If you’re a parent, then you’ll know that travelling with the kids can be extremely stressful. Whether you’re trying to calm a crying baby on a train, reason with a cranky toddler on a flight, or driving along with a couple of bickering children in the back, there are a few things you can do in the run up to your adventure with them to make life that little bit easier for everyone. And don’t forget that when you’re travelling around worldwide travel insurance is a must to safeguard you and your family’s health and belongings.
Preparation
This is the key, and the older they are, the more they’ll be able to understand. So make the most of this (even if they can’t talk) and talk a lot about where you’re going, how you’re going to get there and what it’s going to be like. Show them pictures and get excited about where you’re going and how you’re getting there. It’s really important that your child is aware of, as far as possible, what’s in store for them on the trip ahead. Letting them pack their own little suitcase is actually a great way of involving them in the process and engaging them so that they understand what’s going to happen.
Go with their schedule
You may not think about this when booking your flights or other travel arrangements, but it’s a great point that will save you a lot of tears and heartache. When you go to make your travel plans, think about where they’ll fit into your kids’ sleep and eating schedules – and make sure you think about door-to-door time. Coordinating nap times with flying or driving times or can mean the world of difference, and if your kids are zonked for part of a long plane or car journey, then all the better for them – and you.
Snack time
[Image courtesy of oskay via flickr creative commons]
Make sure you pack enough tasty and nutritious refreshments for them (and you), too. You never know when there are going to be delays or long periods without access to food or drink. You may even have to make time to go and get refreshments when you’ve gone through to the departure lounge, seeing as though there are extremely stringent regulations around taking food and liquids onto flights with you now.
Pack toys and travel games
[Image courtesy of Jem Yoshioka via flickr creative commons]
It’s an obvious one, but can get overlooked in the rush of the preparation. Soft toys, games, books, handheld games consoles for older kids and colouring or puzzle books will keep your kids entertained for hours. And when they get sick of that, you could have some family travel games (eye spy, etc.) on standby as a backup and to use as a good involvement and bonding tool. In fact, we’ve found a great site – Mom’s minivan – with a list of top family road trip games.
Remember to buy appropriate travel insurance cover
While it might sound a bit scaremongerey, it’s true. Travelling without insurance is tantamount to putting the lives of you and your young family in danger. If any of you were to be injured while outside of the UK or the EU, then you may not receive the urgent medical treatment required – or you could well be left with a medical bill running up to hundreds of thousands. And when you do get cover, make sure that you not only go for any old cheap holiday insurance, but you check out the cover that it provides is comprehensive in terms of healthcare, baggage and valuables.
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