If bad karaoke sounds like a good time to you, you’re gonna love this episode! We start off talking about classic summer songs, the kind you might sing along to on a road trip. Let’s hope if Kate and Rebecca are in the car with you, the music is turned WAY UP to drown out their voices. Bless their hearts.

One of the fun things about summer is getting to take a trip. Whether it’s a big one out of state or a smaller one close by, many of the same truths apply: something will be forgotten, something will go wrong and someone will ask: Are we there yet? This episode is all about tips and tricks to make your summer trips the best ever! Let’s go make some memories with our families, mamas.

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• Teach kids how to pack themselves
  
  
• Use packing cubes for each kid
  
  
• Each kid packs their travel bag (snacks, water bottle, books, blankie)
  
  
• Have a new book, coloring book, movie for your kids to watch or play with that they’ll be excited about (check out books from the library to save money)
  
  
• Make sure you have wipes
  
  
• Give everyone a job
  
  
• Go over the trip with your kids
  
  
• Accept that something will go wrong
  

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• Mentally think through the logistics of suitcases, carseats, strollers and what all you will need BEFORE you get to the airport
  
  
• Drink or sucker at take off for popping ears
  

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• Pack snacks-one gallon bag for each kid filled with snacks (saves money at gas stations)
  
  
• Incentivize good behavior (money for prizes, pick where you eat, reward tickets)
  
  
• License plate game, road sign alphabet, I spy
  

My biggest tip is that travel is an opportunity to make God bigger for your kids. They get to see a new part of the world, new people and get the blessing of a zoom out-a new understanding of who their God is.

Take the opportunity to help your kids be in awe of God. When they see a mountain, the ocean, beautiful flowers, a people group that looks and speaks differently than you do.

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

We can get so used to the beauty of our daily surroundings that we forget to marvel at them. We have a fresh opportunity to marvel at the goodness of our God, His creativity, his beauty in a new place. Help your children see him and worship him.

We love you. We’re taking a little summer break to be present with our families. Stay tuned on Gather Moms Instagram and Facebook as we continue to provide resources and encouragement for you throughout the summer.

Love you, moms!

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