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Let’s Talk About: Top 10 Travel Essentials for Families with Young Children

As you know, we are a family on the move! We are a family that likes to stay busy and travel as much as we can, whether that means a trip to Disneyland, a weekend away, or a long vacation! We love watching our kids learn through experiences and we have learned a thing or two about how to travel lightly and also how to travel with important essentials for small children!
Here is my list of my top 10 travel essentials for toddlers and babies!
  1. DockATot – I don’t know what I’d do without one. It is very normal for children to get scared in a new environment. Even the best through the night sleepers at home will behave differently in a new environment when traveling. In that case, having them sleep with you in your bed while traveling is a safe alternative when using a DockATot. Plus, during the day it is a great place for your children to read, play, or nap if needed! I also love that they are so easy to travel with and come with a carrying handle. You can easily fit them in your car for a road trip or check them on a plane in its plastic carrier!
  2. Pack n Play – Most hotels come with one and if you are traveling by plane I’d call ahead and reserve one, but if you are traveling by car or are not staying at a hotel but someone’s home, it is a definite must!! We bring our own pack n play sheet so our child can smell a familiar scent when sleeping and it fits the mattress perfectly to keep him safe as he sleeps. Most hotel rooms will fold up a queen or king sized sheet to fit in the pack n play that some small children can easily remove or get stuck under.
  3. Stroller – We have an everyday stroller for local use and a stroller specifically for traveling. Investing in a travel stroller is definitely worth the extra money but make sure you pick a stroller that folds compactly and one that is light to carry. And remember that you can take a stroller (and car seat) on an airplane with you for free when you check it in at the gate!
  4. Noise Machine – I cannot stress how important this one is and we love our noise machine for many reasons when traveling. One reason is because it blocks out noise from crowded hotel hallways, elevator noise, and noisy air conditioning in the room. Another reason is because hotel rooms are small and us parents stay up hours later than our children and it helps them sleep while we stay up and talk or watch a movie on low volume without waking them up!
  5. Dark Sheet – Yep! This one is good to put up a private barrier that divides your hotel room into two spaces; one for the kids and one for you! Unless you are staying in a suite, you will all be in one small space together. Having this makeshift curtain between you will help give everyone a little space and privacy and also help them sleep better without additional noise or distraction from anything else going on in the room. As I mentioned, my husband and I go to bed much later than our children and they need it dark and quiet to fall and stay asleep. Any light, noise, or distraction will keep them awake. They won’t be able to see through the dark sheet but don’t forget thumb tacks to hang up the sheet on the wall!
  6. Baby Carrier – Remember the ol saying, “Don’t leave home without it?” Well keep that in mind when it comes to your baby carrier. You won’t regret it! They can easily fold into a suitcase, the back of a car or under a seat on a plane. You can wear your baby or toddler through security and even wear them on a plane (except during take off and landing). Honestly it was the only way my daughter would nap on an airplane when she was younger. Wearing your baby or toddler instead of using a stroller will get you where you need to go quicker and easier in most cases. Plus, if you are breastfeeding its a great way to feed your baby on the go! And keep in mind that when you are traveling, your young child will be in unfamiliar environments and often with unknown people, which can raise their fear and anxiety, even if they are too young to accurately articulate that to you. Having them close to you in a carrier will ease their worries and give them a sense of security.
  7. Monitor – Obviously these are so easy to pack and when you are staying the in the same room you may not think you need it but think again! We like to use it to make sure we know the exact temperature in the room and or to see what is happening behind that curtain! And if you are staying in a suite or have your child sleeping in a different part of the room, it will allow you to watch or listen for them to make sure they are safe! When we stay at a friend’s house, our children often go to bed in the guest room while we visit with our fiends after they fall asleep for a few hours before we go to bed. We are assured that they are sleeping and safe in the other room while we are in a different part of the house. This is the same if you are staying in a hotel suite.
  8. Safety Gate – We love our North States PlayYard. We take it with us every single time we travel, especially to hotel rooms! They are so easy to fold, carry, and fit into our car and keeps a safe space for our children to play while we unload luggage, baby proof the room, or when we are getting ready for the day! Plus you can go in their with them for play time and get some snuggles, too!
  9. Travel Potty – Even if your child has been potty trained, keep a training toilet in your car for emergency trips! I can’t tell you how many times this has come in handy for us! You may be on a road that doesn’t have a close rest stop and or you might want to avoid a rest stop or gas station for cleanliness or safety reasons if you are unfamiliar with the area. Having a travel potty allows you to make a brief stop on the side of the road so you can keep moving and also keep your family safe and clean!
  10. Portable Highchair – If you stop along the way on a road trip or are eating in at the hotel, a portable high chair will come in so handy! They can be easily folded and carried and will give your child a safe place to eat while being contained, giving you a free hand or lap to also eat at the same time!
P.S. Your diaper bag is probably packed with everything you need. Just make sure to have extra diapers and wipes, antibacterial spray to wipe down the seats and windows around you, an extra change of clothes, and items to keep your little one busy. We generally take coloring books , crayons, books (small paperbacks so they don’t take up much room and don’t weigh down your bag), bubbles, and a tablet to play games and even watch a favorite show (gasp!). Yes, when you travel with a little one, a little extra TV watching is OK! If you have an infant, hopefully they will just sleep most of the time, but you can always bring some favorite, colorful, musical toys to keep their attention when they are awake! If your child has a favorite toy, stuffed animal or blanket, make sure to bring it with you to comfort your child. And make sure to bring pacifiers or something for your child to suck on during take off and landing to help their ears on an airplane! To make your child feel like traveling is special for them, buy a new book or download a new app just for the flight or roadtrip. If you are traveling by plane, bring an empty bottle or sippy cup so once you pass through security you can fill it with water since airplanes tend to dehydrate you and liquids still are not allowed through security. And don’t forget the plug covers for the electrical outlets in a hotel or at a guest’s home!
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Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children.

