Tips for Parents to Avoid Hearing The Dreaded “Are We There Yet?”
Family vacations can be one of the best ways to make memories that will last a lifetime. The fact is however, no matter how long you are staying at your chosen destination, traveling with children can be the longest part of the trip. Long rides can seem endless for children who can’t wait to start their vacation. It might also seem endless for parents who have to listen to “Are we there yet?” for the whole trip. But if you keep in mind a few kid friendly travel tips, you can make the travel time fly by for everyone.
Going on a family vacation is often the high point of the summer for your kids, so it’s no wonder they’re restless and driving you nuts on the way there. Remember that it IS a fact that the natives will be restless and plan ahead by bringing games, portable dvd players, books and trying activities like I, Spy or the License Plate game. If your children are occupied the trip will seem shorter for everyone – keeping you, the parents, sane.
For long car rides there are a number of games that can make the time fly by. Children typically get tired of playing the same games they play day after day, so why not spice things up by offering them games that are made for long car trips. One of these games involves finding the letters of the alphabet on road signs. For example, if you pass by a sign that reads “Albert’s Chicken Restaurant” the letters A, B, and C are found. When you pass by the next sign, look for D. If there are two kids in the backseat make it a competition by only allowing them to use signs on their side of the road. Another car game for long trips on Interstate highways is the license plate game, where your children try to find cars with license plates from different states – see if they can find all fifty!
When kids get restless on car rides it can wear on a parent’s patience. But when young children get restless on airplane rides, it can irritate an entire jet full of passengers. For every parent planning to fly with young children, particularly infants and toddlers, it is their worst nightmare to be the person walking up and down the plane aisle with a screaming baby. Flying on a large airliner for the first time can be intimidating for young children. And for babies who do not understand what is happening, the sensations of taking off and landing can cause distress. Like car rides, keeping kids entertained on airplanes is key. Activities on planes are somewhat easier since the ride is generally smoother and kids have the use of the pop-down trays to use as a table top for activities such as drawing or coloring.
Perhaps one of the most sensible but often overlooked tips is to provide your kids with a few new activities rather than their tired old toys and games. Buy some new reading books, coloring books, or travel games. The novelty of the new items will keep kids occupied longer than their old toys will. When traveling with children too young to keep occupied with toys, your best bet is to keep them comfortable. Make sure your baby does not take a nap right before the flight; this will lessen the chance that he or she will sleep during the plane ride. Small babies should be given bottles while the plane is taking off. Feeding them during take-off usually prevents your baby’s ears from popping.
Parents will find that the key to traveling with children is to always have something ready to counter an, “Are we there yet?” It is the best bet to avoid arguments on long family car trips. A game, puzzle, coloring activity or book will provide a good chunk of time where parents can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. And bring a book or game for yourself too – with all these tips to keep your kids quiet you might find yourself bored!
So enjoy your vacation and should you need any travel accessories, be sure to visit the links at the bottom of every page for
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