Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of fun-loving, relaxation-seeking parents like a family vacation (or a holiday trip) with babies and toddlers. So much can go right- chances for adventure, opportunities to re-connect and to re-charge. But SOOOOO much can go wrong: cranky kids (by the way, if you're looking for help with toddler tantrums, check out our free toddler tantrum guide here), flight delays, unexpected illness. It can be overwhelming to even start to consider taking your little ones on more than a local jaunt. I'm not about to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a leisure trip if it feels way more stressful than leisurely.
So, is it even worth it to try? Definitely!! Family vacations are an amazing way to build memories, to model self-care and to get out of your day-to-day grind with your kids.
Just make sure you follow these parenting tips on how to keep your troupe safe and sane on your family vacation:
1. Bring Help Whenever Possible. (THIS.)
When we went to Hawaii last spring with our then eight-month-old baby and three-year-old toddler, we decided to bring our nanny with us. At first, we felt really embarrassed we were planning it that way. It was a little “too rich for our blood,” my husband said. He barely mentioned it to his family when they asked how we were going to juggle both kids, two flights and our desire to actually relax once we got to our island destination.
But, after we came back, he could not contain himself about what a completely different experience we would have had without her. I’m so glad we made the decision to set aside our pride. We did the simple math on affordability and made a choice that worked for us. In the end, it cost us about $500 more on an eight-day trip to have her come along (since we would have been paying for her to care for our kids anyway during that week based on our contract with her).
This year when we go on a family vacay, we’re bringing grandma # 1 for the first week and grandma #2 for the second. It’ll be an even more cost-effective way to actually meet our trip-away goals.
I can already feel my blood pressure lowering as we arrange the details of our stay.
2. Plan Ahead for Illness and Emergencies.
Especially when you travel internationally (or to a more remote destination), don’t assume you’ll be able to find the medications or the products you need. Bring ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) when appropriate (plus know your child’s dose). Pack a first aid kit, plus diaper creams and a sunblock you trust. Make sure you remember a thermometer, plus the normal soaps, shampoos, and lotions your child’s body is used to. In my pediatric office. we see countless patients come back from trips with skin irritation and rashes from using hotel-brand products.
Before you go, look into how to access care in case of emergency or in case of mild illness. If you book on sites like Airbnb or Kid & Coe (an awesome site where you can find dream vacation stays designed specifically with kids’ needs in mind), take advantage of your host’s knowledge of the local area and the local healthcare system.
Get an international phone plan so you can access family or make phone calls for help if necessary. Familiarize yourself with Google Translate so, if you are stuck with a language barrier, you can communicate more effectively.
3. Pack Efficiently.
I tend to overpack. I want to make sure I have all the items I need everywhere I go. The upside? I’m ready for most anything. The downside? Usually, I can hardly find the one item I really need as I sift through all the junk I stuffed into my heavy suitcase. This year, I’ve learned to pare it down and lighten my load. It makes it easier in the car, on the airplane and throughout the airport. The less you lug and the more efficiently you lug it the better.
4. Pick An Itinerary That Matches Your Child’s Temperament.
It might sound like a good idea to travel around the world with your two-year-old and it very well might be. But if your two-year-old is temperamental (or is just typical), think it through before you buy the tickets. On a smaller scale, we have plenty of discussions in my house before a big trip about how to get from Point A to Point B with the least amount of drama. For every adult-focused activity on our vacations, we plan a kid-focused activity. We know when to call it quits on our itinerary, even if we’ve already bought the museum entrance tickets and it feels like we’re wasting our hard-earned money. Dragging yourself through an experience is not a trip, it’s just annoying. No one gives out medals at the end for “Biggest Vacation Martyr.”
5. Understand That No Good Trip Goes Unpunished.
Brace yourself a little for some sleep deprivation and some minor illnesses once you come back from your vacation. If you can, plan ahead so you have a recovery day at the end of your adventure to just catch up on laundry and get the house and yourselves back in order. Anticipate you might have to use your down day to tend to things you forgot to take care of while you were away or that came up when you returned.
I love traveling with my daughters and I rarely have regrets when I think back on the trips we’ve taken as a family. Some vacations, though, have definitely been better than others. It serves us all well to plan ahead, expect some unavoidable hiccups and keep it simple as much as possible. Happy family vacationing and holiday trip planning!
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