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Multicultural Kid Blogs Book Club Reads Family on the Loose

Having traveled with our five year old numerous times I was excited to participate in the Multicultural Kid Blogs Book Club reading  Family on the Loose: The Art of  Traveling with Kids.   The book club kicked off with Jonathan from Dad's the way I like it's candid experience and his discussion on Chapter 1 and 2

I love reading, and I love traveling! So I am excited to share with you my discussion on Chapter 3 Packing It In. 


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In the following weeks these amazing multicultural bloggers will be hosting the following chapter discussions; and sharing their own travel stories, and tips: 

Chapter 4: Kids Yoga Stories - Jan. 23
Chapter 5: MarocMama - Jan. 30
Chapter 6: Spanglish House - Feb. 6
Chapter 7: Spanish Playground - Feb.13
Chapter 8: The European Mama - Feb. 20
Chapter 9: Kid World Citizen - Feb. 27
Q & A with Ashley Steel: Chasing the Donkey - March 6

Read along and join the conversation as they talk about their experiences and plan for new adventures! 

Now on to Chapter 3 Packing It In.  

One of the lines that really spoke to me was the very first one on the chapter! "We have a mantra whenever we start  packing for a new trip: less stuff, more fun." I choked because I was laughing so hard, and said to myself,  "really!" There is no way I can pack less with my family of three. 

I remembered when I traveled for the first time with our then 5 1/2 months old baby. If you saw what I packed you'd think I was moving away! I packed everything from his favorite "lovie" (blanket), to tons of extra changes of clothes, diapers, wipes, although I nursed our baby I also brought extra bottles of pumped breast milk. I had a diaper bag, a carry-on, my pocket book (purse) and the luggage! Plus the stroller, and the car seat!!!! 

Now we travel with a little less.  Minus the diaper bag, stroller, and car seat. Take a look at the picture below, and please don't laugh!!! It was taken on our last major trip to Puerto Rico this past summer. OK, you can laugh now, because I am laughing, too! I am thinking the picture is proof that we do NOT pack lightly! So now you know why I laughed so hard at the first sentence on the chapter. 


Reflecting on this chapter I realized I could have saved myself of a lot of aches and pains (carrying all the extras); and the stress of packing for a trip!

This chapter provides a tips, and suggestions on what type of luggage, or bag to pack.  I especially enjoyed the space saving & fashion suggestions (for those of us that like to be stylish).  However, I have to admit that the best part of this chapter was the section "packing for kids"; and the packing list for emergent readers with pictures! Perfect for my 5 yr. old!  For our future trips, I will wholeheartedly take in, and follow of all of the tips, and lists. Hopefully, our next trip will be relaxed, and comfortable!

Unfortunately, I can't offer any tips on packing "lightly" :)  see picture above so I would love to know: how do you pack, and do you have any tips for packing lightly?  Please comment below, and/or share your ideas in the Multicultural Kid Blogs Google + Community

Don't forget to link up your travel stories on Multicultural Kid Blogs, and follow the Travel with Kids Board on Pinterest.

Stay tuned for the following chapter hosted by Kids Yoga Stories so be sure to check back on  January 23.


About the Book
- Family on the Loose: The Art of Traveling with Kids is by Bill Richards and E. Ashley Steel
- This engaging book offers hundreds of easy-to-use ideas for turning travel with kids into a rewarding, enriching adventure.
- Bill Richards and E. Ashley Steel have traveled through North America, Europe and Asia with their two daughters. They bring vast experience and a wonderful sense of humor to their discussion of family travel.
- Read more about Family on the Loose on the authors’ website.
- To be notified of new posts by email, join the group list by emailing multiculturalkidblogs at gmail. com. Please put “book club” in the subject line.

Where to get the book
Family on the Loose is available on Amazon.

Read more about the Multicultural Kid Blogs Book Club on our website:

Multicultural Kid Blogs are dedicated to raising world citizens, through arts, activities, crafts, food, language, and love. You can follow Multicultural Kid Blogs on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Google+. You can also subscribe to a feed of all of posts from the Facebook pages of all member blogs. 

You can't miss on March 6, Author Ashley Steel answers questions about the book and traveling with her family.