What got you so interested in travel?
My parents took my sister and me on trips from the time we were very young. First, we
rented cottages, then progressed to regional camping trips, and finally major road trips.
My dad even drove our family of four to Alaska in 1976 from Stoughton, Mass. – a
7,500-mile round-trip journey.

Will you repeat that trip with your own kids?
My husband Bryan, daughter Acadia, son Hudson, and I have visited Alaska, but our
transportation was a bit more luxurious – we took a cruise from Vancouver through the
Inside Passage. We saw whales and calving glaciers – two things that evaded us on the
1976 trip. We were too busy making miles to do much sightseeing.

Acadia and Hudson – travel names?
Acadia is named for Acadia National Park in Maine. Bryan and I went there on our
honeymoon, and we decided, if we ever had a daughter, to name her Acadia. Three years
later, Acadia (Cady) arrived. Hudson is named for the Hudson River Valley, where Bryan
has traced his ancestors.

When did you start traveling with your baby?
I became a mom and got my book contract with Disney (to write FamilyFun Vacation
Guide: New England) within the same timeframe. The book involved researching
hundreds of activities, attractions, hotels and restaurants in six New England states, and
Cady traveled with me from the time she was a few weeks old. Our first trip was to New
Hampshire’s White Mountains to ride the Polar Express holiday train in the thick of
winter. I brought a ton of blankets for the ride, and we were fine.

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you on a trip?
When Cady was about a year old, my mother and I took her on a road trip to Maine. We
found a roadside ice cream stand, and decided to treat her to a taste of raspberry ice
cream. Forget the taste – she grabbed the cone out of my hand and devoured it in a few
minutes. By the time she finished, her face, her clothes and her car seat were purple.

Any major disappointments?
On our return trip home from an incredible vacation in Kansas, we lost our camcorder at
the airport. We had tons of footage of our trip on a covered wagon, and we lost it all.
Hudson was in an infant seat at the time, and every time the wagon hit a rut on the
prairie, his seat would bounce. His expressions were priceless, and I wish I had the
videotape. These days, I carry a palm-size video camera, and I store it in a pouch that
clips to my belt loop.

What are your favorite destinations for babies?
The thing I love about traveling with babies is they don’t often complain. Sure, they will
make it known when they need to eat or sleep, but they’re generally happy to see new
things. I’ve found outdoor activities that involve motion – cycling with baby in a trailer,
hiking with baby in a sling, or splashing in a tide pool – work well. Like any traveler,
babies get tired of sitting in the car for hours on end.

Any tips for meltdowns?
Meltdowns are inevitable on a vacation. For young kids, blowing bubbles and/or stopping
at an area playground is a good diversion. With older kids, kicking a soccer ball, giving
them a little fun money to spend at a dollar store, or asking them to plan the next phase of
the itinerary tends to work. If you’re at a museum, for example, and it’s not your child’s
thing, try this: “I know this isn’t your favorite place, but I’m really interested in it. If
you’re a good sport for another half hour and let me enjoy the exhibits, I’ll let you plan
the evening activity.” There should be give and take on a trip.

How do you stay organized while traveling?
I have a master packing list on my computer that I customize for every trip. In addition to
clothing and gear, I record every detail I need to think about before, during and after the
trip. For example, pick up postcard stamps, replenish items in first-aid kit, return books-on-
tape to library. I print out an extra list and keep it in the car’s glovebox, just in case I
need a spare.

What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Our machine-washable, water-resistant picnic blanket is a lifesaver. If the ground or
picnic table is wet, we can still sit outside in comfort.

Did you ever overpack – what don’t you need on a trip?
In the past, our family has been guilty of duplication. Everyone does not need their own
tube of toothpaste, bottle of shampoo, and sunscreen. We use one large bathroom
organizer instead of individual kits.

How do you pick a vacation destination?
The best way to find out about good places is to ask friends where they’re recently been.
A candid review is invaluable. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell from a brochure or a website if
a particular place is baby-friendly, as you can’t detect its spirit or know if noisy
renovations are taking place.

Any words of wisdom for intergeneration trips?
We vacation every year with my parents, who are now in their late 70s. We tend to rent
cottages in places with a wide range of activities – beaches, art galleries, easy hikes,
outlet shopping – that appeal to every age and stage. If we don’t end up doing the same
activities on a given day, we gather for meals. It’s helpful to discuss finances before the
trip, so there aren’t constant issues about who is paying for what.

Why are you partnering with SootheTIME?
SootheTIME is a family-owned company dedicated to producing innovative, quality
products for growing families. I’m proud to team up with them.

