travel with kids

Traveling while breastfeeding doesn't have be an impossible combination. Though nursing while flying may be a bit tricky, mamas who must travel without their tots don't have to worry about lugging a pump with them when traveling to Chicago anymore. In what appears to be the first program of its kind, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago and Medela launched the Nursing Mothers Amenity Program yesterday. For $30, participants in the program will receive a hospital-grade Symphony breastpump and a breastfeeding Accessory Starter Set, which includes Medela's Micro Steam Bags, Quick Clean Wipes, Pump and Save Bags, and disposable bra pads when they check into the hotel. The program also provides nursing moms with in-room refrigerators, microwaves, ice packs, cooler bags for transporting the milk, and staff trained to support nursing moms with services like FedExing milk back home.

Nursing moms isn't necessarily the first thing I thought of when I heard Hard Rock Hotel — images of Michael Jackson's leather jackets and autographed guitars were the first thing that came to mind — but it may be time to switch up my thinking. The Nursing Mothers Amenity Program, which will donate the proceeds of the fee to benefit local families with children in Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago through The Jackson Chance Foundation, may be the nursing working mom's new best friend! What do you think?

Every parent could use some time away from the kids to relax and recharge. But is it a good idea to take an overnight or longer trip without your children?

Circle of Moms member Miccayla G., for instance, is wondering if it's too soon to leave her 20 month old with grandparents. Her fiancé's family is willing to babysit for four weeks before her wedding. "We would love some alone time since we're not getting a honeymoon and we have gone on two dates in three years, but we're scared our baby will forget us, or it will be too hard on him to be away from us and his big brother (who will be spending the four weeks with his biological dad)," she says.

Meanwhile, Jen C. was invited to go to Amsterdam with friends, but says she's the type of mom who spends every second with her children, and is torn about whether she should vacation out of the country without her 6- and 8-and-a-half-year-old children. "Is it OK? Is it fair? Do I deserve it, or am I being selfish?" she asks the Circle of Moms community. "It's been so long since I've cut loose, let alone had such a great offer."

If you, too, are wondering whether it's OK to vacation without your children, and at what age to do so, Circle of Moms members offer the following tips.

Keep reading.

Whether you’re traveling with your kids by plane, train, bus, or automobile, if you’re a single parent there’s more to think about than just making sure you’ve packed everyone’s clothes. From obtaining a passport for your child to simply booking a trip when you and your children have different last names, single parents sometimes encounter unique challenges. To make traveling with your kids a little less stressful, here's a heads up on the travel rules all single parents should know— whether the other parent is in the picture or not.

When The Other Parent is in the Picture

1. Check Your Custody Agreement

When you were finalizing custody, you probably weren’t thinking about all the cross-country or overseas travel you planned on doing as a solo parent. Frankly, you were probably still wondering how to make a trip to the bathroom as a single parent!

Before you make plans to travel, take a good look at that agreement again. As Circle of Mom member Brandy B. explains, "Usually if a child is in a joint custody situation, [for] all out of state travel, whether on a plane, train or even a personal car, both parents need to grant permission."

If you haven't yet hammered out a custody agreement, Circle of Moms member (screenname: "LovingMom") suggests stipulating travel rules when you do. According to the agreement she worked out with her ex, their son not only has to have a current passport at all times, but the parent who is not traveling with him on any particular trip, "must give written consent in order for [the] child to be able to leave the country with the other parent." They even agreed on steps to follow in case one of them objects to the trip.

2. Get a Consent to Travel Form

Assuming the other parent doesn’t have an issue with you traveling with your child, have him sign a Minor Travel Consent Form (like the one available on the U.S. Passport Service Guide website). In addition to information about your travel plans, the form provides your ex's contact information and signature, showing an agreement to the plans and a willingness to be contacted if there are questions.

It's also a good idea to have this form filled out and notarized if you are married and traveling alone with your children. Circle of Moms member Megan C. says she always has a consent form signed by her husband, not just because she and her son have different last names, but also because their skin tones are markedly different, and when they travel alone together she likes to be prepared for the possibility of questions about whether she really is his mother.

