GUEST POST.....Planning a Family Vacation

PLANNING A FAMILY VACATION

These tips apply not only to parents but also to GRANDparents that
travel with little ones....

A vacation with your family should be a pleasant, fun, relaxing experience for all, and it can be if you avoid the potential detours traveling can put in your way. Though it may be late in the season, it is certainly not too late to start planning a fun family trip. Leave all the hassle behind with a few of these easy tips!

1. Get Techy

Do not be afraid to open up to technology! Creating a list is the best way to ensure you don’t forget anything at home. However, the hustle and bustle of daily life can often lead to lists being lost at the bottom of a purse, or in our dressers. Try out an app for your mobile device like Packing Pro, which allows you to create a detailed list right there!

2. Be Prepared

It always pays off to be prepared, and traveling is no exception. It is very important to thoroughly research your hotel/vacation lodging before booking. Look to see if your accommodations come with a refrigerator, and if there is a nearby grocery store that offers healthy foods. Also, find out if the hotel is receptive to children. Last year my family went on a vacation to Florida, and we found a great list of family-friendly Orlando hotels to choose from. If your hotel has a swimming pool or playground, even better. The pool is a great place for you to relax, and to have some fun with the kids as well! This little bit of research can go a long way.

3. Hit the Road

Next time you are thinking about going on a trip, consider road tripping it instead of flying. Not only will this help you avoid flying with cranky babies, but it also saves the money you would have spent on airfare and baggage. Plus, you can move at your own pace. Hitting the road may seem daunting, but you can enjoy extra time with your family. Also, there are tons of fun ideas and attractions along the way to keep them occupied!

4. Become your own Diaper Genie

Avoid the unnecessary packing of cramming a ton of diapers in the luggage! With diapers.com, you can order diapers to be delivered at your door with free next day shipping. This can provide you with much more space to pack, along with not dealing with the headache of purchasing them ahead of time.

5. Fly in Peace

Next time you book a flight with your little ones, bring along a baby carrier that is comfortable and secure. As we all know, a comfortable baby is a happy baby, so make sure to figure out beforehand what will make your little one feel the most comfort (whether it be a ring sling, a baby backpack, or anything else). Also, make sure to have a ‘travel pack’ with you; a carry on item that has in it any item that might be needed while en route to your destination. This can include a change of clothes for your baby, a pacifier, some snacks, or even some wetnaps.

Traveling with comfortable, happy children will go a long way in making your family vacation great. The problems that often come up when traveling are easily avoidable with a little preparation ahead of time, so make sure you are ready for them! Most importantly, remember to have fun! 

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Good Afternoon BJ!

I’m reaching out to you because of your work with your blog, Sweet Nothings (I love the name!). 

I'm 37 and a mother of 3. Before being promoted to the full time position of mom, I was the former Orbitz Director of Communications where I was able to travel a great deal. I still love to write about travel trends and tips and I think your site would be the perfect place to share. With summer in full swing, I was wondering if you would be interested in sharing a guest post from me with your readers? I believe I have some great tips for traveling with kids that will certainly come in handy this summer!

Personally, I’ve been to 28 countries on 6 continents, and have been quoted in the news about seasonal travel trends and destinations all over the United States. I now reside with my family in Chicago and have taken on the role of being number one wife and mom to my family. I would absolutely love to share a guest post with you and your readers if you'd be interested!

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Thanks so much for sharing these great tips, Kendra.

And, thank you for choosing my  blog to publish your article.

Come back anytime. 

xo bj