TIPS for TRAVELING with KIDS The Ire of Other Passengers As a single gal, I have to be honest, I have given “the look” to other parents traveling with children who would not stop crying, running around, or being otherwise “unruly.” Now I understand better. As a mother, I have often travelled alone with my two tots in tow. Like every parent, I feel like I have tried everything to keep the kids well behaved, but it doesn’t always work. Even adults gets tired and irritable after a 2-hour flight, so we should learn to empathize with children as they become irritable but do not yet have the emotional maturity to deal with their irritably. Most of the time, they are hungry, thirsty, or tired (or all three). Even though some of these tips may seem contrary to “the rule,” here are some tried tips that have worked: • Befriend fellow passengers - it helps to establish a set of rules or code of conduct on the trip to ensure your children’s safety and to avoid “the look;” • Be sure the kids are well fed and well rested before the trip; • Let the children run around a bit before boarding (within reason, and as long as you can see them and they see them) - they need the physical release and will be more relaxed when they actually have to sit for several hours; • Stay calm, hug your children, and remind them to look forward to where you are doing. Sometimes, they will cry and things will get chaotic. During these times, just stay calm and try to take their minds off the immediate discomfort for what “will be.”
Reminder
Photo by Patty
Nothing can be more important than planning ahead, but once you are out of the door, you just have to go with the flow as travelling together as a family gives you and your children the opportunity to learn about people, places, each other, and most importantly, about themselves as they learn how to react patiently as life happens.
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