If you have ever travelled with small children, you are all too aware of how exhausting traveling with them can be. This past weekend, I travelled with my 8yr old daughter to New York. It was her first time going so we both were very excited about the trip. We started packing the Thursday before we left. I was so careful not to over pack because I wanted to avoid paying the baggage fees. I packed, unpacked and repacked. Finally I was down to two pieces between the both of us. Of course when you visit New York or anywhere for that matter, you can’t leave without buying something. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that my brother would take her shopping to some of her favorite places and buy her a week’s worth of clothing! Uggh… Thankful for his thoughtfulness, but dreading having to pack even more stuff in an already over packed carry-on bag. Further, trying to get a small-framed 8 yr kid to keep up with you as you dash to the right gate because your plane has already boarded is like trying to Moonwalk on the moving train at the airport. It’s next to impossible!
Here are five suggestions for traveling with kids:
- I’m not an advocate for paying for checked luggage but this is one time when I think you should. Your kid is enough to keep up with at the airport so check those bags.
- make sure to feed your child/ren before you leave for the airport. The airport has every fast-food restaurant imaginable but the prices are a lot higher than your local neighborhood restaurants. If that doesn’t turn you off, maybe this will. The restaurants at the airport usually don’t offer a kids meal.
- Have your child pack a book to read. This is a great way to keep them occupied. Plus it promotes reading which is also a good thing.
- Keep liquids at a minimum. If you decided not to check those bags, you will have to lug them back and forth to the restroom each time. Kids and adults for that matter shouldn’t be “holding it” for an extended period of time.
- Give yourself and your child a time to rest between departure and destination. Traveling is a tough experience even more for the savviest of travelers. You and your kids need time to relax from the hustle and bustle of security screenings, departure gates and seat assignments.
There’s no easy way to traveling with your children but if you use these simple steps, the process will be a lot less stressful for parent and child.