Mommy Memoirs: Why Yes, Travelling Internationally with Children is a Spectacular Idea (PLUS Enter To Win!)

Posted by Claire | Thursday March 15, 2012

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*I received free samples from Procter and Gamble in preparation of writing this piece. This post reflects my personal opinion and was not influenced by the sponsors.

I am a funny sort of traveler. I genuinely love the process of getting somewhere almost as much as the destination itself (I know, weird right?), which is part of the reason most of our vacations involve roadtripping.

Part of the reality of traveling is crossing international borders. I have crossed the US/Canada and various European borders (both pre- and post-EU) more times than I can count. You’d think by now I'd have some Border Officer Conversational Skills--but no.

Au contraire, mes amies. I alternate between oversharing and breaking out into a cold sweat while muttering monosyllabic replies. I kept wondering why I never get pulled aside and interviewed by the agents until I realized it’s because I almost always travel with my entourage. (Entourage = 3 children on the verge of total meltdown.)

It’s this reality that led my brother-in-law to recently offer his sage advice just before embarking on our latest cross-border trip.

“Just feed them tons of junk food, don’t open the windows, and encourage farting. Then when you pull up to the inspection booth and roll down your window, the waft of unstable natural gases will guarantee the officer processes you as quickly as humanly possible.”

I was Not Amused until I realized this was very very true. So I will be taking his advice, except that on our next cross-border trip I shall be saving a fresh Febreze Car Vent Clip ready to be cracked open immediately upon clearing the inspection zone.

Girlfriends, this car freshener does more than cover up unpleasant odours. No – it works to eliminate them. And I want that stink GONE.

So tell me: am I the only one who freaks out around border control agents? (I already know I’m not the only one who appreciates a fresh vehicle, so that question’s obvious.)

And if you have a roadtrip in your near future, don’t forget to enter our contest for your chance to win a $100 gas gift card plus a CAR Vent Clip from Febreze!

* No purchase necessary. Limit of one entry per person. Open only to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), must be age of majority. Contest closes April 29, 2012. Skill testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Total approximate retail value of Febreze Car prize pack is $102.99 CDN. See full rules.

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7 Comments

	on June 12, 2012 Bus to Penang said: Not all people give equal preference to traveling topic but I think after reading this post definitely they will start considering the importance. Good information
	on May 02, 2012 mamaluv STAFF said: UPDATE: Winners of the Febreze giveaway have been announced! http://www.chickadvisor.com/article/traveling-with-kids-10-tips-you-should-know-before-you-drive-plus-enter-to-win/
	on March 20, 2012 Becky 13,128 said: Wow girl we should go road tripping together!!! I'm the same way - I enjoy the ride just as much (and often more) than the destination! Your brothers suggestion cracked me UP!!!! LMAO!!! A great use for natural gases! ;-)
	on March 15, 2012 takoda 28,648 said: That's a great story Alex, good for your dad!!
	on March 15, 2012 AlexJC 50 said: Growing up my dad was a pretty heavy guy but when I was in high school, he lost a ton of weight and is very slim now, of course when this happened, he hadn't yet gotten new id cards with his picture so it was still his old photo when he was bigger. Crossing the border and when asked for ID, the guards always did a double take- like- waaaiiitttt a minute here, that's you???? We never got stopped but they always looked up and down a few times and were pretty confused.
	on March 15, 2012 Aliza 14,011 said: So funny Claire! I know what you mean about crossing the boarder. The last time I took a cross boarder trip in Nov we ended up getting stopped in a lengthy process, but I think it was because it was so close to the holidays, they were trying to make everyone go through it.. next time.. I want to try this LOL
	on March 15, 2012 takoda 28,648 said: I know just how you feel Claire, although I can't say I crossed any boarders with my kids in the car. I was pulled aside a few times over the years. The first time I was pulled over I was only about sixteen. I was going to the States with my boy friend, he was competing in dirt bike races in Ohio. While the guy looks at me and asked me what county I was from. Not what city what county and I went blank right on the spot. No one ever asked me what county I was from, only the city. So he pulled us over and they went through every thing we had, they even took his dirt bike off of the trailer and went through ever inch of it and the car. Ever since that day going across any boarder freaks me out.