Traveling With Children

Barbara Levinson

Vacations are family times filled with plans and expectations. They are a time for creating memories, and with preparation and planning - wonderful memories. Parents need to be mentally prepared; think about their children’s needs and not magically expect children to act like young adults. Children often feel discombobulated when away from home and their routine.

During trips, one of the main culprits for cranky children is boredom. One way to prevent boredom is to pull out unusual surprises at different intervals. A tape measure, play dough, a stapler and paper, pipe cleaners, an audio tape player, special pens are a few suggestions. For very long trips a video player might be appropriate.

The second culprit for cranky children is their need to move their bodies. Kids have lots of energy and it is challenging to be buckled in a seat for hours at a time. Ahead of time let children know how long they will have to sit in their seats.

The third culprit for cranky children is fatigue. Remember when not running-they tend to walk slower. Children usually have little tolerance for museums, and can only explore a city for so many hours. Plan on visiting many parks, playgrounds, forests, beaches and children’s museums. Additionally, schedules, bed times and nap times tend to be inconsistent.

Prepare for Appropriate Behavior:

• Children need to know what is expected of them. At the start of the trip write down a list of “vacation” rules. Periodically review the rules.
• When children don’t follow the rules, rather than yell and focus on what they did wrong, remind them of the rule.
• When issues occur, describe the problem and make a specific request for compliance. “It is not okay to jump on the bed, so please stop and come over here”.

• The more you involve children in planning, the more enjoyable the vacation will be for everyone. Even very young children can look at brochures and pictures. Read about where you will be going.
• Tell the children where they are going, how long it will take, and what they will be doing when they get there.
• Visit bookstores along the route and let children select new books.
• Let children pack their own suitcase. Young children might pack their carry on bag of toys. It is a good idea to make a list for older children to check as they pack.
• Remember that children often have a difficult time in restaurants. Try to dine outside so they can run around. Keep the meals short.
• Train travel is often exciting and suitable for children.

Car Trips:

· Don’t over pack the car.

· Drive late at night or very early in the morning.

· Drive for two hours at a time- then stop.

· Stop at regular intervals, at places where they can run and play.

· Give children a timer.

· Pull out plenty of treats and small unusual objects.

· Stop at parks and have picnics.

· Rotate the seating arrangements.

· Look for signs, landmarks, or count cars.

· Sing songs, play books on tape. Many children get a thrill out of headphones and a tape recorder.

Air Flights:

• Talk to children about how long the flight will be.
• Review the rules about traveling on an airplane.
• When safe, allow children to walk up and down the aisle.
• Bring plenty of snacks.
• Pack a bag of surprises and pull one out periodically.
• Bring books and an audio player with earphones.
• Bring a timer.
• Purchase the headphones for children to watch movies.

Where to stay:

• Avoid bed and breakfasts.
• Condominiums are practical because every one has space. Also they have kitchens.
• Try to stay at motels that have pools.
• Request the first floor.
• Help the children make a fort and sleep in it or have a pillow fight.

Regardless of where you are going or how you are getting there, talk to the children about what they are experiencing and seeing. Together create a scrapbook. Give children cameras to take photographs. Help children create a journal of the trip. Together you are creating memories.