Planning to Travel with your Little Ones
My family going on a hike - Taken by Frank Quintana
Planning your next trip or vacation can be stressful. Factor in traveling with small children, and it can feel overwhelming. You might be thinking about how challenging a short trip to the store is with your children. So how do you plan for extended travel with your little ones? Slow down and take a deep breath. Tell yourself it is going to be fun. Remember, vacations are supposed to be fun! With some practical preparation and a good attitude, your vacation will be fun and memorable.
The best place to start is having the right mindset. If you are anxious and tense, your family will sense it too. Children have an innate ability to pick up on their parent's emotions. Our spouses and partners are even more quick to pick up tense feelings. We want to create memorable and enjoyable experiences with our loved ones. The right experience starts with the right attitude. Of course, there are challenges when traveling as a family. Stay positive and be flexible. You can do this! And again, remember, vacations are supposed to be fun.
Planning Your Excursions And Activities
Be practical when planning your excursions. Activities and events should be age appropriate. When planning outdoor activities keep in mind small children can tire faster outdoors. You can still hike a trail, but you may have to do shorter or easy-to-moderate trails. And if you take a baby in a backpack carrier, you will tire much faster. You can swim and do other water activities, but be mindful that children are more sensitive to the sun and heat. Use sunscreen and stay hydrated. Remember to take breaks whenever you need to. Pushing your children too hard to keep up a fast and hard pace will frustrate them and you.
Additionally, be flexible with your plans. Years ago, my wife and three small children planned a skiing trip in Colorado. Our family had no experience skiing, so we booked skiing lessons for all of us on our first day on the slopes. Our children had separate ski lessons with a ski instructor who worked specifically with young children. We planned to ski as a family when we felt confident with our ski lessons. After my wife and I had a full day of ski lessons, we checked in with our kids. When we saw our kids, immediately, we knew they did not have a good experience. They were almost in tears. They wanted to learn how to ski, but it was too much and too fast for children as small as them. After consoling and comforting our kids, my wife and I decided we would not return to the slopes the next day. We made the trip in our vehicle, so we opted to drive around the mountains and do some sightseeing. Our family was happier and more relaxed with our changed plans. We still had a great vacation. We have great memories of that trip that we still talk about today.
Wear Matching Shirts
When visiting any place with a gift shop, get matching shirts for the whole family and wear them together. It may sound corny, but getting matching shirts can be practical. Getting shirts on your trip means you do less initial packing. Additionally, wearing matching shirts as a family makes it easy to identify your children. Thinking of your child getting lost or separated from you while traveling is frightening. Hopefully, this never happens. However, if your family is wearing the same shirts, anyone helping locate a lost child will know how to identify who they are looking for. With this in mind, you may want to wear matching shirts at the start of your trip. This is a good idea if starting your vacation through a busy airport. You might still think dressing your family in matching shirts sounds silly, but your children will love it. Children view it as a bonding experience, and you should too. Family adventures are supposed to be about bonding and sharing memories.
Be Mindful Of Your Children's Routines And Structure
Small children do best with a routine and schedule. Be considerate of these routines and schedules when traveling. It can be easier to plan this when doing a road trip. Small children tend to fall asleep in a moving car. Driving before sunrise can allow your children to sleep in the car after you settle them in. Another benefit of early morning drives is less traffic to navigate. Getting children to fall asleep in the car can also work late in the day, especially after a full day of activities. Just be sure the driver is alert enough to drive safely late in the evening and at night. When possible, plan activities with their regular routines and schedules in mind. If your child's routine gets disrupted and they miss naptime, you will know their displeasure. Also, have snacks and drinks handy whenever you need them. Hungry and thirsty children are irritable and cranky. Of course, small children can have an emotional meltdown for numerous reasons. As a parent, you must remember to consider your children's needs. Thoughtful planning and preparation can help reduce stress and anxiety on your family vacation.
Remember to be flexible and relaxed. Vacations are supposed to be fun! With a good attitude and some planning, you will enjoy your family vacation. You can have an epic family adventure. You can do this!