Traveling to visit family can be …well let’s say… taxing. Traveling with young children to visit family is downright exhausting. The kids are showered with well intended gifts and sugary treats, while you follow around like the scooper behind a parade horse with the “No’s”, “Don’t touches” and the favorite “Please calm down, sweetie” through clenched teeth. We just got back from visiting my family in Massachusetts, and to add salt to the wound, we experienced a record-breaking cold spell topped off with six days of rain so we couldn’t even send the kids outside to blow off some steam. This is when our membership to the Austin Children’s Museum saved the trip and perhaps some relationships. In Austin, we had opted for the level of membership that offers reciprocal privileges at other childrens museums (Association of Children's Museums) and science centers (Association of Science-Technology Centers) and it has paid off threefold. The tax deductible membership not only helps support our own treasure here in Austin but we saved more than $100 on this trip as well! Having the membership also changes your attitude about touring, and it’s easier to relax and enjoy a place without feeling like you have to “get your money’s worth.” We spent one rainy afternoon in a small local museum that we may never have even thought to go to and had a wonderful time. We visited the Boston Science Museum (normally a $13 admission) for a quick trip when our kids needed some “kid time” and it became the highlight of the vacation for my three year old. We looked at the dinosaur stuff and some butterflies and felt no pressure to plug on. We also visited the Boston Children’s Museum and were lucky enough to arrive when a big Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit was premiering. I never even would have known about this event if we hadn’t decided to give it a whirl because it was free. If you are really astute, you could plan a whole getaway based on the over 300 places that the museum card can get you into. Another reciprocal program worth investigating if you are traveling, is the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. The Cameron Park Zoo in Waco is a member, and there is an extensive list of cool places to visit with their program. The main thing about these memberships is not just that you save money, but your family ends up having a sense of belonging at a place that’s fun and educational. Plus, the more members these organizations have the better the services they can offer. Another win/win situation!!!