Ep. 35: Parenting on the Go: How to Keep Your Sanity When You Travel with Kids

parenting resources travel travel sleep tips

Traveling with little ones can feel like an overwhelming challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. As a sleep coach and parent myself, I’ve learned that with some planning and a few thoughtful strategies, you can enjoy your journey without sacrificing your sanity—or your family’s sleep. Here are some key tips I shared in my latest podcast to help make your family adventures more joyful and stress-free.

Packing Essentials Made Easy

One of the biggest stressors for parents is packing. My ultimate packing list hack has been a game-changer for families. Using my customizable Google Doc, you can create and reuse a detailed packing list tailored to your families needs. This eliminates last-minute packing panic and ensures you don’t forget essentials like your child’s favorite lovey or portable sleep things. The other great thing is you can customize it for each season and delegate.

Recreating the Sleep Environment

Consistency is key when traveling with little ones. Recreate their usual sleep environment by packing:

A sound machine (like the Hatch).
Blackout curtains or even garbage bags for darkening unfamiliar spaces.
Familiar sleep items such as their favorite blanket or stuffed animal.
Bring your child’s favorite book too!

These small touches can make a big difference in helping your child feel at ease and maintain their sleep routines while on the go.

Managing Play and Feeding on the Go

Traveling can disrupt routines, but with a little planning, you can keep your child happy and ready to enjoy and explore away from home.

Play: Pack compact toys or get creative with items you pack. Check on Play on the Go for some of my best quick tips.
One-Finger Touch: This simple yet powerful strategy helps children learn how to explore and interact with their environment while on the go. It encourages curiosity and independence, allowing you to say "yes" more often and reduce the stress of constant redirection.
Feeding: Stick to your feeding schedule as much as possible. Snacks can help bridge time zone changes and maintain a rhythm that supports sleep.

Understanding Transitions

Kids often struggle with multiple transitions in a day. Minimize stress by planning for one or two outings daily, leaving plenty of downtime. This approach helps everyone—parents included—stay calm and enjoy the experience. When you know and understand your child’s temperament and your parenting style that can help you have sleep success when you travel!

Health and Safety Tips

Cold and flu season can make travel worrisome. Record your child’s normal breathing when they’re healthy so you have a reference if they become sick. . This simple trick can offer peace of mind and help healthcare providers assess their condition if needed.

As parents, we all know how vital sleep is for our children—and for us. Maintaining routines communicates your expectations which helps your child feel safe and secure which helps everyone feel better while traveling and significantly impacts your family’s well-being. With the right tools and mindset, you can ensure your child stays well-rested, making every adventure more enjoyable. Parents feel more rested and confident to tackle their day, when your child or children sleep soundly.

Key Loving Lessons Learned in this episode:

🟣 Simplify packing with the Ultimate Packing List which is a reusable, customizable Google Doc.
🟣 Recreate your child’s sleep environment with key items like sound machines and blackout curtains.
🟣 Minimize transitions to reduce stress for kids and parents.
🟣 Stick to feeding schedules to maintain your child’s rhythm and improve sleep.
🟣 Record your child’s breathing as a proactive health measure.

Resources mentioned to help you keep learning & growing:

⭐ Sleep Success While You Travel Guide
⭐ One Finger Touch Podcast Episode
⭐ Jet Lag Calculator Options
Uplift - End Jet Lag Naturally
Timeshifter
Jet Lag Advisor