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Traveling with Children/Questions Answered by Expert Suzan Jackson

SubjectDate Asked
vacation ideas1/24/2012
  Q: I don't know where to go. My question is more geared towards getting ideas from you since I have ...
  A: Margie - Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. My son and I were both sick last week. Wow, ...
Traveling with my son's 16 yr old friend to Mexico5/31/2011
  Q: My family and I are flying to Mexico and would like to take my son's friend who is 16. Her parents ...
  A: I looked up your question on the US State Dept. website. You are correct that she must have her own ...
What age do I bring my child?4/18/2011
  Q: Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to have a child. I dedicated all my teenage years and young ...
  A: Congratulations on your pregnancy! Wow, you're really planning ahead, aren't you? Hey, that's ...
can I travel with my new baby4/16/2011
  Q: i'm american married to a Canadian. We just have a baby boy who is just 3 months old. We will cross ...
  A: Sorry for the delay - we were away for spring break. Crossing the US-Canadian border has become a ...
Wyoming4/11/2011
  Q: We live in Florida and want to take our two boys (ages 8 and 14) to Wyoming to see Yellowstone, ...
  A: Your plans sound wonderful - I'm sure all of you will enjoy those amazing Wyoming National Parks. ...
travel from rochester, ny3/15/2011
  Q: I am in the process of planning a beach weekend for my boyfriend and I this summer. We are from ...
  A: Monica! Nice to hear from a fellow Rochesterian (?). When I was a kid, we used to drive to Ocean ...
Booster Seats1/16/2011
  Q: When my 12 year old daughter sits in a normal seat amd the shoulder strap is off the shoulder What ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - I was sick this week. There are two considerations ...
custody1/12/2011
  Q: My husband and I are taking our 12 year old grand daughter to Mexico for a 2 week vacation what do ...
  A: I looked up your question on the US State Dept. website. You are correct that all children under 16 ...
snow trip12/21/2010
  Q: I have two little foster children that want to see snow, I can not travel to far I will only have ...
  A: It's wonderful that you want to do something special for these two little boys. I'd love to help ...
traveling with newborn11/1/2010
  Q: My husband and I are adopting a baby, hopefully within the next four months and I may have to fly to ...
  A: How exciting!! It's wonderful that you'll be adopting soon. I'm guessing that by "problems" and ...
Traveling10/3/2010
  Q: I'm 16 yrs old and my sister is 10yrs old and we are going to Mexico by ourselves. But with my ...
  A: First of all, both you and your sister need passports, especially in order to re-enter the US after ...
car seat requirements in the Dominican Republic9/24/2010
  Q: My son and his wife will be traveling to the Dominican Republic in October. They have airport ...
  A: From what I found online, it seems there are no car seat laws in the Dominican Republic: ...
Traveling with my 12 yr.old daughter.8/8/2010
  Q: I am getting ready to take my 12 yr. old daughter to the Bahama's at the end of August. I have her ...
  A: It depends on how you're traveling. If you're traveling by sea, then a birth certificate will do ...
Traveling through US w/ 16-y/o Canadian niece7/30/2010
  Q: I have a US passport and will be traveling by air through the US with my 16 year-old niece, who has ...
  A: I looked up your questions on the US State Dept. website. First, teens 16 and older are covered by ...
travelling with newborn3/6/2010
  Q: We are planning to drive to canada about two weeks after our baby is expected to visit family. i ...
  A: I looked up your questions on the US State Dept. website. For driving into Canada, your baby ...
traveling to St. Thomas/St. John with unrelated minor2/14/2010
  Q: I'm traveling to St. Thomas/St. John from US and my 15 y.o. son is bringing his 15 y.o. friend. What ...
  A: Kerry - St. Thomas/St. John are U.S. territories, so there's no special documentation or passports ...
Infant Passport11/9/2009
  Q: I am a foster parent of an 8 month old baby. I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic next ...
  A: I looked up your questions on the US State Dept. website. All children under 16, even infants and ...
Traveling by air with my one-year old10/4/2009
  Q: I'm planning on traveling to Sri Lanka from San Fransisco (2 flights, one for 12 hours and the other ...
  A: I apologize for not getting back to you sooner - I've been sick this week. Wow, your trip sounds ...
trip9/24/2009
  Q: Can you recommend a great place for a relaxing vacation for family 2 kids ( ages 16 and 7) we live ...
