Kids are brilliant. They are fun, make you smile, come out with the most wonderful things and you love them with all of your heart. However, they can also be little banshees when the mood takes them, and this can be hard to combat. Surely, you were never like this. The chances are that you were – you just don’t remember. Strategies that work for one child, won’t work for another so you will have to try a bit of trial and error. However, follow this simple guide, and you will find something that can make travelling with your little darlings a bit less stressful.
Food
While you don’t want your kids to grow up with an unhealthy relationship with food, snacks are vital to keeping the peace on a trip with children. Just as you may get a little irritated and moody at work if you haven’t had your mid morning snack, kids can take on a whole new Hulk-like persona if they experience the symptoms of hunger. Being hangry is no good for anyone, least of all children. The red mist descends and they turn from angelic cherubs to little demons. The inner terror is unleashed and it can then be difficult to reign them back. Being hungry is unpleasant, so ensure that you have plenty of food on you, even if you are simply heading to the shops.
For a longer journey or road trip, keep trail mix, oat bars and dried fruit in the glove box. There’s also nothing wrong with stopping off at a service station and allowing them to choose a packet of their favourite sweets. This is a once in a blue moon event and will get them on side. If they can equate a long trip and behaving with having something sweet and delicious, then they are more likely to allow you to travel in peace.
If you’re heading on the train, consider looking at Quick Loans Express and their blog posts detailing how to travel as a family while saving money at the same time. The expense of travelling as a family can be enough to bring on a panic attack!
Tablets Are OK
You may have tablet time at home, when your kids have a set amount of time at specific times of the day to go on any form of electronic device. This is a great way of ensuring that they maintain a healthy relationship with social media and the Internet. However, on a trip that lasts a couple of hours, you could whip out a couple of portable DVD players and allow them to watch their favourite movie. This is a great way of keeping their attention on something entertaining yet harmless for nearly the entire duration of the journey.
You could allow them to play a game on a handheld device, or perhaps you don’t mind them surfing the Internet on their tablet. Social media could still be a no, but electronic devices don’t have to be banned completely.
Little Ones
With babies, travel can cause its own set of issues, none of which are the fault of your little darling. Babies can often get travel sick, so ensure that you always have a spare outfit at the ready. Have plenty of formula to hand as you never know when you might become stuck in traffic, and always have nappies aplenty. Baby wipes are the holy grail of any journey and can cover a multitude of sins, so keep them on you at all times.
Have plenty of pit stops with little ones. Babies shouldn’t stay in car seats for too long, so break up the journey and make sure that you have your stroller with you. This way, you can pull over and go for a quick wander. This is also a great way of ensuring that you also have regular breaks. Longer journeys are always difficult undertakings with babies. Take plenty of breaks, keep the atmosphere as relaxed as possible and ensure your little bundle of joy remains comfortable. Sunblinds are a must as are their favourite snuggle toys.
Travelling with kids doesn’t have to be tricky – you just need to make sure that you are ALWAYS prepared.
This is a collaborative post.
