This column is for you, the reader, to express an opinion. Like a letter to the Editor. But not. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily shared by Moi. ~Kathy
Kara's Travel Tips
Travel with Children
Editor's Note: Why can't one just leave the kids tied up in the basement? Ooohh...that's illegal. I forgot. :))
If the thought of driving around or even flying anywhere with your toddlers in tow sounds a bit scary, you're not alone. Children of all ages can get antsy sitting in a car or plane for hours at a stretch. And if you're not prepared to deal with their anxiety, your trip can turn disastrous. With that in mind...here are a few tips to make the trip a bit more pleasurable.
Car travel
- PLAN AHEAD!
You can't expect the scenery to entertain your children 100 percent of the time. Ensure that minds stay occupied by packing a backpack for each child. For the toddler set, items like koosh balls, stuffed animals and books work well. And the kinds of toys you get with McDonald's Happy Meals are perfect. Pre-schoolers and school age children do well with books on tape (complete with a headset and earphones, of course); a few sticker books and even Colorforms. Teenagers do well with just about anything--things like Sorry!, Scrabble, card games, gameboy (pack extra batteries) and magazines. Along with the backpack, there are several "musts" to abide by: Pack one backpack for each child. Keep all items a surprise until the actual car ride. Recognize that children are competitive. If you buy one "really neat toy" for one child, duplicate it for siblings. Plan on each toy occupying the child for no longer than 15 minutes. Thus if you are going to be in the car for 60 minutes, you probably need at least 4 items. Don't bring out the backpack until they start complaining. If you can get them to be happy without the bribes, go for it!
- TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS
There's nothing like a good long stretch to help relieve car seat cramps. If your children are in booster or car seats, they will definitely need to move around every so often. Look for parks, rest stops and other locations that offer not only the chance to stand up, but also an opportunity to play. Packing one of those neat ball sets that has Velcro on the glove and ball will give them a chance to stretch, and possibly tire then out so they might take a nap depending on how long the car ride is. Rule of thumb: a 20-minute break for every two hours on the road--especially with little ones.
- PACK SNACKS
Juice boxes, easy-to-eat snacks, wipes, napkins and trash bags are important. Car trips are the perfect opportunity to use those Tupperware containers that are really too small to be useful at home. Be sure to pre-package each snack for each child--that way you're not trying to pass food back and forth. Remember not to pack sticky stuff; what parent wants to climb over the front seat to clean up a mess?
- CAR GAMES
You played them as a youth--now it's your chance to pass along the family favorites to the young UN's. The license plate game--ever so popular on those cross-country journeys--would work for the pre-teen set. Toddlers and pre-schoolers can help learn their colors by identifying the colors of cars. And be sure you learn a few family type songs. Even if your voice isn't of concert quality, you're sure to at least amuse your children. And if that doesn't work, you can always pawn them off on other drivers by getting them to wave to people from the back seat! Other useful ideas can be found in a wonderful book called American Children's Folklore, A Book of Rhymes, Games, Jokes, Stories, Secret languages, Beliefs, and Camp Legends. For Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Counselors And All Adults Who Were Once Children by Simon J. Bronner.
Air Travel
You can make your air travel a safer, more efficient and more comfortable experience by keeping in mind the following travel tips.
- Use a travel agency to assist you in your travel plans. Travel agencies are equipped to provide the pricing and service level that best suits your needs. There is no direct charge for this travel aid service.
- Pack your luggage wisely. Use pieces that are lightweight, roomy and durable. Material and design should be able to keep contents dry in adverse weather.
- Be sure that each piece has a secure lock. A suitcase with wheels or a baggage caddy will help make trips through airport terminals much easier. Be sure to remove old destination tags from your luggage.
- Make sure all bags, both checked and carry-on, are identified with your name and address on the outside and inside. As a security precaution, use a business address when possible.
- Don't overpack your luggage. Overpacking can cause baggage to rip apart or pop open during handling and transport.
- Pack fragile items in your carry-on. If fragile items are checked, be sure they are packed to withstand the normal rigors of air travel.
- Put cosmetics, shoe polish, nail polish, liquor, perfume, and anything else that might spill, break, or stain into reclosable plastic bags or unbreakable containers.
- Remove hooks, straps, and removable wheels before checking luggage. They are easily caught in baggage handling machinery, which can cause extensive damage to your bag.
- In the 'unlikely' event that your checked baggage becomes lost or is misrouted, it is a good idea to pack essential items in a carry-on bag. Items to include: medications, change of clothes, personal care items, eyeglasses, and car keys. Also, items such as cameras, jewelry, money, passports and other valuables should be packed in carry-on luggage.
- Other than essentials, valuables, and fragile items, try to keep carry-on luggage to a minimum. Often, carry-on space inside an aircraft is at a premium. Remember that passengers are typically limited to two carry-on items and these items must fit either under the seat or in the overhead bin. A purse does not count as a carry-on.
- Most airlines will accept certain types of pets. Pets taken into the passenger cabin of an aircraft must be in a kennel small enough to fit under the seat. With some exceptions based on air temperature and other factors, larger pets may be shipped in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Typically, an additional charge will apply for transporting a pet. Additional details may be obtained from your airline.
- Wear sensible, comfortable clothing. (Are high heels really sensible?)
- Carry traveler's checks. Carry as little cash and as few credit cards as possible.
- Call your airlines 1-800 information number before leaving your home or office to find out if your flight is scheduled to depart on time.
- Plan to arrive at the airport at least one hour prior to your scheduled departure. During peak travel periods, arriving one and one-half hours prior to your departure time is advised.
- Make a note on your parking stub as to where you parked your vehicle and take the stub with you. Upon your return, this note will help you in locating your vehicle.
- Passengers 18 years of age or older should be prepared to present photo ID at the ticket counter. If you do not have a photo ID, two other forms of ID will suffice, one of which must be government issued (i.e. social security card or voter registration).
- Do not leave luggage unattended at any time.
- Be prepared to answer questions about your luggage, both checked and carry-on.
- Take security seriously. Be prepared to place all items such as carry-on luggage, handbags, and coats on the conveyor belt of the x-ray machine. Place miscellaneous pocket items in the separate basket provided. Also, be prepared to assist small children through the security checkpoint.
- Remember that all carry-on luggage is subject to inspection at the security checkpoint. It could be required that items be opened or that packages be unwrapped for inspection.
- Be aware that certain items and substances are restricted from checked and carry-on luggage. These include items which could be used as weapons and any item or substance that could pose a danger if carried (or checked) on board the aircraft. These items and materials include, but are not limited to: firearms, ammunition, knives, mace and other irritants, aerosols containing flammable material, various types of cigarette lighters, fireworks and flares, corrosive or poisonous materials. Questions concerning specific items or substances should be directed to your airline.
- When onboard the aircraft, use overhead bins wisely (heavier items should be placed on the floor), listen to the safety briefing, review the safety card, become familiar with all exits and keep your seat belt fastened whenever you are in your seat.
TTFN : )
