Unpacked with the Blinks

Diana Blinks
Unpacked with the Blinks

Okay, but what is traveling with kids REALLY like? In this charming and upbeat podcast, you'll unpack any previous hesitations about traveling the world with your children. Starting a family doesn't have to mean putting a cap on ticking off your dream destinations. On the contrary, traveling with children can be an enriching and magical adventure. Throughout this series, we'll peek behind the curtain of our "Insta-worthy" travel pics and videos with our amusing anecdotes and candid moments. Plus we'll share our top travel and destination-specific tips, answer our most asked questions and share the mic with travel experts and inspiring families who are checking off their dream destinations one carry-on at a time. Hosted by Scott and Diana Blinks of With The Blinks, the minimalist world-traveling family. With their three girls, Lucille, Edith, and Hazel, they've ventured on road trips across the states and have traveled abroad across the world from Morocco to Iceland. In 2021, they decided to travel around Europe for 5-weeks with their family with just a backpack each. This life-changing journey was just the start and inspired them to return to Europe in 2022 for 2-months (still with just a backpack each!) to end their 22 trips in 2022 series. Now they continue to travel the world while uplifting other families to pack their bags, tick off their bucket lists, and live outside their comfort zone. As budget-friendly and minimalist travelers, we believe in making travel accessible regardless of your budget! Remember: magical moments are within your grasp. Your first-class ticket to adventure awaits! ✨

Episodes

  1. FEB 7

    10. What is it Like Being a Travel Kid?

    What's it really like being a globe-trotting kid? In the season wrap-up of the podcast, you'll hear insights from the three Blinks girls: Hazel, Lucille, and Edith. From favorite travel destinations to the challenges of being away from home, the girls share candid insights into the highs and lows of living a nomadic lifestyle. With heartwarming memories and personal reflections, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the joys and complexities of being part of a family that's always on the go. Looking to live, work, and learn abroad? Find out how Boundless Life helps families live out their dreams as digital nomads here. Use code "BLINKS" to get 400 Euros off your next cohort. -------------------------- In this episode, we cover the following: "What is your favorite place you've been to?""What is it really like to be a travel kid?""What do you think about being homeschooled?""Where is the top of your travel bucket list?""What do you think would surprise listeners about your travel experiences?""How has being in Portugal been?""What is one of your favorite memories in the past few years?""What is your biggest lesson in the past few years?""How do you connect with your friends and family while away?""What's the difference between moving around a lot and staying in one place while traveling?""What's one thing that has stood out to you in your travels?" ---------------------------- Resources: On the blog: Homeschool for BeginnersSnag our Iceland Travel GuideCheck out our Favorite Things to Do in Sintra ---------------------------- Connect With the Blinks on Socials Instagram: @WithTheBlinks, @MrsBlinks & @Mister.Blinks TikTok: @MrsBlinks Website: WithTheBlinks

    25 min
  2. JAN 31

    09. Things to Consider Before Homeschooling or Worldschooling Your Kids

    Let's unpack everything about homeschooling. Today, Scott and Diana share the pros and cons of homeschooling and worldschooling their children. From the flexibility and personalization of homeschooling to interacting with the world firsthand through homeschooling to the challenges and stresses it can create. You'll hear insights into their unique approach, including weekly goal sheets and tailored schooling schedules based on travel. Boundless Life has offered a special coupon to our listeners! Use the code: BLINKS for 400€ off your first cohort. Apply now! --------------------------- In this episode, we cover the following: Why we decided to start homeschoolingThe amount of time homeschooling requiresThe flexibility homeschooling offersForced covid homeschooling vs. what it's actually like outside of lockdownsThe lack of resources and individualized attention in public schoolsThe impacts homeschooling has on the parent-child dynamicSocializing your kids while homeschoolingNavigating the loss of routine with wordschoolingWhat wordschooling looks like for us on the day-to-dayOur experience so far with Boundless LifeWorldschooling: interacting and learning about the world around you ---------------------------- Resources: Get your copy of The Homeschool Beginners Guide: HEREHere's our Favorite Curriculum from The Good and the Beautiful: HERERead our latest blog post: What is the Difference Between Homeschooling and Worldschooling?Episode 06: Backpacking Southeast Asia with Kids (Part 2) ---------------------------- Connect With the Blinks on Socials  Instagram: @WithTheBlinks, @MrsBlinks & @Mister.Blinks TikTok: @MrsBlinks Website: WithTheBlinks

