Travelling With the Kids

Plan, plan, plan, and don't forget to pack your patience, a sense of humour, and a positive attitude. Keep in mind that the term "vacation" takes on a totally different meaning than it did before you had children, mainly because you and your partner may be away- but you're both still working; on duty, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

So try to limit the number of expectations you have, and involve the kids in planning the trip. Most of all... lighten up! Try to relax and enjoy; after all, that's the purpose of the trip!

Before You Leave:
Place the following in your first aid kit:

• Your pediatrician's phone number
• Your insurance information
• Thermometer
• Medicine spoon
• Wet wipes
• Tweezers (to help remove splinters, and insect stingers)
• Band-aids
• Ice packs
• Elastic bandage
• Antibotic ointment (to help prevent infection from cuts, scrapes, and bruises)
• Pain and fever reducer
  
• Calamine lotion for rashes and itchy bites
• Sunscreen
• Small scissors
• Small flashlight
• Plastic bags

Schedule some family meetings preceding the vacation to plan the trup, including the behaviour that is expected and the consequences of misbehaviour. Tell them where you're going, what they'll be doing, and so on.

Have older children help collect pictures, guides, maps, and brochures. Sit down with the family and look at the travel materials you've collected and discuss all the options.

Get input from the kids, their likes and dislikes, hopes and expectations, and tell them yours.

Before your vacation:

• Consider "practicing" with a mini-getaway. Try a short camping trip close to home, an overnight or weekend at a city hotel, or just an all day trip to the beach.
  
  
• Take your child to visit the airport, train or station, so they will be introduced to the hustle and bustle on the new place. This can minimize fears and bad behaviour on the day of departure.
  
  

Bring along some favourite items from home to help your child feel secure. Offer snacks, munching kids are less likely to fight.

Save souvenirs and remembrances from the trip. Kids love to collect things that don't even cost anything! Make the most out of your vacation by arranging a family meeting after you've returned to talk about it and make scrapbooks, albums, and video presentations!