We're taking a vacation with the kids...
First, let’s open this post with a little prayer. Lord, grant me the patience to handle my toddler’s meltdowns when I won’t let her eat the moldy pretzel off the airport floor. God grant me the wisdom to know better when my 8-year old tries to goad me into an argument when I won’t let him cross the street while embroiled in a Plants vs Zombies match on someone’s cell phone. Help me to see all the tiny things my husband does to help me not lose my sh*t when things don’t go as “planned.”
When I found out my dad was getting sicker, I knew we needed to make more trips up to NH to spend as much time with him as possible. Those who know me know I DO NOT like the cold. In fact, Joe and I promised ourselves we would never go back up in the winter after that fateful first trip where we swore we were going to freeze to death. Don’t get me wrong. Snow and seasons and all that is wonderful. When you can defrost every once in a while. But I digress.
Back when we lived in Northern Virginia, we would make a trek up every year in August. Before school started and right when the weather was just about perfect (for us). With the end of summer approaching, it just felt right to head up there again…this time with another kid in tow. And since I’m deep in the throes of packing and planning and praying, I figured I’d share some of the tips that have gotten us through the last few travels (and I’m hoping work this time too).
Traveling solo with Nova when she was 8-months old.
First, the PLAN is essential. We always consider Nova’s schedule when booking our travel - especially when flying. Toddlers are not known for their ability to sit for long periods of time (or even five minutes). So we look for direct flights right during nap time. Sometimes these are more expensive, but it’s so worth it. We will get up pretty early and head to the airport, so she has plenty of time to run around, explore, eat, etc… With any luck, by the time we board the plane, she will be so ready for sleep, she’ll be out before take off. This has worked out well for both times she’s flown - once when it was just me and her when she was about eight months old (she was on my lap for that one) and once with all of us back in January (she had her own seat with the car seat). We will be taking her in the car seat again since she does well with it and can nap perfectly - even though it’s a dreadful heavy thing (if you have a lightweight travel one, god bless you).
10-month old Nova traveling to NH.
In the event she is awake on the plane, I’ve collected a few things to keep her busy. First, the iPad. I’ve preloaded it with some age-appropriate apps and these nursery rhyme videos she likes. And I snagged these bluetooth headphones for her since the ones we used for Nash seemed to have stopped working. These are nice because they are both wired and wireless, and they have a volume limiter, so there’s no chance she’ll crank up the volume and blow out her eardrums. Beyond the tech stuff, I’m bringing some pipe cleaners, pom poms and a small jar (she’ll love putting them in and dumping them out, over and over), small 3D foam stickers, a travel coloring set, and a small toy with buckles (not sure if that will entertain her or piss her off…guess we’ll find out). I’m also bringing the essentials: diapers, snacks, wipes/hand wipes, and extra clothes. Although I’m not sure I’ll need them, I’m also packing her earplugs, which I bought for her original flight when she was a baby. These are great for takeoff and landing to help prevent that whole clogged ear thing. Now that she’s older, she may just end up taking them out if I try to use them, but you never know. And nontoxic hand sanitizer is a must…we like this one.
Toddler travel essentials.
Now, let’s talk what we’re bringing in our checked luggage. This is always an awkward dance between being prepared and not having to lug your whole house through the terminal. We’re staying at an Airbnb and plan to hit up the grocery store once we’re there, so we’re only bringing minimal snacks, diapers, etc… But our big issue is the weather. We’re Floridians, so we’re not impressed withe 80-degree highs, but we’re petrified of 50-degree lows. And since it’s such a swing, I feel like I’m going to over pack for all of us. Plus, a trip up north always gets me pulling out the flannels and wishing it were the holidays already. PSL anyone?
Generally, I pack enough clothes for each day, plus two extra for the kids. Add in a light sweater or long sleeve shirt and one nice top for dinners out. Everyone gets their own little toiletries bag, and Nash will get to pack his own backpack with whatever toys, lovies, etc. he wants. I usually do shoes last, so I know I have ones that go with the outfits I’ve chosen, but I really try hard to bring only a few pair to keep everything as minimal as possible.
Another favorite essential is disposable placements. They come with little strips on the back to affix them to the tables at restaurants (or at the Airbnb even) and fold right around any remaining food for the easiest cleanup. You can get them at Target or the dollar store even…super handy.
Disposable placemats come in handy when dining out. This is us at Benihana.
The other big things for us include: portable white noise machine and Hatch baby for music, blankets/lovies for both kids, comfortable shoes for berry picking and farm adventures, vitamins and elderberry chews to prevent the sickies, and the good camera, of course. I love this lavender balm for easing into bed time. Can’t forget the chargers! Speaking of forgetting things, does anyone else’s husband always pack at the absolute last minute? And most of the time, he forgets something. And if I’m the one who forgets something, I am subject to a barrage of “see, you should’ve packed last minute” comments. Madness, I tell you.
