How does Meredith Masony's parenting approach address common challenges on vacations?

I talk a lot about how messy family trips really are. On vacation, I expect rough patches: kids whining, being ungrateful, meltdowns over “all we did was walk,” or wanting ice cream at the worst time. I remind moms that parenting is universal and no one is “winning” all the time, especially on trips.

My approach is:

1. Normalize the chaos so you don’t feel like a failure
2. Remember why you took the trip (connection, experiences) even when kids complain
3. Give yourself grace and space—you’re a mom, not a martyr, and you probably deserve your own vacation after the family one

Would you like some specific strategies for handling meltdowns or entitlement while you’re traveling?