A family vacation is supposed to be full of fun, laughter, and adventure, and most of the time, that’s precisely what it is. However, taking your kids out of their comfort zone can often lead to disaster, as they’re not used to being on the move and out and about.
There can be many issues that affect the comfort of your child when on your travels, and knowing how to cope with these problems can transform your vacation from one you can’t wait to finish into one that you don’t want to end.
If you’re planning on taking a trip with your kids soon, make sure to read through this entire post to overcome any potential comfort problems that might occur when on the move. Trust me. I traveled to 17 states in one year with two young boys!
Sleep Problems
If there’s anything that can bring the worst of the grumps out with your kid, it’s a lack of a good night’s sleep. There could be many reasons for this lousy sleep, including the new, scary environment, an uncomfortable bed, and the disruption to their routine. It’s especially likely if they are a toddler.
No one likes to see their child suffering discomfort, so to counteract the potential problems with sleep, you can bring along a breathable crib pad to ease them off to sleep with little issue. It might be beneficial to buy one and other sleep aids before you leave, so your kid finds it familiar and associates it with home.
Picky Eaters
Kids are picky eaters, and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Across the world, countless meals have been tossed aside because a child thought they liked something only to realize they detest it. Vegetables? Gross. Chicken cooked a little different? Gross. The same meal they’ve had every day for most of their life? Double, triple, super gross.
But that’s kids for you. If they decide they don’t like something, it’s challenging to convince them otherwise. However, you can trick them into eating unfamiliar foods by masking them in meals they find familiar. You shouldn’t rely on these meals-from-home all the time, as that’s no way to expand their palate, but to give them a push in the right direction, deception is always a winner for parents.
Restless Hands and Feet
While you and your partner might be on the vacation you’ve always wanted and finally get to see all the beautiful, stunning sights, your kids may not be as enthused. When kids get restless, it can affect you, your partner, and other people around you, and any parent knows that is a horrifying thought.
Whether it’s at the museum or art gallery or seeing ancient ruins that are older than you can comprehend, you can guarantee you’ll hear the little cries of wanting to go home to play on the iPad (of course). To tackle this, you can find Kids’ Clubs in the area to keep them busy or take it in turns to do something fun in return for seeing what you want to see.
Long Journeys
Nobody likes long journeys. Not the driver, not the passengers, not even the vehicle itself. However, sometimes they are unavoidable, so how do you ensure your kids stay comfortable from start to finish?
It’s a tricky one, for sure. You can’t expect them to sleep the whole way, but you know you’re unlikely to hold their attention for the 3+ hours you’re on the road or in the air. Instead, you can consider downloading their favorite shows to watch on your tablet or phone, playing games until they get bored, and also making sure they stretch their legs at every opportunity.
Sudden Illness
The final problem you might encounter is a sudden illness or injuries when traveling. To tackle this, make sure to invest in quality travel insurance before you leave, as this will ease the sting of treatment in a foreign country.
It’s also essential to take a First Aid Kit complete with all the bells and whistles to ensure you can treat any problems personally before taking them to see a doctor. This is especially important if you need to spend a long time looking for a clinic, as it will minimize your child’s discomfort until a professional can tend to them.
Comfy Kids Are Happy Kids
While you hope that your kids will have a great time when you’re traveling, but there are so many factors that could affect this that it’s essential to prepare for whatever happens. By making sure you’re ready for all potential problems you might encounter, you can make sure you’re next vacation, and every one after it goes off without any bumps in the road.
