Whether you’re flying, driving, or just staying in a house that suddenly holds twelve people, this issue is about surviving the trip - and maybe even enjoying it not crying.
What we’ve learned first-hand: always pack two extra outfits per kid (plus a Ziplock for the dirty ones) and one spare top for you. Nothing tests your holiday spirit faster than smelling like spit up/throw up for seven hours straight.
From middle-of-the-night drives to mini me time, these are a few working-parent-tested ways to make it through travel week without losing your mind.
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⚡ The “Middle-of-the-Night” Departure Strategy
👉 This one’s an oldie but goodie. If you’ve got babies or toddlers and a long drive ahead, consider leaving in the middle of the night. Load the car, prep the coffee, and let the kids sleep through (hopefully) most of the drive.
The goal: arrive bleary-eyed but meltdown-free. (And like, obviously, safely. Take breaks and rotate drivers if you can.)
Bonus: let the kids wear pajamas and pack breakfast-to-go. Or test out that new drive-through breakfast sandwich you keep seeing ads for.
We’ll be trying this next month on an 11 hour drive with a two-year-old and a five-month-old, so… godspeed.☠️
🧘♀️ The Guest Room Vibe Kit
👉 Problem: You might suddenly find yourself sharing a way-too-small room with your kids, your partner, and a brother-in-law who snores.
Semi-Solution: Bring one or two sensory “anchors” that help carve out tiny moments of respite: noise-cancelling headphones, a few secret snacks (“they’re for the kids”), or even a small roller-ball scent.
Is it what we used to call a vacation? HELL NO. But it’s just the teeeeeniest little bit of me-time.
Did you know? 🧃 JuiceBox is built by a tiny team of working parents just like you. We curate and write this stuff so you don’t have to but we’d LOVE for you to get in on the action.
💬 Got a time-saving tip or a chaos-fighting hack of your own? Hit reply and share it—we all need a village, and we’d love to hear from you.
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🍽 The “Snackle Box” Revolution
👉 Skip the chaos of doling out one snack at a time.
Pack a waterproof tackle box (or one of these viral spinning snack containers) with bite-sized options —> crackers, fruit, cheese cubes, cereal, raisins, puffs, etc etc. It’s part novelty, part nourishment. (My kid legit has a waterproof tackle box from the fishing aisle and it works great.)
Bonus: If you add in some dried edamame or pea crisps, it totally counts as as a full meal if needs must. And they often must.
K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.
-CK “All Hail the Snackle Box” Fuller (Editor) & the JB Crew 🫡
P.S. Next week: smart ways to stretch your holiday PTO and still have the energy to enjoy the people you took it for.