ML Interest Tag: vacation

Here’s Why Every Mom Really Needs a Solo Vacation

By Rheanna Bernard

As the busy mom of three (ages 12, 10 and 7) and the wife of a service member, time to myself is limited. Frequently I find myself in need of a babysitter, forking over $90 and my right arm just to get away. As the kids have gotten older I’ve found that it is easier to get some time on my own.

Leaving the kids with friends for overnight or a weekend is far my feasible now that they can clothe and feed themselves for the most part. But a vacation? A real-live trip for more than one night away from the kids and by myself? How is that even possible?

The first thing that is probably in your head is “How can I just leave?” Well, trust me, you can and everything will be okay. The dishwasher will probably be loaded the wrong way and odds are something is getting shrunk in the dryer, but guess what? If that’s the worst of it, you’re in good shape.

Your family will survive without you and you owe it to yourself to take care of yourself. You aren’t being selfish and you most definitely deserve it. It was the best thing I have ever done and you need to do it right now!

Here are three reasons why every mom needs—and should totally take—a solo vacation.

Do It for Your Sanity

Leaving your kids doesn’t make you a terrible mom. In fact, I firmly believe that getting away made me a better mom. I didn’t have to think about anyone but myself. I could sleep in, stay up late, visit museums or local attractions without considering if it was kid-friendly or whether they would be bored. Getting away shut off all parenting parts of my brain and let them just recharge for four straight days.

Let’s be real: carting kids around to a million activities or worrying whether the restaurant has a kid’s menu are things that fill our head constantly. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy. So, do yourself a favor and give yourself a break.

Do It for Your Kids

Like a lot of things in my parenting philosophy, I start from the perspective that I’m in the business of raising good humans. I’m not in the business of raising geniuses or Olympic athletes or concert pianists. A kid that can make their own doctor’s appointments someday, can sit at a restaurant and hold a conversation with an adult are way higher on my priority list.

Leaving your children either with your spouse alone or with someone else, without you is a key part of that philosophy. They don’t need you to be all over them all the time. They need to be able to manage themselves under the direction of someone else, figure out how to be without you in the house. Everyone is comfortable with different levels of this, but I’ve been leaving my children since they were little for business trips or while visiting family. Find the level you are comfortable with, depending on their age and who you are able to leave them with and do it!

I really believe that this benefits kids in some way. It gives them a little independence and a different experience. It gives them the chance to work within someone else’s boundaries and rules and succeed in doing so.

Do It for Fun!

Truly this is the most important reason for taking that solo vacation. For some plain old fun! When was the last time you really had fun and didn’t feel guilty about it? Going away with your spouse is fun, but going away with a friend or solo as I did, was a different kind of fun.

We, as moms, shouldn’t feel guilty about doing something for ourselves. Even if we think we had our fun before we had kids doesn’t mean that the fun has to stop after. We deserve to enjoy a meal without sharing or spending an arm and a leg to feed the whole family.

Use this time to recharge, relax, sit by the pool without having to make sure nobody drowns or try a new bar every night and stay out until one o’clock in the morning. Whatever fun is for you, find it!

Taking time for yourself, in whatever way you can, will ultimately make you a better parent. It’s hard to do sometimes but in this fast-paced world, it’s even more important to make sure that we stay healthy and happy. Doing so will help us to give our kids the best of us, which is what they deserve.

Military spouse and mother of three, Rheanna has lived in four states and calls the suburbs of Washington, D.C. home. When she's not exploring her own backyard and enjoying the history and architecture, you can find her reading true crime and drinking Dr. Pepper.

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4 Fun Family-Bonding Ideas to Make Your Next Family Vaycay a Blast

By Brandon Jarman

The family vacation is often lampooned as a torturous rite of passage—full of backseat bickering, auto (and emotional) breakdowns and the odd smells. While these common adversities do happen, they don’t have to destroy your family’s vacation. In fact, the family vacation still offers plenty of benefits for kids and family bonding.

Family getaways can strengthen bonds through shared experiences and memories—good and bad. Only the family knows how funny Dad’s poolside cannonball is. Or how a flat tire at midnight can inflate fears of being stranded. Vacation experiences like these become part of your family’s collective memory. And they can bring you together or divide you up.

But with a little planning and strategy, you can make sure your family vacation is packed with meaningful moments. Here are some bonding ideas to try during your next family getaway.

