All posts tagged international travel with kids

4 Safety Tips for Summer Travel

by alicemarks on May 11, 2012 in Adventures with children, Experiences, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with No comments

Summer is a time to reach beyond the borders of your family’s comfort zone and explore the unfamiliar.  And although work schedules may not be as flexible, having the kids out of school is definitely an incentive to find a way to go wheels-up on a new adventure.

If you’re one of those families that has a tried-and-true vacation spot, maybe even a timeshare that you’ve visited every year, why not look into week or points exchanges that can get you beyond amazing deals on someplace you’ve never been!

However, regardless of your destination, and whether or not you’ve been there 100 times already, it’s always important to review safety when traveling anywhere away from your home turf.

Documentation.  Always make back up photocopies of all documentation (passports, credit cards, birth certificates, photos, etc) and keep a set in your luggage.  Additionally, leave leave a set with a trusted friend that can be accessed anytime if your set gets lost.

Registration. Register your kids with a national database.  I know it’s icky to think about, but it’s a true peace-of-mind maneuver.

Information. Take the time to get familiar with your destination, including where you should and shouldn’t go after dark, places with heavy pick-pocket activity, etc.  Typically, the more touristy the area, the higher the tourist crime rate.

Vigilance. Keep an eye on your kids at all times. Younger kids should hold your hands; older kids should walk in front of you.

Summer is a time for relaxed vacations and exciting adventures.  But no matter where you go, you’re a tourist and therefore a potential target for opportunists.  Stack the odds in your favor by following these four tips and then sit back, relax, and get ready to make some family memories!

 

3 Top Tips to Keep You and the Kids Healthy on Vacation

by alicemarks on April 6, 2012 in Family Time, Outside play, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with No comments

Spring and summer travel season are nearly upon us.  And with travel comes fun. And to have fun you have to feel good. Right?  There is nothing worse than planning and anticipating a wonderful family vacation only to be sidelined when one (or more) of you comes down with an irritating cold or inopportune tummy issues.

Keeping healthy on the road does require a little more diligence, simply because you are out of your normal routine.  Also, the added stress of being away from home can work against you by lowering your immune system and making you more vulnerable to ailments you would normally fight off with ease.

Follow these three basic rules to keep you and your family in top shape during your next getaway:

  1. Drink plenty of water.  When we’re away from home and we don’t have our handy water bottle by our side, keeping hydrated can get overlooked.  But dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, overall crankiness and a lowered ability to fight off minor bugs.
  2. Wash your hands.  It’s not as easy or convenient when you’re not at your own house, but even keeping a supply of wet wipes and hand sanitizers on hand can greatly reduce your risk of picking up a bug.
  3. Get plenty of fresh air and exercise, even if it’s cold outside.  It’s good for the heart, good for the lungs, and good for overall energy levels.  Fresh air and exercise promote a feeling of well-being, which reduces vacation-related stress.  Lower stress keeps your immune systems functioning at full strength.

Have a happy and healthy trip!

The Three D’s of Successful Road Trips with Children

by alicemarks on March 6, 2012 in Adventures with children, Day trips with children, Experiences, Family Time, Travel games, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with No comments

Road tripping with kids is like a chocolate covered pretzel.  Access to unlimited toys, a comfortable and familiar environment and no other (non-family) passengers to annoy all make for one sweet ride.

However, on the saltier (and more abrasive) side, road trips are usually longer than air travel, which translates to more stress on your vacation zen as you attempt to maintain order/thwart anarchy from the front seat.

But not to worry!  A fun and adventurous road trip can be yours if you just follow these three simple Rules of the Road Trip:

Due Diligence

Research your trip before you go, looking for all the fun/interesting/obnoxiously touristy/places along the way.  Encourage your kids to love the journey just as much as the destination!  A great resource for planning your route and all the attractions it may hold can be found at Road Trip America.com

Distractions

A well-stocked toy chest, complete with each child’s own hand-picked snacks, games, books (and DVD’s if you want), will do wonders during those times when the road is long and manners/patience/goodwill towards humankind are short supply.

