Eileen Ogintz is a nationally syndicated family travel columnist and creator of www.takingthekids.com.
Traveling with kids is just like raising them – messy, aggravating, expensive, and far more wonderful than you could ever have imagined.
Believe me, I know. I’ve been traveling with my three kids and gaggles of others for the past two decades for my website and syndicated column, Taking the Kids, from the Grand Canyon to cruises, from Rome to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to sailing in Tahiti. And I’ve talked to other traveling families along the way, even as we hiked up Kilimanjaro.
The most important lesson I’ve learned: Keep your cool, no matter what.
Be prepared with alternate plans when it rains on your parade, someone gets sick, the hotel isn’t as advertised (we got robbed at one in Australia and moved the next day) or you get stopped at security because your child stashed a sword drink-stirrer in her backpack. Yes, that happened to us in London and my daughter was mortified.
Tip: Make sure to check the kids’ backpacks before going through security. And if you are traveling with little ones clutching a favorite “lovey,” explain why it is important for them to let go long enough for the security officers to take a picture of their lamb, giraffe or blankie. Even if you don’t need to, purchase a seat for your baby so you can use your car safety seat on board, as the FAA recommends. Young children are far safer restrained in turbulent skies.
Invest in travel insurance. It will not only protect you when things go awry on a trip, but also if you can’t go or have to return early because of a family emergency (which happened to us once in Amsterdam).
Remember, kids take their cues from you. If you are upbeat, they will be too – even when things don’t go as planned. And let’s face it, with kids along, they rarely do. In fact, I think some of the best travel memories come from those times – the time it rained so hard when we were camping in New Hampshire we had to de-camp to a nearby inn (we all had a blast!), the times our luggage was delayed or lost (travel with carry-on luggage as much as possible!), the time we were driving a barge in France and ended up stuck for the night because the lock keeper had gone home and we couldn’t travel any farther down the river (the kids thought that was a great adventure!), and even the time we missed our connection and got stuck overnight in Minneapolis (we headed to the Mall of America!).
Be prepared for long flights with everything from Band-Aids (you always need one when you don’t have one, plus kids can use them to play hospital with their stuffed animals), snacks (even if you are on a flight that serves or sells food, the kids will only feel hungry 15 minutes after it’s served), batteries for their electronics and reusable water bottles (slap stickers on them and they become instant souvenirs).
And wherever you are going, let the kids lead the way. When each child has a say in the itinerary, they’ll not only be more cooperative but are guaranteed to lead you to places and experiences you would otherwise have missed. Before you know it, your kids will be in the middle of a group of local kids at the beach or playground, outside the cafe. So don’t forget your soccer ball!
Story by Eileen Ogintz
Read Waiting to Board with Eileen Ogintz for more family travel advice.
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