Tips for Traveling with Kids

Throughout our travels we have learned some tips that have worked great for our family. I hope some of these tips can come in handy for you too! *All families are different so some of these tips may work for your family or they might not. They have came in handy for my family of five.

Tip #1-Backpacks for each kid. Even when the children were little we gave them a small backpack to carry so when the time came to play with a toy they could easily get to it theirselves in their own backpack. 

Tip #2-Set a time frame for playing with toys. We always wait to bring out toys until the last leg of the flight. We make sure before the flight to explain to the kids that nothing will come out of their backpacks until the last half of the last flight of the day. They know what is expected and do not ask about getting into their backpacks until then.

Tip #3-One pair of pajamas. Unless someone isn't night trained we only pack one pair of pajamas.

Tip #4-Use the Roll Method. I get so much more room in our suitcases by rolling up our clothes. This also helps with wrinkles.

Tip #5-Buy lots of sunscreen.  You can never have enough! Buying before your trip will save you money as everything is higher priced in a tourist town.

Tip #6-Socks. Even if it's a beach trip, bring socks. Little feet tend to get cold on the plane and at night in the hotel room.

Tip #7-Wipes. Even if your children aren't babies anymore pack wipes in your carry on. We use them to wipe down surfaces and dirty faces. 

Tip #8-Extra set of clothes. You never know who may get sick or spill something on their travel clothes. Always have an extra set of comfortable clothes in a grocery bag or a Ziploc bag. Use the bag to put the dirty clothes into. 

Tip #9-Comfortable Headphones. The airplane headphones have never been a source of happiness for anyone in my family. Comfortable headphones have been so helpful at getting my kids to sit still through the in-flight movie. 

Tip #10-Hotel Laundry Room. Check to see if your hotel offers a laundry room. Washing your clothes while on vacation helps you pack less and gives you more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. 

Tip #11-Bring grocery bags or trash bags for dirty clothes. This has helped with dirty clothes not being scattered all over the room.

Tip #12-For the Ladies. Pack dresses that can be used as cover ups too.

Tip #13-Pants and a jacket.  Even if it's a trip to the beach pack a pair of pants and a jacket. Hiking up a mountain or a rainy day can cool things down a bit. *It helps if the jacket works as a rain jacket as well. In Alaska, Hawaii, and Korea this was a must.

Tip #14-Sleeping on the plane. Bring a neck pillow and a small blanket. My kids have said they love bringing a blanket from home because it smells like our house. I believe this helps them sleep better on long flights.

Tip #15-Drink the complimentary drink. If it's offered, drink it! On our trip to Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines gave their travelers Mai Tais. It set the mood for our vacation off right. 

Tip #16-Snacks. Pack snacks and more snacks for your kids and for YOU. I don't know about you but me and my husband can get grumpier than the kids when we haven't eaten. 

Tip #17- A nice outfit. Pack at least one nice outfit for dinner. 

Tip #18-Parent's Night Out.Check to see if your hotel offers babysitting services. If vacationing with family or friends see if they would be nice enough to babysit. Maybe swap up nights and watch their kids the next night or buy a souvenir for them when returning from your date night.

Tip #19-Sunscreen Alarm. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to reapply sunscreen. 

Tip #20-Pool ready. Have your bathing suits and beach towels on top of your clothes inside your suitcase. Sometimes you may not be able to check in to your room for quite a while. Grab your bathing suits and head to the pool while waiting.

Tip #21-USO. If you are military and have your military I.D. card with you please take advantage of the USO in the airport. James showed his I.D. to the person sitting behind the desk, signed in, and we grabbed snacks and drinks for FREE! They also have nice comfy seats to sit in and relax away from the crowded, noisy airport. 

Tip #22-Pool and beach toys. Buy them before going on your trip for half the price that they sell them for at the tourist town stores.

Tip #23-Gum. When taking off and landing I always give everyone chewing gum. It helps their ears pop. 

Tip #24-Medicine Bag. Bring a Ziploc bag labeled "Meds". I have been lucky enough not to ever have a sick family member while traveling but I always have medicine just in case. 

