blog » March 20, 2017 by Christine Jones

#30Seconds In-Depth: Spring Break & Travel Tips With Eirene Heidelberger! by Christine Jones

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7 years ago
#30Seconds In-Depth: Spring Break & Travel Tips With Eirene Heidelberger!

At this week's #30Seconds Twitter chat we talked to our very own Eirene Heidelberger of GIT Mom and got some amazing travel tips and ideas. (We laughed so much with her on a recent episode of 30 Minutes With #30Seconds that we didn't get through all of her awesome spring break and travel tips.) Whether you're going somewhere warm, hitting the slopes, sight -seeing or just staying at home for spring break, you'll want to read on. 

Q: What are some of your favorite family-friendly travel destinations?

  • Viva la Mexico! Most direct flights from around country, “guaranteed” good weather and inexpensive lodging.
  • Caribbean: Bahamas and Turks and Caicos make family travel simple with many all-inclusive resort options.
  • Skiing. Slopes are open through mid-April and most families fly south, so trails are less crowded during spring break.
  • Spring in New York City is pretty and there’s so much to do with kids. Mine love One World Observatory. Eyes like saucers!
  • Las Vegas. Blue skies, cheap lodging, kids activities plus the Grand Canyon is nearby!

Q: What are your best tips for traveling with kids?

  • Allow more time than you think you’ll need when flying. I plan a 30-minute cushion for my family.
  • “One cook in the kitchen.” We designate one person to direct the travel day so kids aren’t overwhelmed with information.
  • Pre-purchase snacks at convenience stores and pack in a reusable bag to save money at the airport.
  • I plan a simple outfit that’s comfortable and put together so I feel calm and collected during a long day.
  • Non-stop communication with the kids so they understand the plan and what is expected of them.
  • Pre-arrange the first meal upon arrival earlier and make it simple and easily accessible to final destination.

Q: What if you can’t get away? Give us some ideas for a great staycation with kids!

  • Any local hotels with a pool and room service so we don’t need to get dressed to eat and can lay around cozy together.
  • Be a tourist in your own town. We did this on New Year’s Eve and it was an easy family-bonding experience.
  • Take a short drive to an indoor water park. The resorts are all-inclusive, so easy to plan.
  • Create a theme night at home. Start with a movie, then plan a fun dinner and dessert around it.

Q: How can you pack without over doing it?

  • A week prior lay out everything to pack. Choose one color scheme per family member then edit what you really need to take.
  • Pack a few basic bottoms that match several tops then and fun accessories like scarves and hats to create fashionable looks.
  • Use Ziplock bags to contain each child’s outfit and label with their name to make dressing on vacation hassle-free.
  • Keep one list of last-minute items that need to be packed in the suitcase on travel day.

Q: How can one travel without needing a vacation from your vacation?

  • Be realistic about your travel style, do you prefer to explore or relax?
  • Feeling at peace with the budget will maximize your travel experience.
  • Don’t forget about Mom and Dad! Get a sitter for an afternoon or night and try something new and unique. A cool new experience can boost happiness and create bonding.
  • Plan a last hurrah, adult-only fancy dinner your last night that you’ll always remember as a couple.
  • Take turns parenting and give each other a morning off to be alone and focus on yourself.
  • Create clear bedtime boundaries for the kids and designate a reasonable time for everyone to start their day together.

Be sure to follow @GIT_Mom, visit GitMom.comlike her on Facebook and check out her 30Seconds page!

Nicole DeAvilla
I am looking forward to the tips on how not to need a vacation after the vacation!
Elisa Schmitz
Yay! I always love chatting with Eirene Heidelberger and especially about one of my fave topics, travel! Can't wait, thanks! xoxo
Meredith Schneider
Can't wait for all the travel tips! With a family of 6 any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated! 😜

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