What's Your Travel Style?

2011-07-12T16:11:09Z

Take this fun quiz to see what your travel style is!

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When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Working Mom.

2011-06-22T12:00:00Z

Now that I'm a grown up, I'm much more proud of my working mom status, I just had to share this photo...

]]> On the last day of October of 1989, I stood in my third grade classroom, embarrassed and annoyed that I wasn't dressed like the rest of my classmates. The hardest-working working-mother I know, my own mom, was always a fan of the homemade Halloween costume. Instead of letting me dress as a punk rocker or a witch, she had dressed me up as a "working mother," that year, complete with a baby in a sling and a frying pan full of bacon (get it?? I was 'bringing home the bacon'). The parents got a huge kick out of my costume at the Halloween parade that afternoon, but as a nine year old, being a "working mother" just wasn't cool.

The Paranoid Traveler

2011-06-01T15:02:40Z

My friends tease me but when I travel, I have a very specific routine that I go through each time that I enter my hotel room. I peek in the closet, peer behind the shower curtain, check under the bed and look behind the curtains. No, I'm not looking to make sure that the room is clean. That's not my first priority. I'm checking to make sure that I'm the only one in my room.

I know, it sounds crazy. However, this is my routine and it makes me feel safe. Of course, I also deadbolt the door too - but not until I'm sure that I won't have to make a speedy retreat.

]]> I recently stayed in New York City and even though my room was tiny (as most city rooms are), I still started my stay with this routine. And, damn good thing that I did. As I started to lean down to look under the bed, a man sat up on the other side of the floor. If I had not been preparing myself to possibly see someone, I can honestly tell you that I would have had a small heart-attack at the appearance of a stranger in my room.

We take our safety for granted. What do you do to help guard yourself when you're traveling? We have a lot of great travel safety tips on the website and many women have shared their thoughts on how to stay safe while on the road. Check them out and let me know what we're missing.

In my experience, the man behind the bed was simply a hotel maintenance person who was fixing something. But I believe that if it was a different situation, I would have been prepared to deal with it.

Would you?

Traveling with Extra Baggage - Chronic Conditions or Illness

2011-05-04T12:00:00Z

Guest Blog by Diana Ramsey

Traveling is exciting, awe-inspiring, rejuvenating and soul expanding. It can also be demanding, tiring, confusing and sometimes a bit difficult. Even under the best circumstances, some of our best vacations need a vacation afterwards to recuperate from the busyness, change of climate, food and times zones. We all look forward to our get-aways with great anticipation and we want to find the perfect vacation spot where we can relax, play and explore to our heart's content. For most folks, a vacation is highly anticipated and the results are just what they had planned - a wonderful time away. Unfortunately, for some folks, vacation can be just another opportunity to feel exhausted, sick and out of sorts. People who live with chronic illness or pain like to have fun, too, and having the perfect vacation is a special challenge for those folks.

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You might be traveling with someone with special needs or you may be traveling alone with your challenges. Do not be shy about asking for assistance at airports. Don't waste your energy walking two miles to your gate - forget your pride and take the little cart or use a wheelchair. That's what they are there for. Also, get on the airplane early when they call for those who need assistance. It will make getting to your seat a bit less stressful. Also, you can be sure to put your bags in a place that works for you instead of having bags stuck in the last row of the plane when you're in row fifteen! Let the place that you're staying know if you have any special needs before you arrive. I like to be near the elevator and my parking place so I don't waste energy walking back and forth to my room. You get the picture - it's your vacation - let yourself be pampered and save your energy for fun!

Living with a serious illness or chronic condition is a game changer so don't expect that just because you are on vacation you will be healthier, stronger or have more stamina. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and push yourself past the point of what you can endure and then you'll wind up spending part of your time away recuperating from your too full itinerary instead of having fun. Stay smart with every choice. Pick one or two displays in a museum instead of doing the entire floor or the whole thing. Visit and shop in just three shops instead of every shop on the street. Eat dinner early and head back to the room for a good movie and a rest instead of starting dinner at eight. Every choice we make on our vacation carries weight. Prioritize the things you want to do so you are sure to spend your time the way you really want to. It's easy to let time slip away and then find you don't have the stamina to do the one thing that was really important to you. Just because I'm not feeling my best it doesn't mean I can't have the best of times. I've done it and I'll do it again. Each trip teaches me another lesson and I'm learning to be a better traveler as I bring along the extra baggage of health issues.

