Tips for Summer Trips

I'm excited to have a special guest post today. Meet Kendra Thornton. She is a wife and a mother of three, a travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, and an expert traveler. She has been traveling since she was only a few months old. We have yet to travel more than 3 hours away from our home with our two girls, but perhaps with her great ideas and tips, we will be brave enough to do so soon! You can follow Kendra on twitter by clicking here. Or you can visit her website for more travel ideas.

It's Not too Late to Enjoy the Summer!

As a full time mother, the summer is one of my favorite times of year. Rather than having to juggle school, play dates, and soccer practice for a growing family, summer is the one time when it seems quality time with the family is a real possibility. Although the school year is fast approaching, it's not too late to take one last advantage of summer's flexible schedule. It might take a little work, but with the right preparation, I know it's possible to create a memorable vacation that the whole family will enjoy.

1. The Right Hotel

For my family, the goal of a family vacation is to spend the time together that we don't have during the rest of the year. One of the biggest chunks of that time together is going to be at the hotel and resort, and that means picking a place that is family friendly. From giving mom and dad some space to relax, to providing in-room conveniences like refrigerators to store food, snacks, and baby food, family-friendly properties can help save time, money, and even your sanity.  It’s important to make sure your hotel will have everything you are looking for, and I used Gogobot to find a great list of Orlando hotels that offered spa treatment and a free, delicious continental breakfast for my family.

2. Packing Tips

Making a to-do list in the weeks leading up to your trip can build anticipation while making you less likely to forget essential items. Packing the right clothes, buying the right foods, stopping the mail, and getting passports lined up are all important—and can easily be overlooked.  For extra help, consider a packing app like Packing Pro.

3. Make traveling comfortable

While extended car travel can be one of the best ways to bond with the family, it can also be one of the most stressful. Eliminate some of that stress by creating an atmosphere that is tranquil and relaxing. Whether you're dealing with crabby babies or pouting teens, in addition to bringing blankets and pillows, consider investing in window blinds to block out the bright light.

4. Choose a new place

While it may be easy to keep going back to the same vacation destinations, choosing someplace new may be just the spark you didn't know you were missing. From adding a dose of freshness and adventure to simply giving you something new to see, a detour away from the same old parks and zoos might be just enough to put your vacation over the top.

5. Baby Needs

Whether you're flying or driving, you're probably short on space. If you plan on being at your destination for an extended period, consider freeing up some room by ordering diapers to your destination online. You can order the diaper brand of your choice from diapers.com, and they even offer free next day shipping!