We loved train travel - kids and parents alike enjoyed views and room to roam the aisles.

Traveling with kids is often easiest by car – room for everyone’s toys and luggage, snacks and beverages; plus the ability to stop for bathroom and food breaks. However, cars are tough to park in the city, difficult on the wallet and trying on the patience; and of course you wouldn’t want to run out of patience struggling with a vehicle when you have tots in tow. Planes are expensive, airports often expensive to access as well, and of course, TSA regulations makes it hard on the diaper bag set, and annoying to older travelers, whether you’re seven or seventy. We found trains to be our favorite form of transport on this particular trip, but the lack of reserved seating on a busy weekend can still be problematic for the smallest travelers. Older kids will not mind, and will probably even relish, splitting up from their parental units and watching the scenery go by.

Here in short is a summary of our transportation hits and misses, and our do and don’t list for traveling parents.

Planes

Well, this trip marked the first time I’ve ever missed a plane, and that was due to airline snafus, not ours (you can read about our experience is Flying Lessons). Always arrive early to fly. Excrutiatingly early. Be prepared when bumped from a flight to be offered standby – and standby does not usually accommodate a large family group. Be equally prepared to argue that no, mom does not want to fly separately from the kids. If she did, she would’ve bought tickets like that in the first place. Naturally, with today’s limited meal selection on airplanes, bring plenty of snacks and actual meals on long flights. But remember, something like say a jar of jelly if you’re running late and considering making pb and j’s on board, won’t fly with TSA. Pay attention to in-flight entertainment options too. While some carriers have plenty of choices on a screen at the back of your seat, others have none, or a film that’s playing on a monitor far beyond visual ability of a child.

Trains

We loved them, plain and simple. We loved boarding without a hassle. We loved being able to walk the kids – holding their hands carefully of course – between cars, to reach the cafe car for bottled water and juice we didn’t have to carry on ourselves. Food items are available but are fairly limited, we saw no vegan or vegetarian choices or anything resembling organic on our short haul trips. Ham and cheese? Chips? There you go. The views from the train windows can be enjoyed by the entire family of course, because you’re leaving the driving to the engineer. And there’s something just friendly about train travel – I had not been on a train in many years and was thrilled to see that people still stop and pat small kids on the head, and conductors pause to point out sights along the way if they’re passing through your car at an appropriate moment. How great is it to see the New York skyline without navigating New York traffic? Pretty great.

That said, different train stations means different experiences. Boston was busy and efficient, but we had to ask where our train left from, markings were not clear. New York was chaotic, and Penn Station grubby, unlike the lovely Grand Central, this is all utiliarian. Philadelphia was calm, clean, and had decent food items available in the station – salads, fruit smoothies, and pizza from moderately upscale fast food vendors and local stands. Washington, DC was elegant, with sit down cafes and baroque architecture. All of them were picture worthy, and at none of them did we experience delays. Again, a caveat: weekend travel is busy. Be prepared for full cars and some family separation if you’re not starting from an originating station.

Automobiles

We were taking on a one way rental. This means a lot of creative thinking to find one that doesn’t cost as much as buying a used car. We found one not exactly close to our downtown hotel, and found public transportation to reach it quite onerous. A great middle ground: we saved hundreds of dollars renting from this remote car dealership, and gladly paid for a limo service to take us to it. We found one that was under a hundred dollars, carried our family and gear, and allowed the younger kids to experience “bottle service” – water bottles and gummy bears.

Subway

In Boston it was crowded and hot, but tourist friendly, once you figure out how to use the “Charley Card” system of buying fares in advance rather than as individual trips. Boston’s service does stop running at midnight for any of you night owls. In New York, it was fast and efficient but I’m not going to call anything about the system friendly. Washington’s ultra modern stations look a bit like Darth Vader designed them, and trains can run slow on the weekends, but its comfortable, comparitively uncrowded, and staff is very helpful across the board with ticket selection information.

Cabs

Our feet were made for walking - this Beacon Hill, Boston street and many others all up and down the eastern seaboard.

Each city has its own style of driver. New York’s involved a fender bender and a lot of cursing; Boston a lot of getting lost – um, I’m the tourist, do I really have to explain which street is one way? Washington and Philadelphia were competent, but all over the place in terms of what fares they charged, particularly in DC. When traveling with your small children, negotiate the fare and figure out where you’re going if the driver doesn’t know the way cold – before your kids start pointing out the city’s landmarks or looking through your bag for the animal crackers.

Feet

We love to walk and have the worn out sneakers to prove it.  Walking was not only good exercise, it meant everyone was more than ready to tumble into bed at a (semi) decent hour. Umbrella strollers are a must for the smallest travelers and don’t be in a rush with kid walkers of all ages. Let them take the time to stretch their legs and their imaginations while they explore whatever city or country park they’re navigating.

A plane's eye view of Boston, Massachusetts - arrival at last!

That should be pretty simple, right? Just get on a plane! We’re inveterate flyers and used to the inconveniences of modern travel, from TSA procedures to early baggage check in requirements. Most of my airline selections in recent times have been based on the dictates of our current economy rather than our favorite airlines. In other words: cheap flights with a stop en route win over direct flights on a more luxurious airline. The inconvenience is outweighed by the savings. I thought I had this whole routine down – even bringing along food for the entire family picked up en route at the Veggie Grille, whose tasty, vegan fare is easily portable. But this time, we had a flying lesson handed to us.

