Mom Can Rest On Vacation

I love our family vacations. Whether we drive to a new spot or fly to our favorite location in Florida, I get so excited planning and anticipating the getaway!

Did you read about our move to Florida in 2022? We did it, we packed up our Chicago life and moved to Tampa! Blog post

It is true, as mom, I spend a lot of time focusing on what everyone else needs ~ before, during and after the trip. Our job as mom never stops. Cat & Nat, moms & comedians, said, "It's Not a Vacation, It's a Relocation!"

We are still planning breakfast, breaking up sibling squabbles, looking for your toothbrush and getting everyone to the dinner reservations on time. We just don't stop!

But all I want is to rest. To just have a moment to reset. To recharge my Mom Battery!

I know you want a nap! And to sleep in. And to have a lazy afternoon in a lawn chair. Those days will return...but in the meantime, we have to be creative in motherhood and find our REST in a variety of ways.

I've got you!! Check out these 4 easy ways to rest on your next family vacation!

Grab your journal

If you have a moment in the car or on the lounge chair, sit and write. You can write about the fun things you did today. Or jot down a favorite moment with one of the kids. Write about your dreams and wishes for the upcoming year.

You are freeing your mind by journaling. This will calm your racing thoughts and anxiety. You are making space in you head and this feels great.

You will feel rested after you have journaled. You will notice that the clutter of ideas and areas to problem solve in your mind have quieted down. You will have inner peace.

Do you have a cute journal notebook to write in? My daughter and I designed one ~ a palm tree Tranquility journal, 100 pages, 6x9 size. Grab it on Amazon today for $5.33.

Rest = being at ease, relaxing, calm, finding tranquility



Read a good book

My cell phone used to be my go-to when I had a down moment and wanted to relax. Until I realized that I was scrolling and feeling more tension - not less - when I put the phone back down. I was comparing myself to other moms on social media or getting lost in a string of links that took me farther down the hole of Royal drama in the UK. I wasn't refreshed and my mind was not clear.

When I got out books from the library and took those on the trip instead - I found myself being able to have a healthy stopping point. I felt well rested after my reading time. I added reading to my bedtime routine and fell right to sleep.

Books can take your imagination to great places and help you to add solutions to your Parenting Toolbox.

Here are a few book suggestions:

• I love novels by Robyn Carr ~ I get lost in her stories about love, adventure and finding one's purpose.
• Jeannie Cunnion is one of my favorite Christian mom authors, she knows the struggles as a mom and brings me hope! Check out her amazing book,  Mom Set Free
• If you are raising a son, you have to check out David Thomas' Raising Emotionally Strong Boys

I also put together a YouTube video for you with a list of my favorite books for moms!

App to Calm Your Mind

With so much noise and chaos, it is hard to rest and get rid of your tension. Our brain is always scanning for what the kids need, who just fell and what was that thump?! We need this scanning skill, but it is really hard to shut off our brains and actually put our brain waves in a position to feel relief from stress.

I have an app that I share with families in counseling sessions, the app "Atmosphere." (available on Android and Apple) You can set the soundscapes to rain, ocean waves, breeze, birds chirping and so many more nature sounds. This places your brain, heart and lungs into a state of deep relaxation.

Another app that so many moms love is CALM. Here is a sample on YouTube.

With deep breaths and the positive sounds of nature soothing you, you can feel rest ~ body, mind and soul.

Christian Devotional

I know that the greatest moments of rest I experience are when I am at peace and trust in the Lord. When I let go of my mom worries and let Jesus take the wheel, I am less tense, happy and in the moment. It is through my faith that I can rest my soul.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

On your trip, bring along your favorite devotional or find one on the YouVersion Bible app.

Here are some beautiful Christian Devotional books:

• From Worrier to Warrior by Candance Cameron Bure
• The Chosen - Devotional by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins (oh and I love the TV show The Chosen, a wonderful story about Jesus and his incredible followers)
• The 40 Day Joy Challenge for Moms by Tommy Newbury and the Help Club for Moms

Your upcoming trip is full of potential. It can kickstart a beautiful, calm lifestyle at home. I pray that these help you to Find Your Tranquility!

I share ideas on my blog or YouTube videos that you can easily and quickly add in wellness travel to your upcoming vacation with the GLOW model. Be repaired, be recharged, be renewed. You and your family will feel joy, peace and love fully. 

Upcoming book in 2023 by Kathryn Gardner ~ Find Tranquility on Your Family Trip: Rest, Recharge and Connect. Plus 100 Christian Family Travel Activities

So glad you are on this journey with me to go from stressed to refreshed! Find your tranquility today! 

Be well and God bless,

Coach Kathy

Kathryn Gardner is a mom of 2, police wife and Christian Catholic. She has practiced as a Family Therapist for over 20 years and became a Certified Health Coach in 2020. In 2022, her family moved from Chicago, IL to Tampa, FL to be near the ocean and explore the health benefits of nature. Her passion is helping stressed moms find tranquility! Check out TranquilityMoms.com for the latest blog post and YouTube video. She posts encouraging messages on Instagram and Facebook.

More articles you may like:

• Daily Reset for Mom’s Calmness (in as little as 5 minutes!)
• Marriage on Vacation: Best 5 Conversations to Bring You Closer Together
• Walking on Sunshine and Feeling Happy and Healthy
• Get Away to Bring Your Family Back Together