How to Plan your Travelling with Children who love Routine or are attached to certain thing at home. You wanna enjoy your trip too, right!
Traveling with Children who love their Routine!
Here is the Good News for us, our children love travel and routine means what we say it is. But many parents to young children esp. toddlers have to plan their travel with military precision. Some don’t even travel much because they don’t wish to disrupt their child’s routine. Is this You?
Well Wren asked us to tackle: Traveling with Children who love Routine, via our Blog Poll. We assume she wanted some more Intel on how to get a child stuck in a routine to travel and enjoy the experience. Here is the deal, most parents will let a child attach to an item in order to have some peace. A blanket, a toy, sucking their thumb or fingers, reading a bedtime book to them, leaving the night light on, the list goes on…You can tell we did some of these lol!
The fact is, children do need a routine in order to have a healthy happy existence. You as parents deserve half a chance at resting and getting other stuff done, and live a kind of social life too!
In our travels and social circles, we know parents who can’t go anywhere because their children will “terrorize” everyone else with the tantrums, tears, wreak havoc, be anti-social in general etc.
So….
We boiled it down to: Travelling with children – Child Routine!
It is highly recommended that you double check your essentials, here is our Definitive packing list esp. on a long-haul flight! And…
RECOMMENDED: TRAVELING WITH KIDS ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST
BELOW IS OUR LIST ON HOW TO GET A CHILD STUCK IN A ROUTINE TO ENJOY TRAVEL.
- Get a spare set of your child’s fav toy, blanket, or item that they are attached to & seems to sooth them. Let them get used to it a few weeks before travel. Remember that most children have short attention spans and get tired very quickly. So as long as you pack their favorite, they hopefully won’t so much feel the change in routine or surroundings. In other words, pack some of their toys and favorite snacks!
- Check in advance on child friendly accommodation. This can be by direct contact, through reviews. TripAdvisor is awesome for this. Or ask your travel agent. We use our Travel app and Personal Concierge to scope out all these things!
Ask for bulkhead seats or seats near an exit to give your child a bit of space to play on the floor.
Be sure to arrange for a Bassinet with the airline in advance for your baby. Our Son was comfy in one of these at 4 weeks 14-hour flight to Uganda! Take your car seat with you, routine remember! You will have to book a seat for that…for some airlines.
Your older children might prefer a window seat, why not ask them or pick your seats together! 🙂
It’s essential to try and keep your child’s sleep routine, so if travelling long distance, try to drive during the day to arrive in time for bedtime. Or if flying, book the red eye or overnight flight to coincide with your child’s sleeping routine!
Check your accommodation, if they have a child friendly play area, any childcare offered? Child friendly activities? How far are they? Ask as many questions as you can!
We will say this again, make sure there will be enough child-friendly and oriented activities to keep them amused, occupied and enjoying themselves while away.
RECOMMENDED: SAVVY TRAVEL PLANNING
Travelling with children who love routine – Communicate with Relevant People.
Make sure to let the airlines, travel agent and accommodation your child’s meal preferences esp. if they are health related. Allergies, etc. do it in writing and request for confirmation that they have received and will action your request!
- Take your child’s cup/glass/bottle/bowl…Or get one similar to the one they use at home. They get to see their food in a similar container, they will happily eat/drink. Esp. if they are picky eaters!
- Assuming your child can talk and thus understand, have a chat with them and prepare them for the trip. Share all the fun things you are gonna do and enjoy. Assure them that all their fav friends: Eeyore, Peppa pig, Teddy, whatever name they call their favs, will be there…! (Well you gotta be creative, and you know your child.) We sure never forgot “Our tweenies Bags,” On any trip!
We used to get the children planning what they would do, from as early as 4 yrs. What did they wanna see? We would get Holiday catalogs and show them the bright pictures, the beach, the hotel room, get them into the spirit of travel! Mind you our children are not fussy about travel…Maybe because we did a good job of preparing them and transferring our energy to them!
Talking of energy…
6. Travelling with children who love routine – Meditation and Visualization!
See what we did below, painting a mental picture? Well do some of that.
How about doing some Meditation and Visualization, with your child in the vicinity…Simply project what you want to happen on the trip, like you are already there…Here goes!