Arriving at LAX with just shy of two hours before our flight, two carry on bags, my daughter’s guitar, and one pre-paid checked bag, we were immediately not too thrilled to find that Air Tran had no sky cap service. Okay, I’ll adapt. I’ll wait in the seemingly interminable line for counter check in. Well, first I’ll inquire as to whether there is a shorter line for pre-paid baggage. Yes, there was. Satisfied, I moved us all out of the long coach check in, and into a significantly smaller line for web-checked and business class that also – did not move. Nope. Not for forty minutes. Back into the first line (which was moving, albeit slowly) I went. Apparently there were computer issues, and that was the hold up, but why the shorter, pre-checked line wasn’t moving at all, no one could tell me.

Now time was getting a little bit tight for passing through TSA’s scrutiny. I approached the counter, letting my kids hold my place in line. How about taking customers with a soon to depart flight? Oh no, not yet, said the pleasantly oblivious woman checking people and baggage in. “I’ll take you with plenty of time though, we know the cut off, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Well, evidently she didn’t. She gave us just under a half hour to make our way through TSA’s lines – and that didn’t cut it on a busy Friday. As we escaped the rigors of the screening process and put our shoes back on, I knew no matter how much I rushed the kids, and how much they complained about me rushing them, we weren’t going to make our plane. Still, we high tailed it to the gate, to be told that the “doors have just closed.”

Knowing there were hold ups at check in, the gate staff assured us we’d get on the “next flight,” which like our original flight, had a stop. While my bag was winging its way toward Milwaukee, we were going to pass through Atlanta and on to Boston. Okay, fine. Well fine until they let us know that we weren’t going to be ticketed. We were flying standby. On both legs of the trip. Meaning if the Atlanta-Boston flight was full, we’d be stuck in Coca Cola’s home turf over night. This made me kind of edgy, but I was assured there’d be “no problem.” Hmm. I’d just recently heard that one before.

But there was no point in worrying about that Boston connection as it turned out. We didn’t get on the Atlanta bound flight. And the next flight up would make us miss our connection altogether. We approached the other carriers in the Air Tran terminal – Virgin and Jet Blue – both had available, ticketed seats. Would Air Tran please put us on one? No, we had to wait for that late afternoon flight, the one that would make us miss our connection. No amount of pleading, explaining, or ranting would move them. If we didn’t get on the next flight, then – a shrug of the shoulders.

Passengers disembarking in Boston - for us, with relief. Photo by Randall Davis.

So instead I paid, and I paid dearly for purchasing at-the-terminal tickets on Jet Blue. We boarded with minutes to spare, and my vow that Air Tran – whose employee miscalculations caused the missed flight in the first place – would refund our money. Not that the refund will exactly cover the cost of an in-terminal purchase – but it will help considerably. And I’ve since learned that the airline may in fact – we’re still negotiating – be liable for more than the face value of the ticket, as we missed our flight due to the airline’s errors, not our own. That would take care of it, and leave us only with this story to tell. And it’s a cautionary one.

Flying lesson: beware the bargain and those bargains with stops. Or at least leave plenty of leeway for taking a later flight. People get bounced from over booked flights, and caught in the snarls of TSA all the time. And they also encounter less than polished performances from discount carriers. If you have a tight schedule, as we did, paying more to begin with may help you avoid being penny-wise and pound foolish. And speaking of pounds: you may save money choosing an airline that allows you to check a bag for free. I paid to send my bag to Milwaukee. It had no comment when we picked it up, unsupervised, in Boston.

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Baby Trend Single Jogger-Phantom. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com.

We first began using our Baby Trend Expedition Single Jogger-Phantom when our son was around one.  Up to that point, we’d used a regular travel system stroller and though it worked well, it was bulky and difficult to push over certain types of terrain.  It’s not that my husband and I were major outdoor people but we did visit Zion National Park, (since it’s close to our home in Southern Utah) from time to time as well as a few other state parks in our vicinity and we found the travel system stroller just didn’t provide a very comfortable experience for either us pushing or our son riding.  It wasn’t until I tried out a friend’s jogging stroller that I realized what I’d been missing!  It was much lighter and easier to push and my son was clearly much less jostled on the ride.  From that moment on, I was on a hunt for my own jogger!  I did quite a bit of research on the various brands and models over the next few days and soon had a good idea of what I wanted.  I knew I needed something that was fairly light-weight, had a tray table, good storage, and that was on the lower end of the price scale.  The Baby Trend model was on my list and the more reviews I read, the more I liked it.  The fact that it was also available in one of my local stores, (for about $110) eventually sealed the deal and we headed out to buy one.

My niece in the Baby Trend Single Jogger-Phantom.

Having read many of the customer reviews that were available, I was aware of the Expedition single jogger’s possible downfalls.  One of the biggest concerns that consumer’s had was the front wheel which can be used in either a locked or a swivel position.  I’d read on a number of occasions that when the wheel was in the swivel position it tended to vibrate or shake.  While this wasn’t the case with everyone that used this stroller, I found that we did experience that particular problem.  In addition, when in the unlocked position we discovered the front wheel could also behave erratically when we went over a hole in the road or pushed it over loose gravel.  Both of those problems disappear when in the locked position, and since I actually preferred this to the swivel anyway, it has never bothered me in all the time I used it.  To turn a corner with the wheel in the locked position, I’d simply push down on the handlebars until the front wheel was raised slightly then turn.  Even on long walks, winding paths, or crowded amusement parks, this never caused a problem or inconvenience.

The adult storage and cup holders of the Baby Trend Single Jogger-Phantom. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com.

