Motherhood

We’re better together 💕

Expectation: When we're on a boat watching the Blue Angels practice in Pensacola the kids will be in awe and so thankful for that experience. We'll even bring the noise-canceling headphones so they don't complain about the noise! We're so prepared and great parents for giving our children this experience. Reality: The kids kept asking when we could go back inside the boat's cabin. I was asked for a snack approximately 397 times throughout the half-hour experience. For the majority of the time, the kids didn't even seem to notice that there were planes in the air. One parent was continuously hustling around the boat making sure the toddler didn't go overboard or hug a stranger's legs. I barely got any video or pictures of the Blue Angels, much less the idyllic Instagram shot I had in mind of my 3 kids looking over the side of the boat at the planes in the background. Redeeming Moment: in the hours and days following the Blue Angels practice, the kids kept talking about how cool it was to see planes flying upside down. So maybe they paid attention after all? I could go on and on with examples of how I thought travel was going to go, and how the reality of my children as real human beings with real desires and emotions made it a completely different experience. I'm learning to embrace the reality. That's where the true family memories and vacation lore happen. Those are the stories we'll tell around the Thanksgiving table or on long road trips for years to come. "Remember that time..." stories are usually about what went wrong, not about how we all posed perfectly for an Instagram shot with no whining or complaining, then had a scholarly conversation about what we learned. And honestly, that's why I want to travel with my kids. There's no quicker way to bond with people than to be stuck in a car or hotel room with them. There's no surer way to create a bond with people than to struggle through tough moments together and laugh about them later. Travel deepens our family bond and makes our story richer.

It’s not often I get to spend time with just the two oldest. Even better that we got to hang out in this beautiful setting. 🏖🌴☀️ @diplomatbeachresort #atthedip @floridashollywood #hollywoodfl

Trying to write coherent articles with kids asking me for snacks every 30 seconds is somehow not as restful as sitting on a balcony sipping a smoothie with this view 😂

Trip planning. I'm a big-picture thinker, not a details person. When I plan trips I get really excited about all the cool activities we'll experience and sights we'll get to see.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I forget that I actually have to figure out how to get from one spot to the next, where to park, how much things cost, when and where to eat, etc. That worked when I was a college student only in charge of myself, but not so much when little voices are telling you they're hungry and hot and thirsty and have to go potty.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Anyway, Hollywood, FL made it really easy on me. They have these free Sun Shuttles that are electric cars you can request on an app (a la Uber or Lyft only FREE). I just parked my car at our hotel and used the Sun Shuttle to get around town. So awesome. Every city should look into a program like this.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ If you're sight-seeing in Hollywood, FL with kids, save this post. Here's what you'll want to see:⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ - the Broadwalk. Yes Broad, not Boardwalk. It's a 2.5-mile brick-paved beachside path. It's lined with palm trees, shops, restaurants, hotels, and, of course, a stunning view of the Atlantic.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ - ArtsPark at Young Circle. Fun playground, splash pad, fountain, greenery, and lots of walking paths. Right in the middle of the city!⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ - Historic Downtown Hollywood. Fun to wander and find al fresco dining. I'm sure there are many historical buildings to find, but my kids were just wondering when they could go back to the hotel.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ - the Mural Project! Make an "I-spy" game with your kids and see who can find the most beautiful murals painted on the walls in downtown Hollywood. That was definitely our favorite part of sightseeing. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Have you been to Hollywood, Florida? It's SUPER cute, and right in between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

When you go on vacation do you pack your schedule or take it slow with lots of downtime? We prefer lots of downtime for the kids to relax and unwind. It just seems like everyone is in a better mood for sightseeing that way. @resortquestnwfl was a perfect spot for our family to stay when visiting Pensacola because it’s on Perdido Key which is a secluded barrier island away from all the action. We loved the quiet, the beautiful natural setting, and the chance to let our kids be kids before and after heading out to see the area. And I would be remiss not to mention the free dvd rentals and heated pool overlooking the ocean. But, you know, details... So what about you? Get the most bang for your buck by doing as much as possible, or slow and steady? #vacationdifferently #pcolapresstrip #experiencepcola @visitpensacola

Things that are magical: perfect 4-day getaways with your family when school’s out, playing in the sugary sand on the Gulf of Mexico, and staying in a condo just steps from Perdido Key Beach. We loved our @resortquestnwfl condo this weekend! If you’re heading to NW Florida this summer, definitely check them out. Have you ever visited the Pensacola/Perdido Key area? There was a ton to do with the kids! @wyndhamvacationrentals @visitpensacola #pcolapresstrip #experiencepcola #sponsoredstay #vacationdifferently

