I spent $400 a night for a hotel with a famous Niagara Falls view. The best views were free.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author's child on a balcony at a hotel near Niagara Falls.
The author said that she regrets chasing an image rather than an experience during a family trip to Niagara Falls.

Courtesy of Theresa Pickett.

Our World Cup splurge wasn't about soccer. It was about making memories with our son.

Tech Insider : Sports, Business
The author's son and husband cheer during a World Cup match in 2026.
The author said she and her husband are OK splurging to help make special memories with their youngest child since they had him when they were a bit older.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith.

Parenting teenagers comes with a strange sense of finality. A family vacation reminded me to enjoy every moment.

Tech Insider : Business
Dad with kids
The author (not pictured) took her four teens on a vacation.

Courtesy of the author

My husband and I went on our first road trip after only dating for 2 months. We're making sure our 3 kids love them, too.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Technology
A family car packed with suitcases shown on a empty, tree-lined road.
The author said she and her husband (not shown) have always enjoyed road trips. Now they're making sure their three kids take plenty of them.

Sammyvision/Getty Images

If I'm being honest, I didn't really enjoy family vacations until my kids turned 10

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author's kids standing on a dock overlooking water.
The author said family trips improved once she could give her kids some independence.

Courtesy of Sandra Lee.

I'm self-employed, so I rarely take time off. I've found 5 ways to work while traveling with my kids — without ruining our trip.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Jamie poses with her kids in the desert at sunset.
The author often travels with her kids. Over the years, she's found creative ways to work while traveling, whiouot missing out on too much of the trip.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith.

I spent almost $300 to rent a private floating sauna in Norway. It turned out to be the highlight of our family trip.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
One of the author's sons jumps from the top deck of a floating sauna.
The author said her sons enjoyed jumping from the top deck of the floating sauna.

Courtesy of Julie Vick.

I've traveled to 30 countries with my kids. I always do these 4 things before leaving home.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A person holding a passport from USA checks in at an airport.
In addition to the usual travel documents like a passport, the author said she always travels with a notarized note from her husband when traveling outside of the country without him.

SDI Productions/Getty Images

As a parenting coach, I knew I had to give my daughter permission to be sad — even at Disney World

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
The author and her daughter pose while standing near the teacup ride at Disney World.
The author said that not even being at a magical spot like Disney World could prevent her kids from having meltdowns.

Courtesy of Rachael Fritz.

As a travel writer, I've stayed in tons of hotels with my kids — these 5 habits make all the difference

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Environment
A young boy reads a book while sitting in a chair in a hotel room.
The author often travels with her kids, and has found that asking for a corner room often gives them a little extra space.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith.

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