Flipping the Switch for Earth Hour

2011-03-26T00:42:46Z

As a mom to two young boys, I am always looking for fun ways to educate them on the importance of saving the environment as well as being "green". That is why I am excited to share Earth Hour with each of you! Earth Hour is a time when people around the world join together in turning out our lights to take stand for the planet and promote energy conservation.

]]> One of the biggest grassroots movements in history, Earth Hour has grown from a local event in Australia, to a global initiative with millions of supporters in over 128 countries.

You can easily celebrate Earth Hour at home, with your family, creating a fun night that also educates on an important issue.

Start by asking the kids to help replace the regular incandescent bulbs with new energy efficient Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs - you know, the squiggly ones. Did you know that just by using CFL bulbs rather than the regular ones, you are using 75% less energy?! Talk about major savings on those electric bills!

After each bulb has been replaced, give everyone a flashlight and make a game of finding all the lights in the house to turn off - you may be amazed at how much fun the kids have doing it!

Then, bring the family together in one room, light some candles and play a game, read a story, or maybe have a "camp out" in the living room.

By the time the hour's up, you may have had some fun family time the kids will remember and have your kids turning off their lights more often because it was so much fun that one night.

For more information, please visit WyndhamGreen.com.

Earth Hour takes place on Saturday, March 26, from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. local time. Please join us in "flipping the switch."

A weekend in Florida: And the 5 travel tips I learned during that trip.

2011-03-23T12:00:00Z

We just got back from a weekend long family trip to Vero Beach and even though I've taken many weekend getaways with my kids, our travels to the "sunny state" taught me a few valuable lessons and Florida travel tips I thought I'd share ...

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1. The little things matter. My 3 year old was totally entertained on the flight by JetBlue's personal (free) TV and the offered (also free) snacks. He was also "wowed" by the flight attendant's ability to balance so many drinks on top of one another. We were able to keep both kids entertained throughout the flight thanks to those little touches. Thank you, JetBlue!

2. The double-stroller is ALWAYS going with us when we travel. My husband was less than thrilled with me when I would not give it up for this weekend but thrilled once he realized what a life-saver it was throughout the trip. I have the double-BOB so it's huge and not the easiest to fold down but it is absolutely a lifesaver. We travel with both kids and that means two car seats, their carry-on bags and our stuff. It's a lot (which we heard numerous times as we rolled through the airport). Having those two safe - belted in and not going ANYWHERE - is invaluable to me. And, it easily goes through security in a separate area (where it does not need to be folded down).

I also love having it with me when we travel so that we can explore the town we're in. Little legs tire quickly so being able to have them ride in the stroller means that we can check out more of our surroundings.

3. Need a great Florida travel tip? Disney Vero Beach Resort is the perfect place for birthday celebrations (and got this Momma out of having to do a huge party at home!). Both boys have birthdays coming up so we let the staff at the resort know. And let me tell you, they were absolutely blown away by the celebrating that went on! Birthday pins, personalized photo cards from Goofy, a voice message from Mickey and Minnie singing to them and a room full of diners belting out "Happy birthday" made this an overnight trip that my kids will not forget. The little man is still talking about the Mickey sprinkles that were on the cake.

4. Here's another of the many Florida travel tips I should pass on: Do not ever touch anything on the beach if you are unsure of what it is. My guy and I went for a walk on the beach and saw that it was covered by these beautiful balloon-looking things that went from a royal blue color on the top to a clear bottom. We checked them out but didn't touch them out of fear that they could be jellyfish. Fast forward a few days later when on my Facebook wall I saw that a friend's daughter was stung by a man-o-war jellyfish while traveling in Florida while on their family vacation. Their Florida getaway quickly turned sour with a scary trip to the ER. (Thankfully, everyone is okay now!)

