Traveling with Children

There are a number of practical ways parents can make trips with children more enjoyable for the kids and less stressful for themselves.

The most important thing to remember when traveling with children is to try to keep a normal routine as much as possible. For example:

• Get the children up as close to their normal hour as possible and put them to bed at the usual time.
• Always maintain discipline during an outing or extended trip. Children need and want to have the structure they are used to. Parents should not bend their normal rules just because they are away from home.
• Avoid the temptation of substitution meals of junk food during trips or outings. If you are taking a long trip in a car, stop regularly for food.
• Find the time while traveling to give your children some exercise. Most children are used to getting some exercise each day, but they may be expected to remain seated for hours while traveling. If you have airplane layovers, take long walks in the airport. When you are traveling by car, stop regularly for walks, foot races, or a swim if possible.
• Take along little packages of soft toys and nutritious snacks for children. Airlines don't always cater to the tastes of children, so snacks can come in handy.