Having addressed that one issue with the stroller, (and one that didn’t bother me) I honestly found nothing else wrong with it.  It was light-weight, folded up easily, fit in the back of my car even with suitcases and luggage, provided good storage, and was comfortable for my son.  When we had our daughter a year ago I began looking for a double jogger.  We had a trip to Disneyland planned and I felt we would need something that would fit both of the kids together.  By the time we actually left for the trip though I still hadn’t purchased one and we ended up taking the single jogger with us instead.  I was pleased to find that although it wasn’t actually designed for two children, it still worked for both of them!  The back of the stroller seat reclines completely so our three-month old was able to lie comfortably in it while the front wheel cover was broad enough for our son to sit on when he got tired of walking.  The five-point harness also kept our tiny daughter from slipping or moving around while she was strapped inside.  The single jogger actually worked so well on that trip that we also took it along when we went on our recent family trip to San Diego, California.  It took both of my kids all over Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and a variety of other places we visited.

A couple more things I loved about this stroller…  It has a ratcheting sun shade which can be moved to any position to completely shade the child inside; it isn’t attached to the top of the stroller which allows for a wide range of motion.  It also has an adult storage compartment in the handlebars which is large enough for a cell phone and keys and is flanked by a cup holder on either side.  The child’s tray in the front of the stroller also has a cup holder and has a slightly raised edge which keeps snacks from sliding off while the stroller is moving.  The storage compartment underneath the stroller was a good size as well.  I was always able to fit my large diaper bag, sweaters, and sometimes squeeze in an extra souvenir bag or two in there without a problem!

My son, daughter, and niece in the Baby Trend Double Jogger-Skylar.

Although my husband and I (and our kids) really enjoyed this stroller, our soon to be third addition to the family prompted us to finally break down and buy a true double jogger.  The single jogger was handed down to my sister and her little one-year old daughter, and they seem to love it as much as we did!  Since we didn’t have any problems with the Baby Trend brand, it wasn’t a hard decision to go with them again when selecting our double jogger.  I did some more research on the various models and soon chose the Baby Trend Expedition Double Jogger-Skylar.  It has a five-star rating on nearly every website I checked and was still on the affordable side of the price range.  I got ours on the Walmart website for less than $200!  Although I’ve read that the same problem exists with the swivel wheel option for this stroller, it’s not something I’ve ever experimented with; I’ve used it in the locked position ever since I got it since it’s the option I still prefer.

I also read in a number of reviews that this stroller was impossible to fit through a standard-sized doorway.  Although it is tight, I have been able to push the stroller through every doorway I’ve encountered.  The trick is to come at the door straight and head-on rather than at an angle; if I’m at too much of an angle when I try to get through I have to back up and straighten out before trying again.  It’s never been an issue though, so once again, I find I don’t have any real complaints with this stroller.  It folds down just as easily as the single jogger and although it does take up more room in the car (it’s a double after all), it’s not as bulky or cumbersome as many others on the market.

The Baby Trend Double Jogger-Skylar. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com.

I was concerned at first that this stroller doesn’t have a child’s tray or bar in the front.  There are double strollers on the market that offer that option, but they’re all extremely expensive.  Once the stroller arrived however and we began using it, I found I didn’t miss the tray at all.  The outside panels in both of the seats have a net storage compartment sewn in that is big enough to easily fit a sippy cup or snack, and those have worked out perfectly for my kids.  The storage compartments on the bottom have been just as convenient.  I read that some users found it frustrating that the compartment was split into two sections rather than just one large one, but I haven’t had any problems with that either.  My diaper bag, (which certainly isn’t small) still fits neatly under one seat leaving the compartment on the other side empty and waiting for whatever else I could desire to put in it!  There’s also a net storage bag attached to the back of each seat providing even more room and I haven’t even had to use those yet!

The under-seat and back-of-seat storage compartments of the Baby Trend Double Jogger-Skylar. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com

Like the single jogger, the seats on the double jogger lay back almost completely flat and both still have the five-point harness.  This means that even my little newborn will be able to ride comfortably and safely inside.  We’ve used it so far on outings to the mall, to state parks, and most recently, to our County Fair, and it’s been perfect.  It’s still light-weight and easy to push, has the ratcheting sun shade, does great over gravel and uneven pavement, and the wheel cover is still broad enough to fit another child on when they get tired of walking.  At the fair, my son and daughter rode in the seats of the stroller while my husband’s niece took advantage of the wheel cover from time to time when she was ready for a break!

I honestly have no real complaints about either of these strollers, and my sister feels the same way about the single jogger.  They’ve traveled all over with us, and our double jogger will see many more miles as we get ready to welcome the newest member of our family!

For more information on the Baby Trend strollers or any of their other products, please visit their website at www.babytrend.com.

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I came up with a forty-seven plan itinerary that of course includes my daughter’s gigs, our hotels, and transportation between cities via automobile and Amtrak, but which also includes a compendium of tips, restaurant choices, and a collection of sights all our family members want to see either collectively or independently. In printing this epic, I realize that every family needs a guide of some sort to make the most of their vacation travels. Here are some ideas to make this kind of planning relatively painless and your trip – pain free.

Almost every family I know has at least one member that serves as the travel planner, seeking hotel bargains and upgrades, finding restaurants and grocery stores to accommodate a variety of diets, researches time tables for planes and trains, rents the automobile, and more. If you’re that person – or if you’d like someone else to take over those duties for you – then read on!

1. First, get the kids interested in your destination. Read aloud from travel guides, show them photos on line, find appropriate kids books or DVD’s and let them explore the region they’re headed to before they get there. Let your kids think about how they wish to document their trip – help them put together a journal or scrap book they can take along with them, their own cameras or put older kids in charge of taking the photos or videos of the trip.

Let your kids take photos when they’re old enough – memories they’ve created and encapsulated!

