BlogHer - travel tips - Comments

Thank you so much....

Grey — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:38:54 -0500

Thank you for posting this. I have three boys, two with ADHD, and sometimes going out is a nightmare. I want to take them to see "Up", but I often avoid going out because it is hard to manage them on my own and people rarely view their ADHD behavior as normal behavior (they often think it's simply a lack of discipline on my part).

My kids have different needs but there's a lot here that can help. Thank you so much for sharing!

http://2ndverse.blogspot.com/

Best When Out

AutismLearningFelt — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:16:16 -0500

My son loves to be out in public. He is a wanderer. He can move really fast in a short period of time. He also bores easily. We love the aquarium and have found that it is better for all of us if we go off season. The same goes with the zoo. The less crowded a place is, the easier it is to keep track of him.

Brave Souls

Shannon Des Roches Rosa — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:19:09 -0500

It's amazing that we all leave the house at all, sometimes, isn't it?

@Diana, @Karianna, @Kristen, I very much appreciate your comments, am in awe of what you do, and wish you good luck on future endeavors, scheduled or non-.

@Jess, thanks for the extra tips. We actually haven't flown with Leo for over a year because of a spectacular departure lounge meltdown. But we're going to try again on July 3rd...

Shannon Des Roches Rosa
Squidalicious.com parenting first, autism second
CanISitWithYou.org
real tales of schoolyard terror and triumph

Good Post!

Connorsmom — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:38:00 -0500

I enjoyed the tips!

We make a point of taking Connor out as much as we can. The only way he's going to learn how to handle being in crowded places is if he's exposed to them repeatedly. Why should we let his special needs keep us at home?

We try to pick family-friendly restaurants or else go to small, home-town eateries where we can cultivate a personal relationship with the owners rather than corporate places that are less likely to be understanding. Our biggest obstacle is finding places that are fully handicap accessible; our son's wheelchair limits some of what we can do.

I especially liked your reminder about the rights of people with disabilities on airplanes-- we've flown many times and I've discovered that if we let the airline know about our son's special needs before hand, they'll board us first and let us leave first, give us extra help, seat us near the restrooms and by the window, etc. We just have to make sure to let them know ahead of time.

One thing we also do is keep an emergency list of Connor's conditions, doctors, medications, etc with us at all times. That way if there's an emergency or an accident and I'm unable to let people know about his needs, they've got all of that information right there.

Great post-- thanks!

~Jess

http://connorssong.blogspot.com

Thanks Shannon!

kristenspina — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:33:21 -0500

Thanks Shannon for all the great tips. This is so timely with summer upon us.

We did Disneyland for the first time last year, and for us the key was taking it slow, taking lots of breaks, and asking for (and getting!!) their special needs accommodations pass (guest services) that allowed us to skip ahead on really long lines that would have otherwise been intolerable. We hope to do Sea World this summer and you can bet I'll be asking if they have a similar pass.

Great Tips!

Karianna — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:12:02 -0500

Fabulous tips!

The recharging bit is key for us -- many times we've expected to leave in a blaze of crying meltdown only to discover that if we duck into a quiet space and just chill for awhile, all becomes right with the world again.

Thanks for the info about the airline rights - I remember that story some time ago about a boy who was kicked off a plane before it took off because of his autism (or ASD-like behavior - don't remember exact details.)

And thank you especially for the bit about how to treat all kids like... kids. "If you need to modify your approach, we'll let you know." - perfect line.

-K

www.kariannaspectrum.com

Thank you for sharing this

fittothefinish — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:43:58 -0500

As a mother of seven myself, I always take a deep breath whenever I take all the children out with me, and they don't have special needs. I admire you very much for exposing your son to as many life experiences as you can, for each of those experiences will enrich him and the rest of your family - even if there are hard moments.

Thank you for sharing this post and opening my eyes to further appreciating the unique challenges you awesome families face.

Diane

lost 150 pounds and talks about it at:

www.fittothefinish.com/blog

Number 4 is so true!

jamiepea — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:39:40 -0500

You're absolutely right about managing expectations! We take a lot of long-haul flights with our kids, and I'll NEVER forget the time we boarded an 11-hour flight from Heathrow to San Francisco when the kids were 2 and 4.