  A: I apologize for the long delay. I've been very sick for over a week and unable to spend much time ...
trip9/23/2009
  Q: Can you recommend a great place for a relaxing vacation for family 2 kids ( ages 16 and 7) we live ...
  A: In order to answer your question, I'll need some additional information from you. It wouldn't be ...
Minor child travelling abroad8/25/2009
  Q: Can a 6 month old baby, who is a US citizen, be given a passport to travel to a foreign country with ...
  A: First, I'd like to apologize for not responding sooner. We were out of town this last week of ...
Car seat requirements in California7/26/2009
  Q: My husband and I are traveling with our 3 year old son to California for a tour in December. Since ...
  A: You don't mention whether you'll be renting a car in California. If so, all rental companies now ...
What documents do i need for my Kids traveling within the U.S.A3/30/2009
  Q: I'm traveling with my three kids to Minnesota from DC on Wedenesday.What documents will they need to ...
  A: You don't need any kind of documents to travel within the United States (except your own driver's ...
going back east2/19/2009
  Q: we are trying to plan a vacation with our kids, for two weeks. We have been mulling the idea of ...
  A: I’d be glad to help you with some ideas for your vacation. You don’t mention where you live or what ...
Traveling via car from IL to MS12/18/2008
  Q: I am traveling from Illinois to Mississippi with my 11 1/2 months old son. Do you have any ...
  A: I'm so sorry for the delay in responding to you. We were out of town visiting family for the ...
Travel by car CA to IL12/11/2008
  Q: We are planning to drive from Los Angeles to Chicago this winter. Well have 3 kids and our dog with ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Everyone in our family has been sick this past week - ...
Travel advice for Thanksgiving8/8/2008
  Q: Ms. Jackson, I and my wife live in Rochester, NY. We are looking for a good relaxing destination in ...
  A: You are right - driving distance from Rochester and a warm climate in late November just don't add ...
Travel advice for Thanksgiving8/7/2008
  Q: Ms. Jackson, I and my wife live in Rochester, NY. We are looking for a good relaxing destination in ...
  A: I happen to be from Rochester, NY! I grew up there and most of my family still lives there, so I'm ...
Indoor play options along a travel route5/13/2008
  Q: I am planning a 12 hour + trip. I currently have a 2 year old and a 4 year old. We managed the ...
  A: I laughed at your p.s. because that was going to be one of my suggestions! We take long road trips ...
stroller handle extention4/21/2008
  Q: We need something to extend the height of the stroller portion of a travel systems handles. My hubby ...
  A: It's been many years since we've had to worry about strollers (our two boys are now 10 and 13), but ...
NYC3/4/2008
  Q: We are planning to visit NYC again this spring. We have a 9 month old baby and enjoy taking the ...
  A: Your question is a common one. Taxis do not provide car seats, and there are no easy answers on the ...
Multi-family vacation1/8/2008
  Q: There is a group of us 6 families, all friends with children of different ages: 3 families have ...
  A: Your question is a difficult one because there are so many different options for splitting costs ...
Car seats for NYC12/20/2007
  Q: We live a few hours from NYC and I am dying to take my 3 and 1 year old girls for a short trip. The ...
  A: Your plans to take your kids to NYC sound like fun. There are no easy answers on the car seat ...
Travelling with 9 and half months old11/7/2007
  Q: I am a first time mom, have to travel by air with my nine months old baby. I am too scared about ...
  A: We've traveled by air with our two boys since they were each 2 or 3 months old. It's certainly not ...
Xmas travel with 2 and 5 year old10/13/2007
  Q: I live in Toronto, Canada and want to take our kids away for Xmas, returning on or around Dec. ...
  A: Sorry for the delay. I've been out of town due to an unexpected illness and death in my family. ...
snow vacation9/2/2007
  Q: I am looking for a winter vacation for Christmas that me (mom)and my 7 and 10 y/o boys can ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I was sick this week. We live much further north than ...
Driving to Canada!7/15/2007
  Q: I just had a baby 2 weeks ago and My Aunt recently passed away. I would like to drive to Canada from ...
  A: The good news is that you can still drive to Canada without needing passports until December 2007. ...
yellowstone trip with 3month old baby7/11/2007
  Q: suggestions along following lines: 1. Is it ok to be in Yellow stone national park (near geysers, ...
