Travelling With Children - Top Ten Tips
Baby
We have had some great holidays with five children in tow, but never yet one that was totally stress free. Children and young ones in particular add a new dimension to travelling and when you are abroad there are many other aspects to think about with regards to a child’s sustenance, entertainment, health and well-being.
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When I think about the first time we travelled with a baby, my main concern was whether or not she would disturb other passengers on the plane. In fact the most stressful part of the journey seemed to always involve what other people thought – or at least what I thought other people thought! But I have since relaxed somewhat and I have now learned the ability to worry less about what others think – and it is amazing what affect this has on your children, they sense your calmness and this in turn seems to act as a natural sedative.
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| 1: Try to stay relaxed no matter how stressful the situation seems. Children have the remarkable ability to pick up on the insecurities and worries of their parents and they can also be manipulative (yes! I hear parents cry) using your stress as personal empowerment. |  |
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2: Get organised! I’m not a big one for making lists, but this is an essential part of planning when taking children on a long trip or holiday. This is even more important if travelling with a baby or young toddler. Think about what you use/need on a daily basis at home and whether or not you need to take it with you. I recently discovered an excellent article on breastfeeding and travel - click here for details |
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| 3: Medication – If your child requires any regular medication then it is advisable to take more than enough to cover the duration of your trip. It is also advisable to obtain confirmation from your GP that the medication is essential which would enable you to take the medication in your carry-on baggage (always check with the airline first). Take a copy of the prescription with you in case you need an emergency supply whilst away. |
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| 4: Clothing – whilst the priority is to take plenty of clothes for the expected weather conditions at the destination, always assume that there may be some unexpected weather and pack a change of clothes for these potential conditions – IE: if travelling to a sun drenched resort, take a light rain coat and a sweater/cardigan (temperatures can drop sharply in the evening). Take a small tube/box of washing detergent as clothes can easily be given a quick wash in the bathroom sink/bath of your accommodation. |
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| 5: Entertainment – Portable electronic devices such as a PSP or a Nintendo DS are a god send for long journeys but ensure that they are fully charged before you depart and that you take the power-adapter with you. Portable DVD players are particularly useful for long car-journeys but children still respond to traditional games and an ample supply of paper and pens/pencils/crayons is a priority on all our trips and not to forget a good book. We always let each child have their own carry-on bag which they help to pack – usually containing their favourite cuddly-toy, books, games, paper/pens, puzzles as well as drinks (purchased in the air-side part of the airport if travelling by air), sweats and snacks. |
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| 6: Blanket/Pillow – children enjoy some familiarity and constancy, so by taking a little something familiar such as a favourite blanket or pillow/cushion (subject of course to space constraints) which can help as a sleep aid whilst travelling or at the destination. |
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| 7: Medical essentials - obviously each child is different and parents should always consult with a GP before giving a child any unfamiliar medicines. But our ‘first aid kit’ would always include: Plasters/Band-aids, Bandages, Alcohol Swabs, Antiseptic Cream, Antihistamine Syrup, Paracetamol Syrup, After-Sun, Oral-Thermometer, Tweezers, Milk Of Magnesia (great for older kids tummy upsets) |
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| 8: Flying with kids - The biggest issue for kids when flying, apart from boredom, is the change in air pressure and the discomfort this can cause, particularly in the ear canal area. We have avoided this on numerous flights by giving each child a small dose of Calpol about an hour before scheduled take-off (and before landing if on a long-haul flight, but check the labelling on any medication for doses and potential side-effects). Chewy sweets are dished out (we used a bottle of sterilised water when they were babies) for the ascent and the descent and various other distractions technique are used to take their minds off any discomfort. |
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| 9: Pushchairs – Most airlines allow pushchairs to be taken without any charge and they can be wheeled to and from the aircraft door/steps. This can be a great help even with older toddlers and having one in resort can make life a lot easier particularly on an evening or at meal-times. A couple of accessories to consider which can make life much easier are a parasol and a buggy-board which will certainly reduce the moaning from your younger children on any long walks! |
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| 10: Safety - many people leave their common-sense at home when they take their annual vacation; but you should be as alert to potential dangers as you would be at home but particularly around water. Young children should always be fully supervised around swimming pools and on the beach. Beware of strong tides and undercurrents in the sea or rivers and remember that shallow water can become very deep water for a child in the matter of a few feet. If you decide to use a ‘kids club’ for part or all of your holiday – check it out first and try to gage the happiness of other children using the facilities. Kids like to get away from their parents sometimes and mix with other children, but be careful not to force them into situations they are not ready for or happy with. Ensure that children are protected from the sun using appropriate sun-cream, hats and swimwear. |
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| Travelling with children can be enjoyable when they are engaged and interested in the process of travel and the intricacies of the destination. Children love to explore and can be quick to adapt to new situations provided that they are allowed to process information in their own time and way. |
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