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Walking into this Wednesday with an extra pep in o Walking into this Wednesday with an extra pep in our step.  While we’ve always raised our girls to know they can be or do anything we couldn’t be more excited for them to have witnessed #HERstory themselves today. How y’all feeling on this glorious Wednesday? #representationmatters #thefutureisfemale
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “The time is always right to do what is right.” Nearly 53 years later and these words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are words that fit so perfectly in today’s society, that is a sad truth.

My dream for America would be for it to get its shit together. For the many Americans in denial of what is actually happening in this country to wake up. For allies to be loud all the time, not just on #blackouttuesday. The work Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped start is not done and I’m afraid it never will be. 

From visiting his birth home (swipe left) to where he was assassinated, we’ll always strive to be our children’s best teachers. Remember it starts at home! #mlkday
Wow, so many new faces in our tiny corner of IG! I Wow, so many new faces in our tiny corner of IG! I am so happy our “how we afford to travel so much” series and photography tips have been helpful, more coming soon! Just wanted to share a little more about us. We’re Monet, James, Jordyn and Kennedy and we live in South Florida. I started The Traveling Child in 2016 to inspire parents to travel the world with their kids while providing tips to make it easier and affordable. Our motto is if kids live there, kids can visit and you’ll often find us exploring destinations most don’t consider “kid friendly”. 

Hubby and I met at the one and only University of Florida #gogators. We’ve been together for 14yrs and have our 8yr wedding anniversary coming up soon. Our love for travel isn’t new, 2 months into our relationship we studied abroad together in China.

Jordyn is 6, Kennedy is 4 and they both go to regular public school because well homeschool is not for us lol, but school has been virtual recently because of you know what. Still travel with school aged kids is possible and there are flight deals during school breaks!

James works in sales in Corporate America in an office setting so while I have my own business now we do have tips on traveling frequently with a full time job as well.

I’m Jamaican and well that means I’m a hustler lol. I’m the author of the children’s book, The Traveling Child Goes to Rio de Janeiro (available on Amazon), a freelance writer for The Points Guy and wannabe photographer.  I also write for our own blog/website www.thetravelingchild.co where we share our tips on affordable travel, traveling with kids and providing the itineraries for all the places we’ve traveled to.

While travel is the main focus of this page we’re parents too so we also share things we find helpful raising these kids and sometimes random dance videos 🤷🏾‍♀️.

Now that you know a little bit about us, tell us a little bit about you! Or ask us any questions you have!
How we flew to Singapore for free! We got a flight How we flew to Singapore for free! We got a flight deal for $395RT (tip from our how we afford to travel so much part 1 reel) and coupled that with points earned from a sign up bonus from a travel card. That cards bonus was 100,000 points which was redeemable for $1,250 in travel purchases. $395x3 plus only the taxes for Kennedy’s lap infant ticket meant we paid nothing out of pocket for the fights there! (Save and share this post.)

Is this series helpful? What do you want me to cover in part 3?

P.S. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using points and miles and 60 seconds is def not enough to go in depth. So I’m hosting a webinar on Saturday, January 23rd at 1pm EST where I’ll tell and show you how to find and book flight deals, go over travel credit cards and the other tools we use to afford travel so much. You will be able to ask all the questions you want and because of that it’s an intimate event with only 30 tickets available. Can’t wait to help you learn the tools to afford travel now so when the world is completely open you’re prepared! #traveltipsandtricks
I have so much to say but at the same time don’t I have so much to say but at the same time don’t have the words. This day will go down in history!
It’s the hair for me! But seriously this mamas h It’s the hair for me! But seriously this mamas hands are tired so I’m going to do as I said through my word of the year (check last post) and release these hair responsibilities to someone else next week, it’s time for the girls to get some braids. Buttttt if you’re looking for their natural hair routine, click the link in my bio for it. Are you team protective style or wear your hair out? 

For protective styles what are you go to’s? I need some inspo as I grow my hair back out for this in between phase. #naturalhairstyles
Words are so powerful and my word for this year wi Words are so powerful and my word for this year will be the reason I accomplish all the goals I have set forth this year. Are you letting go of anything in 2021? Do you have a word of the year, if so what is it?

