Traveling with Your Kids: Chaos, Joy, and Everything in Between!
Written by: Brandi Salters
Long before we had kids, I discovered my passion for traveling. I grew up with a suitcase in hand, and that love for adventure carried right into my 20s and beyond. My husband and I were fortunate to experience “destination dating” throughout our relationship—exploring new places during our courtship and engagement. After tying the knot, we started a fun tradition we call 'anniversary month'—a series of mini weekend getaways leading up to one big celebratory trip.
Looking back, I realize those trips were more than just getaways—they were a glimpse into how each of us handled unfamiliar environments. Traveling really gives you a sneak peek into someone’s true character. So naturally, when we became parents, we started to wonder how travel would evolve with little ones in the mix. Spoiler alert: It definitely changed, but we’ve grown to love it even more.
Now that we’re in the thick of family travel, I’ll be the first to say—it’s a lot of work. Like, a lot a lot.
But it’s also 100% worth it every single time.
If you’ve ever stared at a calendar, a packing list, and a crying toddler or an impatient teen all at once and thought, “Why am I doing this?”—you’re not alone. But trust me, family travel can be magical, memorable, and even (dare I say) enjoyable. It just takes some planning, flexibility, and a sense of humor. Here’s how we make it work:
1. Plan Ahead (Especially for Air Travel)
Give yourself (and your kids) plenty of time. If you’re flying, arrive early—especially at larger airports like Atlanta, where security lines can be unpredictable. My husband is the “let’s get there when the plane is taking off” type, and while that might’ve worked pre-kids, it’s a recipe for chaos now.
If you’re driving, we prefer to hit the road super early—while the kids are still snoozing. This helps cut down on boredom and snack-related mutinies.
2. Food, Snacks & Entertainment – Pack Like a Pro
No matter the mode of travel, always bring food and entertainment. I prep individual snack packs and meals for each child so we’re not constantly stopping or fielding “I’m hungry” complaints.
As for entertainment? Think activity books, card games, tablets with headphones, and their favorite comfort items. A busy kid is a happy traveler.
3. Let the Kids Help Plan
One of my favorite ways to build excitement is by involving the kids in the planning process. My oldest loves to research attractions and activities, and I encourage him to include his sister in the process. It’s fun to see what they come up with, and it makes them feel invested in the trip.
4. Don’t Overpack (Trust Me)
This one is tough—I’m definitely guilty. But the more you pack, the more you have to manage. Stick to the essentials, and remember: most things can be bought at your destination if needed.
Also, always bring a small travel medicine kit. We’ve dealt with everything from pink eye to unexpected colds while abroad. A few basics—pain relievers, allergy meds, eye drops—can save the day.
5. Talk About Safety
Before every trip, we have a “travel safety talk.” We go over the importance of staying close, what to do if they get separated from us, and being aware of their surroundings. These guidelines give both kids and parents peace of mind.
6. Flexibility is Key
Even with the best-laid plans, things happen. Flights get delayed, kids melt down, and weather changes. Flexibility is essential. Sometimes the most unplanned moments end up being the most memorable.
7. Remember Why You’re Doing This
It might not always be smooth sailing, but traveling with kids opens their eyes to a bigger world. They ask questions. They explore. They grow in ways you can't replicate at home.
So whether it’s a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a full-blown international adventure, know that you’re giving them something invaluable. And yes—it does get easier as they get older.
Final Thoughts
Traveling as a family isn’t always glamorous. There will be spills, delays, and the occasional “are we there yet?” meltdown. But there will also be laughter, bonding, and lifelong memories.
This is just scratching the surface—I can’t wait to dive deeper into this topic in an upcoming podcast episode! Stay tuned for more tips, funny stories, and travel inspiration.
Until then, happy travels—cows and all.
Fueling Our Minds and Bodies: My Family’s Journey to Nutrient-Dense Meals
Written by: Wale Arshad
I’m assuming I’m not alone in the constant pursuit of ensuring my family eats nutritious meals. Emerging research continues to highlight how critical nutrition is for mental health. Amino acids, which are the building blocks of neurotransmitters like serotonin, melatonin, and norepinephrine, come from protein. That means what we eat can literally enhance brain productivity!
Uncovering information about how nutrition supports brain function has been a fascinating—though sometimes challenging—journey for me. As someone who struggles with bloating, and as a mother of a 4- and 14-year-old with very different taste buds (plus a husband with Type 1 diabetes), I’ve been on a mission to find quick, delicious, and nutrient-dense meals for everyone.
What is a Nutrient-Dense Meal?
To me, it means meals that include protein, fiber, omega-3s, and complex carbohydrates.
