Traveling with kids seems like a dream, until it doesn’t. Kids get sick, onery and travel plans get changed. Even with all of those challenges, I still love traveling with my kids. We’ve taken quite a few “big” trips with our kids and today I’m going to share with you some of my best tips for traveling with kids.
One: Understand the difference between a Trip and a Vacation:
You may not think that there is much difference between a trip and a vacation, but I’m going to tell you there is. If you’re a Mom you know what I’m talking about.
If you’ve read my blog for a bit you probably know that I jump at any excuse to get out of town. I love to travel and I love to blog about it when I come home. There is something magical to me about exploring this world we live in, almost intoxicating.
I’ve had the privilege of traveling with my family to many places in the United States, along with spots in Europe and most recently South Africa. I’m totally warning you now… THIS POST CONTAINS FAMILY VACATION PHOTOS. Don’t say you weren’t warned. (hint: don’t give up, keep reading there’s a chance to WIN A CRUISE the end!)
I love every part of a vacation, the reading before I leave, the anticipation, the element of discovery and the remembering the vacation after I get home. Since I love to travel, and I love my family. I also love to travel WITH my family. This is where things get a bit tricky. How does a MOM get a vacation?
I have 3 kids. When my oldest was 5 her twin siblings came along. When they were a year, old I got the genius idea to take a trip to Florida for Spring Break. Overall the trip was fun, but I remember a moment sitting on the beach, wiping the sand out of my babies mouth for the 500th time that day thinking… “When do I get a vacation????” A selfish thought I know, but one I admit to having. My oldest daughter and my husband were having a fantastic time jumping in the surf and playing in the sand, and I was chasing twin babies that never seem to crawl in the same direction.
Since then I’ve wised up. If I want a vacation, here’s FIVE things I keep in mind.
(he’s hot and tired of looking at “boring old houses”)
Tip ONE:
Okay this may not seem like a “vacation planning tip” but it is one, trust me. LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
If you think that you’re going to go on vacation and have a 100% wonderful time with happy, constantly smiling, grateful children who never get tired or grumpy or frustrated, you are going to be sorely disappointed and come home from your trip feeling defeated.
Understand things happen, kids have feelings, people get sick, it rains at the beach, your son throws up on you, moms get frustrated. It’s OKAY. The way that you respond to that frustration is what is going to turn this trip into a vacation. Lower your expectation, take a deep breath, lighten up. If you go on a cruise and you don’t get a photo of your whole family all dressed up and looking pretty on a formal night because your teenager has a hissy fit, IT IS OKAY (learned that one from experience). You can STILL have a great vacation.
TWO: Everyone needs a bit of alone time.
Think about it, does your family spend ALL 24 hours a day ALL together EVER? For us, the husband goes to work, kids go to school, Mom goes all over the place. We rarely spend ALL day together, let alone spend all day together in one room (like a hotel room or a car). Plan your vacation so that you can get some individual time. This can be done in many different ways. Maybe Mom and the girls go shopping one day? or Dad takes the kids for ice cream so mom can nap. Maybe you’ve got kids old enough that Mom and Dad get a date night on the vacation.
You can also pick a vacation that has a kids program. These vacations are AMAZING, I’ve been on a few like this and cannot extol their virtues enough. Kids get to do REALLY FUN things and Mom gets to sit by the pool. (should I write that line twice, mom gets to sit by the pool?) We’ve been on many cruises and this is one of my favorite parts (me sitting by the pool, kids are happy and safe part). Did I mention I like sitting by the pool?
Norwegian Cruise Line revamped its youth program. They sent me some information all about it and let me tell you I’m completely intrigued. The programs are broken down by age group, so you don’t have to worry about your little kids being intimidated by big kids. They also don’t just throw the kids in a room with nothing to do all day. The kids WANT the kids to have a great time (kids having great time = mom more time by the pool). They plan things like Cirque du Jour, Kings Camps Sports activities, and even meet ups with some of their favorite Nickelodeon characters.
THREE: Flexibility
I could talk about this for paragraphs, but I won’t. Don’t plan every second of your day, leave yourself some flexibility.
If you’ve been on a cruise before you’re familiar with the “seating times.” Everyone eats dinner at one of 2 set times. If you’re slightly disorganized like me, you might have a hard time getting to dinner ON TIME. What if your little one had a late lunch and is not even hungry at your set dinner time? What if you stayed out in the sun a little too long and need a nap before dinner? Norwegian Cruise Line also offers what they call “Freestyle Cruising”. Eat when you want to and when you’re hungry! Total flexibility.
