Customer Reviews

How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel: And Other Misadventures Traveling with Kids

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Received this "How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel" as a gift and practically wet myself reading the stories. Some were seriously hilarious, some were ew-w-w, some were really quite touching.

This is the perfect book to take along on a trip, when you want only short easy things to read. And, maybe, reading about someone else's misadventures will make whatever problems you're facing seem minor in comparison.

Anyway, I always think that books make great gifts and this one would be perfect for mothers of small children. After receiving and reading it, I bought another copy for a friend. She immediately bought another copy for another friend.

It's that kind of book.

I used to read a story from this book as I lulled my little girl to sleep and more often than not I woke her up as my body couldn't contain the laughter from these stories.
As a new parent reading becomes difficult if not impossible and these stories are short and fun.
Waiting for a sequel of stories ..

I loved this book - it made me realize that a woman can be a mother and STILL maintain her sense of humor. The situations these women find themselves in are sometimes unfortunate, always embarrasing and never planned. But they all manage to survive it with a chuckle or two to share with the rest of us. It gives me hope. Definitely required reading if you are like me and trying to read everything possible to prepare for motherhood.

Everyone has their traveling stories - the tales of hopeless airline snarls, getting lost with a little one and no time to spare on a road trip, or taking on the super-human effort of packing everyone in your family up for a vacation only to find out that the hotel never actually noted your reservation and doesn't, in fact, have a room for you. Those are the kinds of stories you'll laugh at in about five years. Or maybe ten.

With this delightful anthology, you get the laughs without the personal disasters and expense. How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel is packed with stories that will ring true for anyone who has ever negotiated unfriendly traveling conditions, or companions. Have you ever found yourself playing Toddler Jukebox, non-stop, on a four hour roadtrip? Elrena Evans has, and informs you that you can sing "ABCB Spider" exactly 488 times. Ever found yourself identifying with Holly Korbey's husband when he suggested to his toddler that the reason behind the rain on the day of the Great Airplane Trip, two days before Christmas, was because God was laughing at Mommy so hard he was crying? The excellent essays include stories of all the travel extremes, from knotty airline travls during holidays to a week's vacation with three little ones to the beach, to a mommy-pilot taking her daughter on her first plane ride (as co-pilot, no less), to traveling Europe with a cranky teenager who refuses to speak English or pull out a map when lost - a sure givaway to the tourist status.

This book will give you a light dose of humor - and perspective, if you've been lucky enough to avoid such traveling misadventures. The best stories are the ones that everyone has experienced in some form or another, and this book won't disappoint.

I adored this book and think it should be in the front pocket of all airplanes - right next to the in-flight magazine - or in the glove compartment of all rental cars. It certainly would give other parents traveling with children perspective on how bad (and funny) it can get!

This collection of short stories is wonderful for the parent-to-be or the mother who wants to laugh along with the authors as they retell their most embarrassing and hilarious tales of tot travel. Favorite essays include "Got Milk?" and "Splish, Splash, We're In First Class." I've given this to many friends for baby shower gifts and to my friends with kids and they've all loved the tales!

I received this book as a gift and read the introduction--it appeared promising with the idea that, no matter what happens, travel is worth it!

The first story is about how much the kids hated Graceland, embarrassed Mom, and in the end, how they were dropped off 6 blocks from their hotel because the Elvis-hating children pissed off the trolley driver.

The second story was about driving to the Cape, with a miserable mother who looks older and permanently pissed off since she has had kids, plus her son's fascination with his imaginary friend who made them turn around and backtrack 5 miles because the imaginary friend was upset that pissed off Mom had sat on him, so he didn't want to get back into the car.

The third story regarded how hellish holiday travel is and how airlines cancel your flight after hours of delays, then might possibly put you on standby or reroute you through a city as a final destination, 8 hours from your original destination. I never read the end of this one.

Instead of convincing me that travel was definitely worth it, it reminded me of The Wizard of Oz--there's no place like home! Don't leave! The underlying theme is that travel by plane or auto with children sucks, and you will regret the days when you were child free. That's what every new parent needs to know--guess what! Your life is over and it WILL SUCK!

We have a 9.5 month old who has flown to both Chicago and Rome, visited the Met for the Alexander McQueen exhibit, and twice took the 8 hour drive (each way) to Vermont. The trips had their minor issues (bug bites, 4 hour delays, snowstorms, running out of diapers, boredom), but they were fun and filled with fantastic food and great memories. We look forward to taking her on more trips & visits. From what I could tell with this book, not only was travel with children miserable, but the vacations as well. In other words, it is not worth it.

I have to say that reading these stories made me laugh out loud and thank the man up above for NOT letting my husband and I (as of yet) experience any of the challenges these fine story-tellers have. Fun, touching, great for advice! Cannot wait for the follow-up!

This book had me doubling over with laughter and reminiscing on my own childhood!! Especially Katharine Morgan's essay...too good for words! I'm ordering some for all my friends!