Try a New Activity or Sport

Before you leave for your trip, make a list of possible activities or sports that no one has ever experienced. Sharing first times and epic fails builds a collective empathy and appreciation for one another’s efforts. You may want to include your children in constructing the list. Regardless, include enough options to appeal to different interests, but not so many that it invites argument.

Choose activities that have small to medium time investments. All day hikes into the woods may sound exciting, but trekking six miles will over-stretch the group’s interest and energy levels. You’ll end the day with sore feet and grouchy dispositions. Instead, try learning to surf with your teenager. It’s healthy, unscheduled and you look cool even when falling. Or visit a small, quirky museum that’s interesting, yet takes a short time to take in. The point is don’t over commit the group to any one thing, despite how awesome it sounds.

Plan Downtime

Over-scheduling your vacation is what makes it feel like work. Don’t fill every moment with deadlines and must-see sites. Nothing bad will befall your family if you have to forego the Statue of Liberty. Everyone needs time to relax and recharge, so be flexible and schedule plenty of time to veg out.

But if you can’t get over the fear of missing out, combine downtime with something you can do alone as a group. Short naps, watching TV, screen time, reading, snacking or playing board games will let you relax and recharge together. Downtime is the part of your home life you bring on vacation. It connects you to your normal routine, resets the group’s energy and prepares you for the next leg of the trip.

Do Informal Dining

Most vacation plans include plenty of eating out. But formal dining can be a big stressor, especially for parents with young children. The fine china and fancy meals only make a kid’s bad behavior stick out more. Keep formal dining to a minimum, so you’re not ending your five-star meal as a ball of anxiety. Instead, opt for cafe fare or local family restaurants where the vibe is more relaxed.

Better yet, take the opportunity to turn meals into a bonding experience. Pack a picnic and go to the park. Grab some hot dogs, buns and a s’mores kit to cook over an open fire. Order from hotel room service, dress fancy and dine in your hotel room. Get take out and drive to a scenic overview. Pick a local restaurant at random and go on a culinary adventure. Cook a family favorite in your vacation home kitchen.

There are plenty of options for fun and adventurous informal dining. And it’s easier to have a legitimate bonding moment when you don’t have to worry about keeping your elbows off the table.

Build a Vacation Scrapbook

While most families construct their vacation scrapbooks after the fact, creating one while on vacation can foster bonding. Use scrapbooking as an excuse for you and your family to store keepsakes, record memories or post pictures. Organize your scrapbook chronologically or randomly. Divide it into sections by person or event … or not at all. You can construct one from physical materials or build an online scrapbook.

While you should encourage everyone to participate, don’t make it mandatory. That will only equate making memories to “doing homework.” Take a moment to ask your children why they are keeping or recording something. Why is it special to them? What did the experience mean? Use their answers to get to know them better and help them to explore their feelings. And explain your own reasons for including things. Use the opportunity to demonstrate how family traditions are about sharing stories and memories.

Brandon Jarman is a recent Brigham Young University graduate who is currently living In Salt Lake City. When he’s not writing, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking and eating delicious Mexican food. He and his wife are expecting their first baby at the end of August.

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The Next Time Your Family Goes to Venice, Don’t Forget to Bring Cash

by Erica Loop

Admissions fees are often a fact of life and commonly an expense to factor in on your family vacation. You pay a fee to enter the Magic Kingdom, movie theaters and your local football stadium. And now there’s one more place with an admission fee to add to the list: the city of Venice.

With an estimated 25 million visitors annually, Venice is a can’t-miss tourist attraction. The Italian “City of Water” already imposes a tourist tax, charging visitors who stay overnight an added fee. But now the powers-that-be are taking an extra step, instituting an entrance charge that will benefit the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

photo: Daniel Corneschi via Unsplash

The fee, which was initially proposed last year as past of the city’s 2019 budget, was recently endorsed by the city’s council. Day-trippers will pay €3 to enter Venice, or about the equivalent of $3.50 US (as exchange rates fluctuate daily). The price of admission into the city of Venice will increase in 2020, to somewhere between €6 and €10.

In a statement, Venice governor Luca Zaia said, “Venice needs respect, and as is the case with museums, sports stadiums, cinemas, trains and airplanes, it needs to have planned visits… which makes it sustainable both for tourists and the city.”

If you’re traveling with young kiddos, you’ll save a few bucks—or as it is, euros. The entrance fee won’t apply to children under age six.

