Tips for Traveling with the Tots

While many parents avoid traveling with young children, a bit of
preparation can ensure a successful family vacation. By making a
checklist of all your necessities and planning for any
difficulties, you and your family can enjoy your vacation
instead of worrying about what could go wrong. Here is a list of
travel tips to help you prepare for your family vacation. By
following some of these suggestions, you and your family will
always remember your family vacation for all the right reasons.

You certainly can't expect your children to be perfect,
so set some reasonable expectations for your family vacation.
Perhaps one of the best ways to keep your children interested
throughout your family vacation is to involve them in the
planning process. Your children will be excited to have a hand
in the itinerary and will learn about the destination before you
depart. Once you arrive, you can be confident that your kids
won't complain about the chosen activities.


Regarding air travel, you might want to try securing seats in
the front row of the aircraft. The front row of seats will grant
your family some extra space and privacy, which are especially
helpful if traveling with infants or toddlers. Your children
should also be able to wander with more ease at the front of the
cabin, but ask the flight attendant if you aren't sure what is
acceptable.

While non-stop flights are recommended
by many for family travel, a break can sometimes be useful. If
your family is traveling to the Caribbean, an hour or two in an
airport can take some of the edge off a long day. Not only will
your children be able to walk around and stretch, you can also
stock up on snacks and any items you may have forgotten.

If you are traveling with older children, you might want to
consider an early morning flight to prevent any delays. When
flying with infants and younger children, many families prefer
late night flights as they correspond with the child's natural
sleep schedule.

When traveling to the Caribbean
or any other international location, pack all the medicines your
children might need - both prescription and over-the-counter
varieties. As many countries have different medicines than the
U.S. and packaging may be considerably different, don't take any
chances. Check the carry-on restrictions and pack whatever you
can in your carry-on baggage. It is also a good idea to pack a
change of clothes, a blanket and a pillow for your young ones to
ensure that they are comfortable on the airplane.


One of the greatest difficulties of family travel is the
transport of large items like strollers and playpens. Before you
leave for your trip, contact the concierge of your Caribbean
resort regarding the availability of cribs, strollers, car seats
or anything else your baby might need. If your hotel is unable
to acquire any of these vacation essentials, there are a few
international organizations that arrange delivery of such rental
items.

Organize a selection of toys like dolls,
stuffed animals and books in one of your carry-on bags. To
prevent any unnecessary embarrassment, try to avoid packing
noise-making toys or those with small parts - like model kits,
building blocks or board games. Portable DVD players and CD
players can also keep your children occupied and entertained. It
is also a good idea to pack some healthy snacks for your
children, as it is often difficult to please with airline food.

Your preparation should also include planning for
unforeseen events, such as someone getting lost or sick. By
planning all the small details - down to what type of trail mix
to eat on the airplane - and more serious issues affecting your
itinerary before you travel, you and your family won't have to
spend your family vacation worrying. You will simply enjoy every
minute of it.

About the author:
This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select
pieces about travel in the Caribbean and Mexico for the href="http://www.paradisebymarriott.com"
target="_blank">Paradise by Marriott