FOUR: Be Safe.
As a Mom when I travel with my kids I cannot relax and have a good time if I don’t feel safe. Five years ago we took a Mediterranean Cruise. I had my oldest daughter with me and we visited some cities that I had not only never been too but did not speak the language of.
As much research as I did before I did not feel comfortable navigating the city on my own with my family in a short amount of time. This is where Shore Excursions on cruises are so great. You spend the day with an experienced local guide. You don’t have to worry about getting lost, accidentally wandering into a bad neighborhood, or missing out on your favorite site. We did this in both Athens and Istanbul and I am so glad we did. Both cities are amazing but I never would have been able to navigate them without the help of the guides.
FIVE: Savor the Memories
For me, there is almost as much joy remembering the trip as taking the trip. This is why you go on the vacation after all isn’t it? For the memories? I love to create and this is one of my favorite parts of a vacation! You get to relive the vacation all over again… Here are two projects I’ve shared in the past:
Amsterdam Travel Album & Smash Book Travel Album – click here for more
For more information about Norwegian’s family vacation experience, click here.
Okay, I would not make you look at ALL of those vacation photos without a little something in it for you…..
__________THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED_____________
You can enter to win a cruise voucher for a family of four (yes you read that right!)
To enter just let me know:
What is your dream family vacation?
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
Entries from all participating blogs will be pooled for winner selection; only two entries per household. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 5/7/2013-6/2/2013. Be sure to visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Shelly says
My dream family vacation would be to spend some time in Europe with the kids (even though they’re little), but stay in an apartment so we have the room and flexibility we need. Sounds great, but I do worry about jet lag with a 1-year-old!
Nancy G says
My dream family vacation would be an around the world cruise with my husband and boys. No cooking, no cleaning, no problem!
Niki says
A cruise! Definitely a cruise!
Rachel says
I could have written this myself! My husband and I feel the same way about trip vs vacation. My dream vacation with my family would be to Turks and Caicos. I love the blue water and the warm sun!
Tamie says
Our dream vacation would take us to the ancient ruins of the world – starting with ancient Greece and continuing from there. We have been hesitant to take a cruise, my husband retired from 20 years in the Navy and living aboard ship for months at a time in small tight quarters and he’s a big guy. Perhaps a cruise might dispell some of our hesitation!
Cheryl B says
My dream vacation is a week with my family with swimming and sunshine, someone else does the cooking and cooking, and lots of music and laughter. I’m smiling and relaxed now just picturing this… thank you!
Cheryl B says
oops…meant to say… cooking and cleaning…
Nicole B says
I definitely know what your talking about!
We just took a “vacation” to Disney….run to this ride, run to dinner, run to catch the characters!!
I just told my husband our next vacation would be a cruise where I can ship my kids off to a cool “kid club” and I could lay by the pool and read!
A cruise to anywhere is next on our list.
jennifer Chadwick says
I would love to go to Europe with my family!!
Melissa K. says
You’ve sold me, a cruise is sounding better and better! I have twin 2-year-olds and think somewhere with a kids’ club sounds divine. Our next trip is a road trip in-state and I’m looking forward to the change of scenery, but I’m planning around various parks and kid activities. I’d like to have some me-time scheduled in, too.
Madeleine says
My dream family vacation is a cruise around the world. I think that would be very fun!
Melody Wright says
My dream vacation would be one where I could spend time with my family! It’s hard to pinpoint one, but our Alaskan cruise last year was incredible. I would love to do that again only for longer than a week! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Nicole H. says
Wow! Dream vacation is simple – two rooms for our big family! All inclusive and where someone else is in charge of everyone’s hungries would be fabulous too!
Donna B says
My ideal family vacation would be a cruise to the Bahamas (or somewhere similar). I have always wanted to go on a cruise!! My dad took my mom for her 50th birthday. After it was over I asked if I could have one of those (a cruise) & he said , “Yes…..when you turn 50.” I turn 34 this year…..son lonely 16 more years to wait!!!
Adrienne Gordon says
Dream vacation is a resort in Bermuda.
Carol Irwin says
Anywhere we coukd relax together and have some carefre fun
Margaret Smith says
My dream vacation would be a cruise to Bermuda with my family.
Thanks so much.
Margaret Smith says
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/331919226187165697
kelly wenhold says
My dream vacation is a california coastal or hawaii cruise with my family.