What do you look for in a place to stay when you’re on vacation? (#sponsored) With 3 little kids, we prefer a place with a separate bedroom so we can put the toddler to bed and still hang out after bedtime. A kitchen is a MAJOR bonus because we like to pack our own food and make our own coffee when we travel. Our stay at @resortquestnwfl in Perdido Key, FL has been so relaxing. Morning coffee in the kitchen before Lewis wakes up, a place to come back and watch movies when it rains, and the CUTEST bunk beds for the big kids. If you’re looking for a summertime family getaway in NW Florida, use the promo code BEACHES to get 20% off Resort Quest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals. What are your biggest priorities when booking accommodations? #vacationdifferently #pcolapresstrip #experiencepcola

Keys to a successful travel day with kids: - hype it UP. Whatever you’ve got planned for the day, make it the most exciting thing on this planet to your kids. - know that there WILL be whining and complaining. Try not to take it personally. They’ll complain no matter what you schedule. - mix kid activities with adult activities. It doesn’t have to be ALL about the kids, but try to avoid dragging them only to stuff you want to do. - stop and notice what they’re noticing. A park, street art, an acorn on the ground...it’s novel to them. It’s what makes travel a family bonding experience. - you know what I’m going to say next: SNACKS. Always have them handy. Consider like a holster or a tool belt so you can grab them quickly. - genuinely enjoy your kids. Genuinely enjoy the destination you’re visiting. Pensacola, we love you! Our first day here was full of fun and family bonding! Fellow travel families: what are your keys to a successful travel day??? #experiencepcola #pcolapresstrip

🤷🏼‍♀️ WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US, INSTAGRAM? Engagement is down, reach is nonexistent, and we’re all left scratching our heads wondering what we’re “supposed” to do to get any traction on the Very Important Platform. I don’t know about you, but it’s actually kind of freeing. Because there no longer seems like a “right way” to do things on this app, I feel like I can just have fun and post what I want whenever I want because it won’t make a difference anyway! Maybe instead of taking it so seriously (I get it...for a lot of us this is our business and our livelihood), maybe we can use this as a space to lift others up. Maybe we can show the love and support we’re hoping our own account receives. I’m definitely guilty of posting and ghosting, but no more! It’s time to get social! So tell me: before Insta became a business for you, what did you LOVE to share? What pictures did you LOVE to see on your feed? I wonder if getting back to that would make this app so much more enjoyable and fruitful for all of us?

Me: “Teddy, what was your favorite part of this weekend?” Teddy: “The beach toys! The hotel had them already so we didn’t have to bring our own!” #sponsored The kids could not get over how fun the pool and beach areas were at the @diplomatbeachresort . They haven’t stopped talking about it since we got back. It was so nice to have this little getaway with my 2 oldest, and I can’t wait to write all about Hollywood, FL and the Diplomat! #atthedip #ingoodsands

Did you know there was a Hollywood in Florida? It’s the cutest beach town with a vibrant art community. The kids and I are having the best time exploring this weekend! I will say it’s a lot tougher to take kids sightseeing when it’s 90° out, though. I was really proud of myself for figuring out public transportation today so I didn’t have to drive all over and pay for parking. It always makes me a little nervous, though, especially when the kids are along and they’re hot and hungry/thirsty. Do you prefer convenience even if it means paying more, or do you make life tougher if it means saving a buck?

Hurray for summer! We’re slowly recovering from our cabin getaway, and today’s big adventure was a frog stuck in our lanai. Needless to say, we waited for Dad to get home so he could get it out.

This is the perfect family getaway we didn’t realize we needed. A little bit of outside time, a little bit of nature, but we still get to crawl into cozy beds in our cabin at the end of the day. We have a tent, and we look forward to using it again soon. But right now Lewis is in the thick of 2-year-old rebellion. It is in no one’s best interest or sanity to put ourselves through that this summer. Instead, we’ll be enjoying fishing off our private dock and having a fridge where we can store milk and dinner supplies. This place is awesome! #sponsored #koacamping

Flying into this week like... We’re trying something new: weekly family meetings! We go through what went well the previous week and what we could improve on going forward. The kids had shockingly good input! We’ll be doing a lot of traveling and getting out of routine this summer, so I’m really focused on creating good habits we can implement whether we’re at home, in a hotel, camping, or visiting family. What are some of your favorite or most successful family routines you’ve implemented?

c r a b b y v a c a t i o n m o m Have you guys gotten into this mode? You’re the one the does all the research, planning, booking, packing, and food prep, then no one bothered to thank you and everyone’s acting like whiny jerks? Been there. I mean, I actually do really love planning trips, but sometimes it’s really hard to relax and unwind once you’re actually on the trip when there are still little kids to take care of. I’m working on some resources and ebooks for parents who want travel planning to be less stressful. Wondering: what do you struggle with most / what makes you Crabby Vacation Mom when it comes to planning and preparation?