3. Carry a Copy of Your Custody Agreement

Although, as Circle of Moms member Amber S. asserts, it seems unlikely that a mom would have to prove that she's the custodial parent when traveling alone with her child in the U.S., strict government rules that are designed to prevent parental abductions suggest you might want to err on the side of caution. The primary focus of these rules is abductions via international travel, but the U.S. Department of State still recommends traveling not only with a copy of your child’s birth certificate, but a copy of your custody agreement as well.

When the Other Parent Isn’t in the Picture

It may seem easier to make travel plans when you don’t have an ex to check in with, but some moms actually find it more difficult. Take, for examples, Circle of Moms members Jessie and Jeana A., both of whom have full custody of their sons and no contact with their sons' fathers. Both women had trouble obtaining passports and other travel documents without the written consent of the absentee dads. Luckily, there are options in place for moms like Jessie and Jeana. 

Though it's time-consuming and may require some extra work on your part, the application for a U.S. Passport for a minor includes a downloadable "Statement of Special Circumstances" form. This is where you can explain the absentee parent's unavailability to sign the document and provide information about your attempts to make contact.

Mom Felicia T. offers a word of caution though: make sure you have legal proof to back up your assertion about the father's unavailability.

Responsibility for the accuracy of the information expressed in this article lies entirely with the author and Circle of Moms may not be held responsible for reliance on such information.

Image Source: Noel Hendrickson/Getty Images

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

It may be the happiest place on earth, but a vacation to Disney World or Disney Land can also feel like one of the most expensive. Still, you want to give your children the most magical experience you can, and with careful planning, it is possible.

When we started planning our first trip to Disney it was disappointing to find that a lot of the tips we saw seemed to be for families who were within driving distance, which we definitely aren’t. However, three trips later, I can say I’ve culled some great budgeting tips both for those who fly and those who drive.

1. Consider an All-Inclusive Package

The Magic Your Way vacation packages roll lodging at one of the on-property Disney resorts, theme park tickets and a dining plan into one price. It can be customized to fit your family’s needs and includes perks like Extra Magic Hours and transportation to the parks and from the airport.

If you have to fly, the money you save on car rentals, tolls and theme park parking alone may make it worth it to spend a little more to stay at a Disney resort. Another nice bonus that comes with booking a Magic Your Way package is that you can book early and make payments (your vacation needs to be paid off in full 45 days prior to arrival). It’s like putting your vacation on layaway!

2. Plan an Off-Peak Vacation Time

Peak visiting times at Disney are around the weeks of Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter, as well as during other common school vacations and midsummer. That’s when the crowds (and the prices) are at their highest. If you can manage to visit outside of those times, you’ll not only save some money, but you may also be able to take advantage of one of Disney World’s special offer discounts.

3. Look for Official Special Offer Discounts

Disney World and Disney Land frequently have special offers, which range from "free dining" with the purchase of a vacation package to room-only discount rates. They appear and change often, so even if you have a vacation planned, don’t hesitate to keep checking in with Disney to see if there’s a new offer that you can apply to your vacation.

4. Find Online Deals, Discounts and Newsletters

There are numerous websites devoted to deals and coupons for lodging and food in and around the Disney parks. The most well-known, MouseSavers.com and AllEars.net, not only always have discount codes for hotels, but also have newsletters you can subscribe to to get the most up-to-date information and deals.

5. Save with Disney Dining and Refillable Mugs

It may seem expensive to buy a Disney Dining Plan, but it actually works out well if you plan on eating in the parks anyway. Like Circle of Moms member Ronda D., we found that a dining plan saved "a ton of money." The meals are so large that our family of five often only got three meals to share among us. 

You can also buy a refillable mug at your resort for under $15 (it’s included with some dining plans), that can be filled unlimited times at resort drinking stations. Since each meal comes with a drink, our family simply got water bottles with the meal to take into the parks for later.

