Traveling With Kids: The Adventure You Didn’t Hope For | Ep. 124

It’s vacation time! We can see ourselves sleeping in, sipping hot coffee, and diving into a good book. But it’s more likely someone will get sick, the traffic will be terrible, and the diaper bag will be left at the house. In this episode, Emily and Laura offer a “Mom Heart Check” to help find the root of difficulty in family trips. When we travel, it’s not about being served but about serving others. We can prep our hearts before, during, and after a trip by rethinking our expectations and remembering the servant love of Christ.

VIEW TRANSCRIPT RELATED ARTICLES, RESOURCES, AND CONTENT:

Mentioned on the show:

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R|M-related:

Ep. 19, A Bad Moment Doesn't Have To Make A Bad Day: Redeem Your Day

Ep. 21, Idols of a Mom’s Heart

Ep. 47, Facing the Cold and Flu Season with Grace

Ep. 49, When Momma Gets Mad, Part 1: What's Under the Surface?

Ep. 123, Motherhood is Ministry: How to See and Serve Your Kids

“See Needs and Meet Them” Laura Wifler

“The Kingdom of Mom” Maggie Combs

“A Mother’s Hope” Christina Fox

“A God Who Serves Mothers” Amanda Criss

Around the web:

“Your Child is Your Neighbor” Jen Wilkin

“Summer Vacation and the Gospel” The Gospel-Centered Woman

“Summer Vacation is No Sabbath” Kathryn Butler

“You Are Responsible for Your Own Actions” Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

“When God Interrupts Your Plans” Christina Fox

R|M Apply:

1. Consider your heart motivations when planning and prepping for a trip. How do you view vacations for your family? A chance to get away? The highlight of the year? A time for you to clock out?

2. No matter how well we plan, we’ll be met with interruptions, surprises, and challenges when we travel. What difficulties have you experienced on trips? Were your responses honoring to God and your family? If not, what would have been a godly response in that situation?

3. When things are difficult we often blame everyone around us. While it may not be anyone’s fault, our responses reveal our trust in things other than God. Do you believe God is in control of your trip? How does this truth stop blame-shifting and enable us to extend grace in all things?

4. After kids, “vacation” doesn’t mean the same thing it once did. There are needs to meet for our families no matter where we are, so we need a right understanding of service. How does God serve you as you serve your family—even on vacation? Are you ever without his help or grace?

5. It helps to set your mind and heart on the right things before a trip begins. Consider the sin issues that pop up when you travel. Think of past examples of common challenges that may happen again. How can you respond kindly and graciously? How can you help your kids understand how to love God and others while traveling? How can you communicate the gospel to your family before, during, and after vacation?

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