A Guide to Traveling With a Child

When was
your last holiday trip? Last year?

Every
woman wants to get away from her usual routine and feel like a queen again. When was the last time that you had a pedicure at the
salon, relaxed in a spa, or just laid on the beach?

Husbands, when
was the last time you resisted from counting digits and just drank
beer with friends? Unfortunately, we parents rest too rarely, and if you have
a child, a rest is often not so relaxing either.

Once, you landed one of them travel
girls for dating, got married, and became a parent. Children
are angels, but now having a yearly vacation and spending it with your whole family
can be somewhat complicated. You have probably dreamed of a restful vacation with your wife or husband, but you always worry about the kids.

It’s good when you have
a granny or if the kid can stay with a reliable nanny at home. But, if
you two, due to financial or family reasons, need to spend a vacation
with a little (or teenage) child, here are some tips that can turn your vacation into a dream, not into one long babysitting
session.

Take
your kid’s “comfortable things”. Traveling can be pretty
stressful for kids, so don’t forget about essential pieces that will
remind him/her of home. It can be a favorite toy, your T-shirt, a blanket.
The goal is to create maximum comfort, so that your kid will get accustomed to a new place and sleep better. If a child refuses to eat
at the restaurant, order “comfortable food” that he or she eats
at home. Remember that children won’t approve delicious and
expensive oysters or exotic crab meat. Create a relaxing atmosphere.

Don’t force your child to get acquainted with your neighbors’ kids. Meeting new people can be exciting, but it can also be shocking for kids to try and understand a new culture, people, and environment. For little children, tantrums can be a quite natural reaction which dissipates once they are comfortable with their new surroundings.

Ask
for advice. Family doctors can make good recommendations for mental and physical preparations for a kid’s first trip. If your kid is a
new-born or a toddler, expect that first trips can be pretty noisy and filled with meltdowns. Also, since small children’s immunity is still very fragile, be sure to get them appropriate vaccinations or medications (e.g. malaria meds for endemic regions) prior to departure.

Be prepared. Packing your first-aid kit is pretty standard. Research about the place you are going to. Are there essential things that can may not be available or can be difficult to
find in your destination? If so, pack for the duration of the stay.

If
you are traveling with a teenager, don’t force him/her to go on
excursions and family gatherings. Remember those times when you were a teen and you had emotional roller coasters? Teenagers are specifically
emotional with sudden changes. If he or she
decides to stay in the hotel today, avoid forcing him/her to do otherwise or making accusations. Avoid doing the blame game for this can make kids feel rejected, guilty and lonely. Instead, allow them to spend a day on their own as requested, calling them from time to time to check up on them and reminding them they can always follow should they change their minds.

If
your kid is a baby or a toddler, check if the hotel hotel babysitting services. If you need some alone
time with your spouse, some hotels offer expert nannies to babysit children. Before you leave though, spend some time together with your kid and the nanny. Avoid introducing a new person to
your child right before leaving. When
your kid feels comfortable enough to spend time with a newfound
friend, explain for how long they will stay together and when mommy
and daddy will be home.

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