2. Second, select the time you’re going. On this trip, due to scheduling issues, I was unable to avoid the height of summer tourist season. In general we like to go to the southwest in the summer and we don’t mind the heat. The costs are down and we enjoy visiting National Parks when the tourist flow is at its lowest point, usually early fall or early spring. Look for hotel bargains and don’t be afraid to snatch up a vacation you didn’t consider when it shows up on your travel radar. I’m still regretting not purchasing hugely discounted round trip tickets available for one June week only – to Anchorage, Alaska.

When restricted by your children’s school schedules, pick destinations that will be the least crowded for the time – for example, don’t look at Florida beaches, Palm Springs, or Las Vegas during college spring break season.

3. Third, when you’re looking for a place to stay, look at square footage. Sometimes a big room with a roll away or two in a gorgeous old school hotel trumps a chain suite hotel with yes, separate rooms, but less square footage and a bumpy sofa bed. And sometimes not: know when the most beautiful bed and breakfast in the world is not going to win out over a swimming pool and breakfast muffins at a chain motel.

Sometimes having a motel swimming pool is more important than the most luxurious hotel

Look for special travel points in the summer: will staying two nights at one chain give you a free night down the road? Will your auto club or other discount travel membership offer a better deal at one place over another? Are you able to work with the blindness of Priceline or Hotwire? How many beds do you really need? But don’t drive yourself crazy. I’ve spent days hunting travel bargain and insider travel sites to get the best deal – but there comes a point when saving twenty dollars a night isn’t worth the twenty nights you spend to find the bargain.

4. Fourth, consider a tour. Not necessarily a bus with a group you’ll be sharing ten days with on your journey, but consider a boat trip across a lake, an urban “Duck” tour or guided half day open air bus ride through a city, a park ranger led expedition through a national park’s treasures. Sometimes you’ll gain knowledge you wouldn’t otherwise, sometimes it’s just so much easier to view the major sites of a place you’ve never been before if you’re only staying a short while.

5. Fifth, food. Yes, we have special diets in our family, and they’re not all the same special diet. But even if your family can happily consume hot dogs for days on end, there will come a time when you need something that didn’t come from either a four star restaurant or a fast food pit stop. Look for grocery stores and speciality purveyors such as fruit sellers, chocolate makers, juice bars, and the like near your hotel. For us, that avocado roll from Whole Foods deli can mean the difference between staying on time rolling down the highway or snapping at each other over a gas station mini-mart’s candy bars. And, check out the local farmer’s market. A recent happy memory: discovering the fresh tomatoes, fresh-from-the-hen eggs, and hand-made hummus at a small farmer’s market held roadside in Cambria, CA — there was dinner.

6. Sixth, trust your kids. From the time mine could talk, they had “ideas.” Some of them led to chocolate syrup covered twinkies inside a house built from a giant fallen redwood on California’s Lost Coast, some led to actual conversations with work artists, some to exploring museums or shops I would never have put on an itinerary. It doesn’t mean you should change your Everglades expedition for a day in Disney World, but it does mean include them, and listen to their suggestions. And that goes for impromptu road stops as well.

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Plan Ahead with a List

Planning ahead with a travel checklist

Make a list and check it twice (or thrice). Jot down everything you will need by category from clothes, favorite toys, medicines, toiletries, gear (pack-n-play, stroller, backpack carrier, etc.) to food and snacks. Typing up a list and saving it on your computer makes it very easy to edit and reprint every time you travel, without pulling your hair out and starting all over again. Items can be listed under each person (their own personal items and clothes) and under general categories such as toiletries, medicines and more.

Be Organized and Methodical

Start early and proceed with your packing list in hand. As you gather items and place them in the suitcases, cross them off the list. This will ensure that nothing important is forgotten. It will give you tremendous peace of mind. You may think of other items that are not on the list as you go: write them down. Later you can edit your saved list on your computer to make it easier for your next adventure.

Suitcase or Carry-on?

Keep kids occupied with their own carry-on backpacks

Determine what can go in the suitcase and what you absolutely need with you. If your children are old enough (ages 3 and up) you may want to allow them their own little carry-on backpacks with items to keep them occupied: color pad and crayons, book, a favorite toy (doll or plush toy), snacks (crackers, baby carrots or cut fruit). Allowing your children to have their own carry-on does several things: it will instill a sense of responsibility in them and help them feel “grown up.” It will give them a sense of security by having something tangible to hold. It will keep them busy and productive (and quiet) which helps you to concentrate on the getting there.

Prep Pep-Talk

Prepare your children by telling them what to expect. This is a good time to explain your rules and expectations. Tell them what behavior is expected and what will not be tolerated. Be frank and sincere. A little foresight and preparation can go a long way. This pep talk will help them to feel part of the clan, giving them a sense of pride and personal responsibility. And always, always, always follow-through with consequences. Although it may feel hard to do, it will actually make everyone happier and your travels filled with less travails. Children with clearly delineated boundaries are happier, more secure and more obedient.

Engage and Enlist

Get your kids involved in the packing process

Having your children participate in the packing process (if they are old enough) can be very exciting for them and may even make things easier for you. Sort through their clothes with them and then have them place them in the suitcase. You may even allow them to pack their carry-on bag (and then check it later). Have them cross out items on the list that have been packed. This will teach them important organizational skills that will be useful for life.

Bon Voyage!

Once you start your own list, you will find it much easier to edit it as needed depending on your destination and the activities involved. Traveling is stressful enough without children, but doing so with the kids can add a whole new dimension to stress. With a little planning and organization, you can turn every vacation into an idyllic getaway, where family bonds are strengthened and wonderful memories are made. Bon Voyage!

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We choose the place we stay based on our family needs.

