Traveling Woes of a Mom (and Why We Keep Booking the Next Trip Anyway)

By Terra | Something More Travel

Every mom knows this feeling:

Next trip will be different.

The kids won’t whine.

No one will fight over who’s sitting where.

We won’t spend a fortune on meals no one finishes.

I’ll pack perfectly - no overpacking, no under packing.

Everyone will get along, sleep well, and it will be … perfect.

And yet - after 16 years of traveling with kids - I can confidently say:

I have never had a perfect family vacation. Not even close.

The Reality of Family Travel

We’ve done it all.

Camping close to home and far from it (some summers - more nights in the camper than our own beds).

Multiple trips to Disneyland.

All-inclusives in Mexico with extended family.

Road trips through BC and the northwestern U.S.

Lake summers. Arizona heat.

And now? We’re gearing up for our biggest adventure yet - Australia and Fiji.

Every single trip starts the same way:

With big dreams, Pinterest-worthy visions, and the belief that this time we’ve cracked the code. And every single trip includes:

• Bumps (so many bumps)

• At least a few tears (kids… sometimes moms)

• Moments of “why did we think this was a good idea?”

But here’s the thing…

They also always end the same way.

We don’t want to go home.

We have a camera roll full of memories.

And somehow, we’re already talking about the next trip.

Why Is Traveling as a Mom So Hard?

Let’s just say it out loud:

Vacationing as a mom is not actually a vacation.

You’re still doing all the mom things:

• Feeding everyone

• Keeping them watered

• Making sure they’re dressed appropriately (why is this still a struggle?)

• Managing moods, meltdowns, and sibling negotiations

Except now you’re doing it:

• In a different time zone

• Without your usual routines and tools

• On very little sleep

• While trying to “relax and enjoy yourself”

It’s a full-time job… with a better view.

And somehow, you come home more exhausted than when you left.

So why do we keep doing it?

Why It’s Always Worth It ❤️

Because they’re only little once. The old saying is no joke!

And that phase? It goes by fast.

The thought of kids growing up, moving out, and no longer being available for family trips hits harder than any travel-day meltdown ever could.

Travel gives us something we can’t get back later: time together, shared experiences, and core memories.

I didn’t grow up traveling much. Vacations were simple - camping or visiting family. My first

big trip was Disneyland at 16, and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

That trip sparked something in me.

And I knew I wanted my kids to grow up seeing the world - not feeling intimidated by it, but

excited by it. Wanting more!

The Trips They’ll Never Forget (Even the Chaotic Ones)

One of our most memorable trips?

A two-week road trip I planned down to the smallest detail:

• Surprise destinations

• Daily clues for the kids

• Personalized stops for each family member

• Snacks, games, journals - the whole Pinterest mom dream

And yes … I ignored the “don’t drive more than 5 hours a day” advice by all the mom bloggers

before me who I had read for months.

Big mistake. HUGE.

But you know what?

That trip is one of our favorites.

We laughed, explored, bonded - and even had a completely random, unforgettable moment

meeting Celine Dion at a Topgolf in Denver.

It wasn’t perfect. Not even close.

But it was ours.

Mom Tips for Surviving (and Enjoying) Travel ✈️

After years of trial, error, and “learning the hard way,” here’s what I’ve figured out:

Listen to your kids

Find out what excites them and build moments around that.

Plan ahead - but not to perfection

Overplanning can be just as stressful as no planning.

Plan ahead for the expense

Travel is expensive - plan and save accordingly so you can enjoy your trip and not feel like you have to miss out on a bucket list experience or dream tour.

Give everyone a role

Navigation, snacks, journaling, room checks - kids love responsibility (sometimes) or to feel

like they are a part of it too.

Take time for yourself

Wake up early. Sit on the balcony before everyone else wakes up. Have the coffee. Order the

wine. You deserve moments too.

Accept the chaos

Something will go wrong. Probably multiple things. That’s part of the story.

The Truth About “Perfect” Vacations

One of our most talked-about memories?

A screaming 8-year-old in the backseat of the minivan for four hours on a long stretch of bland highway.

At the time? Torture.

Now? One of our favorite stories.

Because that’s the thing:

The imperfect moments are often the ones that stick.

Final Thoughts: Just Take the Trip

One day, the car will be quiet.

No one will argue about dinner.

No one will forget their shoes or fight over beds.

And as crazy as it sounds… you might miss it.

So take the trip.

Book the vacation.

Make the memories - even the messy ones.

Because time is the one thing we don’t get back.

And those chaotic, loud, exhausting, beautiful family vacations?

They’re the moments you’ll hold onto forever.