—Erica Loop

 

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NASA Is Offering Amazing Rocket Launch Vaycay Packages That Are Out of This World

by Erica Loop

Pint-sized astronaut enthusiasts rejoice! NASA’s rocket launch travel packages are the perfect main event for any space-loving family’s vacation.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s launch viewing packages provide the public with a sneak peek into NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The program, which will eventually carry crewed flights into space for the first time since 2011, will launch the un-crewed Commercial Crew SpaceX Demonstration Mission 1 (Demo-1) on Mar. 2. Your family can score tickets to watch the big launch from less than four miles away!

Launching from Kennedy Space Center’s famed launchpad 39A—where Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong blasted off from during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission—the SpaceX Demo-1 launch is another potential history-maker. Visitors can watch the early-March launch from either the Apollo/Saturn V Center or Space Shuttle Atlantis North Lawn viewing area, depending on which package you choose.

The “Feel the Heat” package ($195 per person) includes a two-day admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, up-close encounters with the Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator, a premium catered meal, lanyard and commemorative Demo-1 badge, commemorative Demo-1 lithograph, SpaceX luggage tag, reusable water bottle, digital photo of the day and full access to the Apollo/Saturn V Center’s exhibits.

Visitors choosing the “Feel the Fun” package ($115 per person) will also get two-day admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex along with launch viewing, a catered meal, SpaceX luggage tag, commemorative Demo-1 lithograph,  digital photo, access to the launch party and a junior astronaut activity.

To purchase tickets, visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex website here. Even though the launch viewing packages list a launch date, tickets are sold by mission—in other words, dates are subject to change.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Kennedy Space Center via Instagram 

 

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4 Under-the-Radar Disney World Secrets Every Parent Should Know

By Sandy Fritzer

Photo: Courtesy of Steven Diaz via Disney Parks

Walt Disney World is a vacation destination that many children dream of visiting. The lure of castles, princesses, pirates and magic is strong for children—and even some adults!  In recent years, Disney has added to the magic with Slinky Dogs, Mountain Banshees and Jedi Masters to give parents even more reasons to plan a Disney vacation for their children.

For some parents, a Disney vacation is a chance to enjoy their children’s delight in the magic. For others, it’s an opportunity to revisit their own childhood delights. However, for many parents a Disney vacation is a test of their patience—and the elasticity of their credit limit. If you fall into the latter category, the following suggestions may help make your Disney vacation a memorable one for the entire family.

While there are a few basic suggestions that all parents should heed—plan naps and down time for everyone, don’t over schedule smaller children, wear sunscreen and stay hydrated—there are some overlooked tips for giving your children the vacation of their dreams and still enjoying it yourself.

Skip the Lines

If the long waits for rides are what really saps your energy and enjoyment at Walt Disney World, travel during the off peak season. The parks all tend to be quieter in January and early February or in September. Take advantage and take in a week of Florida sunshine when the temperatures are as mild as the crowds. Also, be sure to take advantage of FastPass+ and choose your rides in advance through the My Disney Experience free mobile app 60 days in advance.

Use Disney’s Secret Ride Passes

Adults that are roller coaster enthusiasts traveling with small children can still get their adrenaline up on all their favorite coasters taking advantage of rider swap passes. Never heard of rider swap? Some folks refer to it as “baby swap” and it means just that. While your party enters the ride, one adult checks in with the cast member at the entry and is given a rider swap pass for remaining behind with the smaller guests who aren’t old enough or tall enough to ride.

The pass allows the adult to enter the ride with two or three members of their group through the fast pass lane at a later time. There are usually benches or seating areas in the vicinity of the ride exit for guests waiting with smaller children. This option eliminates the need for a guest to wait 45 minutes (or more) for their party and then an additional 45 for their own trip to Mars or ride on a banshee.

Spend Your Evenings at Epcot

When evening starts to fall and you’ve had just about enough of mermaids and mice, put the kids in a stroller and head over to Epcot. Having a hotel in the Epcot area where you can walk into the park is a welcomed perk if you can swing the cost. While the kids nap in the stroller, enjoy a tasty treat from any of the Lands around the world and an adult beverage. This gives adults some time to chat, stroll and enjoy the ambience while the little ones get much needed naps in their stroller.

And not to worry, if the kids don’t sleep there is still plenty for them to see and taste while confined to that stroller! And if they do fall asleep, just walk back to your Epcot area hotel and put them to bed!

