I’m happy to announce today that after months of work The Family Traveler’s Handbook: Inspiring families to see the world is available for sale. Cue the confetti please!
When I started my site over five years ago, I did so because I met so many fellow parents who, when I told them about the traveling I did with my then very young children, would shake their heads and say, “I don’t know how you do it. I feel like we never go anywhere now that we have kids.” Since the earliest days of my blog, I’ve wanted nothing more than to show other parents not just that they can travel with their kids but that family travel is one of the best ways to enjoy purposeful, uninterrupted family time. It’s the best way to teach children about the world. In fact, I think it’s a great way to parent.
I believe these things so much that I’ve written an entire book about them.
A new definition of family travel
Some adults get locked into the idea that there is one way to travel because kids are involved – they think they can’t go backpacking, check out art museums, dine in restaurants, or visit other continents because those are activities reserved for adults or because it will be too challenging.
Like I have on my site, my book redefines family travel by showing parents that with planning and flexibility they can do almost anything they did before they had children. It encourages them to use day trips and weekend getaways as practice runs and to consider outdoor adventure travel and extended travel as viable options for family travel.
Whether you’re setting out on your first family camping trip or looking for tips on getting through that long flight, you’ll find what you need.
What sets my book apart?
Like the posts on The Mother of all Trips, my book is a mix of narrative and advice, tips and stories. You’ll get the information you need to plan a trip, create an itinerary, choose where to stay, live like a local, visit museums and cultural attractions, and keep your child safe and healthy on the road. Much of what you’ll find in the book is here in the nearly 800 posts I’ve written since June of 2008. What the book does is tidy up all that information and offer it all in one place.
I was lucky enough to get the creative contribution of many other family travelers when I was working on my book, and it also is full of their wisdom and insight. My goal is that when you read it that you feel like you’ve just sat down over coffee with a dozen well-traveled friends who give you the kind of spot-on advice parents really need before they venture out with their kids.
And do I need to remind you that the holidays are coming soon? This book makes a great gift for anyone planning a winter or spring break family vacation. Or maybe it’s just what the new parent in your life needs to inspire them to get out the door.
Along with a return to a more regular posting schedule (getting the book ready has meant some pretty prolonged absences from The Mother of all Trips during the past four months) during the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some insights from the book that will highlight the kind of information you’ll find in it.
To learn a bit more about the book, please visit my page on The Traveler’s Handbook Series site. And while you’re there, be sure to check out some of the other titles as well – there are seven other equally inspiring and informative books on a whole range of travel topics written by passionate travel experts.
Win a signed copy of The Family Traveler’s Handbook
Buy print copies of The Family Traveler’s Handbook
I’ll soon be setting up a link on this site where you can order signed copies of the book but from now until next Wednesday I’m offering a chance to win one of five signed copies.
Finally, I want to thank all of my readers and online friends for coming back and sharing in this family travel adventure of mine. I’ve been so grateful for your companionship during the past five years and I can’t wait to see where the road will take us next.
Congratulations on the release of your book! So excited for you!!
Thank you Brandi!
Congratulations!
Thanks Beth.
I totally agree with you! “showing parents that with planning and flexibility they can do almost anything they did before they had children”
It’s a good mantra to live by, isn’t it?
I’m not going to enter, I’m buying it right now! Congrats Mara!!
Aw, you know I’d give you a copy Becky.
Congratulations!
Thanks so much Elizabeth.
Congrats, Mara! You’ve had so many amazing tips and stories over the years – wonderful to compile a book for even MORE people to read! Brava!
Thanks Jessie – coming from you that means a lot.
Unbelievably excited for you lady! You have worked so hard on this book I know and deserve all the success it will bring!
You’ve made your parent so proud! Congratulations — I’ve watched the work you’ve put into this and it is the culmination of years of thought, research, and your beautiful writing! Love you.
Brilliant article. I got to get my whole family on this thing, like right now! 🙂 Thanks really.
Cheers!
Congratulations, this is awesome news 🙂 Love the picture with London in the background. Although, FYI I wouldn’t recommend England in winter unless you really really like the cold lol.
Congrats! This is excellent. I also meet a number of parents asking me how we can still travel now that we have very young children so I’m delighted they now have a book to refer to 😉
I know what book to read next on my Kindle! Thanks Mara.
Congratulations on publishing your book! I came across your blog because of the post about going carry on only, something I like to do with my family (so much I wrote a post about it recently too!). I’ll be adding your book to my holiday reading list. (:
Congrats on your book’s release!
This looks like a fantastic book for families that like to travel together a lot. I will be attending a new hampshire conference later this year and will be bringing my family, so I may need to pick up this book beforehand.
Travel is something everyone should experience if they can. We are lucky to get some personal wisdom from some as well traveled as yourself. Thanks for all the great reads!