Summer is Here = Family Trips!

Hi All! 

I've been juggling the new reality of my life w/THREE kids- 1 being a newborn and have now been thrown the added variable of SUMMER VACATION into the mix...

Can I say doozie? 

It's all good, and it's all what I want but I KNOW I need to plan some fun Summer Trips for us all so we don't go batty at home.

And luckily Kendra Thorton emailed me to ask if she could guest post on Healthy Travel Tips for Families this Summer. Kendra is 37 and a mother of 3. Before being promoted to the full time position of mommy, she was the former Orbitz director of communications where she was able to travel all around the world.

Perfect Timing! Thanks Kendra! So below are her suggestions on making the most of your family trips with your lil' ones. Enjoy! 

5 Healthy Travel Tips for Families this Summer!

While a vacation is a time to put away the daily planner, take a break from organizing everyone's life but your own, and head down to the pool with a lemonade and a thick book, a little bit of planning can go long way in keeping your family healthy and happy on the road. There's nothing worse than being stuck in the minivan or SUV while the kids are all hopped up on sugar except for still being there when they are crashing and cranky. Here are five tips that can help you prepare for the road.

1. Hotel Selection

See what hotels in your area offer family friendly rooms with enforced quiet hours. It may cost a little more in the end, but it will be worth it when the kids aren't complaining they're tired and causing a scene at the amusement park or beach. Most Orlando hotels in Walt Disney World offer quiet hours to ensure your family a great night sleep! The last thing you want is the kids sleeping through the day and then staying up all night when they should be in bed. Guaranteed peace and quiet at night time can go a long way for the entire family.

Rewards

Reward the kids with small treats here and there, a small serving of pudding, some trail mix, or a few small cookies can keep them happy and give them a little sugar boost to get them through a long day. These small but yummy treats can keep the kids from screaming to pull over at every ice cream stand and giant candy shop you'll pass on the road. Consider this tactic especially if your kids are old enough to read enticing billboards and brochures, as you will encounter many along your journey.

Meals Before Moving On

Whether you're driving or flying, it's often wise to give your kids a light meal or filling snack as this will help prevent motion sickness. Foods that are easily digested and offer complex carbohydrates are ideal. Stay away from fatty foods. Even if you have to make a stop to grab something quick, you should still make healthy decisions when getting fast food!

Stocking the Hotel Fridge

Be sure to stock up the hotel fridge with water, juice, and healthy snacks. If the room doesn't have a fridge, bottled water can easily be put on ice and there are plenty of dry snacks to hold the kids over. Think healthy trail mixes, nuts, fruit, and crackers with peanut butter (natural style, if they'll go for it).

Snackle Box

Before the trip, take a tackle box and let the kids fill the little compartments with snacks. Give them a few of their favorite treat options, like cookies and little candies to keep them happy, but focus on loading up the rest of the compartments with healthy treats!

Kendra Thorton...Now if only I could look this put together on my family trips ;-) ;-)

These tips can help you plan ahead before the vacation so you'll have less planning to do once the real vacation begins. Although a mom's work is truly never done, you can sometimes get away with doing the work ahead of time. Now kick back and relax, there's a lounge chair with your name on itj! 

Where are YOU planning to go this Summer? Would love to know!! Also- do you have any tips to share for the rest of us that work? THANKS!