Amy Ziff
You used to love to travel, but that was before the family. Back then it seemed easier. Let's face it, as soon as you start traveling with someone else things inevitably get more complicated, a bit slower and more stressful. Now try it with kids! The following tips can help take the edge off, and not a single one involves medication or alcohol!
1. Time your trip. Plan your departure so it coincides with their sleep schedule or naptime. When flying aim for a late-night or red-eye flight. If you're driving leave before dawn to start your journey before the kids rise.
2. Most kids love adventure. Turn your next road trip to visit relatives into an exciting excursion to another place. Let them hold the map and follow the highlighted path along the way. If you're flying let them read about the destination and look at the flight path ahead of time.
3. Let them help. If they are old enough, encourage them to take responsibility for packing, thinking about what they will need at that destination, and toting their own bags. Kids generally enjoy feeling "adult." Let them select a favorite toy to take--it can provide comfort in unfamiliar surroundings.
4. Bring it with you. Pack compact items that you may need for your infants and toddlers in your carry-on or in the car. Plastic baggies are handy--you don't have to bring the entire container, but they'll help you keep items neat, clean, and organized. Also be sure to have a change of clothes for both you and your infant in case you have a messy incident. If flying, remember to take extra bottles and/or pacifiers for take-off and landing. When traveling take an umbrella stroller which is light and takes up much less room than the bigger one. Plus, on flights, it can be stored on board as opposed to checked.
5. Be prepared for emergencies. Have a small emergency medical kit with items such as sunblock, insect repellant, children's pain reliever, a thermometer, anti-bacterial ointment, Band-Aids, sanitary wipes, and ipecac. If you have an infant, it's wise to bring actual baby bottles of water ready to be mixed just in case you don't have access to clean water.
6. Pack (healthy) snacks. GORP, carrots, crackers, regular and dried fruit, nuts, and chips are all relatively easy to eat on the road and kids tend to get hungrier more often than adults. Healthy nibbles will help stave off hunger-induced irritability. When flying, gum, candy, or a pacifier is helpful at take-off and landing to assist in equalizing the changing pressure in kids' ears.
7. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated while flying. This helps the body adjust to the altitude and any time changes. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which tend to dehydrate. In a car staying hydrated is also a must.
8. Keep them occupied. A VCR in the car or a DVD on a plane can go a long way to entertain and stop the kids from thinking about being confined.
9. Document the trip. Suggest that an older child act as the family documentary maker. Give them a disposable or digital camera for the trip and encourage them to keep a travel journal. When you get back they can put together a travel log of the family journey.
10. Expend energy. Whether at a roadside rest stop, town green, or the airport allow and encourage your kids to expend their pent-up energy. In the airport try stretching excercises while waiting for the plane--they might help your kids to sit still for the duration of the trip.
You may not be as spontaneous as you once were, but you can still travel and maintain your sanity! Things may go so well that you can't wait for your next family trip.
