Summer Travel Tips

The month of June brought so many changes. We welcomed the summer heat and celebrated our graduates. As they said their goodbyes to old friends, they also look forward to beginning a new chapter. But most of all Summer Break was finally here.

Summer brings BBQ's, Amusement Parks, long days, fun times with friends and lots of road trips. Traveling with two kids, I can't lie had me a little intimidated, who am I kidding, it had me a lot intimidated. But lo and behold, it went way smoother than I anticipated. Here is my take on how to make it through an 3:20 a.m, 8hr trip with 2 kids and Amtrak.

I know 3:20 a.m departure seems nuts but, there was a method to my madness. So early in the morning means you have to wake your little one but chances are they will go right back to sleep after boarding, which makes for a relaxing couple first hours.

Pack something for your kids to do. Older kids usually want anything digital and they can choose what they want to bring. Just remember to pack chargers. For the little ones, a device with their favorite shows or games is a must and remember the chargers for those too.

Pack snacks, fruit, water and milk these are crucial. Food isn't always accessible, and we don't want a hungry kid on an 8 hour ride. Cool Tip: Real Fruit gummy bears are always a good go to distraction snack.

Finally, bring patience and an open mind. There will always be the unexpected situation with kids and, there definitely will be at least one passenger that won't be too thrilled with the idea of travelling with a kid on board. Just breathe, focus on your little on and enjoy the experience.

**Personally, I had an awesome travel experience on Amtrak. The fellow passengers were great and the crew was awesome. This coupled with the fact that my little one slept for a solid 5 hours, leaves me looking forward to the next trip.**