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A Jersey Girl’s Ode to the Jersey Shore

“’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...

Alaska and the NW Passage: Armchair or on-the-Water Journeys

Family travel when it might mean the demise of all is no figure of speech for two brothers and a sister who maneuvered their 57-foot boat through the Northwest Passage...

Stress-Free Travel is Right Under Your Nose

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...

Best Advice for Planning Your Summer Vacation

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....

Join In Our Instagram #TMOMphoto Meme

This month we are hosting our first Traveling Moms Instagram meme and we would love to have you join in the fun!

5 Summer Vacation Ideas for Teens

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...

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Family Travel Stories and Ideas

The Chevy Volt: A Dashboard View
History Buff TravelingMomThe Chevy Volt: A Dashboard View

The thought of driving an electric car always seemed a little intimidating to me.  Is there a learning curve?  What happens when you are in the middle of the highway and the battery runs out?  When it comes to the technology of electric cars I am a bit of an auto-techno peasant but I  [ ... ]

5 Ideas for Summer Vacations for Christians
Christian TravelingMom5 Ideas for Summer Vacations for Christians

Christians travel for reasons that are almost as varied as the denominations that exist.  Here are a few reasons I love, and need, to travel, along with some ideas for where to go:

A Hidden Gem of a Natural History Museum
Discovery TravelingmomA Hidden Gem of a Natural History Museum

For fans of natural history museums, New York's American Museum of Natural History, DC’s ithsonian National Museum of History, and London’s tural Museum of History draw the masses when it comes to tourists and locals alike. But just past Boston’s Harvard Yard sits a hidden gem of a museum  [ ... ]

Hands-on Fun at the History Colorado Center
Western TravelingMomHands-on Fun at the History Colorado Center

The History Colorado Center is one of the newest museums in Downtown Denver.  Since its opening last year, the History Colorado Center has been teaching visitors about Colorado in a fun and interactive way.  The brightly colored displays draw visitors in and the hands-on activities will ke [ ... ]

Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas
Texas TravelingMomDr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas

How many of y’all knew that the origin of Dr Pepper was a small Texas town called Waco? There is a unique story to its creation. On the site of the original bottling factory sits the Dr Pepper Museum, so you can learn all about it.
r/>Dr Pepper was created in 1885 in Morrison's Old Country Store in W [ ... ]

Southern Appalachian Brewery
Pets and Service Dog TravelingmomSouthern Appalachian Brewery

A great little hidden gem in Hendersonville, North Carolina awaits anyone in search of great, small batch beer, good music and a relaxed atmosphere near the heart of downtown. While this is certainly a kid and family-friendly establishment, it was just my girlfriend and I on our recent visit. We ha [ ... ]

2013 Chevy Spark: Sporty, Economical and Fun
SpecialNeeds TravelingMom2013 Chevy Spark: Sporty, Economical and Fun

“Spark” is a very appropriate name for Chevy’s first mini car built for North America.  I had the opportunity to test drive the 2013 Chevy Spark on a recent Chevy-sponsored retreat in Orlando.  Salsa red with an appealing, feisty look; I could see myself dashing around town in it jus [ ... ]

Packing Tips for Solo Travel

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Packing-List-IMG 5526Packing for solo travel is decidedly different from that of family travel. Not only can I leave behind the games and lovies, but I get to bring things to entertain myself, like a book. It's even a little different from business travel—no suits required.


Make a List When Packing for Travel

Many a parent's life is ruled by lists: lists for school, work, after-school activities, parents' phone numbers. A packing list is also essential to make sure you have what you need. I keep a master packing list on my computer, which I can edit and print out whenever I need it.

I include everything on my list, including my toothbrush, a white noise machine for good hotel sleep, eyeglasses and a case, a book to read, and medications. I add and subtract as needed as well—if traveling by car or airplane, I'll include knitting; if my son or daughter is coming, then I need extra snacks and activities for them.

Pack What You Can Carry
A trusty roller bag and a smaller carry on are usually enough for several days' worth of traveling for me. If I have more than one suitcase and one carry on, I begin to feel like it's more than I can handle. On the other hand, if I am traveling for a week or more, my carry-on-sized rollerbag just won't cut it. In those cases, I will use a larger suitcase and check it at the airport check in to avoid having to lug it around with me—and risk there not being enough room in the overhead bin.

Leaving Something Behind on a Solo Trip
I try to leave something behind when my family is staying behind, such as a new small toy for the kids (like a fresh box of crayons), as well as a family dinner or two and a fresh loaf of bread. It makes me feel a little better about leaving and gives me peace of mind that they'll get at least one good dinner while I'm away.

Are your packing habits different when traveling alone vs. with the kids?


Teresa J. Shaw is editor of the Free in 50 States section and writes about traveling as a working mom on Working Traveling Mom. Follow her on Twitter at @TeresaShaw.

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Author Profile: Working TravelingMom  - Website

Teresa J. Shaw is a Michigan-based journalist, blogger and editor. Her work has been published on Hilton Homewood Suites' SuiteLiving blog, Prevention, Babies Online, and AnnArbor.com, among other sites. Travel, food and lifestyle writing are her specialties.

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Family Freebies

The Classic Road Trip with a Modern Twist!
The Classic Road Trip with a Modern Twist!

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.

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Milwaukee for Free: 14 Ways to Have Fun
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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 [ ... ]

Free in May: LEGOLAND Florida!
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