It would have been easy to feel very overwhelmed and let my kids watch unlimited TV and eat every snack they begged for while I regained my sanity. However, I knew that putting these 10 tips into action would make the transition much smoother in the end.
Re-entry into your everyday atmosphere doesn't have to be miserable. If you remember to implement a few key strategies, you'll be back in the groove in no time.
Read MoreIf packing lunch is a struggle for you, too, let's go through a few ways to make life easier. I'll provide some lists of ideas for each category, then show you some inspiration from Bento Box Expert Mamas. Don't worry, you don't have to cut your kid's food into cute shapes to be a good mom. Sometimes it's just fun to get ideas or admire other moms in their element, though!
Read MoreI find deciding what to wear for a day at a theme park to be exceedingly difficult. On one hand, I want to be comfortable, as these are long days of walking in the hot sun. On the other hand, I want to make sure I look put together since I know we'll be taking a lot of pictures. Outfits need to be breathable and cute, and I need to be able to sit comfortably on all types of rides.
Read MoreBefore this summer, all I really knew about Atlanta was that it was the worst traffic to drive through on our way from Florida to Wisconsin (or vice versa).
But all that changed when I had a chance to visit Georgia's capital with my kids. My extended family was vacationing in the mountains of northern Georgia for a week of togetherness and relaxation, and one of my 5 sisters was flying into Atlanta a few days into the trip. We decided to make a day of it when we went to pick her up.
Read MoreSome of the biggest obstacles to traveling with kids are time, money, and exhaustion. Travel can get pretty expensive, and I know it's tough to justify spending money on a trip when your kids might not even remember it. Many families don't get much vacation time, and when they do, they want to spend it with their extended family, catching up around the house, or relaxing.
Read MoreWhen you travel a lot, the hotels all begin to seem the same. But every once in a while you stay in a hotel that's so beautiful, so memorable that you can't stop thinking about it for months to come.
That's how I felt after my stay at Hotel Emma in San Antonio. Every detail was attended to, the decor was stunning, the beds were a dream, and I felt like royalty throughout my entire stay.
Read MoreThis past year, my oldest was in half-day preschool, which meant that we had to be out the door every day around 12:15. Yes. I had to get three kids ages 0, 2, and 4 out the door right at lunchtime and perilously close to nap time.
Read MoreWhen I traveled the world as a young adult, I didn't care where I slept. It could be a hostel, the floor of a friend's bedroom, or a couch. Now that I'm a 30-year-old with three little kids, I'm much more aware of our accommodations when we travel. We need somewhere quiet, with a spot for the baby to sleep peacefully where the 2- and 5-year-old won't wake him up. It also has to be kid-friendly and a great location. On our recent trip to Tampa Bay, the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park was the perfect choice for serenity and calm after a crazy day of travel and exploration.
Read MoreThe first time I took a really long road trip with a toddler I was 9 months pregnant with my second and moving across the country. I basically let her watch as many movies as she wanted because I didn't have the mental space to think of other activities nor the physical agility to turn and help her out in the back seat.
Now that I'm a mom of three, and I have taken countless road trips ranging from 1 hour to 20 hours with my little ones, I am determined not to get out of the car ready to pull my hair out or have my kids be movie zombies.
Read MoreMy family lives on the east coast of Florida, so we are no stranger to beaches, palm trees, and warm weather. But driving across the state to visit Sarasota felt like the perfect tropical getaway with my two youngest. My boys are 2 and 13 months, so I'm always on the lookout for kid-friendly locations whenever I travel, and Sarasota was bursting at the seams!
Read MoreI'm done nursing my third baby, and I have successfully lost all the baby weight and then some. I'm also officially done with teaching so I can be home with my kids, which means I no longer need work clothes. I'm staring at a closet full of ill-fitting, too fancy, or out-of-style clothes that I never wear, and it needs to change.
Read MoreHappy fifth birthday, Pippa! It's hard to believe that it's been five years since we first met you. You were my first baby, and I have such sweet memories of those first days after you came home from the hospital. We had nothing to do during those lazy summer days except nurse and watch Netflix and go for long walks. Pips, you and I share a bond that can never be broken.
Read MoreThere comes a point in almost every adult's life when they need some extra cash, and they need it quickly.
Maybe you're moving and have extra expenses like a security deposit, moving truck, and first and last month's rent.
Read MoreWell hi there.
It's been a bit. A lot of life changes are going down right now, and I feel like I've been on an emotional roller coaster. Writing is how I process what I'm feeling, so I think it's time to share it with my online community.
Read MoreSummer is coming up, which means your kids are going to be home all day long begging you for snacks. I get it. They're hopefully running around outside working up an appetite and need to refuel before they get back out there.
Read MoreLewis William.
You are one today! How has it been a year already?
Your birth was so easy, laid back, fun. We were all so excited to meet you...that is, once Pippa got over her disappointment that you were a boy. From the moment we brought you home, your big brother and sister smothered you with affection, hugs, and kisses.
Read MoreWhen I was in high school, I would see all the celebrities on the cover of teen magazines with their perfectly flat abs. I honestly thought if I exercised hard enough, I could achieve that. I would do hundreds of sit-ups and planks on my bedroom floor, thinking I could just target that one specific area.
There's so much wrong with that scenario - comparing myself to celebrities, not realizing that I needed to nourish my body with good food - not punish it with exercise, and never thinking my body was good enough.
Read MoreI am a three-time C-section mama and proud of it. Of course, it wasn't the type of birth I pictured when I got pregnant for the first time, but after going through the procedure 3 times, I've realized it's not so bad at all. In fact, I've even grown fond of my C-section memories, because it's how my babies made their way into the world safely. Now that I'm a Veteran C-section Mom, I've picked up a few tips and tricks for making recovery a little smoother.
Read MoreSo you're planning a family trip to Disney World, but you're overwhelmed by all the options for places to stay. I personally find it helpful to read first-hand experiences and reviews of what a hotel is like so I can make an informed decision. I had the opportunity to stay at the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel to facilitate a recent article I wrote for TravelPulse. I thought it would be helpful to share my experience here!
Read MoreThe prospect of entertaining toddlers and preschoolers on a long road trip is enough to deter even the bravest parent from traveling. Kids can go stir crazy, whine incessantly, drop things a million times, and refuse to nap.
If you're traveling with a 2 year old by car, you'll need activities to keep them entertained. In my experience, a cross country road trip with a 2 year old isn't so bad if you're prepared. The best road trip activities for little kids are simple, mess-free, and something they can do without supervision. Here are the best road trip activities for 2 year olds, 3 year olds, and preschoolers that I've come up with!Schedule
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