In the past I’ve made some mistakes. I’ve chosen resorts that had family-friendly activities, only to find over crowded pools or kid’s club programs that didn’t fit our schedule. I’ve also picked bed and breakfasts that said they welcomed families, but didn’t welcome them quite as much as we’d imagined. And I’ve picked fascinating, off the beaten track guest houses that included geckos on the ceiling and gecko poop in the beds. You can’t make the perfect choice all the time, but it helps to decide what means the most to you – and find the accommodation that fits most of your travel parameters. 

Family friendly accommodations can be expensive, or a budget can be designed specifically for family travelers, such as Disney resorts or cruises, or can be a comfortable stop in a cultural enclave. 

The first consideration you should make is the location of your stay. If its important to you to be within walking distance of a main attraction, or a view of a specific landmark is what you want in your room choice, then make sure you figure in distances and views. If you don’t care if you stay outside of town or outside the borders of a national park, then you’ll select a different choice. When we were in San Antonio, after a week long road trip to get there we wanted to be able to leave the car in the garage and stroll the River Walk. We wanted a view of the Alamo. And this drove our hotel selection. When we visited Yellowstone National Park, I wanted inexpensive, modern accommodations. That ruled out the elegant in-park offerings and the camp sites and roughing-it style cabins inside park boundaries. When we visited Las Vegas, we wanted to stroll the Strip and bring the kids back to the hotel pool without missing a beat. That eliminated off- Strip hotels. You get the picture. You may want to spend a week at the beach but not mind driving a mile to park by the sand. Or you may want to just climb out of bed and hit the beach. 

Second, you want to consider how much space you’ll need. When it was just me and my toddlers, I needed considerably less space than when it became me, my kids, my kids friends. Even when my children were very small, putting them both in the same bed was often not a great option. Restless sleeper at home? Very restless sleeper in new circumstances. Today we also consider the ability to dine in, in order to save on restaurant bills and stay on a healthy diet, to be very important. So, I may pay more for a suite with a kitchenette, or at least make sure my motel room has a microwave and mini-fridge before I select my accommodation. 

We really enjoyed our stay at an alternative style dwelling in Joshua Tree, CA

Speaking of food, so many chain hotels and motels offer breakfast as a part of the stay. Don’t chose this “cost saving” option until you know what the breakfast actually includes. Is it a donut and a cup of coffee? Not great for the kids, and hardly worth selecting one property over another to obtain. If it’s a full breakfast, are there items your family will actually enjoy? It doesn’t do our primarily vegetarian family much good to have all you can eat bacon and sausage for example. 

And when you’re considering space, do you want a room with a roll away or portable crib, or do you need a sleep sofa or extra bed? And, if you’re looking for rooms with a sleeper sofa, make sure the sofa in that condo you’re renting really, truly folds out – and isn’t just a sofa with a quilt. Been there, done that. 

If you’re not bringing a portable crib from home and you need one, find out if the hotel you’ve chosen provides what your baby needs. We’ve been offered everything from beautiful antique cribs to playpens with a pillow. 

And what about a pool? Well, if it’s cold outside, make sure that pool is indoors. And if there’s a lake or an ocean or a river, do you need a pool at all? Still, pools are a wonderful antidote to a day on the road, or even a day exploring nature or museums or amusement parks. When given an affordable choice, we usually go for the one with a pool. Which brings me to child-friendly activities – do you need them? Will a splash in a pool do? Or do you need water slides and floaties, arts and crafts on the beach, kids exercise classes, snorkeling lessons or kid’s videos screened along with a mac and cheese dinner? Will you be planning a parents’ night out and seeking a babysitting service? 

These are all areas to consider when you select where you’ll stay on your family vacation. But here’s one more consideration: a sense of adventure and memory making. Sometimes taking a choice that might not comfortably include all your needs is the best one after all. A favorite memory of ours is a night in a rustic cabin outside Death Valley National Park. Billed as a ‘resort’ – and that’s another story – this cabin was anything but. I could’ve chosen a park-run motel I knew quite well, but I wanted a more economical, and a less pedestrian experience, and I got it. Still, watching the sunset over the desert from our rough hewn porch and playing charades to flash light when the power went out – that was one of the best memories ever, one we could not have had if I’d gone with the “safe” choice.

Disneyland, California

On my family’s recent vacation to Disneyland—a trip that included six adults, one pre-schooler, and two babies—we learned a lot about making the Disney experience fun and relaxing while traveling with such a large group.  Here are a few more tips (see Disneyland Tips for Families with Children: Part I), that came in handy on our adventure to “The Happiest Place on Earth!” 

Pack extra everything to take into the parks with you 

This is so important if you’re traveling with young children.  You don’t want to have to make the long tram ride back to the parking structure for extra items, be forced into buying forgotten items in the park (which can get expensive), or even to make the relatively short walk back to one of the Disney hotels if you’re staying on-site.  We found it was always better to just come prepared for as much as possible.  Every morning my husband and I would emerge from our room with our stroller packed so tight it didn’t look like there was any room for a child to ride in it and a diaper bag so stuffed it looked like the zipper would snap.  My parents were in awe the first day of our trip as they couldn’t imagine why we could possibly need so much stuff.  Maybe it’s just my little family but we ended up using nearly everything we’d crammed in at one point or another.  

Our son and daughter all bundled up at Disneyland, California.

For a baby, of course all the essentials—diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, pacifiers, changes of clothes, blankets, sweaters—ended up being needed.  Our three-year old didn’t require as much but we still made sure to bring extra jackets, hats, and a full change of clothes each day.  While it’s probably obvious why our four-month old daughter needed a change of clothes, our three-year old son required them for different reasons.  Not only were there the occasional spills that soaked a shirt or pair of pants but some of the rides and attractions at the two Disney parks include water and can wet you through enough to make you uncomfortable if you’re stuck in them for very long.  If you have a recent potty-trainer, you’re likely to need a clean set of clothes as well!  

