One of my very first childhood memories was peering out of a plane window on an autumn afternoon, not long after my fifth birthday. From the minute we took off to the moment we touched down, I asked my parents the same two questions over and over again:
(1) How can the plane fly without flapping its wings?
(2) Do clouds bleed when planes crash into them?

Despite repeated explanations from my folks, deep down I believed only one thing could possibly explain the unnatural phenomenon of aviation: magic. Indeed, for me, the magic of travel would prove to ignite an insatiable curiosity about the world – and my place in it – from that day on.

For some parents, the mere thought of travelling more than just a few kilometres – let alone overseas – with kids can be downright daunting. However, adequate pre-trip preparation – coupled with a healthy dose of patience and humour – are sure-fire ways of making long-haul travel with children as stress-free and funfilled as possible.

Tip 1: Get kids involved! Active inclusion – from planning itineraries to encouraging a travel journal – will not only engage your children, it’ll also foster a sense of ownership of the travel experience.

Tip 2: Ask for discounts. Many organisations around the world – from airline and train operators to restaurants and museums – offer reduced rates for kids, which can collectively amount to significant savings.

Tip 3: Before making a hotel reservation, confirm if it has cots/ interconnecting rooms/ babysitting services/ menus Sarina Singh Let’s go, baby! Travelling with the little ones doesn’t have to be a task to be dreaded that cater to any special food requirements/ doctor on call/ cable TV with children’s channels in English.

Tip 4: If your child takes prescription medication, pack an adequate stock in case it’s not easily available abroad. It’s also wise to carry a doctor’s letter in your hand luggage stating why the child needs the medication, as this may be requested by customs officials in some countries.

Tip 5: Dress kids in loose, comfortable clothing for long flights, and choose shoes that are easy to slip on and off. ‘Layers’ of clothes means they can swiftly be peeled off and put on to suit climatic conditions (including often ice-cold planes).

Tip 6: If you plan to hire a car, confirm that it’s fitted with secure child-seats before shelling out an often non-refundable deposit.

Tip 7: Opt for a small backpack instead of a handbag. This will leave hands free to grab your child at any given moment and also makes nappy-changing in public places easier.

Tip 8: Carry wet wipes – a godsend when you’re out and about – whether it’s for cleaning little hands or wiping dubiouslooking toilet seats.

Tip 9: Practise an emergency plan in case you ‘lose’ each other – chaotic transport hubs are especially notorious for this. If your kids aren’t old enough to have a cell phone, keep your contact phone number on their person and teach them the ‘right’ people (like mothers, the police) to approach if they’re lost.

Tip 10: Factor in sufficient chill-out time. Cramming too much into a day is likely to turn your little angels into little devils, marring the travel experience for everyone. A day off to simply splash in the hotel swimming pool, for instance, offers a welcome pause from the vicissitudes of life on the road.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 1:43 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.