Expect the unexpected! This seems to be the motto for moms traveling with tots. From hand sanitizer and baby wipes to baby's favorite lovey, mamas know that when traveling with a toddler, it's always better to be overprepared.
Check out these five helpful items for easy traveling with tots and set out on your next vacation care-free!
As a frequent flier, I always have my liquids stored in a quart-size bag, laptop ready for inspection, and cell phone turned off before departure. I can see how occasional or first-time fliers could be oblivious to certain air travel protocol, but that doesn't excuse a lack of common courtesy. For instance, I see red and hear the sounds of fingernails running down a chalkboard when passengers push and weave through the overcrowded aisle to exit the plane. In my experience, travel etiquette says to exit the plane row by row. And if you're on the verge of missing a connection flight, you should notify a flight attendant beforehand, so she may help you get a jump before the rush. So, from the metal-ridden man holding up the security line to the crying kid in first class, I want to know what really ticks you off during your travels.
Source: Flickr User kalleboo
A few weeks ago, my sister used her points to fly to Hawaii for a fun-in-the-sun family vacay. To her surprise, she and my 5- and 3-year-old nephews were upgraded to first class. While I absolutely adore my nephews, Jakey (the 3-year-old) is a terror of a tot. Combined with Johnny (the 5-year-old), chaos ensued; water bottles were thrown; milk was spilled; and dirty looks and complaints from the fat cat in a suit in the next aisle came a comin'.
While these kids are generally well behaved, a six-hour flight was too much for them, and after my sister told us the story of the angry man in first class, a great debate sparked in my very opinionated family. Some said kids shouldn't fly first class because they disrupt other passengers, who pay for a level of peace and comfort; while others said the kids have a right to be there as much as anybody else since their parents paid the expensive airfare. What do you think?
Even though it may be hard to stick to a normal fitness routine when traveling this holiday, you don't have to give up on all your fitness goals. If you find yourself away from home (your gym, running path, or yoga studio) over the next few weeks, use these helpful tips to ensure you'll be active well into the new year.
Pack your gym bag. Pack workout clothing in your suitcase, and you'll have no excuse not to exercise. Traveling with workout clothing also acts as a visual reminder to stay fit, which can motivate you to exercise even when away from home.
Carry a workout on you. Depending on where you're staying, it may be hard to find a gym, and depending on the weather, exercising outdoors may not be an option — always bring a workout that you can do indoors. Good options that are easy to pack are a jump rope, fitness DVDs, or one of our printable home circuit workouts — I always pack resistance bands. If you forget, hit up the local library or video store and borrow a fitness DVD instead.
I have couple more suggestions, so keep reading.
Clockwise from left: Melissa and Doug Travel Memory Game ($10) has just 14 different memory boards to choose from so it is easy to carry around. The Scavenger Hunt For Kids ($7) card game will have your kids looking out for various sights and sounds on the road. We love the Brain Quest series, and this travel-specific set, Brain Quest For the Car ($11), should be a hit with your curious kids. The Klutz Kids Travel activity kit ($20) is packed with markers, crafts, and other games to keep tots occupied. Have youngsters ask the classic Magic 8 Ball ($10) all the burning questions and the kids will be entertained for an hour. The ">Everything Kids Travel Activity Book ($9) is another book that's filled to the brim with entertaining activities. There's always time to play a quick game of Bananagrams ($15) since the game's banana bag makes it perfect for toting.
The following post was written by New York-based trainer David Kirsch.
Hitting the road this holiday? Don’t let travel take a toll on your waistline. While this time of feasting, excessive sitting and under-exercising could be a recipe for serious weight gain, it doesn’t have to be! Follow me as I show you how to get there and back feeling healthier than ever.
First you need to learn how to pack your bag. The goal is to avoid succumbing to that 500-calorie muffin or wasting even more calories on forbidden fast food. There will be lots of temptations during your upcoming travel but take my advice and you won’t have to worry about poundage.
For more tips, recipes, and workouts, be sure to check out all of David's posts here on FitSugar.
The following post was written by Olympic athlete and mom Kerri Walsh, two-time gold medalist in pairs beach volleyball.
My most recent travels have me in Sanya, China. I am far far away from home and way out of my comfort zone when it comes to my diet and nutrition. I love Chinese food, but I've come to know that I love Americanized Chinese food, not the real deal. To combat my unadventurous taste buds, I have learned to travel with some goodies from home. The following are snacks that have already come in handy while here in China. Perhaps they'll work for you too!
After an OnSugar user requested advice for traveling abroad alone, I turned the question over to all of you. Whether it's for traveling to the rural edges of a countryside or a city center, here are your lessons learned from experience.
Add yours below!
The following post was written by Olympic athlete and mom Kerri Walsh, two-time gold medalist in pairs beach volleyball. When competing, she travels a bunch, so she shares her know-how of keeping fit on the road.
Here's my favorite hotel room workout:
Learn the rest of the hotel room workout when you read more.
Nearly 70 percent of you said all you'd need to travel abroad was a map, money, and passport — no people necessary. Now OnSugar user GuideAfrica is putting that promise to practice and planning a trip to either Namibia or Rwanda. Alone. But, first, she wants advice from us.
She'd like to know how to prepare and still have fun once there in the TrèsSugar group Girls Guidebook to Life. If you've traveled alone anywhere, but especially somewhere remote, tell us what you'd do again and what you wouldn't.
