Travel Mama | Monet, Vacations for Kids
Monet is an expert travel mama whose blog The Traveling Child is a treasure trove of tips and tricks on planning vacations for kids. This week I had the opportunity to chat with Monet about being a lifelong traveler and traveling with small children. I first came across Monet after giving birth ad being inundated with people telling me my life as a traveler was over, and traveling as a family is rarely done. Her thirst for adventure and expertise about vacations for kids had me hooked.
How much did you travel before kids?
Where had you been? Quite a bit, prior to kids I had traveled to China, Botswana, Jamaica, Germany, Spain, Morocco, England, South Africa, France, Mexico, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Canada, and multiple states.
When did you get your first passport?
Before I can remember
Did you travel pregnant? Any tips for flying while pregnant?
Yes, I traveled during both of my pregnancies. Always drink a lot of water, get an aisle seat and bring your own snacks!
How old was your baby the first time you traveled?
My eldest was 6 weeks and my youngest was 11 days because we were moving from New York to Florida and I didn’t want to drive so far with her. Her first proper trip was at 10 weeks old.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about your kids traveling?
My eldest is a huge foodie, this girl will eat ANYTHING!
How has traveling as a mother changed you?
It’s improved my patience and taught me I don’t always have to stick to my itinerary to have a good time.
Out of all the benefits of
To respect people of all backgrounds and cultures.
Travel stuff, What are 3 things you never travel without for yourself? For your kids
Portable battery pack, camera
Long layover or direct flights? Why?
Direct flights
Why is it important to you to travel, mama?
The world has so much to offer than what we see in our daily lives and I think traveling is important to raising global citizens and having a better understanding of the different type of people in the world.
What is something you do without at home, to travel more?
Cable, eating out, and going to the movie theater.
Airport uniform?
Leggings and a t-shirt.
Travel mama hack?
Never pick your destination, let
Do you /How do you practice responsible tourism as a family?
We do our best to research the places we patronize to make sure they are detrimental to the environment and minimize our waste, never littering.
The most sticky experience you’ve had traveling with kids.
My backpack with our passports
Inspiration for Vacations for Kids
Where have you been as a family?
My husband doesn’t have as many vacation days as me so some trips he misses out on. I also take each of my girls on a solo mommy/daughter trip each year so the places all four of us have been are Barbados, Thailand, Singapore, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, France, Cuba, Kenya, Costa Rica, Denmark, Jamaica, Chicago, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. I’ve also taken one or both of the girls to Germany, Aruba, Australia, Colombia, Italy, Greece, and Grand Cayman.
Secretly there are 9 million benefits to traveling with kids what’s the best perk you’ve experience led going with a tiny traveler in tow?
Seeing their faces light up and filled with laughter when they are having a good time on our trips.
Where can we follow along with your family travel, mama?
On Instagram @thetravelingchild and on our website www.thetravelingchild.co
How many children are in your travel tribe? what are their ages?
2 girls, ages 2 and 4
Where are you guys off to next?
Ski trip