The weather in California can also be a factor as the temperature tends to vary, sometimes widely throughout the day.  The mornings were often a bit chilly so our kids would start off wearing sweaters.  Then as they day went on it would warm up and we would strip them down again (we found it was best to dress them in layers), then finally when night really set in it got downright cold and we would pile on the jackets, hats, gloves, and blankets.  We were visiting in early November, but the weather during the summer can be just as uncertain; it may stay hot for most of the day but when the sun sets, a light jacket is often a required essential.  Both parks do have lockers, so if you find you’ve just got too much to carry, you can always rent a locker for the day and come back to it as needed.  

Now for a quick word of warning… for the past several years Disneyland has had security checkpoints that everyone must pass through (even those staying in their hotels), before you can enter the parks.  The list of prohibited items are fairly common sense—weapons, alcohol, fireworks, etc—but an employee will have you open all bags and purses that you are carrying for inspection before they will clear you.  Although I have never once been told I was carrying a prohibited item, having to undo all my carefully packed bags before entering the parks is always a hassle.  Be prepared for it before you go! 

Bring Snacks 

Bringing along snacks are another important tip for families traveling with little children.  Disneyland and California Adventure both have so many places to eat and so many options for snacks that you can’t walk more than ten feet without running into one.  Unfortunately, they’re usually pretty expensive, not to mention they’re not accessible when stranded in line for a ride.  We carried small, easy snacks and drinks with us including fruit snacks, granola bars, crackers, bottled water and juice—and kept them in a bag where we could get to them quickly even in line.  This helped cut down significantly on our son’s cranky episodes if he was hungry between meals.  It also cut down on our expenses since we were able to save so much money on food!  It’s important to know however, that while snacks and drinks are okay to take into the parks, full meals are not allowed beyond the entrances.  Picnic areas are available right outside the Disneyland gates just beyond the ticket booths.  There are also lockers here where all your food can be stowed until you’re ready to eat.  You will have to leave the parks to access your food again so make sure you get your hand stamped before leaving so you can re-enter when you’re done! 

Our son with his stroller at Disneyland, California.

Strollers 

When I was a teenager with an Annual Pass to the Disney parks, I thought strollers were an abomination; I couldn’t take two steps without being smacked in the shins, whacked in the ankles, or nearly run over by one of them.  Of course I vehemently swore I would never enter Disneyland pushing one of the accursed things, no matter what.  Yes well, fast forward ten or so years and I’ve changed my mind a bit.  I still have the same painful run-ins with other people’s strollers, but I’m afraid they are a necessity when visiting the parks with young children.  

For those who don’t want to haul their own strollers through their entire vacation or don’t want to drag them on and off the tram twice a day, Disneyland does offer stroller rentals—$15/day for one stroller and $25/day for two.  We considered this option for our family trip, but we ultimately chose to bring our own.  If we’d been staying at a hotel off the Disney property we might have rented instead, but staying on site makes it much more convenient.  We did end up with a flat tire one day, but we took our stroller up to the rental area outside the main gates and they were gracious enough to inflate the tire for us at no cost!  

We chose to bring our standard stroller instead of our jogging stroller because of the width.  We find it much easier to squeeze into the stroller parking areas with the more narrow frame.  We also found that many of the restaurants don’t allow them to be brought inside, not to mention the inability to bring them along on the rides.  Some of the shows and attractions—such as Playhouse Disney—also prohibits the use of strollers inside, so be prepared. There is a designated stroller parking area available just outside each of these attractions, and although we never experienced any problems with theft, we always make sure to take our valuables with us.  

The type of stroller you take, or the decision on whether or not to rent will of course depend on what works best for your family.  The number of children in tow, nap requirements, or children that need long breaks from walking are all factors to consider.  I chose to carry our then four-month old daughter in a sling for most of the trip so that our three-year old son could ride when he wanted; we knew he was probably still too young for all the walking.  Extending the seat back allowed him to sleep comfortably as we pressed on with our day’s plans.  For more information on Disney stroller rentals please visit their website at www.Disneyland.disney.go.com.  

Hopefully these Disneyland tips will help your family enjoy your Disney vacation as much as they helped my family enjoy ours!

Baby travelling gear

Possibly the two most important elements of any trip – with or without children – are what you’ll eat and what essential but sometimes forgotten items you’ll bring on your journey. 

Let’s start with a look at mealtime. Not exactly a news flash, is it? When you get hungry, you get cranky. Small children are often small eaters, and often hungry. And that means – often cranky. Small children who are traveling and cranky…well, let’s just not go there. 

Instead, make sure your little ones are well fed and ready to sight-see. Sounds easy, but on an extended road trip or when you’re trying to avoid both fast food and high end establishments, as our family most often does, it can be a juggling act. 

Travel Snacks for Kids 

Here are some tips to make feeding your brood a less challenging endeavor. First of all, whether you’re going by car, plane, train, or boat, be sure to have plenty of that all important beverage at hand: water. Now obviously these days you’ll have to buy your water at the airport after passing security, but this is not a time to save a few dollars and wait for the beverages on board. Any number of delays can happen, and water not only hydrates and refreshes healthy bodies of all ages, it can be a real life saver to the smaller set. A thirsty child trumps a hungry child any day in terms of unhappiness. When we drive by car, we do keep our nalgene bottles handy for ecologically sound refills, but because you never know what water supplies are out there on the road, we also keep two flats of bottled water in our car at all times. And we use them. 

