Catie and Danielle are fresh off their Florida adventures and reporting back from the front lines of family vacation life. This week we’re recapping beach days, Disney strategy, and what really happens when you try to “relax” with kids in tow.

From sandy chaos and overpacked suitcases to stroller negotiations and snack bribes at Disney, we’re sharing what worked, what absolutely did not, and how to plan a trip that doesn’t require a small loan. We get into traveling with kids without losing your sanity, managing expectations when everyone is overtired and sunburned, and how to approach Disney in a way that feels magical and financially responsible.

If you’ve ever tried to sip a drink while simultaneously applying sunscreen, answering 47 questions, and calculating Genie+ in your head, this episode is for you. It’s honest, funny, and a reminder that family vacations might not always be relaxing… but they’re definitely memorable. 🌴✨

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Balancing Work and Motherhood

02:58 Family Beach Vacation Experiences

05:40 Challenges of Traveling with Young Children

08:38 Packing Tips for Family Trips

11:22 Food Strategies for Disney Parks

14:16 Memorable Moments at Disney

15:32 Magical Moments at Disney

18:26 Navigating Disney's Challenges

21:40 Planning Your Disney Trip

24:11 Understanding Disney Costs

27:10 Traveling with Kids: Tips and Tricks

29:15 The Minivan Debate

In this episode of From 9 to Mom, Catie and Danielle dive into one of motherhood’s most delicate negotiations: leaving your children with… someone else. 😅

They’re unpacking the modern babysitter saga, from “How much are we paying per hour now?!” to the emotional gymnastics of asking your parents for help without feeling like you owe them your firstborn. Is it cheaper to stay home? Sometimes. Is it worth it to eat dinner while it’s still hot? Also yes.

The girls chat about the going rate for sitters, the difference between family help and hired help, and the unspoken panic that sets in the second you pull out of the driveway. They also get into the big question every parent eventually Googles at 11:47 p.m.: What age can kids stay home alone?

It’s a real-life, slightly chaotic, very relatable conversation about trust, independence, and the fine art of pretending you’re relaxed on date night while secretly checking your phone every six minutes.

Because nothing says “romance” like texting, “Are they asleep yet?” 💁‍♀️

This week on From 9 to Mom, Catie and Danielle are getting real about the whole “can we have it all?” conversation… and whether we even want to.

They talk about how our generation looks at age way differently than our parents did, the weird (and sometimes unspoken) tension between stay-at-home moms and working moms, and how COVID basically flipped family life upside down. Careers, kids, ambition, guilt… it’s a lot.

They also get honest about comparison and that little twinge of envy that can pop up no matter which lane you’re in. Because let’s be real, whether you’re at home, at the office, or somewhere in between, we all have moments where we wonder if the other side looks easier.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, redefined what “success” means in this season, or just needed a reminder that we’re all figuring it out as we go… this episode will feel like a group chat you didn’t know you needed.