There was once a time where travelling was the time to wind-down and relax. Suffice to say, once the kids came, these days were over.
Sure, it does get easier as they get older, but there is a period of at least several years (sometimes stretching beyond a decade) where travelling with kids is no picnic!
This is something that affects parents all around the world, so you are certainly not alone. However, to make the job somewhat easier for you, we have penned the following guide:
Location, Location, Location
We hate clichés, but there is no doubt that this first suggestion is completely worthy of one.
In short, your choice of destination for a family holiday is absolutely crucial. We are not necessarily talking about finding a resort with a water park and all of the other attractions that kids fall in love with (although this will help you immensely).
Instead, it is about satisfying the whole family — and that includes you. The title of this post talked about making the trip more relaxing for you, and this means that you do need somewhere to retreat to, whether this is with a trip to a luxurious spa or something else that will just help you ease back.
Do Not Ignore The Airport
You can mull through the travel brochures and book the holiday of a lifetime, but everything can get off to the worst possible start if you do not factor in the travel-factor. Or, specifically, the airport.
While airports can be some people’s dream (for shopaholics they are apparently one of the most popular places around), for kids airports are completely boring.
As we all know, boredom can lead to all sorts of problems, which is why you must take this into account. Take a lot of things for the kids to entertain themselves with and make sure all of this is packed in an easy-to-access way. The last thing you need is to be ruffling through luggage desperately trying to find their latest toy.
Pack Strategically
When we talk about packing strategically, we mean packing smartly instead of packing everything under the sun. What tends to happen when you pack this way is that you only what you need, and nothing extra.
Pack efficiently, taking only the items that you know will get used. There are essentials you will need to take with you, for example, clothes and toys, as well as anything necessary for the kids like baby wipes, bottles, pacifiers, etc.
If the worst comes to the worst, there is every chance you can buy extra essential items when you are away.
Do Not Cram Activities All Into One Day
It can be tempting to cram countless activities into every day. However, we would strongly urge you to reconsider this. Sure, these activities might be completely suited to the whole family, but –especially if it is hot they outside — this can prove to be extremely tiring, and kids end up getting cranky.
This tiredness can affect both you and the kids, so try and resist the urge and plan your days in a much simpler fashion.
Pingback: How To Safeguard Your Kids In The Great Outdoors | My Beautiful Adventures