Travelling with kids doesn’t have to be a nightmare you know?
The first reason why travelling with kids seem like a nightmare is the preconceived mindset. Most folks tend to report only the bad experience, but hey, it doesn’t have to be that way; there are ways to make travelling with your kids, toddlers and babies less strenuous.
Let me explain: In any area of life, adequate preparation and awareness are important keys to winning; same applies to travelling with your babies, no matter how young they may be.
So, adequate preparation? Yes, by that I mean reading up on best tips for travelling with your kids, how to make travelling with kids less of a nightmare; talking to friends who have travelled with their kids on how they did it, etc.
Adequate preparation/awareness, I believe, is what brought you to read this post. And I’m going to do my best to explain how to make travelling with your kids less of a nightmare.
Before The Flight
- Make Enquiries: The importance of adequate preparation cannot be overemphasized. Do research on the services offered by the airline you are travelling with; know how much the cost of a child ticket is; know what travel documents your kids will need and get them handy; know all you will need to take along ahead of time, and get them handy.
- Plan Adequately: It’s advisable that you book a nonstop flight if possible to avoid the hassles of stopovers; try booking your flights for when the airport is less populated; break your flight journey into short times like 30 minutes and plan activities to engage your kids during that period.
- Understand your child’s body language: if the child is old enough, explain the basics of the trip to him or her; make sure you reduce their fluid intake before the flight so as to avoid trying to get a place to pee during boarding. Also, as much as possible try to schedule flight time for your kid’s nap time.
- The Needful: Remember to pack toys, books, healthy snacks, basic first aid and their medications in your carry-on.
- Pack Extras: Make sure to pack extra clothing, extra diapers, foods and snacks in your carry-on bag for the journey.
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At The Airport
- Check in earlier, try to do it online: This will help you secure good seats, and sometimes early boarding. Also, sign up for flight status alerts, so you’ll be notified if your flight has changed or been delayed.
- Arrive at the airport early enough: This will sort out seating issues, clear security, get to the gate without too much stress. Extra time also allows you to maybe change diapers or any little issue that might come up.
- Know the TSA’s rule: Read the Transportation Security Administration rules so has to know about latest security checkpoint procedures. Find out what you can bring in your carry-on bags and what needs to be declared at security, and prepare accordingly.
- Prepare for screening: Get your babies out of their strollers; have a role-play session where you explain to your older kids thee procedures of boarding; make sure they use the bathroom and burn out their energies so that they can nap during the flight. Also, try to calm the fears of your anxious wards before the fight.
During The Flight
Hopefully, your kids get to nap sometimes during the flight, but what do you do when they are awake? You can keep them engaged by:
- Giving them crayons and colouring books to play with
- Getting them busy with toys
- Letting them watch their favourite cartoons on a tab
- Of course, you’ll also let them have their snacks and fruits.
P.S: Do remember to have an airsickness bag in your seat pocket in the case of vomit. Also, do not feed vomit-prone babies and toddlers food that may trigger vomiting during the flight.
I wish you a hassle-free trip as you begin to plan your flight for the year. And just in case you didn’t know, you can search and book cheap flights; get help with choosing an airline, see amazing flight deals on TravelStart website.
