Travel With Kids, the Easy Way.

Spring is finally here, and that means vacation season is right around the corner!  Warm beaches, sleeping under the stars, overseas flights, or Disney adventures…no matter what your destination, traveling with your little ones may seem daunting.  But family vacations don’t have to be stressful.  Here are some tips for you to make the most of your trip with the kiddos:

Ditch the schedule.  As parents, we sometimes tend to plan everything out.  At least I do.  How else would anything get accomplished, right?  But when you’re traveling with children, plans can change on a moment’s notice.  Sleep schedules are thrown off, moods change on a whim, and just like that your plans are thrown off course.  You’ll need flexibility to adjust.  Plus you want to give your kiddos time to settle into the new place.  Younger folks especially need a chance to get used to unfamiliar surroundings to feel comfortable, so leave lots of open time in the schedule for just hanging out.

Prepare yourself for the unexpected.  Take more diapers than you think you’ll need. Find out your hotel’s early check-in and late check-out policies beforehand.  Know your dining options before you arrive.  And keep a pack of clean wipes handy at all times.  For my family, unexpected was a hotel pool swarming with college kids in the middle of the day.  Not a place for a 7-month-old baby, and certainly unexpected, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. (In our case, the flow took us elsewhere.)

Keep them occupied.  Whether you’re flying or driving, you’re sure to face some amount of downtime, which translates to boredom for older children.  Remember to pack snacks, games, and other activities to kill time.  The Austin Moms Blog writers agree that technology can be a major asset: DVD player, iPad, iPod, Kindle (or a real book, if you’re still into that like me).  You don’t have to keep their eyes plugged into a screen the entire trip but at least it will make the waiting period between destinations a little easier to bear.

Pack lightly.  You probably don’t need ALL of those shoes, right?  Keep your luggage to a minimum to make getting around a little simpler.  This is especially helpful if your destination is a big city like New York, where you’ll most likely be hopping in taxis or trains from one point to the next.  Focus on the essentials like comfortable walking shoes, clean underwear, and sunscreen (or, in my case, red lipstick).  Tip: If you use disposable diapers, consider packing only what you’ll need for the drive/flight and buying the rest once you arrive.

Enjoy the moment.  Your luggage might get lost.  The weather might be rainy and overcast.  Everyone might be grumpy from being in the car too long.  There will most likely be a few bumps in the road, no matter how well you prepare, but remember that time with your kids is temporary and precious.  Take a second to step from behind the camera lens and enjoy being in a new (or familiar) place with the people you love.  The right attitude can overcome even the most challenging travel mishap.

Are you planning to travel with your children this year?  What strategies do you have for traveling with little ones?