10 THINGS TO DO WITH BABY IN SPRING (March to May)
1. Meet baby animals. Alpacas, ducks, chickens, boats, bison, sheep, rabbits and
calves are a few animals raised on family farms. Call ahead to area farms to see
when you might drop by to meet spring babies. For a list of farms across the
country, go to www.localharvest.org.
2. Get on track. Georgia’s Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, California’s Skunk Train,
and Ohio’s Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad are among the country’s tourist trains
that offer family-oriented spring events. For information, go to www.railusa.com.
3. Visit a children’s museum. Stepping Stones Museum for Children
(www.steppingstonesmuseum.org) in Norwalk, Conn., recently doubled in space,
offering more than 100 hands-on activities for children from birth to age 10.
Young visitors can catch a toy fish in Tot Town’s pond, make a gorilla’s nest,
make masterpieces in the art studio, and visit a butterfly garden. The Magic
House (www.magichouse.org) in St. Louis, Mo., features a three-story, climb-on
bean stalk, a water play area for splashing, a bubble room, and a baby gym. For
more museums, go to www.childrensmuseums.org.
4. Enjoy pre-summer discounts at lodges and resorts. The Tyler Place
(www.tylerplace.com), a 165-acre all-inclusive resort on Lake Champlain in
Highgate Springs, Vermont, adores babies. From May 27 to June 18 (and from
Sept. 3 to 10), rates are 30 to 50 percent off peak-season prices. Founded in 1933,
the family-owned resort has bikes for all ages (plus baby seats and trail-a-bikes), a
play center with developmental toys and rocking chairs for nursing mothers, and
parents’ helpers who can watch baby while parents enjoy onsite candlelight
dining or a Lake Champagne Cruises.
5. Check out a new playground. Sure, you have your hometown favorite, but why
not visit a play area in an adjoining town. The parents you meet there might
recommend other local low-cost activities and events you didn’t know existed.
6. Prepare for safe swimming before summer starts. Babies as young as six months
might benefit from swim lessons. Ask your pediatrician if aquatic instruction is
recommended for your baby. Classes are typically offered through the YMCA or
Infant Swim Resource (www.infantswim.com), a physician-founded program
emphasizing self-rescue skills. Parents might want to refresh their infant CPR
skills through a class offered by the Red Cross (www.redcross.org).
7. Snap a garden portrait. When a gorgeous garden in your area blooms, take your
baby’s portrait by the flowers. If you take his picture there every year, you’ll have
a beautiful record of your child growing up alongside the buds.
8. Take a bird walk. Depending on where you live, the sight of a Purple Martin,
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, or Baltimore Oriole signals spring. On your trek,
bring along a bird whistle for extra fun. (I like the classic red Audubon Bird Call,
available at garden and nature shops for under $10.) For information about
migration patterns and species in your area, go to www.enature.com.
9. Recycle together. Bring your baby the next time you visit the recycling center.
She’ll love watching you push bottles and cans into the machines, seeing the
empties spin, hearing metal crunch, then repeatedly watching the process.
10. Ride a vintage carousel. Brightly-colored painted ponies, pulsing organ music,
and constant motion delight most babies. Balboa Park in San Diego, California,
boasts a 1910 Herschell-Spillman classic — complete with jumping horses,
ostriches, frogs, dogs and a dragon. For a list of dozens of carousels across the
country, go to www.nationalcarousel.org. Hours vary, so call before you go.

THE VIP, Very Important Pack
Turn your diaper bag into a portable problem solver by including these essentials:
• Small fleece blanket (use to pad grocery-cart seats or to wrap baby during sudden
drops in temperature)
• Outlet covers and table corners (in case you’re visiting someone who hasn’t childproofed
their home)
• First-aid kit: Adhesive bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, antiseptic cream, baby pain
reliever, insect repellant, sunscreen, anti-itch cream, burn gel, instant cold pack,
and tweezers. (Ask your pediatrician to recommend specific brands/formulas.)
• Floppy water-resistant hat for rain and sun protection (baby and parent)
• Wild-colored shoelaces. These are great for the obvious reason – you break a
shoelace – but, when attached to an antenna, they also help you identify your car
in a crowded parking lot
• Beach ball (compact toy that’s handy for spontaneous games)
• Spare change for tolls, meters, cash-only farm stands
• Spinner toy that attaches to tray tables, restaurant tables or end tables with a
suction cup
• Print-out of key phone numbers, including poison control, doctor’s office, local
hospital (in case your cell phone is misplaced or batteries die, you have a record)
• Bubbles
• A couple of retail catalogs. Babies love to rip paper. Rather than tossing out, bring
these along for baby to tear
• Photo album with pictures of pets and family members

