Travel

I didn’t have a Passport until I was 19 years old. To say my children’s traveling adventures will be different from mine is a bit of an understatement. But, we’re living in Germany and we are going to make the most of it and that means visiting and exploring countries I never imagined I’d see as an adult, let alone as a child. My kids are definitely too young to truly appreciate all they’re experiencing, but that won’t stop us from packing up and hitting Europe. Bruges, Belgium Our first overnight adventure outside of Germany was to Bruges, Belgium. My husband and I visited Bruges about seven years ago when we lived in Germany before, but this was our first time with kids.

A lot of people think we are crazy because we travel with an infant. I think it has been something that sort of defines us. During our first cross country trip in 2010, Mila was only 5 months old when we left. In a couple of weeks, we will be heading out again with a 3 1/2 month old baby Luka. The first time around, Mila was not old enough to walk or sit in a compact, collapsible stroller, we had to find a carrier that was comfortable for both the parent and the baby as well as being extremely mobile. After looking and trying at a lot of options, we decided that the Ergobaby carrier was the best solution. [caption id="attachment_2805" align="aligncenter" width="500"]

Here are what long flights and car rides used to mean: Quiet time. Daydreaming time. I’d make sure I had a good playlist on my iPod, a water bottle, gum. And then I had a baby. Here are what long flights and car rides mean now: A vaudeville show. Step right up, babies and gents, we’ve got jugglers and funny face-makers, song singers and snack givers, a strong man who can hold a baby in one arm and walk up and down the aisle not one, not two, but 15 times for your amusement. A fortune-teller who knows exactly what happens at the end of Where’s Spot? For a 2-year-old and her parents, it’s laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and “Are we there yet?” takes on a whole new urgency. Sadie’s first road trip happened when she was two weeks old (a four-hour drive for a family beach vacation). She first went on a plane at 6 weeks. And both times, I steeled my nerves for whatever was to come. Have baby, will travel, onward and upward. Or something. Except… there was remarkably

When some friends came to town over the weekend, we were excited to learn that they wanted to head to the zoo. It’s one of my family’s favorite places because there seems to be an attraction for everyone. Whether it’s the monkey habitat, the dolphin show, or the thrilling new bug invasion, there’s always something exciting to see. But finding our way to all those exhibits includes a whole heap of walking – enough to tire out any little munchkin. In planning out our trip, I already knew I wanted to bring our double stroller along with our Ergoaby carrier so we could carry the baby when necessary and still give each of our little boys a place to sit when they got tired. The baby is always happier being nearest to us and wearing her makes it easy to keep track of her in the crowded exhibits. But the morning of the zoo trip, I ended up in the local emergency room with a sprained foot. Unfortunately for everyone, I

I'm not the kind of Mom who's content to stay home all day; which could kind of be a problem for someone whose primary job title is stay-at-home-mom. Instead of hanging around the house, my kids and I venture into the outdoors quite a bit. One of our favorite activities is hiking; it's accessible, affordable and just plain awesome. I have 3 kids ranging in ages from 0-5. We rarely make it more than a mile or two down the trail, but then again distance isn’t really my primary objective these days. I'm more interested in being outside. I welcome the distractions my kids stumble upon: a rock to climb, a bug to catch, birds to watch, ant hill to observe, a stick that looks like a chainsaw, monsters that need to be taken care of… The goal is just being outside. In order to make getting three kids out of the house and onto the trail as quick and easy as possible I keep my backpack stocked at all times. Here's a list of items I'd recommend keeping in your pack for a potential outing

See the mom in this photo? She’s been a mom for exactly one year. You see a happy smile, bright eyes, and a one-year old in a baby carrier. She is me. I am the mother in this photo. But… there is so much more you don’t see. Let me show you. Like most mothers, I dreamed only of snuggling my baby close to me when he arrived – that mysterious child who rode underneath my heart for nine months – I wanted him to hear my heartbeat as long as possible. However, struggles with breastfeeding, as well as severe scoliosis (curvature of the spine), made this impossible. Tears, as I tried to hold my baby close, only to recoil in pain caused by months of struggles with breastfeeding. Discouragement, as I tossed aside yet another carrier style because within minutes my back and shoulders were in searing pain. You see, most carriers I tried (I even made one myself), either put the baby’s weight on my shoulders, or asymmetrically across my body. Since my spine is curved badly, one shoulder

“Jet with Kids is an easy to read and highly informative guide to traveling by air with children. Ms. Clowers is an RN who has logged hundreds of thousands of miles on airplanes around the world, has moved through airports large and small, and has asked all the right questions wherever she has gone. Now the mother of a young child, Ms. Clowers has reviewed every aspect of flying with children and consolidated her best advice in this book. She demystifies the numerous rules and regulations surrounding travel in our post 9/11 era; provides practical advice for navigating the terrain of airports and airplanes that essentially are not child friendly territory; covers topics as far afield as how to breast feed on a plane and what documentation you need to take a grandchild with you to a foreign country; a section I have just benefited from. The book reflects Anya's love of and comfort with flying and her desire to help others share this. She brings her wisdom as well as lots of great, practical

Flying with children, especially those under 5, can be a truly trying experience. In fact, I get tired and stressed even thinking about it. But it is a necessity for most families, and a bit of organization can minimize the chaos, rendering the experience more enjoyable for everyone. The most important preparation for flying with children is PACKING. Organized carry-on luggage, with the right items in the right places and minimal extras, can make almost any flight manageable. First, be sure your carry-on luggage is comfortable, and meets the airline’s size requirements. Generally, carry-on bags need to fit under an airline seat or in the overhead bin. According to Travel Insider, a website specializing in travel planning and assistance (www.thetravelinsider.com), “The safe maximum size is 45," in the form of a 22" x 14" x 9" bag.  Some airlines allow up to as much as 55," but most do not.” Suitcases with wheels, messenger bags, and other shoulder bags with dividers and pockets