8 uses for zip-loc bags when traveling with kids

I know that to spare the environment we should limit our use of plastic bags. I try to do that myself, taking three big, green plastic tubs with me when I go shopping, instead of using bags for example. But when I travel, I confess that I do use quite a few plastic bags, specifically clear, zipper or ziploc bags in both my hand luggage and my suitcases.

Why? Simply because they are so darn practical. Here are eight examples of what ziploc bags can be used for when traveling:

1. To store the liquids in your hand luggage
If you travel by plane, clear, ziploc-type bags are actually required: you have to put any liquids you bring on board in this kind of plastic bag. You can read more about this in my post: Traveling with liquids. Short version: you need a 1 litre (1 quart) size bag, and you can only bring liquids in containers that hold no more than 100 ml (3 ounces).

2. To hold passports and other travel documents
I did this on our latest family trip and liked it so much I'm definitely doing it again. I kept all our travel documents, including passports and boarding passes, in a clear ziploc bag in my backpack. It meant I could see the contents without removing them from the bag, they stayed protected while in my hand luggage, and I could get everything required at check-in or immigration out of my bag a lot easier.

3. To bring snacks in
I wouldn't put anything brittle in a ziploc bag inside my carry-on: crackers for example would only get crushed. (Plastic tubs are better for that.) But granola bars, gum, fruit rollups and other types of edibles can definitely be kept in a plastic bag for easy access on board or at the airport.

4. To keep crayons and markers in
Crayons and markers stay nicely organized and ready for use in a ziploc bag. The clear plastic also makes it easy for kids and adults to see what's in the bag when they're looking for it in the well-stuffed hand luggage. 

5. To protect toothbrushes from dirt
Toothpaste has to go in the ziploc for your liquids, but if you're bringing toothbrushes in your hand luggage, it's a good idea to keep them from getting hairy and dusty and messy by putting them in a plastic bag.

6. To protect your clothes from your shampoo
I always put any toiletries I bring in my suitcase into plastic bags. Even my big toiletry bag goes into a plastic bag before I pack it. I've just had leaks happen so many times, and getting shampoo, conditioner, or hair gel all over your clothes is not really that much fun.

7. To seal smelly, wet things in
If you're traveling with a baby in diapers, you might end up with soiled clothes that you do not want to put in with the rest of your hand luggage. Sealing that smelly onesie in a ziploc bag can make the rest of your flight a lot better. Also, if you're stuck changing a diaper where there is no immediate access to a garbage can (it does happen!), the diaper can be put into the zipper bag until you can dispose of it. 

8. To bring wet-wipes in
If you're traveling with a baby you are probably bringing wet-wipes. And if you're like me, you probably buy wet-wipes in big packages. When traveling, you can take a stack of those wipes out of their original container and stuff them into a ziploc bag instead. It's simple, cheap, and works great.

Traveling with kids: 9 things to do in London

I can't help but think about London, England today. I'm not big on royal stuff, but all the hoopla surrounding William and Kate's wedding is getting to me. To quote my inner trekkie: "Resistance is futile! You will be assimilated!"

I worked in a small town just outside London many, many years ago back in the dinosaur age called the 1980s. I've also visited the city a couple of times since then, but never with my kids.

So, if I could take my kids to London, what would we do? Here are some things I'd definitely consider. 

1. Visiting the British Museum - The British Museum is my personal, all-time, favorite museum. It's also free to visit. For my kids, I think the big, massive, collections like the Egyptian and the Assyrian sculptures, including the Balawat gates, would hold their interest. Also, just hanging out in front of the museum on that great big staircase or in the courtyard is kind of cool. Good place for a snack break!

2. Watching dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum - This museum is the place to go if you have dinosaur-crazy kids (and who doesn't?). Even visiting as an adult, I felt kind of blown away by the experience. Lots of skeletons, dinosaur models and more for kids and parents to wow over. Also, the building itself is a sight to see with all its towers and peaks and carvings.

