We recently returned from a trip that consisted of a 3 hour flight and about 7 hours of driving! To be honest our toddlers handled this much better than we anticipated! Despite our children handling the travel pretty well, we had a few hard lessons along the way that we wouldn’t won’t anyone else to have to deal with. So here are our 5 travel mistakes to avoid when traveling with Toddlers.
1.) Overpacking
This might seem like a no-brainer but in all honesty, you couldn’t have convinced me that I had overpacked. I felt I packed all the absolute essentials, and was prepared for every possible scenario that could take place. After returning from our trip and unpacking our bags, I realized I packed out of fear not with hope or optimism. The amount of extra clothes I packed for my toddlers was as if they were going to have accidents in their outfits DAILY, which didn’t happen. As we unpacked we found that more than half of the clothes we had packed for each of us were not worn. For a party of Four we might have really be able to Check on Bag and have one Carry on. We would have traveled much lighter physically and mentally.
2.) Children’s Medicine
We found ourselves in a really tough place with one of our children because we didn’t think to pack any type of medicine for our children. Specifically Allergy Medicine. While on our seven hour drive to head back home one of children broke out in red blotchy patches. Not quite a rash but not quite hives. To make matters worse, we were in the middle of no where with the nearest store being a “Family Dollar” about twenty minutes away. Thankfully our daughter was okay, the Family Dollar had some children’s allergy medicine to temporarily reduce the symptoms for the time being. If there was ever a time, I felt mom guilt, this was most definitely it. So it’s better to be safe than sorry, be sure to pack any medications your child may need.
3.) Lap child Seat
If your child is a wiggle worm, if your child wants to be like their older siblings. Go on and buy them a plane ticket! My husband and I can say this is the top mistake of our “5 mistake to avoid when traveling with Toddlers”. We opted to go the more reasonable route when it came to purchases plane tickets and since our youngest wasn’t yet two. Booking her as a lap child just seemed to make sense, while also saving us money. This was an absolute mistake! With children so close in age they want to have what each other have. They want to do what each other do. Our youngest wanted to sit in a seat our oldest wanted to be held. If you were in the row across from us we were either entertaining you or annoying you with all the movement taking place. My husband and I both say ” Buy the ticket”, get your toddlers a seat.
4.) Food
An amateur mistake for sure but I made sure to give my children a full breakfast on the road on our way to the airport. I packed what felt like tons of snacks, but I didn’t account for the airport time, flight time, shuttle to rental car and more. I completely bypassed the need for lunch sometime between all these events. The snacks I packed held my kids over lightly during the three hour flight but by time we landed they were pretty hangry. I believe this mistake was from a combination of snack choices and my awareness of time. If I could do it over, I would have packed some homemade “smuckers” sandwiches or lunchable kits. Opposed to things like pretzels, lollipops and crackers.
5.) The Right Toys
Believe it or not there is such thing as right and wrong toys for the plane, especially with toddlers! A truly avoidable mistake! Bring toys or gadgets without little pieces that can get dropped or tossed all over the place. Despite using a silicone place mat to cover the tray to stop items from sliding, we still found ourselves picking up toys that found their way to the floor. Toys I wouldn’t suggest are things with cards, blocks and circular shaped toys that roll. What I do recommend are coloring books, markers or drawing kits with minimal pieces. This keeps your little one(s) busy without the mess or headache.
I have just given you 5 Travel Mistakes to Avoid When traveling with Toddlers in hopes that you don’t have to learn the hard way. This was our very first time flying with toddlers and knowing what we know now, we are enthusiastic about future travel. I hope this helps you to feel more equipped and ready to travel with your kids too!
Wishing you safe and happy travels,
xx Classically Faith xx Other Posts you'll enjoy: 5 BEST PARENTING TIPS OTHER MOMS TAUGHT ME MAMA NEEDS A CUP OF STRENGTH
