Preparing Your Child for Their First Trip Away from Home
Undertaking that first family trip with your child, or children, is something of a milestone – and an incredibly exciting one at that. The opportunity to introduce your child to a host of adventures, new sights, and incredible experiences is wonderful, and you’ll no doubt relish the quality time you’re able to spend together. However, for all its advantages that first trip away from home is likely to be a stressful one, particularly if you’re not used to heading very far from home.
Preparing for departure: That first family adventure
As a parent there’s a good chance you spend much of your time fretting about one thing or another, and preparing for a vacation is unlikely to be any different; have you packed for every eventuality, and remembered key items? Are there any safety issues, or local factors, that you should be concerned about? Is your child comfortable with the idea of traveling away from home? You see, while the act of embarking upon a vacation is an enjoyable one for adults it can be a daunting time for little ones, particularly those who are too young to fully understand what’s happening; your home represents a comfortable and secure haven for your children, and leaving, for however short a time, can be become a big trigger for anxiety and stress in many little ones. Imagine that you’re being taken away from home for an undetermined length of time, and that your usually cool-headed parents are on edge and snappy as you journey. Now think about how you can prevent your child from experiencing such worries, and endeavor to make this the trip of a lifetime – if only until your next vacation.
Top tips for traveling with a toddler – and beyond
Whether your child is still a baby, toddling with confidence, or a little older, preparing them for that first adventure will follow the same simple rule; prior preparation prevents poor packing. As well as making sure that you have everything you need in order to enjoy the trip, sufficient preparation will enable your child to become more comfortable with the concept of travel and being away from home – voila!, all of your lives will be made that much easier, regardless of the upheaval your vacation will cause.
Involve your child in the adventure
One of the very best ways to prepare any child for the trip ahead is to involve them in the adventure as much as possible; talk about the places you’re going to visit, the sights you’re likely to see, and the time that will spent at each destination. If your child is a little older ask them to offer opinions of the itinerary you have planned, or even ask them what they’d like to do while they’re away. Such involvement will increase the excitement your child will be experiencing, and allow them to feel comfortable with the idea of leaving home for the first time. If you’re feeling adventurous, encourage your child to learn a few key phrases in the languages that will be spoken abroad; they won’t want to wait to try them out.
Keep things fun
Once your child feels a part of the upcoming trip it’s time to start packing. While putting items into a suitcase is no fun for adults it’s even more of a chore for children, so try to keep things fun. Create a list of all the things your child will need for the trip and challenge them to collect the items together, discuss the climate you’re likely to face and design an ideal wardrobe, and allow your child to take a limited few comfort items, such as a favorite toy and book, with them. Toddler backpacks, such as the Skip Hop Zoo character backpack, will encourage your child to get involved with packing process, and introduce the fun of vacation time to a concerned child; this is their own, personal backpack, and they’ll cherish being able to take care of it.
Keep your child entertained for the duration of the journey
Regardless of where you’ll end up, traveling can be boring – for adults, and children alike. Therefore it’s essential to pack a few toys and games that can be enjoyed during the journey, or to compile a list of car games that are easy to play as you go. Does your child have a favorite film, musician, or selection of songs? Create a playlist that can be listened to on an airplane, aboard a boat, or in a car, and use it to detract attention away from turbulence, delays, or lulls in the trip. A stress-free journey will make for an even better vacation, and ensure your child is ready to travel the next time you come to take a trip. Oh, and food – don’t forget enough food and drink for the duration of your journey, ensuring everyone remains in a good mood.
Make plenty of time
If you want to enjoy your time together as a family, and arrive at your vacation destination filled with excitement, it’s important to leave yourselves plenty of time; plan each detail of your trip, such as the times you need to arrive at the airport, or check into a hotel, and then add a little extra to be sure. Time keeping, or a lack thereof, can be one of the most stressful parts of going away, so keep that anxiety to a minimum – particularly for nervous youngsters.
If you want to ensure that your child’s first trip away from home is an exciting, enjoyable, and relaxing time, it’s essential to prepare in advance, and to make your little one aware of everything that’s happening – isn’t it their vacation too?