WAYS TO KEEP YOUR COOL WHEN TRAVELING WITH KIDS

A vacation with the kids doesn't have to make you to lose your cool. The thought of traveling for hours with restless children or hearing the phrase "I'm bored a hundred times" can be unbearable even the most experienced travelers. It's no easy thing to keep your cool when you travel with children. Being a parent is probably one of the hardest things, you have to make your way through different situations which are bound to test your patience. The list goes on, from packing their bags to making sure they're doing everything that needs to be done. They don't miss homework, checking if they have finished packing. In order to keep our children safe and unharmed on their journey, it is important that as parents we are always looking out for them. So when travelling with kids, here are some top tips for keeping your temper in check:

Planning

One of the easiest ways to avoid stress on holidays is to plan your schedule so that you travel as slowly as possible with children. A fast pace is not good for children, and speeding up the trip is only making your stress levels higher. Make sure you do not book too many destinations or activities, and allow your family to spend as much time as possible on the trip.

Before you leave, it is also a good idea to get your children prepared for what lies ahead. Talk to them about what kind of behavior is expected of them at the airport and on planes, or have a discussion about long road trips if you are planning to drive.

For anyone, last minute changes aren't fun. If you are planning on going to a beach and its winter, you will freeze. If you plan to go to the beach and it is very cold, you will be miserable. It is more unlikely that you would have been able to correct it if you had made a last minute change and something bad happened.

Keep in mind you are here for fun

You go on vacation with your kids because you like them, and you want to be around them. When you remember that you are there to have fun, you will be more patient and less likely to get irritated with them for silly things. It will be much more difficult to enjoy your time if you get frustrated and angry. Your kids are going to pick up on your mood, and they are going to start acting out, and that's going to make the situation worse. When you're on holiday, try to do things as smoothly as possible. Set some boundaries. When traveling, the best way to keep children calm is to make them feel safe and comfortable. Let children play games.

Let your Children decide what they want to bring

I would say you would probably know it from experience, but kids can get very attached to things. If you don not allow them to bring what they desperately want, when the time comes for packing, they will bark and throw their temper tantrums. So, let your child choose what kind of things he wants to bring. You let them pack their own bag and pick out what they want to wear. By giving them a sense of ownership, they will be more interested in exploring their surroundings and having fun once you are at your destination.

Young people particularly love to be involved and think they have some control over the choices, so let them decide for themselves. For younger children, consider offering them a choice of options for the day if you are worried about what they might come up with!

Make a packing list with your child

Create a list with your child that includes all of the things they can forget themselves. In the event that they have any electrical devices requiring charges, you might also include obvious items such as towels, blankets and toothbrushes but things like batteries or a powerbank. This list is to be made up so that everybody in the family can have access and are able to supplement it at any time. This way, you know exactly what you need to bring with you and nothing will be forgotten.

Bring only the necessities

You may want to restrict the number of items you bring with you on your journey. Instead of unpacking your bags and playing with your stuff, your child will be more interested in exploring the new environment. Plus, you are going to forget something if you bring so many things. If your baby brings a toy or two, just try and keep the luggage as basic as possible.

Go for walks before you travel and during layovers

If your baby is tired, he is more at risk of a meltdown. You may notice that when you travel with a young child, they are having trouble sleeping when you get on the road. Your best bet is to let them walk around a bit and hopefully get some energy out so that they can get some rest on the bus or in the car.

Come up with an exit strategy beforehand

If your child really wants to do something but you do not think that would be a good idea, put in place an exit plan. For example, if your child really wants to ride a roller coaster, but you know that it is too scary for them, tell them that you will only go if they can successfully answer a math question or finish a certain amount of puzzles. If they know they have to do something in order to get what they want, they are less likely to throw a fit when they do not get to go on the ride they want to. You can also let your child pick two or three things that they want to do. So they will be voting for which to do the most.

Come up with a reward system

A reward system is great for reminding kids to behave, stay positive, and enjoy their trip.

Allow Enough Time

If you're scared about negotiating a busy airport with your kids on board, leave yourself plenty of time to check in, pass security checks and take the flight. Plan to arrive at least an hour earlier than usual, instead of arriving at the airport at the last possible moment. This will give your children time to play for a while before the flight, which means that they're gonna be more comfortable sitting back down during the flight. Similarly, if driving, allow plenty of time to stop for breaks during the trip so that you and your children can stretch your legs and enjoy the journey.

Keep Kids Hydrated and Fed With Healthy Food

Kids who are hungry or strung out on the sugar high of sweets and soft drinks are a nightmare, so make sure you keep your youngsters well fed (on healthy fruits and vegetables and whole foods) and hydrated regularly. When you are on the move and the kids need a drink in a hurry, it can often be difficult to find a drinking fountain or a healthy store, so it is useful to pack reusable water bottles for the journey.

Create Keepsakes

A great way to help kids to stay engaged and amused during a trip is to suggest that they create keepsakes such as a travel journal, a collection of mementos, or a photo collage. Kids can spend plane, train, bus or car trips writing on postcards or coming up with ideas to include in their travel journal. They can also be distracted during long wait times for activities by taking photos or looking for mementos to take home with them.

DRIVE AT NIGHT

Take the road late at night if it is a long drive or get on the road early in the morning if it is a shorter drive. This way, the kids are still asleep. You can drive without the pain of hearing the kids whining and fighting..

TAKE A BREAK

Taking a break is essential for you and your family. Find a rest area to stop at, let the kids run around a bit, and stretch their legs or something.

CONCLUSION

In addition to following these advice, it is crucial for your mental and physical health that you plan some alone time while you're on vacation. Organize a few hours in advance when you can be alone with the kids; trade babysitting duties with your partner or any other adults who may be traveling with you. As an alternative, if you're traveling alone, arrange for a babysitter to watch the kids while you go for a massage, a long walk, a yoga session, or whatever else might help you unwind.