Listen, we’ve all heard that perfect travel advice: “Pack a week early!” You’ve probably heard it from me. But what happens when real life has other plans? As a mom juggling two daughters, a career, and everything in between, I just experienced the pre-travel week that threw all those perfect plans out the window. Our Mexico City family travel adventure started with a whirlwind week that reminded me why authenticity matters more than perfection.
Related: Family Travel: Best Places for a Kids Beach Vacation in Mexico
When “Perfect Preparation” Meets Real Life
So here’s my confession: I packed the night before our Mexico City flight. The night before. For a Virgo like me, this is practically sacrilege. My sister, best friend, and even my boss were shocked, “This isn’t like you at all!” they kept saying. And they’re right! I’m usually the woman with suitcases open a week ahead, packing cubes filled for my youngest and me, and a printed itinerary with restaurant reservations highlighted and cross-referenced with Google Maps transit times.
Why the last-minute rush? My week looked like:
- Crushing deadlines at my full-time job
- Dancing my heart out at the Mary J. Blige concert with my mom and sisters (worth every second!)
- Getting my car serviced before our airport parking
- The self-care trifecta: nails, hair appointment, waxing
- Laundry mountains that never seemed to end
- Parenting my 14 and 5-year-old daughters through their own busy lives
Even my Virgo planning superpowers couldn’t save me from this scheduling tsunami. The planners among you know the anxiety that comes with deviating from your perfectly mapped-out timeline. My packing spreadsheet was ready, but the actual execution? That had to wait.
But here’s what I discovered: I still made it happen. A detailed list saved in my Notes app had been growing for weeks, with categories and subcategories (as any good Virgo would have). And sometimes, that meticulous mental planning stage is enough. The physical packing can wait, but the organizational framework doesn’t have to.
Related: Mexico City Family Travel: Why Rest First Saved Our Vacation
Creating Systems That Actually Support Your Travel Style
One thing I’ve learned through years of traveling with kids from Brooklyn to hotels around the world: create systems that match your actual life, not someone else’s Instagram version.
For us, that meant:
- Booking direct morning flights – Even if they cost a bit more, the peace of mind knowing we won’t miss connections is worth every penny for family travel. Mexico City is just a single flight away from NYC, and that simplicity is luxury when traveling with kids.
- Splurging on Comfort+ seats – As someone who values personal space, and traveling with a teen who needs her own zone and a 5-year-old who wants to spread out, those extra inches make all the difference.
- Early airport arrival – No matter how rushed our preparation was, I refused to compromise on buffer time. We arrived at JFK with plenty of time, and that transition space between home chaos and vacation mode is essential for my mental wellness.
The Freedom of Flexibility
The most important shift in my travel mindset has been embracing flexibility. Our Mexico City itinerary intentionally includes:
- Only one scheduled activity per day (the rest is flexible)
- Built-in “nothing” afternoons where we can nap, swim, or follow an unexpected recommendation from a local
- Restaurant reservations that can be modified or canceled
- Mix of kid-focused activities and adult experiences that can be swapped depending on everyone’s energy
This approach feels especially important as a Black mom, showing my daughters how to navigate new spaces with confidence while still prioritizing our needs. Travel isn’t about checking off every tourist site but creating space for discovery and connection.
The Strategic Art of Kid Preparation
Let me tell you about the difference between my 13-year-old and my 5-year-old when it comes to travel prep:
My teen packed herself with my guidance on weather and activities; she handled her suitcase completely. The independence she’s developing through travel is beautiful to witness.
My preschooler had no idea we were going until the night before. This wasn’t about surprising her (though her excitement was adorable); it was pure strategy. Instead of dealing with an overpacked stuffed animal collection or winter boots for 80-degree weather, we avoided the anxiety buildup that comes with too much anticipation. The only concession? We agreed she could bring two toys and two books. That’s it!
Is this manipulative? Maybe a tiny bit. Is it effective? Absolutely. Sometimes travel parenting requires a little behind-the-scenes management that nobody posts about on social.
Related: Travel Beauty Prep: How This NYC Mom Stays Polished on the Go
The Truth About Travel Preparation
As I write this from our hotel in Mexico City (I’ll share a full review later), here’s what this Virgo control-freak (yeah, I’ll admit it) has finally learned:
There’s no badge of honor for perfect pre-trip organization. The victory is in showing up; tired, excited, perhaps slightly frazzled, but present for the experiences that matter. Even when your packing timeline gets compressed from seven days to seven hours.
Like parenting and life, travel rarely follows our perfect plans (despite what my color-coded Google calendar would prefer). The families looking polished in airport lounges? They have their own behind-the-scenes chaos, too. Trust me on this one.
What matters most is that we’re here, exploring Mexico City’s vibrant food scene, introducing our daughters to new cultural perspectives, and carving out moments of luxury amid the beautiful mess of family travel. My Virgo nature handled the essential research and planning – the rest can be beautifully imperfect.
Your Turn
Have you ever headed into a significant trip feeling completely unprepared? What did that experience teach you about your own resilience? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram @beautyandthebumpnyc, where I’m sharing Mexico City recommendations for families seeking both culture and comfort!