Take the Shuttle to Disney Springs

Lastly, Walt Disney World has some fantastic restaurants and 99.5% of them are kid-friendly. Enjoy a truly good meal with kiddos in tow and no concerns about anyone judging you or them. If you are out of park passes (or patience), the newly renovated Disney Springs shopping and entertainment district has several famous eateries. If Disney Springs is just a little too hip for your tastes, check out the restaurants at other resorts. They all have specialty restaurants, food items and drink offerings that marry up with the resort theme.

Disney may be built for children, but it truly has matured and adapted to become a vacation destination for all ages.

 

Daughter, sister with all brothers, wife and mom of four: two human and two furry. Disney nerd and Harry Potter fanatic.

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LEGO’s New “Toy Story 4” Sets Give Fans More Clues about the Film

by Erica Loop

The end of an era is almost here with Disney Pixar’s forthcoming Toy Story 4 due out this summer. So far we already know that the fourth installment of the iconic animated Disney flick comes with at least three new characters: Tony Hale’s Forky, Keegan-Michael Key’s Ducky and Jordan Peel’s Bunny. If you’re looking for more info than the teaser trailers provide, these new LEGO Toy Story sets might have some answers.

Even though the film won’t hit theaters until Jun. 21, you can score these awesome building sets this April.

Buzz & Woody's Carnival Mania!

Courtesy of LEGO

The trailer already teased that Toy Story 4 would take us to the carnival and this set confirms it. The 230-piece ($49.99) includes all kinds of fair fare, including new character Minifigures, Ducky and Bunny.

Toy Story 4 RV Vacation

Courtesy of LEGO

Your kiddo's best Toy Story friends are headed out of town—and it looks like we might get a hint at how they end up at the carnival. Pack the gang up and get RV-ing with this set for children ages four and older. The 178-piece set will sell for $34.99. 

Carnival Thrill Coaster

Courtesy of LEGO

The second carnival set in this new line includes all kinds of coaster fun. Kids four and up can can speed around the bends with all 98 plastic bricks of this Toy Story set ($19.99).

Woody RC

Courtesy of LEGO

Woody gets behind the wheel with this supercharged set. Set up cones, knock down blocks or just drive this character fave around. The 69-piece set (which comes with a Woody Minifigure) is  for kids ages four and up and will retail for $9.99.

—Erica Loop

 

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Planning a Multi-Family Vacation? Here’s What You Need to Know

By Kid & Coe , Content Partner

With an extended family getaway, it means getting people together who don’t usually share the same space. Read on for expert tips from Kid & Coe’s hosts on how to make the best of a multi-generational break—plus our best tip for solving family politics!

Before we dive deep, Zoie Kingsbery Coe, founder of Kid & Coe, shares her five essential multi-family travel rules:

  1. Always book a daily housekeeper from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It sounds like a lot, but when you divide it up, it’s the cost of a dinner out.
  2. Buy groceries freely and split the cost at the end of the trip.
  3. Book babysitters for a couple of nights a week to help with dinners and bedtimes.
  4. Everyone has to have their own car.
  5. The person who takes the lead in booking gets the biggest room.

Now, let’s dive in to everything you need to know about planning and booking your extended, multi-family vacation together!

Where to start

“How many times do you actually get some time out and gather all your favorite people together at one place at one time?” asks Susanne Frenk of Windrift Hall in Coxsackie, New York, a country manor house with spacious grounds and room to sleep up to 13. She counsels towards the “seize the moment” philosophy:

“Switch up the routines and get yourself a personal chef, a personal fitness trainer or yoga instructor, find a local forager showing and explaining nature around you and pick up some dinner items on your way. Work with the locals, get your meat from a local farm, pick your own flowers or apples at a local orchard. Bond over new experiences and expand your horizons together: you’ll be surprised how family dynamics can be switched up when you switch your routines.”

Get practical

When you bring families together, personal space is often at a premium—and it can be a problem. Look for properties to rent with an extra building, apartment or guest house for those who don’t want to be woken by children at 6 a.m. and make sure there are multiple lounge spaces so the whole group can spread out and split into smaller groups when needed. There are other essentials: a dishwasher and outdoor space.

“The best thing to look for is a home with space to spread out and many nearby activities so that no one feels trapped,” says Lauren Aichinger of Clearwater Cabin, a Catskills lodge sleeping up to 14, plus babies. “Kids should be able to do kid stuff without bothering the adults and adults should be able to relax without feeling guilty.”

