Travel Family Spotlight: Kim Christenson

One of my favorite things about social media is meeting other families that love to travel and adventure. I like to dig in and find out what works for them and what draws their family to want to be "on the go" so we started a little series here on the blog where we spotlight other families who love to travel. We hope you will enjoy the next installment of the "Travel Family Spotlight" series.

Kim Christenson is a mom of three, a journalist, novelist, and dreamer. She is based in Utah and you can find her on Instagram at @talkwordytome_ and on her website www.talkingwordy.com. She writes about travel, family, food, health & fitness, and books. She is also a co-founder of Brunchettes, a bi-monthy brunch to build up women and provide an atmosphere that avoids competing and comparing and instead focuses on sisterhood. Kim loves to travel with her family and is helping her kids learn how to put their focus on collecting experiences, not things. We hope you'll enjoy our interview with Kim!

1. Tell us about your family.
My husband, Clay, and I have been married for 10 years. We met through a mutual friend in our hometowns (Draper/Sandy) and kept dating when we moved to Provo. Clay played and coached soccer for BYU and I got my English degree there. We started having kids after three and a half years and we have three little ones now.

2. Where do you live? Has your family moved around at all?
We lived in Provo for eight years, and we just bought our first home in Lehi, Utah. We love it here. Clay lived in the same house his whole life aside from a two-year mission for our church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and I moved with my family around Utah and then to Brisbane, Australia, where I went to high school.

3. How often do you travel with your family? Is it local travel or international? Where has been your favorite place your family has traveled?
Growing up, my family often went on little trips to St. George. But my real love for travel was born once we moved to Australia and I saw how big and amazing the world was. When CIay and I got married, we immediately opened a travel fund in our bank, so we could always keep travel as a priority.

When we were newlyweds, we mostly went on local getaways, but were lucky enough to travel with the BYU soccer team and I took my husband to Australia for the first time before we started having kids.

Now that we have kids, we plan a trip to somewhere warm every January to soothe the winter blues. Looking forward to that trip all year and remembering it afterwards really rallies us through those dreary winter months! Clay’s side of the family does a Lake Powell trip every summer, and we go to Park City every year just with our little family. I want my kids to have a spot they have happy memories of with our family and where they can return to with their own families. 

Now that our third isn’t nursing anymore, we have a goal to get away on a trip every year without the kids. Leaving three kids in other people’s care comes with some anxiety and major planning, but it’s always worth it. I also try and get away with my sisters or friends as often as I can. Our traveling looks a little different every year depending on the stage our family is in, but our motto is to always say yes to travel when we can.

My favorite place I have traveled with my little family is Hawaii. It's not too far away, and it's so kid-friendly. It's paradise for me, and pure childhood joy for the kids. I feel like we're all just happier and more carefree there.

4. Tell us a little bit about your blog and how you incorporate travel into your blog and in your life? What is your travel philosophy?
We took our kids to Newport, California a little while ago and I decided to make a video of our time there. When my kids watched it, they were in tears because they’d never watched their own memories like that, set to heart-wrenching music. It made them desperately want to go back to California. Ever since, they’ve demanded that I make a video of every trip we take. We love documenting our memories like that.  

I post the videos on my website as well as travel tips. I love getting travel tips from like-minded friends who have been where I’m going, so I hope my tips can help other families get the most out of their trips. 

It may sound counter-intuitive, but traveling grounds me. It grounds me in who I really am and what I want out of life. Stepping away from my everyday life gives me a refreshed perspective on the blessings I have and what I need to change in my life. It also reminds me not to get stuck in my own way of thinking and viewing the world. It makes me more open-minded and understanding of other cultures and mindsets. It’s important to me that my kids have those experiences too. We’re trying to collect experiences, not things. Traveling as a family is a fun way to do that. 

5. Why do you like to travel with your kids? Do you ever leave them home?
I love traveling with my kids because they love it. They get so excited about taking off and experiencing new things. Watching them do that is so satisfying. Adventuring together binds us as a family and adds a depth of joy and fulfillment to our relationships.

