![]() Relax! It's easierthan you think. We asked theexperts--parents like you--about what works for them when traveling withkids. Again and again, we found that a little good planning made thedifference between a migraine and a memorable experience. Here's asampling of ideas with gathered--some rather out of the ordinary. Take whatyou need and have a great time! |
A--Join AAA.Their
roadside services are second-to-none. Receive many other benefitssuch as
discounts and their valuable Triptic service which maps out yourentire trip
and gives you great ideas for interesting side-trips.
B--Bulkhead seating.
Be an early bird. Two great bits of advice for airlinetravel. Book those
flights with kids as early as possible and requestbulkhead seating (the
roomy seats at the front of a section). If not, besure to get on the plane
during pre-boarding so that you can have firstchoice of the best seats.
C-- Careful eating. On
a trip, everyone will need optimum energy, so pack healthysnacks for the
car or plane like fruit, juices, whole-grain products, etc.Try not to indulge
in nutritionally poor fast food. It'll zap your energyand your wallet.
D-- Drive at Night. Pack
sleeping kids in the car around 3 a.m. and start yourtrip. You'll be amazed
at how much ground you'll have covered by dawn.
E-- Ear Wisdom-- Kids
have a hard time when planes takeoff and land. Packchewing gum for older
kids. Let babies nurse during takeoff and landing.It relieves ear pressure.
F--First Aid-- Carry
a first-aid kit in your car or at the bottom of yourairline carry-on bag.
Pack it with essentials but also extras like a needleand thread, a pair
of tweezers, and a pack of matches. An old Girl Scouttrick that's sure to
pay off in an emergency.Flexibility--In your car travel time, always factor
in an extra hour forside trips. Florida is full of unusual places to discover,
and the kidswill thank you for the fun.
G-- Goody bags.
A must for long car trips or even 1/2 way points on flights.Include one
for each child and pack them with age-appropiate items likecomic books,
small quiet travel games, stickers, a sweet-treat, etc. Makesure each bag
for same-aged children is the same or the plan will backfire.
H--H20-- Havea
bottle with you in the plane or on the road. A must.
I--Inflatable Potty--A
godsend for long drives. Great brand: INFLATE APOTTY. Don't forget the toilet
paper and plastic garbage bags with twistties for disposal.
J-- Jumper Cables
K--Kids' tapes and tape player.Wee
Sing Silly Songs, etc. Great stuff that'll keepthem from fighting in the
backseat.
L--Pack Light. Contrary
to popular opinion, your kids DO NOT need two outfitsfor each day of the
trip. After you pack, go through your suitcases againto fish out nonessentials.
M--Money-- Donot
bring a wad. Use ATMs with extreme caution.
N--Naptime Buddies Help
young kids drift off to sleep by bringing a stuffed animalor two, letting
them smell a small washrag dabbed with lavender oil (veryrelaxing!), singing
them a quiet song or two, or listening to a lullabyetape.
O--Open-mindedness.
P--Pillows.
Q--Designate QUIET Times.
Agree on times when everyone must zip their lips.It's vital to your sanity
and the kids need a break from each other, too.Quick Pick-Me-Ups for long,
tiring drives: A whiff of Citrus or RosemaryOil from a cottonball in a baggy
enlivens your senses. So do eating freshoranges, listening to comedy tapes,
or an H20 spritz from a small bottle.
R--Responsibility
S--Baby Slings (Carriers).
Baby slings are great contraptions for toting babiesup to 18 months through
busy airports, public restrooms, restaurants, etc.A must for discreet nursing.
Wise alternative to clumsy strollers.Stop Often to Stretch and Burn Off
Energy. Figure stopping for 15 minutesabout every 2 hours while the kids
are awake.
T--Toilet Paper.
U--Umbrella.
V--Vary Your Activties--Kids
need to alternate quiet activities with moreactive ones. Keep this in mind
as you plan your travel day.
W--Wicky Sticks--Found
in craft stores everywhere. They are sets ofbendable wax sticks in bright
colors. Kids and adults can wrap them aroundtheir fingers to make animals,
tell stories, make bracelets, the sky's thelimit. Literally hours of fun.
Y--Yarn and knitting--
Z--Zero-in on your ParentingSkills.
Trips are famous for bringing out the worstin everybody.
Since you'll have a lot of time together, why not help yourfamily brush
up on listening skills. Two Great books by Adele Faber andElaine Mazlish
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & SiblingRivalry. Read them
and watch your entire trip transform into a happyexperience.
Ann O'Dowd is a writer living in Nashville, Tennesee
and is the mother ofthree young children.
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