Vacation is fun. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a long anticipated 2 weeks spent on the beach with just you and your family. We all need this family reprieve every now and then.
But we all know…getting there with kids in tow can (sometimes) be the exact opposite of fun.
It’s. Hard. Work.
I’m reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Modern Family where Claire declares in the midst of her Hawaiian vacation: “I’m a mom traveling with her kids. It’s not a vacation, it’s a business trip.”
But we go. Because it’s necessary. And it actually ends up being a lot of fun.
So here are some ways to survive the hardest part….getting there:
Great Expectations
One of the best things you can do as parents is be realistic. Your kids don’t suddenly become different people or magically age a few years just because you need them to sit still and be somewhat quiet for hours on end. They are still kids. Toddlers still want to move. Preschoolers will ask tons of questions. And babies will cry.
They don’t care if we’re stuck on a plane for a few hours or that the next bathroom stop is still an hour away…so, you know, plan accordingly and try to go with the flow if you can. Ignore the passenger next to you giving you the stink eye because your toddler is fidgety or your baby is starting to cry because it’s time to eat. Kids need to travel too.
If you need to, plan for a red eye flight or drive at night when your littles are sleeping. And seriously, I’m so glad we’re past that stage and we can now travel during normal daylight hours. We’ve definitely logged plenty of midnight travel hours.
Goody Bag
It’s no secret that kids love surprises. No matter how big or small. Pack each of your children a goody bag for a long flight or drive. Fill it with fun snacks, small toys, magazines, and color books. All in the name of keeping them occupied and away from their favorite traveling pastime…asking are we there yet?
Screen Time
Honestly, there is no shame in whipping out the electronics to keep your kids occupied on a long trip. So pack their favorite movies, find a cool traveling app for the iPad, and be generous in handing over your own iPhone if need be. Sometimes, you just need some peace and quiet. And no…I don’t count this as part of their 2 hour daily allotted screen time. This is travel survival and you have a vacation to get to.
Medications and First Aid Kits
Remember to pack any medications your children might need and bring along a fully stocked First Aid Kit. One word of caution when it comes to kids, medicines, and travel: please don’t give your child any medication to make him/her sleepy for the plane or car ride. I was kind of shocked to discover that 18% of parents admit to doing this, according to a recent Parenting Magazine Poll. I certainly understand the desperation, but it’s really not safe and you never know what kind of reaction your child may have to it. Giving a child any medication that is not medically indicated (and sorry, needing them to sleep for a long flight is not a medical indication) is just not a good idea. See these tips from OTC Safety on the proper and safe use of over-the-counter medicines.
So, whether you’re headed out for one last getaway before the start of school or you’ve got an upcoming vacation on the horizon, remember these survival tips and repeat after me…it will be fun once we get there.
And also? Sometimes (just sometimes), getting there is the best part.
Disclosure: I receive compensation for my participation in the CHPA educational foundation’s OTC Safety Ambassador program. However, the content and opinions in this post are my own.
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