Appoint a chief

Clio Wood, owner of the 8-bedroom Manoir la Croix Residence in France, says that every big group needs a chief. “Someone has to be in charge—someone who is not afraid to tell people what to do! Give this person money from each family unit to put into a pot for the week and use this to buy group groceries and pay for meals when out. And make sure you buy this person a really nice bottle of wine to say thank you.”

“Keeping the communications simple via your chief really helps the property owner/manager as well as the holidaying group. If email gets a bit confusing, try a Doodle poll for decision making or the old-fashioned phone for more involved discussion.”

Avoid bedroom bust-ups

Think about sleeping arrangements at this planning stage too. “A recent group left after four days because they couldn’t get the kids to sleep when they were sharing a room together,” says Lauren. “The parents were exhausted, kids were cranky and they just gave up. Sleeping arrangements are important to consider!”

“Most people can’t decide which bedrooms to assign to which families and whether or not all the kids are allowed to share one or two rooms or if they have to be with parents,” says Clio. “I suggest having a discussion about this early on so you don’t end up with fisticuffs when you arrive. But also be flexible about your setup. You don’t want to miss out on a really amazing property and fantastic holiday just because you can’t decide who’s bunking with whom.”

Think about entertainment

When you’re choosing a property, take into account what there is to do nearby so there are some options for all the family to enjoy. Colleen advocates for planning new things together and sharing the organization so nobody feels overburdened. Taking part in the planning gives each group a sense of ownership too—they’re not just along for the ride.

“We all have a job each day. Each couple takes turns being an activity planner, grocery shopper and babysitter. We each got to make the vacation feel like our own for a day.

“I’m a true believer that a shared experience can bring people together. This past vacation we rented a bike with a huge front bucket for the kids. It was fun to learn how to push two 4-year-olds and an infant in a car seat around town and then watch my family do the same. The kids loved it as well and it’s become the number one memory from the trip. In the past we’ve put together small cooking competitions, visited obscure tourist spots and rented kayaks. These shared moments give everyone something to focus their attention on away from how tricky it can be to travel with extended family.”

A little bit of research before a trip—checking out local attractions via the tourist board website for example—can help make this happen. Asking the property owner what they can recommend is also a great tip for planning offbeat family entertainment.

Navigating family politics

There’s just one thing to do when the going gets tough:

“Family politics? Drink wine and have a time out,” says Clio.

“When things go wrong—in my book, have a nice glass of wine and breathe for a few moments. What else can you do?!” says Lauren.

“Bring wine. Lots and lots of wine,” says Colleen.

Looking for a place to book your big group? Check out our list of properties for more than 10 guests at Kid & Coe.

 

Kid & Coe , Content Partner
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We know how to travel with children. With plenty of children between us and more stamps in our passports than we can count, the team at Kid & Coe has first hand experience of the highs and lows of family travel. With hand-picked accommodations around the world, plus insight from local parents about how to get the best out of their destination, we’re minimizing the pain points and revolutionizing how families travel.

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Oh Hello, Free Tickets to LEGOLAND (Here’s How to Get ‘Em)

by Erica Loop

How can you get free LEGOLAND tickets? Save some serious cash on your family’s next vacay with this can’t-miss deal.

Kids ages 3 through `12 can get free admission to the LEGOLAND California Resort, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers and more. Yep, with one paid adult ticket, you score a free one for your kiddo. And this awesome offer applies to Hopper passes too.

Whoa! A free ticket to LEGOLAND?? Wondering how you get yours? It’s super-simple: LEGOLAND’s BOGO deal requires a promo code. Current deals include the Honest Kids promo code (189900) and the McDonald’s promo code (199902). Just visit the LEGOLAND promo code sites, choose your attraction and start planning your adventure! Of course, there are other promo codes available, just google “kids get in free to LEGOLAND” (or similar) and a bunch of results will come up.

Don’t forget to check out the “Kids Stay & Play Free” offers for LEGOLAND’s resorts. If you plan to stay at the park, these limited-time offers are beyond amazing. Book a LEGOLAND California vacation hotel package before Feb. 28, with travel dates through Mar. 31 (blackout dates apply) and get two free kids tickets with two paid adult LEGOLAND + SEA LIFE Hopper tickets. You’ll also get exclusive park early access and a special welcome gift for the kiddos.Visit the LEGOLAND website here for more information.

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Chip Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida/Merlin Entertainments Group Inc.