A lot of people have asked in wonder how and why we take our kids on bigger trips but I feel like it's often easier to take them than leave them! Leaving them means worrying and scheduling babysitters and rides and meals. And when we bring them, we don’t feel a rush to get back home and “save” them. When we leave them, we’re always saying things like, “Oh Ellie would love this!” or “I wish Camden could see that.”

With that said, I strongly believe in getting away without kids regularly. In my book, traveling together has marriage-saving power. 

6. What's a memorable travel experience you've had with your family?
It’s hard to pick one because I feel like every one of our trips together are memorable. Our most recent trip as a family, in Kauai, comes to mind. We stayed there in a condo for 10 days and met up with some close friends from Australia who made our trip even more enjoyable. My mom was there to help with the kids and let us get away to hike the Napali Coast, so that was a huge help! Our kids slept well and were so content playing on the beach and in the pool for hours, and eating their favorite treat: Shave ice. Given the chance, we would move to Kauai in a heartbeat. Life just feels slower and more stripped down to the basics there. The weather and jaw-dropping scenery is a draw too.

7. What are the easiest and hardest parts about traveling with young kids for you?
I’m a bit of an organizational freak and love packing. Always have. I have positive associations with it because if I’m packing, it means I’m going somewhere fun. So packing is the easiest part for me. I also love gathering recommendations for our destination. I think food is a crucial part of a trip, so I always try to find out the best places to eat before we head out. The hardest part of traveling is coming home! And being on a long flight with a toddler who just wants to move around. 

8. What are your favorite travel resources?
I love following @flightsfromhome.slc on Instagram to find the best flights leaving from my home airport, Salt Lake City. Google Flights has sort of become a leader in finding the best flight deals, so I check that too. I use Airbnb a lot because it’s a more cozy, personal travel experience. I also get the free Scott Keyes e-mail. Uber is a must too!

9. What are three items you never leave home without?
Lotion. We all are prone to dry skin in my family, and air travel can really dry you out.

A book. I’m a bookworm and can’t imagine a trip without something to read. Reading by the beach or poolside is the epitome of relaxation! Well, that and a massage. Books are great for keeping kids entertained on flights too.

Extra binkies! It would be mayhem if we were out of the specific binkies our baby takes mid-flight. Those things always seem to disappear.

10. What's your next travel adventure?
I’m heading on a trip with my sisters for my birthday. We’re headed to Monterey, California during the peak of whale watching season! St. George, Park City, Lake Powell and California (San Francisco and our go-to spot, Newport) are on the list too. If we can find great flights, we may head to Australia at the end of the year. Boston is another possibility. We’ll see how much we can fit in!

Anything else you want to tell us?
I traveled to England for the first time last year, and the rolling hills and medieval villages of the Cotswolds inspired me to write my first novel. As soon as I finish it, I’m rewarding myself with a trip back there! Now I just need to find time to write with three little ones.

You can learn more about the Christenson family's travels on Instagram at @talkwordytome_ and you can read more about their family online at www.talkingwordy.com

Raising Your Kids to Be Global Citizens

One of the main reasons we travel is to help our kids develop a better sense of what it means to be global citizens. We hope to teach our kids to appreciate, communicate, and interact with people across different cultures and in different countries and to inspire our kids to be curious about the world around them. In addition to traveling the world, there are several ways that we've found we can help our kids develop global citizenship. We've listed our tips below and we'd love to hear if you have any to add.

1. Try cuisines from around the world. Using food is probably one of the easiest ways you can introduce your kids to new cultures. We have made a point of trying a new cuisine once a month. We started off this challenge with food that we knew our kids would like (Mexican) because they were already familiar with most of the ingredients and spices so it wasn't too foreign. Sometimes we take our kids out to ethnic restaurants, or sometimes we make food at home. Most cuisines have some basic staples that all kids like (rice, tortillas, nan, pita bread) and each time we try a new type of food we ask our kids to taste a few bites of everything we've ordered. It doesn't always work, but usually they will take few bites and find something they like. Another way we've incorporated new cuisines is with the "Try the World" food subscription box. Each month we receive a box with snacks from a different country. When we are trying cuisines from other cultures we usually end up talking about that country or culture and sometimes we find a YouTube video to watch or book to read as we discuss a particular country. 

