On the day of New Year’s Eve, it’s time to make some resolutions for 2015. I’ve got plenty to change, but let’s focus on the family travel aspects for now. Many people say that the adjustment from one to two children is harder than zero to one. For day to day living, no way. But for travel? I think I have to agree. We had no qualms about taking the first child to Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and France all before his first birthday. But with the addition of number two, everything has been much, much harder.
My 2015 New Year’s Resolutions for Family Travel
1. I will pack less. We just spent a week in Sarasota, Florida, where my parents live for the winter. And we brought a ridiculous amount of stuff. It didn’t seem that way when I was packing. It didn’t seem that way when we were down there. But it sure felt that way when we were packing up to go home. And now that we’re home again, the unpacking has been way too time consuming. I’m bringing half the amount of clothes on my next trip regardless of where it is. Well, unless it involves skiing.
2. Get the baby a passport ASAP. We got my son’s passport at six months. Now my daughter is languishing passportless at nine months. What are we going to do if she gets invited abroad at a moment’s notice? We need to get her a passport just in case.
3. We will take more day trips. We used to be awesome day trippers, visiting beautiful places like Storm King multiple times in a year. There are still lots of interesting places left to see and we’re going to tick a lot off our list in 2015!
4. We will go to Europe again this summer. I write this one with some trepidation because I’d hate to say that I’m going and then not go. We went for six summers in a row, but opted for the Outer Banks of North Carolina because we felt that the baby was too young in August (five months) for such an adventure. But there’s no reason she should be able to go this summer… My son’s first trip to Europe was at 11 months.
5. I will continue to encourage other families to travel. I love being an advocate for family travel and believe that travel can be even more fun with a family. So as I’m making a pledge to travel more, I hope you will too.
What are your travel resolutions this year?
I am the queen of day trips. I love it and I am looking forward to many more in 2015.
Great resolutions and they all look very do-able and worth putting on your 2015 travel agenda – enjoy what 2015 will bring you!
noel recently posted..Thessaloniki food: culinary capital and food discovery tour
I need to get everyone passports. It is on my 2015 list of things to do.
Debi recently posted..Creamalada Cocktail or Mocktail
Good luck with all five – and I hope that 2015 brings you everything you wish for xxxx
Elle | Spain Buddy recently posted..A good hot chocolate recipe
I don’t have little ones in tow but many of these still apply to me. Packing less is a great motto for any traveler.
And bravo! regarding day trips: they are unheralded, but often provide some of the best experiences. And they’re a great way to introduce budding travelers to the concept!
Happy New Year!
Larissa recently posted..Local flavor: Trying reindeer sausage in Alaska
I like these resolutions and relate to a lot of them! Excited to see what 2015 will bring.
Lillie recently posted..What Makes a Popular Article: Top 10 Reads of the Year
These area great travel resolutions. I’m resolving to finally get my Global Entry so I don’t have to wait on security lines any more!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted..ringing in our 37th new year together
Very nice set of resolutions and i totally agree with the challenges of going from one to two when it comes to travel. That transition is the whole reason behind why I started my website Mom’s guide to travel because of those challenges. Day trips and road trips were the way that I got my legs wet again and myself more comfortable traveling with two small children.
I love being an advocate for family travel too!! My mother is a retired flight attendant so that may have something to do with it. Great new YEar’s resolutions.
I am all for the day trip resolution!
We are spitting distance away from the mountains and we hardly ever go.
2015 looks like is’t going to be busy!
I’ve got the greatest admiration for parents who travel with children. I don’t think I could do it – you’re amazing. Happy New er to you and your family and happy travels in 2105.
Barbara Weibel recently posted..PHOTO: Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia
One of my resolutions is to find the money to travel more even if it’s just a day trip.
becca recently posted..Wordless Wednesday 12-31-14 #Travel #gatorlandfun
Great ones for 2015. I have several trips planned but am looking at more short trips also.
Debbie Denny recently posted..Movies on Tap for 2015 – Lets talk Disney First!
We are doing more family travel this year too, day trips are perfect and they are great to incorporate into our homeschooling!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted..Hardy Breakfast Casserole #Recipe
Now you’re making me want to plan more family travel too!
Kristin recently posted..Happy New Year’s Eve
Great resolutions! We have yet to make any major trips or travel plans with our three children, but since hubby is from Ireland, it is inevitable so I am not in any hurry 🙂
Danielle recently posted..10 Foods to Boost Your Metabolism
I’m working on packing less too. We’ve been on the road for years, but we still overpack. I just can’t seem to go without. But having too much weight and clutter drives me crazy. The next trip we take, I’m going to take my time packing and really think about each item. Luckily I have a month or so off to get it right. I think I’ve been going so long, I have no rhyme or reason to my packing strategy right now. You’re so lucky you live in NYC, there are so many great day trips to do near you! All the best for 2015!
Deb recently posted..Our Ultimate Travel Quotes in Photos
Good resolutions, Liz! Yes sometimes the *stuff* can be the most daunting part of traveling with a family. For weekend trips away we limit ourselves to a duffel and a backpack, and we find we can manage. I think it helps to stay in an Airbnb/apt/house type place (rather than hotel) once you have two kids. You know everyone will have a proper place to sleep and there will be a kitchen — and it’s great to have a living room for mom and dad to enjoy after putting the kids down for the night. Not as many late nights abroad these days, but now we have the new adventure of visiting the local grocery store everywhere we go. 🙂
Since all my travel plans in 2014 went haywire, I have decided to go with the flow this year.
Natalie – Turkish Travel recently posted..14 Beautiful Places of Turkey to Visit in 2015
You’re coming to Europe? May I humbly suggest the Canary Islands as a destination? You won’t be disappointed.
Gran Canaria Local recently posted..Barranco Seco
Brava – YES to all of the above!!
wandering educators recently posted..Florida Culture for Your Calendar for the Week of January 5 by Josh Garrick
One, three and five are on my list too. We did the kids passports last year. 😉 Happy New Year!!!
Elaine Schoch recently posted..Inspirational Travel Quotes for 2015 – One for Each Week of the Year