Determination

Fun is all about attitude.  If you are determined to have fun, then you will have fun. Period.  Arm yourself with family games and music CD’s that the whole family will like.

The American Road Trip is a rite of passage.  Treat it with the respect it deserves, and it will reward you with laughs, bonding, and a backseat full of great memories.

Traveling with Kids: The 90/10 Rule for Success

by alicemarks on February 24, 2012 in Adventures with children, Experiences, Family Time, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with No comments

Traveling with kids is sticky.

It is sticky, moist, often smells like wet/moldy…something, and has the potential to clothesline you with exhaustion.

Unless you have the right attitude.

Traveling with kids is ALL about attitude.

In fact, the potential joy or disaster of family travel can be boiled down to the 90/10 rule:  The success of your trip is 10% of the circumstances thrown your way, and 90% of how you react to those circumstances.

Traveling with kids can bring you joy, laughter and the heart-squeezing beauty of seeing a child experience something new. It can bring you closer together as a family.  It can plant the seeds of adventure and encourage self-esteem as kids learn to navigate outside their comfort zones.

But you have to expect the joy.  You have find it in unlikely places.  And you have to ignore the people who tell you that you are crazy for wanting it.

You have to make up your mind ahead of time that you, and you alone, can make or break this vacation.  Yes, your toddler threw up in the rental car.  Okay, the baby screamed the whole flight. I get that.  It stinks.  It’s hard.  You’re tired.

Step back and take a deep breath, because you have a choice to make.  It is always about choices, right?  You can choose to laugh it off.  You can choose not to make your child feel worse than she already does by lamenting a ruined sweater. You can choose to let that rude comment from another passenger float away, unacknowledged.

You can choose not to worry about the size of your child’s suitcase, if the hotel restaurant will have french fries, or how long it will take to get over jet lag.

You can also choose wholeheartedly to feel the joy of the moment when your child runs, leaping and giggling, over the incoming tide.  You can choose to accept that it’s money well spent to hire someone to help you with your bags.

Enjoy each moment as it comes your way.  The moments that are more difficult to enjoy?  Do not give them power.  Lift your head out of the gray clouds until you feel the sun on your face.  Then choose how to act.

Your choices will define the differences between a great trip and a “never-again.”  You will also be showing your children how they, too, possess the power and capabilities to shape their own experiences.

Yes, travel with children can be both a blessing and a curse.

As you wish.

4 Things You Must Know About Holiday Air Travel with Kids

by alicemarks on December 1, 2011 in Adventures with children, Experiences, Family Time, QuickSmart, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with 1 Comment

As if the holiday season isn’t busy enough, some families (including my own) are inexplicably stricken with the deranged compulsion to embark upon a family trip during those last final weeks of the year.  Whether it’s just a long weekend or for full two weeks, these madcap adventurers steel their resolve and defiantly fly off to visit family, get away from the cold, or just alleviate cabin fever.

With so many other things to remember, it’s sometimes difficult to keep the nuances of flying with kids at the forefront of your mind.  However, if you can remember one tip from each of the basic needs – comfort, safety, food and fun – you can increase your odds of making your journey equally as pleasurable as your ultimate destination.

1.Comfort

Plenty of diapers, change of clothes, extra layers and blankie or favorite stuffed animal

2. Safety

Car seat or Restraint Harness (The CARES harness is the only FAA approved harness out there, and keeps kids back far enough in their seats to curtail seat-kicking).

3. Food

Don’t overlook snacks in  your rush to get out the door.  A few healthy snacks (trail mix, granola bars) mixed with some special treats will do wonders to grease the meltdown-prevention wheels.

4.Fun 

On long flights, distractions are key.  Dollar store doodads wrapped like presents, mystery “goody bags,” toys without small pieces and even a DVD player will all aid in keeping your child’s mind off the confinement of the airplane cabin.