3. Hanging out in Regents Park - Like Hyde Park, this park is really big with lots of trails to walk and things to see. This would be a great place to take the kids for a picnic or just to run and hike around. It also houses the London Zoo, where A.A. Milne was inspired by a bear to write about Winne the Pooh.

4. Riding a double-decker bus - My car/bus/truck/train/plane/vehicle-in-general crazy son would definitely enjoy a ride on one of London's double-deckers. I've taken a ride in the open-topped bus, and it would definitely make for a good sightseeing tour of London with children. Remember to bring hats, gloves and scarves if you're riding in the open. Or sunscreen, sunhats and sunglasses, depending on the season: London can get very hot in summer.

Map of Zone 1, London Underground.

5. Riding the tube - The tube, or underground, is the easiest way to get around London, and I know my kids (especially my son) would love it. His only complaint might be that there's "nothing to see!" since the underground is, well, mainly underground. If the weather is good, walking with a good map would be my preference when getting around London, but kids' legs sometimes get tired quickly and the tube can always get you where you need to go pretty fast.

6. Crossing the Tower Bridge - The Tower Bridge is one place I've actually never visited, even though I've spent quite a bit of time in London. I don't even know why I've never gone there. Just being there to see when they open or close the bridge for the ships would be a big hit with my kids.

Peter Pan himself.

7. Visiting Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens - My daughter is a huge, huge fan of Peter Pan (mainly the old Disney movie) and even dressed up as Peter for Halloween last year. So we would definitely have to visit Kensington Gardens to see Peter himself. This park also has playgrounds and a pond for model sailboats.

Mmmmmm...

8. Eating some nice pastries in Covent Garden - Covent Garden is an awesome place to visit no matter what your age is. The market is full of good stuff and simple knickknacks (I still have some huge, colorful very 80s earrings from there), there are good restaurants, and always lots of people to watch. It's just so full of life and things to see (and buy!). When I first visited London, this was my favorite place to go for a cup of tea and pastries. Lots of cafés to choose from too! I'd love to take my kids here to munch (messily) on a chocolate éclair!

Photos thanks to Wikimedia Commons.

5 (odd) Swedish celebrations for traveling kids and adults

When we arrived in Gran Canaria on our recent family vacation, there was a carnival in progress on that  same day. My brother tried to find out exactly why the carnival was happening, but when he asked a local woman she just gave him an hilariously exasperated look and said "Because it's the carnival". Of course.

Experiencing the holidays and traditions of other countries is a great part of the experience when traveling with children. It introduces kids to something new and different, maybe even something fun, and shows them that there isn't just one set way of doing things all over the world.

Sweden, the country where I was born and grew up, has quite a few more or less unique (or odd) traditions, and my children have experienced some of these. Here are 5 traditional celebrations you might encounter when in traveling in Sweden:

1. Easter - It's Easter Saturday here in Canada when I'm writing this, but if I was in Sweden, there might be some children knocking on the, door expecting me to give them candy or coins. And they might be dressed up as "påskkärringar", "Easter old-ladies", usually meaning they'd wear skirts, scarves on their heads, and that their cheeks would be colored bright red or pink. To be really traditional, they'd collect their coins and candy in an old coffee pot.

I'm not totally sure about how this tradition got started, but it has something to do with the fact that in Swedish folk lore, witches ("Easter old ladies"?) flew to a special meeting place around Easter-time. Still doesn't explain the coffee pot though...

Other Swedish Easter traditions include painting eggs (which is a lot of fun for kids), and giving away chocolate and candy stuffed inside large cardboard eggs (påskägg).

2. Midsummer's Eve - "Midsommarafton" is perhaps the biggest traditional holiday in Sweden, and I think it's importance is only rivaled by Christmas. It's celebrated on the Friday between the 19th and 26th of June, and it is a Very Big Deal.

For kids, there is lots of fun to be had on Midsummer's Eve. There are cookies, cake, good food, and usually children and adults stay up late into the Swedish summer night (which is about as bright as daytime, especially in northern Sweden). More Swedish Midsummer fun for kids includes:

• gathering flowers, branches and leaves for "midsommarstången", the May Pole;
• dancing around the pole once it's all dressed, and 
• picking 7 kinds of flowers to put under your pillow (it's supposed to make you dream of your spouse-to-be).