  A: A trip to Yellowstone sounds wonderful! There are both pros and cons to going when your son is 3 ...
i have to leave a relatives house early in the morning and i have a son who is 75/15/2007
  Q: I have to leave a relatives house early in the morning? i have to leave a relatives house early in ...
  A: The answer to your question really depends entirely on your son. If he generally wakes easily and ...
We are going skiing and our son is a baby5/2/2007
  Q: We are going skiing and our son is a baby so he will be at the daycare at the ski resort. do they ...
  A: I haven't been to a ski resort since I was a kid, so I don't have any personal experience for your ...
Cross country with a 2 year old3/30/2007
  Q: I'm considering flying to California this September and driving back with my sister and my 2 yr old. ...
  A: How long the drive will take depends on how long you're able to drive each day. You don't mention ...
Roadtrip with 1 yr old & 6 yr old sons3/23/2007
  Q: This summer I will be taking the boys 1 and 6 yrs old on a roadtrip in my mini van. We will be ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I was out sick last week. You don't mention where ...
Travel ideas2/6/2007
  Q: We would be flying out of Fresno, CA. I would consider driving but no more than a 5 hour drive. We ...
  A: Well, it's hard to beat Maui, but you have lots of options with a budget of $6000. My first thought ...
Vacation Ideas1/25/2007
  Q: We spent last summer at Sea World and had a great time. We aren't looking to camp out with nature, ...
  A: Sorry for the delay. I've got two sick kids at home this week - it's tough to get anything done! ...
Vacation Ideas1/24/2007
  Q: My wife and I are have 2 children, ages 2 and 5 and we are looking for ideas on where we could go ...
  A: Craig - I have plenty of ideas for you, but it would help to know a little more about what your ...
traveling with 6 month old1/22/2007
  Q: 5 hrs by air for the first time with our son and we are wondering if you had any tips on how to make ...
  A: We've traveled by air with our two boys since they were each 2 or 3 months old. It's certainly not ...
travel with children1/17/2007
  Q: Can my 3 years old son travel across the border to mexico with just his Birth certificate?
  A: The rules for U.S. travelers going to Mexico just changed this month and are now quite strict, with ...
Road trip to the south from san francisco10/11/2006
  Q: We are planning on taking our two boys (8 and 10, french/american) on a five day road trip to the ...
  A: This sounds like a wonderful trip! My husband and I love to take road trips with our two boys, ages ...
5 day raod trip with a 4 year old- help!8/11/2006
  Q: We are planning a move to california this november with our 4 year old son, and will be traveling by ...
  A: Our two boys have gone on long road trips since they were infants. Now, at 8 and 12, they really ...
air traveling with a one-year old7/9/2006
  Q: I am going to fly to Brazil in a couple of weeks and I am freaking out. I did fly to Brazil with my ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in responding - I just returned from vacation and am still catching up. We've ...
where to go...what to do?!?!6/9/2006
  Q: We live in Columbus, Ohio and have two kids under the age of 3--we want to go somewhere 4th of July ...
  A: We haven't vacationed along Lake Erie ourselves, but I've heard it's a great family vacation spot. ...
travel documents for minors6/2/2006
  Q: where do i get a form letter for my husband to sign for permission for our 2 boys to go on a cruise ...
  A: You don't mention specifically why you need a permission letter for your boys to go on the cruise ...
Travelling abroad5/16/2006
  Q: I am going to Italy this year with my husband and 4 yr old and mother. As we want to walk and ...
  A: It sounds like a wonderful trip! Good idea to think ahead about a stroller. There are so many ...
Travel with 10 months baby5/16/2006
  Q: I have 10 months boy and live in Iran. I traveled with him when he was 6 months by air. He cried a ...
  A: You should definitely go ahead with your travel plans. It's wonderful to travel with children, and ...
all-inclusive vacations5/16/2006
  Q: I am looking for some information on all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. There are numerous websites ...
  A: I don't have any personal experience with resorts, but I found some great information at the Family ...
kids and travel5/10/2006
  Q: We're headed out for a short trip (Florida to Tennessee, approx. 880 miles...not so short, come to ...
