Does the thought of travelling with kids leave you feeling anxious and overwhelmed? Read our 5 tips to help start your family travel journey.
1. Start small.
If it’s your first time travelling with children take baby steps. I suggest planning a small trip in your city or country to see how your family handle changes in environment, routine, food, etc. This will give you a good indication whether you and your child can handle longer holidays.
2. Choose your location wisely.
When you’re first starting out, choose a destination that suits the whole family. If you and your child love to relax and play at the beach then choose a beach location. If you prefer walks in the forest choose a countryside holiday. Choosing a destination that has something for everyone ensures all family members have a positive experience and will want to travel again!
3. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your child.
I understand how tempting it is to do all the tourist attractions when you arrive at a new destination. If you don’t you’re left with a huge sense of FOMO right? But what’s worse than that is a tired child who has been dragged around from place to place, without any down time. Be realistic with what you and your family can experience in your timeframe and be prepared to let some things go.
4. Involve your children.
Most parents and teachers will tell you that when children have a say in something, they are most receptive and interested to participate. This is the same with travel. Involve your children from the beginning, asking for their input on destinations, attractions to visit and places to stay. Even if you have the final say, they will feel like they were included in the decision-making process. Talk to your child about your schedule, what to expect and prepare them for experiences such as plane flights, boat rides, etc. By keeping them involved you are encouraging a positive attitude towards travel.
5. Let go of expectation.
You can plan everything down to the underwear you’re going to wear each day, but travel is unpredictable. Travel with kids is even more unpredictable! Learn to see wonder in the little things. If your plane is delayed and you’re stuck in an airport for longer than you anticipated, go for a walk with your child and find some interesting things to look at. Play games or tell stories to pass the time. They are watching the way you react in these situations and you want to model resilience and coping skills if you wish to travel regularly with children.
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