Portable healthy snacks are the next step. Children of all ages will enjoy a crunchy cracker – but make sure it’s low sodium. Excess salt will make kids thirsty and tired. And much of the salt in processed crackers isn’t a sprinkle or two of sea salt. It’s a preservative. A great alternative: unsalted matzoh, available at any grocery store. For toddlers, Zwiebach crispy crunchy bread is relatively low in sodium, and like many foods for small children, just as tasty for older kids too. Pureed apple sauce, mangos, sweet potatoes aren’t just baby food anymore. They can be a dipping sauce or topping for older kids too. Our favorite toppings though are peanut butter and almond butter, both low or no-sodium, available in convenient individual foil packets at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, and some Safeway chain stores. If you don’t have a local seller, look on line. Incredibly portable, high in protein, and healthy, too. Bananas are also a great snack, easy to eat, come in their own disposable wrappers. And of course, most kids love candy. And some candy is healthier than others. Read the sodium content and list of preservatives on the labels of the major brands and you’ll be surprised at the difference. We’re big on peanut m&m’s, because – assuming there are no peanut allergies in your family, of course – the peanuts are a small source of protein, and the candy is relatively healthy. I’m a Hershey bar with almonds fanatic for much the same reason.  A bag of chocolate chips mixed with unsalted almonds or pumpkin seeds is also both a great treat and food source. Whatever you choose, try to avoid heavy corn syrup and preservatives in the mix. 

Mmmm…pizza. Sometimes a great food-notion.

And now, inevitably, it’s meal time. Just as you’ve chosen healthy snacks, select healthy dining. No matter how quick and easy, or how familiar, avoid fast food. It’s inexpensive and filling, but not fulfilling – in terms of essential nutrients or dining pleasure. By the same token, you’ll want to avoid the convenience of a possibly overpriced hotel restaurant where the kids are going to have few menu choices amid a hushed atmosphere. Our top pick in any town is ethnic restaurants. Regardless of the diet of our family members – and we have one special diet, one vegan, one meat eater, and one pescatarian – it’s the rare Italian restaurant that doesn’t offer a salad, a meat-free pasta, a meat dish, a fish dish. We also like Thai and Chinese, but not the take-out variety which often presents pre-prepared food difficult to custom order. Surprisingly, given the range of our diets, a family style steak house or diner will often have great side dishes or be able to custom prepare a basic meal without the diet elements we wish to exclude. 

Packing Tips 

So, with meal time and snack-sustenance discussed, let’s take a look at the other top travel concern in our book – packing. 

Packing…don’t forget the kid-essentials.

No matter where you go, no matter what the season, we’ve always been glad when we brought these items along and frustrated when we have not. First, a swim suit, even in winter – we’ve discovered heated pools and jacuzzi’s and not had our gear; and a rash guard for the kids to protect them from sunburn. Second, a night light. A small night light is often handy even for adults stumbling to the bathroom in an unfamiliar and dark hotel room, and it can prevent many bumps and bruises for little ones, as well as offering a reassuring glow. Third, if your tots are very small, bring a cloth high chair along. If you’re dining in your room, voila, your little one can join you at the table. Fourth, paper and pencil – or crayons, or pen – great for drawing, journal making, doodling, note taking. Our kids brought unlined notebooks with them from the time they could scrawl a line on a page. Great entertainment, and handy when you have to jot information down quickly, too. Lastly, don’t forget the guide book. There may be something you missed when you read it the first time, a number or name you wish you had along; or you may simply enjoy reading a succinct summary of the places you are visiting or are about to go to the children if they’re of reading age. 

So there you have it – some tips for things to eat and things to bring that should keep your family happy on the road and off, whether you’re visiting family and friends or exploring an exotic locale. Remember, happy travelers of all ages are well fed and ready for the pool!

But planning for a trip means more than just the pleasures of Internet sightseeing and hunting for hotel bargains. It means list making, sensible packing, snack providing and some mental role playing for the journey ahead.  

We always like to start with what we call our leaving list.  This means anything we need to take with us when we’re leaving home. Whether you’re trying to get on the road before rush hour, catch a plane, or find a way to park your car at the train station, you’re going to have a lot on your mind just getting to the departure part of leaving the house. So don’t sabotage yourself; embrace your distraction – and have a check list of the things you’re going to need to just walk out the door. Suitcases, cash, credit and/or debit cards, identification – driver’s license or identification cards for non-drivers over eighteen, passports if you are traveling out of the country. Those all important snacks for road or plane, water if you’re going by private vehicle, a sweatshirt/sweater/ or jacket for the plane, the same or an easy to compact fleece blanket or two for the car if you’d prefer. Whatever it is you think you’ll need for the day ahead – list it, and read your list. Don’t try and remember it.  

Whether you're using your i-phone, a sophisticated camera with zoom lens, or a disposable digital - don't forget your camera for great photos on the fly!

Don’t forget your camera. And consider, if you’re going to be gone for awhile, using on line photo storage for your precious pictures. This means that you’ll either need access to a laptop or be using an i-phone or similar device to begin with. Another option is access to a computer at your hotel or motel’s business center or an Internet cafe, which are more common abroad than in the U.S. these days. You don’t have to make a project out of it and upload your photos daily, but every five days is a good plan. You can opt for free or paid on line storage. We’ve successfully used SkyDrive in the past, but there are a number of available resources out there.  

Sometimes, less is more – in terms of rigidity. Although we love to rent houses and condos for stays where we’re either staying put or know the exact time limits on our trip, sometimes it’s better to go with motels or hotels with liberal cancellation policies that allow you to be flexible. If you’ve found you’re kids are in love with a city or attraction and want to stay and explore more; you’ve found the perfect warm water lake, the best beach – well, then you can always cancel your next move and expand your stay – as long as you don’t have a non-refundable deposit standing in your way. By the same token, if you’re not enjoying one stop – you can cut the stay short and move on.  

