by Missie Hills | May 24, 2020 | Tips and Advice
Packing light has become kind of an artform for me. It feels so good to walk off a flight with everything we need right there with us. It can be a pain at times, and it definitely takes work. But the pleasure I get from walking right by all those poor suckers waiting for their bags at the baggage claim is worth every minute of our pre-planning.đ And if that shallow reason isn’t enough to convince you to nix the checked bags, think about this: An estimated 25 million bags are lost by airlines each year. There are few things that can ruin a fun family vacation faster then lost luggage. Plus, less luggage equals less things to keep up with and equals less stress. Here are my top 5 tips for packing light:
1. Cinch, Cinch, Cinch
Your luggage matters. You need luggage that allows you to cinch down your cloths as tightly as possible. And not just your carry-on suitcase. Invest in a travel backpack. We love the Osprey Farpoints. When it was just the two of us, we got by with only two of these bad boys and no suitcases at all. I used the 40 and Jason carried the 55 with the detachable day-pack. Now that we always have one back covered in a diaper bag, we only take the 40. These packs aren’t like your typical hiking backpack. They open like a suitcase, making finding things so much easier. And yeah, they cinch, boy do they cinch. I’m always impressed with how much extra souvenirs we end up finding space for while still being able to cinch down to a reasonable size for carry-on.
Osprey Packs Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack, Volcanic Grey, Medium/Large
Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack
2.Discover the miracle of packing cubes
Using packing cubes may go against your instincts. I get that. If you are trying to pack light, you should avoid packing any extra stuff, right? Not this time. If you want to follow tip #1, you need to be able to keep everything together, or cinching becomes a little useless. Plus, packing cubes keep you extra organized. You can organize each family member’s cloths in different cubes. Or if you are extra A-type, organize them by day. It’s a pro move for sure.
eBags Classic Packing Cubes for Travel
3. Wash clothes on the go
This tip definitely takes a little effort. But for us, it has always been worth it. To get the best clean, find laundry mats on the go. Or if a semi clean is ok to get you through a handful of wears, hand wash your clothes yourself in the sink or tub in your hotel. We always bring a travel clothesline, a plug for the sink, and packs of laundry detergent with us. If you plan on trying this, make sure you choose your clothing wisely. Quick dry items are best.
Travelon Travel Clothes Line
4. Buy on the go
This tip is especially useful for travelling with children. We always buy diapers, wipes, baby food, and snacks on the go. Here I am buying diapers in a alley market in Casablanca.
I love to shop when I travel. So, I also under pack clothes knowing that I will be buying new clothes on the go. Occasionally, I will leave clothes behind to make room for the new, but I haven’t had to do that very often.
5. Bring multi use clothing
It takes a little research, forethought, and sacrifice. But you can gain a lot by finding items of clothing you love that can cover many different situations. I have a few dresses that I easily pair with accessories for a nice dinner out while still wearing them all day in the hot sun. My favorite example of this tip, is my favorite pair of travel sandals, Ipanemas. They are made from a recyclable rubber like material making them super easy to wash off. I can wear these super comfortable sandals all day…in water, in mud, and even out to a night club. Yeah, I have to leave my favorite cute wedges at home, but they always end up killing my feet anyways. And with less shoes in my carry-on, I have more space for shopping.đ
Ipanema Stardust Women’s Sandals, Beige/Beige (8 US)
What are some of your best travel light tips? Let me know in the comments below!
by Missie Hills | May 14, 2020 | Tips and Advice
The number one request I get from my readers is to share the packing list I use for my kids. It is a little tough to share, because it changes so much depending on the stage my children are in and where we are going. However, by asking yourself a few questions first, you can follow this guide. My packing process starts by going through each daily activity.
Getting dressed
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠What will the weather be like?
⢠How will your baby stay warm?
⢠Will you be outside a lot?
⢠Are you going to be swimming or getting wet?
â3 to 5 days of outfits (wash on the go!)
âTravel clothes-line
âTravel laundry soap packs
âTravel stain remover wipes
âChild rain-coat
âLayers to keep warm
âCoat or jacket
âSocks and underwear
âSwimsuit
âSun-hat
âBibs
âBurp rags (We love using cloth diapers instead!)
