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Spring is on its way and with it comes Spring Break for school-aged kids. Many families take this week or two off as an opportunity to travel to a different locale. A family trip to relax, possbily visit long distance relatives and to build memories. It's a wonderful chance to see something new and to expose your kids to things they haven't experienced before. Depending on the size of your family and your chosen destination, family trips can be quite costly, and for many families requires many months of cutting expenses and saving their pennies to see this dream become a reality. A lot of anticipation and excitement gets wrapped into the planning and it is key to put a bit of thought and consideration into how this venture will pan out - with kids in tow - if success and those great memories are to be achieved! Travelling with one or 10 children is VERY different than travelling just as adults. Kids add an element to travel that can be overwhelming and possibly a recipe for disaster! BUT there are hints and strategies out there to make it a smoother ride and I'm going to share 10 of them with you...these are all from personal experience and had I known some of these things before attempting travel with my own small children I could've benefited greatly and been much more prepared! Before you even pack the car to set out on your journey be sure you are up to date on what travel documents you'll need for you and your children. Crossing borders, ground travel, air travel, and international travel all come with their own rules and regulations. Also, if you are travelling solo with your children and their other parent is not with you, you may need a certified letter of permission to cross the border. BE SURE to look into this before arriving at the border!! No one wants to have to turn around and head back home before they've even really begun the adventure!! (Try explaining that one to the kids!)
Invest in emergency hospital and medical insurance!! Each country has a different health care system and ESPECIALLY with children and how unpredictable their little immune systems are...don't be left uninsured! Travel insurance can be quite affordable and you will always be glad you put the small amount of money out and pleased that you didn't need it...instead of NOT bothering and having an emergency that can cost you a fortune! If flight will be involved with your trip DO consider the time of day the flights are booked. Especially if your children are preschool age or smaller, picking unrealistic times to fly can cause a lot of undue stress. Early in the morning and late at night have not proven very appropriate for my toddlers and they're pretty easy-going kids. Do not underestimate how miserable an exhausted toddler can make your travel time!!
Hit up a dollar store a little while before your trip and construct an inexpensive travel-treat-kit for each of your kids. (This is better suited for older kids) As soon as you set out on your journey and hit the open highway or as soon as the plane takes off, let each kid open their kit and discover a collection of new card games, colouring pages, word puzzles and a pack of gum. The newness and the individuality of the treats should keep them occupied for awhile!
When you're packing for the kids make sure to bring at least one small 'comfort of home' for each kid. It could be a blanket, stuffed toy or favourite picture. Even when kids are insanely excited about a new experience when night fall comes around home-sickness can set in among the most unlikely of kids. A small representation of something familiar may get you and them through the night.
Forget the fashion on travel day and put the kids in something comfy. Stretchy, cotton clothing, preferably layers will serve them best, especially if you're leaving one climate and arriving in a completely different one. Kids can remove or add layers as they need to. The whines of a hot or cold child CAN be avoided with some planning!
When travel day arrives, if you're flying, commit to being there pretty early. Depending on what airline you've booked with, some do not assign seats until you've checked in at the airport. If you arrive late you run the risk of being assigned the seats that are left and you and your fam could likely be seated separately all throughout the plane. Many times flight attendants are happy to help you try to get rearranged and back with your young children if this does happen BUT if you can avoid it beforehand...it saves a lot of time and stress.
With airplane travel plan to carry as much as you can on your back. When it comes to small children - even if its only one - the juggling act that ensues when parading through the airport can be somewhat alleviated if your hands are free to deal with your child and your documents knowing your belongings are safe and secure in a knapsack.
In that knapsack, no matter the age of the children, be fully armed with your own snacks!! Many airlines do not serve snacks free of charge anymore and even the paid-for options are highly processed, high sodium junk. Airport stores are also astronomically more expensive than what you would pay for your average snacks at your favourite grocery store. Kids don't function well hungry and high sugar, processed snacks rarely help!
Lastly, force your older kids to use the bathroom immediately before you leave for the road or board the plane and for smaller babes, change them minutes before. I can tell you in no uncertain terms...changing a baby on your lap, on a crowded plane, and then trying to find a place for the stinky diaper afterwards is something you want to avoid if you possibly can!
Clearly there are a myriad of things that can be covered when it comes to kids and travel. It's never problem-free and the outcome doesn't always look like the way the original plan did. But if you think a little bit before hand and choose to relax and not have too many preconceived notions....those memories can be made and there is a ton of fun to be had! Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