Tip #25-Save the bags! Use the drawers! I have tried putting each outfit in a Ziploc bag before and it just wasn't for me. We always unpack our suitcase the first day we arrive and put all our clothes in the hotel dressers. If there is enough room the kids get their own drawer so clothes won't get worn that aren't theirs. 

Tip #26-Hair Dryer? When going to the beach I never bring my hair dryer. I always take mousse or gel and have perfect beach waves for the entire trip. If you have room and you're hair refuses to curl naturally bring your own hairdryer. I do not have thick hair and it still takes double the time as it normally would to dry my hair using the small hotel hair dryer.

Tip #27-Suprise the kids! Have a new toy, book, or game for the kid's travel backpack. It's a nice surprise and keeps them entertained. 

Tip #28-Husband doesn't care or does he? Wives, if your husband says that he doesn't care what he wears and asks you to pack for him, make your husband take a look at what is packed for him before leaving. James always makes me pack for him and I always make him check afterwards to make sure it's what he wants. It works for us. 

Tip #29-Hair ties and more hair ties! My daughter loves to wear her hair wet and in a braid in the summertime. She also likes to lose every hair tie that she owns. I always bring extra because we will lose a few during our trip. 

Tip #30-Discover the airport. While waiting to board the plane, check out the airport. My favorite airport is in Seattle. They have tons of things to do and see. This keeps the kids occupied while waiting to get on the plane. 

Tip #31-Find a grocery store. You don't have to eat out every meal. Go find the nearest grocery store and stock up on things you can easily make in your hotel room. Sandwiches are always your best "meal" friend. 

Tip #32-Talk to your kids before traveling. Explain to the kids about things like how the plane feels to you when taking off and landing, how long the drive is, and what to expect when you get to your destination. I find with my children that the more they know the calmer they are. 

Tip #33-Romance. Make time for you and your spouse. Whether it's finding a babysitter to watch the kids while you go out to a romantic dinner or having a drink on the balcony after the kids go to bed. Too often we make our trips all about the kids and not a single second about us. It's okay to have adult time on a family trip too. 

Tip #34-Relax. You're on vacation! 

A Letter to My Son

Dear Son,
          People say boys are easier to raise than girls but I think that isn't true. Your Father and I worry about the boy we are helping to raise into a man. How he will turn out. If we have given him all the advice and life lessons he needs to go out into the world and make something of himself. So here's my advice, Son. Here's some things I hope you remember.

1.) Remember that snake is more scared of you than you are of him.

2.) Cherish the moments you have with your father. One day the Old Man won't be here anymore.

3.) One day your first love will break your heart. You will think you can't go on but remember the greatest love you will ever know is the love you give others.

4.) Always give your Momma a kiss and a hug. You will never know how much she loves and adores her boys. She will need this because she will miss her little boy and the love he gave her.

5.) Stand by your word. A man's word is all he's got sometimes.

6.) If you only learn one thing from your Daddy learn to work hard. Work hard for your family. Work hard for the things you want in life.

7.) Take care of your sister. Always treat her with respect. Even though she can probably take care of herself, when she comes crying to you about a boy, be her shoulder to cry on. Tell her she's the greatest and that guy's the biggest Jerk on the face of this Earth.

8.) Don't steal. Don't do drugs. Do what's right. You carry your Father's name, your Grandfather's name, and his father before him. Make them proud, Boy, make em' proud.

A Letter To My Daughter

Daughter,

           When you came into my life I was scared. Scared of being a new mom. Scared of raising a child in this world. Teaching her all I could on how to live a good life. A life she can be proud of. So here's some advice from your mother. I hope one day you can look back on this and remember these words.

1.) Always stick to your feelings, to your gut. There was so many times in my life where I didn't speak up because I thought little girls shouldn't speak their minds. You are so expressive. Never let someone keep you silent. You have a voice.

2.) Be creative. Never have I seen a more creative mind than your own. Make up silly songs, write more stories, and create beautiful pieces of art. There is no limit to what you can create.

3.) Stay young for as long as possible. You don't have to be like the other girls. You don't have to dye that beautiful hair I love to run my fingers through. You don't have to hide that gorgeous face behind layers of makeup.