3. Kräftskiva, aka crayfish party - Crayfish was, and still is, considered a great delicacy by many Swedes. It's usually cooked in dill-flavored water and served cold with cheese, toasted bread, and various other side-dishes. Once upon a time you could only fish for crayfish in Swedish rivers for a few weeks in August, and this made the "crayfish premiere" when that fishery opened, a big occasion for feasting.

Nowadays you can buy crayfish year round of course, imported from all sorts of countries, but Swedes still have crayfish parties in early August.

If your kids like crayfish, they'll enjoy that part of this celebration, and otherwise they might enjoy the silly hats that are sometimes worn at the parties. Also, both kids and adults who didn't grow up with this tradition might enjoy the general exotic weirdness of it all. Like my Canadian husband said the first time he was at a crafish party "They make this big a deal for a meal of cold shellfish?"

4. The "surströmming" premiere - This one isn't even a national Swedish affair, it's a regional thing that is celebrated mainly in Norrland, the northern part of Sweden (where I grew up). Surströmming, "sour herring" or "fermented herring", is a traditional food in this part of the country and it is quite an experience for the uninitiated. Fair warning: it smells. And by that I mean it stinks. It's usually eaten outdoors for this very reason.

The premiere takes place in the fall when the fermented fish (canned many months previous) is finally fermented and smelly enough to be eaten. For kids the big enjoyment may not be so much eating the fish as being totally and utterly entertained by its yucky smell.

As a child, I remember being fascinated by how horrible it smelled. It also fascinated me that when the cans of surströmming were opened, the juices were promptly dumped in some far-off corner of the yard so that the flies that inevitably gathered wouldn't come too close to the table. Yes, it smells that bad.

And then you eat the fish with potatoes and chopped onions on traditional, thin, white crispbread, or thin soft bread. Sounds nuts right? Well, it kind of is. If you have kids who enjoy dares, it's a pretty good dare to challenge them to taste some surströmming. In all fairness, it doesn't taste like it smells, but I'm still not a fan.

Flight-related tidbit: Surströmming is one of the few food items I know of that is specifically banned as cargo on airplanes, something that might add to its coolness and ick-factor for kids.

5. Lucia - December 13th is Lucia Day in Sweden, and if you're in the country on this day, you will definitely know there is something special going on because you'll see:

• lit candles everywhere in the dark, wintry night (and Sweden is really, really dark in December)
• children singing Christmas and Lucia songs at every mall, preschool, school, church, and office
• gingerbread cookies and yellow saffron buns with raisins (lussebullar) on offer wherever you go
• Lucia processions with a girl dressed in white, carrying candles in her hair (Lucia), accompanied by a gathering of "tärnor" (girls in white carrying candles) and "stjärngossar" (boys dressed in white carrying gold-paper stars on sticks)

It's an excellent pre-Christmas holiday for children, providing some much-needed entertainment and festivities so that the wait for Santa doesn't feel as long.

Traveling with kids in Vancouver: 13 things to do in Stanley Park

Third Beach in summer.

Vancouver's Stanley Park is a must-see for anyone visiting the city, and it's also a great place to take your kids, whether you're a tourist or a local. The park is massively big (1000 acres/400 hectares), with beautiful, big trees, playgrounds, restaurants, beaches, a pool, and much, much more: essentially a one-stop-shop for kid-activities.

Here's a list of 13 fun things to do with your kids in Stanley Park:

1. Take a walk around the Seawall - This is the walkway that goes around the entire park, right next to the beaches and ocean. If you do the whole thing, it's 22 km (13.7 miles), and you could walk, jog, bike, or roller-blade that distance.We usually make our walk around part of the Seawall, and it makes for a real nice day out. You can watch the ships, maybe spot a seal in the water: there's always lots to look at.

2. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium - I've mentioned the Aquarium before on this blog. It's a great place to take kids, but it is a bit pricey for a family to get in ($21 for adults, $13 for kids 4-12). Lots of stuff to see and do inside though. My kids especially like the shark tank, the octopus, the Amazon gallery (with parrots, sloths, butterflies, tortoises and more), and the belugas. I'm not overly fond of the Aquarium's café however. The food is overpriced for what you get I think, and I usually bring a snack or packed lunch for the kids rather than spend my money on that. 

Keeping the balance at Brockton Point.

3. Take a look at the totem poles - There's an awesome collection of totem poles at Brockton Point. My kids like to figure out the imagery: telling the eagles and orcas from the thunderbirds and sea-serpents. It's a great place for photos, some running around in the grass, or a rest-stop on your way around the Seawall.

4. Enjoy the view (and some ice cream) at Prospect Point - The Prospect Point Cafe has a nice deck, with a gorgeous view of Lion's Gate bridge, and there's a coffee shop and an ice cream place as well. You might also see some fat squirrels in this area who live off leftover french fries, cookies and other obesity-inducing foods. We once saw a squirrel here who was almost to fat to climb a tree! Great place for any easy walk-around, a look at the view of the North Shore mountains, and some of that ice cream.

Third Beach in winter.

5. Swim, beach-comb or sunbathe on Third Beach - This is one of my favorite spots in Vancouver. The kids (and I) enjoy this beach whatever the season. Good swimming and splashing in summer, great sand for beach-combing or building sand-castles, good place to just stroll too.

6. Have fun at the playgrounds near Second Beach - Second Beach is located at the entrance to the park from Beach Avenue. It's right near the pool. Right nearby the washrooms and concession are two big playgrounds with a vast, grassy field in-between. The playgrounds aren't super-elaborate, but there's lots to keep the kids entertained: swings, some neat slides, an old (really old) fire engine, and lots of stuff to climb on.

7. Watch the birds in Lost Lagoon (and don't get rabies!) - Lost Lagoon is a small lake or really big pond, I'm never quite sure which, and is located near the Georgia Street end of the park. Lots of birds, including ducks and swans and hordes of Canada geese. The geese usually freak the kids out by hissing, but looking at the ducks is usually pretty entertaining for young kids. You might also see some rather bold raccoons, but be cautious about feeding them or petting them (seriously people, don't pet wild raccoons!). Rabies isn't common, but it's a possibility.

8. Walk to Beaver Lake - If you're not familiar with the park, consult a map and then head off into the woods to find Beaver Lake. It makes for a nice walk and usually there are lots of curious squirrels hopping around: bring some unsalted peanuts or sunflower seeds for them. Once you get to Beaver Lake, you can sit down and relax on a bench, watch the dragonflies, or cut through the woods and out the other side of the park. The trails in the park are well-maintained and you should have no problem walking there with a stroller if you're bringing one.

9. Ride the miniature train - The Stanley Park miniature train goes around a track with a lot of big trees and some animals and birds to see on the way. It's a big show for Halloween and Christmas, and at those times of the year it can be difficult to get a ticket to get on board. For train crazy little kids, it's good fun anytime of year.

Get wet!

10. Cool off in the water park - The water park near Lumberman's Arch is open June 1st to September 1st, and on a hot summer day the place is hopping (and splashing) with kids. There are waterfalls, sprays, a "stream" and some water cannons too. Just make sure you're covered in sunscreen, because there's not a lot of shade to be found here.

Chasing seagulls.

11. Run around the trees near Painter's Circle - Nearby the Aquarium is a big area with lots of grass, trees, birds and squirrels. Artists display their paintings along the paths, and there is a lot of room for kids to go bananas if they're in the mood for that. There's also a playground near the miniature train where they can have some climbing, swinging fun. This can also be a great place for a...

12. Picnic! - If the weather's good, and if you're in the mood for it, bring a blanket, a packed lunch or just some snacks along. Then plunk yourself down somewhere, let your kids eat, run free, and chase crows or whatever else they can think up. If you don't feel like packing a lunch, just bring a big blanket to sit on, and get some food from one of the concession places around the park.