We stowed our carry-ons, buckled the kids, and heaved a sigh of relief. After we took off, my husband turned on his personal entertainment system and said to me, "What movie are you going to watch?"

Huh?

Jamie Pearson
http://www.travelsavvymom.com

suggestion

redrose — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 07:09:25 -0500

I contacted with the www.checkinturkey.com customer service today and they gave me execelent assistance about for budget hotels and city sightseeing tours in a short time.. I recommend it to all new visitors to Turkey!
Melanie

Oh Heather, you're so right

ckingins — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:42:04 -0500

My boyfriend travels about as much as you do as he's a musician. That brings its own 'special' hassles.

Each guy has at least 2 bags. Had to go to this a few years ago when the weight limit for bags went from 70lbs to 50. On top of that he has at least one guitar, which periodically they try to get him and the other guitarist to check. Fat chance--two very expensive guitars have been broken over the years which of course only seemed to happen en route to a date. And good luck on an insuranc/reimbursement discussion.

Pile on long lines, inexperienced travelers, weather or equipment delays, it's just nuts. I used to travel for business but now that I have my own company the only travel I do is for conferences instead of business meetings.

Hang in there travel warriors!

Colleen King

Colleen King Insurance Agency

Northridge, CA

Blog:www.askcolleenking.com

Web site: www.CKinginsurance.com

Email: Colleen@ckinginsurance.com

Well done on the great points

Creatively Belle — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:46:53 -0500

I've been doing a heap of regional shows with my jewelry business but going by car. But you're approach of being sorted before hand makes such a difference.

I now have quick little check lists for things like clothes, my washbag and food bag so I can quickly pack without a lot of thought as I'm getting my expo kit of stock, tables, displays, expo basket etc all ready too.

My foot roller is a must for all sorts of travel. It's small so packs easily and is heaven for my feet for when I've been on them all day or they are swollen from traveling.

The tips about filling up the water bottle is great too. I always have a water bottle with me (water keeps you young) and filling it up on the otherside of the barriers is simple and great.

I hope you get to read some great books while your flying and waiting around. :)

Kind regards,

Belinda

WIN Free Jewelry at our online competitions

Great tips, can I add my beef?

Deaf Mom — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:14:36 -0500

These are great travel tips. I just have a slight beef with TSA. Every time I fly with my elderly father, he gets strip searched like crazy, despite a note from his doctor about radium pellets inside. TSA literally takes many minutes to go over and over him, despite the doctor's note. There's got to be some common sense-- an elderly guy with arthritis is a security risk?

Karen

"Life is too short to pout all the time."

A Deaf Mom Shares Her World

Hands & Voices

Please, add more tips!

HeatherB — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:58:34 -0500

Obviously I forgot some things like taking a look at TSA's online site especially since now they're actually dividing up passengers through security based on how frequently they travel.

Heather B.
Personal Blog: No Pasa Nada
BlogHer CE: Business, Career & Personal Finance

Couple More Tips

ClizBiz — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:32:23 -0500

Great post! A couple more tips:

I travel with the same water bottle all the time. Just empty it out before you head through security, then head to a drinking fountain and refill. Saves money and avoids putting yet another plastic bottle into circulation.

Also, if you travel frequently (and I do) I would HIGHLY recommend siging up for CLEAR. You skip the security line entirely at most airports. If nothing else, it makes you feel like a rock star: www.flyclear.com.

See you soon!

~Heather Clisby

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Photography & Animal Concerns, Proprietor, ClizBiz

GREAT Travel Advice

Pam — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:38:30 -0500

Dang. I'm gonna slink off in a corner and hand my travel cred to you. This is terrific stuff, all of it.

Two things I'd add:

1. Check the TSA website to see if anything has changed. It does, they do. Yes, we hate them. But in the airport is not the time to find out that your laptop battery is not allowed on the plane. Find out before hand. Oh, you said that. Shutting up now.

2. Be ready to roll with it. I bought water AFTER the checkpoint and was liberated from the burden of having to carry it on the plane inbetween the place where they checked my ticket and the boarding ramp, I kid you not. Man, was I mad. But again, in the airport at boarding is not the time to throw a snit.

You rule, Heather.

Nerd's Eye View