Category: Travel

Travel, vacations and holidays with a child.

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Awareness Parenting and Childcare Travel

Avoid Losing Your Child in Public Places

Every parent’s worst nightmare is losing your kid in public places. Parents love to travel with their children or take them out. Child safety should be of paramount importance. Just as we say ‘Prevention is better than cure’ if some tips are kept in mind when you travel with small kids such fearful situations can be avoided.

Dress your child in bright colours

In public places, it is easier to spot a child in bright colours. Before entering the crowded area, help your child memorize how you are dressed. This can help your child describe what you are wearing in case your child gets lost in the crowd. This can also help people in tracing his dear ones easily.

Device a plan for the day

Try to make a plan which is specific to the place you are going to. Point out a meeting spot to your child. Help the child to recognize the spot and its surroundings well. Ensure that the meeting point that you have selected can be easily located and reached by your child. Ask him to reach there and to wait if he gets separated from the group.

Train your child on what to do when he gets lost

Children should be taught what they must do if they get lost in public places. For a child’s safety, you must teach them that they must approach a responsible adult, for example, a security guard, a police or a mother with children. Children must explain the situation to adults and seek their help. Make them understand that they should never accept a ride from a stranger or never exit the premises if he/she is lost in an enclosed area like a mall or park and never accept food items or drink from strangers.

Help your child to memorise a few important details

For a child’s security, your child should be able to tell their full name and age, their home address, their parent’s full name and their mobile number.

If your child is too small to memorize, you can write them down in a piece of paper and place it in his or her pocket. You can also think of making an ID card for your child to wear in public places.

Keep a recent digital photo of your child with you

This is in case your child does get lost in a public place. Recent photographs describing features of your baby will help those involved in the search recognize the child from the crowd.

Consider using a digital tracking device

With the growth of Technology, using a digital tracking system can be of help. This can help you keep track of your child’s location using a smartphone that has access to the GPS device’s tracking signal.

Give him a mobile phone

If your child is old enough, you can consider giving him a mobile phone. Hand him at least a feature phone just for the duration of the trip. In case he gets lost can be used to get in touch with the parents.

Stay alert

Remember that you should not get too distracted or involved in a conversation with your spouse, friends, or other family members. Have an eye on where your kids are and what they are up to. Staying alert in a public place is the best precaution that can be taken for your child safety.

Losing your child in a public place can indeed be a traumatic experience. So when you start planning to take your children out to have fun; prepare them well for what they should do in case they get separated from their parents. This will help the children to be alert and act wisely even if they get lost in a crowd, and will be doing the appropriate things as their parents have taught them.

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Parenting and Childcare Travel

Here’s How You Can Keep Boredom at Bay When Travelling with a Child During a Road Trip

One of the key changes that motherhood brings along is that all the hasty travel plans change to a more organized and scheduled one. If this is your first road trip with kids then it would involve a great amount of planning and preparation.

From their security to entertainment- parents have to think about all the aspects. To have a fun and successful road trip here are some of the tips that you can refer to.

Plan It Perfectly

Appropriate planning is the key. Prepping for the trip beforehand can assist in several ways than one. You get sufficient time to assemble for all that you necessitate for the travel. Try and schedule the time of the travel according to the nap time of the child. You can choose to leave early in the morning hours when the kids were drowsy and the traffic on the road was less. This way you can get some quiet and constant drive time.

Safety Awareness

For smooth sailing, make sure your car is in appropriate working order. Check the condition of the battery, belts, tyres, etc. If the car servicing is due, ensure to get it done before your tour. Carry all the emergency equipment like flashlights, tools to change the tyre, jumper cable, etc. Also, make sure that the child safety locks on the door are well activated.

Stop Regularly

Riding in the car for hours can be strenuous and tedious- both for you and the kids. Ensure you take timely breaks. Study the route of your destination carefully and know about the suggested pit stops. Do not forget to ask for recommendations from friends about all the restaurants and locations that are child friendly.

Arrange for child’s entertainment

You certainly do not want to mess up your drive with a grumpy child. Thus, keep him happy by engaging him in his favourite activity. Be it toys or books or games- keep everything handy. You can also download some audio rhymes and stories that can help to keep your kids entertained. Here are some of the tips that you can do to keep your child happy:

Mix things up with a building block play-set

A practical activity can be a great change of pace after a few hours on the road. Look for a playset that is ideal for little hands and has the perfect amount of pieces to keep kids’ entertained without causing a big mess.

Bring puzzles, word builders or any creative things

To keep boredom at bay, you can ask your kids to solve puzzles and word builders. You can also ask your kids to recite a rhyme which they have learned recently or talk about the things that you can see on the road as you travel.

Snacks on board

Pack lots of drinks and snacks with you. Again keep them as per your child’s liking and taste. You can carry homemade finger food, sandwiches, dry fruits, bananas, etc that can be munched on effortlessly. For younger kids, you can keep powdered cereals handy that can be fed by mixing in some water easily. Also keep some disposable spoons, paper plates, bowls, tissues, etc. Make sure that your child’s sippy cups and bottles are spill-proof.

