Dear Parents,
Vacations with your kids can be wonderful. They can also try the patience of a saint! The most commonproblem I have found is having expectations that are out of sight. No matter where you go, accept the fact thatthe kids will probably like the pool best. With that said, the golden rule of family-friendly travel is "Keep itsimple." Do and go wherever you want, but do not plan a daily schedule that requires precision timing. Break up the day into morning, afternoon and evening and keep in mind that flexibility is a virtue.
A big problem with vacations is that we always manage to start one when we are absolutely exhausted. If yourfamily usually packs the night before, try packing two days ahead and eat pizza the night before you leave.Starting out rested is the best thing you can do to keep spirits up and tempers down.
Never forget that kids have to eat and kids have to sleep. Try and keep schedules as close to normal as possible.
Take snacks and drinks with you. Browse the Internet for family-friendly restaurants, and hotels. Hotelsadvertising double Jacuzzis or champagne glass-shaped tubs will probably have to wait.
No matter how you get where you are going, pack a goodie bag with something for everyone. Portableelectronic games, Etch-a-Sketch, books, music, lap boards for drawing and travel games are wonderful. Don’ttake anything with small parts that you will never see again. If you can rent a VCR for the back seat of a car youwill probably bless the maker up and down the highway. Just remember, take films everybody likes. I can’timagine driving to Florida with the lilting sounds of purple dinosaurs coming from the back seat for 24 hours.
Baby Travel Tips
- Make sure the hotel knows you have an infant or toddler
- Rent whatever you can, including cribs, high chairs, booster seats
- Find out if the hotel will child proof your room, including any balcony area. Take outlet covers, balcony locks, a night light, masking tape (to protect edges, hide cords and prevent locks from locking).
- Buy an umbrella stroller if you don’t have one. Just be careful because if they have too much weight in the back they can tip over.
- Bring a backpack or sling for a little one.
- Take your own car seat, even if you are flying. And check with the car rental company to make sure you rent a car with seat belts in the rear seat.
- Pack Tylenol or Motrin in a handy spot, as well as a medicine spoon/syringe.
- Bring any medicine baby is taking in Mom’s purse. It is a good idea to have a copy of the prescription along.
- Take baby soap, shampoo, wipes, diaper rash cream and your own diapers. Fill up a whole suitcase with diapers – you can use them for souvenirs on the return trip.
- Put an extra change of clothes for baby and you in one of the activity goodie bags.
- Feed baby, or offer a pacifier, during take offs and landings.
- If possible, take a potty seat along that looks familiar.
Traveling with Preschoolers
- Talk to your child about the upcoming trip.
- Stop every 2 or 3 hours to stretch if you are driving.
- Make sure everybody has enough room. It will probably be worth every cent to rent a mini van or larger car.
- Pack the favorite blanket or pillow first.
- Never try to deliver constructive discipline while driving. Wait until it is absolutely safe and pull as far off the road as possible.
- Have your child wear neon clothes that stand out in a crowd.
- Don't rush-this might be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to wherever your are going.
- Use shades to shield the sun and towels to cover empty car seats.
- Check if the childcare service at your hotel is licensed
Traveling with School Age Children
- Pick destinations, cruises, resorts that cater to families.
- Play games such as count the flags, or the alphabet games.
- Don't push to do too much - remember, keep it simple.
- Encourage your child to keep a journal/scrapbook.
- Try and find out as much as you can about your destination and pick out the sites with your child.
Traveling with Teens
- Take along a friend.
- Include your teen in selecting the itinerary and destination.
- Give your child a camera and photo album.
- If it is safe, give your teenager a little space and time on his own.
- Make sure whatever portable sound system your teen uses has ear phones for him.
General Travel Tips
- If you need a passport, so do the kids. Get your passport months before travel.
- Take everybody's immunization records.
- Take everybody's medicine, even the ones your don't use everyday.
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