Summer family holiday booked? Many of us have rose-tinted sunglasses on when it comes to getaways with the kids.
But it isn’t long before the ice-cream dreams start to melt away with airport stress and long car journeys with screaming toddlers and tweens.
Even a well-planned family trip can have bumps along the way but don’t wait until you’re caught up in a stressful situation to find a fix.
We’ve rounded up seven smart tips to help wiggle out of the inevitable problems you encounter on family holidays.
1. Don’t vaccinate and fly
Schedule any routine or travel-specific vaccinations at least a week before you travel. That quick jab at the doctor’s office can lead to fevers, rashes, diarrhoea and other minor side-effects that become major inconveniences when you’re trapped on a plane.
2. Forget dedicated luggage for each person
Divide everyone’s clothes evenly into all your suitcases so if a bag goes missing no one will be left without essentials when you arrive.
Put the most important things such as beloved toys, snacks, medicines and pyjamas in one of your carry-on bags.
3. Pack healthy snacks
Food keeps the kids’ energy up and helps prevent meltdowns
in stressful travel situations. Cereals, pretzels, crackers, nuts, string cheese and granola bars are great options.
4. Bring the basic medicines
It’s always sensible to pack an emergency medicine stash such as a fever and pain reliever, a stomach med, a thermometer and band-aids. A bottle of hand sanitiser or wipes can also be a lifesaver when you’re travelling.
5. Go nonstop
It’s much better to pay a little extra to get a non-stop flight
than risk delays and the other hassles of taking a connecting flight with kids. But if you can’t avoid connections, be sure to allow enough time between flights.
6. Stay calm
Almost 74% of Irish families plan to take a family road trip this summer, according to a survey by Carzone.ie. Child sychotherapist Anne McCormack said the best thing to do if a child is becoming restless or upset on the journey is to “try to stay calm and use a soothing voice to reassure them".
She added: “They may need some fresh air and a break from the car should help them to settle and continue with the journey in better form – once they are kept occupied.”
7. Book a kid-friendly hotel
Consider all-inclusive holidays. These resorts are particularly nice for families as everything is right there. You don’t have to worry about renting a car and car seat and driving everywhere. The cost of most food, drinks and entertainment is already built in, so
you don’t have to pay every time.
Some resorts have things such as bottle warmers, extra nappies and even a nursery so certified staff can watch your little one while you hit the spa.
Childproof your room and make sure there’s nothing that can harm a cruising toddler or a sleeping baby.
