Things I wish I knew about travel before I became a parent

Since becoming a mom to my three wonderful boys, I’ve often joked there should be a word other than “vacation” for traveling with kids. You can’t quite leave the real world behind when you are still responsible for kids who need your care, attention and several snacks.

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That doesn’t mean traveling with your children can’t be memorable and fun because it most certainly can. I’ve learned a lot about traveling with kids since becoming a mom, but I still don’t have it all figured out. That’s why I turned to fellow parents for their best tips and tricks for traveling with kids

Traveling with your kids isn’t as scary as you think

Taking that first trip with your baby can be scary. I was totally overwhelmed the first time my husband and I flew with our oldest son. I wasn’t sure what the rules were for traveling with a stroller. I didn’t know what to do if he needed a diaper change on the plane. And, I was terrified he would scream and cry through the entire flight.

Turns out, it wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought. Sure, there have been some tears and some messes over the years, but getting that first trip out of my system made me realize I could handle it.

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Like so many things in life, the first step is the hardest. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from experiencing the world with your children. Yes, it will be different, and they will probably throw up all over you the one time you forget to pack an extra outfit. Still, you will survive. And, eventually, you will be an old pro who always remembers to pack an extra set of clothes.

Traveling with your kids when they are young doesn’t only make it more comfortable for you, it makes it more comfortable for them as well. When they get used to being in the car or on a plane and know what to expect, it becomes just another routine for them.

Don’t over-plan activities 

Several parents I spoke with stressed how important it is not to overplan your day when traveling with kids, especially when they are young. It’s already difficult to keep kids on their normal schedule when you are away from home, and packing your day full of activities makes it even harder.

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Travel writer Jordi Lippe-McGraw recommends scheduling only one or two activities per day with younger kids. This not only gives them time to rest or nap, but it also leaves flexibility in your schedule if things don’t quite go according to plan.

Related: Childproof your next trip with these must-have baby travel gear items

Even as kids get older, you don’t have to try and do it all on every trip. Journalist and editor Terri Peters has a tween girl and a teen boy and still follows this rule. “I wish I had known that kids are much happier with simple things and you don’t have to see and do every little thing in one trip,” she said. “Some of our best memories that my teenagers still talk about are things like ordering pizza and hanging out by the hotel pool, not all the museums and activities I dragged them to.”

Related: 11 best hotels with kids clubs where your kids can play all day

Kristi DeRubertis of Theme Park Moms gave this gentle reminder: “Remember that you are on their schedule. Be ready to go with the flow and only get done about half the things you expect to.”

A loose plan can help keep your expectations in check while freeing up time to go with the flow.

Let the kids help plan your trip

Travel writer and editor Melissa Klurman likes to get her son involved in the planning process.

“I always let my son highlight a guidebook, and those things always ended up being fun for all of us,” Klurman said. “In Maui he found a sushi restaurant that was amazing. In Lisbon we went to an aquarium that wasn’t on my radar at all and was really cool. As a bonus, the neighborhood had a gondola ride we totally would have missed,” she added.

This ensures kids are doing a few things they actually want to do, which should lead to less boredom and fewer complaints — a big win for kids and parents.

Bring more snacks than you think you need

Almost all of the parents I spoke with shared one tip in common: You can never have too many snacks. No matter where you are going, pack an enormous amount of snacks and then pack some more.

In the same way that we as adults just need a little snack when we are bored, sad or tired, kids need them too. Whether it’s a long flight or car ride, an extended wait at the airport or a long line at a theme park, snacks can help pass the time during tough moments.

One parent also recommended always keeping a sippy cup with you for the same reason. You never know when your child might need a drink, and some restaurants and airlines don’t have spill-proof cups handy.

Rent baby care items at your destination

Mary Helen Law, a Disney travel agent with Mouse Counselors, likes to minimize the gear she packs by renting certain items at her destination. This is especially helpful if you have young kids who still need a car seat, stroller and other awkward-to-carry items.

