Keep everyone well-informed

Children have an easier time absorbing change when they know what's coming. Tell them where you're going. Show them on a map. Talk about what you'll see and do along they way, and what you'll see and do while you're there. Stay positive and upbeat. Don't burden them with problems or confusions. Encourage them you pack, allow them to choose favorite toys, clothes, books and distractions. Consider installing a portable video and/or DVD player in your vehicle (you can rent or buy). Continue to keep them their suggestions when it's feasible and possible.

• Keep a list: Draw up a list of items that you want to take with you (it's easier if you do it on a computer). each time you travel, add all the things you would like to have had with you. Eventually, you'll have a comprehensive list that you can pull out each time you pack. This will make packing quick and efficient -- and you won't forget anything.

• Pack clothes by days: If you're traveling by vehicle, pack your clothes in separate bags for each day, with one change of clothing for everyone. Have a suitcase for the hotel stops, a suitcase that carries the daily bags, and another suitcase, if needed, for what you'll need when you get where you're going. At each hotel, pull out a new bag of clothing for the next day. The old bag can go in a laundry bag in the vehicle. This plan takes a bit of preparation before you go, but it makes things much simpler on the road. You also aren't carrying items into the hotels each night that you really don't need.

• Start well-rested. Get you stuff together the day before you leave, and make sure everyone gets a good test that night. As much as you can, give everyone a chance to rest along the way, and try to not push the little ones too hard. If you're traveling by vehicle, get out every two hours or so, stretch your legs, go to the bathroom, fill water bottles, breathe freash air, play in a park, go see an interesting attraction. Breaks and rest help keep everyone calm and content. Bring a stroller if you can so that you can walk around while little legs rest. If it's possible, have someone sit next to the little ones to help them entertained.

• Pack healthy snacks and drinks. Try to stay away from fast foods, soft drinks, alcohol, snacks that are processed, salty, sugar-laden or fatty. Bring your own to make sure that no ones gets overly hungry or thirsty while wainting for planes to land or cars to stop moving. Make sure everyone stays well-hydrated (with water). Drink to prevent thirst, not to quench it. By the time you or your children feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. See our Dehydration page for more.

• Be prepared for accidents. If you're traveling with a baby, pack more diapers than you think you'll need plus changes of clothes for the children and for you. Bring along wipes. tissues, several large plastic zip-close bags or diaper disposal bags (for soiled diapers, dirty clothes, wet clothes, etc.).

• Carry a portable potty seat so that little ones aren't thrown by unfamiliar (or excessively) tiolet seats. Make sure you're giving your child a chance to go to the bathroom regularly, and don't be tempted to limit drinks in order to limit trips to the bathroom (dehydration will only make your child uncomfortable, cranky and difficult to deal with). Don't be afraid to let your child pee on the side of the raod if necessary. Every parent driving by will understand completely. Just make sure you clean up messes and that you've parked well off he road and away from any dangers.

• Shed some light on the hotel room. A night or two -- especially one in the bathroom -- can help seem less intimidating and quite a bit easier to navigate when it's dark.

• Go early. If you're traveling by some form of public transportation, choose the first morning route to help prevent delays and to arrive at your destination before your children come unglued. Fly during off-peak hours to avoid congested airports and full airplanes. Try to check in fairly early in the afternoon so that children have a time to settle in -- maybe blow off some steam with a swim in the pool -- before going to bed.

• Get a quiet room. Ask for quiet hotel rooms away from the crowd (but before unpacking, make sure the room is clean and doesn't have indications of chemical stains (from meth labs) or other elements sometimes found in out-of-the-way rooms.

• Keep a basic emergency kit that has bandages, disinfectant, flashlight, thermometer, syrup of ipecac, necessary medications for you or the children and other items found in emergency kits.

• Keep restuarants to a minimum. You might find it easier and cheaper to get a room with a kitchenette that will allow you to make quick breakfasts and lunches while juggling tired, fussy or picky children. If you arrive late or find yourself overwhelmed, sometimes the extra cost of room service is well worth it.

• Consider requesting a bulkhead seat when traveling by air. This gives you much more leg room annoying other passengers ahead of you. Do remember, though, that with a bulkhead seat, you won't have room under the seat for a carry-on bag. If you can, buy the two or three seats in the row so that you and your child/children don't have to climb over strangers to get to the bathroom, and you aren't saying "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry" every 30 seconds. Find out what the rules are on car seats on the airplane, and bring a stroller if you can (it will be tremendously helpful in getting through the airport).

• Prevent your children's earaches on take off and landing by getting them to swallow frequently. You can do this by breastfeeding your baby, offering a pacifier to toddlers, or by giving ice chips, gum or candy to older children. Older children also can yawn, which helps clear blocked ears.

• Bring along a surprise bag for each child (packed with small toys, favorite toys and stuffed animals, coloring books, travel games, play dough, paper, coloring pens, small Etch-a-Sketch, books, ViewMaster, cassette players, books on tape, tiny bubble blowers, and finger puppets) that you can use to distract sleepy, cranky or frustrated children. When you check into hotels, find out if they stock a lending desk with favorite toys for children. Make sure that if your child has a favorite blanket or pillow, you bring it with you. Additionally, toy companies are becoming quite smart about making favorite board games into travel games. Just make sure that each game you buy is appropriate for the age of your child so that little parts don't get swallowed. You also can make a list of favorite car games (such as license plate spotting, or "I packed a bag for a trip and took an Apple, a Banana, a Cookie, a Dinosaur..."), so that you have a quick reference when tempers get short. For that last hour when everyone is tired and tempers are short, some people find that a portable video or DVD player fastened securely in the back, along with a child-appropriate movie, can help ease everyone's burden.

• Apologize for any inconveniences or disturbances caused by your children. Most other travelers -- especially other parents -- will understand and sympathize -- unless they think you don't care.

• Relax. You're on holidays, so try to relax and have fun. Avoid taking work with you or doing work while you're accommodating, and don't sweat the small stuff. The goal is to have fun, so try to see things that go wrong as an adventure (and a good story that can be told later!). A good attitude will help your children to see the brighter side of life.