As much as we all love travelling with the whole family it doesn’t mean that it is not a stressful time. There will be bumps along the way, but with proper planning and the right mindset you can reduce your stress levels and travelling with a baby or a toddler can be fun.
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Don’t Over Pack
Not having super heavy bags or a lot of them when you are travelling with a child is the way you will stay sane. Of course, you will have to carry things like carriers, car seats or your travel nappy bags. So instead of over packing clothes and baby supplies, pack one square of clothes per person and when you arrive at your destination by diapers, wipes and formula instead of packing it all.
Book Early Flights
Going on early flights will eliminate the risk of arriving at your destination at an awkward time or spending all day stressing out about heading to the airport. Most babies and toddlers are in better moods just when they wake up even if it’s at 5 am. Because they woke up so early they will most likely sleep on the plane. If you don’t have an early flight you will reach your destination late which means you will have less time to settle in. Trying to settle in while you are all hungry, tired and moody is not a good combination. Therefore, when you arrive early you are giving yourself time to adjust to your new environment and prepare for the days that are to come.
Have Lots and Lots of Snacks with You
We all know that toddlers are always hungry. And they will become even hungrier when they have to sit still for a long period of time. Carrying books and toys is important but you should never leave on a trip without a stash of snacks. They don’t whine about how hungry they are if you provide them with an unlimited stash of pretzels or their favourite snack. Therefore, have as many snacks as you can have on you and your spouse through the trip. Stash them in your wrap carrier, your pockets and your bag just to be safe you don’t run out.
Wear Something Comfortable
All of us parents want to look cool, but you won’t feel cool when you have to chase your toddler in heels, skirt or tight pants. Keep it casual while you are on the road, opt for sweatpants, sneakers and a hoodie. If you are still nursing wear something that is comfortable to nurse in. Wearing clothes that are not comfortable is not a good thing to do while you are travelling with children.
Take You Time
Let’s face it, the days when you could take a week-long break somewhere tropical is long gone. When you have a baby or a toddler you are lucky if you can go and explore the city. Because you will always be in the go-go-go strategy while travelling it is important that you frequently break every 2 to 3 hours to avoid meltdowns and keep everyone happy. There is no shame in you and your spouse taking a nap too. Don’t over plan. Keep your activities to 2 or 3 per day. That way your babies and toddlers will be excited about new adventures every day and you and your spouse will stay sane.
You have to keep in mind that you can’t always bring everything with you and there will always be things that you forgot to pack, and that is totally fine. Stay calm and take things slow, you will always find a way to make it work.
Bio:
- Maggie Holmes is a passionate blogger who writes on renovation, fashion, technology and business. Her hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time. Follow her on twitter at https://twitter.com/MaggieH04666334