10 Tips for Taking Kids to their First Concert

10 Tips for Taking Kids to their First Concert

One question you’ll be asked throughout your entire life is, “What was your first concert?”  U2…Saratoga Springs!  I knew I had a huge responsibility because if I didn’t choose wisely their response could be Kid Bop for the rest of their life.  We waited until the perfect concert and this year it happened…Ed Sheeran came to Gillette Stadium.  When we were in Ireland my girls begged us to go to Grafton Street, they squealed when they saw signs to Galway, and they want our next vacation to be Barcelona.  (All based on Ed Sheeran songs!) Yep…they LOVE him, so we knew this would be the perfect first concert and they ended up having a blast!

Here are 10 tips for taking your kids to their first concert:

APPROPRIATE: Radio stations censor their music, so you may want to do some investigating to see if the lyrics will be appropriate for kids.  Watch some YouTube videos about their concerts to see what vibe to expect. 

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A Peek at How I Pack

 

My husband should win an award for packing.  Since he travels weekly for work, he has it down to a science.  It takes him about fifteen minutes, he rarely forgets anything, and he doesn’t even use a list…gasp! He’s explained his system to me and it involved the order of how he unpacks his clothes at a hotel, but it could never work for me.  My world consists of a list, Post-It notes, and a highlighter. Honestly…what would the world do without a highlighter! I’m a visual person so I need to see it right in front of me.  Also, when we’re traveling for my blog we don’t travel like most people.  In Iceland we stayed in seven hotels in 10 days and had different activities each day, making packing a challenge.  My method works for me so I wanted to give you a peek at how I pack.

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Perfect Itinerary for a Week in Santorini

view of Santorini

Santorini Itinerary

Many people think of Santorini as a honeymoon destination filled with starry-eyed newlyweds and wedding proposals around every corner.  However, Santorini is actually an amazing destination for a family vacation and is filled with fun activities to do with your kids.  There is no need for electronics to keep your kids entertained and never once did they say they were bored.  Being in Santorini is like walking into a postcard and this concept is not lost on kids.  Here is a Perfect Itinerary for a Week in Santorini.

DAY 1

Today is all about exploring Oia. 

BYZANTINE CASTLE RUINS

If possible, get up early to beat the crowds and head over to the BYZANTINE CASTLE RUINS.   The actual building is more like a shell but the views from around it is breathtaking.  360 degrees of blue water, white buildings, and amazing cliffs welcome you from the top of the ruins. 

church in Santorini

Spend the rest of your morning getting lost in the maze of streets of Oia.  Peek into little shops and small art studios.  Have breakfast in a tiny café and enjoy some delicious Greek coffee!  There are hundreds of steps in Oia, so be prepared to get a good workout.

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St. Martin/St. Maarten

girls in the pool in St. Maarten

St. Martin/ St. Maarten Itinerary

 We rarely go to the same destination twice, so when we return somewhere it speaks highly of that destination.  St. Martin/St. Maarten is an island where we felt safe exploring, comfortable driving, and loved the variety of activities.  The people are so welcoming and love to share their culture with visitors.  Since the island is half Dutch and half French, you feel like you’ve traveled to two islands in one trip.  Here is our itinerary for a perfect week in St. Martin/St. Maarten.

Where do you fly in to St. Martin/ St. Maarten 

The best place to fly in is Princess Juliana International Airport

CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT

Itinerary for a perfect week in St. Martin: 

DAY 1

I always spend the first full day enjoying my hotel and spending time in the sun and sand with my family.  Enjoy the pool or the closest beach and soak up all the sunshine!

girl jumping into the pool in St. Martin

Lunch: Kali’s Beach Bar.  This is a toes-in-the-sand restaurant.  Kids can play in the sand while you enjoy a cocktail and wait for your food.  Great burgers!

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Being Prepared for Sick Kids on Vacation

 

I’ll never forget our nightmare eventful first morning on our trip to Turks and Caicos.  I woke up to the sound of birds chirping and waves crashing as I rolled over and wrapped myself up in our fluffy down comforter.  Oh, and did I mention it was a white comforter? When suddenly I noticed my sleepy five-year-old standing by my side lean over and throw up all over our bed. Perfect start to our vacation!

You can’t prevent your kids from being sick or getting hurt, but you can be prepared for these vacation hiccups by packing a few supplies.  We’ve seen it all…pneumonia in the Turks, ear infection in Florida, stomach bug in St. Lucia, sliced chin in Grand Cayman, jellyfish sting in Santorini, and countless sunburns.  (Holy cow…we’ve had some really bad luck!)  I’ve learned to pack for many “what if” situations.  Here’s what I always carry on vacation for these occasions:

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Itinerary for a Week in Bermuda with Kids

kid on a beach in Bermuda

Bermuda

Bermuda is a gorgeous island and an ideal location from Boston and NY.  Quaint downtown areas and white sandy beaches make it a lovely family vacation destination.  This trip was a Mother’s Day gift and we loved soaking up the sun! Here is our itinerary for a week in Bermuda with kids:

Where do you fly in?

The best place to fly in is L. F. Wade International Airport

CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT

DAY 1

I always spend the first full day enjoying my hotel and spending time in the sun and sand with my family.  Enjoy the pool and the beach and soak up all the sunshine!

girls reading by the pool

If you feel like stretching your legs on an easy stroll with gorgeous views, try the Bermuda Railway Trail.  There are 21 miles to walk on this path so choose a section and enjoy.  (Click here for a link to the trail)

Dinner:  Wahoo’s Waterside Bistro (St. George’s)          

  Wahoo’s Waterside Bistro, Bermuda (more…)

10 Best Apps to Use While Traveling

phone

 

Since I’m not lucky enough to have my own personal assistant, I rely on certain apps to help me out while I’m traveling.  Some get me where I need to go and others make it more fun while I’m there.  The following are my top 10 apps I use while traveling:

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10 Best Apps for Planning Your Trip

hone

 

Since so much goes into planning a trip, it is wonderful to get some help. Luckily, help is right at your fingertips.  The following are the top 10 apps that I use when I am planning a trip.

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My First Night Away…ALONE!

Bass Rocks Ocean Inn mytravelingkids.com

The day is finally here and I’m all packed up to go away all by myself for the first time.  No husband and no kiddos.  I’ve put my bags in the car and grabbed the wine I’ve been chilling in the fridge.  When suddenly…Ring Ring Ring.  “Hi Mrs. Johnson.  This is the school nurse.  Would you mind coming in to pick up your daughter?  She seems to have a bit of a bellyache.” You’ve got to be kidding me!  I can’t make this stuff up.  With a sigh, the wine goes back in the fridge and I’m on my way to pick up my little cherub from school.   

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What’s in My Travel Bag?

bag6

When my girls were toddlers my travel bag weighed a ton.  I carried supplies for three people…I was their Sherpa! When they got a little older I discovered my new best friend…a kid backpack! Suddenly they were carrying their own stuff and I had my travel bag all to myself.  What do I keep in this magical bag? Here’s a peek…

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