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TODAY.com Parenting Team Parenting Contributor

About Dr. Kim

Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children. Read More…

My Instagram

🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had t 🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had today! 🇺🇸

As soon as we woke up I started educating my children, specifically my daughter, on what the inauguration meant and why today was such a special day in history. We both were glued to the television as we watched @kamalaharris be sworn in as the first Black South Asian woman Vice President and @joebiden be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. We also were powerfully moved hearing @amandascgorman - the youngest inaugural poet in history recite “The Hill We Climb.” 

My daughter was so excited to participate and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the county and she was so proud to see and be a part of history in the making. I haven’t been to Washington D.C. in about 8 years but I promised I would take her one day when the pandemic is over. 

In the meantime, I have a fun fact for you! Did you know that President Joe Biden and I both graduated from the same university? Yep! We both went to @syracuseu 🍊 And in fact, @joebiden is the first @syracuseu alumnus to become President of the United States! 

📸: @chrissywphoto #inauguration #inagurationday #inaguration2021 #joebiden #kamalaharris #presidentbiden #syracuseuniversity #syracuse #syracuseu #historyismade #madamvicepresident #mommyandme #46thpresident #sandiego #sandiegoblogger #momblogger #parentingblogger #motherhood
This time of year is notorious for dry air, allerg This time of year is notorious for dry air, allergies, and sinus trouble. #ad 

And since I work from home, it can get quite noisy and distracting with my husband and two children here, so sometimes I get my best work done in the comfort of my own bed. And the best part is that I can have my new @crane_usa “4 in 1” cool mist humidifier on at all times with essential oils to help with overall wellness and since it comes with a sound machine I can block out the other noises in the house! 

And at night, it helps my sinuses as I sleep, especially when the dry air of the heater is on, and it has a nightlight so my kids can see where they are going in the middle of the night when they inevitably need water or a hug! 

This is our 6th #cranehumidifier style and it’s my favorite one yet! Check out my stories for a closer look! 👀 #happyhealthyhumidity 

#humidifier #coldandflu #humidifiers #peaceandquiet #workingfromhome #workingmom #working #coldandfluseason #coldandflurelief #winter #winterstyle #wintertime #wintervibes #winter2021 #wahm #wahmlife #wahmlifestyle #workfromhomemom #workfromhomelife #workfromhome #workathomemom #workathome #workathomelife #newmom #babyshowergift #sinusrelief
{New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude {New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude” 🌱✨🌸

Throwing it back to one of the first mommy and me photos I ever posted on my feed because I’ve been teaching my daughter about gratitude since she was this little, possibly even younger (she is two here for reference)! 

Gratitude is such an important virtue and must have trait to build a child’s character. It also shows therapeutic benefits when you show gratitude to others, so why wouldn’t you want to make it a priority to teach and instill in your children? 

In this blog, I have suggestions for how to teach children gratitude broken down by ages and stages from infancy to teenage years, while also including some conversation prompts, and links to my favorite gratitude journals for busy families that we use here at home! 

Find the direct link to read in my bio and stories! I also published similar articles on @todayparents and @redtricycle if you follow me there! #drkimblog
DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I am DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

I am that mom who wants to do it all and when I get overwhelmed or start suffering from a major case of burnout, I feel guilty if I take a break instead of giving my body and mind permission to slow down or even stop. 

As moms we often feel guilty if we take a break or believe we are perceived as weak if we ask for help. I have learned that the more I ask for help and the more time I take for myself, the better I am for my children. 

