Featured Family: Jen M.

Photo was taken at Disney World in May 2010.

Please welcome Mrs. Jen M.’s family from Northwest Indiana! She really put some thought into her answers and she has some really great product recommendations for everyday traveling with toddlers!

Tell us about your family.

My name is Jen, I’m 30 years old.  I met my husband Todd ten years ago, and we have been married for almost 6 years.  We have 2 kids, Jonah (who was born on March 22, 2007) and Lily (who was born on March 2, 2009)

What are some of your family’s favorite activities to do away from home?

We are pretty much home-bodies.  We like to stay close to home and go on walks, go to the park; things like that.  Although we did just get back from a trip to Disney World that we are hoping can turn into an ANNUAL vacation trip for us.

Do you have trouble getting out of the house? Do you have a routine that makes getting out easier?

Adjusting to being a mother of 2 from a mother of 1 was a big challenge for me personally.  Just when I thought I had this mothering thing mastered was when my daughter came along.  

My time-saving tips include:

1. Always having extra clothes, diapers, and wipes in the car, JUST IN CASE!

2. If I have to leave early in the morning to get somewhere, I prep everything the night before. I always have in my diaper bag: Diapers, wipes, extra outfit for each kid, snacks, drinks, medications (in their own separate bag so it’s easy to find), and diaper rash cream.

3. Allow for some lee-way in the schedule. I always try to leave 15 minutes earlier than I need to. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

4. If the outing includes my husband, I give an extra 30 minutes since he is apt to ALWAYS make us late!

When out and about, what items do you carry that keep the family sane?

I have had my share of strollers during the 3 years I have been a mom, and each and every one of them was a life-saver. We’ve used a standard Graco Travel System Stroller in the past. We also have a Baby Jogger Stroller, and the Kolcraft Contours Options Double Tandem Stroller. But by far, my absolute favorite stroller to use on a daily basis, for short trips, is my Joovy Kooper! It is lightweight, easy to fold, easy to steer and push, doesn’t take up a lot of trunk space but is big enough to hold my 15 month old yet 30 pounds big baby girl. As far as diaper bags go, the diaper bag that I absolutely cannot live without now that I am a mother of 2 is the Ju-Ju Be Be Prepared bag, IT IS HUGE! It fits just about anything you could possibly want for an entire day trip (or longer).  As I mentioned above, snacks, diapers, clothes, drinks are all essential too.  But both of my kids have Blankies (a giraffe and a bunny, both by Angel Dear) that are essential to a successful and happy day out as well.

Do you have any parenting words of wisdom? What is your family mantra?

I try to remember, on those really bad days (cranky kids, teething babies, rainy weather that keeps us stuck indoors), that I am blessed to be able to spend my time with these kids. And it is not a job, but a privilege to be their Mother.

Featured Families are automatically entered to win a stroller valued at $250! Would you like to be interviewed for our Featured Families series? Send us an email!