You might be awoken by all those worries when you realize that you can’t adhere to the “happy-go-lucky couple” tag if the question comes up about your vacation following having children. You have to follow a strict path with a lot of duties and groundwork. Some parents are able to handle situations with ease. In contrast, others struggle with unnecessary stress, which will not empower them to enjoy the relaxing wedge of a break that is essential for all members of the family. Why kill off the thought of a walk in the earthy-smelling moist air? Or why avoid long hours of sunbathing while lazing on any seaside beach?
Not at all. A peaceful vacation is right for everyone, whether you are a childless couple or a single person. It’s also the best option for those who want to enjoy their golden years without any obligations. Pre-planning can help you to reduce your stress and leave with the best memories.
1) Keep an eye out for airfare sales
In this age of fierce competition, it is important to keep an eye out for the occasional sales of airfare offered by most airlines. By being flexible with your travel dates and not limiting your plans to a particular month or a specific date range, you can find some great deals. This is especially true when travelling with family members.
2) Slow down your exception-
When you’re leaving behind those passionate days in the “Just U & Me World” and have already become a parent, it is foolish to plan a trip that involves two different patterns. This applies to budget, itinerary planning, packing light or fully, food options, and stay priorities. It’s important to take breaks during long travel days. They can be very tiring for children. Early morning is the best time to start when children are energized and in a good mood. Include naptime, and allow children to stretch their legs. This will help you eliminate tantrums or mood swings. There is no rule of thumb for anything, so expect the unexpected.
3) Pre-booking or self-designing itinerary through travel agencies
You can get a thorough understanding of tourism, hotels, airlines, and family through one simple task. If you are on a tight schedule, it is best to book your vacations with a well-established travel agency. In India, I prefer to give my trust to Yatra, Via.com and OYO Rooms.
4) Choose your destination –
Everyone has their preference, and you can’t force yours on others. You can’t be biased; you must make a fair judgment after weighing up everyone’s suggestions. Before settling on a few names, there are many factors to consider. These include budget, type of vacation (spiritual/beach/mountains/children’s Disneyland-like/adventurous/relaxing/jungle safaris), distance, approved leaves, the month of travel, weather, and health. But you are ultimately the boss, so think twice before finalizing.
5) Hotel/Homestay/Apartment-
In this context, a hotel is like a home away. It must provide the comforts of home. If you’re losing money on the service, why not?
- To save money on transportation, choose a hotel in the heart of the city or near local attractions and beaches.
- What more could you want if your hotel had a swimming pool? It will keep the kids busy and allow you to enjoy a little local attraction.
- Prior to booking, always check for family deals. You can find out about free meals, extra beds, room configurations, and laundry services.
6) Do not become totally dependent on technology or mobiles –
As we age, humans become less social. They rely more on technology and regret their decisions sooner or later. We feel uncomfortable when we ask locals for directions and routes. GPS has been a life-changing invention that helps travellers navigate smoothly, but I have never found it reliable. You can rely on the locals to give you precise directions and advice about almost everything. Remember that you’re on foreign soil, and the natives are in charge of their land.
7) Keep a backup of important documents and emergency contacts.
Never store everything in one place, e.g. your phone. It’s a machine and can abandon you at any moment. Be a bit backward, keep things handy, and swap your hi-tech methods with earlier generations (parents/grandparents), where people prefer to carry everything in their suitcase and retain soft copies of every possible document. Send your proofs of identity, such as passports, addresses, and evidence of relationships with family members, to your mailbox so that you can be prepared in the event of an emergency.
8) Neat packaging is in demand –
Light packing required packing is not my call to make. It is important to keep in mind that you may be able to purchase or rent the items you need, but you might not find them everywhere.
- When travelling, wear your heaviest clothing to gain extra space in your luggage.
- Ask your children to help you pack so they can learn how to travel. Or, ask them to assist in packing. The feeling of helping their parents or seniors makes them happy.
- You must always have extra clothes and non-perishable snacks, as well as diapers, wipes (wet/dry), milk powder, warm water, and extra clothes. You know your children better than anyone else, so you can add or remove items from the list as needed.
- Bring cotton buds and plastic bags to relieve ear pain when flying.
- Children and Senior Citizens- Both childhood and old age are sensitive phases of life, where the extent of dependence on medications is unpredictable. Consider it carefully, and make sure you have all your vaccinations, prescription medication, and all major health reports. Bring a general-aid kit that includes basic medicines for colds, coughs, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and gastric indigestion. Also, carry bandages and antiseptic cream. Ask your doctor whether your elderly family members can travel safely and what foods and instructions they should avoid.
- Bring puzzles, colouring pages, and games to keep you entertained during those long waiting periods.
- Keep kids entertained on flights with earplugs, games, movies, songs, cartoons or other entertainment.
9) Pamper your child-
Even the calmest children will eventually reach a point where they lose patience. Instead of trying their patience by hopping from one sightseeing place to another without encouraging them, try to find a way of making it more enjoyable for them. They can buy a souvenir to remind them of their pleasant memories. Every time they use it, they will feel closer to the culture and place they visited. Use it to introduce them to a newer culture.
10) Plan-
You can start creating the magic of a vacation at home, whether you are travelling with children or parents in their golden years. Tell them about all the associated attributes before. This will allow them to create a virtual itinerary of their entire trip in advance. Plan 3 to 6 months ahead, as each person is different and will find it difficult to adapt if they are not informed in advance. Involve them in planning and let them be excited.
11) Keep a journal of the events.
Take some time at night to summarize your memorable days. Humans tend to forget after a long time. If you want to remember any important details and feelings, then writing them down is a great habit.
12) Take care of yourself –
As a leader, you can make a difference by providing a wonderful vacation for your family. Travel is a necessity for me, so treat it as such. You are providing them with a memorable holiday. Create ME TIME.
13) Stay in touch with family and friends-
You may agree that you are on vacation and don’t wish to be disturbed by the foolishness of those who have fallen behind, but for your safety, it is important that someone knows your current status and has a basic idea of what your plans will be the next day. A short message or a 2-minute phone call will not disturb your tranquillity. They are family and well-wishers. Appreciate their sentiments.
14) Plan for Passport-
As a person who loves to keep her documents in order, I do not wait to be required. Since I applied for Chiyu’s passport when she was two years old, it’s been three years, and I still haven’t struck any international opportunities. It doesn’t really matter to me, but some people tend to rush and create chaos at the last minute. The rules and conditions for children are different, and there is a five-year passport validity. You need to renew your passport every five years.
15) Hack to save a few pennies –
What type of traveller are YOU? This point is not important if you are focusing on luxury travel deals. If you are a backpacker or budget traveller, then you should avoid tourist traps and avoid eating places and shops near any sightseeing location. It is better to walk a few meters to find affordable local food. Carry snacks and a water bottle with you to reduce your dependence at unexpected times.
After hours of planning, you are now ready to conquer the world with your family. Since no safety gate is guaranteed, and these tips are based on my own experiences, I urge you to trust your judgement and accept the unexpected. Happy Travelling!!
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