Yaay! The holidays have begun. Travelling with kids can be somewhat frustrating when you are not adequately prepared for the trip. Whether they are biological or not, factoring a child’s needs into your travels involves a lot more than sticking on a CD full of pop music and making toilet stops. Do you have a trip in view and would be travelling with kids?
These guidelines will ensure you have a stress-free jolly ride as you embark on your journey even with the kids on-board during the holidays.
Avoid Excess Load
If you have 2/3 kids carrying so many luggage will be too stressful for you. Kids on their own are demanding. You need to carry along only the necessary items, leave behind items you can do without so that you can manage easily with the kids and your luggage.
Get Items to Keep The Kids Busy
You would need plenty of toys, games, stickers, magnets, and colouring book just to keep the young ones busy during the trip. Allow the kids access to the toys one at a time, let them play with each until they get bored and desire another means of “distraction“.
You will be happy to took these toys along.
Do Not Forget Children’s Meals
Pack as much baby food, baby milk, meals and baby formula as you need. Its is better in excess than you are stranded on your trip. If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, don’t worry about the 3-ounce container rule — just travel with as much food as needed to reach your destination. Bring snacks for older kids.
Allow Them Their Time
One of the best things you can give the kids during their trip is time. Children take a lot of time either in the restroom, moving around or sightseeing. Toddlers love to explore and don’t care for the time pressures of travel, so you’re more likely to all enjoy the trip if you factor the faffing, gawping, stalling, toilet stops and tantrums into your time-frame.
Keep the Weather in Mind
It’s simple advice, but children dressed comfortably for the weather and terrain will be happier in a new environment. You never can tell how hot/cold the weather may get. Ensure you take along clothing that can accommodate any weather conditions, because you do not want to be saddled with a sick child during your trip.
Encourage Them to Keep a Travel Journal
Children find documentation exciting, Get them to describe and list every interesting thing they encounter, whether food, places , games or experiences. Give them books for drawing and listing things they’ve seen and interesting foods they’ve tried. Who knows, this might also encourage them to try different and new things.
Remember To Take Along First Aid
It should already be on your travelling list, but having kids along means carrying a small first aid kit/medicine just for safety and precaution. Do not forget the essentials plasters, antihistamines and sachets of painkilling syrup can save a lot of stress later on. Take a medical kit containing items such as baby paracetamol, thermometer, anti-itching lotion, oral rehydration preparation and bandaids. Antimalarials are also essentials especially in this part of the world.
Motion Sickness
This is not only peculiar to adults but also in children. The symptoms of motion sickness include blanching (becoming pale), headache, dizziness, complaints of feeling sick and, ultimately, vomiting. Motion sickness can occur on any mode of transport, however it varies from one to another.
Suggestions to reduce the risk of motion sickness are:
*When travelling by car, take frequent rest stops.
*Make sure your child looks out the window, rather than at a stationary object inside the vehicle (such as a book).
*Fresh air is highly needed, so open the windows if possible to allow for proper ventilation.
*Anti-nausea medications are available, but check with your doctor first as some medications may not be suitable for children.
*Make sure your child eats something before travelling, but avoid heavy or greasy foods.
General Tips to Make Travelling with Children Stress-free:
*Take a good supply of disposable nappies and wipes.
*Older children will like having their own (disposable) camera and holiday diary so they can record their own impressions.
*See your doctor about immunizations beforehand.
*Pack sunscreen, hats and insect repellent.
*Be particularly careful about the potential dangers of unfamiliar places, such as unfenced swimming pools or balconies.
*Take all sterilising equipment with you if your child is bottle-fed.
*Avoid animals such as dogs, cats and monkeys, to reduce the risk of bites.
Travelling with children is challenging, but planning ahead of time will reduce stress of any kind. If your child is old enough, involve them in planning for the trip so they can get excited about it. Make sure to include enough family events and child-oriented activities to amuse them during the holidays.
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