Going to a different time zone? Defeat jet lag by staying on your own time zone the first day or two. And be aware that meal time is going to feel more natural on your own time zone than a new one, too – which means avoiding restaurants, particularly those in hotels, which adhere to a rigid policy of set lunch and dinner times with awkward ‘no serve’ zones between the two. We recently experienced a severe lack of breakfast items in Florida when we slept in – being on west coast time. Late running weekend brunches were just not a happening thing in the small town we were visiting. Having our own fruit and cereal on hand kept us going!  

On the go with your kids? Bring some fresh fruit as a snack.

Another tip: make another list. Unlike your leaving list, this list should outline your must-see or do travel excursions. Try to create a plan for every day of your trip. It’s not set in cement, of course, but it will help you enjoy yourself if you know a basic outline. This works even if you’re planning a visit with relatives. Things will go much smoother if, for example, you know that in the morning, there’s an excursion to park, zoo, or local attraction, followed by lunch with the family rather than just assuming ‘sometime’ during the trip you’ll fit those activities in. When you’re exploring new places, it’s vital to have a list of attractions or activities to chose from and know how to get to them. We always rough out an itinerary before we’ve begun the trip, adding to it with information from local residents, newspapers, or guidebooks that we page through as bed time reading the night before. If you’re staying at a hotel or resort with a concierge desk, be sure to supplement your own knowledge by asking for his or her input. We’ve found excellent restaurants we’d never even heard of, and learned about a museum that had actually moved its location, because of this extra stop.  

And, if possible – and it usually is in this era of smart phones – check the web sites of the attractions or activities you have planned the day before you’ve scheduled a visit. Last minute changes can occur, and this way you can double check the operating hours, check for closures, and for on-line discounts, too.  

Remember, whatever trip you’re taking, whether it’s to an often-visited family location or an exotic locale, don’t forget the plan – a little list making and double checking can mean the difference between an ordinary trip and the travel adventure you and your family will be talking about for years.  

Related Trip Planning Topics:  

Advice for Air Travel with your Baby – What Gear to Bring
Four Reasons a Road Trip is Better than Flying – Vacationing with Kids
Family Road Trip Tips – Excursion Through Southern California
Tips for Air Travel with Kids on Domestic and International Flights
TSA Procedures – Preparing Children for Body Scanners & Pat Downs

Learn what to expect before you leave for the airport

As the holiday travel season ramps up, families are facing controversial new procedures at airport security checkpoints. The debate on the new procedures has become a firestorm of controversy, but the TSA is holding fast to its belief that the new procedures are necessary for everyone’s safety. Some families are actually choosing to avoid flying altogether. If you choose to fly, proper preparation can help your kids know what to expect.

Choose Neutral Language

Much of the debate regarding TSA security procedures uses hot words such as “naked scanning” and “groping.” Whatever side of the debate you fall on, these procedures are a current reality. When explaining the process to your children, avoid using hot words. Instead, use neutral language such as “scanner” and “pat down.”

Provide a Step by Step Explanation

Explain to your children that there are three current security processes in place — metal detectors, body scanners and pat downs — and that they might be selected for one or two of those processes. Familiarize yourself with each procedure and explain each in language that your child can understand. Stress the importance of standing perfectly still inside the body scanner, since movement can blur the image and trigger a secondary pat down.

Practice Going Through the Checkpoint

Kids are generally most comfortable when they know exactly what to expect. Use a large cardboard box to set up a pretend scanner. Have your child step inside and hold his arms up over his head. Make sure the child knows that, depending on the type of scanner, it may be loud.

If your child is selected for the body scanner, he will have to not only take off his shoes, but also his belt and any outer garments such as a jacket. He will also need to completely empty his pockets. Practice this process, throwing items into a box or bin, until your child is comfortable doing it quickly and efficiently.

Dress the Part

Choose slip on shoes that are easily removed

The goal of enhanced security measures is to find any items that might be hidden under the clothes. Make it as easy as possible by dressing your kids in lightweight clothes that fit well. Baggy and bulky items may trigger secondary screening, and can make it more difficult for TSA agents to perform the search. Choose slip-on shoes if possible, and unload everything from your family’s pockets into your carryon bag before approaching the checkpoint.

Use the Green Line

Most airports designate different security lines for travelers with different levels of experience. The green line is designated for travelers with disabilities and families. Although the security screening process is the same in all lines, the time pressure is not. Everyone else in the green line will be dealing with strollers, diaper bags, medical devices and other items, so take as much time as you need.

Line up in Advance

Have one adult gather the carry-on bags

One major downside to the new security procedures is that you must leave your personal items unattended on the scanner belt while you undergo enhanced screening. Children old enough to walk must go through the scanner unattended, and must not touch you while you are undergoing your own screening. Minimize the amount of time that your child and your bags are unattended by lining up your family in advance.

Send one adult through first, with no carryon bags, and let others in line go around you until the first adult is cleared. Then send everyone’s carryon bags and the first child. The first adult can keep an eye on both the child and the bags while everyone else goes through. An adult should be the last person through security.

File a Complaint

If you feel that anyone in your family is violated in any way, don’t hesitate to document your experience. Write down the names of everyone involved along with the time and date and a brief description of what happened. The TSA complaint address is listed on the TSA website, and some people also follow up with complaints to their congressional representatives. Many websites and newspapers are also collecting complaints.

While in the situation, though, remain as calm as possible. The TSA does have the power to detain you for questioning and even levy fines for refusing to cooperate. Speak calmly and quietly, cuing your child to do the same.

Above all, try not to worry about the new procedures. Children are very sensitive to their parents’ emotions, and they may become upset or confused. Maintain a positive demeanor, and your kids are more likely to do the same.