Bon Voyage, Stress!

Repeat after me…my kids are not the problem! Seriously, when it comes to travel, sometimes our expectations can suck the fun out of things and set us up for failure. But not anymore. Today, we’re sharing a mindset shift that’ll help you navigate traveling expectations with ease.

Recently, we took our crew of four kids (at the time ages 2 through 10), on a trip to Washington D.C. Highlights included a not-so-kid-friendly visit to the White House (learn from our mistakes), exploring museums, and spending quality time with our best friends, their 1-year-old triplets, and their 3-year-old daughter. There's something about bonding with another family similar to yours that nourishes the soul, you know? You feel seen and understood.

So, how did we successfully travel with eight little ones in tow? Lots of caffeine, laughing at ourselves and our public displays of chaos, and endless amounts of patience. Jokes aside…we attempted to put the following three tips into practice.

Plan realistically.

While in D.C., we had to be realistic about what we could accomplish each day. Our kids were able to tolerate one museum, tops, and we made sure to have a double stroller for tired legs, as well as lots of snacks on hand — we weren’t going to let being “hangry” hold us back! When planning, make sure to also factor in the pace your kids can comfortably walk and allow plenty of time for rest breaks, meals, and unexpected delays. For example, we made sure to leave time for a stop at a food truck and to snap fun pictures in front of the Lincoln Memorial. We tried being mindful (and flexible) and followed the kids' lead, instead of feeling pressured to see and do everything.

Allow for downtime.

Recognize the importance of downtime for both you and your kids. This might mean you need to actually schedule breaks in your plans to relax and recharge, whether it's lounging by the pool, taking a family walk to a playground, or simply enjoying some quiet time in your hotel room. One of our favorite downtime activities while traveling involves laying towels over our hotel room beds to create a cozy picnic. We order food from nearby take-out spots, allowing the kids to pick from up to two places to ensure everyone feels cared for. The kids love eating in bed as we share stories from the day or talk about the adventures we have planned for the next day. It’s a mostly stress-free experience for everyone!

Celebrate small victories.

Here’s where practicing mindfulness proves invaluable again. Travel is often fast-paced as we try to squeeze everything into a limited time frame, so it’s important to celebrate the small victories and memorable moments along the way. Did you successfully navigate public transportation? Did someone courageously try a new food? Were you able to anticipate and navigate a meltdown? We remember celebrating seeking support during our travels. We asked for recommendations for kid-friendly lunch spots, asked strangers to take our pictures so mom could be in the memories, and found a sympathetic ear in our friends to help reduce stress. We celebrated reaching out for help as a sign of strength that made traveling with kids a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

While traveling, take a pause to express gratitude and reflect on the unique experiences you’ve created. These are the moments that will make your travel truly meaningful!

And, if all else fails, and you find that reality still isn’t aligning with your expectations, remember and repeat this mantra: "While traveling, I choose to find moments of joy and connection with my children instead of clinging to expectations."