Your Life Is Right Now: One Mom’s Mission to Make Travel Doable for Families

The clinks of forks against breakfast plates, conversations about the Sistine Chapel, the pitter-patter of bare feet on the kitchen floor — these are the sounds that fill the Floyd house on a typical morning. Emily is a mom of seven, a homeschooler, a business owner, and a world traveler.

“It sounds crazy on paper, but in real life, it’s fun and chaotic and loud — and beautiful and manageable.” And she wants this crazy-beautiful life for you, too (maybe not the seven kids part).

We caught up with Emily in between lessons and client bookings and got the inside scoop on how she’s raising her family, supporting her child with special needs, seeing the world, and helping other families as a travel planner.

From Family Chaos to Family Adventures

Emily is a world traveler — that’s a fact. But when she’s at home, her life doesn’t look that much different from yours. The rhythm of homeschooling, grocery shopping, and meal prep rules the day, and in the evenings, the Floyds gather around the table for focused family time (something Emily and her husband have made a priority to protect).

So how does a mom who’s just like you manage to satisfy jet-setting habits?

Traveling isn’t just a hobby — it’s her favorite way to connect with her husband.

“There’s less time with my husband now that the kids are older, actually,” Emily admits. They go on date nights, but those little getaways show, “We can get along without being in parent mode.”

Road trips and going abroad are also some of her most powerful homeschooling tools. She’s done it all: co-ops, Valley Academy, HomeLink. Every year of homeschooling has looked different, and she and her kids have loved every experience. But there’s something about getting away from the typical school and getting out into the world.

A trip to the Oregon coast originally sparks conversation about tides, water awareness, rip tides, sea creatures, climate differences, and the list goes on.

Right now, her older kids are diving into medieval history, which aligns perfectly with their upcoming six-week trip to Italy. Her son is already learning and asking questions about Roman aqueducts. A book on the Vatican Museum has been sitting out on the table, allowing Emily’s kids to explore preemptively, gather facts, and start getting excited about their trip.

You might think Emily is crazy for piling her seven kids on an airplane for international travel, but she says, “We won’t skip a beat, really. There will still be a routine, but it will be flexible and allow for spontaneity. We’re going to live there.” They’re picking up their life here in the Valley and plopping it into Rome. They’ll shop, cook, explore, and learn just as they do here.

With years of family trips under her belt — from road trips to big overseas adventures — Emily realized something. She wasn’t just planning trips for her own family; she was the go-to travel guru for her friends and relatives, too.

Why Emily Became a Travel Agent

These days, we’re all scrambling to find a way to make money from home doing something we love — Emily’s one of the lucky ones who’s found the perfect mix of flexibility, income, and passion.

She’s always been the one friends and family come to with questions about travel (especially Disney travel). Disney holds a very special place in her heart. “I have fond memories of Disney, and I lived close,” Emily remembers, “I love the whimsy and the opportunity to have fun in a care-free and innocent way.” And now all she wants is for others to experience the same.

“Europe is a newer interest,” Emily says. It all stems from a woman’s retreat in Rome and the people she met there. After she got home, she realized “There’s lots more to see,” especially where culture is concerned. Emily feels everyone should experience and learn about different cultures. “There’s beauty and difference in humanity — but at the end of the day we’re all the same.”

If you’ve ever been nervous about traveling to a different country, Emily has some words of advice: “Europe is approachable in that way — it’s very tourist-friendly. The locals know it’s a tourist place — they’re almost proud of it. Many countries speak English and travel within Europe is really easy!”

But she gets it. You’ve been dreaming about getting on a plane (with or without kids) and checking off your bucket list, but you can’t get over the big question: How?

That’s where someone like Emily comes in. Emily is her name; stress-free, ultra-accessible travel is her game.

How a Travel Agent Makes Family Trips Stress-Free

Of course, loving Disney and Europe is one thing. Helping other families feel confident enough to book the trip is another. That’s where Emily’s work as a travel agent makes all the difference.

Let’s address the elephant in the room (the blog?). Traveling is already a financial issue — why would you pay someone to help you spend money?

You don’t have to when you work with Emily.

Emily is a free travel agent.

Here’s how she explains it: “Travel planners are paid by the company you book with. When you book with Disney directly, they keep the extra bit. But when you book with me, they share the profit for being a point person. It’s not more expensive — the prices are exactly the same.”