 

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Universal Studios Is Hiring for 2,500 Jobs (Awesome Perks Included!)

by Erica Loop

So you say you’ve always wanted to work at a theme park? Well your dream job is right around the corner. Universal Orlando recently announced that the Florida vacation destination is hiring 2,500 new full-time, part-time, seasonal and professional team members.

The sun. The fun. And the oh-so-perfect perks. The joys of working at a “sunshine state” theme park are a’ plenty. And bonus, park reps recently announced that the base hourly pay for Universal Orlando team members went up to $12 as of Feb. 3. But wait. The park’s work perks get even better—especially for parents. Team members enjoy free park admission, complimentary guest passes, discounts and more.

So what types of jobs are available? Again, open jobs run the gamut from temporary seasonal gigs to professional-level salaried positions (and just about everything in between). That means there’s pretty much something for everyone. Specific full- and part-time jobs include openings in the theme park’s Attractions, Aquatics, Food Services, Culinary, Custodial, Warehouse, Entrance Operations and Sales departments.

If you’re into all things aquatic, Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park is currently hiring lifeguards, with a starting rate between $12.50 and $13.50 per hour. Yep, you’ll get to spend the day keeping park visitors safe in the warm Florida sun.

For those of you job-seekers who are looking for something that’s a little more indoors, the park is also hiring professional salaried employees for their Tech Services, IT, Finance and Marketing departments.

How can you score one of these theme park jobs? The theme park will hold multiple appointment-only job fairs in the next few weeks. Visit Universal Orlando’s website to apply for a job in your chosen field. If you’re the right fit for one of the 2,500 new positions, a rep will contact you for a job fair interview appointment.

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Courtesy Universal Orlando Resort

 

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Should Pets Be Allowed to Sit with Passengers on an Airplane?

By Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan

We’re willing to bet that there has been at least one conversation about pets in your family. Whether you have a furry family member or not, we know that animals spark a lot of interest among kids, which is why we are sharing this interesting news article about pets in our Dinner Table Conversation series.

To kick off your family discussion, we have one simple question: Should pets be allowed in the main cabin of an airplane? With an increasing number of traveling pets, airlines and airports are having to address the controversial topic of comfort animals.

This topic provides a great opportunity for both kids and adults to discuss how rules are established, how they affect different parts of our lives and how a lack of rules can sometimes cause trouble.

When the holidays come around, many of us will be getting on airplanes to visit friends and family or to embark on a much-needed vacation. If you’re one such traveler, see if you can spot a new group of travelers growing in our midst. They often have four legs (though not always) and are an essential and important part of the traveling crew! Yep, we’re talking about pets, but not just any pets—we’re talking specifically about pets categorized as service animals. You’ve probably seen a few before helping disabled people navigate and function in the world, but did you know that service animals are also allowed on planes with their human companions?

In 2017 alone, an estimated 750,000 to 1,000,000 service animals traveled on planes in the United States, that’s significantly greater than the year before where the estimated number of service animals who traveled on planes was closer to 480,000. Why? More than three-quarters of these service animals are considered “comfort” animals or animals that are allowed to accompany passengers who need emotional or mental support when they travel.

But many passengers and airlines are calling out possible misuse of the rule that allows the service animals to travel in the main cabin in the first place. Service animals are trained to provide support to their disabled passengers, but emotional support animals don’t need to undergo any training. When a passenger claims an animal is an emotional support animal, the airline must categorize it as a service animal. This has recently created problems as claims of poorly behaved animals make their way into the news.

Airlines and passengers worry that dishonest people are using the rule to claim they need emotional support just so they can travel with their pets and avoid paying a fee. Moreover, these animals are not trained in any way to travel with their humans, so they could disrupt or disturb other passengers. Recent cases of animals attacking other passengers and even of a passenger trying to take a peacock on a flight have caused quite a bit of a headache to both passengers and airlines.

Congress recently asked the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to change its service animal rules in order to prevent these instances of fraud. However, the question remains: How can the department make a distinction between passengers who genuinely need service animals and those that are cheating the system? One idea is to use a similar rule you might find in a grocery store, shop or restaurant. Only trained service animals are allowed to enter many of these facilities and they should be able to help their humans navigate.

In 2019, DOT will be issuing its new rules, but we want to know what you think. How would you help DOT avoid people from taking advantage of the system? Should pets be allowed in the main cabin of an airplane with passengers?

Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation? 

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