I know for some, a vacation with kids feels like anything but a vacation. That debate exhausts me. As does people talking about the hypothetical someday when travel will be easier. Someday when I’m retired. Someday when the kids are out of the house. Someday when everyone is finally out of diapers. But here’s the thing: someday isn’t guaranteed. Sure, traveling with kids is exhausting—but so is sitting at home with kids. And if I have to be exhausted, I’d rather do it somewhere inspiring. |
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Life (and Travel) is a Beautiful Mess |
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Life is a beautiful mess, and travel is a beautiful mess. There was the time one of our girls got sick on a tour bus in Northern Italy. The time all three of our girls got separated from us on a cruise ship, and a kind crew member helped us reunite. The time in Versailles when my mom accidentally threw away her train ticket, and I gave her mine so she could get through the turnstile—only to then find myself trapped behind the gates. Travel shakes up the ordinary. Teaches us how to problem solve. And with travel, you learn as you go. |
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Muse vs. Amusement: Two Kinds of Travel |
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There’s another debate: What kind of travel is best with kids? We've waded into this debate by drawing a distinction between vacations that we characterize as Muse vs. Amusement. We've taken our children on both. - Muse—A trip that inspires. A place that makes you pause, reflect, and retreat. It’s about discovery, curiosity, and seeing something in a new way. These are the moments when you stumble upon an ancient ruin, hear a story that sticks with you, or watch your kids sketch an Egyptian temple at an art museum. It’s the kind of travel that gives us space to think, to be present, to take in the world beyond our everyday routine.
- Amusement—A trip that entertains, distracts, and excites. The kind that’s packed with action, stimulation, and carefully curated fun. There’s a rush to it—rides, shows, and energy at every turn. And while there can be joy in that, there’s also exhaustion in managing schedules, long lines, and overstimulated kids running on snacks and adrenaline.
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Whenever I talk about this distinction, the Disney enthusiasts come for me. People ask if we’ve taken our kids to Disney. We haven’t. Then they ask if I’m anti-Disney. I’m not. Then they ask if we’ll never go. And my answer is always the same: Just because you haven’t done something yet, doesn’t mean you never will. But for now, we have been perfectly content touring real castles! |
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Meersburg Castle, Germany - 2024 |
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In this season of life, we’re looking for travel opportunities that provide muse. When we travel, we want a break from overstimulation, not a new version of it. We want to see something different, to experience a world beyond New York City, to step into history and wonder and just be. And honestly? Traveling with our girls is no trickier than navigating NYC with them. If we can get three kids through the subway system at rush hour, we can get them through customs at the Milan airport so we can make it to our cross-country Switzerland train ride. |
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As I write, I’m sitting in The Met’s Egyptian wing, looking at an ancient structure that has stood for thousands of years, surrounded by a reflective pool of water. My kids are next to me, sketching the carvings, completely immersed. They’re at the age where, if they don’t have something to do, they’ll make sure I have something to do. So we’ve learned that packing a few art supplies and their journals is a game-changer. It keeps them engaged, gives them a creative outlet, and—most importantly—buys me a rare moment to take in the space, to experience a bit of muse myself. |
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And here’s the thing: for my wife and me, this actually feels easier than staying home. Sitting in our small apartment on a Saturday, trying to keep everyone entertained, often takes more effort than being out in the world, exploring something bigger than ourselves. This is why in our current season of life, we seek muse over amusement—not because one is better than the other, but because right now, this is what we crave. I don’t want to spend my vacation in long lines or navigating stroller traffic from one ride to the next. I want nature, architectural wonders, and a sense of awe. I want to wander. |
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How We Keep Travel Simple – Our Tidy Travel Tips |
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And because a little planning makes all the difference - whether you're embarking on a muse or amusement style trip, we have a few tidy travel tips that help keep things simple: - The February Flight Spin – We set a budget and do a “spin of the globe” for our February winter break. Fun fact: it’s usually cheaper to fly to Europe from NYC than to Florida. Plus crowds are fewer and most attractions and historical sites and museums are free for kids in Europe!
- Carry-On Only – No checked bags, no overpacking. Just our trusty duffel backpacks, a well-planned travel capsule wardrobe, and laundry stops along the way.
- The Two-Act Day – We structure our time like a play: Act One → Intermission → Act Two. We schedule a morning activity and an afternoon activity. Two big things a day, plus open space for wandering.
- Playgrounds, Always – Our kids need to climb, run, and play, and we need to sit, sip a coffee, and take it all in.
- The Treat Rule – There’s always a stop for something delicious, because food is part of the adventure, and a good pastry (or gelato, or chocolate croissant or churro) makes everything better.
These little rituals help us travel light, stay present, and make the most of wherever we are. |
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So… ¿Como Se Dice Break? …Spain |
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I love sharing about our travels, but for this upcoming trip, we’re treating it as a true break. I've packed my writer's notebook. We're brining along some art supplies. I’ll share what we discover once we’re back home, but for now, we’re leaning into rest. So what’s the answer to ¿Como se dice break? The word is siesta. And off to Madrid, Spain we go—where there will be plenty of them. |
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Happy Writing, Tyler (aka Tidy Dad) |
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Writer’s Notebook Invitation: 1. The “Someday” Myth We often tell ourselves that someday we’ll have more time, more energy, or the perfect circumstances to do the things we dream of. But someday isn’t guaranteed. - Prompt: Write about something you’ve been putting off for someday. What would it take to do it now? What’s one small step you could take toward making it happen?
2. Muse vs. Amusement Some experiences inspire reflection, while others are filled with action and excitement. Both have value, but we often crave one more than the other depending on our season of life. - Prompt: Think of a time when you sought out muse—a quiet, reflective moment that inspired you. Then, think of a time when you sought out amusement—an experience filled with energy and fun. How did each make you feel? Which type of experience are you drawn to right now?
3. Travel Mishaps & Unexpected Magic Travel is never perfect—things go wrong, plans change, and the best stories often come from unexpected moments. - Prompt: Write about a time something didn’t go according to plan. Maybe it was a missed train, a wrong turn, or a moment of chaos that became a favorite memory. How did it shape the experience? What did you learn?
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