Traveling 101 {with kids}

I’ve had many friends / other bloggers ask my advice on traveling with kids since I’ve kinda done it a time or two so I thought I’d make a post on it for reference. I may add things from time to time, but this would probably be the basics. Essentially – Traveling 101 {with kids}.

Preparing your Kids:

For us, this means doing a countdown so they know a change is coming. Even if it’s a small trip, we always clue the kids in about 10 days before hand. Our oldest doesn’t take too kindly to sudden announcements, so when we do this it allows him the time he needs to really understand and appreciate that we are going away from home & our daily routine. You may not have to do this step, but for us, it’s crucial.

What to Pack:

This is mostly dependent upon how long/ where you are going. But here’s the basic break down of what we have in our checked luggage & carry-on for the plane ride.

Checked Luggage:

• Clothing for the trip: Try to be minimalistic if you can. If you have access to laundry – USE it – less packing for you! A great tip I found on Pinterest suggested putting an outfit a day in a ziplock bag, that way you have each day accounted for and extra bags “just in case”.  I typically
• Toys: We pack a few of the kids favorite toys to keep them happy wherever we are. Usually it’s just some matchbox cars & trains.
• Toiletries: I only bring a tee-tiny bit of toiletries for them. I even consolidate and use their toothpaste so I don’t have to pack an extra. I always bring a thermometer & some tylenol JUST IN CASE! There was a trip I didn’t bring it, and wouldn’t you know that was the trip when I needed it and had to go out and buy the stuff…I wasn’t very happy.
• Car-Seats: If you absolutely HAVE to bring them. We did only because we were going to be in the states for 2 months, but for our short trips we try to rent some with a rental car. Much less hassle for us and worth the extra cost.

Carry-On:

• Toys: I pack multiple matchbox cars, books, coloring books, crayons & also any new toys I’ve picked up so they are excited to play with them.
• DVD player & Cartoons/Movies: I pack about 3 different DVD’s. 1 DVD that’s multiple cartoons (like Dora/Mickey) and then 2 movies. This gives them an option to choose what they want to watch. I pick out the initial 3 to pack but they can choose once we’re on the plane. If we are only on a short trip, usually the cartoons work just fine.
• Clothes: I always bring a pack-up pair of pants & a plastic bag. Again, typically I don’t need it, but the 1 time I did need it (like when we were on our way back to the UK and Lucas decided to have major #2 issues during turbulence & I wasn’t able to change him until it was gone which resulted in an explosion and no pants to put on him after said “accident”) I didn’t have it and was royally ticked off at myself. Don’t do that to yourself – or your kid.
• Snacks: I bring 2 empty sippy cups, the flight attendants will love you for it. They have told me they much prefer those than kids spilling drinks everywhere. And then I do loads of small ziplock bags filled with goodies. Here’s a breakdown of what I brought with me on our trip from the UK to the US:
  Animal crackers, gummies, small loollies, fruit purees*, granola bars, cliff bars, peanut butter crackers, gum & goldfish.
  *These were great bc the kids love them & they are healthy – only downside – sometimes at security they can be a pain with them. I almost missed my flight because they kept staring at them…umm HELLO – do you see my 2 children?!
• Toiletries: Diapers & wipes – enough for the trip and then a few extra hours JUST IN CASE! Antibacterial wipes – after being exposed to that nasty bug I will never board a plane without wiping every hard surface in my vicinity again.
• Paperwork: Any necessary paperwork that you need handy – passports, birth certificates, boarding passes, phone numbers/addresses, customs paperwork, Driver’s License/ID.
• Light-weight stroller: Most of the time you can check your stroller at the gate – this makes life easier for you so you don’t have to lug multiple children and bags with you – just pop them both / or one in and go!

I typically use my book-bag when we travel. It’s easy to carry & holds quite a bit. Plus it’s one that has LOADS of compartments so I can stay organized. I know it’s not “chic” but you know what, I’m a Mom & it’s pink so that counts.

The Day of Travel:

• Have all your essentials at hand: passports, ID’s, tickets/boarding passes
• Dress the kids in layers so you are able to keep them warm/cool depending on time of day and location.
• Give your kids a snack / drink before you travel, this keeps them from melting down in the middle of security or anywhere else for that matter!
• Get your rest the night before – or try to at least. I’m usually the one who’s up until some God-awful hour and then regret it, but somehow I always turn out alright.
• Try to relax. Just remember, you are traveling with CHILDREN – not adults. They will misbehave on occasion and you may want to pull out your hair from time to time, but it will all be okay. This too shall pass.

On the Plane:

For us, I had a dear friend tell me her # 1 rule for flying on a plane with kids:
There are NO rules except that you have to sit in your seat.

Bam! I tried it and have followed it ever since. Once you let those little buggers out of their seat that’s ALL they’ll want to do! Now, mind you, I have a toddler who is potty trained so we would take frequent trips to the potty. On an 8-10hr flight, they DO need to stretch their little legs, as do YOU. So, when we’d head to the potty, we’d walk up and down the isle a few times until it was open and then have our potty break and return to our seats.

The “No rules” rule also applies to meals. You want cookies for dinner – ok. You want snacks and don’t want to eat – ok. Now, I did try to keep them on the “eating schedule” that the plane had, but for all of our trips they always know that I have loads of snacks/goodies waiting for them in my backpack and they are able to have them anytime they want. Happy kids – Happy Momma.

For us, as far as how to occupy them, we switch between playing with our cars, watching movies, coloring & reading books. If I’m lucky, they even take a snooze.

If you have an infant or your children have their own seat and don’t mind having an arm rest between you – I highly suggest the bulk head area. You have lots more leg room and no one in front of you for the kids to bother. Plus if you have an infant they will supply you with travel cot for your little one to sleep in. Lucas was far too big for it. We had these seats for our trip from the UK to the US and it was okay, but my kids really wanted to nap ON me and that wasn’t possible with the arm rests not able to go up. So – I had a very tired Cohen on my hands when we landed.

On the way back, the flight attendants were super helpful and actually found me a row of seats so that both kiddos could have their own seat and we wouldn’t have to bother anyone. It was fantastic! It was the night flight so both of them just conked out on me once the lights went out. This option works best for me since my kids like to cuddle when they sleep. I could prop up both arm rests, lean against the window and then have one on me while the other had their head on my lap. Win-Win.

Don’t forget to try and enjoy yourself! Be silly with your kids, give them extra lovies, keep telling them what great kids they are – the more positive you are – the more likely they are to actually enjoy themselves too!

After Arrival:

Even if you are traveling short distances, expect your children to be “off” for a few days. If you are traveling LONG distances with longer time changes, expect it to take sometimes up to 2 weeks for your kiddos to be “normal” again. When we traveled to Florida from the UK my kiddos took about 5 full days to be on Eastern time. Coming back to the UK was a different story…it took Lucas about 2 full weeks to finally be back to his normal sleeping schedule.

For us, taking it easy the first few days helps out a ton. If that means watching a little more tv than normal, just let it slide. You’ll be thankful when you are finally getting a full nights rest because of it.

Whew! That was quite the load of info!! I truly hope it helps if you are planning a trip. I know for us, trips are pretty easy to handle now. I may add to this as time goes on and we learn more, but for now, this is what we go by!

Happy Traveling!!

xoxo

PS. One of my lovely friends, Natalia @ Ma Nouvelle Mode wrote a similar post that may help as well.
You can find it here: Tips for Traveling with Kids.

PPS. Gender reveal to come!!!!