4.) Love is a beautiful thing. Even in small doses. You don't have to be so serious with a relationship until you are older. Love yourself instead of giving all of your time, effort, and love to a boy. If he truly loves you, he will encourage this love for yourself.

5.) Friends will come and go. Don't be too hard on yourself wondering what happened. Sometimes it's not meant to be explained. You are a wonderful person who will always have wonderful people surrounding you.

6.) Know that no matter what your family will always be here for you. Your brothers, your father, and your mother. You bring the laughter into our lives, the beauty. You show us how to be compassionate and how to love.

7.) Be you. Be your confident, creative, beautiful, lovable self. Everything else will fall into place.

An Open Letter To My Grieving Husband

Dear Husband,

I know no matter how old you get you will always miss your Dad. I see that longing in your eyes on more occasions than I can count when a song comes on that makes you miss him. When your kids do something you wish he could see. When you accomplish something in life that you hope he is proud of.

As your wife, it's painful to see you go through this hurt. I wish I could take that hurt away. When you tell me a story about your dad for the millionth time I smile and laugh because I know that's the way you heal. Who am I to darken that memory of a time you hold so dear by saying I have already heard that story?

When you think about the bond you have with your oldest son, I know it's bittersweet for you. When you see your youngest son, who has your father's name, I know it makes you proud and sad at the same time. Proud to call him by that name but sad to know his grandfather can't boast about it either. When you see your daughter, who has you wrapped around her finger, and get sad knowing that your Dad isn't here to get wrapped up in all of her sweetness too. I see the pain in your eyes when you think I'm not looking.

So I would like to tell you it's okay to grieve as long as you need to. It's okay to grieve a lifetime for him. To feel that hurt. To have that want to see him again. It's okay to talk about him as much as you want. Tell those stories of your dad a million times over. Tell them so his grandchildren will know him in some small way. So I can see why you are the man you are today because of that man.

On behalf of your dad I would like to say you are doing it right. You are a great family man who gives all he can and never asks for anything in return. You are teaching your children how to be good people. To be proud of their family name. You are someone to be proud of and I know he would be proud to stand next to you and say "That's my boy."

The Scent Of A Memory

 I have always been a sentimental person. I love seeing an old picture and remembering back on my past. Hearing a relatives laugh, for instance, can bring back so many laughable moments with them at holiday parties and family get togethers. A lot of things can trigger a memory but it's the scent that gets me the most. It's like an old friend has magically appeared to tell a story of another place and time. Every time I smell flowers I think of visiting my great grandmother in the nursing home or holding tight to a young James in his tux at prom. Walking through the baby aisle at the store filled with plastic bottles and baby lotion reminds me of the time I became a mother. The sweet smell of my newborn daughter was intoxicating and I would catch myself smelling her sweet smelling head more times than I could count.

My sweet Gracie Ann.

 This week I had an ache in my heart for my wonderful grandmother we lovingly refer to as "Mawmaw". The smell of bacon and cabbage cooking in my home brought it on. I thought to myself "LaShae, you do this a lot." So I started to think back on more things, more scents. James recently bought a new cologne that makes me think of the younger James that I dated. The smell of a cold crisp morning with a little hint of ice reminds me of all our adventures in Alaska. My new woodsy candle reminds me of our times in the Carolina Pines.

My sweet Mawmaw with her great grandchildren.

We sent a box of Korean goodies to my family in Alabama for Christmas. One of the goodies was a pack of fish sausages. I made sure to tell them all that this was the "scent of Korea". A scent we smell daily because of the Korean love for fish markets and laying out trash everywhere.  It's amazing to me that so many different scents have an impact on my life. From scents that bring up memories of the past to scents we live with everyday that one day will become a trigger to a memory.

I could go on and on about the scents of my life. How the smell of a perm and hairspray remind me of my Momma or walking into a home that smells of cigarettes reminds me of my Great Aunt Verline and family reunions. I know this all would bore you because you have no deep connection with it all. Yet, I would love to hear of your "scent" memories. I find it fascinating to hear other peoples stories. Are your memories triggered more by sight or sound? Or are you like this sentimental gal who bases her memories around smells?

My mother and her perfectly curled hair.