5. Flying with kids is hard enought, but babies with air sickness are just miserable - and messy! The flight home was pretty bumpy and both kids were rather green when we landed. Unfortunately, my babe couldn't get past it until he started projectile vomiting (luckily, after we were back in the terminal). He was freaked out by the bag that I tried to hold up to his face so his beloved snuggle blanket became our catch all. Gross. Next time we fly - whether it's to Florida or somewhere else, we'll follow these easy steps to prevent air sickness:

a) Sitting near the front of the airplane or beside a wing to lesson movement
b) Giving the boys dissolvable Ginger tablets before and during the flight
c) Acupressure - Applying pressure to the inside of their wrists (about two fingers from the bottom of the hand)

Our Florida holiday was not the smoothest that we've taken but as with all of our trips, I wouldn't trade the time with my family, or the lessons learned, for anything.

Safe travels to Florida and beyond!

Masters of Multitasking

2011-02-23T13:00:00Z

Check out my latest interview with M.O.M. (Masters of Multitasking) about balancing life, being a mom and adding travel into the mix!

Welcome to 2011

2011-01-13T13:00:00Z

This time of year is always wrought with changes - for me that looks like snowy Northeastern weather, new challenges at work, the required list of "resolutions" and a real, hard look at my life. Who I am, what I want my life to be and what I am willing to do to make it what I think it should be. For me, 2011 is all about choosing happiness. For me, that means letting go of things that don't matter (hard for this very stubborn gal), being "softer" with myself (letting go of those unrealistic expectations of perfection) and being kinder, gentler and more patient with those around me.

]]> Last year, during the WE Do Good Awards event, I had the honor of meeting a woman who not only stopped to take an inventory of her life but took things a drastic step forward and changed everything about it, from giving up her home to committing to living a very different way of life. She's inspiring, she's amazing, she's modest and, she's a *true* Woman on Her Way.

I believe that everyone that comes into our lives does so for a reason. Charyn is making a difference for countless lives around the world because she believes in the power that one person has to make change happen. I'm so thankful that I met her - so that you can get to know her too. She's just joined us as a WOTW blogger for Jane Air Crew ... so to you, I introduce Charyn...

Click Here to read Charyn's blog!

The Flight Before Christmas (2010)

2010-12-22T13:00:00Z

Thank you to all of our "Women on Their Way" for a great year! I thought that this poem from Local Nation winner, Kathy Ameche, would be a great way to wrap up 2010. Safe travels to everyone this holiday season.

]]> Twas the flight before Christmas and all through the hub
Woman Road Warriors with laptops had gone to the club.
The shoes and the purses were stacked in the bins.
Experienced flyers stripped down to their skins.

The passengers were crowded all snug in their seats
with visions of coffee, maybe Starbucks of Peet's.
And my seatmate with ear buds and I in my wrap,
had just settled our brains for an all-flight long nap.

The lights dimmed and all power came to a stop.
The hubbub had ceased, you could hear a pin drop.
The luggage was heaped and sat dead on the belt.
Long faces, short tempers, you could see how they felt.

Emergency lighting reflected the glare
of ice on the wings of planes going nowhere.
The crowds were on edge, gate attendants on guard,
this was not their idea of a quaint Christmas card.

We'll be trapped at this airport and miss our connection,
no Christmas surprises, no Kwanzaa confection.
When out of the runway there arose such a clatter,
I leaned to the window to see what-now was the matter?

And what to my wondering eyes should appear
but a turbo-charged sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
The driver was short with a round little belly;
he was just like the Santa you see on the telly.

He stroked his beard twice and his eyes caught the light.
I knew in my heart things would soon be all right.
Santa scoped out the problem and said not a word
and that's when the miracle began to occur.

The reindeer that recently had been to-ers and fro-ers
transformed themselves into super snow-blowers.
On Dasher, on Prancer, on Dancer and Vixen
then Donner and Blitzen decided to mix in.

Comet and Cupid both made the snow fly.
By the time it was settled the runway was dry.
The force of their effort created such heat
that the ice from the wings melted off at their feet.

Snow and ice was dispatched with a speed that was frightening
and the power restored in a flash much like lightning.
The TSA staffers had burst into song.
Those security lines were now whizzing along!

