Having young children is truly a blessing in disguise. There is a lot of fun to be had, and special moments to make that you will surely cherish for a lifetime. That being said, many parents seem to give up their dreams of traveling the world and the country once they have children. The thinking is that it is simply too much trouble to do so. Nothing can be further from the truth. You simply need to put a bit more foresight and planning into a family vacation when young children are involved, but it can be pulled off in marvelous fashion. Consider the following tricks of the trade when you next consider traveling with young children.
Consider What Your Kids Will Do In-Flight
Much of the reason that parents seem to dread taking a vacation with their young children is the airplane trip that is involved. If you will approach this as part of the adventure, however, it tends to go much more smoothly. Begin by arranging what your kids will do on the plane. You know what the limitations are in being in such a confined space for long periods of time, so just work within that. Bring some toys, electronic devices, and whatever else you need to help them (and you) pass the time.
Bring the Essentials and the Comforts of Home With You
You are not the only one that will feel some anxiety when traveling away from your home. Your children will miss their familiar surroundings, so you can help ease that transition by bringing some of their creature comforts with you. In addition, make sure you bring along anything essential that your son or daughter needs. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you will just buy what you need when you arrive at your final destination. While you might very well be able to, you do not want to be left high and dry when you find that essential items are nowhere to be found. No matter how frustrated you might become at the way things are going, always try to cast a positive light on things with your children. Little ones can pick up on anxiety, and that will just it more difficult on them in the long run.
Go For the Good Stuff
Going on vacation should be hassle and stress free. Do not do exactly the opposite by buying cheap gear that will break halfway through the journey. A good stroller, for example, will prove invaluable as you navigate airports and city streets. Pay a little extra for durable equipment that you will get a great deal of use out of. This will be equipment that you can use on multiple trips, so keep that in mind as you whip out that bankcard with hesitancy. A little comfort goes a long way as well. Remember that the more comfortable your kids are during travel, the better off the entire family will be.
Opt For a Larger Suite if Possible
Young children will tend to go to sleep early after a day out sightseeing. While that will be a welcome downtime for mom and dad, that does not mean that you need to retire early as well. Go for a suite that has an extra room that you can go to with your spouse to unwind for a while at night. Having the extra space during the day will also give your kids an unrestricted area to play. Many hotels and resorts like Arctic Lodges offer a family suite. They tend to get booked up, so make sure you get your reservation in early.
There are certainly many more ways that will help your trip with young children be more enjoyable in the end, but this will get you off to a running start. The key is to know your own children and what they need to be happy. This is a time to make special memories, so be sure to do your part in making that happen. A bit of planning will make for a more relaxing and chill time on the other side.
We haven’t flown with our kids yet so I’m taking notes! Thanks for sharing your tips with us. Besos Sarah.
I second your purchasing a suite option. I have cheapen out one to many times in too small of a room with two children. It’s worth the $30 extra bucks for a bigger room! Great list of advice!
It is! They get more sleep and so do you!