It Was Always Puzzling Packing For My Children

Packing for my children was always so stressful.  I always worry about what I might forget.  My darling husband has always been kind enough to say, “Don’t worry, we can always buy what we need when we get there,” but that isn’t the point to me.  I always feel like it is such a huge waste of money to buy what our children already have.  I began making list, adding to them each vacation, until I had the list perfected, or as close to perfection as I could come.  I have kept organized lists for warm weather, cold weather, in-flight entertainment, carry-on luggage, checked luggage, and optional items for children.   It all sounds a little crazy, until you realize that you can customize the printable lists by crossing off what you don’t need, and checking-off what you have already put into your luggage.  The list can also be altered to fit the individual needs of your child.  Just add what you think might be missing.  If you have a little guy that loves to crawl around on the ground, add more pants, etc.  I hope that my lists reduce the stress that comes with packing.

Mom's Holiday Cookie Recipe and Children Traveling For the Holiday

As we prepare to travel away from our house this holiday season, I remember how much fun it was to bake with my mom as a child, and how much I enjoyed eating the results of our “hard” work.  It is a little more difficult to create those special memories on Christmas for our children because we are away from home.  I have for the past several years, brought a container full of Christmas holiday cookies with us (in my checked luggage).   I think my children will tie the holidays to our family by helping to bake in our kitchen before we leave. 

Here is one of my children’s favorite cookie recipes:

Oat meal Lace Cookies

2 ¼ Cups quick cooking rolled oats

2 ¼ Cups packed light brown sugar

3 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 Cup butter (melted)

1 egg (slightly beaten)

1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

½ to ¾ Cup chopped nuts

Mix all ingredients, drop by level measuring teaspoon full onto well buttered cookie sheet (spray oils are acceptable).  Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.  Let cookies cool before removing them from the baking sheet.  The cookies will be large and flat like lace.

Safety for Children on Vacation

As you prepare for your family’s holiday vacation in the merry madness of it all, don’t forget to take a few extra steps to insure your children’s safety.  Lucky Little Travelers (http://www.luckylittletraveles.com/ ), a new website dedicated to family travels, recommends a few pre-cautionary safety measures:

1. Teach your children their full name and phone number (including area code), you would be surprised how many 4 year olds don’t know their last name.  All children need written identification on them, meaning write on their hand or use a sticker for little ones.  For older children, give them a copy of the vacation itinerary.
2. Teach your children your full name and their father’s full name. (Grandparents full names, whoever you are visiting, and city name where they are going.  They may not remember, but at least you will know you tried.)
3. Use stickers- preprinted with name, parent’s names, cell phone number (including area code) and address.  Place identification stickers on clothing or use in shoes.  Make sure that your child knows their name and address is in their shoe. (You can buy name tags to run through your printer, or the simple introductory stickers.)  Include if you can, cell phone numbers (including area code), home phone numbers (including area codes),  home address, and your child’s pediatrician’s phone number (including area code), and an emergency contact number.
4. Take a photo, with your camera phone or camera, of each child on vacation, at the beginning of each day.  It will I.D. them in the outfit that they are wearing that day, and vacation photos are wonderful memories so it is a two for one.  Also, all adults on vacation should carry current photos of your children.
5. If you should decide to purchase a more costly I.D.  bracelets or dog tag, you should include:  cell phone numbers (including area code), home phone numbers (including area codes),  home address, and your child’s pediatrician’s phone number (including area code), and an emergency contact number.
6. For older children:  Be sure they are told hotel names and number, and give them a copy of your itinerary to carry with them in their backpack.

Easy Organized Packing for Children on Vacation

Entertaining children in-flight or in the car can be a tricky task.  We at Lucky Little Travelers have created a printable in-flight (or car) packing list filled with great ideas.  These lists come from years of experience of traveling with children.  You can add to the list with activities that you know your child is interested in, thereby creating a customized list of activities for your child.  Our lists are always free for your use and they come in a printable format.
Lucky Little Travelers (www.luckylittletravelers.com) is a new website dedicated to family travel with children.  Our purpose is to aid you in a stress free vacation.  Packing is always challenging and we can help alleviate some of the pressure.

Packing list for Children for Cold Weather or Warm Weather Vacations

Organized Packing List for Your Children's Vacation

Organize your children's packing for your holiday vacation.  We (http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/) have printable packing checklists for cold and warm weather vacations.  We also have a printable packing list for both carry-on and checked luggage.  If you are wondering how you will entertain your children for the long plane or car trip, we have printable packing list that can help aid you.  Family vacations should be fun, unfortunately it is stressful to prepare for them, our goal is to ease your stress.  Please check our new website:  http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/  We are a new website and still building.  If you don't find what you are looking for please check back with us.

Organized Packing List for Your Children's Vacation

Organize your children's packing for your holiday vacation.  We (http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/) have printable packing checklists for cold and warm weather vacations.  We also have a printable packing list for both carry-on and checked luggage.  If you are wondering how you will entertain your children for the long plane or car trip, we have printable packing list that can help aid you.  Family vacations should be fun, unfortunately it is stressful to prepare for them, our goal is to ease your stress.  Please check our new website.

New TSA Rules Affect Pregnant Women

Traveling during the holidays can be a difficult under normal conditions, but this year it is an even tougher decision for pregnant women.  The new TSA security measure of full-body scanners involving x-rays or enhanced pat-downs are taking away the joy of the season.  Either way, it is not an easy choice for pregnant women.  Many obstetricians don’t approve of the x-ray exposure to pregnant women.  Our best advice (www.luckylittletravelers.com) is to check with your doctor for their recommendation on how you should handle the new TSA methods.  The good that comes from the TSA’s new rules is the assurance that everyone onboard your plane is there with the same intention as you, to reach their destination without harm.