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3 Reasons To Always Gate Check Your Car Seat

September 20, 2016      Tips on Traveling with Kids

When flying with babies and toddlers you’ll often travel with their car seats. Most airlines allow you to check your car seat for free so don’t worry about paying to bring it. However, a big question is whether you should you gate check your car seat or check it at the ticket counter. Here are 3 reasons to always gate check your car seat.

Gate Checking Your Car Seat Means It’s Less Likely to Be Damaged

If you are escorting your car seat to the gate there will be less people handling it. This means the chances of it being damaged while traveling through the airport are a lot smaller. You still want to protect it from the dirt and germs it will come in contact with while under the plane. Get a car seat protector bag you can put it in before handing it over to the gate agents. The last thing you want is for your babies face to be rubbed up against a car seat that got dirty while being under the plane with everyone’s luggage.


You May Be Interested In: 5 Tips on Traveling with Your Car Seat

Gate Checked Items Are Rarely Lost!

How many times has an airline lost your checked luggage? How when your luggage doesn’t make your flight and has to be delivered at a later time? An airline losing your car seat would surely start your vacation off on the wrong foot. Sometimes airlines have car seats available for passengers in instances they lose yours. However,  it’s not a guarantee and you never know the condition of the one they provide.

If you are renting a car at the airport and that company rents car seats you could potentially get one if they have any available. However, if they don’t, one person would have to get the rental and go and buy a car seat and then come back for you and your child.

But what if you are traveling alone, then what? If you have a family member or friend picking you up they would now have to stop and buy one for you. If you planned on taking a taxi they most likely won’t have one especially if not pre-ordered. In big cities like New York City, there is Uber Family  which provides car seat. Be sure to check out the restrictions on what children are allowed to use them. These all sound like issues I wouldn’t want to deal with!

You May Be Interested In: Tips on Flying with Babies or Tips on Flying with Toddlers

You could get lucky and be able to bring your car seat on the plane! 

Even if you didn’t pay for seat for your child under two if the flight isn’t full you may be lucky enough to get a seat for your lap child. Get to the gate early and ask the gate agent if there are any open seats on the flight. If there are, let them know you are traveling with a lap infant. If that seat isn’t already in your row ask if there is anyway passengers could be rearranged so your lap child could have their own seat.

To increase the chance of an open seat I always select our seats in the last few rows. I also choose the window and pick the aisle for my husband. The rows in the back along with middle seats always fill up last. If the flight doesn’t sell out these seats are usually open. The gate agents and flight attendants I have encountered on many airlines are usually more than willing to assist. The more comfortable your child, the smoother the plane ride for everyone. Just don’t ask the gate agent to reassign seats if you get to the gate during final boarding!


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dnbranch says

    February 7, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    When traveling with a Infant Car Seat do you try to gate check that one also? I am worried about my Travel System and the size and if they will be able to gate check it.

  2. Monet says

    February 13, 2017 at 7:17 am

    Sorry for the delayed response, we have been traveling and I’m just now seeing this. Yes I always gate check the infant car seat as well. Your travel system should break down to 2 pieces so as long as it does the size should be fine. I had a Chicco travel system and never had an issue. If an airline has a weight restriction it’s usually no more than 20lbs for each piece so unless you have a really big stroller I can’t see them denying you. Let me know if you have any other questions!
    Monet

  3. Tanajah says

    December 28, 2017 at 12:25 pm

    I plan on traveling with my infant within the next few month. What advice do you have, if any, on traveling with a jogging stroller travel system

    • Monet says

      January 31, 2018 at 8:26 am

      Hi Tanajah,
      I’ve never traveled with a jogging stroller travel system so not much advice there. However I definitely recommend getting a stroller bag to protect your stroller while it’s under the plane.
      Monet

  4. Petra says

    February 15, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    I have purchased a seat for my 16-mo old daughter (rather than having her on my lap) for a direct 7 hr flight next month. In your opinion should I use my car seat on the plane or just gate check it?
    The last time I traveled with a 18-mo old (my middle child) I used his car seat on the plane, but found the install and navigation in the aisles to be tough.
    Thoughts?

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Hey, I’m Monet!

Hey, I’m Monet!

A full time working woman, wife and mama of two. I use every last one of my vacation days traveling with my kids, hubby, friends or solo. Join me as I share my travel experiences and tips to make travel affordable and easier with the little ones. You can read more about me here.

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