The air was alive with holiday cheer
on account of the man with his first class reindeer.
Ah Santa, I thought, I knew you could do it.
Once again, you've provided true Christmas spirit.

And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good flight!

May the Holiday Spirit Give You Wings
and Compassion for your Fellow Travelers.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Special thanks to airport reporter Deborah Harter Williams

National Opt Out Day

2010-11-23T13:00:00Z

My son's Godmother, and a very dear family friend, is traveling tomorrow to Florida with her husband and two little ones, ages 3 and 1. Unfortunately for her, tomorrow is not only the biggest travel day of the year, it's also National Opt Out Day at airports all across the United States. Travelers are taking a stand on National Opt Out Day against the body scanner machines and will "voluntarily" have an "enhanced pat down" instead, creating awareness as well as delays.

]]> I've recently had numerous conversations about National Opt Out Day and these new airport security measures and though I always have a tinge of fear when I fly, I have strong opinions of what I would put up with to have that additional peace of mind. The viral video of a child being "strip searched" makes my blood boil. The story of a cancer survivor being forced to remove her prosthetic breast makes me want to weep. I've read that the body scanners may not actually work, that they could potentially cause skin cancer or fertility issues. And what of newly pregnant women? What are the health risks for those women and the children that they are carrying?

My son has had many x-rays because of a birth defect. I will not allow for him to have unnecessary radiation - particularly when airport travel is involved. I can also tell you that I would not, under any circumstances, allow for a stranger to touch either of my boys in any way, let alone for an "enhanced pat down". It's simply not happening.

Beyond National Opt Out Day,I think that we need to take a look at the airport screening measures that have been put in place and how airport security problems can best be handled. Pay TSA employees more than minimum wage. Train them to use the tools that they have that were not being used effectively or consistently. Get someone out to Ben Gurion International Airport, considered not only one of the Middle East's best airport but also one of the world's most secure airports, and ask them what the hell they're doing to make the airport earn those titles. You don't see their travelers organizing a Natioonal Opt Out Day.

I will tell you, as an individual, I would go through the body scanner, simply because I wouldn't want to do the pat down. When I purchase that ticket, I am agreeing to the procedures that the airline has in place. I understand that and I respect that. When I click on those terms, I am committing that I am going to go through the airport security process.

As for my children, they will not be flying until these measures are removed. I've got a comfy mini-van and if road trips are going to be our means of travel as a family, so be it. At least we'll get to see more of the "Land of the Free" while we can.

Halloween Festivals

2010-10-13T12:04:49Z

The boys have had their Halloween costumes on twice and already, I may need to replace my big kid's Batman with the muscles (which he originally thought were lady-parts) due to wear and tear. We've done the obligatory hayride, drank apple cider and inhaled those yummy donuts. We've carved a pumpkin and gone to our town's Fall Festivals. We've read "What is Halloween" ever night for the past two or three weeks. Halloween has become so much more than one night of trick or treating ... at least in my house.

Here are some other great celebrations around the US to check out. Have more to add? Join the conversation on our facebook page and let us know the hottest spots for Halloween fun.

]]> New York's Village Halloween Parade - New York, NY
Dates: October 31, 2010
Join "the nation's largest public Halloween celebration" in New York City this Halloween, and you'll be witness to an enormous and elaborate nighttime parade. This parade has been marchin

g though Greenwich village, in costume, for over 35 years! It was originally started by a puppeteer and costume-maker, and is now New York City's largest Halloween parade. Anyone in costume can march in the parade-- visit their website for details!

Where to stay if you go:
Wyndham Garden Manhattan Chelsea West - Check out this hotel for a fun and funky Halloween stay.
Wingate by Wyndham Manhattan Midtown - Enjoy being in the middle of it all when you stay at this perfectly-located Wingate.
Ramada Plaza New Yorker Hotel - This classic hotel is a perfect post-thrill spot!

Halloween at the Queen Mary - Long Beach, CA
Dates: Oct. 2010 (weekends)
This legendary haunted shipwreck is transformed every October into a huge Halloween bash. Chilling mazes line the boat, while a Vampire Village, complete with a haunted graveyard, inhabits the rest of the ship. Not to fear-- the whole ordeal ends in a giant dance party in the Queen Mary dome. But if you're with kiddies beware! This ship is so spooky they'll be crying for their mummy by the end of the night.