The captain may have turned on the fasten seatbelt sign, but you’ve got your basics covered, so sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the holiday journey.

12 Essential Tips for Traveling with Kids

by alicemarks on November 10, 2011 in Adventures with children, Experiences, QuickSmart, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with 1 Comment

Today I attended an event at Urba Baby, a local baby boutique in Chicago.  The topic was traveling with kids, and although I spent many years traveling alone with my three young kids, I was humbled by Cindy McCarthy of On The Go Chicago, who has made no less than 70 trips with her kids in the few short years since they were born.

Cindy entertained the crowd with anecdotes and helpful tips for parents looking to jump into the world of family travel, and throughout her talk I couldn’t help but grin and nod at her oh-so-accurate assessment of kids on the road and in the air.

Although all her points were spot-on, I have summarized her tips into 12 essential take-away nuggets of knowledge that I wish I had known when setting out on my first travel adventures with my babies.

Flying

  1. Car seats cannot go in the emergency exit row, but did you know that they are also not allowed in the row in front on the emergency exit?  Car seats must also go next to the window.
  2. You can bring baby food, formula, breast milk and juice onto the plane in quantities over 3 ounces, as long as you declare it at security.
  3. Change diapers at the last possible minute before boarding the plane.  Because The Diaper Law dictates that babies must poop explosively immediately upon donning a brand new diaper, this also gives you time to change them once more before takeoff.
  4. Many airlines have changed the maximum weight for a gate-checked stroller to 20 lbs. If your stroller is heavier, you will have to check it with the baggage.  Every trip, my heavy-duty suitcase loses another wheel in the belly of the plane…and strollers are more fragile.  Just sayin’.
  5. Bring lots of diapers.  My general rule of thumb is to pack one diaper for every hour between the time you leave your house and when you check into your hotel.
  6. Got seat kickers?  Try taking off their shoes, it’s not as fun to kick something hard with just socks on!

Driving

  1. Even if your kids have never been carsick before, plan for it.  Keep a bucket or big ziplock bags and some water or cleaning spray in your car as a “just in case” kit.
  2. Stop for gas BEFORE the kids fall asleep – even if you still have 3/4 of a tank.  No point in taking the chance that the reverberating THUNK of the gas nozzle shutting off won’t wake up them up.
  3. Break up the journey with short stops at interesting places.  So you finish your trip an hour later than normal.  You have kids!  That’s how you roll now.
Hotels
  1. Bring your own crib sheet (or two).  Many hotel do not provide one.
  2. Check all drape cords as soon as you get in and tuck them well out of reach.
  3. Get down on your knees at child level.  What looks interesting? Outlets, cords…minibar?  Create barriers with luggage, and bring outlet covers or use duct tape in a pinch.

With all the planning, hopes and dreams that go into a family vacation, it’s too precious a time to waste energy stressing about what could happen en route.   Be smart, be calm, be prepared, and most off all, be ready to roll with it.  Thanks again, Cindy, for giving us a few less things to worry about along the way.

How to Fly with a Toddler and Live to Tell the Story

by alicemarks on October 4, 2011 in Adventures with children, QuickSmart, Travel games, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with No comments

Flying with a toddler. It’s definitely not unicorns and rainbows.  But with a few preparations it can be done, and it can be done well.  And yes, with everyone’s mental health still fully intact.

1. First and foremost, buy your child his own seat.  I know money is tight. I know you think that having your child on your lap is a no-brainer way to save a few bucks.  But I am telling you right now, the happy glow from the money you saved will be snuffed out and stomped upon by the stress and discouragement you will experience after a few hours of holding a wriggly, fussy, vocal toddler who most definitely does NOT want to be on your lap.

A child in his own seat will also fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer – just think about how easily kids fall asleep in the car versus if they were sitting on your lap at Aunt Linda’s house.

Kids will sleep easier in their own seats

Kids will sleep easier in their own seats

2. Restraint is also a must.  Whether you bring your own car seat or use this phenomenal device by CARES (which keeps your child far enough back in their seat to thwart their attempts to kick the unsuspecting traveler in front of them), a restraint system, much like swaddling for an infant, helps your child feel secure.  Secure children are calmer children.