    49 min
  3. JAN 24

    08. The Best Packing Hacks For Families: Minimalist Packing, How-to’s, And More

    "Are travel vacuum bags worth the hype?" "Can I pack minimally and still have enough things to keep my kids entertained?" "What if I forget something important?" If you've asked yourself any of these questions, you'll want to tune in today because we're doing a Q&A with all your top questions on minimalist packing. You'll learn tips to implement today to make packing more manageable and the top products we can't leave home without. Because remember: more stuff, more stress. --------------------------- In this episode, we cover the following: "How do I decide what to pack for my kids?""What are your tips for packing toiletry items.""How do you pack minimally and bring enough entertainment for the kids?""How do you pack for multiple kids?""Tips for packing baby essentials.""I'm worried I won't have everything that I need.""What are your best space-saving hacks?""If you have vacuum packs, how do you not go overweight?""Do you do laundry on the road? How?""What do you do about souvenirs?""What do you prefer: backpacks or rolling luggage?""What products can you not live without?" ---------------------------- Resources: Packing Videos:  Packing for 2 Months in EuropePacking for 3 Months in PortugalPacking for IcelandPicking my Travel BackpackFavorite Travel Backpacks for the Kids Packing Blog Posts: Europe Capsule Wardrobe30 Days in Europe5 of the Best Travel BackpacksBest Travel Backpacks for KidsBest Travel StrollersThe Just in Case Bag - What It Is and Why You Need One!What to Do When Your Kids Get Sick on VacationPacking Hacks for Families: 30 Days in Europe with Just a BackpackThe Travel Gear for Our Move to Portugal Favorite Product Links: a...

    1h 2m
  4. JAN 17

    07. How to Travel While Juggling Work And School Schedules: Special Guest, A Mom Explores

    Have you dreamed of traveling with your family but felt trapped as soon as you remembered school and work schedules? What if we told you there were tangible ways to travel, even as a big family, regardless of your schedule? Today, Diana is joined by Emily—the person behind the family travel blog, A Mom Explores. Discover the joys of family travel and its impact on language learning, cultural education, and strengthening family bonds. From regional travel to navigating accommodations for larger families to booking around school breaks, you'll learn tips and strategies to start planning your dream adventure. --------------------------- In this episode, we cover the following: How Emily got started traveling with her kids Being in the seasons of high and low travelNavigating school schedules Offsetting high costs while traveling during peak timesSolo trips with kids How to implement more travel into your yearFavorite trips close to home Resources that Emily uses for travelEmily's top travel tips for larger familiesHandling obstacles while traveling with kidsFavorite trips Emily has taken with her kids ---------------------------- Resources: Episode 04: Backpacking Southeast Asia with Kids (Part 1)Episode 05: Backpacking Southeast Asia with Kids (Part 2)Explore experiences for every kind of traveler with Viator ---------------------------- Guest info:  To learn more tips and tricks from Emily, follow her on Instagram and TikTok @AMomExplores, listen to her podcast Travel with Kids, or visit her website, AMomExplores.com.  ---------------------------- Connect With the Blinks on Socials  Instagram: @WithTheBlinks, @MrsBlinks & @Mister.Blinks TikTok: @MrsBlinks Website: WithTheBlinks.com