2. Travel to new places. Not surprisingly, we think travel is an important way to open kids' minds. When we travel we learn so many things about different people and cultures. However, this does not mean you need to take an exotic trip out of the country to give your kids this experience. Instead, try to find places you can take your kids where they can experience something different from their every day life. If they live in the suburbs, take them to a big city. If they are accustomed to the desert, take them to the ocean or to a national park. Sometimes all you need to do is drive to a different part of town to get an entirely new cultural experience. For example, in larger cities like New York City or San Francisco, you can take your kids to Chinatown or Little Italy and feel like you are in a completely different country. We live to drive to more rural parts of Utah to experience life at a slower pace and to see how people live differently than us.

3. Learn another language. Anyone can learn a new language (although it can get harder with age). Children who grow up learning another language develop empathy for others and a curiosity towards other cultures and ideas. Our daughters have been learning Spanish since they were three and are in a dual-immersion school where they speak English for part of the day and Spanish for part of the day. They have been able to use this language when we travel around the world and when we are in areas in Utah where people speak Spanish. Once children have learned a second language it is often easier for them to learn additional languages. If you don't have access to schools nearby you that have language programs you can find apps to teach kids languages (we like Rosetta Stone and Gus on the Go), listen to music and read books in other languages, or you can make friends who speak other languages through your community.

4. Read books. There are a wide range of books available to help expose kids to people of other cultures, different countries, and different ways of life. We use reading to help expand our kids' minds on a variety of topics, especially diversity. One preschool book we love to read is "Little Blue and Little Yellow" by Leo Lionni because it references tolerance and diversity in friendship. When we go to the library or bookstore we spend time in the sections that feature different languages and countries to see what is available. Our local library also has a whole section of books on diversity and multicultural studies. Reading gives kids an opportunity to experience life in someone else's shoes. When my kids are able to picture what life is like for other kids around the world it expands their worldview and helps them realize that not everyone has the same experiences as them and that we should take time to learn from others.

5. Look for local cultural experiences. This is probably one of our very favorite things to do (and is usually food related). Our community has an Oktoberfest, Swiss Days, and a Greek Festival that we love to attend every year. In addition to great food, we expose our kids to music and cultural ceremonies from other countries. Because our children attend a Spanish-language school we also have the opportunity to participate throughout the year in cultural festivals and events their school plans. We also like to celebrate the arts and try and attend plays, art shows, and musical performances in our community. I usually find out about local and community cultural events through online searches, our local newspapers, and by word of mouth. These cultural experiences give kids an opportunity to learn about other people and countries in a fun and entertaining way.

6. Participate in service projects. We just finished a service project for refugees in our community, so service has been on our mind a lot lately. When we serve others we learn to love them. It is almost impossible to serve someone and remain ambivalent towards them. We have found that by serving others we can break down cultural barriers and communicate through the language of love. We find most of our service opportunities through our schools and local charities. We like to participate in service that directly affects people we know, just because it is easier for our kids to understand and feel a connection to what we are doing. If you need more tips for finding service opportunities where you live, send me a message and I'd be happy to help.

7. Help kids develop diverse friendships. One of the main ways we have found to become culturally aware is to connect with REAL people. When our kids have friends from different backgrounds (whether they have cultural, racial, financial, physical, or religious differences) they begin to understand that even though we have differences, we also have similarities. They learn to celebrate diversity in others and not be afraid of it. We have found friends through cultural experiences, school, extracurricular activities, church, and sometimes just running around the park. When my kids notice something different about another kid, we talk about their differences and strengths and encourage them to go get to know that kid better.

We hope some of these ideas will help you look for ways you can raise your kids to be global citizens. And, we'd love to hear your ideas. Feel free to comment below or send us a message. When we celebrate diversity and raise our children to be citizens of the world we can change the world for the better.

