The much awaited holidays are round the corner and you are already getting sweaty palms. Should I continue with my plans for a vacation or just stay back and avoid all the hustle and bustle? How am I going to do justice to my holiday along with my kid?
If these are your concerns then you should be wasting no time and planning for your holiday immediately! Come on, life is short. Kids grow up and soon you will be missing the special moments with them.
Ayan tours spoke to child psychiatrist Harsha G.T. and clinical psychotherapist Inchara Shivaram. They explained how travelling with young kids can be a memorable experience without losing your mind.
Always plan well ahead of time and be prepared. Pack your kids’ favourite snack, toys or favourite game. If you are worried about how fellow passengers or travellers are going to respond to your child’s tantrums, then you are worrying for no reason. A person who gets fussy about a cranky child is perhaps cranky himself. Remember to stay calm in such situations and pay attention only to your child.
Keep in mind to maintain the same schedule that your child has been following even while travelling. Think about simple ideas to keep them engaged. Kids are always excited to share something they know with others. Ask them to think about what they could tell their grandparents or friends after their trip. You could also carry along a notebook, pencils or crayons.
Several activity packs are also available online or in the market. During the trip, you could ask them a question daily and tell them to reflect upon it later. This is a good way to make them focus on what they hear, listen and feel.
Last but not the least, stressed parents create stressed toddlers. So don’t anticipate the worst and always expect the best is going to happen. Travelling to new places with your kids is the best learning experience that you can offer your child. There is more to make them see around this world other than their backyard or garden.
Sit back, relax take a deep breath and learn to treat yourself too in the process!