“As a new mom, I felt like I had to have all the things when traveling. My babies are less than 14 months apart in age. How was I supposed to travel without two monitors, cribs, car seats, sound machines, high chairs and the like?” Law said. “Rental companies like Baby Quip exist to remove the stress of all these added necessities. I have rented everything from car seats and high chairs to baby gates, toys, and bottle-drying racks. You can even choose to have these items delivered for an added fee.”

Leave the kids at home … sometimes

I love my children and want them to see the world, but sometimes, you just have to leave them at home. Whether it’s spending time with your significant other, friends or family members, it’s important not to lose touch with who you are outside of being a mom.

Related: 21 relaxing adults-only, all-inclusive resorts for a kid-free vacation

Traveling without your kids can be just as important as traveling with them, and I love both equally. When I travel with my kids, I see the world through their eyes and experience even familiar destinations in a whole new way. When I travel without them, I can reconnect with others in my life who I don’t get as much quality time with after becoming a mom.

Planning to spend time away from your kids can feel daunting, but I promise it’s worth it.

Top tips for visiting a theme park with kids

Theme parks are a popular vacation spot for families, so it’s no surprise that I received quite a few tips for taking kids to parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando. Here are a few you’ll definitely need to know for your next trip:

• Bring earplugs for rides and fireworks — The loud, sudden noises can be scary for kids, but earplugs can keep them calm to enjoy the fun.
• Buy glow sticks and bubble wands before your trip — Your kids will have toys to keep them entertained, and you’ll save yourself from paying theme park prices.
• Don’t be surprised if your kids want to spend all day in the pool — They have no concept of money and truly don’t care that you spent thousands of dollars on theme park tickets.

Top tips for flying with kids

I received more tips about flying with kids than any other topic. Why? Because it is one of the scariest and most stressful parts of traveling with kids.

The majority of the time, it all goes off without a hitch, but we’ve all heard the horror stories. No one wants to be the parent getting side-eyed by other passengers because their baby is screaming through the whole flight. Trust us, the parents are more upset by it than you are as a passenger.

But I digress. Here are the top tips parents have learned about flying with kids:

• Pack lollipops — Sucking a lollipop may help with ear discomfort, but it also keeps your kid busy and distracted while you wait to deplane.
• Get a car seat bag with wheels — This protects your stroller and makes it easier to push through the airport. If your kids are old enough, they can even help push.
• Know the TSA regulations on traveling with liquids — “I knew we could travel with breast milk, formula, and water for formula, but I was surprised to learn that the TSA regulations allowing liquids over 3.2 ounces for babies also extended to regular milk, juice, and puree pouches,” Law said.
• Ask about a bassinet for long trips — Several airlines provide bassinets on select flights. The weight requirements and reservation guidelines vary per airline, but it can be a saving grace on a long-haul flight.
• Charge your devices before your flight — If you plan to keep your kid busy with games or movies on a tablet during your flight, make sure it is fully charged beforehand. Not all planes have in-seat charging ports or Wi-Fi for that matter. With that in mind, you may want to download some games and movies before you leave for the airport, as well.
• Decide whether you will purchase a seat for your infant — Whether or not to purchase a seat for a child under two is an argument that has existed for as long as the “lap infant” rule. However, knowing your options is good for determining how your baby will travel best. “Babies can be worn in a carrier throughout the airport and on the plane but do have to be removed from the carrier for takeoff and landing. We found that our babies traveled best when attached to mama, which freed up my hands for other items,” Law said.
• Use curbside check-in wherever available — Even if you were on team carry-on before kids, checking bags is harder to avoid when traveling with kids. This is especially true when you bring a stroller and car seat, which most airlines will allow you to check free of charge. Many airplanes offer curbside check-in and bag check, allowing you to drop these items off before entering the airport. Just remember to leave a tip for the agent who assists you.

Bottom line

I still haven’t come up with a term that properly describes traveling with kids, but defining the term is not nearly as important as getting out there and doing it. I know it can initially feel overwhelming, but these tips (along with your intuition) can make it manageable and, more importantly, fun for the whole family.

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