Suzette Davies says
My dream vacation would be in a small village somewhere in Europe (Greece, Italy, or France…Ohhh, or maybe Ireland) staying in a centuries old cottage with possible beach access and tons of sightseeing. This would include my entire family and include lots of laughter, music, and fun. And now I’m dreaming while knowing this will probably never happen :/ But a girl can dream, right?
Carly Reed says
My dream vacation would be one where there is something for everyone. Each person and age can find something they enjoy. It shouldn’t be a kids vacation or a mom and dad vacation the kids just tag along on…everyone should come away with something they enjoyed.
Rossetta Hanna says
My dream family vacation would be a cruise to Viet Nam. My husband is a Viet Nam veteran and wold love to go back to see the country now. We hear that it is beautiful. Our family is proud of him and would be glad to experience rhat country with him.
Nicole G says
My dream family vacation would be with friends (I’m a single girl without kids) somewhere warm, sitting on the beach, no phones or icommunication devices allowed 🙂
Jana says
I’m actually going on a dream family vacation this year with my mother and grown siblings. Malaga, Spain for one week and then a Mediterranean cruise! I love cruises!
Alison says
My dream vacation with my family would be to Maui or Kaua’i. We already went to Oahu and it was pretty dreamy. 🙂
Mary Beth Wood says
I am going on a missions trip for my honeymoon, but would love to be able to surprise my wonderful future husband with a cruise!!
https://twitter.com/r_e_a_l_ginger/status/331941534415069184
Bree Clifton says
My dream vacation would be Italy. Discovering the history, the food, the people. It looks amazing. I would love to stretch out of my comfort zone and travel far, far away. Thanks for the chance!
Sandra Davidson says
My dream vacation would be to take my grandsons, one is blind on a Disney cruise. They are both such sweethearts and I love them so much.
kirsten vander kelen says
It would be My dream vacation to be able to sleep in a couple mornings in a row!! and then have a great day with the family when I wake up 🙂
Stephanie V. says
probably Alaska – always wanted to cruise Alaska!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Rosanne says
Our own private jet to Australia and New Zealand with a full staff
Rosanne says
https://twitter.com/rosannepm/status/332001197533827072
Stephanie Larison says
I’d love to go on a family cruise with my husband and daughter. Actually spend some care free time together just having fun, it would be awesome! Maybe to Alaska, always wanted to go there.
Cindie says
I love river cruising, would like to try ocean cruising.
Jessie S. says
My dream vacation is a mediterranean cruise.
Patrica McCollum says
Hello~~and Wow!!~~~ My 2 children ( young adults) just graduated from college. We have never been to Disney World / Universal Studio’s. So yes~~as corny as it sounds, this would be our dream vacation.
Thanks so much for asking!!!
jessica w says
My husband and I haven’t been on a vacation since our honeymoon 5 years ago, any vacation together would be a dream to us! Thanks for the chance to enter, this would be so awesome.
jessica w says
I tweeted as well!!!!! https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/332157822882181120
KatieQ says
I’ve always wanted to see Alaska.
Catherine says
My dream vacation would be a Mediterranean Cruise. There is so much history to be seen!
Catherine says
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/cmchambe13/status/332182348789600257
Stephanie says
My dream vacation is a super long 3 week trip through Europe. Paris is my favorite place in the whole world, and I would love to bring my husband and kids. I would need the 3 weeks in order to fit in the city sightseeing along with ending with a week on a beach in the Med. It would be the ideal mix of history, crowds and sand. (And, in a totally perfect world we would have a grandparent or nanny to watch the boys for late nights.)
Marianne - Sew Paint It says
My dream holiday involves a pool, a beach, a bure or hut with its own plunge pool, did I mention the bure is over the lagoon water? With fish swimming around underneath? Amazing restaurant food, a kids club that the kids love, a nanny for nights our every night, crystal clear water and snorkelling and kayaking with the kids. Book me in!
Sarah says
My dream vacation involves beaches, new places, learning experiences for the family with time to relax.
Amy @ The Nifty Foodie says
My dream vacation involves being unplugged and just relaxing. 🙂 I found that I prefer vacations where I truly relax, and when I get home, I don’t feel like I need a vacation from my vacation, if that makes sense. 🙂
Jan says
My dream vacation is to go back to Germany. My husband and son were killed in an accident there so my daughter and I never got to see the rest of Germany. I would especially love to go to Bavaria.
