This is a guest post by Sally-Ann from Toddlers On Tour
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Let’s be honest, travelling with kids can be a challenge. It all gets a bit too much; so let’s just concentrate on what we should avoid and the rest should just come together.
1. Assume you are going to have a lovely relaxing romantic holiday.
Remember the days when you went on holiday, brought a great book, lazed around the pool, took a dip, went to dinner, ordered an expensive bottle of wine with a 3 course meal and gazed into each other eyes. Not going to happen!!! Yes you decided to reproduce.
In the pool the kids will want you to play. Heading out for the day, the kids will dawdle and walk slowly. At dinner the kids will talk, be fussy, play up – yes it’s just like at home but you are in a foreign environment.
I’m not saying you will have a terrible time. I’m just reminding you that your kids will be as demanding on holiday as they are at home.
2. Choose a destination with no kids’ facilities.
Want the kids to be bored, continually asking what they can do? Choose a place with no kids’ facilities and activities; resulting in no other kids to play with and yes your kids will be bored and ANNOYING!!!
When choosing your accommodation, consider the age of your children their likes and dislikes. My 4 year old loves the pool preferably with a slide and a kids club that has craft activities.
You don’t have to stay in 5 star accommodations to get all the bells and whistles either. Many caravan parks have playgrounds, swimming pools, splash zones, large bouncy pillows, flying foxes and trapeze swings.
Just do your research and think about what your kids like as well as what you want to do on your holiday.
3. Forget to pack snacks, drinks and the snuggle friend.
Whether it’s a day trip, flight, road trip or train journey, kids (big and small) eat constantly. On top of that their fussy. Not to mention the nut, diary or egg allergies. It’s just too hard relying on the transport companies or that a supermarket will appear to provide a meal they will like, they can eat and when they’re hungry.
So pack food for a day trip or in your hand luggage on aeroplanes, buses, trains and cars. You want it easily accessible. Also don’t forget to pack more in your main luggage for the duration of the holiday.
While your packing the food into your hand luggage, add the “favourite snuggle friend”. The “snuggle friend” will help relieve anxiety in foreign environments; it is your child’s best friend. Whether you are on a plane, out for the day or relaxing at your accommodation your child will turn to this soft friend for comfort.
4. Overlook preparing your child for the journey ahead.
Many kids get anxious when you alter their routine. So prepare them before you leave.
Once you have done your initial planning include them. Explain the type of transport you will be using and the time frame that you will be travelling.
Talk about where you will be staying – if possible show them pictures (use the internet) to help with the preparation. Remind your children that you and their sibling will be there all together.
Let them know the types of things you will be doing on the trip: Swimming, walking, train trips, ferry rides, or visiting wildlife.
Get them excited about the trip!
5. Remain fixed and rigid in your plans.
Finally this is one you should already know. Kids very rarely follow our set schedules. If you try to be unyielding in your plans you will end up with grumpy children.
Remain flexible. Of course you want to make plans, but if it’s not absolutely essential (like a prepaid tour) does it really matter if your child fell asleep when you planned to go out. Make alternative arrangements or have back up plans in place.
If you’re already out and they nod off. Take that moment to stop in at a bar or restaurant and grab that mini romantic moment.
By avoiding just a few things you can ensure that your family will have a great holiday.
What are your travelling tips?
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Sally-Ann is a mum, writer and travel lover. After having her son and joining her mothers group, she realised many mums were stuck on tips and advice of how to travel with kids. Toddlers on Tour was formed, a place for tips and advice when travelling with kids. You can also follow Sally-Ann on Twitter and Facebook.
If you have a story to share or some tips or pointers and want to guest post here on this blog, send me an email at tahlia@theparentingfiles.com.au
Linking up with Essentially Jess
{photo found at Classic Play}