6. Fill the Fridge

Whether you have leftover food from meals or not, filling the fridge in your hotel room with food you bring or buy off-site will save money. Many families find it easier to have a quick breakfast in the room before heading out for the day or a mid-afternoon snack before dinner. You can buy food at Disney stores on-property, but it’s very expensive. If you don’t have a car, think about using one of the many grocery delivery services that cater to Disney guests.

7. Bring Your Own Gear

You can buy anything you need at Disney, but it’s expensive! Plan well and bring everything you think you might need, from dollar store rain ponchos to extra sunscreen to character T-shirts purchased more reasonably at a store at home. Don’t forget your own stroller, too. You can rent them, but your child is bound to feel more comfortable in her own and it will be so much easier to find in the parks!

8. Give Gift Cards for Souvenir Purchases

We’ve always solved the problem of haggling with our kids over souvenirs by giving them a Disney gift card ahead of time. You can also purchase Disney Dollars at any resort desk or at Guest Relations in the parks. The "dollars" come in denominations of $1, $5 and $10 and have pictures of the characters on them.

9. Visit Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is a wonderful place to spend a lot of time and not a lot of money. There’s no admission, and as Circle of Moms members Beverly H. and Jennifer point out, not only are there lots of interesting shops to browse in, but with the giant LEGO statues, the interactive fountains, and the decor outside the Rainforest Cafe, there are a lot of great picture-taking opportunities — which makes for memories you'll value long after you've paid for your trip!

Image Source: Courtesy of WDW (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Dinosaurs are alive and . . . living in New Jersey? It may sound a bit farfetched, but with a slight suspension of disbelief, it's true, and it's amazing.

Field Station: Dinosaur, a Jurassic Park-like prehistoric theme park in Secaucus, NJ, opened in May and has been attracting dinosaur-loving tots and their eager parents ever since. The park's 31 life-size dinosaurs not only stand just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, but thanks to animatronics and facial-recognition technology, they move and roar as visitors happen upon them in the park's 20-acre footprint. The park's founder traveled the world to find the best and most lifelike dinosaurs in the world before opening the doors. So not only is the 15-foot-tall T. rex a showstopper, but the baby dinosaurs that rest in the "field guides'" arms when visitors walk into the park are enough to make grown-ups do a double-take.

Keep reading for more details on the park and their Halloween-themed tours.

Here's a post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we bring you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Jamielyn Nye about flying with kids.

A few weeks ago I flew with my two toddlers across the country all by myself. I was pretty nervous about the trip, but it ended up being OK because I was well prepared. Even though there were a couple tantrums and mishaps along the way, the kids actually had a good time. There were a few things that helped my kids and me endure the four-hour plane ride that may come in handy for you some day.

Related: Dad Says Pot Makes Him a Better Parent

1. Check in early so you get the best seats. The front row is the best because it has the most leg room.
2. Plan to get to the airport two hours before you depart.
3. Be prepared and remember to stay patient. If you're calm, your kids will be too.
4. Buy new toys from the dollar store.
5. Pack coloring books with crayons in Ziploc bags.
6. Bring a variety of healthy snacks.
7. Divide the books and snacks into small bags so you can pull them out at different times. You can even wrap the toys to make it more fun.
8. Give your baby a bottle or pacifier for takeoff so their ears don't hurt. Starbursts work great for older kids.
9. Bring a favorite blanket or stuffed animal.
10. Pack Ziploc bags for messy diapers.
11. Bring an extra pair of clothes just in case.
12. Take along an iPad or Kindle with children’s books and/or shows with headphones.
13. Bring melatonin if it's a really long flight to help the kids sleep.
14. Buy a few packs of stickers to keep their hands busy for a little while.
15. Dress up silly magnet faces.
16. Pull lace through shapes, or string Cheerios on a necklace.
17. Play with finger puppets.
18. Count Teddy Grahams or gold fish.
19. Bring flash cards with letters and numbers.
20. Snuggle and sing songs.