Traci says
Our dream family vacation is one where all the kids are void of electronics and having fun together. I want to have family memories that involve exploration as well as just the time together.
Bridget Vanover says
I would love to take my family on a trip to the Caribbean.
sandra says
fun and sun and relaxation
Amber says
I love taking cruises!!! I would love to go on a disney cruise my family 🙂
Sarah Hirsch says
i love traveling anywhere with my family but one of my dreams is to cruise the galapagos islands
Any says
Either Australia or a cruise to the Mediterranean! Amy @ gasudimack(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Erin says
We’re military so our perfect vacation is simple: all of us together at the same time in the same place. I’m not picky on the location I just want my man and my kid there… AT THE SAME TIME (we travel a lot without daddy… he sees some pretty amazing stuff without us). But Disney is coming up in July and we are all looking forward to that (me with my fingers secretly crossed the nothing comes up and everyone stays healthy)!
Georgia says
Love to win a cruise that I could take both my kids on!!!
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Georgia says
Tweeted here too
https://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/333253177178734592
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Kerry says
A cruise to the Virgin Islands would be a dream for us!
Jacob LaFountaine says
Southern Italy would be a decent trip
Mary Ann Dunn says
My dream vacation would be taking a trip to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, London, France, Italy. We have family in Ireland . There is so much history to see . It would be amazing to see all the places we have read about. We love cruising. We have been on 14 cruises over the years. I love being able to unpack once and arrive at new destination each day with food and entertainment included.
melissa Resnick says
greece would be amazing
Jill says
My dream family vacation would be in Costa Rica. I want to go zip line over the rain forest and lay on the beach and hike and bike and explore. I really want to go everywhere in the world, but somewhere beachy is on the top of my list right now!
Tena Thompson says
My dream vacation is to take all of my family, my husband, my married children and grandchildren on a cruise to New Zealand. My husband served a mission there many years ago and has always wanted to return.
Jenn Lebowitz says
I would love to go anywhere with my family. We would especially love somewhere with lots of nature and outdoors where we could relax together. I think a cruise would be amazing as well. Thanks for this opportunity.
Teresa Cline says
I have 2 dream vacation spots: Hawaii and Australia!!
Shirley Pearce says
The Cruise would be an answer to a Dream my daughter and I had 23 years ago! I wanted to take a cruise with her when she graduated High School but, it never happened.
Thanks for a chance to win!
Agnes Mae Conatser says
My husband and I would love a cruise. It has to be the ultimate dream vacation with all the glamour and better than reality fun activities.
Julie aka StampingJulie says
Believe it or not Ron and I have never been on a cruise together and we have talked about it for 20 years! Crazy! Need to do it! I lived most of my life in Florida and I’m all about sitting by the pool or on the beach. Love, love, love it! And we love excursions and sightseeing.
Jen says
Dream vacation….hmmmm…a cruise through the pacific islands stopping in at all the islands and experiencing life with the locals, from the food, the music, the lifestyle…relaxing on the beach and playing in the sun!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Pam Allen says
Cruises are great! I loved going on one with my family in h.s. it would be great do experience with my own kid now!
Pam Allen says
https://twitter.com/sweetie2643/status/336497093646618624
Iliana Blair says
My dream vacation is a cruise around the world!
Iliana Blair says
https://twitter.com/madreblair/status/336886420620861442
BusyWorkingMama says
We love the beach – South Pacific here we come!
Rose says
My dream family vacation is anywhere, just taking a vacation is all I need, escaping the stress of work and the obligations of friendships. It’s like running away from home, but I get to bring my favorite people with me.
Natalie Dalpias says
I’d love to win this! I’ve been on a Norwegian Cruise before and it was AMAZING! It would be awesome to take my kids this time.
Natalie Dalpias says
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/CorduroyDreams/status/337669368441884673
Danielle Strong says
I have so many dream vacations. A 10th year anniversary cruise tops the list now. Then a you’re of Europe.
Robin W. says
My dream vacation would be to take my little girl to Disney world….I know she would think it was majical…she does believe in fairies after all!
Anita says
My dream family vacation would be a trip to Europe with my family with all expenses paid, so no worrying about accommodations, food, etc. other than that just us being together seeing the sites wold be a dream 🙂 thanks for the giveaway!
Theresa J says
My dream vacation would be a family trip to europe
Theresa J says
https://twitter.com/tweetyscute/status/337796288479391744
LisaD says
A vacation, dream or not, would be fabulous!
