Journeys are never going to be hassle-free. Whether you’re bisecting the country with National Rail or carving a path through a lesser-explored nook of international airspace, there are likely to be, admittedly a variety of, issues. You add kids into the mix and the process becomes even more complicated because now you’re responsible for another set of eyes, ears, hands and feet. To avoid any unnecessary stress you may want to consider following a few of these tips.
Explain the Trip
Never underestimate a child’s ability to comprehend what’s going on. Withholding information from them can be frustrating for an inquisitive child. Unless you’re surprising them with a fortnight at Disneyland it’s better to satisfy their curiosity from the get-go, as they will only ask anyway. It can also help build up responsibility if you give them important information to retain such as flight times etc. Human beings will always surprise you no matter how young they might be.
Bring Snacks
This is as much for you as it is for them. Do you honestly want to be paying £9 for a Ploughmans and some mineral water? Of course, you don’t, so why not bring food you know you like. Kids (like adults) with nothing to eat become grouchy and there’s precious few things worse than an argument inside a moving metal box with people you cant escape from for three odd hours. People eat, on average, three meals a day and if the majority of yours is spent on the road it might be worth investing in a cooler or picnic hamper.
Devices
Whatever way you slice it, the kids aren’t going to be doing that much when traveling. Even you aren’t if you’re not driving that is. About twenty years ago we would have advised you bring a few books to keep the sprogs quiet but these days with the myriad of electronic devices available you can have access to an entire library as well as a slew of recent cinema releases and games. Face the facts that it’s likely your kids are more tech-savvy than you are, give them their phones and leave well alone.
Don’t Over pack
If you give yourself too much to remember you will, in true ‘Home Alone’ fashion, leave something dramatically behind (fingers crossed its not blood-related to you). So packing heavily isn’t just like a pointless gym session with added underwear it’s actually needlessly confusing as well and will only add to your stress load knowing you have to herd your kids through airport security as well as compartmentalising all your various liquids into small plastic bags.
Bring a BedBox!
As you might already know The Job Auction is giving away a free BedBox to a lucky follower any day now. For the uninitiated, BedBoxes are suitcases your kids can ride on as well as sleep in so there’s no need to overpack ever again. They open up to reveal inclusive blanket and sheets as well as decorative stickers to keep your child entertained. Riding your suitcase around a station, airport or dock sounds like fun to even those over the age of 18 so imagine the excitement your kids will have whizzing about on one.
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