Caravanning around Australia with Kids | Passenger Princess Author Simone Skinner Smith

What is it really like to pack up your life, pull the kids out of school and spend a year caravanning around Australia?This week on Snacks and Suitcases, Sally Stanton welcomes back Big Lapper and now author Simone Skinner-Smith to chat about her brand new book, Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap.Last time Simone joined the podcast, her family were still on the road travelling Australia in a caravan with two young boys. Now she’s back home in Sydney, reflecting on the adventure that changed her family forever.In this funny, heartfelt and honest conversation, Sally and Simone chat about:the reality of van life and caravanning around Australia with kidscoming home after a year on the roadfamily travel challenges and unexpected momentsthe emotional side of the Big Lapunforgettable characters they met around Australiaparenting, resilience and raising adventurous kidscaravan park life, road trip hacks and travel tipsself-publishing a bookwhy social media only shows half the storySimone also shares:her favourite destinations around Australiathe truth about living in a caravan full-timefunny travel disastersBig Lap packing mistakescaravan park hacksfamily travel advice for parents dreaming of doing a lap around AustraliaPlus, Simone’s son Louis joins the conversation to answer the Kid’s Corner questions!This episode also includes a short discussion relating to mental health and the Blue Tree Project in Australia. Please take care while listening with young children.  (at approx 23.26 mark) and open your heart and mind to those needing an old fashioned chat 💙LINKSFollow Simone: @biglappers or @simoneskinnersmithBook: Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap available on Amazon and Kindle.https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1923680129Big Lap: Family Road Trip Around Australia (first episode full of tips) https://pod.link/1819621151/episode/c2FsbHlzdGFudG9uLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tLzE4ZjdiZDkzLTg4NWEtM2I3NS1iZTIyLWU1MTIzZjFmYTg3ZAConnectThank you so much for listening.Please feel free to reach out with any questions via@snacksandsuitcasespodcast@sallynanamisSnacks and Suitcases Facebook PageEmail: [email protected]  If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.And if this episode made you smile, share it with another parent who may need that gentle nudge to set off on a big lap. Because if not now, then when?AND... Don't forget the snacks. Hosted by Sally Stanton.