âPaci clips (use these to clip toys and teethers too)
âBaby bug-spray
âBaby sunscreen
Potty time
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠Are we potty training right now?
⢠How long can my kid hold it?
⢠Can I buy diapers at my location? We only bring enough to get us through the airport!
⢠Will my kids be swimming?
âDiapers
âWipes
âRash cream
âTravel child toilet seat
âHand sanitizer
âChanging pad
âPull-up diapers
âSwimming diapers
Eating
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠Do my kids have any food sensitivities?
⢠How picky are my kids?
⢠Do I plan on breastfeeding on this trip?
⢠Does my child only drink milk warm?
⢠Can I get the food I need at my location? We always buy baby food and snack at our location.
âSnack bags
âFormula
âBaby food pouches
âHand breast pump (I leave the mechanical one at home.)
âBreastfeeding cover
âSippy cup or water bottle
âBaby spoons
âBibs (I love the plastic ones with pouches.)
â2-3 Bottles
âSanitizing wipes
âSmall insulated lunch-box (Choose one that can fold down easily in your luggage.)
âTravel bottle warmer
On the move
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠Do I absolutely need a car-seat?
⢠If yes, can I rent one?
⢠How do I plan on carrying my child?
âCar-seat with travel bag
âTravel Harness
âTravel Stroller
âBaby Carrier
Play Time
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠What holds my kids attention the most?
⢠What’s easy to pack?
⢠Am I OK with losing this?
â1-2 small favorite toys
âSmall bag of easy to lose toys (My go-to is a baggie of plastic animals.)
âMagazines, coloring books, stickers
âTablet with child safe headphones
âTravel charger
Bath time
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠How do you plan on washing your kid, bath or shower?
⢠Can your baby sit up in the bathtub?
⢠Does your baby have sensitive skin?
âInflatable bathtub
âBaby soap
âHair brush, comb, and accessories
âLotion for sensitive skin babies
âTooth brush and childens tooth paste
Sleeping
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠Where will my kids sleep? In the hotel bed? In a hotel roll away crib? Do I need to bring my own crib?
⢠What are my kids favorite sleep items? Pacis? Teddy Bears? Blankies?
âTravel crib
âPajamas
âFavorite sleep items
âTravel white noise machine
âBaby earmuffs for sleeping on the go
What else?
Questions to ask yourself:
⢠What documentation do I need?
⢠What if my kid gets sick?
⢠What is specific to my kid?
âPassport and/or visas!
âInsurance cards
âChildren’s Tylenol
âBaby thermometer
âGas relief
âOther medication needs
by Missie Hills | May 14, 2020 | Tips and Advice
Need some help finding the perfect travel gear for kids? Here are some of our favorite products. Everything on this list we own and love!
1. The Challenge: Strollers are the worse y’all. They are big and heavy. They are hard to lug around. Even when I fold them up, it’s like playing Tetris trying to make them fit in taxi trunks. We have to leave them outside when we go into small shops just hoping they will still be there when we come out. Yeah, I could get a cheap umbrella stroller. But my back will be aching after a day of leaning over pushing that small thing all day. And I’ll have to carry all of my bags on my back and shoulders, because there is no storage space. The lack of durability means we’ll be getting a new one often, and we better have a really nice sidewalk to roll on or else we are screwed. Forget rolling on cobblestone streets or dirt paths. If we come across stairs, GAME OVER.â
The Solution: Say hello to the perfect travel stroller, The Zoe Traveler!
Why we love it: This stroller is truly amazing! It has been able to roll on any surface we have tried. Cobblestone in the old towns of Europe? âCheck! Tiny dusty alleys in Morocco’s medinas? âCheck! The horrible uneven sidewalks in my neighborhood? âCheck! It is so lightweight that I can carry it down stairs with my child in it easily. It has some storage space to help carry bags. Plus, I can drape my camera on the handles keeping it safe in front of me and freeing up my shoulders from that aching pain. It lays back too, allowing Little E to nap on the go. Side note from Hubby: It is tall enough for a 6’3″ dude to push comfortably without leaning forward.
