Tips For Traveling With Kids

It is no secret that we love to travel and every year we try to take at least one road trip. Our traveling has changed over the years, but we are always up for an adventure. One thing is certain, we do not have all the answers when it comes to traveling with kids. I have learned a few things that I thought I answer some of the questions I get asked the most when it comes to traveling with my kids.  

One thing you need to realize right off the bat is that there is a huge difference between flying somewhere and traveling around there compared to road tripping. We love road trips and take far more of those than any other type of trips.

DO THE KIDS ACTUALLY ENJOY TRAVELING AROUND?

Yes, they do enjoy it. They look forward to the entire trip every year. I make them a part of every aspect of the trip. They plan if we are going somewhere, we must fly to or if we are taking a road trip. I will admit I was nervous the first time I set out on a road trip alone with just me and the kids. I mean what if something happened?

Now, I jump in the car and off we go. We will even take the dogs with us if possible. The kids get a lot out of it and they will share that with people they meet as well. It’s a way for us to reconnect as a family and we all enjoy it.  

STROLLERS AND CARESEATS

I always bring a stroller regardless of what mode of transportation is happening. On road trips I have a place where the twins can sit and relax, eat a snack, take a nap, etc. It is also great to help keep the items we purchase and need together. It will hold everyone’s cups, the diaper bag, and other items. When checking into hotels I can load the twins and the older ones watch them while I get us checked in. I am a huge believer in strollers and honestly, I need a new one this year most likely.

When flying I can use it for many of the same reasons, but it makes getting into the airport and checked in a million times easier. I always check it at the gate door rather than when we get there. It helps me keep the kiddos together and occupied while waiting to board.

When it comes to car seats it is a different story. On road trips, yes, I have them. I mean they are already in the car and in use. When flying, I don’t take them with me. If I must rent a car then I will rent car seats. It is rare that we rent a car though. I do attempt to ensure that any traveling we do in other countries has transport we can easily use, or things are within walking distance. Anything to make it a bit easier on myself.

TIME ZONES, NAPS, & BED TIMES

These things can be difficult when we are used to being on Eastern Standard Time. The biggest thing I do is allow them to be flexible. Sometimes they crash out for the night at four in the afternoon. If it happens, I let them do it. They will get on a better schedule as the days go on when we are traveling. I rarely, if ever, have a set time for anything when we are on a vacation. I make sure we just go with the flow more.

I always strive to get a hotel room (or camper, cabin, whatever) that is big enough for all of us. One that will allow the younger kids to go to sleep in another room (connecting rooms) or far enough away in the room that the older ones and I will not wake them up. When we use a camper, I sit outside some and read or work while the kids are inside sleeping.

MEALS WHEN TRAVLEING

Eating out a lot while traveling does not help my waistline. Nor does it help my diabetes which means I have to be twice as careful. I also do not want the kids eating so much junk. So what do we do? One of the biggest tips I have is reading the book French Kids Eat Anything.

I got so much out of that book. I learned early on, ways to get the kids to sit through a meal in a restaurant without needing a lot of entertaining. They know when we are eating that we are enjoying our meal and one another’s company.

I got lucky in that the tips I picked up in that book worked well. We have a meal, talk a little bit, and enjoy ourselves. They wait patiently for the check to be paid and for us to leave. My biggest worry had been road tripping and eating in the car.

I cut that out a bit by making sure we stop and sit at a table (a picnic if nothing else) and eat a meal like we would if we are at home. No eating full meals in the car. We do have snacks in there. I have a bag for that. Two bags in fact. One has snacks for me and the older kids. Along with a few cold drinks in a cooler.

For the twins I have this amazing bag from High Road that sits between their car seats. They can get the items they want out of there. I fill it will kid friendly snacks they can easily open. Water and drinks are always kept in the cooler with mine. One of the older kids pour that into their sippy cups or I pull over and do it.

BATHROOM BREAKS & MEDICINES

Finally how we deal with bathroom breaks and medications. Medications is actually, easy. I always get a 90 day prescription so I know we will have enough. Our primary care physician also has an app that I have on my phone. It has all of information, allergies, surgeries we’ve had, and other important stuff on there.

I can share that information with hospitals and paramedics in a snap if I need to. I wear a medical id bracelet as does Sam. That way if we are in an accident paramedics will know we have medical needs. On each bracelet is a notice that there is an information card in my wallet. That card gives all important information such as pcp name, pharmacy we use, etc.

My insulin is kept in a cold bag down inside a cooler with some ice pack. I do not take it out of the package. I also tape the prescription information inside the top of the cooler bag. The same with the bag I keep my other medications in. That way if the label falls off or something I have the information. When traveling all medications stay in their original containers.

Bathroom breaks happen waaay more than I would like. However since about half of those are my own breaks I don’t complain. One thing I certainly do is make sure that any time we stop everyone attempts to go potty. That way we don’t have someone needing to go the moment we are back in the car.

GREAT FUN

We have great fun while we are out and about seeing the world. We get to share experiences that we never would have. I love seeing their faces when they find something new. I love that I am the one who gets to bring this joy to them. I only hate that we can’t traveling as much as we would like to.

DO YOUR (OR DID YOU) TRAVEL WITH YOUR KIDS? DO HAVE ANY TIPS OR FUNNY STORIES? PLEASE SHARE THEM WITH US IN THE COMMENTS.