Posts Tagged ‘traveling with kids’

A Word About Last Minute Train Travel With Kids

traveling by train is an adventure in itself but as with any adventure, it can come with certain perils. This time, the dangers come with the fact that you’re traveling with kids. May be they are your little bundles of joy, however they can be little terrors in environments where they are not accustomed to. Here are a few tips to ensure that train travel with your kids is fun but safe.

SOP
All the usual things you do when traveling with kids by car, plane, or even by ship still applies when you’re traveling by train.

You should start by making a list at least before a week of your departure date, as a rule. At this point, you’re not yet feeling usual pressures and worries of traveling with your kids. Your mind is clearer and your emotional state calmer, allowing you to write a more accurate to-do list and other important travel reminders for yourself.

It’s best to have everything packed and ready at least two days before you’re scheduled to leave. Cross check your reseRVations to be doubly sure when going for vacation. Make sure your tickets and other travel documents are complete and ensconced safely within your hand-carry bag. Speaking of hand-carry bags, make sure that you’ve got the usual packing essentials in it as well.

When packing clothes, make sure you take note of clothes which are appropriate for your destination and those that you may have need of for long-distance train travel. Pack pillows and blankets with you, too.

Last but not the least, make sure you’ve got enough pocket money with you! Trains can’t unscheduled stops so if you suddenly lack for something, you’ll need to purchase something from the train’s facilities.

Amenities
This is especially important when you’re traveling with kids by train. As a Rule most children lack the forbearance to tolerate any discomfort. That’s why you need to purchase the best seats for them. Consider the amenities offered as well. Kids have low boredom thresholds so they need to be constantly entertained. If they haven’t anything to entertain your kids with, you need to have toys, books, and games with you to keep them occupied.

Medication
As mentioned earlier on, trains can’t make unscheduled stops unless you have a full-blown emergency in your hand. Train sickness, diarrhea, headaches, and the likes don’t qualify as an emergency but all these can still make your kid feel bad for a long, long time.

Be prepared for such instances. Painkillers are good as long as you obseRVe proper dosage when dispensing them. Aspirins, tablets for constipation and other stomach problems, and a first-aid kit for any unwanted accident should be included in your hand-carry bag.

If your kid has a pre-existing medical condition like asthma or certain known allergies, be sure you’re prepared for any attack brought about by his condition.

Naturally, bring medication for yourself. Taking good care of your kid is meritorious, but neglecting yourself can only backfire on your kids. With you sick, who’s left to take care of them?

Meals
At last, ensure about the meal arrangement during train travel. If your kid has special dietary requirements, you should consider calling the train company to inquire about the food before making any plans for your own.

Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to store food in your handcarry bag: treats to reward your kids, snacks to keep them occupied, and maybe a sandwich or something equally fulfilling when they get too tired or hungry.

Traveling with Teenagers? Make it More Fun

For many teens, the idea of spending the summer cooped up with the family for a vacation is less than appealing. And that means that you could end up with a surly, snarly member of the family on your trip.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. It is possible to travel with a teenager and have a good time. With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to meet your teen’s needs and have a peaceful vacation.

1. When you are planning your vacation, do your best to remember what it was like to be a teenager.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget how embarrassing it is to be stuck with your parents on a road trip. Teenagers crave freedom and independence, which isn’t always possible on a family vacation. Once you understand a bit about what your teen needs, you can take steps to meet those needs within reason.

2. As much as possible, let your teen help with the planning. The first step to letting your teenagers experience independence is to allow them to get involved with the planning process. Ask them to do some research on travel coupons and discounts. Ask them to take a look at online travel sites, such as Travelocity and Orbitz, to find ideas on must-see places to visit.

Get their input on where you’ll go and what kind of travel arrangements you’ll make. Make sure your teenagers understand that this is a collaborative process and not an opportunity for them to get everything that they want. Let them choose something small, such as a rest stop along the way or a specific tourist destination. They’ll feel more involved and like a part of the family this way and they’ll appreciate being treated in a mature fashion.

3. Continue the group decision-making process when you hit the road. Consult with them on restaurant choices, or get input on vacation souvenirs. Include your teen in major decisions and they’ll stay happy throughout the course of the trip.

4. Allow your teen a bit of freedom and space on the trip, especially when you are walking around in public. Allow him or her to walk a bit behind you and physically separate from the family. Nothing will embarrass a teen more than being joined at the hip to parents. You don’t need to completely let your teen loose to allow them to feel freedom.

5. Try not to embarrass your teenager while you are out and about. What may have been seen as funny behavior a few years ago is now probably mortifying to your teen. Be careful of trying to pull them out of their shell if all they want to do is go into a corner and listen to their iPod. They need this time away from the family, especially when you’re all in close quarters during a family vacation.

6. Give your teen something to be in charge of during the trip, such as the photography or video equipment. Most teenagers like electronics and giving them these responsibilities will keep their minds on getting a task done and away from sulking. No matter what duties you give to your teen, make sure it’s not babysitting. This is their vacation too and they don’t want to spend the whole time taking care of younger siblings.

You can’t ensure that your teen won’t sulk and detach the entire time (he or she is a teenager after all! But with these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your family vacation a little more this year.