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Having kids shouldn’t mean an end to traveling. If you’re craving a new adventure, it’s possible to see the world and bring the little ones in tow. All you need is the right mindset, lots of preparation, and some sound advice. Here are some helpful tips from State Symbols USA to get you started.
Packing
When you’re on the move as a family, it’s often a good idea to pack light. Especially as, at the end of a busy day, you may end up carrying one of the kids themselves. Empty luggage space also gives you the option to pick up new souvenirs and toys as you go. Make sure that you have all the essentials, and any (non-essential) stuffed animals, noisy electronics and art materials should be left out.
Stress Relief
There’s no denying that traveling with kids can get stressful at times but your reaction to a stressful situation makes all the difference and may tip the balance of the trip. Learn a few key methods to help you maintain calm — breathing techniques, for example, can help you to keep composure and more sensibly assess a situation.
Comfort
When traveling with children, you want to make sure you see to your own comfort as well. That means investing in a good travel pillow for the flight and some high-quality leggings that make keeping up with your kids feel effortless. No one wants to deal with added discomfort when on the move, so make sure your clothes are comfortable and capable of keeping up with your family.
Activities
When deciding what you’re going to spend your time doing whilst on vacation, it’s important to include activities that are enjoyable for both you and the rest of the family. Many parents are tempted to build kid-focused itineraries, but you may find it’s beneficial to balance your schedule to provide entertainment for adults too, especially if it means everyone is in a better mood for it. Better still are activities like forest walks, firework shows, museums, and wildlife centers, which can be fun for all the family.
Diet
Diet plays an important role in determining mood and energy levels and so it’s important to be conscious of this as you travel. Given its wide availability, it would be easy to give in to fast food temptations but if you can hold off and find somewhere that serves fresh food with plenty of nutrition, everyone will be happier for it in the long term. To help stave off immediate hunger and any grumpiness that might come with it, you should always try to keep snacks on hand — you never know when the spaces between meals might be extended by a delayed flight, traffic, or other variables.
Transportation
The way you travel is often just as important as where you’re traveling to. This is true when it comes to transportation, and you should keep in mind the age, size, and irritability of your kids as you plan your methods of getting around. Some kids handle flying well, others not so much — if this is the case, try to seek out alternative means of transportation and, so long as it’s safe, don’t rule out public transport, cycling, or even walking from location to location. These are often great ways to see a country and double up as exercise.
Safety
Speaking of safety, this may be the number one consideration and difference between traveling independently and with kids. You’ll need to prepare thoroughly in advance to ensure vehicles, pools, and hotel rooms are childproof and you’ll need to put in place contingencies in case of any disasters. Dechokers, tracking devices, medical kits, and information cards might seem overly cautious but may just be the buffers you need to travel safely and with peace of mind.
Traveling with kids is certainly a different experience to doing so independently but that doesn’t mean it can’t be heaps of fun and a truly enriching experience for everyone. Take the time to plan your trip so that everyone’s needs are being met and stress can be kept at a minimum.