Take a look at our new website for other advice on traveling with children:  www.luckylittletravelers.com  We have printable packing list for both warm and cold weather vacations, as well as packing for children’s flight entertainment, and information that can help keep your packing organized for a stress free vacation.

New TSA Rules for Holiday Travel Check Your Children's pockets to get through Airport Security Faster

Traveling during the holidays can be a difficult under normal conditions, but this year it is an even tougher decision for parents.  The new TSA security measure of full-body scanners involving x-rays or enhanced pat-downs are taking away from the joy of the season.  Either way, it is not an easy choice for parents.  Many pediatricians don’t approve of the x-ray exposure to young children.  Our best advice (http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/ ) is to check with your children’s pediatrician, before you book your tickets, for their recommendation on how you should handle the new TSA methods.  The good that comes from the TSA’s new rules is the assurance that everyone on board your plane is there with the same intention as you, to reach their destination without harm.
As you are emptying your pockets make sure to empty your children’s pockets as well.  Check your children’s pockets for items that may generate problems.  I have seen many parents empty their own pockets and completely forget about checking their children.
Take a look at our new website for other advice on traveling with children:  http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/   We have printable packing list for flight entertainment for children.  We also have packing list for children for both warm and cold weather vacations that can assist you with keeping your packing organized for a stress free vacation.

TSA’s Rules For Carry-on Liquids Apply to Children

The TSA rules for liquids are described as the 3-1-1. Meaning 3 ounces, 1 quart, 1 bag,  It is a security measure that helps insure the safety of all passengers.  Each passenger, including children, is allowed to bring a clear one quart zip top bag.  Make sure that all liquids or gels are in a 3 ounce or smaller container.  Place all of your liquids into the clear plastic bag, and then put that on the top of everything in your carry-on bag.  After you arrive at the airport, and are going through security, the clear plastic bag can easily be removed from your carry-on and placed into the security bin.  The TSA insists that you use a clear zip top bag.  Do not take larger than 3 ounces and partially filled bottles, or larger than 3 ounces partially filled tubes of anything, they are prohibited.  The rules about liquids are pretty clear, but the TSA has a great poster to demonstrate the 3-1-1. Certain medications in larger sizes are allowed.  For more information check the TSA website:  http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

We (www.luckylittletravelers.com) recommend that you look for TSA approved clear zip top bags that come as a kit in the travel section of most department stores.  The kits contain the correct size bottles.  They are inexpensive and easy to find.

Lucky Little Travelers is a website dedicated to families traveling with children. 

Children Traveling During the Holidays are included in the TSA’s Rules For Liquids

The TSA rules for liquids are described as the 3-1-1.  It is a security measure that helps insure the safety of all passengers.  Each passenger, including children, is allowed to bring a clear one quart zip top bag.  Make sure that all liquids or gels are in a 3 ounce or smaller container.  Place all of your liquids into the clear plastic bag, and then put that on the top of everything in your carry-on bag.  After you arrive at the airport, and are going through security, the clear plastic bag can easily be removed from your carry-on and placed into the security bin.  The TSA insists that you use a clear zip top bag.  Do not take larger half full bottles or large half full tubes of anything, they are prohibited.  The rules about liquids are pretty clear, but the TSA has a great poster to demonstrate the 3-1-1.  Certain medications in larger sizes are allowed.  For more information check the TSA website:  http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

We (www.luckylittletravelers.com) recommend that you look for TSA approved clear zip top bags that come as a kit in the travel section of most department stores.  The kits contain the correct size bottles.  They are inexpensive and easy to find.

Lucky Little Travelers is a website dedicated to families traveling with children. 

New TSA Rules and Opt-Out choice for Children

Traveling during the holiday season is always nerve-racking, and the new TSA rules are tending to cause greater tension.  There is concern for the x-rays that the new scanning system emits are a health issue.  Our   ( http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/ )best recommendation is to check with your child's pediatrician for their opinion.  A quick call to the pediatrician's office can alleviate anxiety for parents, and help guide them in the best choice for their child.


If the recommendation from the pediatrician is to Opt-Out of the full body scan in favor of a pat-down, we suggest that the parent lead by example.  Ask the TSA agent if you can go first, so that your child can watch what happens.  Parents should be friendly and say hello to the agent, addressing the agent by name.  Ask your child to watch what is happening.  Then when it is your child's turn, be polite and friendly to the TSA agent.  It may help to calm your child if they can see that you are not alarmed by what is happening.  Your child should never be out of your sight during any screening procedure.  TSA agents are currently doing a modified pat-down on children.  Although, the modified pat-down is not currently described on their site.


It may also help your child if you describe before you get to the airport what is going to happen, so that it doesn't take them by surprise.  Explain to your child that you must be present in order for anyone to touch them.  Make it clear to your child that you will never allow anyone to hurt them, and no one will even try as long as you are present.

For more travel tips and information about traveling with children, please look at our new website:  http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/ .  We have printable packing list for children for both cold and warm weather vacations, packing list for in-flight entertainment for children, and family orientated vacation destinations.  We are a new site that is currently building, so if you don't find what you are looking for, please check back.  We are improving.

Lucky Little Travelers

I started a new website (http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/) dedicated to traveling with children, and fun activities that families can do together once they have reached their destinations.  We have printable packing list for cold weather, warm weather, flight entertainment, carry-on luggage, and checked luggage.   Packing for a vacation is one of the most exhausting and stressful parts of any vacation.  We think we can aid you with our comprehensive packing lists.  Please check our new website.