| Traveling with kids can be fun and rewarding. It is all | | | | Younger kids can play with new toys or color new |
| about planning. Here are some tips: | | | | coloring books. Please note that the toys or books |
| Develop the checklists | | | | should be new to keep the kids interested and busy |
| Before you pack, put together a checklist for each | | | | longer. |
| person traveling. The checklist should consist of all of | | | | Cure the hunger |
| the things the person will need during the trip. Take into | | | | As a mother, my biggest fear is to see my kids hungry |
| account the weather, the activities the person will | | | | or cold. I panic when their stomachs growl while I don't |
| have, the events the person will attend, and the length | | | | have food on hand. That's why I always remember to |
| of the trip. | | | | bring snacks to the hotel room. This way I won't have |
| You can help the big kids packing for themselves by | | | | to rush out of bed in the morning to go get breakfast |
| giving them their own checklists. When they are done | | | | for my kids. Snacks can't replace the nutritious |
| packing, you can go through the checklists with them | | | | breakfast but at least it can help relieve the hunger for |
| again to make sure everything is packed. For the | | | | awhile. Anyone with more than one kid would |
| younger kids, in addition to their clothes, diapers, baby | | | | understand getting everyone ready in the morning is |
| food, gears and gadgets, don't forget to bring medicine | | | | like moving the whole circus company; it can take up |
| for them as well. Tylenol or Advil would come in handy | | | | to hours. Anytime during the process of getting ready, |
| when it's 1:00 AM and your child has developed a | | | | someone can easily pop up and say, "Mommy I'm |
| fever after a day at the water park, for instance. | | | | hungry." That's when you panic and wish you have |
| We all know during the trip, unless we're camping in the | | | | just a few crackers on hand. |
| woods, we can always go and buy things that we | | | | Of course you can always order room service from |
| forgot to bring. However, why should we spend more | | | | the night before; but room-service breakfasts at some |
| money and time to buy things that we already have at | | | | hotels are ridiculously expensive. Some hotels serve |
| home? A well packed trip will help us save money and | | | | free breakfast in the lobby, but if you don't want to |
| time and minimize stress or frustration. | | | | scare people by appearing in the lobby in your lounge |
| Plan for the activities | | | | gown with no make-up and flat hair, you'll need to get |
| If your destination is not family-friendly, you can make it | | | | up extra early to get ready to go fetch breakfast |
| family-friendly. It's all up to you. You can plan ahead the | | | | before your kids wake up. In the event you're the only |
| activities for the kids, the places for the family to enjoy | | | | parent traveling with young kids, you can't leave them |
| meals together, and/or the events suitable for all ages. | | | | in the room by themselves. So please remember to |
| Activities for kids don't have to be at an amusement | | | | leave some snacks in your bag. You'll need them |
| parks or kids club; in fact, a day at an all-natural quiet | | | | sooner or later. |
| beach can fascinate the kids and imprint in their minds | | | | Be creative |
| good memories. | | | | Things might or might not turn out the way you had |
| The internet is a great source to look for activities, | | | | planned your trip. Be creative and substitute things or |
| events, or places to spend time with your kids. If you | | | | activities you can find on the spot. For example, |
| can't find much information via the search engines, you | | | | substitute the fridge with the hotel provided ice bucket; |
| can always post your questions on the online forums, | | | | heat up things with hot water; use the sink or your |
| the locals will be happy to provide you valuable | | | | spouse' lap as your baby's bathtub (with your spouse |
| information. | | | | sitting in the water); push the bed against the wall if |
| If you're going on a cruise, check and see if they offer | | | | you forgot to bring the bed rail; use a napkin to tie up |
| kids club. Beside of Disney Cruise Line, Carnival is also | | | | your daughter's hair during dinner if you forgot to bring |
| reputable for its outstanding kids programs. | | | | her hair tie; etc. |
| Plan for traveling time | | | | Relax and enjoy |
| I have to admit the technology has made parenting | | | | Last but not least, no matter how wrong things have |
| easier. I'm not talking about having the technology | | | | turned out, remember to take it easy on yourself and |
| babysit the children. When it comes to those long-hour | | | | everyone. Things already happened and you can't |
| flights or road trips, movies and video games are big | | | | change anything. Just relax and enjoy your time with |
| saviors. | | | | your family. |
| If you prefer not to let your kids watch movies or play | | | | I hope you and your kids will have a fun trip filled with |
| games, you can prepare a couple of family games to | | | | beautiful memories! |
| play with the kids on the plane or in the car to kill time. | | | | |