Start Planning for Summer Vacation

Yes, it seems like summer will never get here, but it’s really not far off.  For an interesting yet economical trip, consider a home exchange.  I know what you’re thinking.  I don’t want strangers in my house.  My house is not big or fancy enough.  Who wants to come here? 

Some locations are always top picks- beaches, ski areas, NYC.  But you’d be surprised how many people want to visit where you  live!  A number of websites are out there to help find a match.  Most charge an annual fee, but compared to the cost of a hotel, it’s miniscule.  You could also try Craig’s List, which is free.  Most websites allow searching by desired desination, or a reverse search, which looks for listers who want to come to your locale.  You can search by number of bedrooms, and other amenities.  Try Home Exchange, (the website used in the movie The Holiday) Digsville, or 1st Home Exchange.

My family exchanged with a family in California last summer.  We spent nearly 10 days in the Central California coastal area, while a teacher and her daughter stayed in our home.  We communicated via email several times beforehand, and left lists of ‘must do’ activities in our area for each other.  Here’s why this is great for families with kids:

• It’s CHEAP!  You pay for gas, food, incidentals.  But no HOTEL. 
• You have a full home to operate in, and wind down each evening without worrying about disturbing the old fogies next door in your hotel or trying to keep your kids quietly confined to a 100 sq foot room. 
• You have a full kitchen!  With a frige, stove, coffee maker, etc.  It’s cheaper and more convenient.
• You likely have access to a washer and dryer, which makes life easier when traveling with kids (especially if it’s summer and you’re doing outdoor or water activities)
• The home may have other bonus amenities, like a view, a grill, a pool or hot tub (our exchange home had a hot tub which was lovely for soaking in after a full day of sightseeing!)
• Someone is watching over your house, and possibly feeding  your pets (yay, no boarding!) and watering your plants.  A neighbor can drop in to introduce themselves to make everyone feel more secure if you like.

Give it a try- most exchange matching websites will allow you to browse even without registering, if you just want to take a look what’s out there!

Making travel less stressful for little ones

Taking the kids on a spring break or summer vacation?  Going away to summer camp or to Grandma’s for a week?  Being away from home can be stressful for kids of all ages, from toddlers to pre-teens.  Here’s a simple trip to make bedtime in a strange bed feel more like home:

Pack your child’s special pillow case.  If your child doesn’t already use a special pillow case, buy one in his or her favorite cartoon character or sports team a few weeks in advance, just for fun.  Wash it in your normal detergent so it gets that smell of home.  (As a kid, my mom always used Gain- I still think of home when I smell it!) 

Pack it in your bag, and when you arrive at the hotel or rental or Grandma’s, slip your little one’s favorite pillowcase over the pillow that’s already there.  While adults are known to be picky about their pillow’s fluff factor, kids are generally easier to please and the familiarity of the favorite character pillow case makes it seem more like home; and bedtime just got easier! 

One bonus- buying separate pillow cases with characters for your kids is much less expensive than purchasing the entire sheet set- plus if you choose a neutral set of sheets, you can switch out pillow cases as their latest fixation changes!  We’ve been through Dragon Tails, Scooby Doo, Football teams, etc…..  For some cute ideas try these at Find Gifts.com!

Travel meds

If you travel with kids, at some point you’re going to have a sick child on the road.  It might be a bout of carsickness, or an allergic reaction, or even a fever.  Keep these few necessities in a ziplock bag at all times, and grab it any time you hit the road.

• A bottle of children’s benadryl.  It can be used for runny noses and allergic reactions.  It’s also usable by both adults and children. (make sure to follow labeling instructions.)
• A bottle of children’s ibuprofen.  Treats everything from fevers to headaches to other aches and pains.
• A few Tums for kids and parents.  Sometimes too much takeout and riding can cause an ill tummy.
• A thermometer, bandaids, a tube of antibiotic cream, and a liquid measuring cup for meds. 

Of course, if you’re making a road trip, it always helps to have an extra change of clothes for each child and a pack of wet wipes (for all ages) within quick reach.  I always keep a small tote bag with these in the back of my car, even if there are suitcases.  I also line the backseats of the car with a doubled sheet for road trips to catch everything from crayons to crackers to spills (including ‘carsickness!’)

From Field to Table

With all the media attention on fresh, local food, here’s a great idea for getting your kids involved.  Try a local pick-your-own, or U-Pick farm.  These are found all over the country, and kids absolutely love it.  I grew up on a farm, but my three boys are suburbanites, so the chance to get their hands dirty is always a great spring activity for them, especially when it involves food, another of their favorites.  We’ve picked raspberries in California and Northern New Mexico, peaches and blueberries in Florida, strawberries in Louisiana, and more.  Most U-Pick farms are family friendly and don’t frown on eating while you pick.  In fact, if the raspberry farms were really concerned with making money, they would have weighed the boys on their way in and again on the way out!  Most will have baskets to pick in, and some even supply little red wagons for carrying what you pick.  (or tired kids!) 

To find a local farm in your area, visit www.pickyourown.org , which lists u-pick farms by state.

Travel Snacks

Spring break is upon us, and many families will be taking a vacation, even if it is relatively close to home.  Long rides in the car with kids can result in multiple fast-food drive thru’s, (plus the accompanying squished trash in the floor of the backseat), never-ending discussion of they want to eat, and the always popular, “how much further?” 

To keep down the cost, hassle, and junk the kids consume, I make them a snack pack before we leave.  For each child, I put in several healthy snacks plus a napkin or two in a paper lunch bag.  Great options include cheese sticks, raisins, crackers, fruit in a ziplock, and other easy to handle snacks.  When the first child starts asking for snacks, I pass out the brown bags.  They don’t all have to eat the same thing, and they can pick and choose what they want, plus the brown bag makes a handy trash bag.  The only other thing I need is a small cooler with juice boxes or water on gel ice packs, and we’re set for a road trip!

Smart Air Travel with Kids

Even though the big travel season has past, it won’t be long before the spring and summer travel periods are upon us. If you planning on flying anywhere you may want to follow these tips from the Transportation Security Administration.

TIPS Before you reach the airport

Please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children.

Call your airline or travel agent for their recommended check-in times for your departure airport.

Talk to your children before you come to the airport and let them know that it’s against the law to make threats such as, “I have a bomb in my bag.” Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire family and could result in fines.

TIPS at the airport

Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.

Tell your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.

Let your children know that a Security Officer may ask to see their shoes, but that they will get these back as well.

You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child.

Travel the Globe Without Stress

Are you considering escaping to a warmer international climate this winter? If the thought of all the hassles of traveling internationally are holding you back check out these tips from world traveler Chris Guillebeau who shares how he keeps his cool and saves money and stress when he travels the globe!

Create Your Own Travel Philosophy - Prioritize what’s important to you, and plan your trip according to that. A lot of people have expectations or ideas about travel that they have received from others. I think it’s better to decide for yourself what you value about travel as well as how you like to travel.