Probably due at least in part to feeling conspicuous as one of a few minority families in our town growing up, I have a residual thing about blending in when I travel. Though I don’t bat an eyelash when I see tourists out and about, you'll never catch me holding up a map at a congested intersection in an unfamiliar city. So on my recent trip to San Francisco, I was thrilled to discover Moleskine’s City Notebook.Probably due at least in part to feeling conspicuous as one of a few minority families in our town growing up, I have a residual thing about blending in when I travel. Though I don’t bat an eyelash when I see tourists out and about, you'll never catch me holding up a map at a congested intersection in an unfamiliar city. So on my recent trip to San Francisco, I was thrilled to discover Moleskine’s City Notebook.
You know you’re either terribly predictable or somewhat loved when folks write in asking if you’re trapped under something really heavy on a day (yesterday) with no posts or tweets (thanks, folks!). I actually was enjoying a much needed long weekend away with a couple of other families and made a conscious decision to remain unplugged. Our packing was decidedly uneven – too much food for our numbers and too many bathing suits given the weather – but one thing I did right was pack plenty of rainy day entertainment. Here’s a list of 10 smart things to pack to keep the kids from going crazy on rainy vacations:
We do lots of arts and crafts at our house, but every now and then I discover a magical item that positively consumes Laurel, be it at home, while waiting at a restaurant, or during travel. The Orb Factory’s sticky mosaic kits currently are Laurel’s project of choice; she's so instantly, happily, and independently engrossed in these kits that they even allow me some time to catch up on work or household matters nearby.
Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Lauren Hefferon, mother of three, avid cyclist, and director of the bicycle tour group Ciclismo Classico. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!
The busiest travel holiday of the year is fast approaching, and today 
My first visit to Florida was not a pleasant one. I was there against my will (the mere beginnings of my dysfunctional relationship with my postdoc advisor…), presenting data I barely understood for an otolaryngology conference (don’t try to say that 3 times fast). And I wasn’t alone in my suffering. I lured poor Jon to join me, with promises of calm beaches, nature excursions, and swimming with manatees. Little did we know that the hotel was simultaneously hosting Canadian Spring Break and Harley Davidson Week (hence the bargain hotel rates), and the manatees had long since swum off for cooler waters.
We’ve been on the go a lot these days, and waiting anywhere got a whole lot easier once I started toting Laurel’s Ultimate Wipe Off 123 book. I have given this and the ABC book as gifts to several of Laurel’s pals and they’re always a big hit. The books offer a fun way for kids to learn to draw and write letters and numbers, and an erasable marker is included so all you need is a napkin or tissue to reset the doodle dial.
Compared to some of our other jet setting friends, it took us a long time to get around to flying with Laurel, and things went remarkably well. In part, I think this was related to traveling with a 3-year-old who can sink her teeth into an activity with relative independence, communicate needs, understand instructions, and not need as much gear. But we also made some planning decisions that made travel enormously easier; here I share them with you:
I know many parents whose babies have, at some point, hated extended car rides. Laurel responded similarly as an infant, and no wonder; it’s noisy and likely weird to be strapped into a car seat unable to see the parents. Back then we dreaded car trips since they typically involved unsuccessfully trying to console Laurel and thus driving with a screaming baby; our first Thanksgiving trip with Laurel fit this scenario and at one point I actually climbed into the backseat, uncomfortably wedged myself over the car seat, and nursed, hoping that Jon wouldn’t hit any sharp corners.
We’ve come a long way since that time, but our recent vacation’s 14 hour round trip drive still left room for intimidation. We decided to plan what we could but roll with the rest, and it worked out amazingly well. Consider these tips when readying for your next family road trip:
Typically, I am all about color, and am thrilled that Laurel’s favorite activity is painting, but the no mess factor of the Aquadoodle is pretty fantastic.
Laurel received the (award winning) Aquadoodle Travel Doodle
with extensive experience with other Aquadoodle products weren’t as happy with this new entry in the Aquadoodle line, but as newbies to Aquadoodle, we have no complaints. If traveling, we’d just suggest bringing a bottle of water along to keep the pen (and yourself) hydrated during the journey.
The complexity of vacation planning increases exponentially with little ones in tow. Luckily for you, WeJustGotBack.com is a travel site charged with the mission of easing planning woes so you actually can enjoy your vacation.
This just-for-families travel website offers detailed destination features, analyses of (allegedly) family friendly hotels and resorts, strategies for traveling with kids, and reader-generated tips. If you haven’t yet decided on your vacation spot, you can search featured destinations based on your child’s age. Now that’s forward thinking.
This summer WeJustGotBack.com launched an Insider Guide To Cape Cod and other content specific to the Cape. They are soon to unveil their Insider Guide to Boston, and welcome tips from Boston parents. Registration is required to access the in depth features, but it is well worth it. These vacation experts do their homework.
With holiday travel comes cumbersome physical (and sometimes emotional) baggage. You at least can take charge of reducing your physical baggage with the Munchkin Duck Bathtub ($9.99 at Target). Recommended by a mama reader from Italy (whose 20-month-old has enjoyed this tub all across Europe), this inflatable tub stows compactly and is suitable for ages 6-24 months, has a heat safety feature, and a non-slip surface to keep baby in place.
Aside from the general chaos factor, having a second baby presents a transport issue, particularly if your first still requires periodic strolling.
A mama friend gives major kudos to the Valco Runabout Tri Mode stroller ($425 at 
Traveling with a babe isn’t exactly relaxing, but the right toys (and, if you are lucky, temperament) can make a trip enormously easier.
We just returned from a long weekend involving 8 hours roundtrip car/boat travel. We planned our timing carefully, scheduling the longest car leg over mid-day nap. Based on previous travel experiences, the options were: 1) use naptime to travel; 2) spend 2 hours twisted uncomfortably picking up dropped books and toys; or 3) try ineffectively to placate squirmy, screechy babe.
Our well-laid plans of course went out the window. In one direction we hit traffic that woke the babe up for the remainder of the drive; on the way back she didn’t sleep at all because she had fallen asleep during the earlier 45-minute ride to the ferry. We thought we were doomed, but: 1) the babe was in terrific spirits (i.e., she enjoyed babbling to herself and singing songs); and 2) we were armed with the Anatex Shape ‘n Color Coaster.