13. Check out the 9 o'clock gun - Staying up late with the kids? Then you might want to check out the nightly firing of the famous cannon on the Seawall. It's pretty noisy, so if your kids are frightened by loud noises you might just want to go and have a look at the cannon in the daytime instead. There's a great view of downtown Vancouver from this spot too.

Celebrating Earth Day & being more Earth-friendly when traveling

Traveling, especially by plane but also by car, can't really be classified as environmentally friendly: too much fuel spent and resources used up I suppose. Still, I think traveling can be good for people and the environment in other ways. Every traveler can learn a lot about the world, about the Earth, about different places, different environments, about animals and people, and maybe all those experiences can spark some interest in protecting and taking care of the world.

To celebrate Earth Day, here is a list of some "Earth friendly" activities to do with children, and some tips on how to make traveling more environmentally friendly.

4 things to do with your kids to celebrate Earth Day

On the SeaBus, between North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver.

1. Travel by transit - Of course lots of families use transit every single day, but for many kids traveling by train, bus or subway can be exciting. So park the car for the day and go on a Transit Adventure. I'm thinking of taking my kids on the Big Transit Trip here in Vancouver, riding the Skytrain to downtown, and then going across to North Vancouver by SeaBus. The kids love it, and it's certainly a lot more fun than driving the same route!

2. Go for hike or a bike ride - My kids love hiking, both walking around the Sea Wall in Stanley Park in downtown Vancouver, or going for a long walk in the woods somewhere, for example in Lynn Canyon or Lynn Headwaters. If we go for a bike ride, we'll probably cruise around the neighborhood for a while until my 4 year old daughter decides it's time to head home (she's usually the one who gets tired first, no surprise). 

Third Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver.

3. Hang out at the beach - Yes! My favorite place to take the kids can also be considered quite environmentally friendly as a destination. No energy consuming devices necessary (just a car to get us there...), and then we can eat a picnic lunch, veg out and look at the ocean, build a town out of sticks and rocks, collect shells, or maybe even fly a kite. Doesn't get much better than that, unless you're on a tropical beach.

4. Plant something - Planting a flower, some vegetables, a tree, a shrub, or some bulbs in the garden or just in a pot on the windowsill is a great activity for kids. There are lots of gardening kits for kids that look like lots of fun, or you can just grab some pots, some soil and some seeds, make a mess, and watch your kids enjoy themselves.

7 ways to be more Earth friendly when traveling

1. Drink from reusable water bottles - If you're in a country where the tap water isn't safe to drink, you have to buy bottled water of course. But a lot of the time we could just bring an empty water bottle with us whether we're traveling by car, plane, train, bike or on foot, rather than buy bottle after bottle of water. For one thing, I'm hoping the airport refilling station idea catches on at more airports!

(And hey, if you're into fizzy water, you could always get one of these: Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit. I have one and I think it's improved my quality of life. Or at least made it a lot fizzier.)

2. Bring reusable containers for snacks and foods - I'm so into this. Buying individually wrapped snacks and foods (cheese, crackers, cookies, and so on) just produces a lot of garbage (and most individually wrapped snacks seem to be quite expensive). Less packaging = good in my books. I bring my reusable containers (with snacks) on planes, in cars, and on hikes. Also, my children usually get their lunches and snacks for school and preschool in reusable containers too.

3. Use litter-less juice-boxes - I'm like a preacher for these items, but it's only because I find them so amazingly practical for children to use on airplanes and elsewhere. They're good for juice, water, any kind of drink. I often make my children home-made drinkable yogurt smoothies that go in these containers too.

Just put 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1/2 cup strawberries, peaches, blueberries or other fruits and berries in a blender or food processor. Process it until smooth and pour into a juice-box.

4. Eat locally produced food - Eating local food is a great idea both at home and when you're on the road or on vacation. Locally made bread and cheese, locally grown vegetables and fruits, locally raised or caught meat, fish, seafood... it's all usually very tasty and often also a good deal price-wise.

