The busiest travel time of the year is here. Travelling can be quite stressful - managing the crowds, dealing with delays and scrambling through security. Travelling with children adds another layer of challenges. Here are some travel tips for making the journey a bit easier.
It takes some preparation to get ready for a trip. First, I prepare my son. I tell him where we are going and who we will be visiting. I show him pictures and read him stories. He loves the books: Going on a Plane (Usborne First Experiences) by Anne Civardi and My First Airplane Ride by Patricia Hubbel. I make sure he has
plenty of healthy (and not messy) snacks, water and milk. I encourage him to drink something during take off and when we begin our decent - the sucking reduces ear pressure. I also bring him a variety of toys (including some new ones) that will sustain his attention like books, crayons, stickers and interactive toys. I also stock my iphone with children's apps.
Being away from home and travelling to unfamiliar places can be difficult for children. Bringing transitional objects such as a favorite toy, blankie or stuffed animal can ease the anxiety about travelling and remind him/her of home.
When we get to our destination, I let him explore the room he will be sleeping in before he has to go to sleep. I try to stick to his routine as much as possible. I follow the same nap schedule (if possible) and maintain his regular bedtime routine. For more information on managing sleep while travelling, read
the Sleepeasy Solution by Jennifer Waldburger, LCSW and Jill Spivack, LCSW.
Travelling is not as relaxing as it once was, but with some preparation it can still be a lot of fun. I hope these tips help and if you have some of your own travel tips, please share!
Happy and Safe Travels!
It takes some preparation to get ready for a trip. First, I prepare my son. I tell him where we are going and who we will be visiting. I show him pictures and read him stories. He loves the books: Going on a Plane (Usborne First Experiences) by Anne Civardi and My First Airplane Ride by Patricia Hubbel. I make sure he has
plenty of healthy (and not messy) snacks, water and milk. I encourage him to drink something during take off and when we begin our decent - the sucking reduces ear pressure. I also bring him a variety of toys (including some new ones) that will sustain his attention like books, crayons, stickers and interactive toys. I also stock my iphone with children's apps.
Being away from home and travelling to unfamiliar places can be difficult for children. Bringing transitional objects such as a favorite toy, blankie or stuffed animal can ease the anxiety about travelling and remind him/her of home.
When we get to our destination, I let him explore the room he will be sleeping in before he has to go to sleep. I try to stick to his routine as much as possible. I follow the same nap schedule (if possible) and maintain his regular bedtime routine. For more information on managing sleep while travelling, read
the Sleepeasy Solution by Jennifer Waldburger, LCSW and Jill Spivack, LCSW.
Travelling is not as relaxing as it once was, but with some preparation it can still be a lot of fun. I hope these tips help and if you have some of your own travel tips, please share!
Happy and Safe Travels!
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