I would suggest Element (Matrix) and if you want to step it up you can host your own server (synapse) for your family and still be connected with other servers through federation, just like with Lemmy. The good part is that your kid does not need a phone number to use it.
Other good alternatives like Signal do require a phone number.
My only budgeting is to earn much more than I spent so I don’t have to think too much about it. That means that I live quite frugal and other than food don’t really buy much on a regular basis.
I don’t think advertising the entire blog makes sense, but instead posting links to specific posts in the appropriate lemmy/reddit/facebook/mastodon community/group ao people get something out of it and then subscribe for more.
It’s a nice country and my parents live there. We have a baby and they never met him so we’re going for three weeks over Christmas so they can meet him and us.
In the end the baby fell asleep at 11:30 pm so there was no time for any movie left, we fell asleep exhausted. But we downloaded some of your suggestions so perhaps one of us will have time to watch something on the plane.
Thanks for engaging and giving so many different tips!