I have experienced this trade-off plenty of times on my own family trips, and science agrees: Spending money to save time makes people happier, according to research from Canada. 

The concept makes even more sense when you think about family vacations. After all, taking a trip is all about spending quality time together—and stress-free, relaxed time is worth a lot to you. So budgeting for some time-saving extras on vacation can be a much better use of your money than, say, a fancy dinner (which your kids might not eat anyway) or a few new DVDs for the road trip. Research shows it’ll make you all happier, too.

Paying a little extra money to save time—and save your vacation

Take, for example, a call I got from my husband one day: I was in Detroit for work, and he and the kids were joining me there for a quick family vacation. (Yes to mixing business and fun!) But he did not sound relaxed; in fact, he was calling me to say they might not make the flight.

In fact, he was driving down the freeway toward the airport and didn’t think he’d have time to park in economy, unbuckle the car seats, wrangle three suitcases, board the bus to the terminal, check in, go through security and make it to the gate.

A bit of quick googling on my phone led me to a solution: airport valet parking. Eric was completely skeptical, and I’m pretty sure he felt a hefty dose of guilt when considering paying more for parking when there were plenty of spots in the economy lot. But, I reasoned, paying for valet parking was way cheaper than rebooking three flights.

In the end, he did opt for airport valet parking—and loved it. The folks there not only parked the car for him, saving loads of time and hassle; they also helped get the suitcases and car seats inside the terminal. Eric and the kids not only made the flight; they had a few extra minutes to play in the PDX airport playground and grab a snack.

Sure beats running through the airport with two kids!

Ideas to invest extra in your family vacation

You totally don’t need anyone’s permission to spring for a slight upgrade like airport valet parking—but if spending a bit more to save your vacation is still giving you a hangup, hear this: You’re worth it. Your family vacation is worth it. And the memories you’ll make together are certainly worth it.

So take science’s finding that spending a little more to save time and upgrade your fun will make you happier (on vacation and every day!). Here are some ideas to do just that.

• Stay in a prime location. You’ll pay more for hotel or house rental, but you’ll spend less time driving to all the fun things you’ve planned for your vacation.
• Pay for better parking. See my example above if you don’t believe me that a little extra money can make a big difference in enjoying your vacation.
• Get grocery delivery. If you’re staying at a house for an extended time, you’ll want to stock the fridge—but going to the grocery store is a drag when there are fun vacation activities you’re dying to do with the kids. Instead, buy staples online and have them delivered to your rental house.
• Order ahead. You can call a restaurant (or room service) on your way so you don’t have to wait for the kitchen to make your food. This one actually doesn’t necessarily cost money, but it will save you from distracting hungry kids while you figure out your order!
• Fly direct. Sure, you may pay a bit extra for fewer layovers, but think of all the stress you’ll avoid on your family trip.

We’ll be spending the money to save time—and have a more relaxed vacation—from now on. How about you?

Has spending a little extra money ever helped save your vacation? What extras do you budget for on vacation?

The post Spend a little, save your vacation with this science-based travel hack appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

A city park might not give you a one-of-a-kind experience you can get only in your destination, but you’ll never regret the time you and your kids spend at the playground on vacation. Then again, you might find a unique and unforgettable park you’d miss otherwise.

Still skeptical (and ready to skip a park stop in favor of a museum or postcard-perfect landmark)? Try this family travel hack and you’ll become a believer. 

5 reasons to add a playground to your vacation itinerary

As you’re planning your trip itinerary for your next family vacation, remember this: add a playground stop to your trip! Here’s why.

1. Playing at a park lets your kids burn off energy

If your littles are anything like mine, they finish road trips and plane rides with, ahem, an abundance of energy. Letting them loose on a playground allows them to stretch their legs, get the activity their growing bodies need and just be silly.

2. Parks are familiar

Especially if your kids are very young or nervous about new places and situations, building something familiar into your family trip itinerary will be comforting. Your kids are less likely to melt down later if they’ve already done something they love—and that is similar to their routine at home.

3. Locals’ travel tips and advice

Here’s my favorite part about adding parks to every family vacation itinerary I plan: Hitting up a park gives me the perfect opportunity to meet local parents. These are the people who will give you insider tips on where to eat, play, explore—and what to avoid.

4. Playgrounds make kids happy

Family vacations are all about, well, family time. Planning a trip itinerary only on what you want to do—museums, walking hip neighborhoods, shopping—is a sure bet to make your kids cranky. Build in a playground stop and they’ll be in a good mood the rest of the day (like when you stop in at an art gallery).

