Travel With Kids – How We Make It Happen!
Travel with kids,especially babies, toddlers and high energy older brothers (we have all 3), can be challenging!
If you are like us, you experience a myriad of emotions when faced with this prospect.
Joy, fear, excitement, helplessness, wonderment, panic, tension, overwhelming love & peace and so on.
(by several I mean ALL) were the most challenging.
Some children handle it better than others.
We have 1 child who is ALWAYS pushing the envelope, and he is like a ticking time bomb, no matter the setting.
and they can get out and play.
No matter what, it helps to have a structure in place, and have a plan!
to keep things running smoothly.
Below are 5 ways to make it easier to travel with kids!
At Least…5 Ways to (Hopefully) make it easier to travel with kids!
is so key to making sure the trip runs evenly.
you can COMPLETELY AVOID THAT!
can be OK giving them in mass quantity.
Into the cooler, I toss WATER!, fruit, nuts, granola bars, organic fruit snacks, etc.
Trips are the time when I will also totally bribe them with treats that they don’t have on a daily basis.
If they are evenly fed and watered, the sugar won’t be as bad when it hits their system.
kids need some sort of entertainment.
have kept the kids (mostly) occupied.
what happens when there is no signal?
we are SO investing in portable DVD players!
is to stop on the way out and buy each kid a toy for the trip.
My parents did this for us once, before a plane trip overseas.
My brother flushed my toy down the toilet, and that moment is seared into my memory!
It doesn’t have to be drastic.
a quick trip to the dollar store won’t break the bank!
Firstly, most kids will benefit from a nice romp outdoors before the trip.
Some time at the playground, or a nice walk will suffice.
Of course, the longer the journey, the more you will have to get the kids out to play.
and if you want it released constructively, stop and stretch and let it out!
There are tons of playgrounds, fields, and even cemeteries that you can stop at!
They are quiet, little to no traffic with wide open space.
*Also a good time to implement lessons on being respectful to property.
Additionally, if you are able, incorporate cool places of interest on the trip.
and I like to make a point to add stops at forts or monuments, for example.
It helps him to feel involved, and also serves as a teachable moment (Bonus!).
When I say “Gear”, I am using it as a very broad term.
you will need any and everything from strollers to sand toys.
From water shoes to snow boots.
Making sure you have the proper gear can really make the difference!
When the youngest were babies, and we NEEDED to go camping.
It would not have been possible without whatever gear was appropriate for their ages.
The babies needed carriers, the toddlers needed the strollers, and so on.
while hiking a mile long trail.
‘takes up no space in the trunk’ carrier!
We slip our arms through, buckle a few buckles, and tuck the baby in.
Now, we can all walk the trail together.
Also, if the toddler can’t walk all that far, we tote along a stroller.
If you plan to swim, bring water shoes, swim trunks & towels.
If you plan to stay overnight, bring the pack and plays, and so on.
Gear DOES take up space, and proper planning is required.
BUT, Imagine if you DIDN’T bring the such and such?
It will make the trip easier, and less of a nightmare!
but I am a different person when I haven’t had enough sleep.
it may go a long way to making it much more enjoyable.
and there should be less skewing of schedules.
and travelling in any capacity can toss this aside, tornado style.
I am SO not having that, and it’s not fair to them, either.
as close to their normal time as possible!
So, I acted as if we were home.
I made sure to walk the toddler to the showers at 7pm, his usual bath time.
He actually enjoyed the shower, and it was enough to tucker him out.
packed him in his sleeping bag in the pack and play.
The same with the baby in her rock and play (gear).
Thus, Eric and I were able to sleep, too, and all was well!
and the family as a unit.
that constantly propels me to find new adventures.
we don’t want to completely lose our s**t in the process.
Feel Free to Leave YOUR Hints, Tips & Comments Below!