Traveling With Children:

The family vacation: just what is it supposed to look like for the “average“ family? Does it include the ubiquitous theme park destination? Maybe it consists of a getaway to a kid-friendly tourist town? Or, perhaps, a quiet cabin with plenty of outdoor activities to connect a family to nature? Are “staycations” exploring what’s in your family’s own backyard more of your collected preference?

Whatever it may look like to a family and the adults who plan the vacation, traveling with children can be a unique experience with challenges one may encounter than, say, going on a romantic couples retreat. No doubt…it can be a challenge not for the faint of heart. Besides the familiar refrain of, “Are we there yet?”, having kids on a vacation can often times mean dealing with tantrums, cleaning up vomit (when mixed with pina colada-scented cleaning wipes in the small confines of a car can be sickening for everyone inside) or, incredulously, nursing a fussy baby strapped securely into their car seat while you too stretch your seatbelt to its limitations dangling your breast for all driving North on I-85 to see as this author has done.

Despite the inherent challenges toting children on vacation can bring, it is ultimately a rewarding time with memories your children will reminise (hopefully) fondly on in the years that follow. To plan a successful family vacation includes trial and error, an open mind and plenty of patience.

A few things to keep in mind when planning for, and then executing a family vacation:

Plan for rests and stops along the way. If traveling by plane and it is a faraway place your family is headed to, leave time in the schedule for a layover to give kids a chance to stretch their legs. The same idea applies to particularly long drives to a destination: make sure that you make pit stops so the family can have a break from constant movement. If there are places that could be of interest along the way for the children, incorporate those stops into your trip to add some dimension. Driving straight through if it’s more than three hours is not ideal and little bladders can’t hold out but for so long anyhow.

Flexibility is important. A must that needs to be factored into any vacation, but especially with the youngest travelers, the ability to go with the flow will make vacations more enjoyable. Know that you will not check off all on your getaway to-do list and expect to deviate regularly from planned activities. Having a full day of activities planned down to the second does not allow for spontaneity, rest or, at times, be fully present for the moment (which is when some of the most treasured memories of family vacations happen). Having a more easy-going approach en route to your destination and in planning activities will help the adults keep their sanity while giving their children the space to enjoy themselves too.

Manage expectations of what your family vacation should be. Children love opportunities to experience our great big world, but they also can get overstimulated easily, tired and, yes, bored. Don’t let that bother you as the parent. While planning the itinerary, allow for the possibility that your child may not care about sightseeing, may not want to experience all of the attractions a place has to offer, or may just want to have quiet bonding moments with you. Plan appropriate activities according to their age, physical limitations and maturity. Know your children’s preferences beforehand and keep in mind the different personalities that they have to make the trip as a whole feel inclusive to them. Realize, however, that entertaining children all the time while away from home would be exhausting even for the most energetic parents. Allow for down time and planned unwinding time for all of the family.

Plan good surprises kids aren’t expecting. Find out ahead of time the unique quirks particular to your destination and know what would appeal to your children. Do you have an older child who would try zip lining? Maybe your younger child loves pancakes and would love to dine on breakfast for dinner at a mom and pop’s restaurant?

Planning cool activities ahead of time that you know would have a positive reaction keeps children engaged and feeling like their interests are incorporated in your shared vacation.

Safety first, safety always. Make sure you both properly research the place that your family is headed to and know what possible dangers could be around. Is where you are staying along a busy roadway, or a block from a less than desirable side of town? What kind of wildlife could you encounter at your destination that could be of danger? Are there environmental factors you must consider (smog, wildfires, hurricanes) that can impact the health and safety of your family? Are you vacationing in a remote area, where help may be further away? Or will your family be staying in a place teeming with people?

If you can help it, do not carry large amounts of cash or bring valuables to your travel destination. Traveling late at night, especially by car and with small children, is not a recommended practice . Also, it is a great idea to have updated identification cards of your children handy. If you do not have passports for your kids, your local DMV provides this service at low cost.

Traveling with children can be enriching for all, and the bonding and shared love as a family during vacations makes planning them well worth it. Both the normal worries and apprehension that come with going on a family trip can be alleviated with proper planning, ability to improvise and openness. Families enjoying their vacations together can lay down the groundwork for tighter family bonds, deepen the connection and love for all lucky enough to experience such an event. Enjoy your family vacation!