Best Self-Care Tips for Moms Post-Family Travel

Sharing is caring!

Traveling with kids can be pretty hectic, and you definitely need some me-time to recharge. Here are the best self-care tips for traveling moms to make sure you’re all ready for the next adventure!

This Best Self-Care Tips for Moms Post-Family Travel was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with my friend Jess at a kid’s birthday party. She had just gotten back from a whirlwind trip to Central America with her baby and toddler.

Her trip sounded incredible, but then she paused and told me how wiped out she was. She suggested I write a post about how to recover after a family vacation. That really got me thinking about my own experience after we got home from big family trips. I’m always exhausted!

So, I’ve created a list of self-care tips for moms after traveling with kids. I also added self-care ideas that would make perfect Mother’s Day gifts.

Family Vacations Are Not Always Relaxing

The first vacation I took as a parent was to Thailand. We went there on our honeymoon, where we relaxed at a resort in Phuket, explored the island, and soaked in the sunshine. We couldn’t wait to go back to Thailand with our six-month-old baby.

However, when we arrived at midnight after hours of flying, the air conditioning didn’t work—in July. We were hot and sticky and had a hard time sleeping that first night.

Things got better, and it was a great trip, but we never quite recovered from that first night.

Fast-forward a few years. I just got back from a trip to Oahu with the boys. My 4-year-old threw up in the lobby of our hotel as I was checking in.

This was after our car rental glitch caused us to wait in the heat for longer than we expected. He also threw up on the flight home. My son rarely vomits, so this was quite unusual. I was so thankful that a family member, my mother-in-law, flew with me to help with the boys.

Even still, I found I needed to hibernate the next day just to function. Contains affiliate links.

[irp posts=”5120″ name=”My Top Tips for Flying with a Baby”]

Self-Care Ideas for Moms After a Family Vacation

Come Home on a Saturday

I’m known for maximizing vacations. I liked to eke out every last moment and make the most of our family travel. Before kids, we’d plan on arriving home late Sunday night and then heading to work the next day. I’ve even done red-eye flights and gone to work after landing.

Now, I try to schedule our flights to return on Saturday so we’ll have all day Sunday to get back to real life. We actually just scheduled our first trip to Walt Disney World and we’re coming home a couple days before Christmas to ensure we’ll have time to recover after all the Disney festivities!

Schedule a Massage

After hauling luggage and sitting on an airplane for hours, your body is probably achy. I like to schedule a massage for the day after I get home so I know I have guaranteed downtime.

I like to go to my favorite local massage practice, Customized Massage in Kent, WA. Their rates are really affordable, and they have the best customer service. If you don’t want to leave your house, you can hire a massage therapist to come to your home.

Get Childcare

If you are lucky enough to live near family members who will watch your kids, ask them to help with your kids the day after you come home. You can also hire a babysitter or Mother’s Helper or schedule a drop-off play date for your kids.

It’s easy to come home after a family vacation and feel like you are behind at home. You need time to do heaps of laundry, grocery shop, and possibly even start unpacking your suitcases. Otherwise, they may sit semi-packed until your next trip. I’m speaking from experience!

Meditate

A few years ago, my husband Googled “the most relaxing song ever” and discovered Marconi Union’s song Weightless. Since then, that’s been my go-to meditation song.

After planning our travel itinerary and executing it, my brain is usually a hot mess. Meditation has been so helpful in sorting all my random thoughts and calming my mind. It’s the only way I can reset and take care of myself.

Create a Spa Day at Home

One of my favorite things to do after family travel with little kids is to make my own spa day at home. We’re lucky enough to have a jetted bathtub so I can soak my tired muscles. I like to add oil to the bath and just relax.

One of my favorite products right now is Malie Organics. It’s made on Kauai, and they have Hawaiian body butters, oils, hair products, candles, and more.

My skin is always so dry after traveling, so I use Malie Organics to have a DIY spa day at home. I like that the smells transport me to a Hawaiian vacation for a fraction of the cost!

I love to enhance my self-care practice with a relaxing bath and face masks. These help me reduce stress and improve my mood after a hectic trip.

