four ounces).

The 100% botanical and natural herbal-based healing tonic is made of wildcrafted herbs and menthol for quick relief. Designed to relieve strains, sprains, bumps, bruises, sore backs, joints and muscles, it also soothes arthritis, tendonitis and helps ease menstrual cramps. It is a must-have remedy for athletes but I think parents can equally benefit from its use.

I got my husband to spray it on my sore shoulder blades but neglected to tell him there was no need to rub it in (a little massage never hurt anyone!). It immediately felt cool on my skin and continued to soothe my muscles for the next couple of hours. The three anti-inflammatory herbs--Arnica, St. John's Wort and Balsam Poplar work together to reduce inflammation. Granted, I wouldn't trade it for a deep tissue massage but it's the next best form of relief when there's no one else around.

Go to www.elementalherbs.com or a local retailer to try it for yourself. Also check out the company's other popular products like All Good Lips lip balm and Sunscreen Sport.

open arms

For me, one of the most annoying things about going to the playground is having to carry a bag with your keys, cell phone and cash, or even worse, stuff them all into your pockets. Try pushing a swing or digging in a sandbox with your bag falling off your shoulder or your pockets bulging. That's why I LOVE these innovative, Hands-Free Bags ($49.99 + tax) from Jupiter Freedom. Founded by Genevieve Liboiron in Montreal, Canada. Far more cooler than traditional "fanny packs," the hands-free bags can be worn on your upper or lower arm, wrist or even thigh and holds your cell phone, lipstick, PDA, keys and even most pocket size digital cameras. They're made with quality materials and have amazing features--like an all-around zipper for both right- and left-handed moms, an adjustable elastic straps for the best fit, breathable mesh for comfort, a removable change purse, and more. So what if it was really invented by Liboiron so she could be hands-free when going clubbing? Moms can live vicariously through her as we jump around in Gymboree class! Choose from about a dozen styles at www.jupiterfreedom.com.