Wednesday, September 19, 2007

MY FIRST WORKS-FOR-ME WEDNESDAY!

For a couple of months now, I have been reading the
Works-For-Me Wednesday carnival hosted by Shannon at
Rocks In My Dryer.
And y'all...it is so awesome! Each week I find wonderful new tips for just about everything! I've longed to join in the fun; but it wasn't until this past Saturday that I was finally ready to take the big leap and not only remove a post from draft form for the first time ever, but publicly publish that post as well! After privately blogging (in draft form) since the Spring, I am gradually making all of "XBOX WIFE" public. It's a work-in-progress. :)

Now, I am so excited
to finally be a part of:

THE UPSIDE OF DOWNSIZING AND ADDING MORE WHEELS

This summer was a big traveling summer for our family. We took an airplane trip, as well as a long road trip.
Sometimes traveling with kids can be,shall we say...difficult!
They tend to get bored while waiting in line at the airport and hotel check-ins, making it an easy temptation for them to:
a)get loud, b)get whiney, or c)get lost by wandering away,
leaving you either angry, frustrated, or panicked (or all three) and wondering why you took the trip in the first place!

We found something that kept our forces of nature at bay this summer. And y'all, let me tell you, it made our travel time SO much easier! We gave each child their own suitcase. It's amazing what putting them in charge of their own set of wheels was able to accomplish. Not only did pulling their own luggage keep them occupied, it gave them a sense of pride and responsibility. They did NOT want any help, and they kept up with us in the airport. Focusing on their luggage kept them from being distracted by other things. They did not fight. They did not whine. They did not wander away from us. This held true in the hotel check-in lines as well, and it was wonderful!

Of course, there were additional benefits as well. We packed far less than usual. Each person was limited to their one suitcase. This made doing laundry so much easier when we returned home. Lastly, Mr. Brownstone and I were able to have a stress-free check-in at both the airport and the hotels because not only were our children cooperating, but we were also each carrying only one small bag. Long gone were the days of lugging a couple of large, heavy suitcases and several carry-on items, all while corralling in kids. We did each have one small carry-on item because their were certain things we wanted to keep on the plane with us. I had a large purse, and he had a backpack. These helped to occupy the kids after the luggage was checked.

We followed the same exact packing plan for our road trip. We do not have a large car, and the four small suitcases fit perfectly in the trunk. We kept the "carry-on" items in the backseat with the kids, so they could access them easily. It was easy to unload what we needed at each hotel, and it kept our children from all whirlwind activity.

I can definitely say that the idea of downsizing and adding more wheels Works-For-Me, and I hope that it will work for you, too!

**To see another thing that is working for me, click here!

HAPPY TRAVELING!


22 comments:

Brandy Brow said...

Great tip. Should I ever go traveling by airfare with my six children, you can be sure I'll remember this simple, wise advice. Thanks!

Brandy of The Building Brows

Anonymous said...

My 4 year old LOVES carrying her own suitcase when we travel. It makes her feel grown up.

Jenn said...

Look at you, girl!! I love the posts!! It also helps that your forces of nature are good and are getting older!! You have done a great job raising them and it shows, esp. when you go on big trips!! See you in a little while...

Ann'Re said...

Great first WFMW post! Looking foward to reading more. :) Ann'Re

Kandy Seaton Smith said...

great tip...very simple, and many times simple is best. With three kids, we definitely have to do this!

Great first post :)

SAHMmy Says said...

Great tip! My son has had his own Star Wars suitcase since he was two--it really keeps him focused on wheeling it so he doesn't think to stray from our side!

Anonymous said...

Great idea. We should use it for our next big trip... Which by the way, WE CAN'T WAIT TO GO ON! We are traveling with some really great friends and it's going to be a blast!

I love your blog, there's so much to take in. It's really great! I am so happy you jumped in and published it so I can read it.

I want you to know that I am praying for Grandma and I am here for you - whatever that may be!

You are a dear friend and I love you!

steph

Anonymous said...

Great idea and so glad it worked out so well for you...

Jodi @ Happy House Quilts said...

wonderful tip! thanks for visiting my blog! Jodi

Kathy in WA said...

Great tip! Not only is it helpful but as others have said, the children LOVE to have their own bag. My kids fight for the opportunity to haul their suitcases around. Cute! Unfortunately I haven't found that it results in packing less. :) Always lots of laundry here.

Thanks for stopping by the blog! Lovely to hear from you.

Duckabush Blog

Melissa Markham said...

This is a wonderful tip! Thanks!

Katie said...

My kids love their own suitcases. My daughter especially loves packing. She, unlike you, will pack a week ahead of time.
I enjoyed your blog

Anonymous said...

This is a great tip! My kids are just getting to the age where I can try this.

Nettie said...

Hmmmm, we'll have to try that one!

Sorry to hear about your Grandma!

Liza on Maui said...

Oh yes - that worked for me too! When my kids were 5 and 6 I traveled with them from Maui to the Philippines (almost 19 hours flight). My hubby had to stay on Maui so it was juts me and the kids. Before we left I found these 2 cute Scooby Doo Suitcases on Sale and bought them (one for each). That thing helped me a lot with getting my kids to walk with me in the airport to keeping them busy an happy and responsible. I'm glad you posted this tip - it does work!

Liza on Maui said...

Oh, I forgot to add, thanks for visiting my blog. I'm glad you did and I enjoyed visiting yours that I added you to my sidebar links :)

Heather said...

You should have been in the airport with us and our kids this summer - ages 6, 4 and 2. The 6 year old was pushing the stroller with a carseat in it, the four year old was laden down with a backpack and the 2 year old pulled a suitcase behind him. Is there something against that in child labor laws. LOL! We NEEDED their help! P.S. Thanks for stopping by MommyMonk too and glad you joined WFMW!

Saph said...

Wow, that is an awesome idea. We haven't traveled by air yet with our soon to be 3 yr old girl but I know I'll have to get her a Dora suitcase for when we do take our first air trip. =) And so sorry to hear about your grandmother. She sounds like an amazing trooper and woman. May God give her and your whole family the peace and strength needed. =)
Blessings!

Autumn Daisy Studio said...

Great idea! I'll have to try that!

Donetta said...

Hello, Thank you for you lovely visit. Wow if I ever travel again I'll remember the tip. I am so glad it worked so well for you.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good tip for me to remember.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Glad you went public. :)

Mrs. Brownstone @ XBOX Wife said...

Wow!!! Thank you all so much for visiting and commenting!

I appreciate all of your support and kind words!