Traveling, isn’t that everyone’s favorite activity? Visiting new places, tasting traditional food, exploring new cities, meeting new people and friends, long walks, adventurous hikes and much more….well. All this is fun when you a traveling alone, but when you traveling with kids each trip is a very big challenge!
Don’t think that we don’t want traveling with kids, traveling without cute and little monsters J is real pure and joy, and truly more work for the parents. Whether they’re your own or someone else’s, factoring a child’s needs into your travels involves a lot more than sticking on a CD full of pop music and making toilet stops. They are curious, so must keep an eye on them all the time, always have to have a big bag with food, drink and spare clothes, pills and medications, and lots of plain activities to keep them busy.
When looking for traveling tips and tricks for your family, make sure you take into account your kids’ personalities, behaviors, and ages.
So, if you’re a planning a trip soon, holiday, a Disney Worlds weekend or just quick gateway, make sure you very well prepared so you can have great time, just being happy with your kids, not worrying about the smallest thing.
To help we chose the easiest and most practical tips, so have a good time!
Arrive early and assume you’ll be getting there late. Traveling with kids always takes longer than traveling alone, so give yourself extra time to check in and get settled. If you’ll be driving, remember you’ll probably need to make more stops than usual for impromptu clean-ups, snack breaks or run-around relays. Be sure to over pack the snacks, the diapers and the toys, just in case you hit bad traffic or flight delays. It’s better to have too much than to find yourself overpaying for goldfish crackers at the airport lounge.
It’s simple advice, but children dressed comfortably for the weather and terrain will be happier in a new environment. With all the gear available, there’s no excuse for dressing toddlers in ski-suits four sizes too big, forgetting their gloves, or leaving them barefoot on a beach where sea urchins lurk.
Giving toddlers their own, robust or child-friendly camera encourages them to observe their surroundings and focus on what interests them. You might be surprised at the results from their knee-high view. Amongst pictures of feet and wheels, my three-year-old has shot flowers, animals, helicopters, boats, rocks and rabbit poo.
To be honest, but yet practical, toddlers aren’t fans of reins, backpacks with a leash, or any infringement on their freedom. Keep tabs on them at airports, train stations and crowded attractions with a child locator. The child wears a small unit (strapped to a belt or shoe) and you keep the transmitter. If you lose your child set off the alarm and follow the sound to find them.
Remember the old favorites. Be sure you have your child’s favorite toy on hand and do a spot check anytime you change locations to be sure that all-important blanket or teddy bear isn’t left behind. (Better yet, pack a back-up just in case the unthinkable happens and your child’s security blanket gets lost during a lay-over.)
Expect some setbacks. Toddlers especially like their routines, so missing out on them – even for the trip of a lifetime – can be hard on everyone. Don’t fret if potty training, sleep schedules or discipline efforts fall back a bit. Have patience and plan for mishaps by packing extra clothes and diapers and assuming that everyone will get a little off kilter. Expecting some upset will make accepting it a lot easier.
Traveling with children: 6 Useful Tips
No comments:
Post a Comment