Our favorite feature: The best feature is that it packs up small enough to fit in a overhead compartment of a plane. We still always gate check it to save our overhead space. But the fact that it gets this small allows us to store it under tables in tiny cafes, stuff it in a locker at a train station, or fit it in the backseat of a taxi.
Drawbacks: If you are travelling with an infant, it doesnât hold a carseat/carrier well. At this stage, I prefer to leave the stroller at home completely and wear my baby instead. Also, it needs cup-holders. đ¤Śââď¸
The Traveler (Zoe XLC) – Best Lightweight Travel and Everyday Umbrella Stroller System
2. The Challenge: My instinct is to take my wrap. It’s easy to pack, comfortable to wear all day, and light in the heat. But⌠it’s too tight for my sweaty husband to wear, it takes way too long to tie and secure, and my babies don’t always like how constrained they feel.
The Solution: Bring a more versatile carrier instead like the LĂLLĂbaby Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier
Why we love it: The Lillebaby is more comfortable for all day wear. I was able to use it until Little E was around 2 years old. It gave him the freedom to move around as he got older. I can wear it so many different ways! It’s very quick to put on and take off. And halleluiah đ, the hubby loves the Lillebaby. So, we can share the baby carrying responsibility.
Our favorite feature: It has handy dandy breathable pockets that you can unzip. I worry less about overheating for me and my little ones when we are out on a hot day. And it gets the sweaty husband thumbs up đ.
Drawbacks: I absolutely hate how hard this thing is to store! It just doesn’t fold up well at all.
LĂLLĂbaby Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier SIX-Position 360° Ergonomic Carrier, Stone
3. The Challenge: We avoid bringing a carseat at all cost when we can. Renting a car with a carseat normally solves the problem. But sometimes, we just can’t avoid it. Carrying a carseat through the airport is a horrible stress adder to the beginning of what should be a fun vacation, but we don’t want to risk the airline losing our carseat if we check it.
The Solution: Bring an airport carseat bag
Why we love it: There are a ton to choose from on Amazon, and I don’t really have a preference on which is the best. This bag helps hubby carry our carseat on his back or shoulder and keeps it packed up cleanly for checking at the gate (which is free!).
Our favorite feature: We can throw that clunky baby carrier in there too, making one less thing we have to worry about on the plane! Or if we are feeling sneaky, we can buckle in a packing cube or two and create extra free space in our carry-ons.
Drawbacks: It doesn’t make a normal carseat any less small. The carseat is still annoying to have to bring.
VolkGo Durable Car Seat Travel Bag
4. The Challenge: Did I mention how much a hate travelling with a carseat yet? đ
The Solution: Ride Safer Travel Vest
Why we love it: This harness completely and safely replaces the need for a carseat! It’s legal here in the states. We use it everywhere, on planes, in taxis, on buses…
Our favorite feature: It’s super easy to pack. It fits in our diaper bag. We can throw it in the Zoe’s storage basket and fold up the stroller with the harness!
Drawbacks: There are two big ones. First, the child needs to be 30 lbs before this is a safe option. Second, when we are planning on being in the car for a long time, it’s not the most comfortable option for a child. A normal carseat is better for sleeping in.
Visit their website for more information including some great info on safety: https://saferide4kids.com/
Ride Safer Travel Vest
5. The Challenge: Many countries don’t have reliable safe high chairs at restaurants (if any at all). I’m often stuck holding my baby on my lap while I try to eat.
The Solution: A travel high chair such as, My Little Seat
Why we love it: This travel high chair is super portable, packing into a small bag that fits easily in our diaper bag. It fits just about any chair we have tried it on.
Our favorite feature: It’s really easy to wash! Just throw it in the washing machine or wash it in the hotel sink.
Drawbacks: It doesn’t bring our children up to table height.
MY LITTLE SEAT Travel High Chair
6. The Challenge: My potty training toddler needs to use the public restroom.
The Solution: Pack Gimars Folding Travel Portable Potty Training Seat in your diaper bag!
Why we love it: This travel potty seat takes minimal space, and it has a small carry bag that you can throw some sanitizer in.
