Why Family Vacations Feel Like Work (and How to Enjoy Them Anyway)

Why is it that our own vacations never look like the perfect, happy families on the posters enjoying their destination without a sunburn, meltdown, or lost bag in sight? Here's how to manage expectations while traveling with kids and enjoy your trip, whatever it ends up looking like!

We share stories of Disney overwhelm, international travel wins and disasters, airport anxiety, and the unexpected moments that end up becoming the best parts of a vacation.

Topics include:

• How age and stage affect what kind of travel works best

• Traveling with neurodivergent kids and accommodating different needs
• Helping anxious kids prepare for flights and unfamiliar places
• How to adjust plans when travel stress and meltdowns happen

• The moments kids remember most (hint: often not what you planned)

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

• The Autism Community in Action blog: Traveling with Your Child with Autism
• TSA Cares program
• Bill Springer for Forbes Magazine: Kids Who Travel Do Better In School

What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables.

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