Traveling with kids can often feel like more trouble than it’s worth. However, it doesn’t have to be a harrowing experience for all. Use some of the following tips to make your trip more child inclusive.
Maintain Flexibility
You never know what you’re going to get sometimes with kids. They can be absolute angels or struggle throughout the entirety of the day. This is why it’s important to maintain flexibility when traveling. Don’t overbook your schedule and make sure there are times in the day when you can reset if needed.
Choose an Appropriate Location
Look for places to vacation that have things both you and your children will enjoy. It’s important that you recognize your boundaries with your children in correlation with their ages and doing activities. For example, if you want to go to a museum but you have a toddler, consider whether or not it’s something that will leave you both frustrated at the end of the day. Choose destinations that have family friendly activities that your children will happily embrace.
Manage Expectations
Your children are not going to behave 100% of your trip. They will get frustrated, overstimulated, worn out, upset, and a million other emotions- possibly in the span of a couple minutes. Remember that they are small. Manage your expectations. If you don’t get to do or see everything you wanted to, that’s okay. If you’re kids are more interested in doing things that aren’t on your itinerary, that’s okay too. Manage your expectations for their capabilities and their behavior. Remember- it’s more important to make happy memories as a family than it is to stick to a rigorous schedule.
Consider Destinations within Driving Distance
Flying with children can be a chaotic and stressful experience. If you’re looking for a simple way to take some of the pressure off your children, choose a destination within driving distance. Being able to pull over your vehicle and stop whenever your children need to is a priceless luxury. Start with places that are only a couple hours away and over time, visit places that are a little farther out. This will help you retain some of your sanity.
Recreate Bedtime Routines
As much as possible, try to keep your bedtime routines consistent while on vacation. It can be a challenge, but it’s important to attempt this. Your children will be grateful for the familiarity and you will reap the rewards of having well rested children. Do the same things for naptimes. Be patient with them as they adapt to sleeping in an unfamiliar location. Prioritize naps and sleeping for the best trip possible.
Bring Snacks and Activities for Children
This is a no-brainer. Make sure you’re stocked up with your kids’ favorite snacks and age appropriate activities. This will help distract them if need be.
Traveling with kids takes a little more thought and preparation but it can also be really fun. Good luck!