As any parent will attest to, holidays look a little different when you’ve got a tiny traveller in tow. From the extra considerations during the planning stage to health and safety concerns during your break, there is much more to consider. Going away for the first time with your child can feel a little daunting. We’ve compiled some top tips to help make the first family holiday that little bit easier.
Why are family holidays important?
If you’re already in the midst of planning your longed-for family holiday, good on you. If you’re still unsure whether or not to take the plunge, you might like to know why they’re good for you.
For a start, family holidays help you reset and relax a little. The change of scenery and smaller amount of ‘stuff’ to wash and clean around you can feel like a relief. You might find you’re connecting more with your partner and kids because there are fewer everyday worries to consider.
However, the benefits run even deeper for your little ones. Children learn through active engagement with the world around them, and literally absorb travel experiences like sponges. So, as a parent, what can you do to make the most of your holidays?
Plan around their schedule
One of my favourite parenting tips for first family holidays is to plan around your kids’ schedules. Travelling with kids can mean quite a few ‘unknowns’, so working with your children’s regular routines for eating, napping, etc. will at least give you some control.
Keeping familiar patterns also helps your children feel secure and will reduce the chances of meltdowns due to hunger or tiredness. If your kids nap regularly, sticking to their usual routine will also mean looking forward to regular, predictable breaks. You may even want to plan in ‘home days’, which involve staying in your accommodation and watching cartoons or playing board games. These are a great way to reset after lots of sightseeing.
Prepare for the journey.
There are a few ways you can prepare for your travels. Start by packing strategically, and making sure you have enough of all of the essentials. Nappies, wipes, clothes, and any necessary food items take priority. Bulky toys aren’t necessarily required, and you can come up with fun activities with your children once you arrive instead.
Sometimes, it is necessary to pack extra travel equipment, especially when trying to maintain some essential daily routine whilst not getting in the way of being able to embrace spontaneous moments during travel. Try and pack light, foldable, portable equipment that you can take along easily, for example:
- Portable travel cot - is perfect when you are out and bout, simple to set up and fold up as well as light and convenient to carry.
- Portal highchairs – if the place doesn’t provide highchairs, you can bring a portable one that is lightweight, compact and sturdy to place on dining chairs.
- Instant blackout blinds – perfect for new parents and babies where it 100% instantly blocks out sunlight for complete darkness to maintain that sleep routine while travelling on holidays
Young children do tend to become easily bored during travel, so bringing snacks and little toys and comfort items is key, or if they’re a little older these toddler sensory busy books/board are designed for travel. There are plenty of great packing tips for making all of your important items fit, including utilising packing cubes for each child.
Plan and enjoy new experiences with your kids
The best way to plan your travels with kids is to keep ahead and avoid any unwanted surprises. Parenting is all about sharing important learning experiences with your children, and travel is the ideal time to do just that. If you plan ahead and prepare any necessary items, you’ll be able to focus on sharing new experiences with your kids instead of worrying about something you’ve forgotten to pack.
Article Written & Collaborated with Mike Sheer