These are just a few ideas of things I did to keep my kids happy during our four-hour flight. It really helped having several activities to break up the long plane ride. It also helped to get up every once in a while to walk down the isle. They thought it was fun saying hi to everyone. Hopefully, a few of these tips will help you on your next flight.

What tips do you have when flying with young children?

More great reads from BabyCenter:
Carrying her brother's babies — a surrogacy story
How to make your own chalkboard paint
When did you put your child in preschool?
Khloe Kardashian gets bad fertility news
Top picks to get siblings pumped for baby

Source: Flickr user Scott LaPierre

Road trips are hard enough without two restless toddlers in your back-seat.  If you're a road-trip rookie, here are some tips to help you survive road-trips, even all day marathons:

1. Pack healthy snacks.

Get a few ice packs and a small cooler and fill it with things like clementines (which help with dehydration), cheese, grapes, apple slices, raisins, nuts, etc.  Your kids will feel better if they aren’t snacking on cookies and Goldfish all day.

2. If the kids are happy, don’t interrupt.

Most kids ride in the car a lot every day, so they’re used to it.  Don’t pull the crayons out in the first five minutes.  Wait until your kids need them, hopefully an hour or more into the drive.  You’ll be happy you saved your stash.

3. Find a way to let them watch TV.

Yes, it’s true that the American Academy of Pediatrics just tightened up their recommended daily allowance of TV, but one day is a different story. Entertaining toddlers in the car for 12 hours is an exhausting job, and if you can get a thirty minute break occasionally, take it! Your patience will last much longer if you do. Download episodes for your iPad or iPhone and find some headphones that are comfortable. Have your child try them on before the trip begins. Make sure to force the kids to take TV breaks, but don’t be a martyr. TV is the road-trip parent’s best friend.

4. Bring plenty of things to do. 

Keep everything in a bag and try to bring out something new every few hours. No matter what you choose, make sure you think about how it will work in the car. Are there small pieces that can get lost? You don’t want to be fishing around the car every five minutes for lost pieces. Is there a potential for frustration if it’s something new for your child? A few things that are excellent for road-trips are:

1. Printed-out coloring sheets
2. Lots of stickers.  Not only will they keep your kids busy, but they are excellent for fine motor development
3. New coloring books, never seen before by your children
4. New crayons, stored in Zip-loc baggies for each child
5. Lacing cards for children 3 and older (these can be purchased online and from some local craft stores and are also excellent for fine motor development)
6. New books they’ve never read before

5. Bring clip-boards.

You can pick up clip-boards at an office supply store for only a couple bucks.  These will come in very handy for stickers, coloring, etc.

6. Find water bottles that won’t spill. 

You can’t rely on the cups from McDonald’s with a two-year-old. If he squeezes too hard and the cups breaks, he will spill on himself and nothing is worse in the car than a wet, unhappy two-year-old. Pour the drinks you buy into their no-spill cups with lids.

7. Wrap some presents for when things get really bad.  

Go to the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart and find a few cheap toys that they’ve never seen before. Wrap them with special wrapping paper and keep them stored for when the kids are about to lose it. They will love unwrapping presents in the car and it will make the novelty of the toy last even longer. A few good toys are the Hide N Squeak Eggs found on Amazon or the Crocodile Dentist Game, also found on Amazon.  Even books can be fun when they have to be unwrapped by your child.

8. Stop as little as possible. 

If the kids are happy, keep driving!  This is important because when you do stop, it will likely be longer than you want, so it’s important to keep moving if possible.

9. Pack plenty of extras. 

You can never have too many Zip-loc bags of various sizes, Wet Ones, paper towels, and hand sanitizer. You never know what you’re going to find at the gas stations.

10. Be prepared for a long day! 

The road trip will likely be long, no matter what you do.  Bring some soothing music and your favorite book for those rare moments when the kids are content.

Katie Norris is the co-author of The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn.

Image Source: iStock Photo

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.