There’s no doubt about it – no matter how much you love them, traveling with the kids can be stressful. This is particularly true if you are doing it alone. The travel itself is often the worst part, but often it is no easier even once you have arrived and unpacked! Nonetheless, there is not a doubt that taking your kids abroad is well worth it. As they say, travel broadens the mind. One of the kindest things you can ever do for your children is expose them to different cultures from an early age. There are few better techniques for turning them into well-rounded young people. But you would still be forgiven for not looking forward to taking them away. However, don’t worry too much. Just have a look at my top tips for taking your little ones abroad.
Traveling with the Kids: Book Ahead
The last thing you want to do is run around trying to get transport and hotels sorted on the spot. Not while you have your little one tugging at your ankle. Save yourself a massive headache and book ahead – on everything! Look here for some advice on that: guardian.com/travel. We’re not just talking travel and accommodation here. If there are any attractions you are planning to visit, go ahead and book those early too. Every second you don’t have to queue with a toddler is another little miracle in my book.
Take Your Time
It can be easy to let it all get on top of you when you’re travelling, but it does nobody any good in the long run. That’s why my advice to you here is – take your time! Just remember not to rush anything. Take deep breaths and take everything one step at a time. Your kids will pick up on your energy regardless, so if you are stressed and antsy they will be too. However, if you are the bastion of calmness and tranquility, then they might just stay settled a bit longer!
Avoid Public Transport
If you want to save on headaches, then there is no better advice I can give than to avoid public transport. This might not always be possible, but whenever it is, it is well worth it. The reasons for this should be obvious. We all know how difficult it is to take kids on the bus, even at home. On holiday, with the excitement of it all, it is even worse. Save yourself the trouble, and just book a car through www.hotwire.com/car. That way, they can be as loud as they like.
Encourage Their Interest
But most of all, remember that a holiday should be an enjoyable time for everyone involved. The most important thing to remember when you are traveling with children is to make it as memorable as possible. Chances are, they will look back on the trip with a great deal of fondness. So do everything you can to encourage their enjoyment of the trip. Get them to ask questions about the sights and the people and the culture you are visiting. There are few more healthy things for a young mind than the curiosity that travel inspires.
