By: Luisa Mayer
Whether you're heading to Europe or flying across the country, here are some of my favorite tried-and-true tips to make traveling with your family less stressful and more joyful.
Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old,
they won’t depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
My name is Luisa Mayer, and I’ve been at Grace Family Church since the doors opened 31 years ago. I met my husband, Mark, here, and we’ve raised our six children at Grace. Five years ago, I was blessed to join the Land O’ Lakes location as its Women’s Ministry Coordinator.
I love to scrapbook and travel. So, with summer approaching, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite travel tricks and tips. I used to work for an airline, so my children have had passports since they were infants. For you mamas out there—yes, you can stay sane while traveling with small children. Once, we flew to Europe with six kids under the age of 12. Crazy, I know. But it worked out!
If you have a child who gets airsick and doesn’t like pills, we used to give ours a handful of Smarties with Dramamine mixed in. Give each child their own little backpack, and it will help them feel like a big kid and teach responsibility. Fill it with some of their favorite things to do.
If you're traveling overseas, let your children know ahead of time that they’ll get about three hours of electronics or play, and then it’s time to rest. Trust me—they’ll fall asleep. If you’re flying east, you’ll land in the morning. Also, it’s hard to carry kids and bags, so I always brought a small umbrella stroller to use right off the plane. And snacks are a must for the trip from the airport to your final destination. We packed large suitcases for Europe, but know that most taxis allow only four per car.
Worried about losing your checked bag? Carry on a roller suitcase and use a 40L backpack as your personal item. Fill it up, but make sure it fits under the seat in front of you. I clip my pillow and water bottle on the outside.
Feeling overwhelmed about traveling to a foreign country? Don’t. There are so many apps that make it easier.
Rome2Rio helps you figure out how to get from one country to another.
Google Maps shows which trains or buses get you to your hotel.
Google Translate converts menus and museum descriptions in seconds—and can even help you ask locals what you need.
You don’t need much local currency. Most places accept MasterCard or Visa. American Express is not as widely accepted, but sometimes businesses will take it. I always ask.
Take time to learn about the local culture. When I approach someone, I smile, say hi and ask if they speak English. If they say yes, I ask how they’re doing, and it always makes them smile. Then, I ask what I need to know.
I hope you’ve got something fun planned this summer. Just remember: It’s an adventure for the family, and it’s okay if it’s not perfect.
Email me at lmayer@gfcflorida.com if you have any questions. Safe travels!