Travel Family Spotlight: Tava Adventures

One of my favorite things about social media is meeting other families that love to travel and adventure. I like to dig in and find out what works for them and what draws their family to want to be "on the go" so we started a little series here on the blog where we spotlight other travel families. We hope you will enjoy the third installment of the "Travel Family Spotlight" series.

Kady Lieber is a mom of two and the business owner of Tava Adventures. Kady creates mini-travel guides (passport cards) for kids to use as they explore new cities. Up until recently, she and her family were based in Switzerland and they have been on family travel adventures all over the world. Her latest adventure, however, has involved slowing down and experiencing life at a different pace as she has adjusted to being a mom of a two-year-old cancer warrior, Ava. Kady is an inspiring mom who looks for the positive and "the amazing" in her every day life (even though she's spent 150+ days in the hospital this year with Ava). We hope you'll enjoy our interview with her. You can follow Kady on Instagram at @tavadventures or on her website at www.tavadventures.com.

Tell us about your family.
We are the Liebers. We have 2 daughters, Taylar 7 and Ava 2. We have been living in Switzerland for the past 8 years and just recently moved back to the USA. We are very passionate about travel. Living in Switzerland we were fortunate enough to travel all over Europe with our girls. We also started a small company in July 2015 that sells travel guides for kids. We wanted to make travel fun and exciting for kids so we made travel passports with information and games about major cities in the world. 

Where do you live when you aren't traveling?
Currently we are in the USA. That may change, but as of now we are in Utah. We are loving being in the USA for a while and enjoying all it has to offer.

How have your travel plans changed over the past year or two as you have dealt with your daughter's cancer? What has changed about the way you choose to travel now that you have to be more careful because of Ava's health?
Before Ava was diagnosed in August 2015 we had our biggest travel season yet planned for Autumn 2015. It all came to a screeching halt when Ava was diagnosed with a Meduloblastoma (Stage 4 brain cancer). For about a year we weren't really able to travel much. We did take a trip to Como as a family but that's about it  We tried to just do local things around Switzerland but even that was hard with Ava.  It's been about a year and a half now and we are hoping to start to travel a bit more. Though, we still have to be careful as her immune system is still quite fragile. We are planning some small adventures close to home for the next couple of months and just enjoying the Utah winter as we have had loads of snow so skiing is amazing right now!

How did you come up with the idea to create travel guides for kids? Tell us a little bit about the process? How do you decide which countries to pick?
When we first moved to Switzerland we had lots of guests come visit us and they all wanted me to play tour guide. While I loved doing this it got a little tiring after a while. I realized that most people don't want to know tons of information about certain places but just enough to make their trip interesting so i actually started making travel cards for adults. I wanted something that was easy to carry and had enough information so people knew a bit about where they were. 

Once we started having kids I realized that there weren't really any guides for kids that are easy to carry, entertain the kids a bit and are still educational. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I have a huge love for art and art history. When we moved to Europe and started traveling I wanted to hit every art museum in every city. So I made the travel cards for Taylar so she would be entertained in museums so I could see the art I have always wanted to see. She loved them so I kept making more.

Our city selection process is easy. I pick cities we have been to and we know. That way we have good experience with how that city works with kids and can give real life advice to parents on traveling to that city.

What are some unexpected things that you've encountered as you have traveled with your family?
I think the most unexpected thing we have encountered traveling as a family is how sweet and kind people are to us. When we first started traveling I was always nervous that people would be annoyed by my kids, but we have experienced the opposite. Even on airplanes people have been so kind to us. It's been very unexpected and has helped me relax more when I travel with my kids.

What's the most memorable travel experience you've had with your family?
Last spring we took a weekend trip to Como. It was our first trip after Ava had finished chemo therapy. It felt like a victory for our family. It was a short, simple trip. We didn't have loads of things to do, we just relaxed by the pool, sat by the lake and played. It was such a great trip. By far my favorite because it helped us feel like a normal family again.

What advice would you give to other families who want to travel more with their kids?
Do it! Don't wait until their older, or more well-behaved, just do it! You will never regret taking a trip with your kids. No matter how near or far, you will never regret it.