So, I turned to “YouTube University” to find ideas and came across Mike G and his podcast segment, 15-Minute Dinners. I chose LifeByMikeG because he uses fresh ingredients from his garden and makes meals that are both nutritious and flavorful.
One recipe that’s become a hit in our home is his spinach, mozzarella, bacon, and tomato quesadilla.
· Spinach adds fiber, vitamin K, chlorophyll, folate – Supports mood and cognitive function.
· Mozzarella provides calcium and protein
· Bacon gives flavor and protein (though easily subbed with another lean protein)
· Tomatoes are rich in fiber, vitamin K, and lycopene.
Best of all—it took only 15 minutes to make!
That win motivated me to try another meal for lunch or dinner: a homemade Chipotle-style chicken bowl, inspired again by LifeByMikeG. My 4-year-old loves our Friday Chipotle outings, so I thought, “Why not bring that home?” While it takes a bit more time, I found that preparing the beans and chicken in advance makes weeknight assembly fast.
Ingredients and Benefits:
· Chicken and black beans = protein
· Black beans = fiber
· Pico de gallo (tomatoes, onions, green peppers) = antioxidants, vitamins A & K, and flavonoids
· Cilantro = anti-inflammatory compounds
· Bonus: You can wrap it in a tortilla and make burritos! Mike G makes his tortillas from scratch—mine tasted more like naan, but I’m still experimenting.
And of course, guacamole is always a good look! I added white onion, tomato, and peppers to mine. Avocados are rich in folate, vitamin E, and omega-9 fatty acids, all of which help protect against cognitive decline and support brain health.
After improving our lunches and dinners, I realized our breakfast could use a makeover. We were stuck in a routine of fried egg sandwiches, and even my 4-year-old let me know he was “tired of eggs.” So I found a high-protein pancake recipe on the Clean & Delicious channel by Dani Spies. Perfect! Pancakes that are actually good for you? Yes, please.
High-Protein Pancake Recipe Highlights:
· Greek yogurt for protein and fluffiness
· Oat and wheat flour for fiber and flavor
· Eggs for more protein
· Each serving has 17g of protein and 4g of fiber!
So far, I’m the only one in the house eating them, but I plan to revise the recipe to make it more appealing to the kids.
Recipe Resources:
· Dear Chipotle, I Reengineered Your Burrito...LifeByMikeG, YouTube
· These 15 Minute Lunches Will Change Your Life, LifeByMikeG, YouTube
· GREEK YOGURT PROTEIN PANCAKES | No protein powder needed! Greek Yogurt Pancakes: Clean & Delicious with Dani Spies
These meals have made it more enjoyable to pursue nutrient-dense eating for my family. Every bit of protein, fiber, healthy fat, and veggie contributes to our brain health. So have fun with it—try a recipe or two!
Until next time, I’ll be working on perfecting my tortillas and revising the protein pancakes to win over my toughest critics—my family!
Navigating Screen Time With Kids
By: Meghan
I recently read (listened) to The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt and it has not only reinforced beliefs I already had about screen time but helped me double down on rules I was soft on regarding screens, playtime and childhood responsibilities. I was so profoundly impacted by this book that I have set up a professional development for teachers and principals in my school district to do a book study on The Anxious Generation over the summer.
This book discusses topics that most parents are aware of but provides data and evidence to reinforce what we know we should be doing for our children. We will be discussing anxiety, screen time and social media in an episode in season two, but I’m going to give a quick rundown of how we’ve changed up using screens in our house.
The very first thing is don’t be afraid to change your mind. We used to let the boys have free use of YouTube kids and often allowed an hour or more on the tablets on the weekend. (Mom and dad are tired – okay!)
We totally reversed our thoughts on this – No YouTube kids, unless our oldest is looking at an art tutorial and he’s with us in the same room
They have a one-hour time limit per day on the weekends (sometimes we fudge this if it’s raining outside, and we have no scheduled activities)
No tablets AT ALL during the week. No exceptions.
We swapped the iPads (which belong to my husband and myself) for Amazon Fire Tablets which they each got for Christmas this past year
Web Browsing is completely locked on the tablets, and we must approve all the additional content they want to download via the associated parent app
No TV during the week in the evenings.
We do allow some cartoons in the morning, after they have eaten, dressed for school and done their morning exercise (bouncing on the trampoline, kids’ yoga, whatever they want for 15 minutes to get their brains awake). The boys don’t start school until 9 am, my husband works from home, and I must be in the office by 7:30 am, so they need to be entertained so he can work.
