Mom Forums

Traveling families typically arrive several hours before the flight is due to depart.  If your kids are like mine, the anticipation of the flight combined with having to wait for a couple of hours is a recipe for disaster.  Fortunately, a little planning can make this time fun and, more importantly, exhausting for the kids. The excitement of arriving at the airport is immediately tempered by waiting in line at the ticket counter and security.  Halt the fidgeting and fussing with a surprise.  Pack a quart-sized ziptop bag with stickers, a notebook, a few crayons, a mini-activity pad, a car, a small tape measure, tissues and wipes -- you get the idea.  It will keep the kids entertained for a few minutes and start the trip off on the right foot.  Once you have cleared security, it is time to burn some energy.  Most airports are exciting for kids with lots of energy -- interesting stores, interactive displays, etc. -- use this to your advantage.  Assuming you have plenty of time, wander... read more »

Toddlers may be cute, but they are by far the hardest traveling age.  Who can blame them?  They are just learning to walk and are discovering their independence, and we strap them in a seat for hours on end.  Too young for movies but too old for the baby travel toys, it is especially hard to find fun things to entertain toddlers for hours at a time.  The only thing guaranteed is that it will be quite an experience.  There are a few surprisingly simple things you can do to help the journey. The most important thing to remember while traveling with toddlers is a sense of humor.  Toddlers are funny -- they make interesting (and sometimes insightful) connections, ask many questions, and have a unique way of seeing the world.  Engage in conversations with them on the journey.  In today's fast-paced world, this is an deal opportunity to really get to know your child.  If he or she gets fussy, try physical humor.  Funny faces and the tickle monster can work wonders! Pack some simple, versa... read more »

I love winter vacations -- days playing in the snow and cozy evenings in front of a roaring fire.  Unfortunately, the snow loses its appeal after a few days, and bored, tired kids are not conducive to pleasant family evenings.  Packing or purchasing some inexpensive items keeps the fun in our winter vacations and hopefully yours too!It is easy to plan the big outdoor things -- ski/ride lessons, snow mobiling, sleigh rides, etc., but what about when it is just time to play outside for a while?  Here are some suggestions for simple snow fun:Pack or buy the snowman essentials: -Buttons -Carrots -Old hat and scarf Make castles and fun shapes using sand toys and shovels.Mix a few drops of food coloring and water in a squeeze bottle to make snow paint.Use a plastic storage container to create an igloo.Buy an inexpensive sled at a local grocery store and find a hill.Have a snowball fight.Make snow angels.Catch snow on black paper and examine the variety of snowflakes.Create geometric sh... read more »

Parents often ask me if it is worth the time, effort, and expense to travel with young kids.  Absolutely!  Kids bring a sense of adventure and joy to every trip that is simply unmatched.  It is also a guarantee that you will come home with hours of unpacking and mountains of laundry.  Give yourself a break and follow these tips to avoid needing a vacation from your next vacation.Relax.  Don't over-schedule the vacation.  It is tempting to try to visit every site listed in the guidebook -- but don't!  Allow time in the schedule for a few leisurely mornings or afternoons without a strict schedule.   Tidy the house before you go on vacation.  Coming back to a messy house creates stress. Come home on Saturday (or even Friday).  Give yourself a full day to unpack, do laundry, and run errands.On the day you travel home, have an early dinner and give everyone long warm baths (or showers) to wind down for an early bedtime.Hire a babysitter for the day after you get back so you can focus on ... read more »

A topic of on-going interest among the moms in Hong Kong was entertaining our kids on the long hauls to and from the US.  Faced with a 14-hour flight (just to get to Newark, New Jersey) and usually at least one shorter flight prior to arriving at the final destination, this was no small concern.  Use this advice, garnered from parents that have been there, and save yourself from the agony of bored kids on your next flight.Pack surprises -- lots of surprises.  New coloring and activity books, colors, and stickers are essential to every flight, but they generally are not enough.  Add excitement with lots of small toys and other items -- variety is key!  Explore the impulse bins at your local independent toy store and buy small toys and novelties.  Cloth tape measures, magnetic drawing boards, small plastic animals, and wind-up toys work well.  A rule of thumb to follow is one new toy or activity for each 15 minutes of flight time.   Think outside the box.  Your daughter may love pink ... read more »

Even the most seasoned travelers hate facing the obstacle course that is today's airport security screening process.  Add in a few toddlers and it becomes downright daunting -- almost enough to make you want to stay home.  Try these tips to speed up -- or at least smooth out -- your next flight.Practice makes perfect.Explain the airport security process to your kids and then play airport.  Pretend play the entire process from taking off shoes to putting favorite items through the x-ray machine.  Talk about how to behave in line and the nice TSA employees that will help them through the metal detector.  Most of the time, the TSA employees have stickers waiting, but just in case, have one handy to use as a reward for good behavior.Pack Smart.Pack a zip-lock bag with all liquids and triple check your packing to make sure it complies with TSA rules.  Getting stopped for a prohibited item is a sure-fire way to disrupt an otherwise smooth security clearance.  Hope for the best but plan fo... read more »