TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH YOUR CHILDREN
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
As our society has become more mobile, fewer people live in close proximity to their extended family members. Hundreds of miles may separate your children from their grandparents or aunts and uncles. This reality has increased the amount of long distance travel which families need to schedule, especially during the holiday season. Instead of "over the river and through the woods", many families are facing airplane flights or five hour car trips. Here are some tips shared by other parents who have traveled with children. We hope that you find them helpful.
Air Travel:
n Try to get to the airport early enough to avoid a long check-in line, and to increase your chances of selecting your preferred seating arrangement. Some parents find the bulkhead seats convenient, especially with younger children, given the increased leg room. Certain carriers provide infant beds which attach to the wall directly in front of the bulkhead.
n For very long distances, you may or may not wish to sit near the airplane's "galley". It can be convenient for warming bottles. However, there is often much traffic in the galley area, which can inhibit sleeping. Depending upon your child's age and specific needs, these distractions may be an asset or a nuisance.
n Don't plan on your child eating the airplane meal. Stick some snack items in your carry-on bag. Ziplock bags of Cheerios, raisins, cheese, crackers or fruit can help avoid a cranky, hungry scene and can also provide a diversion for your child.
n If you have never flown before with your children, you will not know whether the changing altitude pressures will affect their ears. Even for those adults who are affected, the pain can be severe. With infants, you may want to time a feeding for take-off or the plane's descent. The continued sucking can help alleviate the discomfort. Or, if your child uses a pacifier, make sure you bring it along. In fact, pack two! Also speak to your pediatrician about whether (s)he advises bringing along ear drops specifically designed to alleviate this discomfort. For older children, as with adults, sugar-free gum can help relieve this problem.
n If possible, try to schedule your flight at a time when your child may normally nap. If you've been able to get to the airport early, once checked in, do lots of walking if possible. Most likely, your child has already been riding in the car for a while and will need to stretch legs a bit!
n In your carry-on, make sure to pack wipes, a change of clothes for your younger child(ren) and several new play items to be able to pull out at key points during the trip. These do not have to be expensive. Finger puppets, a new book or brightly illustrated magazine or activity pad for an older child or a drawing tablet with a few new crayons can come in very handy. One parent noted that her child loved a drawing pad which Mom had found at the local "five and dime". It was a wax like tablet, covered with a clear plastic sheet. Rather than using crayons, the child drew with a plastic stylus and erased the picture by lifting the plastic sheet. This 99¢ purchase was a big hit, and no tiny pieces to hunt for under airplane seats!
Older children may enjoy packing their own carry-on and selecting a few favorite items with which to busy themselves during the trip. You may still wish to surprise them with one or two new, unexpected items.
n Your younger child may enjoy picking out a special stuffed animal friend to bring along on the trip. One parent noted that his three year old son felt quite important helping his bear during the trip and calming him down during the bumpy parts of the flight. Dad commented that his son took this job quite seriously!
Automobile Travel:
n Many of the above air travel tips can also apply to long car trips. However, you have a bit more flexibility. For example, plan on scheduling a stop roughly every ninety minutes or so, to stretch legs or have a snack. Packing a "picnic" lunch is often a hit and can be much less expensive for a family. It also allows you to control your children's diet a bit more easily. You know that once you reach your destination, their schedules and eating habits will inevitably be disrupted. If you can delay this disruption as much as possible on your "travel" day, it may make your life a bit easier.
n If you have a cassette player, bring along some tapes of your children's favorite songs, as long as they won't make you and your spouse crazy while traveling in the confined space of your car! Remember, part of surviving the holidays is taking care of yourself too!
n Older children enjoy playing guessing games and learning about geography. Pick a theme, and have your children identify items/landmarks which relate to this theme. Themes could be as varied as a letter of the alphabet, a color, a type of transportation, farm animals...Use your imagination, or, better yet, have your children take turns suggesting themes.
In preparing for any form of long distance travel, try to avoid making significant changes in schedules or expectations immediately prior to the trip. For example, if you are about to introduce toilet training into the life of your two year old, you may want to hold off until you have returned home. On the other hand, if a trip to Grandma's will definitely be part of your holiday plans, and you know there won't be a crib there, you may want to think about making that "crib to bed" shift for your three year old a month or so prior to your trip.
While on your visit, try to keep to as normal a routine as possible. Instead of making five family visits in one day, encourage family members to come to the house in which you are staying during the visit. After all, you have done the traveling to spend time with your family in the first place. You are entitled to set some ground rules. By doing so, you will be doing yourself, your children as well as your family members a big favor.
Above all, take some time for yourself to enjoy your trip. Keep in mind that when you've reached your destination, you will most likely be welcomed by a resource of caring individuals who would love to spend some time with your children. Don't be afraid to make the most of this. A quiet dinner with your spouse or a visit with old high school friends, while your children are enjoying an aunt and uncle's company could be a highlight of your visit, for you as well as for your children and extended family.
© Child Care Circuit 2003