Jun 14 2012
About This Whole Family Travel Blogging Thing
When I started writing Travels with Children four and a half years ago, it was primarily to demonstrate to other families that it is possible to take small children to new places, and that family fun can be found anywhere if you just look for it. Since then, I’ve written more than 800 posts, reviewing places we’ve visited, linking to places other family travelers have gone, and dishing out advice and bargains and some miscellanea along the way.
As family travel blogs go, mine’s not one of the biggest or the most well-known. I’m not a freelancer who’s getting cool gigs in newspapers and magazines. I’m not in this to get rich, though it’s nice to bring in some income to help cover my blogging bills. I don’t always follow all the “rules” about creating and maintaining a successful blog.
That’s because of the family part of it. My husband works the equivalent of two full-time jobs, with most of the work done during the summer. Since we’ve had children, our agreement has been that my job is to keep the family going, while he earns the bread and butter. That’s just what works best for us. My children will tell you I’m a blogger, though I’m not sure they entirely understand what that means. Truth is, I’m mostly just a mom, looking for some fun and adventures as my children grow up all too quickly, and occasionally writing about interesting places we visit.
I’m happy to share these experiences with anyone who will read them, and I’m grateful to those who stop by and read, leave a comment, or share this site with their friends. My writing Travels with Children has provided our family with some extra opportunities to see new places, and I hope I am always honest and constructive in writing and reviewing our experiences. I’ve “met” some interesting people via Facebook, Twitter, and now even Pinterest, as part of this whole blogging/social media thing. Travels with Children has been good for me and for my family.
This weekend, many travel bloggers are out west attending the TBEX travel bloggers’ conference, or the preview of Carsland at Disneyland. For various reasons, the big travel-blogger adventures of the weekend aren’t part of my summer itinerary. Instead, we’re looking forward to going to Le Mars, Iowa, for Ice Cream Days, and later on to Omaha, Nebraska, to experience some pretty neat things in America’s heartland.
After all, fun is where my family is, and time and money don’t always allow for the faraway adventures we may dream of. Instead, we’re happy to look around and find the fun that is closer to home. And there is always plenty of that to be found.
It has always been my goal to help families enjoy their free time wherever it may be, and no matter what their budget allows. I hope that I’ve been successful in this.
If you don’t see too much on Travels with Children this summer, it’s because I’m out having fun with my kids. We’re looking for new parks, exploring new campgrounds, and visiting new libraries. After all, my days of traveling with children are fleeting and I must take advantage of every opportunity to spend time with them.
As always, thank you for reading. A happy summer to you and your family, wherever the road may lead you.
Well said, Linda.
Jody´s last [type] ..Friday Finds: Helping Make Travel Easier and Less Expensive
As it should be.
I’ll just say, I appreciate your blog (well, one, because you’re sort of local to be, but that’s not all) because you can give the perspective of traveling with more than just 2 children. I have five, from 8 to 18 mos, so the logistics are trickier in terms of activities and accomodations. I have found helpful info here. So even if it’s a quick post about a cool park, I enjoy those too.
All My Monkeys´s last [type] ..Wanted: Toilet
Keep up the great work! I love reading your posts! Enjoy your summer and your family!
Nicole at Arrows Sent Forth´s last [type] ..St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market
you don’t have to travel far to have fun as a family – if you are in the right state of mind you’ll have a wonderful family summer.. enjoy!
Hey, you sound a lot like me! My husband’s job is also seasonal- with his very busy time now- we’ve not made it very far this summer. And, my job, at his request, has always been to care for and homeschool our kids- though I have recently worked out of the home just to help out the company he works for during vacations/etc.
As to TBEX- I so wanted to be there. I even had approval from my husband, the money to go and a lot of the kinks worked out. I just didn’t have the peace about making the trip. Good thing- right now, I’m in the hospital- had emergency gall bladder surgery. That would have been a trip to remember, wouldn’t it?
Have a great summer! I’m looking forward to many local trips with my teens, because they do grow up so fast!
Tonya @ The Traveling Praters´s last [type] ..Florida’s Three for Free Giveaway: Enter for your Chance to Win
Hope you and the family are having a great summer!
Iowa is exotic to those that don’t live there. We live in the tropical paradise of North Queensland, and my husband keeps telling me he will take me to the Iowa State Fair for our 10th wedding anniversary as it is meant to be the best in the world? Not sure if he will fulfil on his promise, but, anyway, keep posting from close to home! Thanks. Danielle
Danielle´s last [type] ..The North Queensland Outback – Driving the Wheelbarrow Way
Danielle, I haven’t been to the Iowa State Fair yet, either, though I’ve heard it’s fabulous. I hope you get your wish to explore it and all of the things that are close to my heart. Anywhere that’s not home seems exotic (as Australia is to most Americans) but finding and enjoying things close to home can be just as satisfying.
Danielle,
What a great explanation for travel blogging. A family traveler for two decades, I had no idea it would one day inspire a blog, Family Travels on a Budget, but here I am. Like you, I want people to know that with some planning, they can achieve their travel dreams. Would you consider swapping posts sometimes? Living on the east coast, I don’t get to Minnesota very often. (honestly, just the airport!).
Happy travels — near or far!
Karen
Where’s the “Like” button???
WanderMom´s last [type] ..Vietnam Itinerary