Mom’s survival instructions: Brew. Sip. Repeat.

Hello mommies!

Here I am again taking a "break" with you. This time we are going to talk about traveling with our family. Traveling is something I really enjoy. Between missionary trips and vacations I have visited more than 20 countries and I have the goal to continue traveling.

Most of these trips were made before having children. After having our first child, Gael, we decided to take some time without traveling. After I got pregnant with Gaia between one thing and another when I opened my eyes I realized that it had been three years since Gael was born and we had not traveled. It is worth emphasizing that one of the main reasons we did not travel at that time was to be able to organize our finances and save in order to travel without getting into debt.

During the month of March of this year we had the opportunity to visit Guatemala for the second time. The first time we went apart and single. Gabriel, my husband, was part of a student trip in high school and I went as part of a missionary trip with a group of Youth With A Mission (missionary organization to which I belonged for 10 years). Both trips happened many years ago, so in many ways it was like going for the first time.

On this occasion we traveled as a family of four and the main reason of the trip was to visit our family. And let me tell you that it was a divine journey full of long conversations, delicious food, visits to beautiful places and many "coffee breaks". It was a wonderful time to share with family and relax. If you are considering traveling but you have not done it because you have small children, my recommendation is that you do it as soon as possible. Traveling is beneficial for the whole family in many ways.

Here I share some tips to make your trip more bearable:

1. Pack the necessary

2. Research possible places to visit from before going to the trip

3. Make a tentative and flexible itinerary

4. Turn the trip into a fun learning time

5. Bring some familiar foods and things for your children

6. Consume bottled water always

7. Have your documents up to date

8. Check if you can rent or borrow car seats and or strollers

9. Make a realistic budget

10. Make room for many "coffee breaks"

These 10 tips Come from things we did on our trip to Guatemala. If you want to hear more details about some of these tips please do not forget to watch our second YouTube video. Visit the channel, give yourself a "coffee break" while watching the video and leave us your comments. What travel tips can you give us? Where would you like to travel with your family?

I hope that you can go on a special trip with your family very soon. You will see that it will be a wonderful time. Until next week!

Receive a caffeinated hug with an extra "shot" of affection,

Graciela