My kids have been to 26 countries on 6 continents. We never check bags.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author poses with a carry-on suitcase while standing on a platform by train tracks.
The author said the key to easy travel days, is only using carry-ons — even when she's with her kids.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith.

Traveling taught me to let some parenting rules slide, even when we're at home

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author poses with two of her children.
The author, shown with two of her children, says that traveling has helped change how she parents at home and abroad.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith.

I frequently travel with my godkids. Whenever we travel out of state, I bring these 3 documents with me.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Family of three at airport looking at aircraft
The author (not pictured) travels with her godsons often and brings paperwork just in case.

Peter Cade/Getty Images

I've learned that stress-free travel with kids means breaking some rules

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author poses at a pyramid with her family.
Some parents try to follow a bunch of rules when they travel with their kids, but the author thinks it's better to break them.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith

My daughter got sick on a flight, and I didn't know what to do. Thankfully, a flight attendant saved us.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
a little girl sitting on a plane
The author's daughter got sick on a plane.

d3sign/Getty Images

My husband and I made a conscious decision to say 'yes' to more things. I learned I can handle more.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author and her husband at theGreen Man music festival in 2025.
The author said she and her husband pushed themselves to say "yes" to more things this year.

Courtesy of Alexandra Meyer

I delayed having kids to explore the world. I shouldn't have done that.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
jamie and her kids on a small boat exploring a site on an expedition cruise to iceland

Jamie Davis Smith

I plan every detail of our family trips. In exchange, my husband watches our kid when we fly — it's a win for us both.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Person carrying child in airport
The secret to our success has been splitting our responsibilities in a way that works for us.

d3sign/Getty Images

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