| It's family vacation time and while it's great to get | | | | will make your kids car sick. |
| away and have a wonderful time together, these | | | | 4) Bring snacks - make sure to pack plenty of |
| trips can also be a nightmare for adults when children | | | | healthy snacks so you can dole them out along the |
| become restless and bored. | | | | way when the kids say they're hungry. This gives |
| Kids see the world different than adults and will often | | | | you more control over what they eat during the trip, |
| have various reactions to the sites and sounds | | | | then say, stopping at a gas station and grabbing a |
| around them. If you are traveling in a plane or car, | | | | greasy hot dog and sugary soda. |
| you will especially want to keep your children | | | | You could bring along your own granola snack bags |
| preoccupied to prevent them from acting up. | | | | with raisins, nuts, dried fruit, etc. Also juice boxes are |
| Here are some ways to ensure your family vacation | | | | perfect for long trips. If you like to bake, then |
| travel goes smoothly. | | | | homemade cookies and brownies are always |
| 1) Plan your trip ahead of time - the old "get in the | | | | appreciated. And that old staple, the pack and go |
| car and let's go" may be great for people without | | | | sandwich is still a winner. |
| children, but taking your kids on a long trip requires | | | | 5) Bring along a babysitter - invite a family member |
| more planning. When taking a car trip, you'll need to | | | | or friend to come along - someone who can be |
| map out a route where there are plenty of rest | | | | responsible for the kids while you take a much |
| stops along the way. | | | | needed break. Make sure it's someone the kids know |
| Children need to get out of the car to stretch their | | | | and feel comfortable being around. |
| limbs and let out all that cooped up energy. | | | | 6) Take it Easy on the Activities - once you've |
| 2) Expect frequent bathroom breaks and lots of | | | | arrived at your destination, it's tempting to try and |
| questions - "I've gotta go to the bathroom" and "Are | | | | pack your schedule with a full day of activities. The |
| we there yet" are classic things that you will hear | | | | problem with this idea is that your young children will |
| your kids say over and over again. Instead of being | | | | get tired out and become cranky. You want your |
| annoyed, know ahead of time that this is going to be | | | | kids to be able to enjoy the experience and have |
| a normal part of the trip, so don't take it out on the | | | | good memories, which they can't do if they are worn |
| kids. Remember, they have smaller bladders than | | | | out. |
| adults and shorter attention spans. | | | | Older children may not wish to do everything that |
| You could have a come back line like: "No, we're not | | | | you want to do. If they are teenagers, try and give |
| there yet, but here's something I bet you don't | | | | them some time and space to do their own thing. |
| know about . . ." | | | | Remember, this vacation is for them to get away |
| 3) Bring along some entertainment - a great travel tip | | | | from it all and have some fun too |
| for child fun is to bring along some travel games that | | | | 7) Keep younger children on a regular sleep schedule |
| will keep your kids preoccupied for long stretches of | | | | - children will naturally want to stay up later while on |
| time. Make sure to bring a variety of games since | | | | vacation, but remember that they may get cranky if |
| kids get bored easily with a single game. Something | | | | they don't get enough sleep. You'll want to let them |
| that challenges their mind is excellent. Portable video | | | | stay up maybe an hour or so after their normal |
| games are a natural for the younger crowd. | | | | bedtime, but then let them know it's time to hit the |
| Skip the fiction books and coloring books since these | | | | sack. |