Traveling, by itself, is already filled with expected hassles, especially for those who are not used to it. Traveling with kids is another thing. If you are traveling with a child or children in tow, expect to deal with tantrums, restlessness, and unexpected emergencies. Before you buy those air tickets for your vacation, keep in mind the following tips on traveling with kids.
- Pack the essentials
Packing for another person can be quite tricky, especially if you are doing it for a child. You have to decide which of his stuff is important enough to be included in the luggage. The best way to deal with it is to keep at least two separate bags for your kid. One should contain all the essentials, such as clothes, shoes, and medicines. The other bag (a backpack is ideal) is for your child to carry. It should contain stuff that will keep him from getting bored while you are on the plane. Put stuff in there that he really likes, such as toys, his Playstation, or his iPod.
- Book a separate seat for your child
Your child may be small enough to be allowed to seat on your lap during the flight, but this can present more hassle than convenience. Reserving a separate seat while buying your air tickets will bring more comfort to you and your kid. To make things more convenient for you, try to book a seat near the bathroom, so your child can go in there fast when he needs to. Also, try not to get him a seat near the aisle. Kids can get unruly during the flight and might end up grabbing or hitting people walking down the aisle. You want to avoid the possibility of your kid tripping the flight attendant while she is serving meals.
- Dress your kid in proper clothes
Depending on your destination, you should dress your kid in clothes suitable to the weather condition. So it should be light clothes for the summer and heavy ones for colder climates. Kids tend to throw tantrums when they feel uncomfortable with what they are wearing. Avoid the hassle of having to change his clothes during the flight.