How has this worked for us? Really well! We started by explaining the new rules and discussing the changes over the weekend. We told them it would be healthier for their brains and bodies. (Keep in mind they are 5 and 7, so they can be reasoned with). We implemented these new rules on a Monday, at the natural start of a new week.
During the week, it’s really easy to not turn on screens when they have after school activities. On days we don’t have anything scheduled, they have free play in the backyard or their bedroom until I am ready to fully engage with them. Sometimes I just need time to change, then we all walk to the playground together. Other days, I do yoga or workout on my own, then I spend time with them playing board games or card games. Additionally, my husband will play ball with them outside somedays, once he is done work, so it doesn’t always fall on me to entertain them.
We are all learning chess together; they love Battleship and the Godzilla-themed Monopoly my oldest recently got for his birthday, and we’ve started adding card games into the rotation. We play games that I also want to play, otherwise, this arrangement wouldn’t be sustainable. They now ask to play certain games instead of asking to watch TV.
On the weekends they will still ask when they can get on their tablets, and it’s rare that they forget, but they have a list of things they have to do, before getting them out.
How has it changed our house/kids’ behavior?
There is less fighting between the boys. They used to fight over who gets to pick the next show. Now they are problem solving or figuring out a compromise over which games to play or whether they want to play outside or inside. There are many days they play independently from one another and that’s a great thing too!
They go to sleep easier and faster. Most adults know how blue light effects our sleep. This is true for kids too.
The tablet time is truly a reward and not something that is expected. Which means we can also take away tablet time, as a consequence, if needed.
They are learning to be more independent.
In general, they are less grumpy and there have been fewer emotional meltdowns.
The changes in our home have been significant, and we did not miss it after the first week. Like all parenting, it was more work on the front end, but it has paid off big time.
Have any of you implemented screen restrictions or had to reverse decisions on screen time/content, and how did that work out for your family?
Morning Madness: My Morning Routine!
It all begins with an idea.
Written By: Brandi Salters
Let’s be honest—do our morning routines ever go exactly how we imagine them the night before? You know, that dreamy little plan where everyone wakes up smiling, birds are chirping, breakfast magically appears, and no one is yelling about mismatched socks?
Yeah, no. Not in this house. Not with two little humans who think “sleeping in” means 6:02 a.m. sharp.
But! I do try my best to make mornings as efficient and chaos-free as possible—while also prioritizing a little self-care (and by self-care, I mostly mean hiding in the bathroom for ten minutes).
Let me walk you through my “routine” (and I use that word very loosely):
6:15 a.m. – The TV Time Treaty
My 8-year-old son is allowed to watch an educational show only after 6:15 a.m., which means at 6:14, he’s pacing the living room eagerly waiting. Once he hits that magical minute, he grabs a healthy “breakfast” snack (sometimes…usually), and settles in like it’s movie night.
6:20 a.m. – Bathroom Zen (Sort of)
This is my sacred 10-minute window of solitude. I measure my heart rate variability using an app (because science!) to see if I’m ready for a workout or if my body is still recovering from…life. I also squeeze in a scripture reading for spiritual grounding.
Important note: I do all of this while sitting on the toilet with the door locked, pretending I’m in a luxury spa. Naturally, by minute five, my 4-year-old daughter has located me like a tiny heat-seeking missile and is climbing into my lap. While I’m on the toilet. Meditating.
7:00 a.m. – The Great Sibling Search Begin
My son is responsible for finding his sister and kick-starting their joint morning routine. That includes:
Making beds (military style)
Brushing teeth (with the toothpaste actually making it onto the toothbrush this time)
Washing faces
Getting dressed (thanks to Mom laying out clothes like a mini fashion stylist the night before)
Meanwhile, I’m in the kitchen channeling my inner lunch-packing ninja, whipping up breakfast, snacks, and lunch boxes while doing a mental roll call to make sure nobody’s missing a shoe or a permission slip.
7:20a.m. – Beauty Prep: Vaseline Edition
Once the kids sit down to eat, it’s go time for Operation: Moisturized. I brush their hair and slather on enough Vaseline to make them glisten, like really glisten. My son’s friends thinks he sweating most of the time. Ashiness is NOT an option.
7:40 a.m. – The Frantic Fling Out the Door
I take a quick pic in the hallway of the kiddos before we dash out like contestants on “The Amazing Race: Car Line Edition.” I pray over them, drop them off, wave lovingly like a calm and collected mom, and then… drive home, stare at the wall for five full minutes, and try to process what just happened.
And that, is the glamorous life of a mom’s morning routine.
What’s yours like? Tell me I’m not the only one meditating on the toilet while holding a toddler and trying to remember if I already made my matcha green tea or just thought about making it.