What are your favorite travel resources?
I love the Instagram community of family travelers. There are so many amazing people. We have met some great friends through Instagram and gotten some invaluable travel tips. Instagram is probably where I go first for travel resources.

What are three items you never leave home without?
Ava's pink blanket
Swiss chocolate
Diaper bag stocked with all Ava's medicine and supplies.

Where are you headed next?
We are hoping to go to the Caribbean in April. Until then we may take a few short weekend trips to explore more of Utah's National Parks.

Indoor Kids' Activities in Salt Lake City

During the winter we get a little bit stir crazy when we are stuck at home so we try and get out on an adventure at least once a week. One of the ways we've made winter more enjoyable for us is to explore museums, activity centers, pools, and aquariums around town. Of course, we always prefer to be outside (even in the snow) but some days it is just too cold or the air quality is bad. Below we've listed a few of our favorite Salt Lake City area spots and why. Before you go, you should always check hours and admissions prices in case they've changed (We've linked to their websites). For the few spots that we visit really often we like to get a annual pass/membership. Hopefully some of these ideas will help you survive and thrive this winter in Salt Lake City!

Natural History Museum of Utah: This museum focuses on the natural history of Utah and the Intermountain West and also is home to some amazing rotating exhibits. The last time we went there was one on poison. We especially love learning about dinosaurs, the organisms in the Great Salt Lake, and watching paleontologists at work. This museum is very hands-on for kids and interactive. The "Our Backyard" exhibit is particularly fun for little hands and lets kids use their senses to learn about species they might find in their own backyard (it's also a great place for parents to take a little break from chasing kids around). Hours: 10am-5pm except on Wednesdays they are open til 9pm. Fees: Adults $14.95, Kids (3-12) $9.95 Under 2 is FREE. 

The Leonardo: We just visited this science, art, and technology museum a few weeks ago for their LEGO Family Day and we are already wanting to go back for their new exhibit about Alien Worlds and Androids. This museum has something for all ages and genders -- from a giant airplane you can climb in, to an exhibit about where children sleep across the world, to hands-on art and science activities. I enjoyed the museum as much as my kids. Our very favorite exhibit was the "Where Children Sleep" exhibit by James Mollison that displays photos of children and their beds from across the globe. It was eye-opening to say the least how diverse bedrooms can be. The exhibit also includes some actual beds that children can climb on to get a sense of what it might be like to live like the children in the pictures. Hours: 10am-5pm except on Fridays they are open til 10pm. Fees: Adults $12.95, Kids (3-12) $8.95, Under 2 is FREE.

LDS Church History Museum: This is one of our go-to museums for rainy days because it is FREE. On top of it being free, it has recently been redone and it is perfect for small children. The first floor has exhibits you can walk through and it has interactive screens and hands-on activities to learn about the Mormon pioneers and how the church began. You can also watch a movie about Joseph Smith, but we haven't taken our littlest kids to that yet. The second floor has a beautiful art exhibit that changes periodically and interactive touch pads throughout the rooms. There is also a children's exhibit called "I'll Walk Where Jesus Walked" where kids can watch videos about Jesus, view nativity scenes from all around the world, build temples out of blocks, read books, dress in period costumes, color, and play in a large ship. The museum is currently offering a 30 minute interactive program where kids and adults can be museum detectives and discover artifacts, documents, and artwork around the museum. Hours: 9am-9pm except on Saturdays they are open from 10am-5pm. Closed Sunday. Fees: None

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum: This downtown children's museum is constantly adding new exhibits, workshops, and programs for the whole family. My girls love their weekly Creative Kids arts classes and occasional puppet shows. We also love the "Kid's Eye View" exhibit where they can pretend to be construction workers, grocery managers, farmers, homemakers, mechanics, etc. When we visited last month they had a large-scale Pinewood Derby race track and kids could make cars to race. We've been going to this museum since my first child was born and it continues to surprise us every visit with new and innovative fun. We like to go on Friday evenings when it stays open later and isn't very crowded. Hours: Monday - Thursday 10am - 6pm, Friday/Saturday 10am - 7pm, Sunday 12pm - 6pm. Fees: General Admission $9.50, Sunday Admission $6, Under 2 is FREE  

