Traveling with Children, Or “How to Still Love Each Other After Five Hours in the Car”

Your summer vacation has come and you are getting ready to get away.  The kids are excited and you feel a little overwhelmed.  To have the most pleasant vacation with your kids of any age just takes a little pre planning.  Kids will have added energy when going on vacation so channel that energy and happiness will be plentiful.

Some quick thoughts when you head out on vacation:

• Allow extra time so no one needs to rush—nothing kills a vacation mood like stress at the toll booth
• Extra snacks – hungry kids are usually grumpy and remember some moist towelettes in the car for those Cheese puffs and sticky ice cream cones
• Keep to nearly the same morning and evening bed schedule—a 30 minute extension is still a treat at night and less of a disaster the next morning
• Kids get tired so take breaks – a break by the pool is always good for everyone but just remember the sunscreen even when the clouds are out
• Bring extra entertainment for the plane or car ride—video games or books since an entertained kid is a happy kid
• Let kids help in the decision of what they are doing and seeing, prescreening options and providing a choice of 3 alternatives that fit your approval
• For older kids, say teens and above, bring a friend along
• Have patience and make the experience fun because a stressed parent will trickle down to the kids

Where are some great vacations destinations for kids?

• The Beach (with sunscreen applied before you leave the hotel)
• National Parks from Maine to Colorado (with slightly used shoes)
• Washington DC (leave the scissors and nail clippers in your hotel room)
• New York City (you can even take the train there for a complete experience)
• Dude Ranch (what kid doesn’t love to ride horses?)
• Many small towns throughout our country (more cooked to order food than in most homes)
• Italy (remember passports take 8 weeks)

Anytime you are traveling as a family, remember it is time to connect and enjoy each other’s company.  Many great memories are made from even the smallest trip.