Traveling With Kids

Traveling with Kids
Debbie Dubrow DeliciousBaby.com

Agenda
Why Travel
Your Greatest Fears
Planning
Flying
On The Road

Why Travel?
Wouldn’t it be easier to stay home?

Why Travel
Leave your day-to-day routine and reconnect as a family
Slowing down can be good
Immerse yourself in a new culture
Kids help you connect with locals
Learn through doing and experiencing
History & culture in context
It's ok to be different
New activities

Your Greatest Fears
What are they?

Changing Expectations
Relaxation?
Pace
Will they appreciate it
Will it be perfect
Live in the Moment

Planning

Where to Go
Wherever you want...
Set your goal and then make it work
Don't worry about what other people think or say
Kids live everywhere
Activities, products and services will be there
All inclusive resorts aren't necessarily easier

Flights
Logistics
Minimize stopovers
Time of day (sleeptime)
Cost
Discounted infant & child fares
Extra charge for lap infants internationally
Policy on car seats (esp in Europe)
Checked baggage fees (stroller, carseat, infant luggage)
Lap Infant
Safety vs. cost
Find a flight that isn't full

Hotels
Location
Close to public transportation & main sites
Apartment rental or home swap
Extra space, kitchen, washing machine
Weekly housekeeping (not daily)
Residential: grocery stores, restaurants & playgrounds
Hotels
Room size: inexpensive suites
Chains are more baby safe & soundproof (in general)
Wifi
Refrigerator or kitchenette
Cribs?
Other Considerations
Pool; babysitting; kids activities; kids menu; toys

Logistics
Baby Gear
Ship ahead or buy on-site
Local Rentals
In-City Transportation
Public transit is easiest
Some airport-transfer services offer car seats
Sit-n-Stroll
Car seat laws vary
Cell Phones
Unlock your phone
Buy a simm chip on arrival

Documentation
Birth Certificate and/or Passport
Visa(s)
If only one parent is traveling, appropriate documentation
Notarized permission, custody agreement, death certificate, etc.
Emergency contact list
Include local "911" and doctor
Medical history
Itinerary
Photocopies of credit cards & passport
separate from your wallet

What To Do
Pace
Similar pace to home: 2-3x more time to see city
Naptime in hotel, stroller or sling
Allow time to enjoy piazzas, local playgrounds, etc.
Finding activities
Festivals
Playgrounds
City or tourist websites
Google maps satellite view
Activities & restaurants
Local Blogs
Expat websites
Search "Barcelona with kids"

Preparing Kids
10+ mo
Explain what will happen
Shuttle, airport security, flight, etc.
Explain security while you're in line
Need to put lovey on the conveyor belt
2+ yrs
Start to show pictures of your destination
Start to show a map
Pack a busy bag together
3+ yrs
Story books, crafts, videos
Picture of the day journal
5+ yrs
History related to destination
Travel journal

Packing
Less is Better
Carry on
Passports & documents
Comfort items
Food, formula, bottles, sippies, diapers, medication
Quiet, neat toys
Extra clothes & PJs
“ Cares” harness, car seat
Stroller or sling
Electronics
Checked bag / roller
Plan to do laundry (you will anyway)
Separate each person's clothing
Packing checklists on DeliciousBaby.com

On The Road

Time to Go
Pack Early
Hire a sitter
Allow extra time at the airport
Eat, play, exercise

The Plane Flight / Car Ride
Most parents' biggest fear (me too)
A small % of the trip
Expect that things will sometimes go poorly
But... you can make things easier
Exercise, exercise, exercise
Food, water, milk
Protein and milk are calming
Low sugar
Quiet time during takeoff
Dole out toys slowly
Bribe your neighbors
Plan for delays

Jet Lag
Expect about 4 days to adjust
Seems worse on return
Don’t fight it
Things that help
Sunshine (esp at dusk and dawn)
Exercise
Calm and quiet at night
Adjust meal schedule gradually
Take advantage of long naps

Travel Toys
What makes a great travel toy?
Quiet
Neat
Reusable
Disposable
No small parts

At Your Destination
“Planning is everything, the plan is nothing”
Know what you want to see and do
Do the most important things first
Allow extra time
Carry addresses, phone numbers, directions
Be flexible
Live in the moment!

Resources
DeliciousBaby.com
Packing lists
Favorite travel gear
Favorite travel toys
Babyproofing
Jet Lag
Severe food allergies
GoCityKids.com
CookieMag.com
Frommer's "With Kids" series

Bring with me
Favorite Travel Gear
baby sherpa
eagle creek bags
carabiners
cares
frommers books + rome book
ergo
lock & lock
Favorite Travel Toys
empty cardboard box
sticker books
coloring books
playmobils
blue tape
Flyers
Keeping kid busy + Duct Tape + itinerary?

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Traveling With Kids

by DeliciousBaby on Jan 24, 2009

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