You wake up in your all-inclusive resort, with the rays of sun hitting your face, you little one is jumping up and down on the bed, mommy/daddy wake up look…They point to the patio doors and you can see the blue sea, skies and beach outside your room…
The Patio Doors are beckoning, you open them…and the Aroma of the sea hits your nose…Taking in a deep breath, you can hear the birds chirping in the palm trees by your suite…!
Your children run outside, and you follow, they wanna jump in the infinity pool, you want some breakfast…They are not even fussy about the exotic food… And guess what, your “stuck in a routine child” is completely at home in the environment…Well we could go on, we love this vision. 😀
…VISUALIZE and see it in your mind’s eye and guess who will have a fab trip with said child!
Travelling with children who love routine: Be sure to maintain a state of calm…
If your child craves routine, then any excitement on your part about the upcoming travels might get them worrying about the change! Why not, introduce them to the plans gently and then let your excitement rise with theirs!
Don’t let any sulks on their part affect your sunny nature or affect the way you perceive your holiday…Positive energy only, it is contagious…Yet neither should you ignore their distress if it is clear they are really upset. Work on the bribes. (Yes, sometimes we gotta bribe them. Don’t shoot the messenger.) 😀
By the way, do take a First Aid Travel kit
It should contain all their essential medicines WITH prescription. Don’t forget paracetamol, thermometer, band-aids, anti-itch, sun cream, even oral rehydration.
Get the children to take lots of fluid, water prior to any long-haul flights to ease the arrival discomfort! And the trick to avoid earache during take-off and landing, just encourage them, or make sure they are chomping on something, could be chewing gum. Helps balance ear pressure.
Be sure to stop often if driving and get some fresh air. Open a window to refresh the air in the car. Helps with motion sickness as well.
Meal routine when travelling with children
Toddlers and young children can be fussy eaters. ( Our daughter was totally that toddler who gave you a hernia at feeding time.) Travelling to unfamiliar places with new foods and different mealtime routines was a story we could tell for hours…! Disruption of eating and sleeping habits is most parents worry when travelling! But here is what our GP told us that reassured us and kept our wanderlust alive…
Don’t worry, rest in the knowledge that a healthy child will never voluntarily starve themselves! Trust them to eat when they’re hungry…(This advice is not just for traveling, it’s for daily life.) It saved our sanity with Paula!
Try to keep a little bit of familiar mealtime routine, such as having breakfast in the usual way.
Don’t assume you’ll always find something they’ll like on a restaurant menu. Carry plenty of their favourite snacks and drinks when touring around.
Ring ahead and see if the restaurant you’re planning to visit has a children’s menu.
Final thoughts on Traveling with Children who love Routine:
Bottom line, you know your child, so early preparation is key to you and them having a great time away! It can be a challenge traveling with a child who is bent on routine. Yet a bit of forethought, planning and research can help reduce child and parental stress.
Travelling by air should be a super exciting thing for children esp. if you meet their needs and focus on the fun.
Meet their needs and focus on the fun. #travelwithchildren #familytravel Click To Tweet
Keep your itinerary simple, try to avoid complicating things. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid numerous changes, do not jam-pack your itinerary with too many excursions or activities that may stress your child out.
Yes, it’s your vacation too, but picking lots of adult-oriented attractions, which prams ad toddlers, isn’t gonna get them excited. So, keep museums off the plans until they are older and can learn some from the visit!
Don’t forget to dress toddlers and young kids in light bright clothing. If still in nappies, change them before a flight, it can be a tight squeeze on the plane. More so if they have a soft tummy…not a great experience we can tell you!
In fact, it’s best to check in with your GP prior to travelling with children who love routine…esp. if its health related!
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Syl & Pauli Kalungi
Email: support[at]Juleskalpauli.com
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I think you need to make time for things like naps, and little home comforts, but I think kids are mostly adaptable and enjoy change too.
For sure thats what they are supposed to do but some are simply not made of the same mold and the parents can be up the wall planning their travels! 🙂
Great tips for anyone travelling with kids, my sisters taking my niece away for the first time this year, so I’ll share your post with her!
Ahh we pray your niece and sister enjoy their first trip together Kacie!
These tips should help for sure. 🙂
Theres some great points there, my son was a little like this when he was younger but now he just goes with the flow which is amazing. k x
hey Kara,
Thats awesome, most children like adults resist change, its normal. These tips help when it comes to travel or any change in routine to be honest!