Salt Lake County Recreation Center Indoor Pools: Our favorite is Dimple Dell Recreation Center because it is close to us, but there are tons of recreation centers in the Salt Lake City area to choose from. We especially love the open swim hours because most of the recreation centers have amazing indoor pools with play structures and water slides. Dimple Dell has life jackets and puddle jumpers available for kids. You'll want to check each individual recreation center for hours and rules. Keep in mind, if you have kids under 5 years old you must be in the water with them at all times. Dimple Dell Pool Hours: 5pm - 8:30pm Monday through Thursday, 3:00 - 7:30pm on Friday, 11am - 7:30pm on Saturday, 10am - 2:30pm on Sunday. Fees: Adults $7, Children (3-17) $4.

Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point: This museum is about 25 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City but it is well worth the drive. We just went this week and we stayed for two hours and barely scratched the surface of everything the museum has to offer. The museum features a Rainforest climbing area, a Water Works exhibit where you can explore how wind, sun, and water works, a Kidopolis town, and a Geometry playground. The museum can be a bit overwhelming when it is crowded (lots of places for kids to disappear) so we prefer early evenings or afternoons to weekends or holidays. We were surprised to learn the museum stays open until 8pm on weeknights so we went this week afterschool and it was fabulous. We've been to a lot of children's museums, and this one is one of the very best. Hours: 10am-8pm Monday though Saturday. Closed Sunday. Fees: Adult $15, Children (3-12) $12, Under 2 is FREE. **If you get a membership to Thanksgiving Point you get access to this museum plus the Museum of Ancient Life, Farm Country, and Ashton Gardens.**  

The Living Planet Aquarium: This beautiful aquarium is a fabulous place for kids to see and learn about sharks, penguins, otters, Rainforest ecosystems, and mammals and marine life unique to Utah. The aquarium has a new exhibit that we are looking forward to seeing soon called "Expedition: Asia" that features leopards, small-clawed otters, red Asian Arowanas, Oriental Pied Hornbills, and Binturongs. One of my very favorite places at the aquarium (after seeing all of the exhibits) is Tuki's Island Play Center where moms can rest and chat and kids and climb and run around in an enclosed space. The play area is free with a membership and costs $3 for kids ages 3-12. We don't go to the aquarium very often because it is a little pricey if you don't have a membership but we are thinking about getting a membership this year! Hours: 10am - 6pm daily, Fees: Adults $17.95, Children (3-12) $12.95, Under 2 is FREE.

Jump Around Utah: This is a traditional bounce house kinda place BUT I love that I can sit and see my kids from anywhere that I am and there is free WiFi. This is a great place to meet friends. The play area has a large trampoline in the middle and then is surrounded by climbing structures and bounce houses, mazes, and slides. This place can get a little bit crazy on weekends and holidays, but is usually great right when it opens on weekdays. They also have an inexpensive snack bar with kid-friendly treats. Don't forget to wear socks (even adults). Hours: Open jump times change regularly so it is best to check the website for the latest schedule. Fees: Children (3-up) $10, $4 for 2 year olds, $2 for 1 year olds, Under 1 is FREE.   

Classic Fun Center: If your kids like roller skating, bounce houses, laser tag, and climbing, this is the place for you. It is a catch all for fun indoor activities. We like to bring our scooters with us and use them on the rink. We like the location in Sandy but there are fun centers throughout Utah. Check your location for discounts and special events. The Sandy location has special deals for Family Night and has an Early Bird Special on Mondays - Fridays from 10am-4pm for unlimited skating, bouncing, and jungle for $7.50 and on FunLimited Wednesdays you can do unlimited activities from 4pm-9pm for $7.50. Keep in mind there are extra fees for skate rentals. Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10am-9pm, Tuesdays from 10am-10pm, and Fridays 10am-midnight and Saturday 12pm-midnight, Closed Sunday. Fees: Most individual activities are $7 per person, so it pays to go on a discount day. Skate rentals are $3.00. 