SPRING SAFETY TIPS:
• Spring weather wildly fluctuates.
In any given week, days could be rainy, cool or hot. Make sure you stow
clothes and outerwear for these different scenarios in your VIP.
• Rain and mud can make sidewalks and hiking trails slippery. Make sure
you and your child wear shoes with good traction to avoid falls.
• Since you’ll likely be spending more time in the yard, give it a once-over.
Are there any fallen branches baby might trip over? Do prickly bushes
need to be trimmed? Might a fence or rail need to be sanded to minimize
splinters? Does your yard contain poisonous plants? After the harsh
winter, is your playset in good working order or do rusty bolts need to be
replaced?
• If you visit a family farm, bring anti-bacterial gel or wipes and use
immediately after touching animals.

SAVING MONEY
• Consider splitting the cost of a vacation rental with good friends or family
members. Not only will you save on rent and grocery bills, you can trade off
babysitting with other adults, and save that expense as well.
• Dining out is a costly part of any vacation. Dine out for lunch, and make breakfast
and dinner in your hotel room. If you have microwave, you can heat up soup,
oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, and steam vegetables. If you have a small
refrigerator in your room or a cooler, you can store yogurt, cheese, carrot sticks,
fruit salad, hummus, condiments and salad dressing.
• On a road trip, look for public dinners offered by local churches and civic groups.
• Weeks before you head to your destination, sign up to receive daily deals in that
area from sites including Groupon.com, which offers everything from reduced
theater admissions to restaurant discounts.
• Explore the websites of key attractions before you go to learn about special events
or free-admission times. With that information, you can better plan your vacation
itinerary.
• If you’re having a stay-cation (staying home during vacation week), invest in a
few special purchases: new sheets, scented soap, gourmet jam, a backyard bug kit
(catch and view bugs, then release), and a travel guidebook that highlights lesser known
area pastimes and attractions. Your local chamber of commerce may
provide coupons to use at area merchants.

MAKING MEMORIES
• Parents of young children sometimes find it challenging to write regularly in a
journal. But you can keep a record of your adventures with a memory box – a
shoebox filled with seashells, postcards, acorns, flyers, ticket stubs – and other
items collected on your travels. Date the box, and fill it with related photos. If
your child is old enough, he can help you decorate the box with seasonal stickers.

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
• For baby’s first trips into the water, carry her in a waterproof sling, so she can
stay secure, safe, and appealingly close to you.
• If you plan on frequently visiting the beach, consider purchasing an all-terrain
beach stroller that rolls easily over sand. There are also jogging strollers designed
specifically for the beach.
• To protect your camera or video recorder, consider buying a waterproof case.
Many new digital cameras are shockproof and waterproof.
• Depending on the beach you visit, water temperatures can be chilly. Consider
investing in a baby wetsuit, and pack a sweatshirt, fleece blankets, and hand
warmers.
• These days, you can purchase portable tents, umbrellas, hats, and swimwear with
built-in Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). These aren’t substitutes for
sunscreen, but they offer further protection.
• Don’t rely on lifeguards to keep an eye on baby. Always keep her in your sight,
and avoid turning your back to the ocean, as waves are unpredictable.
• Even if a beach or park appears to be litter-free, have your baby wear water shoes
or sandals to avoid the odd piece of broken glass or ragged shell. Little feet burn
easily, so make sure to coat them with sunscreen.

DEB’S EXPERT PACKING TIPS
• For road trips, consider using huge, clear sealable bags with handles instead of
suitcases. You’ll be able to see the contents clearly. Since the bags are water
resistant, they are good for toting wet clothes and beach supplies.
• Use a large pencil case to store cords for phones, computer, DVD players, and
other electronics, and pledge to return the cords to the case when you’re not using
them. Store the case in the car’s glovebox for easy access.
• Airline baggage fees take a bite out of your vacation budget. Consider purchasing
sundries when you get to your destination so you won’t have to pack them. In
vacation hotspots, such as Florida, you can even arrange to have high chairs,
strollers, beach equipment, and playpens delivered to your motel by a rental
company.
• In addition to tagging your bags with your name, address and phone number,
create a tag that lists the bag’s contents. Print the list out on your computer in a
small font size, seal it in a self-laminating luggage tag, and attach the tag to the
bag. This way, you will know what’s missing when you repack each bag.
• Consolidate. Each member of the family doesn’t need his or her own toiletry kit.
Use one tube of toothpaste and share sample-size sundries. For packing ease,
combine all toiletries in a foldable, mesh holder that hangs on a door hook.
• To avoid leaking containers, use the wipes form of sunscreen, insect repellant and
antibacterial cleanser.
• Pack some spare change. You’ll need it for tolls, roadside farm stands that don’t
accept credit cards, community suppers, and tag sales.
• Leave your baby’s favorite toy at home, so there’s no chance of losing it. Instead,
bring a few travel toys dedicated to vacation use. If you’re flying, consider
stopping when you get to your destination at a store run by a nonprofit
organization such as Goodwill. You may find bargains on gently-used toys that
you can donate back to the center at trip’s end to save luggage space.