Where to stay if you go:
Long Beach Travelodge - This hotel is perfect for enjoying the California sun, despite all the frights after dark.
Wyndham Orange County - Get spooked in style at this fantastic Wyndham!

Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade - Atlanta, GA
Dates: Oct. 5-16, 2010
This culturally alternative business district throws one hell of a Halloween parade! Visit the freaky festival to see the strangest and most bizarre costumes this Halloween. And don't miss the vendors, kids activities, and eclectic entertainers for a different type of celebration.

Where to stay if you go:
Wyndham Garden Atlanta Downtown - This hotel offers southern hospitality mixed with chic style.
Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center - This is the perfect place to relax and unwind!
Baymont Inns and Suites Atlanta Downtown - Experience comfort in the heart of Atlanta!

The World's Largest Halloween Party - Louisville, KY
Dates: Oct. 8-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-30, 2010
Families: Don't miss this Louisville Zoo Halloween party, created especially for the little boys and ghouls who aren't looking for anything spooky. They'll get to trick, treat, and traverse the zoo and aquarium. Sometimes, even the animals come out to party. Check the website for special dates when sponsors may visit the zoo to host exhibits. Make sure to dress up like your favorite animal for this one!

Where to stay if you go:
Ramada Louisville Downtown North - Bring the kids to this clean and classic Ramada!
Howard Johnson Express Inn - Enjoy the hospitality at this award-winning Howard Johnson.

A Change of Pace - Or is it?

2010-09-29T17:42:05Z

I met up with my family two days after they had started our family vacation and we all returned home three days earlier than planned. I was more stressed out then I was before we left. My days were filled with sandcastles, bike rides and email - trying to balance checking my BlackBerry with making the most of every "free" moment with my two boys.

Add in some frustration due to not being able to find a strong wireless signal in the house and you come up with a much frazzled working Mommy.

]]> Being a working Mom is not an easy task. Afraid to miss anything from work while I was away, I constantly had that underlying level of angst that made me compulsively check my email. Even more interesting, I was also afraid to miss anything in my virtual world, and found myself just "peeking" at the newsfeed on my Facebook account multiple times a day.

Sadly, it's not just me feeling the pressure of having a "home-life", a "work-life" and now, a "virtual-life". Women on Their Way recently released the results of their survey on social media and how we, as women, use it during our daily lives. I was shocked to read that not only are over 50% of women going online to social networking sites during their vacations but 50% of those women are using their smart-phones to do so.

No wonder my son thinks that I'm working ALL THE TIME. He is too young to understand that I can be using my BlackBerry for "fun" stuff and regardless .... What a bad habit to have!

The whole point of taking a vacation in the first place is to disconnect from the madness of everyday life and to reconnect with our loved ones. I wasted our two week vacation on stress, email and status updates. Instead of enjoying the sunrise with my sweet little one (he wanted to make the most of the time at the beach and woke up BEFORE the sun on a daily basis), I was busy taking a picture of it ... which I would then promptly post to my "wall".

How did I allow myself to be an outsider on my own vacation?

The last day of our trip, we headed to the water park so that we'd be able to have one last dose of fun before making the long drive back up the New Jersey parkway with the kids. I turned my BlackBerry off and left the camera in our swim bag. I finally allowed myself to stay in the moment and just have fun. It was the best day of our vacation. My big kid went down the waterslide all by himself and I was there to catch him at the end. My little one wobbled around, splashing and squealing. And I got to take it all in.

It was perfect.

Tune In

2010-07-30T14:42:22Z

Lovelovelove Dave Matthews Band. I caught two of their shows this summer with my hubby and gotta tell you - they ROCKED (and so did we)! We may have two kids and a whole lot of responsibilities but I'll let you know that I can still hang with the best of them. I literally danced my butt off - which is good since I haven't been to the gym yet this week. Anyway, I digress ...

I've always been a live music fan. I've rocked out with Dave more than 30 times; jammed along with bands like the Allman Brothers and Blues Traveler; some of my best memories of my group of girlfriends were created during long days of taking in the tunes at festivals like Woodstock , the H.O.R.D.E. Tour .... you get my drift. The point is, for me: live shows = summer.