Guilt is an emotional response to something you perceived you did wrong, but when you experience unnecessary guilt, it’s counterproductive to healing and helping you with what you need most. So give it a try and let me know how you are going to take a break and not feel guilty about it this week below in the comments! ⤵️ #drkimparentingtips #theparentologist #drkimparentingadvice
DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when yo DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when you were little - and still do! 🙋🏼‍♀️🐱#ad

I am so excited to have all of these new items from the @erincondren Hello Kitty collection that launched today to keep work fun, playful, and reminiscent of childhood - something all adults need a little more of, am I right? 

The collection is all about organization, kindness, and friendship. My favorite piece of the collection is the “Daily Kindness and Joy Journal” that boldly says BE KIND, BE NICE, REPEAT on the front cover but I am also pretty obsessed with the Hello Kitty x Erin Condren Pencil Case and Vegan Leather Padfolio! 

Swipe to see my business attire on top and activewear on the bottom work style! 😉 And head to my stories to see it all up close and for your convenience I have everything linked for you http://liketk.it/35XZC and make sure to follow me at THEPARENTOLOGIST @liketoknow.it  for more of my favorites!!! #liketkit #erincondren
{New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and {New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and Role Play Ideas for Children with Autism” 🧩 🧸 🚂 ⚽️ 
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For the last 3 years I have spent my career therapeutically helping families and children of all ages on the Autism Spectrum. Play has been a fundamental way for many of my clients to communicate if they are non-verbal. And some of my clients have had to be taught how to play with a toy or another person. The play ideas listed on the blog can be used with children with or without special needs. Play is a universal way a child can explore their world in a way that makes sense to them and cultivate imagination, creativity, and fun! As a Registered Play Therapist, I love the work I do and couldn’t be prouder of the progress my clients have made with play over the years! #drkimblog
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#autism #autismmom #autismfamily #autismspectrum #autismcommunity #autismparent #autismlife #autismparents #autismparenting #autistickids #autisticchildren #autistictoddler #autismresources #playtherapy #playtherapist #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #activitiesforkids #activitiesfortoddlers #activitiesforchildren #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas #sensoryprocessingdisorder #sensoryactivities #momswhoblog #ontheblog #newblogpost #parentingblogger #momblogger
{New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control {New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control of Your Eczema” #ad 
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These winter months have been so dry and my eczema has been flaring up. Can anyone relate? For decades I have used a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter ointments and lotions to doctor prescribed steroid medication. In today’s blog, I am partnering with @mediqcme to share more of my story and struggles with atopic dermatitis as well as some new treatment options! If you or a loved one suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis it’s a must read! 
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Plus there is a survey at the end of the blog you can fill out and opt in to be entered to win 1 of 10 VISA gift cards! 🙌🏻 Link in bio and in stories! #itchyskinhelp #drkimblog
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#eczema #eczemarelief #eczemahealing #eczematreatment #eczemaproblems #eczemawarrior #atopicdermatitis #itchyskin #itchyskinrelief #atopicskin #atopicdermatitistreatment #atopicdermatitismanagement #eczemamanagement #winterskincare #winterskin #winterskincareroutine #winterskincaretips #newblogpost #momswhoblog #ontheblog #wellnessblogger #wellnesstips #wellnessexpert
{New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get {New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get Your Kids to Do What You Want” 
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As a Registered Play Therapist, play is the foundation to the way I help children conceptualize and conquer the world. Play is second nature to children and the way they respond to many of life’s obstacles. Sometimes as parents, it is easy to get into a power match with your children, especially when you want your children to comply with a request and they won’t budge. When this happens, we need to change the way our adult mind thinks and switch it to the way a child thinks. Instead of giving them a punitive consequence, try these play recommendations that can be used with children as young as toddlerhood all the way to adolescents! #drkimblog 
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#playtherapy #playtherapist #therapistsofinstagram #playoutsidethebox #learningthruplay #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #learningisfun #parenting #parentingtips #parenting101 #parentingteens #parentingtweens #parentingtoddlers #parentingadvice #parentingexpert #parentingblogger #parentingblog #newblogpost #ontheblog #momswhoblog #parenthood #toddlerproblems #toddlermom #behaviortherapist #behaviortherapy #positiveparentingsolutions #positiveparentingtips #positiveparenting
{New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effect {New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effectively in 2021” ✨ 
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It’s is usually around this time that I start thinking of the goals I want to accomplish for the year. And whether you believe in making resolutions, affirmations, or goals, it is time to be proactive!! On the blog, I outlined an organizational system I use year after year to help me accomplish my goals. And I hope they work for you!! 
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What are some of your goals you want to accomplish this year? 
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#2021 #2021goals #goals #goalsetting #goalgetter #goalsettingtips #goalsetter #goalsetting2021 #goalcrusher #momhustle #snowday #snowman #newgoals #newgoals2021 #mommyandme #letthembelittle #letthembekids #letthemplay #playoutside #playoutdoors #playoutsidethebox #familyday #familyfun #familysnowday
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