Road trip with kids may sound a bit challenging but is great fun. A little pre-trip planning can go a long way in making your journey simple and memorable. The thumb rule for any travel is to make sure the comfort of the child. A happy and comfortable child would surely mean a serene and successful road trip.

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Travel

Enjoying a Beach Vacation with your Toddler

You might have dreamt of idyllic tropical vacations surrounded by warm Eastern seas, bright sunshine, and golden-white sands! Yet, you may have cancelled your plans because a beach vacation with a toddler seems a daunting task!

So here are some tips that will inspire you to book your next vacation at a beach resort without any hesitation:

Select the Destination

Tropical beaches are warm, sunny, and usually crowded. As you move away from the Equator, the beachside air is chilly and seawater freezing. If your toddler is prone to respiratory problems in extreme weather, they will be more comfortable at a tropical destination. So, if your pre-schooler suffers from heat and rashes in hot climates, then a hot tropical beach is not suitable.

The best beachside vacation with a toddler – A tropical beach during the winter season.

Choose The Hotel/Resort

The best child-friendly hotel will offer many fun activities for your kids (including the toddler). While choosing the best beach resort, look for amenities like:

  • Child-friendly menus
  • A good mix of sunlight and shaded areas
  • Toddler’s toys and play areas
  • Sandpits with soft sand
  • Kid’s pool with water toys and lifebelts
  • Lifeguards at the kid’s pool.
  • Facilities on the beach

You are going to spend a lot of time on the beach and not cooped up in the hotel! When you are vacationing with kids and especially with a toddler, you will need separate diaper-changing rooms on the beach itself. Trudging across to the hotel to change the baby’s diaper will be tiresome. Food vendors on the beach are another advantage to look for. The basic facilities like shower cubicles, shacks, loungers, umbrellas, and restrooms are usually available on the beaches.  Most popular beaches around the world also have these extra facilities which you can look for:

Babysitting Services

Parasailing, kayaking, boating, snorkelling, deep-sea diving, and jet-skiing are some of the water sports you are probably looking forward to. But these are not the activities that one would associate with a toddler! A hotel that offers babysitting facilities within its safe environment will be a real boon. You could leave your pre-schooler for a couple of hours and enjoy the adventure sports activities. But don’t forget to take your toddler along while you visit aquariums and go on trips to see dolphins, whales, turtles, and other wildlife.

I suggest that you keep some time for unplanned beach activities for the toddler in the beautiful sunshine and golden sands.

Packing for a toddler

Besides the usual items like a change of clothes and extra diapers, you will need lightweight toys like balls, buckets and spades, and a few water toys (e.g. plastic ducks). Other essentials you need to carry to the beach for the baby are:

  • Child-safe sunscreen lotion
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimsuits
  • Wide-brimmed hat preferably made of straw (usually available locally)
  • Waterproof footwear.

Wishing you the best beach holiday with your toddler! I hope these tips will not only help you but make this vacation a memorable one.

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Parenting and Childcare Travel

Sleeping Arrangements When Travelling with Twins

Are you a parent of twins and ruminating how you will manage globetrotting along with them? There are a lot of you who avoid hasty and long-distance travel just because your child twins are not used to it. Or, is too notorious and picky while sleeping. There might arise a few scenarios where you cannot avoid travelling. For instance, your better half might be serving in the army or a government post where transfers are frequent. There are a few tips for you while travelling with your twins hassle-free. Let us have a look at some of the most effective ones.

By using an Inflatable Air Mattress

This is an effective way to accommodate the twins while you are on the go. There are loads of blow-up mattresses available online on Amazon and a few other e-commerce websites where you can find comfy inflatable mattresses. These are pretty lightweight to carry anywhere and you can easily roll them up when not required. However, you must be skilled at training your twins beforehand for sleeping in these mattresses at home. They could find it tough to adjust to this in one go. Hence, if you are intending to use this during travelling, you must train your fussy toddlers beforehand. See how well they can adjust to this.

By using cribs

If the cribs are comfortable enough for your twins to fit in and have a sound sleep, this is a pretty effective way for you. Several toddlers have slept in these cribs for years. As a result, they want to fit inside as long as their size permits, regardless of their age. If the twins sleep well in it, you may carry it. However, you might find it bulky.

The one twin per parent formula

You might want to see if each of your two toddlers prefers to sleep with either of you. You can try this out for a considerable time at home before attempting it first up on the go.
You will be overwhelmed if they prefer this kind of sleeping method. This will save your money in buying different sleeping stuff for them as well as the time when you make beds for them. Also, the children who sleep with their parents up to an age share a better camaraderie with them. This is scientifically proven in many kinds of research.

By using fold-able tents

There are a few flexible and foldable tents available online which work well for your child. However, you must carry their favourite blankets along with this, lest they will find it a bit tough to adjust. There are tents which come pre-built with flashlights as well. This makes it an exciting option for you.
There are loads of options available in the market. You have to figure out what works best for your child. The most comfortable of options for a particular child might not work for the other. See what best fits your case.