With all of the fab summer festivals, there's no reason not to take in a show. I've got at least one more Dave show on the docket this summer. What do you have going on?
Need some suggestions? Check out these shows and get your dancin' shoes on!

]]> Lollapalooza Music Festival - Grant Park; Chicago, IL
Dates: August 6-8, 2010

If you're interested in rocking out for a good cause (who isn't?), then Lollapalooza is the concert for you. It's a three-day festival including eight stages, graced by artists including Green Day, Lady Gaga, The Strokes, Arcade Fire, MGMT, Soundgarden, and tons more! And a percentage of the proceeds go to the Parkways Foundation, an organization dedicated to spiffing up Chicago's public parks. As if that wasn't tempting enough, Lollapalooza also offers a Rock & Recycle program and an Art Market on Green St., an outdoor bazaar dedicated to being Green. And don't miss Kidzapalooza, the children's portion of the event, where kids can rock out, freestyle, and get Mohawks for FREE if accompanied by a ticket-holding parent. Tickets can be purchased online for individual or three-day passes.

Where to stay if you go:
Wyndham Chicago Downtown Hotel - In the heart of the city, and in walking distance from Lake Michigan, enjoy the elegance--with a discount!
Travelodge Hotel Downtown Chicago - Stay comfy in this historical downtown locale, right near Grant Park.

Outside Lands 2010 - Golden Gate Park; San Francisco, CA
Dates: August 14-15, 2010

Art gurus, music lovers, wine connoisseurs, and foodies alike are all welcome to the Outside Lands music and art festival. Not only are there concerts by artists like The Strokes, Tokyo Police Club, and Kings of Leon, but also food and wine tastings, green attractions, and an outdoor art exhibition. The area is also surrounded by a museum, Japanese botanical gardens, and a flower conservatory. Single-day and two-day tickets are available online.

Where to stay if you go:
Parc 55 Wyndham San Francisco-Union Square - Check out these luxury digs at a discount!
Knights Inn Downtown San Francisco- Enjoy the heart of the city, and a continental breakfast.

Of course, it goes without saying that you have to check out the music event that will kick off the week-long PGA TOUR event, the Wyndham Championship!

Jamestown Swing into Wyndham - Jamestown, North Carolina
Date: August 14, 2010

This festival/block party, held from 3 - 10pm, turns Jamestown into a gigantic concert venue. With eight top-notch bands performing on two stages continuously throughout the afternoon and evening, the Swing into Wyndham event is the perfect way to kick off the Wyndham Championship.

Where to stay if you go:
Wingate by Wyndham Greensboro- This hotel is right in the middle of it all. Plus, you can get a great deal on a two-day stay for the Wyndham Championship including tickets and transportation!

Baymont Inn and Suites Greensboro- Swing in style in this sleek and easy stay.

Days Inn Winston Salem- This hotel offers a great variety of accommdation options!

Microtel Inn Winston-Salem- Bring the whole family when you stay in these spacious suites!
Microtel Inn Greensboro- The kids can have fun in these roomy suites, right near the location of the Wyndham Championship.
Super 8 Greensboro - This is the PERFECT location for golf-lovers interested in watching the Wyndham Championship!

Traveling with kiddies to Europe... my Parisian Adventure

2010-06-03T16:00:59Z

We just got back from Paris with our 10 month old.

]]> It was an amazing time and she is an amazing traveler but we also learned some good things that I think could work for anyone considering venturing across the pond with their kiddies...

