Things to keep in mind when you’re travelling with kids

Travelling with kids is never easy. Whether you’re travelling with one, twins or more, it can be a tedious and testy time for most parents. Here’s what you need to keep in mind…

• Carry enough toys to keep your child(ren) entertained during the journey. This means toys, colouring books, building blocks, books or puzzles — anything that will capture the attention of your child for at least a couple of hours. And don’t forget to carry you child’s favourite toy. The last thing you need is a full blown tantrum on the airplane because he/ she is missing her favourite teddy bear.
• Don’t forget to carry medication. Many children tend to suffer from motion sickness or an upset tummy especially while travelling and you don’t want to be caught off guard in an unknown place with no medicines. Carry some bandaids as well.
• While allowing your child to pack their own bag may seem tempting, avoid doing that unless you’re okay with lugging around heavy luggage. Instead, let them help you with the packing so that they know exactly what goes into their suitcase.

• Read up beforehand about the climate of the place that you’re about to visit. This will give you a fair idea of what to pack and what you can skip carrying unnecessarily.
• Always carry a hand sanitiser, antibacterial wet wipes and tissues in your handbag because you never know when the need arises. Not only will this ensure that your child is (relatively) germ-free but will also help in case of spillage.
• As a parent you’re expected to keep your child entertained during those long journeys, so in the rare case when your child does not want to play with his/ her toys, make sure you have a stock of stories/ anecdotes that you can recite to them. It helps, of course, if you have a vivid imagination!