The 2024 presidential election motivated me to have a birthday do-over

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At the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Pointe in Time Emerald Gala Today marks a week since my birthday.  Its occurrence is a tremendous blessing. Because all around us are reminders about the fragility of life. To that end, my brother, who always makes a point to celebrate me, took me to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's Pointe in Time Emerald Gala on November 2d. That was the beginning of my birthday celebrations. And then, on my birthday itself, I got a bit of a surprise... My actual birthday was tough. It was Election Day. And, I spent the day working polls as a part of an election protection effort. My efforts were designed to protect all voters. However, deep in my heart I love my AKA sister, Kamala Harris and I hoped for her historic victory. Then, much to my chagrin and despite my efforts—and those of thousands more—she lost. In my estimation, that loss was one of the greatest setbacks in human dignity in my lifetime.  The country elected a felon and self-proclaimed, racist, ableis
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Six Tips to Ease Traveling With Young Children

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Two girls at the Pittsburgh International Airport

When you are single, or married without children, planning for a vacation is like dreaming about your favorite dessert. It’s is truly like you’re about to experience nirvana, a calorie-free ice cream sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top! When you are a working mom and have children even thinking about vacation can seem like a huge chore. You can get overwhelmed by trying to figure out how you can possibly prepare for said vacation while doing all of the other crap that you have to do!

Well, because I believe in vacations and believe in you, I have the answer to your prayers!

Packing for your trip: It is important to plan properly and to give yourself adequate time to pack. Blah, blah, blah! Of course it is. It’s also important to floss every day. If you’re like the rest of us and wait to long to get it together, I have the answer to your prayers. Write down everything you need to bring before you begin the packing process. Fortunately for you, there are others who have prepared checklists to help you pack like a pro! 

Here are some links to some travel planning sites:

PACKING LISTS
Packing for a trip with kids! (with a video hack you’ll love!)
Traveling with Kids? Use Our Checklist!
What to Pack for Travel with Toddler

Getting There: Now that you’re packed, you have to travel to your location. Here are some tips for airport travel.

Airport Travel With Two or More Young Children: Take your double stroller. I don't know how to navigate the airport (or life) without it. I had some passes to the Admiral's Club. (Came with my credit card.) It was GREAT. It was a haven from the travel storm that's the airport. You could relax a little. The little one likes to run around and chasing him around the airport would have been no fun. The bathrooms are cleaner and you can get a cocktail and snacks. They had hot soup and quesadillas. It was a blessing to not have to worry about food.  One less thing, you know? If you have a layover, it's worth it to pay for a day pass if you don't otherwise have access.

Entertaining Young Children: Traveling with an iPad and head phones is a needed perk for us. Although my kids might just be spoiled...

Sleeping in hotels: You're an experienced mom. So, you know how important routine is to the littles. To that end, don't forget their lovies and favorite books. Each child is different. Some kids don't care where and how they sleep. In contrast, our daughter couldn't sleep without her pacifier or favorite toys for a couple of years. So, I bought duplicates and kept them in the suitcase at all times. I know myself and I'm forgetful!

Pool fun: Don't forget to bring personal flotation devices for the kids. This will make your trip much more fun. They'll want to get in the water, but it will be a hassle if you have to hold one or both of them. Also, you'll need both parents at all times, which might be hard to coordinate.  

Related Travel Articles

11 parent-tested tips that make traveling with kids easier
Tips for Flying with Kids (From a Flight Attendant)
How to Travel With Kids
33 Best Tips for Amazing Family Travel With Your Kids (Less Stress & More Fun!)
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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