1. If your child is under 20 lbs, request a bassinet from the airline. They literally attach to the wall in the bulk head rows. If your child weighs more and can not go in the bassinet, you can still request the bulk head row which is often reserved for families and will give you some additional leg room. The bulk head is also usually right near the bathroom.
2. If you really want the bulk head, check in on-line if you can or arrive at the airport EARLY - While it may be reserved for families it's on a first come first serve basis (having status with the airline helps too).
3. Have NEW toys for your child. New toys are great for pulling out during the flight to keep him or her engaged in something and not squirming and unhappy. On our flight to Europe we sat next to an unprepared family whose child cried the whole flight. They had NO toys to distract the child, so I lent them my daughter's - which she promptly asked for back (my 10 month old literally said "banana"). A flight attendant once recommended 1 per hour on a flight - I had about 3 for a flight to Europe: Freddie the banana along with a Taggies Clicky Twist and the Melissa and Doug Friendly Fish grasping toy. Board books are also very small, easy to travel with and my kid loves them. And don't forget to save some new toys for the flight home!
4. Rent an apartment. If you are going to Europe, apartment rentals are an awesome deal! There are companies and websites dedicated to rentals... We spent $400 a night for a one bedroom with a kitchen and laundry - there was no comparable hotel room in Paris that I could find.
5. Bring your own laundry detergent. The best part about the apartment rental was being able to do laundry every day. Not knowing what kind of detergent would be there we brought our own. We used the Dropps laundry pacs that traveled great.
6. Forget jarred food! You don't have to worry about anything exploding if you pack meal packs (Sprouts, Ella's Kitchen, Plum Organics, Revolution Foods, HAPPYBABY Organic, etc.). My kid ended up eating plenty of frambois yogurt and crusty french bread, but we also had food packs for the on-the-go meals. They traveled well and took up little space.
7. Go to Paris, skip the lines! For anyone that thinks Paris is full of rude people, well they never visited with kids - Paris loves babies! We skipped every line! At the museums you go right up to the special need entrance and ask someone (always say "parlais vous Anglais" first if you don't speak French) if you can be let in since you have a stroller. Chances are they will move the rope and let you right in as if you are VIP. Forget the many hour long wait at the Louvre! At the airport our experience was the same, ask security to let you move to the side to prepare. We actually got approached by security, but had I known previously I would have asked. Hurried airport travelers were very annoyed that we skipped the line and they couldn't, even when their names were being called for boarding. The staff politely informed them that people with children needed more time and that they needed to go get back in line!
8. If in Paris, enjoy the parks. There are so many parks in Paris and they are all kid friendly. In the Luxembourg Gardens there is an amazing playground - granted you have to pay a small fee, but once inside, it is a wonderland for kiddies. In the Tuileries there is an amazing trampoline playground the size of an Olympic swimming pool. It looked awesome but it was for older children. Playgrounds were everywhere - behind the Notre Dame, along random residential streets, in major parks and cultural sites. Like I said - Paris loves children!
9. When traveling with kids I would advise not to plan your day too heavily; wait and see how your child adjusts. If traveling in the spring/summer it gets dark at 10 pm (we were there in May and at 8 pm it felt like 3 pm!) so there is definitely opportunity to take advantage and let your kid have a good nap in the middle or later in the day and then enjoy a later meal. Adjusting to the time change can help with this, try to get them adjusted to a later timeframe so they can allow you to stay out late with the locals and sleep in - you're on vacation after all!
10. Invest in a great umbrella stroller. We got the Uppa Baby G-Luxe, its light weight (10 lbs) - we gate checked it at the airport and it reclines easily, which meant our babe would take a good nap when necessary - considering she never napped in a stroller before - a true God-send!!

My last piece of advice would be to let your child enjoy the delicacies that you are trying. In Paris we bent our "low sugar" rule for our baby and let her try macaroons and other pastries. The saying is true: "When in Rome" (or Paris...) - our kid loved it and we loved letting her enjoy in the experience. We also let our baby get off schedule. She was game and was happy-go-lucky the whole time. I would like to think that any kid can travel when Mommy and Daddy are well prepared!

Mom Talk Radio Segment with Maria Bailey

2010-05-17T16:22:42Z

Mom's Nite Out was a smashing success! Women on Their Way hosted the NYC event at the Wyndham Garden Times Square while Local Nation winner, Stephana Johnson, hosted an event in San Antonio, Texas at the Wyndham La Cascada. Thank you to all of the dynamic, dedicated and fabulous Moms who attended these parties!

To see pictures of the event, or to share pics of what YOU did to celebrate Mother's Day, please check out Women on Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide on facebook.

Listen to the Segment

Mom Talk Radio with Maria Bailey - Featuring Alyson Johnson

Adventures with Alyson