Jul 22, 2010

Comfort of the Known

The Family Lake Home in Montana

By Lisa T. Bergren

Return to the place you loved or go someplace new? What is the value, the power of each? I’ve been contemplating this, of late. Because I’m drawn to both the Exploration of the New and the Comfort of the Known. Each has its charms; there are so many places in the world I want to see (check out our web site’s name) that it’s very hard for me to return to a location I’ve already been. Continue reading

Mar 31, 2010

Temper Tantrums on a Plane

Don't let it ruin a great family vacation!

By Lisa T. Bergren

On the way home from Cancun this week, I witnessed a parenting nightmare. A mother and father, traveling with a four-year-old in the middle seat and a two-year-old on their laps, encountered a total meltdown of said two-year-old in the last thirty minutes of our flight. The toddler was stressed and weary at 10pm, screaming, “I’m tired! I’m tired!” She refused to sit in a seat. She screamed so loud and for so long that her father put his hand over her mouth, making us all squirm in our seats, alternately glad for the reprieve and alarmed for the child. Continue reading

Mar 17, 2010

French People Are Nice & Paris is Safe

Don't Fear France

By Lisa T. Bergren

On the eve of leaving for Mexico, people are looking at me in dismay as if to say How Could You Take Children THERE?!?…They don’t seem to realize the extreme violence of Ciudad Juarez is fourteen hundred MILES away from my blissful, completely safe resort in Cancun. I don’t have a moment of hesitation.

When I told people I was taking my girls to Paris for Spring break last year, some reacted with envy…a lifting of the eyebrows, accompanied by a wistful, far-off, dreamy look. And yeah, it was that great. Definitely worth the trip. (Here are our reports on Paris with Teens and Versailles). But I was surprised by the number of people who asked me the following two questions: Are French people mean? Did you feel safe in Paris? Continue reading

Mar 13, 2010

Ski or Curl Up with a Good Book? Hmmm…

A Mom’s Meditation on the Sport

By Lisa T. Bergren

I open one eye to glance at the clock, catch a glimpse of blue sky and stifle a groan. No excuses. I shut my eye, shoring up for what’s ahead. I should be happy for this day, grateful. A million other mamas would gladly be in my shoes, ensconced in a ski condo along the slopes of a Colorado resort. But frankly, I’d rather pull the covers over my head, sleep another hour, then settle into the comfy living room chair with a cup of java and a good book. Continue reading

Jan 26, 2010

Entertainment En Route

Passing the Time with Kids on the Road

By Lisa T. Bergren

• Do NOT pre-board with your young children. Send one adult ahead to settle all the stuff in and leave the other adult to keep them running until closer to take-off time. Don’t wander too far, however! Continue reading

Dec 30, 2009

2009 Best Posts

Favorite Stops for Families

From MileHighMamas.com; photo courtesy of Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce (pic above)

***CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO***

Amber is the funny, outdoorsy, ski-lovin’, transplanted Canadian who lives here in Colorado now with her hubby and two young kids. Her favorite stop of 2009 was Crested Butte, and after a visit to her blog to read about it, I can see why. The playgrounds, music festival, kids’ camp…This definitely has to be on the Bergrens’ own Tour de Colorado for 2010. Continue reading

Dec 4, 2009

10 Reasons to Travel with Kids

Photo by iStockphoto

By Lisa T. Bergren

Com’on people! If you were brave enough to HAVE kids, you can certainly get on a plane or in a car for a road trip with them. Here are the top 10 reasons we hear that parents would rather leave the kids at home (and therefore, why most stay home too):

1) We’ve never been there before.

TheWorldIsCallingSays: So go—and figure it out together! It’s incredibly fun (and a bonding experience) to share the wonder of discovery. Continue reading