These are great tips. MY sisters and brother can definitely make good use of these tips.
Feel free to share Garf, we love to actively help our audience live more fulfilled lives 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
These are awesome tips- I imagine travelling with kids in tow could be super stressful if you didn’t prepare well!
Some children adapt pretty easy, ours did, but some dont and we hope to have helped a wee bit with this post 🙂
I don’t have any kids, so don’t really have any experience of this. There are some great tips here x
Thanks for stopping by Hannah 🙂
I’m about to go to Dubai with my 8 month old and I’m dreading the time difference as he’s in a set routine with bedtime. Some great tips here. Jo x
Hi Miracle.
First congs on your lil one. Secondly, dont worry about it, plan, try and change your routine a wee lil bit closer to the new time zone and let God take care of the rest, with out hot tips above 🙂
Being a mom of 2 kids, I would really appreciate you for these wonderful tips as traveling with kids is not an easy subject to talk. But I think patience is going to be the key to understand their needs and groom them accordingly.
Hi Lisa,
We are happy to serve. And Yes Patience is a key player in bringing our children up in any situation. Must not forget we were once little too!
Understanding their needs is so important! 🙂
Great tips… My kids and i love traveling. Luckily my kids are pretty easy going, especially on a road trip
Glad you agree and have a great time with your children Rika 🙂
I took my kids everywhere without incident. But now that I have grand kids, it’s really hard to take them. I’ve got two that don’t like going anywhere and I’ve been trying to make it fun for them. I’ll apply your tips and be sure to take their favorite snacks and toys along next time.
Wow, we hea you Terri, with all the happenings in the world, it also gets harder to travel with children whom you have no parental rights to…
With that said, these tips should help out! 🙂
We always look for child-friendly accommodations wherever we go. If we’re riding with the pups as well, then we look for accommodations for them too.
Aaah fur babies,
We must say we dont have any experience of travelling with them.
So we will seek the expertise of others who do and maybe share on a blog coming near you. Cheers Fatima! 🙂
That must be the worse thing ever, travelling with not only children but people who prefer staying at home doing their routine! These are great tips Julie to get them out and about! 🙂
Lolol,
Well we must lie in our bed mustnt we Claudette, So if we set the routine, we must be able to manage when we get out of our usual environs 🙂
Great advice. Being prepared is the key, as is preparing your kids. Sometimes the hardest part of travel isn’t flying it’s waiting in lines, which is hard enough for adults but even more challenging for kids.
We agree Cindy,
And kids respond to the challenge by running around and causing mayhem 🙂
It can be so hard to travel with little ones. Maintaining their bed time can really help keep them happy while traveling.
It sure does that Kait. Glad you agree and thanks for your time! 🙂
Congratulations. This post made the most-clicked list on the Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Awww we love the Pit Stop and Thanks for letting us know Kathleen 🙂
Hi, Julie. I was one of the mom’s who didn’t travel (let alone go out much) because of my children. I can see the errors I made now that my boys are grown. You are SO right, parents need to enjoy life too!
I shared this on StumbleUpon so more parents can find helpful advice on traveling with children who love routine.
Enjoy your day,
Sara @ Saraduggan.me
Hey Sara,
I hope you are catching up big time with your children, see the will always be your babies, irrespective of age.
Thanks for sharing you are appreciated 🙂 and have a good day too!
Julie
This is such an interesting article. We were never fortunate enough to be able to travel when our children were young, other than short car trips to visit family, but I imagine it does present certain challenges. I think all of your tips are great for those parents who do travel with their young children.
Hey Julie,
A trip can be a road trip too, in fact long roadtrips can be a nightmare for the parents a kids get really restless!
great advice! been traveling with the kids, never ever travelled alone, lol. and this is good to read article!
Awesome Thanks for stopping by Kelly, its great to travel with children, we learn so much more 🙂
My sister’s baby was actually PRETTY GOOD – considering she is 1.5 years old – when we were in Asia. Sure, she had her meltdown moments, but nothing we didn’t expect. I mean, I have to thank her – she would get hungry when I would, thus make a huge scene… So I didn’t have to! LOL!
Awww bless her lil cotton socks.
