Traveling with the entire family can be overwhelming, especially if you have little ones. Make your trip easier by preparing yourself with what to expect and what you can do in unexpected situations!
Choose a flight that matches with your child’s bedtime
If possible, it’s a great idea to choose a flight time that aligns with your child’s sleep schedule, for example a flight that takes off right before your child’s regular bedtime, so that your child will be asleep for the most part of the journey.
However, do keep in mind that this plan could backfire since kids can get too excited to fall asleep. It’s best to be prepared with a back up plan just in case this happens!
Explain the trip to your child
It’s important to introduce your child to the trip ahead of time to give them an idea of what they can expect. This includes why you’re going on this trip, what they can expect at the airport, during the flight, and once they arrive at the destination. Uncomfortable kids are unhappy kids, so it’s best to make your child feel at ease at all times.
Arm yourself with snacks
Snacks are a great weapon to distract your little ones, especially when they’re feeling restless and hungry. If you’re flying with a toddler who’s on solid food, be sure to pack plenty of snacks! Remember to skip sugary snacks because that will just give them extra energy and go for healthier options like fresh fruits and crackers. You can also offer your child some sweet treats as a reward if they behave well!
Distract them during take off and landing
Altitude change causes the pressure inside the cabin to change, and this particularly affects us during take off and landing as pressure builds inside our ears. This discomfort can be even worse for little kids who aren’t used to it. Give them something to chew, suck on or swallow as a distraction since swallowing motions help to make sure that air doesn’t build up in your ears. If your child is still on milk, it’s a good idea to feed them as this also helps them stay put.
Accept things will go wrong
Even though this is the last thing anyone would wish while travelling, especially with the little ones, do expect that not everything will go as planned. Whether it’s losing a toy or having an upset stomach, be prepared for all kinds of situations and always have backup plans! Prepare extra sets of clothes for both your child and yourself, medicines, and even an extra copy of travel documents if you may. Sometimes there’s nothing really that you can do in these situations, but the faster you accept the inevitable, the less stress you will feel.
Remember, travel is an adventure, even if it comes up with unexpected speed bumps. However, the experience both you and your child are getting from this is unforgettable and irreplaceable.
