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| Enjoying the Everglades |
After middle man was born we chose to go self catering and drive to France so we could take everything but the kitchen sink with us. However, as we have got more experienced with this parenting lark, we have started travelling a little bit further, by plane and opting for full board or all inclusive options. The all inclusive option is fantastic if your children are like mine. It offers a variety of food for them to choose from and if they don't like a particular meal you can go and get them something else.
Now is there anything I have forgotten? What is your top tip?
So what are my top tips for holidaying with children?
When it comes to packing, make lists of what you want to pack and tick it off as you pack it so that you don't forget anything. If you can put a small travel wash in, this is fantastic if you have you children which tip their drinks over them. Although we are going all inclusive this year, I will take a lidded cup for little man to use, just so there are less spillages.
The airports aren't the most exciting place for children as there tends to be a lot of queuing. When we went to Menorca we took a Trunki with us. Yes you heard me correctly. A Trunki. We had two children and a baby. Big and middle man spent most of the queue arguing over who was going to sit on the Trunki. I know that not everyone is a fan of Trunki's, but we are and we now have 3 so that there are no more arguments....I hope!
Take snacks. Lots of them. My boys are always hungry. The "I'm hungry" whines start in the airport check in. Last year I had a few snacks on me and then went through to duty free and bought lots more. This year we have also ordered inflight meals so that it breaks up the flight and satisfies their appetites.
Don't rush to get on the plane. It is a small confined place that you will be in for a few hours at least. Being first to get on the plane just means that your children are in a small confined space for even longer, and we have found that it works best if you wait a while before boarding.
Make sure that you have ipads, phones and DVD players charged. We take sticker books and snap cards too, but like it or not the best way to keep my children entertained on the flight is to give them a DVD or game to play.
Take a small first aid kit with sachets of Calpol and a thermometer with you. Hopefully you won't need it, but it will stop you from worrying about where a pharmacy is in the middle of the night.
If you have a baby, it is a great idea to buy a blow up boat when you arrive. This can act as a kind of playpen for them on the beach or at the pool and it's great to use in the pool too! After a bad experience last year, I always make the boys wear arm bands too. Better to be safe than sorry.
I always tend to pack sun cream, swim nappies and daytime nappies if I have enough space in our luggage. This is because these seem to be really expensive on resort. These aren't essential as you will be able to buy them when you are away but you will save pounds if you can take them. Middle man is also allergic to many sun creams so it is good to have a brand that I know he is ok with as well as UV suits for piece of mind. One thing I remember about taking big man to the states at 9 months is that they didn't sell his brand of baby milk out there. Something worth checking before you go. Luckily I took some powder with me, rather than having to swop to a different formula.
This may sound obvious but relax and have fun. It is fine to go out of routine a bit. It doesn't matter if the kids stay up late, or you eat at a different time. What matters is that you are having quality time with the ones that you love.
Now is there anything I have forgotten? What is your top tip?
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| Oh and an underwater camera is lots of fun too! |
This post is my entry to the Mark Warner and Kiddicare Blogger Challenge and is my entry to Challenge
42 comments:
My Top tip was to save the packing list on your computer from when your child is born, you can then add things that you have forgotten when you return and update it as the years go by and you no longer need baby milk and nappies. 2nd top tip, if you are going self catering write a shopping list at home for essentials on arrival, this way you can look in your cupboards and fridge and use your favourites list from Tesco's so you don't forget any thing. You've already covered my 3rd top tip, buying a blow up boat for washing sandy feet and cooling off, excellent idea and we have done this ever year we have gone aboard. Right....Jealous now, off to look at holiday destinations and get booked up.....
Oh and booking a shopping delivery for when you get home. But that takes a lot if organisation. Wish I had fine my lists on the computer now, I have pieces of paper everywhere!
Booking a shopping delivery on return is always on my to do list, but I never managed to get that organized yet!!!
great tips - we're all for lists here - couldn't manage to pack without a list! x
I have lists for everything these days or I totally forget x
Some great tips! I always make a list too and start sorting what needs to be packed at least a week before.
Great tips, I usually have a big list that i tuck off as I go. We found that disposable bibs worked wonderers for my two
Great tips - totally agree with not rushing to board the plane - never understand why people do this with kids!
IF you can tolerate them for an extended amount of time take some parents or in laws, great babysitters and an extra pair of eyes around the pool ;)
Take out travel insurance which doesn't have an excess. If your child falls ill and you have to see a doctor, EHIC cards often don't mean anything in Europe in any case and the medical bills can be really expensive!
Don't forget to pack plenty of activites for the children whilst travelling, it makes for a much more pleasant journey.
If hiring a car abroad make sure they can provide a well fitted child seat.
My parents always come with us on holiday. It's great for us to have the adult company and also great when they offer to do the odd spot of babysitting.
Great tips will remember these when we go away for the first time with my 2 year old later this year.
I always try not to worry about forgetting anything, because usually you can buy things when you're there anyway, although I did forget my only pair of shorts one year, which caused much hilarity!
Some great advise and tips here, Thanks xx
Bring your own pillowcase to help prevent home sickness
Go with the flow, the kids sometimes shock you and learn new skills while on holiday.
We haven't taken our son on holiday yet. I think I've relaxed a lot more as a mum now & feel ready to take on the challenge of a holiday. Thank you for the tips xx
I always find it easier to fly at night so the kids sleep and I don't have to worry about keeping them entertained.
great tips x
Lovely photos - and great advice!
Take lots of snacks as you will need them! Try to relax...!
Take breaks during the day for the little one to have a nap
Plenty of snacks and drinks I also pack a wet flannel its easier to get the sand off than wipes x
powder for the beach! takes sand off in seconds and drys the littlies properly too x
lots of sun cream
wet wipes so handy
some great ideas here well done
great tips thanks
Great ideas on here.
I always find holidays with the kiddies a bit daunting, but some fab tips here! thanks x
Fab tips here! My top tip on a long haul flight is to pack lots of snack, children do not always like plane food and it's better they eat something than nothing at all!
Great tips. I write a big list for each of us and tick off as I pack. Our ipad came in very handy and is useful for a distraction when going for a meal and might have to wait a bit.
We took our 2 and 3 year olds to Florida, the flight was terrible for Flynn and he found it very stressful, people were incredibly unhelpful and some of them plain nasty. We are planning to go in 2016 and I hope it is easier for him then. Now we go on holiday in the UK, within 3 hours travel time of home. This cuts down on costs too. We already have our holidays booked for next year, 1 week in Yorkshire and 1 week in Southwold.
Great tips.....I am one for lists and tick off everything as I pack etc. Every bit of advice helps,thanks
great tips havnt been abroad yet with my children but 1 day will use some of ur advise im sure
Great tips & lovely photos - always remember the camera for photos x
Always photo copy all your details,passport photos etc..
yep I always have a bag of snacks everywhere I go!
They are fine when you get used to it x
Yes!
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