Editor’s note: This Icefields Parkway Stops with Kids blog is part of a larger series about our Canadian rockies trip. To see other posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 If you are planning a trip to Banff, everyone is going to tell you that you must drive the Icefields … Read more

If you caught Day 3 of our family vacation, you would know that the adrenaline is starting to wear off. We needed something to get the kids excited again (and not yet another hike). Enter: the Banff Gondola early morning family discount. Bribing the Kids (and Ourselves) at the Banff Gondola We kicked things off … Read more

If you caught our Day 2 guide to exploring Banff, you know we officially settled into our mountain home base in Canmore. After a solid night of actual sleep and some home-cooked meals, it was time to lace up our boots and hit our first official trail. When you look up the absolute best, easy … Read more

If you’re just joining our Canadian Rockies family adventure and looking for tips for traveling to Banff with three kids, make sure to catch up on our Day 1 survival guide to arriving in Calgary. By the morning of Day 2, that strategic buffer day had done its job. We woke up at our airport … Read more

Travel days are the tax we pay for beautiful memories. When you’re flying with two adults, three kids, and enough luggage to survive a mountain ecosystem for nine days, Day 1 isn’t about picturesque alpine views. It’s about logistics, emotional regulation (mostly my own), and snacks. Lots of snacks. If you’re looking for practical tips … Read more

Two years ago, while multi-tasking on a non-essential conference call, my algorithm started educating me about credit card points hacking. Naturally, I assumed this is something for DINKs and never would there be a credit card points travel strategy for large families like mine. I also thought “who has the time?” I currently manage the … Read more

I’ll be honest: when I signed up for an Enneagram class at church, my intentions weren’t exactly “spiritual growth.” I mainly did it for the guaranteed weekly 1-hour escape from the Third Shift—that invisible, relentless labor of managing everyone’s schedules, emotions, and misplaced socks. I expected a few personality charts and maybe a polite discussion. … Read more