Advertisement
|
|
Viewing Does Travel with Your Kids Suck the Life Right Out of You?Does Travel with Your Kids Suck the Life Right Out of You?
By Kathy Steinemann
|
There is no reason why a family trip or vacation should be anything but enjoyable. Some forethought and a change of attitude may be all that you need. This article can help you turn a frantic vacation into a fantastic one. There is no reason why a family trip or vacation should be anything but enjoyable. Some forethought and a change of attitude may be all that you need. Choosing Accommodations If you like staying in bed and breakfast inns, check each inn's policy regarding children. Many bed and breakfasts are not suitable for kids. Try to find an inn on a working ranch or farm. They often have special programs where the kids can interact with animals (milking cows and feeding chickens, for example). Hotels often provide special children's menus and supervised activities. There may be an activity room right in the hotel or a playground on the property. If they supply babysitting services, make sure that they employ properly trained personnel who have undergone security checks. The Packing List Every child and every family unit is slightly different. However, most of the items on the following list will be useful: 1. First aid kit with kid-sized bandages, liquid Gravol, and liquid Tylenol 2. Prescriptions, medications, and important medical records 3. The telephone numbers of your regular doctor and a doctor or clinic in your destination city 4. Mini-pack tissues 5. Pre-moistened hand wipes - useful for cleaning fingers, dirty faces, and minor spills on clothing 6. Paper towels 7. Recent photos of the kids in case they get separated from you for any reason 8. Custody papers, if applicable 9. Copies of birth certificates and passports 10. Activity box containing coloring books, crayons or colored pencils, paper, crossword puzzle magazines, quick-erase ballpoint pens, highlighters, travel games, decks of cards, story books, and favorite toys 11. Rain gear - including raincoats, umbrellas, and rubber boots 12. Windbreakers, jackets, or coats - as appropriate 13. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats (even if travelling to a snow-covered destination) 14. Plastic bags - the type that you get at the department store or grocery store checkout. Great for storing laundry or garbage. The Disposable Diaper Dilemma Plastic grocery or newspaper bags work great for diaper disposal. Discard solid waste in a toilet; then roll the diaper into a small bundle, keeping the plastic turned outwards with the soiled portion facing inwards. Place the bundle into a plastic bag, expel as much air as possible, and tie closed. Dump in a garbage container. If you are on a nature walk or hike, disposal becomes a little more difficult. Never leave diapers (or any kind of human waste) behind. Not only is this practice harmful to the environment, but it can attract some types of animals. Roll each diaper into a bundle as previously described, retaining any contents. Carry with you until suitable disposal facilities are found. Consider using biodegradable (or cloth) diapers to protect the environment. If odor will be a program due to extended periods of time away from disposal facilities, you might want to pack some deodorant disks or a scented baking soda preparation. Finicky Appetites Airline food is not the most palatable in the world, and many restaurant menus are geared to adults - with very limited choices for children. It might be wise to pack an emergency supply of snacks, which might include: 1. Fresh fruit 2. Snack-size cans of fruit or applesauce 3. Unsalted peanuts or sunflower seeds 4. Granola bars 5. One-serving size boxes of cereal and UHT milk 6. Juice boxes 7. Single-serving puddings and yogurts 8. Cheese and crackers 9. Boxes of raisins 10. Beef jerky Tedium and Lack of Stimulation Kids can rapidly become bored. Parents, you are the first line of defense against this malady (which is certain to strike within a few minutes of departure). Use the opportunity to talk with your children. Tell them stories! Use your imagination to create sound effects: talk like Donald Duck, bark like a dog, oink like the three little pigs . . . Ask your children to tell you stories or talk about what they are learning at school. Talk about their friends. Ask them what they want to be when they grow up. This can be a marvelous opportunity to become closer than ever to these wonderful little people. If you are using any kind of public transportation, get out of your seat once an hour and go for a walk down the aisle. Try some 'armchair' exercises from your seat - lifting knees to chest, raising arms to the ceiling, stretching your head from side to side. You can turn it into a kind of game: 'How high can you raise your hands?', 'Can you touch your chest with your knees?', 'Can you touch your shoulder with your ear?', and so on. Use your ingenuity to come up with more 'exercises' and stretches. Enjoy Your Family - and Your Travel Time Turn every trip into a wonderful adventure. These positive travel experiences will give you and your children many pleasant memories to reminisce about in future years. (c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included. About the Author: Searching for a bed and breakfast, hotel, or hostel? Visit 111 Travel Directory. Trying to find some great travel tips? Surf over to 1000 Tips 4 Trips. Seeking romantic getaway resources? Adult Escapes can help! Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
 Print
|