Hi friend,

One of the biggest mistakes I see moms make when planning a family trip is thinking the destination matters most.

In reality?

Where you stay can make or break the entire trip.

If you’ve ever had a long travel day followed by cranky kids, missed naps, or zero personal space, you already know this is true.

That’s why this email is part of my Stop the Overwhelm Travel Tuesday series.

Each week, I’m sharing one small, practical way to make travel planning feel lighter and more doable. 🙌

This is Part 2.

Here’s how I choose where to stay when we travel with kids.

These are my non-negotiables:

1. A sleep setup that actually works​
Everyone needs a real place to sleep. For our family, that usually means two beds plus a sofa bed or a separate sleeping space. Sleep solves a lot of problems.

2. Free or easy breakfast​
One less decision in the morning matters more than you think. Even something simple buys you time, patience, and fewer meltdowns.

3. Location (with a touch of comfort)​
If two places are both clean and comfortable, I’ll almost always pick the one that’s closer to what we’re doing. Convenience wins for me almost every time. I don’t need fancy, but I do need a place that feels good to come back to, and I’ll happily skip extra amenities if it means saving time and sanity.

4. Space to spread out​
Even a little extra room makes a big difference after a full day out. Nobody wants to feel on top of each other by day three.

5. Reviews matter. Always.​
I read reviews every single time. If I see repeated red flags, I’m out. I don’t need luxury, valet parking, or butlers, but I do need a place feels well-kept, comfortable, and not a dump. Peace of mind is worth it. 🙏

Here’s the mindset shift that changed how I book places to stay:
​A good place to stay can save a hard day.

When kids are tired, plans change, or the day doesn’t go as expected, your lodging becomes your reset button.

If you want examples of places that check these boxes, I’ve shared exactly where we’ve stayed (and loved) in:

• ​Gatlinburg​
• ​Seattle​
• ​San Diego​

Stay tuned for more packing tips, behind-the-scenes travel hacks, and inspiration to make your trips feel doable and fun. I’m all about helping you make family travel as smooth as possible, so you can create memories without the headache.

Thanks for being part of the Travel Tuesday community, and I can’t wait to connect again soon!💕

✨ Want to make planning even easier?

If you want travel planning to feel less chaotic, my Travel Itinerary Planner + Packing List helps you keep everything in one place when you’re ready to start planning.

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Wishing you better sleep, easier mornings, and trips that feel a little more manageable. 💛

May you LOVE your adventure!

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