Family vacations are fun. However, sometimes it can be a challenge if you have young children. Children like to explore, yet they like routines. It is sometimes hard to expose them to new places and experiences on a vacation without their need for some routine. Here are some suggestions on how you can prepare your children for that long trip ahead, and how you can survive the journey without a lot of stress.
Kids like to look forward to things, but they have a short memory. If you tell them that you are going on vacation next month, they will not be able to remember it. Therefore, you need to remind them every now and then that they have a vacation coming up.
It will help if you show them some pictures of the places that you will be going. Talk about those places and the things that you may be doing. You can incorporate your upcoming trip into your story time. If you are visiting tourist sites, like a national park or a famous landmark, try to find some children’s stories that take place there.
The more you talk about these places, the more your child will remember. This way, when you get there, your child will have some familiarity with it.
As your departure gets closer, you can involve your child in how he can get ready. Talk to him about how you will get there. If your are going to take a plane, tell him what the flight will be like. Again, find some children’s stories about flying on an airplane. This can be the beginning of his travel adventures.
All children need something to hang on to for security. Ask your child what he would to bring along on the trip. Give him a small travel bag of his own so he can “pack” his own things. Just be sure to know what he put in there so that you can help him keep track of them.
Before you go on your way, pack some snacks and small entertainment items for your child. When a child gets hungry, he gets cranky. You may not be close to a place to eat when he gets hungry. If you bring along his favorite healthy snacks, you can tie him over until the next meal.
Your child will get bored really quickly if he just sits at his seat with nothing to do. This is the time when you can take out an activity for him to do. Coloring books are always good for passing the time away. Try to find coloring books with a theme that relates to where you are going. This will make the coloring extra fun.
Take your child to the bathroom regularly. Do not wait until he tells you that he has to go because you may not be close to a facility when he really needs it.
If you make the right preparations, you can travel with your child without any stress. Just plan ahead, and everyone will have a good time.
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