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Summertime's almost here – time to start planning your summer travels! We've taken the guesswork out of your planning by seeking out advice from top family travel writers from across...
“’Cause down the shore everything’s all right.” ---Tom Waits, JERSEY GIRL Some see the Jersey Shore as a travel destination, a place to take the family for a couple of...
This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!
Air travel can be stressful nowadays with long lines, flight delays and cramped seating. Add luggage, children, strollers and even pets to the mix and you have a veritable powder...
Thomas Jefferson advised the we should have a revolution every 20 years. He meant government, but the idea applies to anything: If we don’t continually rethink how we do what...
Planning your family vacation can be overwhelming--where to go, what to do, how to get there, you name it. There are a lot of details to planning a summer vacation....
Teens sometimes get a bad rap. People think they’re hard to please and harder to travel with. But the key to traveling with teens—and keeping the whole family happy—is to...
Midwest winters can seem endless. The payoff? Perfect summer temperatures! Each year I vow to savor every minute of the warm weather. Although I can’t put everything on hold, I...
Summer vacations for some families mean active adventures, while for others the summer is a perfect time to start exploring college campuses. Imagine being able to do both in one...
Sure moms across the nation roam suburban streets in minivans and SUVs, picking up their kids from school and chauffeuring them to various activities and events. But I’m a soccer mom too dangit. Just because I drive a 4-door sedan, doesn’t mean I can’t have that title. Stereotype me! I deserve [ ... ]
There’s a reason “Follow the Honey,” in Cambridge, Massachusetts is not just a simple honey store. For founder and owner, anning, traveling the world on her personal journey led her to open a shop filled with honey stories to tell, and products with a conscience.
In Search of Healing an [ ... ]
Must we trade brunch dates and Bloody Mary’s for barely edible pancakes and sippy cups once we have kids? Hardly. Chicago restaurateurs, many of whom now claim the title of parents themselves, know how to host a good brunch which welcomes us and our progeny. Unlike some downtown areas which only [ ... ]
For those living in the middle of Missouri, there are only a few options for hitting the "big city" -- St. Louis, Mo., or Memphis, Tenn. Last spring, my gal pal Jessie and I chose to visit Memphis for the first time.
Our trip to Memphis might be one of the most unorganized trips I've ever take [ ... ]
I’m a sucker for an old-fashioned candy shop. I just love the candy-filled bins, the drugstore-feel complete with a bar and soda jerk…it makes everyone feel like a kid. With unique treats like Elvis Bark and chocolate-covered bacon, the Big Top Candy Shop in Austin, Texas is a fun treat for any [ ... ]
When planning out your summer road trip don't overlook Devil's Tower, Wyoming. It is one of my favorite side trips and possibly one of the most overlooked National Parks.
The first time I drove through Wyoming was in the summer of 1981 on a road trip with my my Mom. Somehow, in a pre-Internet [ ... ]
Vegetarian travel gets easier in the summer, when farmers markets and their bounteous produce draw tourists and local chefs. Summer is also know for outdoor eating, and New York City has one of the best (I’m slightly biased) eating extravagnzas, orgasburg. Actually, make that two. Smorgasburg ha [ ... ]
TravelingMom stirred up some strong feelings when we asked during our September 6 Twitter Party: Should families traveling with kids be relegated to a family-only section on planes?
Some moms think it has potential advantages for families flying with kids, such as the built-in support network of other families traveling with kids. But they don’t want to pay more for a families-only section and they want a few perks if they’re going to be stuck in the back of the plane.
And, many noted, the problem isn’t limited to kids. They blame parents who make no attempt to stop their little brat from kicking the back of the seat, screaming incessantly or engaging in some other unacceptable kid behavior. And, they point out, a lot of the rude behavior on planes comes from people well beyond the toddler stage.
“If there is a kids-only section, then they will need to offer pets only section, drunk only, body odor only & overall bad mood area,” tweeted @kimorlando.
Read on for some hilarious ideas, an insight into how families feel about traveling with kids and the stresses of air travel these days. As @squirrelburrito noted: “I think the problem is, there's no way to guarantee a good flight. I've had the cat, the drunk, the smelly and kids, you never know.”
Should airlines offer family only sections? Why or why not?
@MintCool Being in family section isn't always ideal. I've been in "de facto" family section w/ my kids and wished I wasn't. Some parents are nuts.
