Preparing for your trip:

• It is important that your children are prepared for your trip physically and mentally. Make sure children know the vacation itinerary, how they are getting there, how to behave in the airport,  plane, train or bus terminal, or car and an emergency plan in case they get separated from you in transit.
• Get them excited for this adventure by enthusiastically introducing them to your vacation spot and method of traveling through photos, books, bedtime stories, and maps. Physically prepare them by stopping by the pediatrician for a check-up and verification that all vaccines are current before departing. If you are anxious about traveling with your child, talk to your pediatrician about your concerns.
• If your family is flying, be sure to read up on your airline and airport prior to departure. Some airlines, such as JetBlue, offer pre-boarding for families with small children, making settling in for your trip easier. Familiarize yourself with the airport and TSA guidelines while packing in order to avoid any confusion, frustration, or delays in your trip. Look into creative luggage options for kids such as the “trunki,” a carry-on sized suitcase that your child can sit on and be wheeled through the airport (great for tired or cranky children!).

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile this summer, stay safe & have fun!

The Day of:

• With your introduction to the travel itinerary, emergency plan, and exciting adventures that await, your child should be eager for your vacation.
• If your flight or train or bus is early, pack breakfast—this will allow them to wake up later, and give them something to do while waiting to leave.
• On that note, make sure to wake children (and adults) up early enough to get dressed and out the door. Don’t cut it close—arrive at the airport or terminal at the recommended time or earlier to ensure you have plenty of time to make it through security with your rugrats as well as leisurely make it to the gate with all of your cargo.
• Dress yourself and your children in comfy clothes, and most importantly, shoes!

Bottom Line:
Travel doesn’t have to be frustrating! Prepare in advance, get excited, and just relax. Even if you have a long day of travel, just remember all of the relaxing days of vacation ahead! Bon voyage!

The girls just turned 3 months & it’s time for their first road trip to mommy’s home state…good ole Ohio.

My sis & I tag team getting the twins ready for their long ride; feeding (with an extra ounce of milk for the ride), changing, getting dressed, packing & most importantly coffee for us!

At 7:30am Daddy kisses his girls goodbye & then off we go. My sis whips out her McDonalds coupons, of course I concur. I then assume  the position that I like to call “baby 10 & 2″ in the back seat with their chins in my hands (you can never be to careful with braking).

Amelia in the “10 & 2″ position

Amelia is up & Ava is sleeping as we head down route 3 away from the rush hour traffic.

At 9am both babies are asleep as the white Nissan passes through the “Welcome to Pennsylvania” sign. Maybe we should have put the ‘baby on board sign’ in the window…do drivers really yield to that?

It’s 11am-next feeding time! It’s 85 degrees already at the lovely rest stop.

My sis realizes this trip would not be possible without me. How the heck would a mom with infant twins go to the bathroom?

Feeding time!

Off we go west on route 80 towards Cleveland listening to country tunes.

The babies are so good. They love the movement of the car. For some lil’ ones it may make them sick, but not these troopers. They are happy as can be.

It’s 1:30pm. Welcome to Ohio! I sing “Hang on Sloopy” followed by “O-H-I-O” to the babies. I swear they both smiled.

Nice to be home!

Ahhh… feels so great to be home.