  A: I apologize for the delay in answering your question. I was very ill last week. We also have two ...
car seats3/16/2006
  Q: We will be traveling with our 3 and 5 year old children. Are they required to have a car seat on ...
  A: There are no car seat requirements for airlines, not even for infants. We used to bring our boys' ...
vacation with kids2/7/2006
  Q: My co-worker is a recently widowed mother of 4 (ages 4-13). She wants to go on a spring break ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in responding to your question; my son and I were both sick last week. So, your ...
Cruises for kids2/6/2006
  Q: How safe are cruises for kids? Can they fall off the boat? Is it safe to leave them in the kids ...
  A: I don't have any personal experience with cruises, but I know that many families love them. Here is ...
Doll Museum for kids1/12/2006
  Q: I have an old historical stone house in Cappadocia region of Turkey. It has been renovated and ...
  A: There's not anything that I could personally do to help you promote your Doll Museum and Guest ...
Need suggestions for a weekend vacation1/5/2006
  Q: I hope you are the right person to help me! My husband and I want to take our kids (7 and 5) on a ...
  A: I apologize for the delay in responding. I've had some internet problems and finally had to find ...
Where is the dinosaur exhibit ?11/1/2005
  Q: Where is the dinosaurs exhibit that was on display in the Virginia Living Museum in June 2005? What ...
  A: Sharon - Sorry for the delay in responding - 3 of us were home sick this week! It looks like the ...
Washington DC8/1/2005
  Q: Looking for some insight on how to attack Washington DC with two children, 7 & 10, maybe some ...
  A: Steve - Sorry for the delay - we've just returned from a vacation ourselves. I'm embarrassed to ...
scotland?6/7/2005
  Q: we've been thinking of spending a week to 10 days in Scotland with our 2 kids, ages 7 & 9. So far ...
  A: Unfortunately, we haven't been to Scotland ourselves, so I can't offer any first-hand advice. I did ...
Family Vacation near or around Wisconsin6/1/2005
  Q: My wife and I are along with our 2 youngest kids (Lyndsey 12, and Trevor 8) are hoping to take a ...
  A: My family has enjoyed some wonderful vacations in the areas you mention. We live in Delaware but ...
Traveling with 4 children to Disneyland5/19/2005
  Q: I am taking an 8 day vacation to Disneyland with 4 children. Ages 15,14,12,8.. The oldest is a boy ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in responding. We had houseguests last week. My family loves long road trips. ...
Ozark Mountains5/18/2005
  Q: Suzan, my wife and I and our 3 children will be traveling from Houston, TX to Dayton, Ohio to visit ...
  A: My husband and I and our two boys, ages 7 and 10, love long road trips! We live in Delaware, so our ...
Favorite Travel Spot4/26/2005
  Q: I have three children. I am wondering about where to go this summer for vacation. Do you have any ...
  A: I don't know where you live or how far you'd like to travel, but I can offer some general ideas. ...
Travel to Disneyworld w/4 kids4/14/2005
  Q: My husband and I want to take our four kids to Disneyworld next year. We will go for one week. ...
  A: I apologize for the delay in responding. One of my sons has been home sick all week. Your kids ...
roadtrip with a 5 year old2/18/2005
  Q: we are traveling from new jersey to orlando, florida in october with our 5 year old. this will be ...
  A: Our family takes long road trips almost every year for our vacation. Our two boys, now 7 and 10, ...
Northern NJ dinosaur exhibit2/2/2005
  Q: I will be in north jersey next week with my son who is crazy about dinosaurs. Do you know of any ...
  A: I found several children's museums in northern New Jersey that feature dinosaurs. I wasn't sure ...
warm family vacation1/26/2005
  Q: My husband and I would like to take a week vacation with our 2 children, ages 5 and 8, sometime in ...
  A: A warm vacation sounds great right now (it's 5 degrees in Delaware this morning!). You don't ...
travel destinations12/27/2004
  Q: We have 3 boys ages 4,6, and 11. We go EVERY year to Myrtle Beach, SC which is o.k. but I have ...
  A: Sorry for the delay. We had a houseful of family here for the holidays, so I didn't have a chance ...
Family Vacation for Feb school vacation week11/2/2004
  Q: I have four kids in the age range of 5 to 10. My husband and I would like to plan a vacation during ...
  A: Sorry for the delay - I was out sick this week. You don't mention what your budget is for your ...