And we are sure you had a blast on the honey moon…shall we expect lil GiGilettes soonest 😀
[ Smiles ] Julie, I have a suggestion. How about asking the young children to choose three of their favourite toys that they would like to have with them on their vacation?
Wow,
Awesome Suggestion Renard. Thats something Our Community should take on board! 🙂 Thanks for sharing that!
My son started traveling with me when he was only four years old. I’ve never had trouble with him as he’s not the type to throw a tantrum or cause a ruckus. Also I ‘brief’ him as to what he can and can not do inside a plane or while waiting at the airport. 🙂
Hey Czjai,
what a great way to get a child to travel and enjoy, You are definitely an awesome parent! 🙂
I am happy I am over this phase of parenting. My kids are all grown up now and I have had my share of some not so nice travel experiences with kids in tow. Its my daughter’s turn now. I’m sharing this post with her. Thanks for this great resource.
We feel you AnneMarie,
And we uplaud you for sharing with your daughter so she can have an easier time! Travel is meant t be enjoyed by all family members irrespective of size and age 🙂
Lots of helpful suggestions here 🙂 I don’t have kids of my own yet, but I can imagine (as a teacher) how important it is to try as hard as possible to stick to routine.
Hey Divya,
Glad you agree and thanks for your time !:)
Kids aren’t exactly easy to travel with, what more if they’re used to a routine at home. I think your tips are going to help a ton of parents who are thinking of traveling!
Hi Carol
Children are lil people and they have their needs and feelings too, we have to work on that premise 🙂
What I do with my twins is talk to them about the trip and what’s going to change or what will happen during our entire stay there. I also bring familiar items, like toys or stuff toys that they’re accustomed to. Routines are tough to break when your child lives and breathes it, but it’s not entirely impossible.
Exactly Elizabeth.
Thanks for sharing your routine with our community, we are sure it will help some new parents 🙂
Thank you for coming to the Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
Its a pleasure to be at the Pit Stop
I think it would be so hard to travel with kids, you’ve seemed to have mastered it tho!
Its way easier than you think Kumba and we have had a ton of fun along the way 🙂
These are some lovely tips.. I’m always sooo jittery when travelling with kids
Glad to serve Sabeeka 🙂
This is a very useful guide to traveling with kids. I must admit sometimes the thought of taking the kids deters me from traveling, but your tips are very helpful. I’ll rethink my plans to include the kids next time!
Coming over from the Blogger’s Pit Stop
Hey Fabiola,
So good to hear that these tips have been helpful and useful! Take the children, they will thank you later 🙂
These all sound like great tips, massive respect to anyone travelling long distance with kids! 🙂
Its been a life journey and we continue to do so as they grow up Jess 🙂 Thanks for your kind words.
I agree with the routine as Kaiden my 7 year old really hates it when his routine is messed up so like you we do things like taking his fav things where we can to make him feel more at home
Hey Emma,
Glad you agree and we parents must do wat we can to create the memories that bond us closer to our children. Glad Kaiden gets to take his fav Toys on trips 🙂
I am always so impressed when parents travel with kids and they are constantly entertained x
Its a Very much hands on Job isnt it Rachel 🙂
Traveling with children can be so daunting, so I admire anyone that does it with gusto! I think the key thing is to be organised, but also to expect the unexpected. Some really helpful lists here. Thank you.
Its always good to expect the unexpected whether travelling with children or not, more so with children though coz they do and say the darnedest things. All the more fun and memories!
Some great tips. I can imagine kids must be tricky and more set in ways. I know i used to get upset not having my favourite cereal as a kid and little things like that lol x
Aww Jodie,
We can imagine. Yes Children need a routine, yet it can be a major factor in Travel plans!
My kids love to travel, these are great tips.
Thats such a blessing Jenny 🙂
Ah this is so interesting! I travel a lot with my two and keeping routine is difficult! Great advice
Hey Donna, Glad to serve thanks for stopping by 🙂
This is a great idea for a post! Although I don’t have children myself, I do remember my Mum allowing us to bring our favourite soft toy or book on holiday or when driving long distance, just to keep us calm and make us feel safe!
Kayleigh x
scampinchips.co.uk
Thanks Kayleigh,
Thanks to Wren for asking the Question 🙂
It must be tough in general to travel with kids. I travel on my own or with friends and that’s enough for me x