Navigating the Challenges of Traveling with Young Kids

I am a dad with 2 boys who are both quite energetic.  We travelled with them from young – doing London to Sydney, when they were under 1 year old.  It was a mission and really hard at times but also gave us family memories forever.  Traveling with young children can be both a rewarding and daunting experience. From navigating busy airports to adjusting to a new time zone, each phase of the journey presents its own set of challenges. However, with careful planning and a few tips up your sleeve, traveling with kids can be made much smoother.

• Choosing Suitable Holidays – it’s not potluck but game strategy

Before booking your family holiday, it is good to have a think about the suitability of certain types of holidays for your family and it will depend largely on your children’s ages and temperaments.  This is important as trying to do something that is not suitable is just going to cause stress.  Doing a city trip of New York with lots of walking when you have young kids is maybe not the best idea, but again it depends on your family. 

1.       Beach Holidays:

Beach destinations can be ideal for families with young children due to the relaxed atmosphere and easy access to amenities

2.       City Breaks:

While cities offer cultural experiences, navigating crowded streets and museums may be challenging with young children.

3.       Adventure Travel:

Activities like hiking or safaris may be more suitable when children are older and can fully participate.

• Airport Navigation – Where it begins…

Airports, with their bustling crowds and long queues, can be overwhelming for families with young children. No two airports are the same and some airlines have slightly different check-in processes.  Immigration processes can also be different.  Some are a lot busier than others.  While this might sound daunting, at the same time its where your holiday starts and the excitement starts to build.  Embrace it all from the start and do your best to take any little “hiccups” in your stride.   Having patience cannot be over estimated. 

Here are some tips to make this phase easier:

1.       Early Arrival:

Arrive at the airport well in advance to avoid rushing through security and boarding.  This is one of the biggest tips I can give, especially if you have a young family.  You cannot predict what “curve balls” the kids might throw your way, such as an urgent nappy change.  Give yourself time as I can promise the pressure of having to rush through the airport with kids, is not the way you want to start your holiday or a long flight. 

2.       Use Family Lanes:

Many airports offer family lanes at security checkpoints. Take advantage of these to expedite the process.   If the family lines are not clear or obvious then don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you are a single parent.  Ask for help!  I really cannot stress this enough.  It can help alleviate the stress and anxiety so ask for help before it builds. 

3.       Strollers and Car Seats:

Consider using a lightweight, collapsible stroller that can be easily folded and stored during the flight. Some airports like Dubai offer strollers in the airport for free, to use but this is more a rarity than a given at airports.  Best to plan to have your own, rather than having to carry kids, again this will create fatigue which will then bring on stress.   Trust me, I have been there and got the T-shirt – not really something I wanted!  Car seats can be checked for free at the gate, but again, do a little research on car seats and which ones are better to travel with etc. 

4.       Entertainment:

Prepare entertainment options like books, toys, or tablets loaded with games and shows to keep children occupied during wait times.  Entertainment on a trip (I will repeat this several times) is so so important.  If you need to overuse the "electronic nanny” (Tablet) then do it.  Don’t worry about been judged etc, as keeping your kids entertained and more importantly, giving yourself a break is crucial. 

• On the Plane – surviving the flying tube.

Flying with young children requires a different approach to ensure a comfortable journey for everyone onboard.  I say everyone, but your family is no 1 priority and other passengers need to accept that there are young kids on the plane.  Never ever feel embarrassed on a flight if you child is crying too much.  Those of us who have had kids (which is majority of people) have been there.  Ignore any looks and remember that you have as much right to be there as anyone else on the plane. 

Like navigating through the airport, try remaining patient and take things step by step.  Here some tips to help:

1.       Seat Selection:

Choose seats wisely, opting for bulkhead seats or seats near the front for quicker boarding and disembarking.  If you are travelling with kids under 1 year old, then definitely at the time of booking, push for a bulkhead seat so that you can get the basinet/crib.  You also get a little more space and no one in front of you reclining their seats.  If you kids are older, around 2 or more, and you cannot get the bulkhead, then avoid any seats close to the galley or toilets as those are noisier and have more people traffic around them.

2.       Snacks and Drinks:

Pack plenty of snacks, baby food and drinks to keep children hydrated and satiated throughout the flight.  Same applies for older kids as you never quite know how they are going to react to plane food and the last thing you want is hungry kids on the flights.  Little tip, with some airlines, you have to select kids’ meals.  Some do it automatically. 

3.       Comfort Items:

Bring comfort items such as blankets, pillows, and favourite stuffed animals to help children relax and sleep during the flight.  NEVER leave home without the little one’s comforter or favourite toy – its as important as the passports or you might see a rendition of Anger from Inside out. 