Our favorite feature: My son loves that it is shaped like a cute little owl.
Drawbacks: Itâs a little flimsy, but the price is so low that if it breaks you can buy another.
Gimars Upgrade Stable Folding Travel Portable Potty Training Seat
7. The Challenge: My son is quick to run the battery down on my phone watching videos and playing games.
The Solution: Get him his own Fire Kids Edition Tablet.
Why we love it: The Fire Kids Edition is pretty much the same tablet as the regular Fire but with a nice durable cover. It comes equipped with the FreeTime app and a one year subscription. Little E was able to download anything he wanted within his age group on this app without our help. It took him all of about one day to find his favorite shows on Kids Youtube BY HIMSELF! This pairs nicely with a set of kid friendly headphones.
Our favorite feature: The durable cover is worth its weight in gold. Ethan actually threw this thing INTO A RIVER, and it still worked!
Drawbacks: I had to get comfortable with judgmental stares from strangers that don’t understand why I would allow my child to play with a tablet at the dinner table. đ¤ˇââď¸
Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet, 7″ Display, 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case
8. The Challenge:Our second baby needed white noise to sleep early on. I have a white noise app that I love on my phone, but I can’t use my phone and the app at the same time.
The Solution: Replace your phone app with the The Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine
Why we love it: This white noise machine is small and simple. It gets the job done and takes up little space.
Our favorite feature: I can clip it to anything, and it has a child safe lock.
Drawbacks: You have to charge it every morning.
Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine for Baby
9. The Challenge: I don’t want to miss out on nighttime events, because it’s too loud for baby. If there are fireworks or loud music, the sound could damage my little ones ears.
The Solution: Bring noise protecting ear muffs
Why we love it: I don’t feel guilty being the mom in the concert stands at 9:00 PM anymore. My baby is safely on my chest sleeping soundly while I enjoy the event, fireworks and all.
Our favorite feature: These fold up really really small, saving that precious space!
Drawbacks: As Little E got bigger, he got more annoyed with wearing these.
Bebe Muff Hearing Protection
10. The Challenge: My kids’ attention spans stink.đŠ
The Solution: Bring activities that take little space but hold attention longer. We love Water Wows, Brain Quests, and National Geographic Magazines.
Why we love it: All three of these activity type items are easy to pack. Little E doesn’t seem to tire of them.
Our favorite feature: Water Wows are a no mess alternative to coloring books!
Drawbacks: Just don’t lose the Water Wow paintbrush.đą
Melissa & Doug Water Wow! 3-Pack (The Original Reusable Water-Reveal Coloring Books – Farm, Safari, Under the Sea – Great Gift for Girls and Boys – Best for 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Year Olds)
Brain Quest for Threes, revised 4th edition: 300 Questions and Answers to Get a Smart Start
National Geographic Little Kids
Have a recommendation I didn’t cover? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
by Missie Hills | May 10, 2020 | Tips and Advice
All too often, I hear new parents talk about how much they miss taking vacations. When I ask, “What’s stopping you?”, the answer is always around the lines of “It’s too hard to travel with kids”,”It’s too expensive to travel with kids”, “I honestly don’t know how you do it…”
Well, I’m a strong believer that having a baby doesn’t mean you have to give up your adventurous side. Yes, it can be challenging, but the reward of exploring together as a family makes it all worth it. I’m here to help you with the planning so you can tackle that fear and enjoy the ride! Here are ten tips to get you started:
10. Research your gear
Probably the first challenge of travelling with a baby is figuring out which gear to take and which gear to leave. There is just so much of it! First, make a list of what is absolutely necessary for your child to have. These are the things that you can’t live a day without. I focus on safety and mobility. Strollers, car seats, and baby carriers… The gear you will need will be different at different stages of life for your little one. Once you have your list, start your research. We always look for products that are lightweight and easy to carry or pack. Follow this post to see more recommendations of products we love!