5. Playgrounds let kids be kids

When families go on vacation, kids are often asked to be on their best behavior: They have to eat unfamiliar food at restaurants, stick close to a parent on busy sidewalks, be quiet in museums and otherwise restrain themselves at every turn. But at a playground—the destination they’ll be so glad you included in your family trip itinerary—they’re free to be their usual, rambunctious selves.

So don’t forget: When you’re planning your next family vacation, remember to include the one destination your kids are guaranteed to love.

Have you and your kids ever stopped at a playground on vacation? How did it work out?

The post The surprising destination you need on every family trip itinerary appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

We ended up trying no fewer than three times to get an acceptable baby passport photo. Suffice to say, taking an acceptable passport photo was frustrating, time-consuming—and expensive. By the end of the ordeal, I was totally stressed out getting the photos to the federal government in time for Peeper to have her passport ready!

Here’s the good news: I’m here to share my 5 tips on how to take a baby passport photo right—the first time. After all, you don’t need the extra stress of wondering if your baby’s passport will be rejected ‘cause his eyes are closed!

US requirements for baby passport photos

According to the Department of State, your baby’s passport photo must:

• show your baby’s full face, with the photo taken head-on
• show only your baby—with no one else, or part of someone else, in the photo
• be taken with a white or off-white background
• be properly exposed (with no extra shadows)
• show a “neutral expression” on your baby
• conform to the size requirements, with baby’s head within the acceptable space
• be in focus
• not be obscured by any objects—e.g. pacifiers, hats, toys, hands, etc.

In addition, there have been other requirements in the past that the State Department doesn’t currently list—but I’d rather be safe than sorry and stick to these guidelines, too.

• show both ears
• show your baby’s open eyes
• not have your baby’s mouth open too much

The insanity of trying to take a good baby passport photo

Ok, you’re looking at this list and wondering how you’ll ever take a baby passport photo our government will accept. When is a baby’s facial expression neutral—except when she’s asleep? How do you get your baby to hold still for an in-focus passport photo? How do you find the time to follow all these requirements while simultaneously packing, planning your trip itinerary, investigating vaccinations and buying binkies in bulk because your kid will definitely throw every damn pacifier on the floor of the plane?

Deep breath.

You might not get it right the first time. (See our baby passport photo examples, above—only the one on the bottom right passed muster.)

Here’s how you’ll do it all for your upcoming international family vacation: You’re a bad-a mama who has this on lockdown. Read on to become a baby passport photo-taking pro.

5 steps for a perfect baby passport photo

Say cheese, Baby! Time to take your first passport photo!

1. Time it right.

Plan your photo session when your baby is going to be awake. Don’t wake your baby to take the picture—crying children def do not pass muster for passport photos.

2. Use a sheet.

Have your partner drape a white sheet over his chest and shoulder. With one hand under the sheet, cradle your baby’s head and keep her upright and facing the camera. Just make sure your fingers don’t accidentally cover the baby’s ears! (We did in one of our passport photos—and had to redo it.)

3. Lie your baby down.

Alternatively, you can lay your baby on the ground on top of a white sheet, or place a white sheet over her car seat and place her in there. If you do use a car seat, make sure the sides of it aren’t casting shadows on your baby’s face—that could get your baby passport photo rejected.

4. Take the passport photo somewhere reputable.

If you go someplace to take your baby passport photo, make them agree ahead of time to show you the photo before you pay for it. We had our original baby passport photo taken at Costco, and it turned out to have an orange hue. Well, that wouldn’t work because Peeper wasn’t jaundiced, thank goodness. We had to redo it.

5. Take the passport photo yourself.

The advantage to DIYing a baby passport photo is that you can take a million pictures and choose the best one that adheres to all the above requirements. The problem is cropping it to the exact dimensions you need. If you feel confident, go ahead and DIY, and make sure to print out on photo paper.

Bon voyage, jet-setting baby traveler!

Now that your infant has a passport, you’re ready for your international adventures! Don’t worry, the worst is behind you: After you managed to take an acceptable baby passport photo, flying internationally will be a breeze.

Right? Right.

Remember, mama: You got this. Bon voyage!

Have you had to take a passport photo for your baby? Do you have any tips—or warnings?

The post 5 steps to take a baby passport photo right (the first time!) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.