She also has access to exclusive booking tools, hunts for discounts, and supports you every step of the way.

Let’s be real. There’s usually always one planner in the family (and a lot of times it’s you, momma). “ It’s not a bad thing,” Emily says, “but there’s a benefit in having a sounding board and being able to hash things out with someone. Travel planners are objective and experienced.”

All you have to do is give Emily your dates, desired location, hopes, and budget — she’ll take it from there. Emily has an extensive network of resources and other travel planners who give her trusted reviews — not random reviews someone was probably paid for.

When you work with Emily, you are the client — not the hotel, airline, location, etc.

Bottom line? Send Emily your dates, hopes, and budget — she’ll help shape your dream trip.

Emily’s Top Disney Tips for Families

If Disneyland (or World) is in your sights. Emily’s the best place to start. She’s logged some serious time with Mickey Mouse over the years, and she’s ready to help you have the best trip with Disney days planned down to each ride and area of the park.

But don’t leave for your trip without Emily’s Disney Rule of Three: One restaurant, two shows or characters, and three must-do rides. “Things go wrong,” Emily reminds her clients, “Don’t go in with no plan, but have realistic expectations. Know the height requirements for the rides you want to get on and always have some backups in mind.” One of her best Disney hacks? Make your plan your screen saver so you can access it with one click.

Whether you’re staying at a Disney resort or a nearby Airbnb, she recommends scheduling a grocery delivery. Having easy, nutritious foods on hand is a game-changer. Also, it helps your kids bounce back from travel days when they have some snacks and meals that feel like home.

Disney might be Emily’s first love, but her recent family focus has turned toward Europe. And she wants moms to know — a big trip across the ocean isn’t just for other families.

“Disney taught Emily how to plan magic into every moment. Now her focus is on showing families that the same magic — discovery, connection, adventure — is waiting across the ocean in Europe.”

Europe With Kids: Yes, You Can

Europe with kids? Believer or not, a trip like that is not out of the question — not when you team up with Emily.

Emily is taking her crew on a six-week immersive trip to Rome, Italy, and she’s sharing everything about how she’s making it work.

But she’s also not sugarcoating it.

Long flights and international travel aren’t ever perfect, so the prep work is crucial. She has lots of conversations with her kids about what to expect on the plane and when they touch down. But honestly, sometimes you just have to get through it. “Remember, this will end. It’s only a few hours.” Once you’re at your destination, it'll all be worth it.

Emily’s also packing light. “We’re bringing snacks, cheap new toys, and stickers for the plane ride — the least amount of stuff possible. We can always wash and buy clothes, so we aren’t bringing any big suitcases.”

Okay, so you get to Europe with all your kids still intact. Now what?

Emily’s answer might surprise you: “What your family loves to do here will work there, whether it’s beaches or museums, or parks. Any city can be family-friendly. Remember, families live there! It’s about your approach and knowing your family’s limitations and interests instead of trying to check boxes.”

Emily strongly warns against trying to make your vacation look like someone else’s (or like those pictures you saw on social media). “Don’t force an ancient history experience if that’s not what you’re interested in,” she says, “Often, the most popular things aren’t always the best because of crowds. That’s why working as a travel agent is important — I can help you find those off-the-beaten-path places and help you tap into your interests instead of following guides and blogs.”

Encouragement for Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed

Emily has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to travel hacks and tricks, but at the end of the day, she knows it’s more about a mindset shift than having all the answers. “You don’t have to wait for your kids to be the right age, you don’t have to have the perfect itinerary, or the most expensive hotel. Your life is right now.”

It’s certainly overwhelming to think about taking a big family trip (or leaving the kids with the grandparents and getting away for a bit), but Emily knows it doesn’t have to be.

“You’re good at taking care of your kid, you know what you’re doing,” Emily encourages her clients, “This trip you want to take just might be a good thing. It could be invigorating. Sometimes you just need to get out! A change of scenery can make you a better mom and make you appreciate home more.”

Emily’s heart is simple: she wants moms to know their life is happening now. And when you’re ready to turn your “someday” trip into reality, she’s ready to help.

Work with Emily

What does it take to work with free travel agent Emily Floyd? All you need is a rough idea — dates, hopes, and budget. Emily will do the rest so you can focus on making memories. Submit a travel itinerary request, find great travel deals, and more here!