Restrain your child on airplane travel

A restrained child (in a CARES harness) is a happy child!

A restrained child in his own seat with his own tray/play surface is better able to focus on entertaining himself instead of expecting you to relieve all his boredom woes.  He can also move freely (read: squirm) without bothering you or fellow passengers.

3. Bring snacks that everyone can live with. If you load your kids up on sugar in the first 30 minutes of the flight, neither you nor your fellow passengers will be happy.  Bring snacks with protein (which digest more slowly) and dole out SMALL treats (I am a huge M&M’s fan) as needed.

Bring Healthy Treats for Toddlers on Planes

A great in-flight snack for toddlers

4. Distractions are a mom’s best friend.  Bring a few tried-and-true toys (Colorforms,  sticker books, Magnadoodle, etc), and then pick up a few new toys that can be presented along the way.  Wrapping the new toys in fun paper prolongs the excitement and distraction factor.  Portable DVD players are pretty inexpensive and are a must have in your distraction arsenal.  iPads have many fun apps that can also up the entertainment factor.

Finally, stay relaxed.  Your toddler will pick up on your cues and behave accordingly.  Bring your child’s favorite toy or blankie (I highly recommend purchasing doubles for backup), and take a deep breath.  You are ready.

A World of Adventure: Excursion Trips for the Whole Family

by alicemarks on September 28, 2011 in Adventures with children, children and nature, Day trips with children, Experiences, Local Fun, QuickSmart, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with 1 Comment

Vacations, by their very nature, are expected to be relaxing. However, in my humble experience, I have found that a trip with young children is usually anything but.

Book a vacation with the dreamy expectations of lazy days on the beach and a margarita in each hand and you just may end up frustrated that your children, adventurous by nature and intrinsically adverse to boredom, have different plans entirely.

Not Going to Happen

So, instead of having your beach lazing margarita sipping dreams crushed by the reality of bored and unamused children, why not try a preemptive strike and plan a vacation that is so packed with adventure that both your and your children’s expectations are gloriously harmonious?

Arranged by age suitability, these are some of my favorite adventure vacations for families:

Ages 3 and under

Because of their attention span and their tendency to tire easily, this age range is best suited for a series of new experiences broken up into small manageable chunks.

  • Easy hikes with big payoffs (waterfalls, parks)
  • Anything with animals

Of course, very young children can be put in carriers for longer hikes, as long as you give them leg stretching breaks every hour or so.

Ages 4-6

This is the minimum age for most adventure trip companies.  Your child’s fourth birthday opens up a world of adventure possibilities, including:

  • River rafting

I know this seems like like it’s a bit much for younger children, but there are some river programs that offer trips running only Class I rapids, which is little more than bumps in the road. Try a trip on the Snake River in Wyoming, which will also thrill kids with its abundance of wildlife.

Kids can raft as young as 4 years

  • Longer Hikes

Unlike river rafting, hiking can be done any where and anytime.  Likely you have a few parks nearby (we are lucky enough to have an arboretum) where you can start stretching your hiking legs.  Kids at this age can be engaged with cameras, scavenger hunts and a rousing game of “I Spy”.

For the ultimate experience, try a Canadian Mountain Holidays Family Heli-Hiking package, suited for kids 5 and up.

Ages 7 and up

At this age, the truly seasoned junior adventure traveler will be looking for a little more of a thrill.  Look for trips that offer a variety of different options so that you can expose your child to as many activities as possible.

River rafting, Class II and III

Trips offered by companies such as OARS are tailor made for families with young children.  They offer rafting, hiking, kayaking, cycling and a itinerary planned specifically for families with young children.

Hiking

Try Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon for hikes with the ultimate payoff.  Check out REI.com for an extensive list of family-friendly travel packages.

