Meet the Travel Mum Family

We’re the kind of family that brings the energy wherever we go — not by choice, but because we’re a team of seven!

I’m Lauren, the mum behind Travel Mum, and I travel with my five boys (ages 12, 10, 7, 5, and 2) and my incredibly patient husband.

We’re not full-time travellers — just a regular family who makes the most of school holidays and long weekends to explore the world together.

Our favourite things? • Bike rides in nature (especially when there's a good ice cream stop involved and pub at the end!) • Animals of all kinds — farms, zoos, wildlife parks, we love them all • History — from castles to ancient ruins, we’re always up for a walk through the past • Disney — we are full-blown Disney lovers (and proud of it!)

Meet the Kids

M - 12-year-old

Our eldest is into gaming, football, and hockey. He’s sporty, competitive, and always looking for the best Wi-Fi (and the nearest football pitch!).

G - 10-year-old

Curious and thoughtful, our resident history buff. He’s happiest in a castle, up a tree, or checking in on his ant farm. Quietly curious and always asking brilliant questions.

R - 7-Year-Old

A gentle soul who finds his peace with animals — especially his beloved horses. Calm, kind, and deeply connected to the world around him.

L - 5-Year-Old

Full of energy and imagination. He’s smart, hilarious, and totally into Spiderman, cars, and bike-riding adventures. Our little action hero and stand-up comedian in one.

A - 2-Year-Old

The Toddler-in-Chief. Loud, bossy, and fully in charge. He makes everyone do everything for him — and honestly, we’re all just living in his world.

Our holidays aren’t perfect. They’re real. Packed with laughs, sibling squabbles, and “why didn’t I pack that?!” moments. But every trip brings us closer, teaches us something new, and gives us stories to tell forever.

Why I’m Starting This Blog

I work in the travel industry — planning dream holidays for other families. But planning holidays for my own gang of five? Let’s just say it’s been its own learning curve!

Because the truth is: traveling with five kids at different stages of life is a challenge.

There’s the emotional rollercoaster of a toddler, the energy of early school kids, and now… a pre-teen who’s very much “over it” when we’re only 10 minutes into a day trip.

But there’s also magic.

I’ve seen all five of them:

• Swim in the ocean together in Spain • Try gelato for the first time in Italy • Sleep like angels (finally!) after a long travel day • Ride the Tower of Terror in Disneyland

There’s nothing quite like seeing the world through your children’s eyes — watching them try new foods, splash in foreign seas, or ask questions about cultures completely different from their own.

This blog is my way of sharing what I’ve learned along the way — both as a mum of five, and as a holiday expert.

What You’ll Find Here

I created Travel Mum for families like yours — especially if you have more than the usual 2.4 kids and feel like most family travel advice just doesn’t apply to you.

Here’s what you can expect:

Honest Do’s and Don’ts - Not every hack works when you’ve got five suitcases, five snack preferences, and one mum trying to stay calm in passport control. I’ll share what’s actually helped us — and what I’ll never do again.

Travel Planning Tips - From booking flights that won’t break the bank to finding accommodations that actually fit all of us — I’ve learned a lot through my job and real-life experience. I’ll break it down so you don’t have to stress.

Destination & Hotel Reviews - I’ll give you the real scoop on where we go — the good, the bad, and the “this place said it was family-friendly but forgot families come in packs of 7.”

Packing & Prep Advice - What to pack (and what to leave at home), how I organise 5 boys' stuff, and how to prep for a trip without needing a holiday from the holiday.

Behind the Holiday - Because let’s be honest - the stories that don’t make the brochure are usually the most memorable. Think: toddler vomiting on a ferry. Or all five boys deciding to sprint through an airport. Those stories live here too.

Why Big Families Deserve More Support?

I know how hard it is to find advice that actually applies when you’ve got a big family. You need more space, more snacks, more patience, and usually a bit more wine. You don’t need perfection. You need realistic, practical ideas and someone who gets it.

So whether you're planning your very first family holiday or you're a seasoned pro who just needs new ideas — you’re in the right place.

Let’s share tips, swap stories, and figure this big-family travel thing out together.

Join the Journey

I’d love for you to stick around, comment, and even share your own travel wins and fails. You can also find me on Instagram @LaurenPage_TravelCounsellor and Facebook @LaurenPageTravelCounsellor.

Have a question? Want me to cover something specific? Pop it in the comments or send me a message!

Thanks for being here

Here’s to less stress, more stamps in the passports, and building wild memories with our families.