10 secrets for successful travel with kids

We were once returning from a trip to Italy many years ago when we just had the two boys.

Felix was 2 and Nico was 4 ½.

Felix had missed his nap and the flight was delayed so we were fairly doomed from the get-go!

He wouldn’t eat any of the food at the airport and by the time we got on the plane, he had gone over the edge.

You know that situation when your child becomes a loose cannon?

He arched his back as we tried to strap him in the plane seat.

He threw any toys we gave him and he hit out at us any time we tried to placate him.

We’d hoped that when the flight got going, he might eventually fall asleep.

It was after all 10.30pm by this time.

But that would have been too easy, wouldn’t it?

He became hysterical and started kicking the seat in front of him.

We held onto his legs and told him he couldn’t do that.

We tried distracting him with snacks – they went the same direction as the toys.

I’m sure you can picture it....

You are exhausted yourself. Your child is being a nightmare and you don’t know what to do.

Then came the pinnacle.

The lady in the seat in front turned around and said

“Control your child”

It took every ounce of what was left of my husband’s strength not to shout at her but instead he said “I’m terribly sorry.  He’s exhausted and I’m sure if you’ve had children, you'll know how hard it is”

To which she replied “My children would never have done anything like that!”

The thing I think I hate the most is that feeling of being judged as a parent.

In my opinion, all parents are doing the best they can.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for growth, there totally is. That’s why I have been studying, testing and working with parents for over 20 years but neither adults nor children respond well to judgement.

So here’s what happened:

We took him for a walk up and down the aisle, we got a wet cloth and wiped his head and we did our best knowing he was a 2 year old boy who was exhausted and unable to be rational.

And guess what? He kept going the full flight until ten minutes before landing when he fell asleep. Oh the irony!

Then we had to carry a dead weight off the plane through to get the buggy from the carousel terrified that the monster might wake again – as well as look after Nico who thank goodness was remarkably easy.

Parenting involves so much patience, creativity and selflessness. As my children grow up and I observe parents with little ones, I am in awe of them.

The word ‘holiday’ when you have small children certainly has different connotations to our single days, doesn’t it?

It’s pretty much the same stuff in a different location.

However, I always felt it was worth it for a change of scenery but that’s a personal choice.

So whether you are going on a flight, a road trip or taking a ‘staycation’, I’ve drawn up a handy 10 point list of ways to help things go more smoothly.

I don’t think our experience with Felix was avoidable; stuff happens and small children are completely unpredictable but hopefully this list gives you some useful ideas.

1. Children love to be involved in planning. In fact, you can usually double the value of any trip or outing by spending time on this.
2. Sit with them and draw up a list of things you want to do on holiday and what they need to gather to pack – give them a bag or little suitcase to fill (even if you have to quietly take inappropriate stuff out).
3. Draw up an itinerary for before you leave – if children see things visually, it gives them a sense of time. Write down what’s going to happen the day before and the day of travel. You can even leave space for them to tick things off.
4. If you haven’t got a copy of my G.R.E.A.T method to get your kids to listen, grab it now and apply the method for travel. It really helps kids to be more mentally prepared and manages their expectations.
5. Play games about travel before you go. Line up some chairs and play ‘going in the car’ or ‘on a plane’. You can ask kids lots of questions ‘What do we have to do at the airport? Can you run off out of our sight?’, ‘What can you do to keep yourself busy in the car?’
6. Snacks are vital. I highly recommend you avoid sugary snacks as they cause blood sugar spikes and lows. It’s worth checking labels for sugar content. Did you know here are 56 other terms for sugar? Here’s a list for you https://www.virtahealth.com/blog/names-for-sugar.  It works really well to take cut up carrot sticks and cucumber in a zip lock bag for a healthy option.
7. Top Trumps animal facts cards are great, as are any of the Top Trumps cards. And here’s an unusual one – buy one of those boxes for distributing pills and put a little something in each one. Might be a little note or a sweet (in this instance a small amount of sugar is fine), you could put some raisins, or a sliced grape, even a little tiny toy. Then your child could open a box every ½ hour or so. This is really good to help them learn about delayed gratification.
8. Sticker books are great. There are lots of varieties so definitely stock up on those. And water magic art books with pens are also really great.
9. Keep a bag with a whole change of clothes and throw in a clean T shirt for you too. I learnt this to my peril, on a trip where one of my kids vomited on me. I had a full set of clean clothes for them but nothing for me!
10. Keep any medication that you might need in an easily accessible bag – ibuprofen, anti-histamine pills, arnica pills and cream for bruises, plasters, spray for insect bites and anti-nausea medication if you use it.

What are your top tips for travelling with children?  I would love to hear from you if you have others I haven't thought of!  Email me at [email protected] 

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