Thank you to Sprouting Threads for providing me with their clothing subscription, free of charge, in exchange for this blog post.  All opinions are 100% my own.

We have recently returned from a Spring Break Family Vacation that included 17 of us, of which, 9 were children.  Thankfully, all went well and we had a fantastic time and now I wanted to share some Traveling Tips with you.

1.   PACK SMART & PACK LIGHT:  With 7 of us in our immediate family, we only used 5 rolling luggage pieces since our two youngest (ages 3 and 18 months) wouldn’t be able to pull their own.  By ensuring they all met the carry-on size requirement, we were also able to avoid waits at baggage claim.
   I only allotted each child two pairs of shorts and six tops for our entire eight day trip.  I knew that we’d be spending time in the pools and some of their clothing would hardly be worn, allowing them to double up and wear another day.
2. UTILIZE A BABY CARRIER:  While we brought along and utilized a double umbrella stroller for part of our trip, our good quality Baby Carrier logged in even more hours of use.  We found that lugging a stroller in certain situations made getting around more difficult.  Plus, our little girl wanted to walk quite a bit.  I just kept the Carrier strapped around my waist and ready at a moments notice.
3. THINK BACKPACKS!:  Whether in the diaper stage or beyond, never underestimate a great quality backpack when on vacation.  We were able to store snacks, diapers, souvenirs, water bottle, and other necessities and easily tote them effortlessly in our backpack.   (We prefer the DadGear Diaper Bag Backpack and will continue to use even after we’re through the diaper stage!)
4. BE FLEXIBLE:  While we had a schedule planned, very few things had times that were set in stone.  By staying flexible, we were able to accommodate everyone’s needs throughout the day.  Whether stopping for an impromptu ice cream break or heading back to the hotel for a rest, flexibility helped keep everyone happy and sane.
5. PACK FOR DOWN TIMES:  This is especially important when flying.  I pack each of our children a backpack with a few goodies and snacks to keep them busy when waiting for flights or shuttles.  We’ve found balloons to be especially helpful and fun.  They literally take up almost no room and we just toss in the garbage before boarding.  (We received multiple compliments about this as it kept our brood of children quiet and engaged!)
   
6. STAY POSITIVE:  The old adage “attitude is everything” truly means a lot.  We had a few disappointments on our trip such as not being able to have our beach day at one of the ports, but by keeping a positive attitude, our family was still able to have a really great time!
7. PREPARE FOR COMING HOME:  We were able to get our suitcases unpacked and laundry completely done the same day we returned home by staying organized.  Towards the end of the vacation, my husband spent time folding and sorting out dirty laundry and the rest of our stuff so that once back home, I was able to easily get everything where it belonged in very little time.  We only got home about 1:30 pm and by the time we went to bed at 7pm, our home was organized and back to normal and our laundry was completely done!
8. TAKE TIME TO RECOUP:  Know and take into consideration that it may take up to a week for everyone to get back into routine.  Vacations can be tiring, depending on trip location and expectations, and taking it easy after returning can help the entire family transition back to regular life and schedules.

Learn More From Our Sponsor:

Buy It: Head over to Sprouting Threads to learn more about what they offer.

Connect: Don’t forget to like Sprouting Threads on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest news and promotions.

Miranda

I’m a city girl turned country by my awesome husband and we have three busy boys and two darling daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading Karen Kingsbury novels, and catching up with friends while our kiddos have play dates. I’m blessed beyond measure and can’t wait to see what God has in store.
Follow Miranda on Pinterest | Twitter| Blog | Instagram

www.emilyreviews.com/category/miranda