Traveling is surely a fun activity for some, to some of my
breed it is passion, to some others it is a good way to bond with their
families and create memories. Either way when we travel we are certain to have
an experience that stays alive in our minds for many decades to come. But what
if we have a cute young member in the family? Here I am specifically talking
about kids below the age of 5. How do you plan to take care of them while you
travel?
I have a lovely devilishly naughty niece and last year we
went on a long trip with her. The trip was amazing and we all had a lot of fun.
But that experience made me notice how struggling it can be when you travel
with kids, especially those who are younger than the age of 5. So today, I think
we should talk about how to make our travel a little easier while traveling
with small children.
There are some very basic points we all consider before
embarking on a trip with young kids, such as:-
Food – we all understand that kids get hungry more often
than the grown up. So, we all must pack some snacks and food items to satisfy
their needs on the way. Just pack something they love to eat along with some
juices and things will get a little smoother.
Nappies – when we talk about kids under the age of 5 years,
we must understand that their urge to pee and other such activities can be
really unpredictable and sometimes inconvenient. So, arm yourself with a good
collection of nappies to safeguard yourself against such situations.
Medicines – this is not just for kids but for all of us. You
really do not want to face health issues while traveling out of your hometown
where you have little knowledge of hospitals and doctors. If it is about
traveling in a place where you do not speak and understand the native language
then it becomes more important to carry medicines and pain killers. With kids
in the plan this idea can be life saving.
Road safety – at times it can be a little tricky to handle
kids and cross a busy road at the same time. So if it is possible take their
carriers and other such products.
The things mentioned above are something we all may think
and plan about while preparing for the trip with our little ones because these
are something which requires immediate attention. But, there are a few other
factors that may get skipped in the hurry to pack and leave.
These can be:-
Toys, story books & music – kids tend to get bored much
more easily than an adult. So, pack their favorite toys to keep them busy. A story
book can be a nice idea if your kid is habitual to listening to bed time
stories. My niece is a big fan of music. Since she was a new born she reacts to
music instantly so now I never forget to load my phone with her favorite music
while going with her. If your kid is also a fan of pop or jazz then don’t you
ever dare to forget their favorite music behind on a trip?
Check the weather conditions – a dream destination may caste
such a spell that one might forget to look for weather conditions. Although it
is very vital to check the weather forecast of the place you are about to
visit, it becomes even more important when you have a young soul with you. A sudden
change in climate can make your kid feel uneasy. So, consider it before
selecting a destination.
Spend time with kids like usual – your grown up brain is very
much able to understand the limitations of traveling and being out of your
home. But your kid might not be able to understand this. They have a habit of
spending a particular part of day with you. For example my niece will not miss
her father and mother until evening because they both work. But after 5 PM she
needs her mother at home. Her mind is accustomed to this routine. So, while you
are out try to spend time with your kid just like you would have at home. This makes
them feel more comfortable.
Take turns in babysitting – if you are traveling with all
your family members then it is the duty of all of you to take care of the
little ones. Don’t leave the kid as the responsibility of just one or two
members and take active participation in looking after them. This will keep
them busy and make them feel more secure.
Set the days of traveling wisely – you maybe a vagabond at
heart or as I call myself “A Gypsy by default soul”, but your kid still need to
develop their abilities to take on the new environments and changes. Consider their
health and set your travel days accordingly. With my niece I set the limit to a
maximum of 15 days and make sure I do not stay at one place for more than 3
days so that does not get bored.
I hope you have a nice time spent with your family and kids
and I wish that you create lots of memories to be cherished throughout the life
and hundreds of photographs which you will show to your kids when they grow up.
By Prashant Rana
+91-9999 699 237, +91-9560 690 698
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