How to Survive Journeys with Kids

Travelling with children can be a hard slog. Yes, it’ll all be worth it once you get there. But it might not feel like that when, a mere 40 minutes into the trip, you’ve got an inconsolable four-year-old, and only one wet wipe and half a packet of cheese and onion crisps left. Such incidents make journeys with kids harsh. But no worries, we can fix that. 

Also read Family Holidays (and How to Survive Them).

I Spy versus iPad

The days when you and your siblings were cheerily bundled into the boot of dad’s Ford Escort and told to play I-Spy are long gone. Entertainment has gone high-tech. Portable DVD players are perfect for car journeys. You can get ones that hook over the back of the front car seats, and even dual ones so that two children can view a screen each. Take a stash of their favorite DVDs and you’re good to go.

MP3 players and iPods are a good investment too and can be played through the car radio plugged into a set of speakers – or, if your tolerance for Kipper stories on loop was exhausted some miles back – listened to via suitable headphones.

Also read The UAE’s Hidden Gem, Why You Should Visit Sharjah.

Here are a few more tips to avoid any and all disasters:

• – Get easy-to-hold, not-too-sticky foods. Chocolatey things melt very rapidly in a clammy toddler hand.
• – Use sippy cups or sports bottles rather than juice cartons or cans.
• – Take a portable travel potty.
• – Pack a change of clothing. And dress comfortably – both you and your kids.
• – If your child often feels sick on car journeys, ask your GP/pharmacist if there are any medicines they can safely take. But the trick to avoid car sickness is to keep your child focused on things outside the car, rather than a book or screen.
• – Even if your child isn’t usually sick, it’s worth being prepared. Keep a plastic bag in the glove compartment to hand over to anyone who’s feeling a bit queasy.
• – Hire cars and car seats. Make sure you’ve done your homework about car seat standards and regulations in your destination country before you go. Always phone the hire company before your holiday to make sure they’re supplying the right number and type of car seats – it could save a lot of hassle on arrival. Be prepared to install a car-seat with no instructions. Alternatively, buy one take with you.

Going by boat

Most children regard ferries as a floating fun palace – and it’s true that the beauty of going by boat instead of plane is that your children can roam kind of freely without upsetting other passengers. But you might be dealing with seasickness. So you must be prepared.

• – Take any anti-motion sickness medicine before you leave dry land. They usually take a bit of time to work.
• – It’s generally better to be outside on deck than inside. Focus on the horizon, not the waves.
• – If that doesn’t work, lying down with eyes shut helps the brain to unscramble the mixed messages it’s receiving.
• – Find a seat on a lower deck in the middle of the boat, where there’s the least motion.
• – Salty snacks in small quantities may help.
• – Some people swear by elastic wristbands that use acupressure to stimulate the median nerve. Alternatively, press against the middle of the inner wrist about three finger widths above the crease.

Long drive + short ferry journey OR short drive + long ferry journey?

Your take on this will depend on your own sea legs and whether your children suffer from motion sickness. If it’s a longish crossing, booking a cabin will mean there’s somewhere to lie down, which helps with nausea. If you’re all at ease on the seas, kids can enjoy the freedom of running around, playing with other kids and sometimes even organized activities. Whether you have a swell time depends largely on the elements.

Travelling by train

There’s a lot to be said for letting the train take the train. There’s more space for starters, no need to stay strapped in all the time, and it’s unlikely anyone will suffer from travel sickness.

All aboard!

Perhaps you might reconsider taking carrying bags on a train, especially if you’re travelling with a toddler. The best pick when travelling by train is backpacks or Rucksacks. They will leave your hands free to hold onto your little ones.

As for entertainment, you might need to bring your own. But many trains now have power and headphone sockets, even WiFi. There are also tables which would be great for travel games and activities.

Plane flights with kids

Taking children, particularly toddlers, on a plane can be a pretty terrifying prospect. Few parents relish having their unpredictable offspring confined in a small space with 100 pairs of eyes waiting for a shout or thrown toy, so that they can begin a synchronized chorus of tutting. But it doesn’t have to be turbulent. If you expect the worst, at least the sheer relief will perk you all up if things go well.

Ready for boarding

A few airports have crèches equipped with toys, books and rest rooms. Check out whether yours does before you travel. Ask if you can take your buggy to the gate. This will mean you can keep it with you until you’re actually at the steps of the plane when the cabin staff will take it onto the plane and put it in the hold for you. Alternatively, some airport have strollers which you can borrow and return when you board.

Take your seats

Under-twos can usually travel free, but this will mean jiggling them on your lap for the entire flight. It can be easier to pay the (often discounted) fare, if your budget will stretch to this, so that you have an extra seat. Aisle seats are useful on larger planes because you don’t have to ask anyone to move for you if you need the loo – and, if the aisle is free, children can have a little wander.

Alternatively, a seat near the bulkhead (where there is a “wall” in front of you) may have a bit of extra room, so your toddler could play on the floor. Get other passengers on your side: smile and say hello and make contact before you take off. That way, if your child kicks up and makes a noise, they will be less likely to launch the tutting chorus.

Ready for take off (and landing)

Small babies are much more sensitive than adults to changes in air pressure, as the plane climbs and descends. Crying helps to clear their ears, though you may prefer to give them a feed, or something to suck on, as swallowing has the same calming effect (and is slightly easier on other people’s eardrums).

In-flight entertainment

Most of your things will need to be stored in an overhead locker that’s hard to get at if you’ve got a child on your lap. Keep the paraphernalia you know you’ll definitely need in one small accessible bag that fits just under your seat. A good rule of thumb: if whatever is keeping your child entertained is quieter than the roar of the engines, and doesn’t involve irritating your fellow passengers, let them do it.

We suggest:

• – Reusable stickers
• – A selection of stocking-filler type toys to be opened every hour/half-hour
• – New toys (ideally one coveted for weeks previously)
• – An iPad or a tablet loaded with games and films
• – Comics, books
• – Finger food snacks

If you can, try and fly close to your child’s nap/bedtime – they might sleep for at least some of the journey. Make sure you check and then re-check on-board facilities for little ones, including meals and changing facilities, before you travel – and find out whether they’re free or cost extra.