My kids loved the mangoes and pineapple in Hawaii. They've eaten locally caught fish in Sweden (some of it they even caught themselves!). Last year we gorged on locally grown strawberries in June, and later on in summer we pigged out on local corn on the cob. And if we're in the Okanagan in summer, we always get some peaches and other fruit because that stuff is just so darn good when you buy it tree-ripened.

5. Use refillable containers for shampoo, soap and more -Instead of buying travel sized toiletry products, or using the tiny pieces of soap, and tiny bottles of shampoo and lotion you find at hotels, bring your own stuff. Just squirt of the shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. that you use at home into some travel-sized containers and bring them along. If you have kids with sensitive skin (like I do), an added benefit is that you know what you're using won't give them an itchy rash.

6. Buy clothes for your trip (and everyday life) at a second-hand store - When you have kids who grow out of everything in a few months, buying "gently used" clothing makes a lot of sense. It's cheaper, and in some used-clothing places you can find lots of items that look new, or even have the store-tags on them!

I've bought ski-pants, jackets, rain gear, boots, and all sorts of great clothing at Talize, a second-hand store close to where we live. Sure, some of the stuff on the rack there is worn (or sometimes just in need of a wash), but you pick through what there is and buy what you like. You can find some real quality clothing in very good condition at second-hand stores.

7. Stay at a "green" hotel - Hotels and resorts can do a lot of things to be more Earth friendly.

• These days many hotels have installed a main switch by the door where you turn the power on and off in your room by inserting or removing your key-card. It's a great system and a good way to save electricity. (Kind of wish I could put in a similar easy-to-use system in our house, but I guess running around and switching off all the lights and appliances works too...)
• Many hotels also seem to be changing from the "always change all the towels and sheets every day" policy, to "change the towels and sheets when the customer wants you to change them". I can only imagine how much electricity and water this saves. At the hotel we stayed in on our recent trip to the Canary Islands, we simply put any towels and sheets we thought needed changing in a laundry basket. Simple!
• Also, many hotels these days have soap and shampoo dispensers in the bathroom, rather than the tiny little bottles. I think that's a good, Earth-friendly move.

There are many websites that can help you compare the environmental policies of various hotels. EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com is one of them.

Traveling with kids: 9 tips for eating out

Eating out with small children can be fun, but for parents it usually involves some amount of stress: at some point the patience and endurance of a baby, toddler, preschooler or young child in a restaurant setting will run out. The question is: will you have finished your meal when that happens?

I love food, and I love eating out. I have brought my children to restaurants since they were infants, and usually they're great. Of course, they have their bad days too, just like anyone else. When you're home, you can usually pick a "good" night to go out for a meal, but when you're on vacation away from home, you sometimes have to eat out even under less than perfect conditions.

Not everyone is this relaxed after a meal.

Here are some things I've learned from my own experiences with children in restaurants: 

1. Outdoor is better than indoors - Indoors, sitting down is usually the only viable option and that can be hard for kids, especially if the meal takes time arriving, or if the adults insist on eating several courses. Outdoors, kids can sometimes have a chance to walk around, and maybe look at the view, or the traffic, or the ocean or whatever else there is to look at. Any non-hushed voices are usually less overwhelming when you're outside.

2. Roomy is better than cramped - With young children, it makes sense to try to eat at a place with a reasonable amount of space between the tables. You don't want to feel as though your children are bumping into other diners whenever they move their chair or get up to look out the window or go to the bathroom. Avoiding cramped surroundings can make for a more relaxed meal all around.

At the Mala Ocean Tavern, Maui.

3. Let your kids nap before you go - If you're bringing young kids, babies, jet-lagged or just travel-weary kids to a restaurant where you know the meal might take a while, give them a chance to nap before the meal. For babies, it might work to bring a stroller and let them sleep in it for part of the meal.

4. Use the whole menu for meal ideas - Depending on whether you have a picky-eater child or not, finding something for your child to eat of a restaurant menu can be a challenge. In some countries, children's menus aren't always an option. Looking at the whole menu, including appetizers/starters and side-dishes, can sometimes help provide some extra options.