SeaWorld9/29/2004
  Q: We are going to SeaWorld in San Diego in January 2005. We have a family of five, two adults and ...
  A: I haven't been to Sea World myself in years, but a quick internet search brought up lots of options ...
Thanksgiving: NC or SC9/21/2004
  Q: Ms. Jackson, We are a family of four, mom dad and two children 13 and 16.We are planning on ...
  A: Since you only have 4 days, I would recommend staying closer to home and going to South Carolina to ...
Air Travel with Kids8/31/2004
  Q: do kids need a photo ID or is a birth certificate fine?
  A: Kids aren't generally required to have any form of ID for air travel within the US. We travel with ...
family travel8/19/2004
  Q: We are two families, three generations, all healthy and active who would like to spend a week ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in responding; I was ill last week and am just catching up. We also enjoy ...
Vacation Travel Destination for July 4th Week6/9/2004
  Q: Our family (wife and two daughters, ages 6 and 7) typically goes on a road trip vacation every year ...
  A: Small world! I'm from Rochester, NY, although I now live in Delaware with my family. You have lots ...
Children5/1/2004
  Q: How do you keep your children from asking, "Are we there yet?" and "When are we going to be there?"
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - I had some e-mail problems this week and never received ...
traveling from virginia to washington state4/9/2004
  Q: This June we will be driving from virginia to washington state with two children, a daughter 3 and a ...
  A: I'm sorry for not responding sooner - we were away for Easter and I forgot to sign out of ...
Traveling with 8.5 mo. old to NYC3/23/2004
  Q: We're traveling cross country via air with our infant daughter to NYC. I'll be busy with work during ...
  A: Your upcoming trip sounds like fun - it's great that your husband and daughter are able to go along ...
Question about strollers3/12/2004
  Q: Could you send me some of the links you found on the stroller? My mother in law is set on using this ...
  A: Jen - I completely understand about making the best of it while traveling! And also about mothers ...
Question about strollers3/12/2004
  Q: Im not sure if you can help me or not but I figured id give it a try. I was just wondering if you ...
  A: It's great that you're being so cautious about your son's safety. I looked up the stroller model ...
san deago3/10/2004
  Q: can you tell me what their is to do with my family in san deago ca we have two girls ages 13 and 8 ...
  A: San Diego is a wonderful city with plenty to keep your family busy! Of course, it's famous for its ...
air travel with a one year old3/6/2004
  Q: My son (who turns one in a week) and I are going with my husband on a business trip in 2 weeks. We ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in answering your question - I've been out sick all week. Your upcoming trip ...
Travel with 3 Kids1/14/2004
  Q: My husband and I are planning to take our 3 kids (ages 6,4,2) from Manila to the US. First we are ...
  A: Traveling so far with 3 young children sounds a bit frightening, but it can be done! Although we ...
Family of 7 - want to stay in the same room/hotel/house while on vacation...1/8/2004
  Q: We are a family of 7 (5 kids), we want to take a short trip to a Beach (virginia or Maryland) and a ...
  A: Although we have only 4 in our family, I did some research on your question. Several possibilities ...
Travel with young children5/7/2003
  Q: We live in Louisiana and plan to take a vacation this summer with kids (4 and 1). We plan to drive, ...
  A: Melissa - I used to live in New Orleans, so I'm familiar with the area. My first question ...
Hello Suzan, I am pregnant...4/12/2003
  Q: I am pregnant with my first child and the father lives in Switzerland. We have decided I should move ...
  A: Congratulations! How exciting - to have a new baby to look forward to and a move to Switzerland. I ...

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Suzan Jackson

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Expertise

I am a writer specializing in topics related to family, especially enjoying travel and the outdoors with children. My husband and I have traveled extensively with our own 2 sons - now ages 10 and 14 - since they were infants. I can advise on travel by air or car and on a variety of destinations across the US. We also enjoy many outdoor activities with our sons. For more information, see my websites: www.travelfamily.net and www.outdoorfamily.net.

Experience

Traveling with my own 2 boys since they were infants, by air and car, to a wide variety of destinations, both urban and outdoor. Writing about travel with children.

Publications
FAMILY FUN magazine
See my website www.travelfamily.net for articles and tips on traveling with kids.

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