Travel Tips for Parents of Small Children That You May Not Have Heard Before
Traveling is a lot of fun, but it can also create a lot of stress. When it’s just you and a traveling companion, the benefits far outweigh the negatives of traveling, but that isn’t necessarily the case when it comes to traveling with small children.
Many families put a hold on family vacations while the kids are really young simply because it can be such a hassle. Although it’s true that it’s more work than traveling alone, it doesn’t have to be as hard as you think.
There is a lot of advice out there on traveling with children that you’ve probably heard a million times. This list contains tips that you may not have heard before.
Choose a Family-Friendly Hotel
The best thing you can do when going on vacation is to choose the right hotel room, but what does that mean? Cost and amenities are important, but if you’re traveling with young children, it’s much more important to make sure the hotel you choose is family-friendly.
For example, there are tons of San Antonio hotels to choose from if you’re on vacation in Texas. Look for one with a pool, but not just any pool. One with a shallow end that starts at two feet isn’t very family-friendly. Find a hotel with a water feature that accommodates young children and you can be fairly sure it’s truly family-friendly.
Plan Ahead to Childproof the Room
You can relax at home because the room where your toddler spends the most time is childproofed. That’s not the case with a hotel room. The last thing you want to do is return to the room to relax after a long day and end up chasing your child around to keep them out of trouble.
Prepare ahead of time to childproof the hotel room as soon as you arrive. Hotel childproofing tips include:
- Bring extra outlet plugs for outlets in the hotel room
Use corner cushions or tennis balls to make sharp edges softer
Use twist ties to get curtain cords out of arm’s reach
Place your child in a crib or playpen at night to keep them safe
Unplug unnecessary appliances and put them in the closet
Bring a Porta-Potty
Potty training can be a nightmare. There are many reasons why a child might regress when you thought you have made so much progress. Going on a trip is one reason why your child might decide the toilet isn’t for him after all.
That’s because toddlers suddenly go from using a small potty in the comfort of their own home to using adult-sized toilets in unfamiliar places.
Although it may be a pain to lug around a porta-potty for your child, it can go a long way towards the continued progress of your toddler’s use of the toilet.
Keep Things the Same, but Different
The fun thing about going on vacation is having new experiences in a new place. Children have fun when they are exposed to new things, but they also require the comfort of things that are familiar.
That means bringing along a few toys on vacation, but it means much more than that. Try and keep morning and nighttime routines the same, and try and have regular naptimes as much as possible.
It also might mean doing something your child loves, like stopping by their favorite fast food joint for a kid’s meal, even though you would rather try out a local restaurant.
Consider Renting Items You Will Need
One of the most annoying things about traveling with kids is the amount of stuff you need to bring with you. A quick weekend getaway can quickly feel like you’re moving in.
You can minimize the amount of stuff you bring with you by renting the baby items you need when you get there. Many major destinations are home to companies that will rent items like strollers, playpens, and car seats so you don’t have to lug them on the plane or squeeze them into the trunk.
Don’t forget to ask the hotel if they have items you can use! If you call ahead, you may realize there’s no need to bring a crib, stroller, or booster seat.
Don’t skip your annual vacation just because you have a young child! There are plenty of ways you can make the trip more comfortable for you and for them, as long as you follow the tips on this list.
