New Year, New Plans: Family Travel, Routines & Finding Your People

Happy New Year! We spent the holidays in Atlanta with family and friends, soaking up time together and trying (emphasis on trying) to be present in the middle of the happy chaos that comes with having little kids. This was our first New Year as a family of six (and in our new home), and we’re slowly finding our new normal—equal parts gratitude, exhaustion, and optimism.

If you know me or my husband, you know we love setting goals and doing regular check-ins to make sure we’re living the life we actually want—not just surviving the day-to-day. This year feels especially fun because our older two are finally old enough to start setting goals too (some more realistic than others). We try to focus on what really matters, even though that’s not always easy with little ones.

One simple family ritual we love is our nightly kids’ digital habit tracker. We use it to track everyday habits—like putting laundry in the hamper, practicing sight words, or trying new veggies—and reflect on progress together. It’s an easy way to celebrate small wins and slow down as a family, usually with giggles and a few last-minute “wait, I didn’t do that yet!” moments.

If you’re like me, the new year also means mapping out trips for the year. A new nuance I’m still getting used to is having school-aged children, and planning around their breaks and minimizing their school absences.

As we work on our planning process, I’ve been reflecting on some of our favorite trips we’ve taken with our kids. Below is a consolidated list of places that we have visited and loved - and the associated school break I suggest booking the trip for.

Spain is great spring break spot for kids— warm and mild weather, variety of food options for the family, and tons of fun outdoor adventures. The pace is relaxed, which makes traveling with little ones less stressful, and there’s always something colorful and exciting around every corner.

For me, Andalusia is the ultimate pick—think Seville’s gorgeous streets, beaches in Marbella, and culture at Alhambra Palace that the whole family can enjoy. I shared all the details here.

Greece in the summer time is sunshine and family fun. Gorgeous beaches, charming villages, iconic white-and-blue streets make every day feel like a postcard - and delicious gyros, greek salads, and fries make it even better. Some of our favorite spots were Naxos, Paros, Santorini, and a beautiful pink sand beach in Crete. I have itinerary recommendations on these places here.

Jordan is one of our all time favorite destinations. Fall is a great time to go because the cooler weather makes exploring easier and there are less crowds. From amazing restaurants in Amman to floating in the salty Dead Sea, exploring Petra on horses and camels, and glamping in Wadi Rum—where The Martian was filmed—there are so many unforgettable experiences. Watching baby camels roam the red sand is a memory our family will never forget. It’s the perfect mix of culture, adventure, and just enough downtime to keep everyone happy. Here are our Jordan recommendations.

Winter break is the perfect time to introduce kids to the magic of Christmas markets. There are so many options in Europe, but we especially loved going to the French cities, Colmar and Strasbourg, which feel like stepping into a real-life holiday postcard with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and charming old streets to wander. A highlight was adding in cute French towns that Beauty and the Beast based their movie on! It’s a mix of festive sights, delicious snacks, and little adventures that make winter travel unforgettable. Here are our recommendations on France Christmas Markets (plus a side of Luxembourg and Switzerland)!

Not sure if it’s just my Instagram algorithm, but I’ve seen a lot of “mom group drama” headlines lately—Ashley Tisdale vs. Hilary Duff vs. Mandy Moore. It reminded me how much I believe that having good mom friends can truly make motherhood better.

When we lived abroad in London and Amsterdam, I made some of my closest friendships as an adult—brand-new friends from totally different places. Those friendships didn’t just make life more fun—they enriched the whole experience for our family. It definitely wasn’t easy. Similar to dating, it takes time, effort, and some trial and error. After my own ups and downs (and watching many other moms go through the same), I put together a guide with lessons learned, practical tips, and a worksheet to help moms find their tribe. If you want to check out my guide, here is the link.

This project fits right into my 2026 goals: building meaningful connections, creating intentional routines, and making experiences—at home or while traveling—truly memorable.

Having four kids is just as high-effort as it sounds—full of joyful moments, but also nonstop logistics. Planning future trips, along with all the details, finances, and coordination that go into them, can feel like a bit of a juggle. That’s what inspired me to create a family travel planning tool. I won’t lie—I’m genuinely excited about how it’s coming together! It’s launching in the next few weeks, and I truly hope it will make planning dream vacations easier and more fun for families.

Stay tuned, and feel free to follow along on Instagram for updates.

Happy travels!

— Shaina