Mom's Life

Traveling During the Holidays

Alexandra Blumencranz, CPC

During the holidays, millions of families will travel from one place to another, whether for an overnight to a special relative’s house or a planned vacation for an extended period of time. But with a little preparation, it won’t matter if you’re going to an island resort with everything included or to someone’s home, because if parents keep just a few things in mind, they will be able to reduce unwanted stress and ensure a successful trip for everyone.

Know the drill: It’s important to call ahead and find out exactly what your accommodations will be like. How early will breakfast be served? Is there a tub or only a shower stall? Is there a playground/kids activity center on site or nearby? For example, during one of our family trips, the crib that the hotel provided for my one year old turned out to be literally a steel cage with rough corners! We ended up squeezing into one bed together.

Stock up: Many hotels have special breakfasts or activities for children, but there are age restrictions or required advanced reservations—and don’t forget the added costs. Unless you’re going to someone’s house where the children are the same age, there won’t be anything to play with. Even if you’re going to Disney World, for example, there are no toys in the hotels room. Bring a box of small toys that your little ones can play with while you’re getting dressed. Also keep in mind that you might have to do some baby-proofing. One year, we stayed for a week at my parents’ house. A box of plastic electrical socket covers gave me a calmer peace of mind during our stay.

Pack appropriately: Think what you and your kids will really need. Do they use sippy-cups? Bring along a pack of disposable ones. How many diapers will they go through? If you’re bringing the DVD player, how long does the battery pack really last? Do you have an extra in case it cuts out during the favorite part of a movie? Bring extra baby wipes for washing hands, cleaning spills, and if the baby will be sleeping in another room, make sure to bring a monitor. It’s best to carry these items in a collapsible bag that can be folded up when going home; diapers and wipes take up a lot of space!

Stay with the program: Try and keep your daily routine at home the same during your trip - kids thrive on structure. Try and keep their naps and mealtimes as close to the same time as possible. If they are used to some milk before bedtime, make sure you have some in the mini-fridge or a bucket of ice. Especially with infants and toddlers, incorporate some down time into the day. Whether that’s a favorite video or snuggling with a good book, it’s important to take a break and regroup. Vacations and new places are very exciting for everyone, but by keeping the kids on track, hopefully there will be more smiles and less meltdowns.

Expect the unexpected: Unfortunately, things do go wrong on vacations. Have a list of emergency numbers handy including a local after-hours walk-in clinic or pediatrician and a 24-hour convenience store. Also, bring from home medications that you might need. If your 2-year-old wakes up in the middle of the night with a fever, you’ll be happy you have the appropriate medicine right in the bathroom.

Enjoy some downtime: Remember that this is supposed to be a vacation or at least some time away for the adults too. Don’t try and cram a week’s worth of activities into two days! If you’re pregnant, make sure you listen to your body. Most people can’t spend an entire day on their feet, rushing from activity to activity, let alone trying to do that with a big belly. Whether you need multiple breaks during the day, an afternoon nap, an evening bath or all of the above, make sure you take time for yourself too. Enlist the support of your spouse, significant other or another capable adult to ensure that your needs get met too.

With a little thought and some planning ahead, vacation time will be just that – a fun time for the family to relax and enjoy each other without the chaos and headaches that can sometimes occur. By having what everyone needs and keeping schedules on track, parents will be calmer and less-stressed, thereby making the whole trip a success.

Happy Traveling!

Alexandra Blumencranz is a Certified Parent Coach in Clearwater, Florida. She can be reached at 727-656-9971 or www.positiveparentcoaching.com.

Copyright © Alexandra Blumencranz, 2006. All rights reserved.