4.       Ear Pressure:

This is a really good piece of advice I read about, so please take note of it.  To alleviate ear pressure during take-off and landing, offer infants a bottle or pacifier to suck on, and encourage older children to chew gum or yawn.

5.       Sleep gadgets:

Today you can get a number of different products which help to convert economy class seats to mini beds.  Some are better than others and can help to give a more comfortable bed and opportunity to sleep.  If you kids are sleeping, it allows you to sleep or rest, which is so important.   Do some research but something like Jetkids by Stokke is well rated (plus its Stokke who do some great kids products), but also check airline policies because once again they all differ!

6.       Paracetamol and thermometer:

Always carry some paracetamol and a thermometer on the plane with you.  If you child starts to feel unwell for some reason, you need to be able to deal with it appropriately.  I have been on too many flights where parents forgot to bring paracetamol to help deal with an unwell child.  Again, this is all about trying to manage the situation before it goes too far.  A screaming, unwell baby/infant with raise stress levels for everyone. 

• Dealing with Jetlag – its like baseball, hit or miss.

Jetlag can affect both children and adults, and it can be quite bad.  With my travels around the globe, I was fairly lucky most of the time and it was not too bad but did suffer the odd occasion of bad jetlag.   There are ways to minimize its impact (see below) and they can work depending on the age of your kids.  If you kids are older then explaining what jetlag is and how it affects one’s body is good. 

1.       Adjust Sleep Schedule:

Start adjusting your child’s sleep schedule a few days before departure to align with the destination’s time zone.  This can be particularly good for younger kids who you cannot explain jetlag to.  Obliviously if you travelling to somewhere that is 10 hours different then you cannot fully change the sleep pattern before.   Simply change as many hours as you think you can.  With older kids, a little tip is spending a few nights with them in the same bed and been prepared for the wake up in the night – if comes.  If they do wake up, try going back to sleep but if after 30 mins there is no joy then change tactics.  Stay up and read a little or watch something on the ipad.  Don’t try and force sleep as it wont work – all that will happen is frustration all round.  The trick is to do something that is not too stimulating but helps to tire them out.  An hour or so of this activity might help get them back to sleep.  Bid disclaimer now, everyone is different and what might work for some wont for others. Sometimes it is just trial and error. 

2.       Natural Light:

Expose children to natural daylight upon arrival to help regulate their internal clock.  Same goes for meals, eat them at normal times you would, because it helps to tell the body its time to rest etc, like after dinner its bedtime in a few hours. 

3.       Hydration and Nutrition:

Keep children hydrated and ensure they eat balanced meals to support their energy levels and aid in adjusting to the new time zone.

4.        Sleeping aids:

This won can be controversial for some parents.  Again, big big disclaimer – I am not at all advocating the use of sleep aids (pharmaceutical aids) and if you decide to use them then always consult a doctor first. That said, it is very much a personal choice.  I know parents that swear by using them and others that won't touch them.  At the end of the day, they can help but you must always be comfortable with your choice. 

• On Arrival and next steps in the holiday –'time for fun

Once you get to your destination, there are definitely a few things to think about and they should also fall into the pre-holiday planning.  My wife and I always found that having a slow start to the holiday is a good idea, particularly if there is a big-time difference. 

1.       Rest days:

Big tip, for the first full day after arrival, do nothing, plan nothing.  Maybe even the first few days, just depends on how big the change of time zones has been and of course how everyone is feeling.  If you staying with family, then set expectations even before you travel and reiterate them on arrival so that the plan is clear.  Don’t feel guilty because at the end of the day, you have to deal with your kids, not your family!

2.       Family time:

Most of all, plan some great family time as it’s the big reason why you choose to go on holiday.  You want to create those moments and memories, even if the kids are little and wont remember – you will!  Do the family time even if you are staying with family.  A day to yourselves is not too much to ask for and don’t feel guilty. 

3.        Prep for the return.

While you are having all the fun and a great time, don’t forget to prep for the return.  Having a bad return trip can make you forget the great holiday you just had and make you feel like never going on holiday again.

• Conclusion – Jedi wisdom…

Ultimately, successful travel with young children boils down to preparation and realistic expectations.  Whether you like it or not, travelling with younger kids does take a bit more planning and preparation and NEVER be afraid to ask the older wise ones that have gone before you, to give some of their valuable advice.  

Understand your children’s needs and temperaments, and plan accordingly. Don’t overwhelm your itinerary with too many activities in a day; instead, allow for flexibility and downtime. With careful planning and a positive attitude, traveling with young kids can be a wonderful opportunity to create lasting family memories.

DARE TO DREAM, DREAM TO TRAVEL!