If Your Child’s Cuddle Toy Gets Lost While Traveling (0)
Posted 21 December, 2007 in Travel with Kids
What do you do when the unthinkable happens? What do you do when the family reaches their destination, ready to begin their vacation, only to discover that the most important family member (next to mommy, of course) didn’t arrive alongside everyone else?
We’re talking, of course, of the Favorite Toy–the scuffed and battered teddy bear that shares the secrets and pillows of the toddler, their “bestest friend ever!â€Â When that best friend gets lost on the way to the vacation, what is a parent to do?
What To Do If Your Hotel Is Over Booked (1)
Posted 6 December, 2007 in Travel with Kids
Nothing is more maddening than checking in to your hotel after a long trip to find someone has made a mistake and the hotel is over booked. With tired kids, and tired parents, keeping your cool is difficult, but doing so will go a long way to helping you get through.
Be polite. Yes, a mistake was made, but it’s likely that the person you are talking to is not the person who made the mistake. If you are calm and polite, the desk clerk is less likely to refund your deposit and send you out to find another hotel.
Helping Your Child Deal With Ear Pressure When Flying (0)
Posted 27 November, 2007 in Travel with Kids
When flying with babies and young toddlers, the most difficult part of the flight is likely to be take off and landing.
As the plane gains altitude the cabin pressure changes, making the air pressure around the inner ear off balance. This causes pressure on the inner ear drum, uncomfortable enough for an adult, but usually very painful for a baby or small child who can’t pop their ears.
Experienced traveling parents know there are a few tricks you can use to help minimize the pressure and keep your child comfortable. While making take off more pleasant for your child doesn’t guarantee a peaceful, relaxing flight, it will to a long way to making baby’s flight less stressful.
Baby Proof Your Hotel Room (0)
Posted 24 November, 2007 in Travel with Kids
After a long drive, a nice, quiet night in a hotel room sounds perfect. Unfortunately, after that long drive, the toddlers might not see it the same way. If parents don’t want to wake up in a room decorated in Early Baby Wipe with Hotel Shampoo accents, a bit of baby-proofing might be in order before settling down to sleep.
First, take anything that can be opened and sprayed or spilled, like the tiny hotel soaps and shampoos, and move it out of reach. You might leave the bar soaps as a distraction, since a couple of scattered soap bars are a cinch to pick up compared to finger-painting in conditioner. Likewise, move any toxic or messy substances you brought with you out of reach, as well. Check the dresser drawers, too, for things left in the room that could be torn up, or for helpful items like pens and notepads that could be used for redecorating.
Coping With Your Child’s Food Allergies While Traveling (3)
Posted 24 November, 2007 in Travel with Kids
Childhood food allergies can be deadly. Take care to protect your child while traveling.
If possible, make sure your child knows and understands the foods they are allergic to and what happens when they eat that food. If traveling to visit friends or family, be sure to inform them of the child’s allergy. Ask them to be diligent in reading labels while your child is visiting.
Some airlines list flight meals on their website. Most airlines provide special meals for those with food allergies, if you notify them in advance. Check with your airline for details. However, there is no guarantee that your meal will not be prepared or come in contact with something you are allergic to. Avoid potential problems on the road or airplane by making and packing trip snacks yourself.
When Your Child Gets Ill On Vacation (1)
Posted 20 November, 2007 in Travel with Kids
A sick or injured child can turn a fun filled family vacation into a disaster. Prepare for the unpredictable before you leave home.
If anyone in your family takes prescription, over the counter medication, or supplements regularly, be sure you have enough on hand for the trip. You may not be able to find them in a strange town.
Remember, not all OTC medicines are available everywhere. If there is a specific brand of allergy medicine your child uses occasionally, take it with you.
For prescriptions, carry a new written script with you.
Navigating Airport Security With Children (2)
Posted 13 November, 2007 in Travel with Kids
Over the last several years, airport security measures have changed quite a bit. If you haven’t flown in a while, there are a few things you should know. Â
Strollers, car seats, toys and all other objects must go through the security X ray machine. Fold your stroller and make sure to remove small toys or other items from storage pockets before putting it on the conveyer belt. Put them in the plastic bins provided This way nothing gets lost. Make sure to warn your child about the process and reassure them you will get your items back.
Understanding Electrical Conversions When Traveling Over Seas (2)
Posted 30 October, 2007 in Travel with Kids
One thing all travelers need to keep in mind is that different countries use different electrical currents. Using the wrong adapter or power converter might have expensive—or even explosive—results.
Understanding electrical current around the globe is fairly straightforward. There are primarily two standard systems in use today. North America, Central America, and much of Japan, use a 60 Hertz cycle at about 120 volts. The rest of the world, with a few minor exceptions, operates under a 50 Hertz, 220 volt system.
Children Traveling With Family or Friends (2)
Posted 23 October, 2007 in Travel with Kids
Sometimes it’s necessary to allow your child to travel with a close friend or family member. Maybe Grandmom is spending the summer in Europe and wants to take the grandkids along for a trip of their lifetime. Or, perhaps your child’s best friend is going to the beach during a school break and have invited your child along. These kind of trips are usually more stressful for parents than children.
To alleviate your concern, speak to the adult who will be in charge during the trip. Be clear on any conditions you may have regarding the trip. Maybe Grandmom can take Suzie to Europe to visit family, but you want to her to be with Grandmom the entire time, no babysitters, even family, allowed. Make these kinds of wishes clear.Â
Planning a Train Trip With Children (0)
Posted 16 October, 2007 in Travel with Kids
Let’s face it, if children were to pick their favorite ways to travel, trains would likely come in dead last. They ride along, staring at the same sibling across the car for the length of the trip. Kids can only stare out the windows at passing telephone poles for so long before they get bored. Forethought and planning are a necessity, in order to help mom and dad keep their sanity to the end of the line.
Infants are fascinated with new things and places, so they often handle traveling surprisingly well. Toddlers and preschoolers require a bit more thought.Â
When planning the trip, keep the kids in mind. While adults and older children might be able to handle a twelve hour layover without flinching, younger children will get tired of sitting in the same place for so long. If a layover is absolutely necessary, try to plan some kind of distraction, like a trip to a local park. Keep in mind that after being cooped up in a train car all day, they will likely have a lot of energy to burn off, so parks and playgrounds will probably work better than museums or theaters.
With most young children, the best time for the boring part of the trip—the actual traveling—is during the night or naptime. The rhythm of the train and the boredom will combine to put most children right to sleep.Â
If nighttime travel isn’t an option, then be sure to bring along things to entertain and occupy the kids. When selecting these items, gather a variety, rather than one or two favorites, because even a favorite book can get boring after the sixth reading.
Even the most boring of train rides doesn’t have to be a disaster. With careful planning ahead of time, most children will enjoy the “quality time†spent with their parents along the way.
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