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.

I'm a travel writer and mom of 3. Here's how I navigate vacations with my moody teens.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A boy uses a table while lounging in a hammock at sunset.
The author said that traveling with her teens (not shown) can sometimes be tricky, but she's found a few ways to make the experience better for everyone.

da-kuk/Getty Images

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

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