Everyone needs time out sometimes, however, family holidays can often be more stressful than staying at home. A holiday should not be a relocation of the stress's of home.
Having a good flight is essential to a parent's mental health. There is little worse than arriving at your destination wishing you had stayed at home, and knowing that you have it all to come again on the return journey.
Below are my top tips to coping with air travel with kids. Its not just about survival, you should be able to enjoy the trip.
1. You Can't Be Too Organized - the more organized you are the better. If you start to get stress then you will either end up yapping at your kids or they will pick up on it and end up behaving badly. Get yourself a good organizer bag and pack carefully, you should be able to access anything you need quickly and easily.
2. Food - Only take snacks which you know will be a success. Decide in advance what snack foods you are taking and don't give them similar foods for a couple of days before, so they are extra special. Be sure to have a good mix of treats, protein and bulk foods. Treats for bribery, protein to stop a hunger meltdowns and something bulking like cracker biscuits which, no matter how much they eat, they can't make themselves sick!
3. Provide Simple Entertainment - Do not take anything with parts which could get lost. Do not take anything to which they are too attached. A new toy is often a good idea. To make receiving the toy a little more special you can always wrap it up and give it on the plane as a reward for being good in the airport.
Try to see the journey as a part of the holiday and take it in the holiday mood. If you treat it like it will be fun and play word games such as 'eye spy', or 'rock, paper, scissors' you will all find it easier.
It is important to keep your expectations realistic. If you can keep vomiting, tears and fighting to a minimum while managing a few giggles and some good games, then it is a success. - 31376
Having a good flight is essential to a parent's mental health. There is little worse than arriving at your destination wishing you had stayed at home, and knowing that you have it all to come again on the return journey.
Below are my top tips to coping with air travel with kids. Its not just about survival, you should be able to enjoy the trip.
1. You Can't Be Too Organized - the more organized you are the better. If you start to get stress then you will either end up yapping at your kids or they will pick up on it and end up behaving badly. Get yourself a good organizer bag and pack carefully, you should be able to access anything you need quickly and easily.
2. Food - Only take snacks which you know will be a success. Decide in advance what snack foods you are taking and don't give them similar foods for a couple of days before, so they are extra special. Be sure to have a good mix of treats, protein and bulk foods. Treats for bribery, protein to stop a hunger meltdowns and something bulking like cracker biscuits which, no matter how much they eat, they can't make themselves sick!
3. Provide Simple Entertainment - Do not take anything with parts which could get lost. Do not take anything to which they are too attached. A new toy is often a good idea. To make receiving the toy a little more special you can always wrap it up and give it on the plane as a reward for being good in the airport.
Try to see the journey as a part of the holiday and take it in the holiday mood. If you treat it like it will be fun and play word games such as 'eye spy', or 'rock, paper, scissors' you will all find it easier.
It is important to keep your expectations realistic. If you can keep vomiting, tears and fighting to a minimum while managing a few giggles and some good games, then it is a success. - 31376
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