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Parenting and Childcare Travel

Tips on How to Manage Jet Lag in Kids

Nothing can be compared to the bad jetlag suffered by kids, from not being able to sleep throughout the night to being ill-tempered and losing their hunger. As adults, we adjust and discover a way to beat it, but small children who follow routines find it very difficult to come around.

Typically parents suffer for days trying to get them back into bed at the right hour. Jet lag is a physical condition in which a person’s internal body clock is interrupted because of travelling among time zones. Jet lag influences patterns of eating, waking up and sleeping.

Here are some tips that you can refer to when managing jet lag in kids:

Think about the age of your child

According to doctors, jet lag may not affect kids from all age groups. Infants who are in the age group of 0 to 2 months have not yet started a diurnal cycle, so jet lag would possibly not influence them. For kids in the age group of 2 to 5 years, time-zone varies begin to cause deterioration. Infants who have learned to sleep through the night already may have more night wakening. Older kids will possibly respond likewise to adults physically but maybe less driven than adults to stay wakeful in attempts to adjust to the schedule.

Prepare kids

Teach kids old enough to be aware of time changes and the consequences of jet lag, and what they can expect to witness. In the days before a trip, parents should make it real for the children by saying things like, “Now we are eating lunch, but at this time in that country, they are getting ready for bed.” Besides, make sure that the kids get ample sleep before departure. Moreover, it is important to keep kids hydrated and this can be done by asking them to drink lots of water before, during and after the flight.

Select the flight carefully

Choose on a flight that will assist the parent to manage the kid’s probable time-regulation issues in the best way possible. Few experienced parents say that it is better to take a flight that leaves evening or late afternoon, as it makes it simpler to rest during the air travel. If it is nighttime, you will have an easier time convincing your kid that it is bedtime.

Get Cozy

Bring travel pillows and cozy blankets to make it simple for kids to get some sleep on the plane. At the same time, do not feel frustrated if no one sleeps much. Do not force the kids to sleep on the plane as it is going to be hard. There are too much thrill and adrenaline on the tour, and the lights are on late.

Make your mind up if a Time Change is Worth it

Think whether it is worth changing your crew over to local time. If you are only spending a few days in a diverse time zone, it may just be simple to keep your kids in your home time zone. Any person staying at their destination for less than a week should not force the practice on the children. Remember that it is an extra effort to work hard on eliminating the jet lag when the habit will be changed again in less than a week.

Jet lag is a strong possibility when traveling through time zones with a kid. Expectation, flexibility, and communication among all players are key to managing the trouble of grumpy kids.

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Travel

Secrets of Easy Air Travel with a Baby

Air travel with a baby can be very stressful if you have not planned well for the trip. You probably have a checklist of what kind of clothes and essentials you should carry according to the baby’s age and needs. But here are other secrets that will make air travel with a baby easier for you.

Saving Travel Time

  • To save time, book your flights as follows:
  • Choose direct flights as far as possible.
  • If you need to change flights, try to use the same airline for the connecting flight so that check-in luggage is carried forward automatically.
  • Opt for online flight check-in and print out the boarding passes in advance.

Ensure that there is a layover of at least 3-4 hours so you can go across the airport at a leisurely pace. This will give some time to your delightful toddler to run around and play for a while before boarding. Hopefully, your little one will start feeling tired and sleep through the flight.

Potty Breaks

About 15-20 minutes before boarding, change your baby’s diaper. Your child might not feel comfortable in the tiny airplane lavatory. So, it makes perfect sense to take a short potty break before boarding time.

Elder Kid Arrangements

If you have an elder kid, book a separate seat for him. He will probably be restless and need plenty of space. Airplane travel for toddlers is not easy. Sitting in a cramped space with two kids is a recipe for disaster!

Low Price Alerts

Airfares are expensive, so it is economical to register on www.skyscanner.co.in to get notifications when prices of specific flights drop. With this tool, you can pre-set an alert for low price options to a particular destination. By booking when the prices are low, you can afford to buy a separate seat for the elder kid(s) so that everyone is comfortable.

Gate Checking baby gear

At the time of boarding, gate-check your baby’s stroller and other gear. Attach tags to each item. Leave the air travel accessories for your toddler at the bottom of the jet-way. The airplane staff will ensure that they are on board. Pick them up again once the flight has landed. Although one can rent baby gear at the destination, taking your own set of baby items is always preferable. Your child is familiar with his gear and is usually willing to sit peacefully in his car seat.

The Pacifier Effect

During flights, we often chew gum or sweets once the flight is airborne. At the same time, give your baby his pacifier. Chewing on the soother keeps his ears from popping and he is comfortable during take-off and throughout the flight. Carry a couple of spare soothers in the baby bag (cabin luggage).

Try these tricks and you will see that air travel with a baby is not so horrifying! In fact, it will motivate you to travel often and enjoy frequent breaks. These air travel tips with a baby will surely make your next trip easier and stress-free.