There’s a stigma that surrounds young families who are traveling, and you’ll often seen young couples and groups of friends rolling their eyes when they see young children joining the queue. They’d rather sit by the restroom than a stroller, they’d sacrifice the window seat for an aisle seat so they don’t have to sit by a child, and they’d rather be last in the queue than engage a child in conversation.
However, you and the kids needn’t be that nightmare family everyone dreads getting stuck next to. Because, with a bit of preparation and a few simple tips, you can overcome any hurdles that you may face as you’re traveling.
Here’s how:
Allow Plenty of Time
Traveling to an airport is stressful at the best of times, but when you’ve got to get young children through customs and security, it can be even more of a challenge. So, make sure you’ve allowed plenty of time to get to and from the airport and enough time to check in and get something to eat before your flight.
It’s also worth planning ahead for the security queue too, so you can focus on getting your kids through as quickly as possible. Remember to put on slip-on shoes, ditch the belt, and remove any liquids from your hand luggage – that way, you can focus on making sure you all get through this stressful part of the journey with ease.
Look for Child-Friendly Features
To make life even easier while you’re away, look for child-friendly options and features where you can. Make sure your accommodation will cater for the kids (hotels like Marriott are ideal) and that there’s a kids’ club at the resort you’re heading to, so you can have some much-needed chill out time to yourself.
Pack Snacks
A hungry toddler can quickly become a grumpy toddler, which you’ll want to avoid at all costs. So make sure you’ve packed your carry-on luggage with plenty of snacks. Try to keep them healthy, avoiding anything with too much sugar if possible. The last thing you need is hunger followed by hyperactivity, then a huge sugar comedown while you’re stuck on a plane!
Remember Those Comforters
Making sure your little one gets some much-needed sleep while you’re traveling is imperative, especially if you’re embarking on a long-haul flight. Take those special items that’ll make them feel comfortable and at home, e.g. their favorite teddy bear or blanket. And if you’ve got some extra room, pack a pillow so they can get their head down mid-flight.
Create Memories
Finally, make sure this is a vacation you and the family will remember for many years to come by enjoying every second of it. Time is a precious commodity, especially when you’re enjoying time as a family, so find adventures around every corner and get involved with fun-filled activities you’ll all enjoy.
With the right plan in place there’s no reason why you can’t travel stress-free with young children. Even though there will an inevitable mishap and inconvenience, being prepared for these will enable you to deal with each situation with ease.
