The Traveling Family Circus: Your Go-To Guide for Stress-Free Family Travel

#16: French Polynesia With Kids: How to Visit Bora Bora, Tahiti & Moorea Affordably (with Irina Gaysina)

In this episode, I’m joined by Irina from On Points with Kids [https://onpointswithkids.com/], who just returned from an incredible family trip to French Polynesia — exploring Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Moorea with her kids. Irina shares how her family made this dream destination affordable using points and miles, along with practical tips for planning, choosing family-friendly resorts, and keeping travel days smooth. We chat about kid-friendly activities, favorite experiences on the islands, and how to make a bucket-list trip like this both memorable and attainable for families. 🌴✈️ Irina's Website: On Points With Kids [https://onpointswithkids.com/] Instagram: @OnPointsWithKids [https://www.instagram.com/onpointswithkids/] ✨🧳 Family Travel Made Easy [https://stan.store/Happylittletraveler/p/family-travel-made-easy] A step-by-step travel-agent-in-your-pocket planning system 📌 Show Notes  🔗 Episode page: https://www.happylittletraveler.co/podcast/episode16 [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/podcast/episode16] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ✈️ TRAVEL DEALS & SERVICES 🔥 Thrifty Traveler — Flight Deal Alerts [https://thriftytraveler.com/refer/?referralCode=52a8131f-dc50-4121-af67-bdf2a4bf089f] Get $20 off your first year 📸 Flytographer — Vacation Photos [https://www.flytographer.com/ta/hlt/] Get $25 off your first session 🎒 Happy Little Traveler Activity Kits (Amazon) [https://www.amazon.com/shop/mindfulmagnolias/list/24CHB9CP4GCPZ?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d] Screen-free entertainment for flights & travel days 🎁 FREE TRAVEL RESOURCES 📱 Must-Have Wi-Fi Free Apps + Travel Apps Guide [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/appguide] Stress-free travel days for everyone 💸 Get Your Next Vacation for (Almost) Free [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/family-vacations-for-almost-free] Beginner points & miles guide for families 🧠 101 Sanity-Saving Tips for Traveling With Kids [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/101tips] Packing, flights, hotels & routines made easier 📚 SIGNATURE FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDES 🖍️ Printable Kids' Travel Activities [https://stan.store/Happylittletraveler/p/ultimate-printable-travel-activities-for-kids] 65+ screen-free pages to keep kids happy on flights & on-the-go 🌎 SHOP & FOLLOW 🛍️ Amazon Store Front [https://www.amazon.com/shop/mindfulmagnolias?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_EX22M4BEAWSCJE7QD3AY]: Our Travel Favorites Website: HappyLittleTraveler.co [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/]

#12: One Year Around the World with Kids: The Beougher Family’s Life-Changing Adventure (with Ashley Beougher)

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Ashley from @TravelingGraces [https://travelinggraces.com/], who—along with her husband and two kids—spent an entire year traveling around the world! Ashley shares what inspired their family to take the leap, how they planned a full year abroad, and what life on the road really looked like as they explored multiple continents and over 22 countries. From funny travel stories and unexpected adventures to practical tips on budgeting, schooling, and keeping family life balanced while traveling full-time, this conversation is packed with inspiration and real-world advice for families who dream of seeing more of the world together. Ashley's Backpack Packing Info [https://travelinggraces.com/packing/] Traveling Graces Website [https://travelinggraces.com/] Instagram: @TravelingGraces [https://www.instagram.com/travelinggraces/] 📌 Show Notes  🔗 Episode page: https://www.happylittletraveler.co/podcast/episode12 [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/podcast/episode12] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ✈️ TRAVEL DEALS & SERVICES 🔥 Thrifty Traveler — Flight Deal Alerts [https://thriftytraveler.com/refer/?referralCode=52a8131f-dc50-4121-af67-bdf2a4bf089f] Get $20 off your first year 📸 Flytographer — Vacation Photos [https://www.flytographer.com/ta/hlt/] Get $25 off your first session 🎒 Happy Little Traveler Activity Kits (Amazon) [https://www.amazon.com/shop/mindfulmagnolias/list/24CHB9CP4GCPZ?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d] Screen-free entertainment for flights & travel days 🎁 FREE TRAVEL RESOURCES 📱 Must-Have Wi-Fi Free Apps + Travel Apps Guide [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/appguide] Stress-free travel days for everyone 💸 Get Your Next Vacation for (Almost) Free [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/family-vacations-for-almost-free] Beginner points & miles guide for families 🧠 101 Sanity-Saving Tips for Traveling With Kids [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/101tips] Packing, flights, hotels & routines made easier 📚 SIGNATURE FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDES 🧳 Family Travel Made Easy [https://stan.store/Happylittletraveler/p/family-travel-made-easy] A step-by-step travel-agent-in-your-pocket planning system 🖍️ Printable Kids' Travel Activities [https://stan.store/Happylittletraveler/p/ultimate-printable-travel-activities-for-kids] 65+ screen-free pages to keep kids happy on flights & on-the-go 🌎 SHOP & FOLLOW 🛍️ Amazon Store Front [https://www.amazon.com/shop/mindfulmagnolias?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_EX22M4BEAWSCJE7QD3AY]: Our Travel Favorites Website: HappyLittleTraveler.co [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/]