@TravelDesigned We are dreaming right? Kid friendly attendant? On a couple of my last flights -I'd been happy if they were nice to me!
But when @TravelDesigned traveled with her grandkids, she didn’t need a family-only section. They were already properly motivated to behave. “Fortunately my grandkids were PERFECT on plane--I threatened them within an inch of their lives & dog poo duty for a YEAR!!
@rolemommy: How about spoiled kids & rude passengers? I've run into a few rude adults who needed their own section too.
What would entice you to sit in a family only section?
@mellenhead: If there were bigger seats so your babies could sit on your lap comfortably... coloring books and crayons.
Would you pay extra to sit in the Families Only section? How much?
@squirrelburrito I would pay a reasonable premium. Frequent Family Flyer miles would be an amazing program to have available.
@LauralCrum I'm thinking no. I can't imagine they would allow too many extra privileges, etc., to be worth paying any more
@LuxuryTravelMom I wouldn't pay extra unless they had baby sitters back there. And shirtless hot stewards and belvedere...then you've got me on board
Would you pay extra to be seated AWAY from the FO section? How much?
@LuxuryTravelMom Would it be wrong for me to pay for the no kids section for me & pay up to put my kids back there? Ok, I know it would be..
@judy511: I might pay extra to sit away from loud drunks.
What perks should airlines offer to families in the FO section?
@Judy511More legroom, so kids wdn’t kick seat in front. 1st snack service@ksceviour Movies for kids, good snacks for kids, earplugs!
@supermomplace Changing mats, sippy cup, large catch all disposable bib, steamy towel for ear pressure, drawing pads, Nick Jr
@rolemommy Kids only section should have portable DSi's and the movie screen should have Wii so they can play Mario Super Party.
@flywithbaby Books! Toys! But I still think it's unrealistic. Where would they be stored on plane?
@dmorey01: Clean space with mats so they can sit/play on floor & rack of blocks, puzzles, etc
@MintCool : Oh, and unlimited milk! Airlines treat milk as if it were Dom Perignon
Where on the plane should the family-only section be located?
@mellenhead Near the front. It would be easier to get kids on and off
@judy511 Schlepping is NOT FUN. You are already a pack mule from the minute u leave home. Don't need more of that!
@LuxuryTravelMom First class, then I'd happily go
@nugglemama The safest place
@MintCool I don't care where the family section is. I wouldn't sit in it. Next.
What are the advantages of a family-only section on planes?
@ChaoticKarma23 More comfort and relaxation for both families and other passengers
@mellenhead No mean stares, no rude comments, less stress
@squirrelburrito It's a really interesting idea. It may or may not work/help, but I'd appreciate the airlines' effort instead of a new fee
@CindyRichards: More help from other moms, less disapproving stares from child-hating passengers
@ksceviour Dont have to feel bad about kids bad behavior, more relaxing for the parents.
What would be the disadvantages of a FO section?@kimorlando Being seated in the row just b4 the section starts!
@judy511: Ghetto-ization of families
@ChaoticKarma23 The only disadvantage of a family only section that I can think of is if they charged for it
@ksceviour: Being stuck there with a really annoying kid!
@arrowsentforth One baby crying might set them all off!
What would be the ideal uniform for the fam-only flight attendant?
This question really got the creative juices flowing—from Mary Poppins ensemble to shirtless (if the flight attendant guys are hot)—but the majority opted for comfortable and machine washable. Oh, with lots of pockets for kiddie surprises and maybe a nice treat for Mom and Dad too.
@mandyOregon Sweats?
@MintCool Pleather
@supermomplace: Bright aprons full of pacifiers, crayons and snacks -- stain resistent of course.
@kimorlando Pilot PJs.
@LuxuryTravelMom A holster with shots of tequila for mom, benadryl for kids and maybe some short shorts to keep dad entertained?
@nancyberk I don't care what they wear as long as I don't have to wash it.
Join us next Monday for another fun hour of TravelingMom Monday every Monday beginning at 9 pm ET on Twitter.
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As the price to fly continues to rise, and the inconveniences rise, more and more people, and especially families, are turning back to the good, old-fashioned road trip.
My pa [ ... ]
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has big city attractions and a friendly Midwestern vibe. Families can take in a Brewers game, or tour a brewery (with soft drinks for the kids). There are [ ... ]
