One thing we have done when traveling, instead of a hotel room, we rent a house. It is often about the same price as a nice hotel room (sometimes cheaper) and you have tons of space (including after your child is sleeping) and you don't have to go to a restaurant for every single meal. It seems to lower the stress level.

Katharine Desante

Traveling mom from Napa, CA

If you're flying alone with your child, you can ask for a "gate pass" at the check-in counter, which allows your husband (or whomever) to go through security and get you to the gate. I simply couldn't carry Ava, her car seat, diaper bag, my purse, etc. without the help

- Megan Pitts

Traveling Mom from Seattle, WA

Tip for preboarding parents Oftentimes, airlines will allow families traveling with young children to preboard. If you choose to do this, take your child to the very back of the plane to allow them to work off any residual energy before settling into your assigned seats just before take-off.

- Lara Sailer

Traveling mom from Sausalito, CA

Flying Hands-Free On airplane trips, an umbrella stroller is wonderful.  In the bulkhead seat, we can set it up, put the child in it, and have some free hands.

-Becky Gammons

Traveling mom from Beaverton, OR

Easy cover  Keep two diaper pins attached to your diaper bag. If you can get a window seat (most people will trade you) you can take a blanket and attach it to your seat and the seat in front of you for a privacy screen. People may even help you attach the pins when you're flying alone.

www.FlyingWithKids.com

Saving the world...one zip lock baggie at a time  Travel with plenty of zip lock baggies of various sizes...they can make a road trip so much more enjoyable....from where to put a stinky diaper that you have to change on the side of the road to containing car sick stomach contents to saving half eaten hamburgers from the drive through to dividing up treats equally between the kids so they have control of their own 'road trip candy stash'.   I am pretty sure I can save the world with zip lock baggies, baby wipes, and duct tape...just call me MacGyver!

- Karen Turner

Traveling mom from Salt Lake City, UT