Kendra B. says
My dream family vacation is one where there are activities that appeal to everyone from ages 45 to 5!
Ginnie Holmes says
My dream vacation is to relax on the beach!
ashley says
my dream vacation is a Mediterranean cruise!
Jessica H says
My dream vacay is beachy with the entire family.
Janie Ramirez says
My dream vacation would be carefree and relaxing. Maybe a beach, I crave sun and nature. My kids love animals and yummy food… Could me dream vacation include a baby sitter?lol
Barbara Grant says
My dream vacation would be a trip with our family, children, their spouses and grandchildren. Some place where we could all relax and have fun together.
Michelle says
My dream vacation would be a multi-generational trip with my Mom, Grandma, and sister. We try to take a trip every year and celebrate the fact that we still have each other.
Wild Orchid says
I look for fun for the whole family. A relaxing environment for my husband and I, and plenty of fun activities for my son.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Wild Orchid says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/338292887924117504
Cath Taylor says
I’d love to travel with my husband and son anywhere in Europe. We’ve been to many countries, but there are many we haven’t visited. I’d even be happy revisiting the places we’ve seen. European travel is always eye opening. I’d happily travel to other parts of the world too. It’s a big world–lots to explore. As long as there’s a balance between adventure and creature comforts.
Roxanne Schnitzler says
I have always wanted to go on a cruise, was a faithful watcher of the tv show “The Love Boat” (ok, now I’m showing my age and you’ve never even heard of the show!) so this would defiantly be my dream vacation.
Leah B says
My dream vacation would be Australia and New Zealand with my teenage kids. We haven’t been on a big vacation since they were little kids and need to squeeze one in before they are all grown up.
Angela Gold says
So simple…a cruise to warm beach with all my family. Oh, sounds fabulous.
Samantha Waters says
I would love to take my family on a European vacation
snunnrob at yahoo dot com
Samantha Waters says
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/SaMiKaY101/status/338885152107290624
snunnrob at yahoo dot com
David R says
love it need it want it
Lisa Mann says
Somewhere with sun and water…Croatia…Ttaly…Turkey…the caribbean
gina says
My dream vacation for my family would be a secluded all inclusive resort in Tahiti.
Jennifer says
I would be thrilled to be anywhere in the caribbean!
Elle says
My dream family vacation would be disneyland/legoland. I know it is so cheesy and overdone, but since I grew up in California, I always went to disney and my kids have never been.
My dream personal vacation is a cruise through the Panama Canal, or to spend two months exploring England.
Lee says
Our dream vacation would be to see Europe.
Sarah L says
My dream vacation would be a cruise to New Zealand.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/339891752485912577
Lisa Baker says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/Phuckiphino/status/339907066640609280
Lisa Baker says
We have always wanted to go on either an Alaskan or Mediterranean cruise.
Nancy V says
My dream vacation would be a cruise to Alaska
diane Baum says
Our family dream vacation is to visit Colombia where my sons were adopted from, now that it is safer.
Amalia Mayfield says
Our dream family vacation is a mediteranean cruise or trip to Italy (or both 🙂
Karen says
A trip to the French countryside.
kim h says
Costa Rica is where my family wants to go!
Bruce says
A cruise to Hawaii
Chad Babcock says
A cruise to Alaska or Italy would be awesome
LAMusing says
My mom has some mobilty issues so a cruise would be great! We’d love to go to the South Pacific 🙂
LAMusing says
https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/341084209856802816
Eugenie says
Our dream vacation would be a cruise to the Caribbean. We love the water!
Brittany Jerding says
I would love to go to the Bahamas!! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Elizabeth Ray says
I know my daughter, a major animal lover, would be thrilled if we could go on a photo safari to Africa.
Kelly McGrew says
i’d like to take a dream cruise to hawaii or europe!! i like cruises because you get to visit several places, not just one! it’s such a money saver in my opinion!!! this would be amazing to gift my sister with. i would have a blast with her!
Shirley Zolenski says
We would love to go to hawaii
Shirley Zolenski says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/2005daveshir/status/341311553800384512
Jason Thompson says
I have always wanted to see the Panama Canal! My family says our ancestry stems from the region, so I would love the chance for myself and my family to see a place so near and dear to our history. The Bahamas have always been on my bucket list as well!
Barbara says
I have always wanted to go to Europe or a Mediterranean cruise. Also would love to travel South America. But just about anywhere would be a dream vacation for me especially a cruise!