Episode 012: Traveling with Kids

00:48 The Great Screen Debate

Today's particular panelists are all about screens while traveling as long as it's not detracting from the travel experience. Everyone agrees that screens are a great way to keep kids occupied and quiet.

08:09 Transportation Challenges, Woes, and Genius Tips

• When your kid gets flagged on her first plane ride...
• TSA Pre√ (Worth its weight in gold!!)
• Download shows to devices in advance
• Have a variety of activities (besides screens)
  • Hotel Paper & Pens
  • Books
  • Cheerios
  • ... and a Walkman?
• Building Up Good Will with People Around You: Is it worth bribing others (with chocolate??) and socializing or should they just deal with you traveling with your kiddo(s)?
• Use Car Services like Lyft!

24:25 Transportation + Car Seats (Deserves its own conversation, obviously.)

• Amazon a cheap one + have delivered to your destination then donate when you go home (Pro tip: Do the same thing with diapers!)
• Uber and Lyft have car seat options in select cities
• Renting Car Seats: Yay or Nay?

32:58 On-The-Go Childcare

• Hotel Concierge - Check Yelp Reviews!
• Make sure you know where the closest hospital/urgent care center is

37:46 We're Here. Now What?

• Google "Top 10 things to do in X"
• Use an app like Winnie

39:48 A Round of Helpful Hints and Tricks

• Josh: If possible, get a hotel room with a separate bedroom.
• Mandy: Hotels with pools are delightful. (Especially if your kids can swim on their own.) Also use Uber Eats for food delivery to the hotel if going out is undesirable.
• Chris: Pizza chains will deliver to hotel pools for an easy pizza party. Great for traveling sports teams!
• Allison: Bring a roll of duct tape and use a taller chair on the side of the bed to act as a bedrail.
• Andy: Aluminum foil and a sponge!

43:42 Genius / Fail Moments

• Allison: MilkStork: A breast milk shipping company when you're away from your infant.
• Andy: Andy's son offered his teddy bear to a friend in need!
• Chris: Playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii as a family activity to teach good sportsmanship and kindness.
• Mandy: Staying on the boardwalk part of the beach on the ground level. Also, if you do a lot of traveling, save up points! Mandy uses Marriott Rewards to get free nights in select hotels for summer vacation fun!

Follow & Support

Please follow us @parentdrivendev on Twitter or email us at panel@parentdrivendevelopment.com.

Our website is at ParentDrivenDevelopment.com.

Support us via Patreon and get access to our our Slack Community.

Panel

Andy Croll
Chris Sexton
Allison McMillan
Mandy Moore
Josh Puetz