WATER FUN
• Invest in a pool float with a comfy seat and legholes. With a tow rope, and have
fun pulling and pushing baby through the water as she kicks.
• At the beach, find a stick and draw pictures in the sand near the shoreline. Baby
will enjoy watching the waves make the pictures disappear, then writing all over
again.
• Dig, pour and float. Bring a small floating toy, such as a rubber duck, to the
beach, along with a pail and shovel. Dig a hole in the sand, fill it with water, and
watch the toy float in its custom swimming pool.

TIPS FOR A PERFECT PICNIC
• Purchase the components of your picnic at a farmer’s market. Fresh fruit,
artisan cheeses, just-baked bread and salad fixings are a few items you’ll typically
find. Growers can often recommend great spots to savor your picnic.
• Bring a washable picnic blanket with waterproof backing. If the ground is damp
or sandy, you’re covered. If you prefer to use a picnic table, the blanket makes a
nice tablecloth.
• Pick a happening place. In summer, many parks feature musical concerts,
theatrical productions, and children’s entertainment. Enjoy your picnic before,
during or after such an event.
• Depending on where you picnic, the policy may be carry-in/carry-out. Make sure
to pack a trash bag in your picnic basket in case you need to take your trash with
you.
• A pop-up screen tent large enough to surround a picnic table keeps sun and bugs
away. Alternately, you can protect baby with a pint-size screened cabana.
• Picnic basket essentials include a can opener, plastic utensils, antibacterial wipes,
sunscreen, bug spray, drinking water, bibs, board books, and a beachball.

When preparing for an outing, your overall strategy is three S-words: Soothe, Surprises, Safety.

Soothe:

• To keep babies toasty in chilly weather, warm up the Cruise Cuddler or Cruise Snuggler in the dryer for a few minutes before a trip.
• For a more soothing diaper-changing experience, pack diapers in a resealable plastic bag with a hand-warmer packet (available at mass-merchandise stores and sports shops).
• Help your baby relax with an Infant massage. My daughter loved the windmill. While she was on her back, I rubbed my hands rapidly over her belly. This is easy to do on the portable rest area tucked into the Good to Go Tote.
• A child’s favorite blanket (I like the super soft Klipz blanket) is a staple on trips. Clip it to a stroller or car seat to prevent loss. We once spent an entire afternoon tracking down a baby blanket in a scenic shoreline town when we could have been at the beach. It fell under a table at a pizza joint.
• Babies love familiar faces. Bring a photo album with pictures of friends, relatives, and the family pet. A non-breakable handheld mirror is also useful, as babies love their own reflection.

Surprises:

• Make a puppet kit. If your child is old enough to handle the materials, give her a paper bag filled with stickers and a non-toxic, washable marker. Help her her to make a puppet using the bag as the puppet’s body and the stickers and marker for the features.
• Homemade puzzles. Before your trip, glue a colorful page from a holiday catalog (I like animal catalogs like Heifer Project) to a piece of cardstock. Cut the sheet up into four or five puzzle pieces and store in a resealable bag.
• Wrap up some of your baby’s favorite toys and bring the packages on an outing. Periodically, give her a package. She’ll like tearing the paper and reconnecting with a favorite toy.
• Baby having a total meltdown? Start blowing bubbles (always have a container handy; you can get a 12-pack of small bottles at party stores).
• Turn your photos of your family adventures into a coloring book using digital software such as Kodak Easy Share or Adobe. Once you download an image, convert the picture into a sketch or coloring book page with a few easy clicks. Bind the images together and let your baby have fun coloring pictures of herself on trips.

Safety

• When staying overnight away from home, bring a baby-proofing kit. I use a colorful pencil case to store items, such as removable protective edges for coffee tables and electrical outlet plugs (I recommend the Rhoost line), plus a nightlight. Keep emergency numbers (pediatrician, poison control, etc.) in that kit, just in case you misplace your cell phone.
• To avoid indispensable items from getting lost, store them in a zippered bag clipped to a stroller, shopping cart, or automobile seat. Cruise Hooks swivel 360 degrees and easily hold up to 11 pounds.

Videos

• 1
• 2