Image by divemasterking2000 via Flickr Travelling with kids is a challenge for every parent. Having small children (6 months to 3 years) does not mean you have to forget about going on vacation, but definitely, before doing so, you have to plan your trip and prepare for every eventuality. Even though having children does not prevent you from travelling, you have to take in consideration the fact that you and your partner are not alone anymore, and that the needs of your children have to come first.
The first thing you have to do before going on vacation is to choose carefully your destination. Whether you are planning to go on vacation by the sea or in the mountains, make sure that the place is child friendly, with lots of facilities for children. So, you better forget the trendy places where people go to party. You do not want to end up in a touristic village where everybody, but yourself is partying all night long! I would advise against choosing a destination with lots of sights of interests. Children (especially small ones) have a very short attention span and get restless real quickly, so you cannot expect a child to follow you on sightseeing trips, visits to the museums or archeological sites. If you do so, it is highly probable that your child will end up nervous and fussy, and so will you, because you will not be able to concentrate on anything else but your child's demands. Your children and you will be able to appreciate this kind of cultural vacation later on in life. So, rather choose a location with nice beaches and nature with a lot of space for your children to play and enjoy, a destination that is not overly attractive and overcrowded with tourists but is neither on a deserted island.
Choose carefully the location of your accommodation. Going on vacation with your children limits the accommodation choices as well. First of all, there are some hotels, B&B, boarding-houses, etc. that are not very children friendly. So, try to choose the accommodations that are explicitly for families because it is highly probable they will have all the facilities you might need. Furthermore it is probable that you will get a nice discount for your children (very often children up to 2 years stay for free!), and that you will encounter other families with children. Even though you may not be open for new friendships your children will love to make new friends (the more the merrier factor).
Again your accommodation should not be too isolated. Try to find a place that is in the vicinities of the beach, shops, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. You do not want to end up without diapers with the nearest shop 30 minutes away! So try to limit the use of a car to a minimum.
If you have a choice, favor the hotels that are equipped with a swimming pool. Children love the pools, and you want to have an additional option for the afternoons or even days when you (or your kid) are not up for the beach.
If possible, choose half board for the type of accommodation arrangement. Your partner and you might like to eat in a different restaurant ever night and try the local dishes and wines, but maybe this is not such a good idea when you are travelling with children. Children cannot be expected to sit on the dining table longer than 30 minutes (the 30 minutes being the limit for the quite ones) so having dinner arrangements in your hotel can be a very convenient solution, because you can always retreat to your room when things start to precipitate (and the heads of the other guests start to turn in your direction) or, if it is possible, you and your kid can have the dinner in your room.
When travelling try to stay light and practical! If your kid is still using a stroller, for your travel choose a lightweight stroller (umbrella fold). Furthermore I would recommend the use of various baby carriers (wraps, slings, pouches) that are ideal for carrying your baby when they are fussy, crying or just do not want to be in their strollers or to walk (an issue all parents encounter at one time). As long as clothes and shoes are concerned, try to stay as much as possible comfy (this goes for you and for your children)! So, forget about high heel sandals or platform beachwear. Flat and comfortable shoes are a must when travelling.
Always carry with you a bottle of water and an energy bar. Kids get hungry and thirsty at the most improbable times, so you want to be prepared! Of course, take with you the essential first aid medicines and their favorite teddy bear, doll or blanket.
Going on vacation with your babies and toddlers is definitely achievable but, at times, can be very exhausting. Preparation is essential for a fun and enjoyable vacation with your little ones. As far as your plans (and expectations), try to make them as realistic as possible and in accordance with your child's age.
The first thing you have to do before going on vacation is to choose carefully your destination. Whether you are planning to go on vacation by the sea or in the mountains, make sure that the place is child friendly, with lots of facilities for children. So, you better forget the trendy places where people go to party. You do not want to end up in a touristic village where everybody, but yourself is partying all night long! I would advise against choosing a destination with lots of sights of interests. Children (especially small ones) have a very short attention span and get restless real quickly, so you cannot expect a child to follow you on sightseeing trips, visits to the museums or archeological sites. If you do so, it is highly probable that your child will end up nervous and fussy, and so will you, because you will not be able to concentrate on anything else but your child's demands. Your children and you will be able to appreciate this kind of cultural vacation later on in life. So, rather choose a location with nice beaches and nature with a lot of space for your children to play and enjoy, a destination that is not overly attractive and overcrowded with tourists but is neither on a deserted island.
Choose carefully the location of your accommodation. Going on vacation with your children limits the accommodation choices as well. First of all, there are some hotels, B&B, boarding-houses, etc. that are not very children friendly. So, try to choose the accommodations that are explicitly for families because it is highly probable they will have all the facilities you might need. Furthermore it is probable that you will get a nice discount for your children (very often children up to 2 years stay for free!), and that you will encounter other families with children. Even though you may not be open for new friendships your children will love to make new friends (the more the merrier factor).
Again your accommodation should not be too isolated. Try to find a place that is in the vicinities of the beach, shops, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. You do not want to end up without diapers with the nearest shop 30 minutes away! So try to limit the use of a car to a minimum.
If you have a choice, favor the hotels that are equipped with a swimming pool. Children love the pools, and you want to have an additional option for the afternoons or even days when you (or your kid) are not up for the beach.
If possible, choose half board for the type of accommodation arrangement. Your partner and you might like to eat in a different restaurant ever night and try the local dishes and wines, but maybe this is not such a good idea when you are travelling with children. Children cannot be expected to sit on the dining table longer than 30 minutes (the 30 minutes being the limit for the quite ones) so having dinner arrangements in your hotel can be a very convenient solution, because you can always retreat to your room when things start to precipitate (and the heads of the other guests start to turn in your direction) or, if it is possible, you and your kid can have the dinner in your room.
When travelling try to stay light and practical! If your kid is still using a stroller, for your travel choose a lightweight stroller (umbrella fold). Furthermore I would recommend the use of various baby carriers (wraps, slings, pouches) that are ideal for carrying your baby when they are fussy, crying or just do not want to be in their strollers or to walk (an issue all parents encounter at one time). As long as clothes and shoes are concerned, try to stay as much as possible comfy (this goes for you and for your children)! So, forget about high heel sandals or platform beachwear. Flat and comfortable shoes are a must when travelling.
Always carry with you a bottle of water and an energy bar. Kids get hungry and thirsty at the most improbable times, so you want to be prepared! Of course, take with you the essential first aid medicines and their favorite teddy bear, doll or blanket.
Going on vacation with your babies and toddlers is definitely achievable but, at times, can be very exhausting. Preparation is essential for a fun and enjoyable vacation with your little ones. As far as your plans (and expectations), try to make them as realistic as possible and in accordance with your child's age.
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