Whenever I sit in an airplane seat and look out the window at the clouds, I usually find myself in one of two completely different worlds.

In one world, I am traveling entirely solo. The itinerary is 100% mine, the silence is beautiful, and I am responsible only for myself. In the other world—which happens much more often—I am flying as a single mother with my four children. In that world, fellow passengers look at me with a mix of admiration and terror, and survival depends entirely on military-grade planning!

Living in Denmark after moving from the tropical warmth of Thailand has taught me so much about life, parenting, and travel. Whether I am exploring a quiet corner of the world alone or managing a small army of kids through airport security, a solid planning routine is what keeps me sane.