Traveling with kids is an experience all of its own. Unless you have done it, you can’t really understand it. It comes with its own unique challenges that parents have been struggling with since transportation was invented. When it comes to traveling, the top three concerns are dealing with messy situations, fighting boredom, and keeping everyone safe. Here are some tips to handle theses situations.
Dealing With Messes
Kids are messy. When you are traveling, messes only add to the frustration and stress. It helps to prepare ahead of time to avoid messes and have a plan for how to handle them when they do occur.
One rule of thumb is that you should always have an extra pair of clothing for everyone handy while you travel. If you are on a plane, bus, or train, then everyone needs clothing in their carry on bag. If you are traveling in a car, make sure there is a specified bag that is easily accessible with the clothing in it.
Always pack some extra plastic grocery bags for any soiled clothing. These bags are also great for collecting trash that can pile up quickly. Putting any trash in a bag right away will prevent the hassle of trying to clean everything up once you get to your destination.
Fight Boredom
“I’m bored” is the national motto for kids traveling anywhere. They just aren’t good at waiting in lines and riding in a small, contained space for long periods of time. However, if you want to keep your sanity, you have to figure out ways to keep them from getting bored, restless, and cranky.
Before embarking on your journey, let the kids get all their energy out. This is especially true when you are flying. Don’t make the kids sit still while waiting to board. Find a spot where they can play and move around.
Bring a bag of toys and fun items. Hand them out at different intervals so the kids don’t tire of them so easily. If you time it right, you should be able to give them something new when their interest in the old item starts to fade, which will let you keep boredom at bay.
Keeping Everyone Safe
Perhaps one of the most important issues you have to tackle when traveling is keeping everyone safe. Your travel agent may have some specific advice on safety for where you are traveling, so ask him or her for advice. There are other more general tips that also work wherever you are going.
Always carry disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. Germs are rampant at popular vacation destinations. You don’t anyone getting sick while you are miles from home. That is never fun.
Take a picture of each family member every morning before you head out. This can come in handy if you get separated because it is current and will show what they were wearing that day.
Going on vacation is supposed to be fun. It is supposed to be relaxing. So, having some plans in place to fight against the common issues that happen when traveling with kids can really help make your vacation be all it is supposed to be.
