Travelling with children is often no picnic. Parents who do that often will tell you so. From pouting to meltdowns, impromptu and unexplainable illnesses and indiscriminate peevishness, anything can happen. Don’t blame them they’re instructed to be in a place for a long time which can be tedious. In order to reduce the whining to a great extent, here’s a carefully plotted parental playbook that can help.
Pack food and drink:
It’s a mistake to assume that your flight will provide meals and snacks, even an international one. What if your kids don’t like what is served? Can you order chicken and chips 32,000 feet above sea level? So, plot your nourishment carefully.
Carry germ fighting materials:
Studies have shown that viruses can lurk on airline surfaces for up to seven days. So, keeping your family healthy especially at this point in time is a must. Carry germ-avoidance products such as anti-bacterial wipes. Use them to disinfect tray tables, armrests and seatbelts. As much as you can avoid your kids having direct contact with the bathroom sink, the toilet flush and door handles by using either a paper towel or tissue paper.
Entertainment for the kids:
Are you expecting your child to sleep for the majority of a long-haul flight? Nourishment aside, keeping children occupied with an electronic devices containing their favourite games, cartoons and educational courses is a priority. A colouring and (or) sketch pad is not such a bad idea either.
Be their In-Transit Pharmacist:
It is good idea to travel with a lightweight pouch stocked with products to address minor issues such as ear pressure, cuts, headaches, allergies, and upset stomachs. Triple antibiotic ointment, bandages, eye drops, and earplugs to alleviate cabin pressure should be in your pouch too. You can save yourself the problem of looking for a doctor on the flight.
Don’t Board Early:
This is debatable, depending on where you’re travelling from. Some parents feel the need to delay boarding because they find it harder to keep the kids entertained on long flights when thay have to sit for an additional 30 minutes while others board. So, they wait towards the end of boarding to get on.
Manage Expectations:
You can prepare as much as possible and then go into it with the right attitude only to find it exhausting. Kids will be kids no matter what. Try to keep your attitude and mood positive and steady no matter what. You don’t want to ruin the fun.
More Tips and Tricks:
At least one week before departure, make a checklist and begin packing. Waiting until the last minute might lead to blunders and omissions.
Make sure you lookup the airline seating maps, so your family can sit together. You don’t want you kid jumping from one aile to another between mom and dad. Travelling with the family can be fun and memorable. Make the next one worth it.
Have we missed any tip? Please share with us in the comment section.