There is only a week and a half until my five-hour train ride to our Thanksgiving destination. This could go well or very badly. We’ve already experienced the plane trip from hell (we’re THAT family that makes people question whether small kids should fly), so I’m hoping another year of experience and a train ride, something my daughter loves, will have a better outcome.
Traveling by car is the most popular mode, followed by air, bus, rail, or other commercial mode. What this means to any parent—other than a headache—is a lot of preparation! Here are a few tips for making the trip as good as it can get.
1. Try to travel during or as close to naptime as possible.
I realize this isn’t a reality in most cases since you’re usually looking for the cheapest flight or have fewer options within a time frame, but if you can, DO IT! You can save yourself from tantrums and mind-numbing cry-fests by catering to their downtime.
2. Pack light.
You don’t want unnecessary weight and clutter to slow you down. Unless you’re traveling to a remote location, a Target or a Walmart is probably near your destination. You don’t need to bring the whole sleeve of diapers – estimate the worst-case scenario of how many diapers you’ll need while in transit and get the rest later.
Grandma or Aunt Sue probably has a washing machine, so don’t pack clothes for EVERY second of the day. Yes, small children tend to wear multiple outfits a day, but to save on space wash the dirty stuff when it happens. No holiday was ruined because a baby wore the same outfit two days in a row. The same goes for you.
3. Get some of the trip hassles done before leaving home.
Invest in cheap baggage labels and attach them at home instead of waiting at a counter and fumbling because you’re stressed out. Print out ALL travel itineraries and keep them within arm’s reach. The same goes for phone numbers and addresses.
Check ahead to see if a flight or train is running late or if there’s been an accident on a route you need to take. Most transportation companies will text you that information if you give them prior notice. For plane and train travel, find parking options and plan for the nearest shuttle station. Know their stop intervals so you don’t have to walk too far or wait too long. Better yet, arrange for someone to drop you off instead of having to park.
4. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks.
Never underestimate the power of the S-word. I try not to feed my daughter crappy snacks, but traveling with her is a different story. If feeding her a sugary juice box before lunch will help us not re-create our flight to Florida last year, she can have a few, and we’ll brush her teeth extra long that night. Like I said in #2, there will likely be a place to renew your stash, so don’t limit your supplies for roundtrip because of space. Make sure the snacks are easy to get to so a screamer doesn’t have to wait.
5. Last but not least, entertainment.
Choose toys that keep your child’s interest, and consider buying or borrowing one “new” thing for extra interest. You don’t need to pack the playroom. You never know when traffic, weather, or some other kind of delay will happen, so be prepared!
Happy travels, and spend your time having a wonderful holiday – not worrying about the to and from.