How to Take an Exciting Vacation with Kids (and Without a Co-Pilot)

Cute Image via Pixabay!

Traveling with the kids is a wonderful way to bond, but it can be tough if you’re flying solo, so to speak. Your first vacation as the lone adult with one or more kids, especially those in the 10 and under crowd, will be a learning experience for everyone. However, the lessons you learn don’t have to come from the frustrations of being a single parent on a sojourn with your scions. Here are a few practical tips to help you arrive with your sanity (and suitcase) intact. 

Pack Snacks and Entertainment

Kids get hungry and bored on the road, and when they are bored, they start fighting. When they’re hungry, they’ll pester you to make a pitstop. You’ll have a better chance at avoiding those irritation-induced gas station layovers if you pack a bag of road-trip snacks for each of your passengers. For toddlers, this might be a banana or animal crackers, while older kids will do well with nuts, apples, or granola bites. You’ll also want to give them something to do while they’re strapped into the back seat. If they are bringing electronics, make sure they’re charged and that they have other activities to keep them busy. If you’re handy, you can make a lap tray so they can draw or write about your trip along the way. 

Prep the House Before You Leave 

When you’re making your vacation arrangements, don’t forget to let your neighbors know you’ll be out of town. They can help keep an eye on your house when you can’t. You also want to take a look around your home’s exterior to make sure there aren’t any easy access points that criminals might exploit. HomeAdvisor recently published a vacation preparation guide — it’s a good place to start, especially if you have never left your home unattended.

Guys ordering levitra only have to set aside up to three days. Dry or uncooked beans consist of a poison termed hemaglutin. viagra pill uk Sometimes you succeed and sometimes you fail, but your personal integrity is what matters most. get free levitra So, if interested to grab ED medicines online then web medical stores viagra on line australia http://greyandgrey.com/buy-1498 is an ideal choice as, they keep your information private and deliver the required results. Having your home secured will ease worries while you wander. If you prefer to keep an eye on things yourself, install a few wireless home security cameras to monitor any activity that might take place in your absence. Talk to your pet sitter, if applicable, to see if they would mind getting the mail and newspaper until you return.

Give the Kids Some Say When Making Decisions

Of course, your destination and how you get there is ultimately up to you, and it will depend a lot on your budget and the time you have to travel. However, whenever possible, let your kids make a few decisions. Younger children can pick where you eat one night, and the older crowd should have some say-so regarding the activities you plan. This will keep them from feeling boxed into a vacation that doesn’t have their interests on the schedule.

Pick Kid-Friendly Accommodations

Perhaps most importantly when traveling alone with the kids is choosing a location that will make it easier on you. Although it’s true that many luxury hotels have added amenities to appeal to people traveling with kids, many other vacationers in these four- and five-star resorts may frown upon overly excited toddlers loudly lounging around in the lobby. There are plenty of hotels that cater to children and have on-site activities, such as water slides and kids clubs, that will make your entire crew feel welcome.

More than just your accommodations, think about the actual location. Safety is your number one priority. Many single parents find that all-inclusive resorts make for the easiest single-parent vacations since they are always well-staffed and include amenities that won’t cost extra, like 24-hour room service and drop-off childcare. The Points Guy blog goes into more detail and names a few resorts and cruises that are perfect for single parents and their kids.

No matter how much you prepare, keep in mind that you may have to change your plans without notice. Children get sick, flights get canceled, and the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Go with the flow, and remember that your vacation is memories in the making.

This entry was posted in Kids activities, Organized Traveler, Travel Tips and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.