Jungle Jim's Playland: Either you love or hate Jungle Jim's, and we love it. It is like an indoor amusement park with small rides and arcade games. It isn't very big but my girls love the freedom to run and explore and go on rides over and over again without waiting in a long line. It has recently been revamped and has bounce houses and a toddler area. My girls are obsessed with the roller coaster (it goes forwards and backwards) and the bumper cars. Hours: 11am-9pm Monday - Thursday, 11am - 10pm Friday, 10am - 10pm Saturday. Fees: $10 unlimited rides for kids ages $1 and older. Adults get in free. We love $2 Tuesdays.

If we missed any of your favorite spots, or you know of anywhere new we should check out in the Salt Lake City area, let us know!! We are always looking for new indoor activities and adventures!

Travel Family Spotlight: Smiths Holiday Road

One of my favorite things about social media is meeting other families that love to travel and adventure. I like to dig in and find out what works for them and what draws their family to want to be "on the go" so we started a little series here on the blog where we spotlight other travel families. We hope you will enjoy the second installment of the "Travel Family Spotlight" series.

Bron Leeks is a travel mom to three children who travel all over the world (like us) so we felt a kindred spirit with her immediately when we found her on Instagram at @smithsholidayroad. We admire her family's focus on travel as a vehicle to change themselves, push themselves, and prove that they are capable of anything if they try. She provides a unique focus on inclusive and accessible family travel, which she has first-hand experience with because her eldest son, Cooper (age 10) uses a wheelchair. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know this family of five a little bit better through our interview below. You can also find them at www.smithsholidayroad.com.

Tell us about your family.

We are a family of 5. We are outnumbered 2 Adults, 3 Kids. Cooper is 11, Pepper is 8 and Elwood is 5.

Where do you live when you aren't traveling?

We live in Melbourne, Australia. We take as many family adventures as we can!

How often do you travel with your family? Is it local travel or international or both? 

We travel both locally, domestically and overseas. We try and go overseas twice a year. (Some of the places they have traveled include: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, UAE, England, Wales, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and France)

Tell us more about your focus on sharing inclusive and accessible family travels. Are there a lot of places that are very difficult to travel to with a wheelchair? What resources do you use to help assess whether somewhere will be accessible before you travel there? Do you think your website and instagram help empower other families who have kids with disabilities to travel? 

We started blogging and sharing our adventures on Instagram with the view of inspiring all types of families. We do things a little differently because of Cooper's disability but that is actually the best part of it. We get to do and see things we might not have usually been exposed too. We do a little research just so we know what to expect but we would never not explore a place because access is bad. We just have to prepare a little bit more in those cases. 

Why do you like to travel with your kids?

I love the family connection time away from routine. I love that kids open our eyes to so much difference and can often be the icebreakers in meeting new people. I guess I like the escape it can create and the challenging situations you can discover.

What's a memorable travel experience you've had with your family?

Without doubt it was traveling to Cambodia. When we arrived at Siem Reap airport we had 70 kids welcoming us with big signs! Cooper had recently done a fundraiser for New Hope Cambodia and raised $15,000 and we were going to see the Kindergarten.

What are the easiest and hardest parts about traveling with your kids?

The easiest part is they all love to be out exploring. They are pretty fierce and driven so we can push them in different situations. The hardest part is trying to find activities to suit all ages and interests and abilities. Often we will divide and conquer. Andrew will take Cooper and I’ll have the younger two.

What are your favorite travel resources? 

I love family travel blogs and Lonely Planet Kids.

What are three items you never leave home without?

My DSLR, Travel insurance, and chewing gum.

What's your next travel adventure?

We are spending Easter exploring the North Island of New Zealand.

You can learn more about their family travels on Instagram at @smithsholidayroad and you can read more about their family online at www.smithsholidayroad.com

**All pictures are property of @smithsholidayroad and cannot be used without permission**