#4: How to Plan the Ultimate Family Disney Vacation (with Expert Rachel Ngeam)

Planning a Disney vacation can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m joined by Disney Vacation Specialist Rachel Ngeam, who shares exactly how to plan and execute the ultimate family Disney vacation. We cover timelines, where to stay, how to build a kid-friendly (and meltdown-proof) itinerary, Genie+/Lightning Lane strategy, dining reservations, budget-saving tips, and common mistakes to avoid.  Rachel also explains how her free planning services take the stress off parents—so you can focus on the memories, not the logistics. Whether it’s your first Disney trip or your fortieth, Rachel breaks down how to make it easier, smoother, and truly magical. Plus, she’s sharing her free guide to the most underrated eats at Disney World so you can discover hidden food gems on your next trip. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONNECT WITH RACHEL: Instagram: @queue.the.magic [https://www.instagram.com/queue.the.magic/] Email: Simplemagicrachel@gmail.com Rachel's Freebie: Grab Rachel’s free guide to the most underrated eats at Disney World and upgrade your next trip with meals, snacks, and hidden gems most families walk right past. Just email Rachel at simplemagicrachel@gmail.com with the subject “FREE GUIDE” and she’ll send it right to you! *SHOW NOTES*: https://www.happylittletraveler.co/podcast/episode4 [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/podcast/episode4] INSTAGRAM: @Traveling_Family_Circus_ [https://www.instagram.com/traveling_family_circus_/] LINKS & RESOURCES: Freebies to make family travel easier & smoother [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/freebies] In-Depth Guides for step-by-step help & stress-free family travel [https://stan.store/Happylittletraveler] Happy Little Traveler Activity Kits [https://www.amazon.com/shop/mindfulmagnolias/list/24CHB9CP4GCPZ?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d] (Amazon) Flytographer- Get $25 off your first session [https://www.flytographer.com/ta/hlt/] Amazon Store Front [https://www.amazon.com/shop/mindfulmagnolias?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_EX22M4BEAWSCJE7QD3AY]: Our Travel Favorites Website: HappyLittleTraveler.co [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/]

Traveling Family Circus Podcast Trailer

Welcome to The Traveling Family Circus — This podcast is for families like ours—big, busy, bursting with love—and dreaming of seeing the world together before the kids grow up. I’m Jacquelyn, but my friends and family call me Jacq — I’m a full-time working mom of 5, entrepreneur, and creator of the Happy Little Traveler activity kits available on Amazon. [https://amzn.to/4mQreXA] Our family of 7 has taken dozens of trips — from London and Paris to Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico, and all over the U.S. And yes, it’s just as wild as it sounds… but I wouldn’t trade the memories for anything.   We travel often, not because it’s easy or perfect… because spoiler alert, it’s definitely not! We travel because time is short. Because we only get so many summers. Because the giggles on an airplane or hotel pancake breakfasts are the memories that will last. This podcast is here to help your family travel more often, more smoothly, and with way less stress. Each week, I’ll share practical tips for traveling with kids, how to fly with toddlers, pack like a pro, save money on hotels, and even travel hack your way to free flights and hotel stays by leveraging credit card points and miles.   We’ll talk about:             •  How to travel affordably with a big family             •  Packing lists and gear that actually help             •  Family-friendly itineraries for places like Maui, Disneyland, and Europe             •  Mindset shifts to make traveling with kids less overwhelming & more magical   But most of all, this podcast is about choosing memories over stuff, connection over chaos, and showing your kids the world — one trip at a time. I started this show to help other families like yours break free from the idea that travel has to wait. Whether you’re dreaming of your first family vacation or looking to make the most of every school break, you’ll find encouragement, strategies, and stories that prove it can be done. So come along for the ride—subscribe now to The Traveling Family Circus wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to keep savoring the moments and make memories that last a lifetime! If you're ready to jump in and start using my best family travel tips, checkout my free guides HERE [https://www.happylittletraveler.co/freebies]!