Traveling can be a challenging affair. Between having to run for your flight connections, remembering to pack everything, and getting around in a new destination, stress is bound to happen from time to time. Adding children to the equation is another story. Anyone who’s ever traveled with small children knows that they can amplify the stress of travel tenfold.
Since small children are often incapable of being rational, and may not have the language skills to verbalize what they need, they may throw tantrums and lose their patience often. In order to balance their needs and your own during your travels, follow these tips to make your adventures easier.
Consider Renting a Car
Renting a car is an extra expense on a trip which can easily add several hundred dollars to your total costs. A lot of parents who are trying to stretch their dollar may see renting a car as an extra luxury which can be skipped on their trip. They may be afraid of getting into an accident in unfamiliar territory, or just don’t feel like extra responsibility.
However, when you’re traveling with small children, the convenience of having your own vehicle is beyond valuable. Being in the middle of public transportation or trying to catch a taxi with a hysterical child can be incredibly inconvenient and stressful.
However, when you have a car at your disposal, you can quickly get around with your child without having to rely on timetables or someone else driving you around while you hold your screaming child helplessly in the backseat.
Bring Entertainment
Small children have short attention spans which can be challenging to deal with, particularly on the airplane. Be sure to bring plenty of entertainment which will keep them busy. They’ll be much less likely to throw tantrums if they’re distracted and entertained.
Introducing a new activity every 30 minutes or so on a long flight will help you and them stay happy for the entirety of the journey. Just make sure that you save plenty of things to do for the ride home too!
Schedule Kids Activities
It’s essential to make your children feel like they’re included on a trip as well. In addition to scheduling adult activities into your itinerary, you should also plan things to do which are fun for the kids.
Consider finding an amusement center or soft play southampton or other places, and have a day devoted to them having fun. They’ll be much more likely to stay patient during your adult activities if they’re given their own time as well.
Bring a First Aid Kit
It’s a smart move to make sure that you come equipped with a first aid kit which is full of everything you may need to keep them healthy. You never know when they may need some pain reliever or a bandaid for an unexpected fall.