5. Bring something to pass the time - Waiting for the food can take forever, at least it may seem like that to a hungry or bored child (or adult). Bring along some games or apps on your cell-phone that your kids can fool around with, ipods (if they're into that), coloring books and crayons, hand-held games or whatever you think will buy you some extra time.

6. Let them have their own menus - Having their own menu to look at can sometimes help kids, even ones who aren't reading yet, pass the time and make them feel better about the whole restaurant-experience. Ask for a couple of extra menus from the waiter or waitress for your kids just to help make them feel more involved.

7. Bring a bottle for babies - If you have a baby, bring along a bottle or sippy cup with their favorite beverage to pull out in case you need it. Milk, formula, water... Having something to sip on often helps infants and babies settle down. Bring two bottles if you think the meal might take a long time.

At Sagitario in Gran Canaria.

8. Bring something you know they'll like - For obvious reasons restaurants frown on someone bringing their own food. But if you have a toddler or baby, bringing a favorite snack or treat might be the only way your child will eat anything at all. A jar of baby food, some crackers, a yogurt or fresh fruit... bring something you know your child will eat, because a hungry child can run out of patience very fast! 

9. Be ready to make a hasty exit - Sometimes things just go bad. This can happen with even the best children, raised by the best parents (and that's pretty much all of us, right?). Maybe your child is tired, jet-lagged, hungry, bored, not feeling great, or just generally not in the mood for a social occasion. It happens. Babies sometimes start those crying fits that won't stop, toddlers get stuck in tantrums, and so on. Gauge the situation and decide if it is time to leave, and if you think it is, then just cut your losses. Get the bill as fast as you can, have whatever food you want to keep packed up (if the restaurant will do that), and get out before it gets worse. Then try another night and hope things go better.

Traveling with my kids: 17 snapshots

1. Getting ready to cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. 70 meters, aka 230 feet high!

 2. Floating around in Burvik, Sweden. Swedish travel tip: in my opinion, Swedish summers are usually best if experienced in July. Just bring mosquito repellent.

3. On the boardwalk, following a hiking trail in Lynn Canyon Park, North Vancouver. This park has a  suspension bridge that does not require any admission. It's not as big as the Capilano suspension bridge, but quite impressive anyway.

 4. Splashing around in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada. Nice shallow bathing area, lots of sand, beautiful surroundings. Great place to take the kids for a day-trip if you're in the Vancouver area.

 5. Green light on the hiking trail in Minnekhada Park, Coquitlam, BC, Canada.

6. Up close and personal with a cricket, on the West Dyke Trail in Richmond, BC, Canada.

7. Cross country skiing for the very first time in Skellefteå, Sweden.

8. Tailgating Rudolph and his friends, just outside Bureå, Sweden. (Reindeer are rather stupid animals, and would rather run in front of a car than get off the road. Even honking at them will usually only annoy them and not make them run away.)

9. Going to Maui! Early morning, waiting for the airport taxi outside our motel in Seattle.

10. The view from our condo in Kaanapaali Royal, Kaanapali, Maui. I still dream of going back to this place.

11. Morning at D.T. Fleming Beach Park, Maui. The kids loved that beach, and I love that ocean: swam with a turtle just off the shore there too!

 12. Riding the rails on the Skytrain, Vancouver, BC.

13. Mount Doom, Iceland. OK, probably it's got a different name, but in that landscape, with that mist, and with that perfect peak that's what it reminded me of!

14. Prettiest (and most petite!) porkers in the world, posing for pictures in Lycksele Djurpark, Sweden.

15. Rare sighting: i'iwi birds on top of Haleakala, Maui.

16. Gray skies, gray beaches, but an awesome place for a walk and some beach-combing (and maybe some kite-flying!): Point Roberts, Washington, USA

17. Some of the slides at Aqualand, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. That yellow one doesn't look so bad in this photo, but it was almost too much (and then some) for my daughter when we rode it together. Almost too much for me too!