9. Pack Light
This tip will go against every instinct you have. But trust me, by reducing what you have to keep up with, you will be reducing stress! We have been successful multiple times in packing only carry ons for our international adventures. I explain how here. Ultimately, you have to get comfortable with not being fully prepared for every single scenario. Think ahead about what you will wear each day. Plan on washing cloths on the go. It’s pretty easy to go through multiple outfits a day with a baby, but onesies are pretty easy to wash in the sink!
8. Think about food and milk
This planning step is very dependent on each and every child. We are very lucky that Little E isn’t picky. He has been eating whatever we eat since starting solids. We have found that baby food is pretty easy to find in most all countries. However, it might be hard to tell what the ingredients contain. We like to bring baby food pouches for travelling. They are easy to store and less messy. Bring a pack of cheap baby spoons, and you are good to go.
If you are breastfeeding, life will be pretty easy. I always bring a hand pump to use for long public transport rides so I wont have to take my little one out the car-seat. If you are using formula, put it in plastic baggies to make it easier to store. Remember, you are allowed to carry on all baby food, formula, and breastmilk on the plane regardless of the amount! Just be prepared to pull it out for inspection.
If you have a toddler, then snacks are a must! I always make sure to have a snack bag in our day pack. You can find snacks at just about any supermarket you go to. Don’t feel like you have to pack enough snacks for the entire trip.
7. Buy diapers there
You also don’t have to pack enough diapers for the entire trip! I promise! Take enough to get you through the airport and maybe one extra day. I have been able to find diapers everywhere. Even from street vendors in Morocco! Pro tip: It will help to know how much your child weighs in kilograms.
6. Know the essentials
What are the things you can’t buy at any supermarket? This may be dependent on where you are going. The things I like to make sure I have on hand always are baby sunscreen, a child thermometer, children’s Tylenol, baby bug spray, and baby soap. It can be difficult to tell what you are buying when it’s in another language. So, if your child has any skin sensitivities you will want your own products on hand. Just put them in small travel bottles to save space and allow you to carry onto the flight.
5. Don’t forget the entertainment
I never travel with a lot of toys. A couple of your child’s favorite toys and few easy travel toys are all you need. Sticker books, a small bag of plastic animals, and a couple small books have been enough for us. My rule of thumb is that all snacks and toys have to fit into my child’s carry-on backpack (toddler size). This includes his tablet and headphones.
4. Prepare sleeping arrangements ahead
I always pay close attention to amenities when booking hotels. Not all hotels will offer roll away cribs. For us, this is a must. However, if you are going somewhere that you know this isn’t an option… add it to your gear list! Don’t waste time going back to the hotel for naps, get a stroller that leans back and let the naps happen on the go!
3. Understand the local culture
We haven’t been to a country yet that hasn’t been extremely baby friendly. Ask questions to people that you talk to on your trip about how the locals feel about children. Is it OK to breastfeed in public? Is it acceptable to bring babies to nice restaurants? In certain countries, you may be surprised at just how friendly the locals can be. In Argentina, I had a local come pick my baby up and carry him off to show her friends! In Morocco, we were surprised to find out that it was custom for men to kiss children on the head to show affection. And in Lithuania, we saw babies in carriages sitting in alleys by themselves soaking up the sunlight while their parents watched from somewhere out of our sight.
2. Every baby is different
I can’t stress this enough. What has worked for us, may not work for you. You know your child! So, if something I say doesn’t seem right to you, try it your way!
1. Be Flexible and have Patience
No matter which tips work and don’t work for you, you will always need to remember to have patience and to be flexible. Understand that there may be sacrifices you will have to make. I missed out on the Lucha Libre match in Mexico City, because someone had to stay in the hotel with the baby. At the same time, our flexibility has allowed us to get out and see things on the go. Little E has taking plenty of naps in the stroller while we hang out in museums. We have stayed up much later then normal bedtime in order to go to restaurants and have nice dinners. A lot of times, our routine is already messed up by jet lag anyways. So let loose, and be prepared to change plans as needed. You may miss out on a few things, but the bonding you are creating with your family is worth so much more.
Extra tip!
Capture the good, the bad, and the ugly! Yeah I know, Our boys aren’t going to remember these trips. But I will always have these moments captured by my camera to share with them. These are memories that I believe they will treasure forever!
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