    57 min
  5. 12/27/2023

    04. How to Earn Free Flights and Hotels: Special Guests, The Travel Hacking Moms

    Ever wondered how you could take your family to your dream destination? Welcome to Travel Hacking 101. Today, Diana chats with Alex and Jess from Travel Hacking Mom, who travel the world for nearly free. They share how you can travel worldwide to places like the Maldives by strategically using credit card points. From how often to open a new credit card to tackling travel hacking misconceptions and strategies for maximizing your points, you'll hear practical advice and aspirational stories to inspire you to make travel hacking work for you. --------------------------- In this episode, we cover the following: What travel hacking is What propelled them to start Travel Hacking MomAdvice to people brand new to travel hackingConsidering your flight options and what to do once you activate your travel credit cardTransferring your points vs. using them directly in the portal How to strategize using credit card welcome offersThe top misconceptions about opening several credit cardsDo travel influencers pay for their trips? Strategically closing cardsTheir best travel hacking trip ---------------------------- Resources: Check out the travel credit cards we use to earn free flights and hotelsSnag your FREE Transfer Partner & Airline Alliance Master ListLearn how to start traveling for (nearly) free with the Travel Hacking Mom Masterclass ---------------------------- Guest info: To learn more tips and tricks from Travel Hacking Mom, you can follow them on Instagram, TikTok, joining their Facebook group @TravelHackingMom, or visit their website travelhackingmom.com. ---------------------------- Connect With the Blinks on Socials Instagram: @WithTheBlinks, @MrsBlinks & @Mister.Blinks TikTok: @MrsBlinks Website: WithTheBlinks.com

    50 min
  6. 12/13/2023

    01. Big news! You won’t believe what we are doing in 2024

    Welcome to the With the Blinks podcast! Are you dreaming of a life filled with excitement, cultural immersion, and unforgettable experiences? Let's make it happen! Today, Diana and Scott share their story: from honeymooning throughout Europe to their first adventures with their kids. You'll hear how they prepared for 5-weeks backpacking through Europe with the whole family. Plus, be the first to hear their exciting news on how they'll be truly embracing the nomadic lifestyle in 2024. --------------------------- In this episode, we cover the following: Revisiting Diana and Scott's honeymoon and how it all startedHaving kids and reintroducing travel with cruisesHow the pandemic shifted their perspectiveGoing backpacking with their kids for the first timeHow they've adapted their lifestyle for travelThe big step the Blinks are taking in 2024 toward their dreamsFinding community and roots while traveling Legalities of long-term travelTravel hacking for flightsWhat to expect in future episodes ---------------------------- Boundless Life is offering us a discount just for our listeners. Use the code: BLINKS to get 400€ off your first cohort. Live and learn around the world with the whole family with Boundless Life! Apply now here. ---------------------------- Resources: Live and learn around the world with Boundless LifeBrowse our traveling with kids must-haves ---------------------------- Connect With the Blinks on Socials Instagram: @WithTheBlinks, @MrsBlinks & @Mister.Blinks TikTok: @MrsBlinks Website: WithTheBlinks

    42 min
5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Okay, but what is traveling with kids REALLY like? In this charming and upbeat podcast, you'll unpack any previous hesitations about traveling the world with your children. Starting a family doesn't have to mean putting a cap on ticking off your dream destinations. On the contrary, traveling with children can be an enriching and magical adventure. Throughout this series, we'll peek behind the curtain of our "Insta-worthy" travel pics and videos with our amusing anecdotes and candid moments. Plus we'll share our top travel and destination-specific tips, answer our most asked questions and share the mic with travel experts and inspiring families who are checking off their dream destinations one carry-on at a time. Hosted by Scott and Diana Blinks of With The Blinks, the minimalist world-traveling family. With their three girls, Lucille, Edith, and Hazel, they've ventured on road trips across the states and have traveled abroad across the world from Morocco to Iceland. In 2021, they decided to travel around Europe for 5-weeks with their family with just a backpack each. This life-changing journey was just the start and inspired them to return to Europe in 2022 for 2-months (still with just a backpack each!) to end their 22 trips in 2022 series. Now they continue to travel the world while uplifting other families to pack their bags, tick off their bucket lists, and live outside their comfort zone. As budget-friendly and minimalist travelers, we believe in making travel accessible regardless of your budget! Remember: magical moments are within your grasp. Your first-class ticket to adventure awaits! ✨

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