Family Vacations

Are you ready to jet-set with your kids? The adventures don’t have to stop just because you added to your family, but it does make your vacations a bit more complicated. Fortunately, with a few of our travel tips, you can be prepared for whatever comes your way.

• Budget more time than you think you need

Before kids, you could roll up the airport an hour before takeoff, breeze through security, and walk onto the plane while looking at your phone the entire time. You won’t do any of these things when traveling with kids.

Repeat: You won’t do any of these things it kids in tow.

We hate to break it to you, but parking the car, checking in, going through security, buying snacks/drinks, going to the bathroom, and boarding the plane will take 2-3 times as long as you expected because you now have 2-3 times the people. You may have hated waiting in the airport before, but it’s unlikely you have any time to wait at the gate. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need, so you won’t stress about missing your flight when the unexpected happens.

• Buy or rent items at the destination

Are you an over-packer or an under-packer? Most people tend to overpack, and parents often fall into that category. What happens if your baby needs x, y, or z? Will your toddler throw a fit if they don’t have all their favorite toys? Why choose between outfits when you can bring all of them?

Parents often equate baby and children’s items with comfort. What happens when you don’t have the one item that your child loves? Will they be able to sleep? Will they interrupt your entire trip?

By all means, pack the familiar items and comfort toys that you know will keep your routines consistent. However, don’t feel obligated to pack the entire house. Items like diapers, wipes, and favorite foods/snacks can almost always be purchased at your destination. These can save you a lot of room and hassle trying to transport them to your destination. Additionally, many accommodations rent cribs, car seats, highchairs, or other must-have baby items, which can also help prevent you from overpacking.

• Prep your kids ahead of time

Kids are human beings, and like most people, they get uncomfortable when they don’t understand what’s going in. One of the best ways you can alleviate this discomfort as a parent is by taking the time to explain and introduce the trip to your kid(s) in advance.

• Go over an outline of the trip before heading out
• What will happen at each point in the trip?
• What do you want your kids to be prepared for?
• Is there anything that will be new to them?
• Is there anything they’ve already done and can get excited for?
• Explain to them how you will arrive at your destination
• Will you arrive by plane, car, train, bus, etc.
• Explain your expectations for behavior during travel and at the destination
• Tell them what they should look forward to and help them get excited
• Will they see someone they haven’t see in a long time?
• Will there be new animals?
• Will they be able to eat snacks that they like?

Final Thoughts

During this time, think through your child’s eyes. Traveling is exciting, but it can also be an uncomfortable experience because of the unknown. As you begin this journey together, plan to go slow, bring what you need (but not more than that), and explain your trip ahead of time. You’ve got this!