Travel with Children

 

Travelling with Children? You can do it!

 


Although you might feel that you are taking more equipment than a trip to the moon, the more prepared you are, the better everyone will enjoy the experience.

 

 

  • NEVER leave children alone, anywhere, not even for a minute.
  • Photograph and fingerprint your child before leaving home, if your school has not already done so. Leave the file with relatives or a close friend.
  • Make sure you have a current picture in your wallet of your child
  • Have the child wear some kind of I.D. bracelet or necklace with their name, address, blood type, any medical condition. Make a game of having them memorize their name, address and perhaps their telephone.
  • Discuss with your child the people whom they could trust ie: policemen, security personnel
  • Review with your child strict guidelines and rules for travelling
    • Never talk to or trust strangers (this includes women)
    • Do not go near or into strange vehicles for any reason when asked by a stranger
    • Never take a gift or handout offered without approval from parents.
    • Never go off with “new friends” with parental permission.
    • If grabbed, coach your child to yell NOT MY MOMMY/DADDY! Merely screaming can be interpreted simply as a tantrum.

    Ideas for an Enjoyable Trip for Everyone!

    • Don’t count on toddler eating airline food (if it is still served) Be prepared with your own selection of “finger foods” and drinks
    • Consider booking your flight at non-peak times. I t may help with the seating arrangements.
    • Arrive at the airport early and make last minute trips to the washroom.
    • Bring a change of clothing for those mishaps.
    • Bring along a small supply of outlet covers, hotels do not supply these
    • Always check ahead with the resort or hotel to make arrangements for cribs, playpens, cots etc. Don’t assume that they will have one for you.
    • Review your family safety rules ie: strangers, whom to trust, name, address etc.
    • If you are travelling alone with your child, especially out of the country, make sure that you have a signed and notarized letter from both parents indicating that permission is given to the accompanying parent (or guardian) to take the child out of the country. Travel agents or the airline will have these forms available.
    • Check the regulations before you go regarding listing children on your passport. They may require a passport of their own.
    • Consider purchasing a “child” backpack or rolling bag for their own special teats and toys
    • Make sure that you carry enough supplies for one day ie: diapers, food, drinks, change of clothes, bathing suit, in your carry on in case of unusual delays or lost luggage.
    • Make sure that you carry any medical information or medications in your carry on bag.
    • Consider purchasing a disposable camera for your young child to take his own pictures of the trip. Make their own memories important. Perhaps purchase postcards and have them write on them what was important to them about this particular site.
    • Divide the time up into meaningful “chunks” ie: something to drink, something to eat, a movie, a brief sleep, something to drink and then you’re there before you know it!
    • Prepare your children in advance for the trip you will be taking. This gives the child something to anticipate.
    •  
    Checklist of useful items for travelling with children
    • proper identifcation ie;passport
    • favourite pillow
    • blanket
    • towels
    • paper towels
    • washcloths / wet ones
    • pacifer
    • thermometer
    • disposable garbage bags
    • disposable diapers
    • waterproof changing sheet
    • eating utensils
    • bibs
    • training cup
    • formula, milk, juices,
    • teething biscuits
    • vitamins,
    • lotions, ointments, sunscreen, insect repellent
    • medications
    • port-a-crib
    • favourite toys
    • a surprise gift
    • jacket, sweater, extra change of clothes
    • music, books, tape player, magazines
    • crayons, pencils
    • colouring books
    • electronic games
    • headphones
    • tapes or CD’s
    • games
    • gum (airline travel)
    • luggage tags with destination and names
    • wallets with money and identification
    • juice packs, bottled water
    • snack food
    • spare batteries
    • disposable camera
    • a small binder for postcards


     

 

 

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