Traveling with junior
Jun 22nd, 2011
In a couple weeks, we will be leaving for our annual 4th of July family vacation. I have been traveling with toddlers in tow for 4 years now and consider myself a semi-pro when it comes to the daunting task of kid-friendly packing. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind to keep your travel stress to a minimum:
The Basics
If you have ever left the house with a child before you are well aware of the basic travel necessities. For extended travel, just picture the diaper bag on steroids. Lots of extra clothes, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, drinks and an endless assortment of dry snacks. I am not an advocate for shoving food in a kids face when they start to get irritable but I make an exception to that when we travel. We are on vacation after all. The key to remember with your basics is to have everything packed within arms reach. You don’t want to stop the car and unpack everything your husband so diligiently shoved in the trunk to get to the drink boxes.
Bags, Bags and More Bags
I am not talking about your luggage here. The 3 types of bags I never travel without are ziploc, mesh and grocery. The large ziplocs will hold all the items that would otherwise wreak havoc in your suitcase if a potential leak should occur. The mesh is a useful place to store underwear items and bathing suits. The grocery bag can be used for wet clothing and of course provides a home for the massive blown-out diaper that occurs as soon as the plane takes off.
Childproofing
Whether a vacation home or a hotel room, your destination is most likely not childproofed. Bring along a baby gate, outlet covers and cabinet locks to lower your anxiety level over safety concerns. Blue painter tape comes in handy for a variety of reasons. It will cover outlets, secure cabinets and bind a washcloth over a sharp furniture edge without leaving any residue after removal.
Medical Supplies
Pack a medical supply box that keeps all first aid and toiletry items in one place. Be sure to have an ample supply of any prescription meds, and bring along the basics like band aids, antiseptic cream, pain reliever, and thermometer. Travel sized baby shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste and sunscreen should be included as well.
Entertainment
The portable dvd player has saved my sanity. It is a must-have for my kids if we are traveling more than an hour away. An iPhone works well too and is definitely less bulky. Don’t forget to bring a manageable amount of books and toys. It may be a pain to pack but you’ll be thankful later.
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Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment
J Wed, Jun 22, 4:56pm