Put Yourself First

However you like to relax and recharge, this is the time to put yourself first. You know that saying about putting on your own oxygen mask before assisting others? This also applies to self-care for moms. If you are depleted, you have nothing left to give others.

So, if you love binge-watching TV, cue up your Netflix! If you want to hit the gym, go for it! It’s even best to exercise regularly so your body will be in its finest shape for future travel.

If you need to catch up on sleep, nap away!

Taking care of yourself is crucial to maintaining your mental health and physical health. Prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, and engaging in leisure activities are just a few self-care strategies that can help you recover from a busy trip.

[irp posts=”4807″ name=”Moms’ Weekend of Food, Fun and a Swanky Hotel in Bellevue, WA”]

Gifts for Moms Who Travel

NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES

I have these Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones that I like to wear when flying with kids. Usually, I listen to an audiobook while I keep an eye on the kids. These are also great for binge-watching TV on my laptop after the kids go to bed in our hotel room.

MALIE ORGANICS PRODUCTS FROM KAUAI

I’ve been obsessed with Malie Organics products ever since I stopped at their shop on Kauai several years ago. I love the smell of their lotions, and I appreciate that they are made in Kauai.

Whenever I use Malie products like this Malie Organics Body Cream Gift Set, it makes me think of a Hawaiian vacation! I also love their Malie Organics Body Gloss, Liquid Hand Soap, and Beauty Oil.

BLANKET SCARF

I got this Mer-Sea & Co Cozy Wrap Scarf in my FabFitFun Editor’s Box, and it’s one of my favorite items to pack for the airplane. Not only does it keep me nice and warm on chilly flights, but it’s also perfect for snuggling with my kids. I also like to wrap myself in it over my jammies while traveling.

SCARF CAMERA STRAP

I just started getting into hobby photography this past year. I tried using my husband’s old camera straps, but I found them to be a bit cumbersome and blah.

So, I was stoked to get a girly and gorgeous scarf camera strap! I’ve been complimented just about every time I wear it on vacation. Bluebird Chic has so many lovely prints, and they are always getting new products.

BABY CARRIER

As a mom who has traveled with babies and toddlers, my lifesaver has been my Tula baby carrier. It’s perfect for rocking babies to sleep in the airport or on an airplane. Plus, it’s great for walking around exploring cities.

The cool thing about Tula carriers is that they have an almost cult-like following on social media. You can get so many Tula accessories on Etsy to customize your baby carrier fully. I currently own four Tula carriers, one of which has a customized reversible Mickey Mouse/Goofy hood for our Disney trips!

[irp posts=”3710″ name=”What to Take to Disneyland with Babies”]

PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER

One of the most important things I pack in my carry-on bag is this Mophie power station. It’s a portable phone charger that can also charge a tablet. My phone is my life, and I have panic attacks when I run out of battery, especially when I have our electronic airplane tickets, hotel confirmation, car rental reservations, and travel itinerary on my phone.

PACKING CUBES

So, this isn’t the most glamorous gift idea, but I swear my TravelWise Packing Cube System has saved me hours of trying to pack for family vacations. Anything that saves moms time is the gift that keeps on giving! I love the different sizes so I can separate my clothes from each of my kids’ clothes.

Plus, I’m able to pack more compactly so I can take a smaller suitcase.

Self-Care Tips for Traveling Moms Wrap-Up

Traveling with kids can be both rewarding and exhausting, so it’s essential to practice self-care once you return home. Ensuring you get enough sleep and taking time to rest is crucial for your physical and mental health. Prioritizing these activities can help you manage stress levels and improve your overall well-being.

Incorporate self-care into your daily routine by making time for relaxation, whether it’s through a relaxing bath, deep breathing exercises, or spending a few minutes practicing self-compassion and gratitude. These simple actions can significantly reduce stress levels and enhance your mental well-being.

Remember, it’s important to focus on physical activity and regular exercise to boost your immune system and keep your body strong after a trip. By following these self-care strategies, you’ll be better equipped to handle future travels and maintain a healthy balance in your life.

Take these self-care tips to heart, and you’ll find that you’re not just surviving your travels but thriving physically and emotionally.

Malie Organics sent me products for review purposes. I’ve been a Malie Organics customer for years, and all opinions are my own.

[mailerlite_form form_id=2]