Kick it up a notch with a hiking trip to Havasu Falls

Safari, Greek Isles and More

Whether it’s catching a glimpse of an African Elephant on safari or exploring caves and splashing in the waves of the Greek Isles, the opportunities are endless for families who want to instill a love of adventure in their children.  I can’t say enough good things about REI or OARS as great sites to spark some unique ideas for your next family excursion.

And really, if you think about it, only on an adventure vacation can you truly tap into the elusive best of both worlds: At the end of a day of adventure your kids may be so exhausted from having fun they could fall asleep even before the sun has completely set, leaving you to enjoy your margarita after all.

Stacking the Deck: Put Your Fellow Travelers at Ease Before You Even Board the Plane

by alicemarks on September 19, 2011 in Adventures with children, QuickSmart, Travel games, Travel tips, Travel with babies, Traveling with Children with No comments

Sometimes one of the biggest concerns about flying with young kids is the reaction you anticipate from your fellow travelers when they realize they will be sharing your flight.

And, while the neuroses of strangers should be the least of your worries (see how to deal with flat-out rudeness here), there are a few easy ways in which you can cleverly draw your fellow passengers into your corner pre-flight by demonstrating that you are doing everything in your power to ensure that the trip is a smooth one for everybody.

  1. Make sure your kids are well fed, preferable with a protein rich meal.  Sated kids are calmer kids.  Keep your bribe-worthy treats securely hidden until well after take off.
  2. Dress your kids for success.  Have your kids pick out a special outfit the night before.  The care put into selecting an outfit will show them that this is not a play-date, but an event where they are expected to be on their best behavior.
  3. Have your child organize their in-flight backpack while they are waiting.  This demonstrates to their fellow passengers that they are gearing up to keep busy.

While easing the concerns of your fellow passengers is obviously not your first priority, a little preparation and mindfulness can go a long way towards greasing the wheels of tolerance and understanding with your fellow travelers.

Teach Your Child to Be Secure in Security

by alicemarks on September 13, 2011 in Adventures with children, Experiences, QuickSmart, Travel tips, Traveling with Children with No comments

For first time junior travelers, the airport can be a glorious adventure.  Airplanes aside, there are moving walkways, all their favorite restaurants and dozens of mini stores with more candy and souvenirs than they could possibly imagine.

But, regardless of how much fun they can have during preflight shenanigans, there will be a period of time where your children are expected to follow the rules and take things seriously:  when your family passes through airport security.

Kids and Airport Security

For some kids the sudden shift to a more serious attitude is merely a passing annoyance; an ill-timed interruption of their quest to find and ride one of the passenger-assist carts.

But for other kids the sudden flurry of unexpected activity, the emptying of pockets and removing of shoes, the rendering of a cherished backpack full of goodies into the mouth of the X-ray machine, may feel to them like all new and unknown experiences – a little scary.

However, because you are a travel-savvy parent, you have followed the tips below and have prepared your child for the unknown.  And thus prepared, your child can render the experience safely into the category of Familiar, therefore removing the element of scary before before they even realize that they aren’t wearing any shoes.

Children and Airport Security

How to Prepare your Child for Airport Security

  1. Set up a mock security station at home.  Find a big box for the X-ray machine, some bins to put their goodies in and something to create a large archway for them to walk through.  A couch makes a great conveyor belt area.
  2. Explain what security is, in non scary terms.  I explained to my young children that there are certain things not allowed on airplanes like spray paint and chemicals, and that security is there to help people who might have forgotten that they are carrying these things.
  3. Do a dry run to demonstrate step by step what to expect.  Have a friend or spouse stand in for the security officer and demonstrate by example how you expect your kids to act.
  4. Keep the tone light but serious.  You don’t want to make them uneasy, but they should also understand that this is one area where they can’t play games or run around.
  5. Don’t forget the pat-down and the wand.  My 8-year old was recently randomly selected for individual screening.  She was a little weirded out by it, but ultimately fine. If it should happen to a younger child, there will be much less panic if they have experienced the process at home first.
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