Advice for a newbie travler

[Claudiomom]

Hello everyone I am new here and was wondering if you have any advice for me while travling with  two kiddos.
We will be going to Everett, Washington next year to visit some family friends. At the time my oldest will be two and my youngest will be about 14 months any advice would help

[txprairie]

Hello Claudiomom!  I am new on here as well.  I don't know what type of advice you are looking for, but the biggest thing I can tell you is be flexible.  My husband and I took our 10 month old on a month-long road trip this summer.  Camped out most of it.  Our goal was to hit as many National Parks and state capitols as possible between the Oklahoma panhandle and Seattle.  It was pretty amazing, but we definately learned to go with the flow.  If we wanted to be packed up and out of our campsite by 8am, inevitably our little one would be extra needy that morning.  Just that typical stuff that happens when you actually have plans.

Make sure you have snacks & drinks easily available.  If you are driving, I might suggest Gerber's yogurt melts.  They are NO MESS!  Good even if you are flying. 

Don't know if that helps at all.  If you are wanting something specific, let me know...I'll try to help.  Have a great trip!

 

[JudyRoss]

It kind of depends on what kind of travel you are talking about-- car, air...both?  Some of the same principals as going to the mall apply like taking lots of clean and easy finger foods.  Then a variety of fun games like bubbles for blowing, some finger puppets, favorite book, way to draw/color, etc.  In the car, take the time to make a lot of stops while the kids are awake, but none while they are asleep. Reststops are great for this.  Let them get out and run around and get some exercise every chance you get.  Driving through the night to get somewhere is also a good idea.  If travelling by air, I would suggest you give them a dose of tylenol 10 min before boarding.  Some times the pressure can cause ear pain.  I like what the other reply said-- be flexible!

[jo.smith]

I agree with the PPs that you need to be flexible, but I found that the trip always goes smoother when I kept the kids meal and nap schedules as consistent as possible.  Sometimes it isn't possible, but I tried to plan our days around them.  It isn't always easy or convenient for the people you are visiting, but it makes the visit soo much better with them. 

The other thing is to make sure that your kids are comfortable with being in and sleeping in different places.  We just got back from a trip with my brother and his kids and it was awful because his 5 and 3 year olds couldn't fall asleep in a strange bed and didn't want to eat in the breakfast room.  Since your trip is still a year away, you have time to make sure they are comfortable in different situations.

[hulapixie]

like everyone else said....depending on how your traveling. I have a three year old son and last fall me and my husband decided to take a cross country trip (in our rv) before our son was school age to do something excited....Kids love camping! We had so much fun gathering firewood and taking hikes. He loved being outside all the time! It was a lot less stressful than real life :O) We were on the road for a good 7 months and the on thing I learned is if you are traveling you have to be willing to not be as scheduled...different things different days, it wont be the same routine as at home ...hope this helps? -aimee

[baristamom31]

I am new as well....we have been traveling with our kids yearly for about 7 years now and the best advice I got was to wrap up about ten Dollar Store items that your child would enjoy and disperse them when the they get bored. I also love cd's with childrens songs to keep everyone cheerful. My kids also pick up on my husband and my stress so stay relaxed and enjoy the trip.