How to make international family travel stress free

TRAVEL THE WORLD, WITH YOUR FAMILY International travel has now become very affordable and the whole world is now your oyster. Exposing children to a variety of cultures, cuisines and creating memories is one of the richest things you can do for them. rnBut perhaps the thought of cranky children and flight delays hasn’t had you try one as a family yet. FIVE STEPS TO MAKE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY TRAVEL STRESS FREE The experience of traveling to several countries with a couple of toddlers has taught me a lot. Here’s how to make international family travel stress free. 1. LEAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET TO THE AIRPORT Plan to have double the time you think would be required to arrive at the airport. There’s nothing worse than arriving late at an airport and then having to run to the gate. This causes so much stress for everyone and sets the tone for the rest of the holiday. If you are early, then you’ve got time to sit down for a nice treat at one of the air side restaurants. 2. BACKPACKS, YOUR BEST FRIEND ON A LONG HAUL FLIGHT If you have two children, plan to keep your hands free so that you can push a pram, carry a baby or tired toddler or even hold their hand. When you are travelling as a family, a backpack with some basics like change of clothes for you and the children, emergency medication, some candy or pacifier to suck on for take offs and landings are things to have other than some toys/screens. 3. FOCUS ON THE KIDS BUT MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF You can change the way you look at family travel by remembering that it is a time for the kids to enjoy themselves but also plan for time for yourself. Plan for more ice cream breaks; visit a local park and have a picnic. If there are two of you adults with the kids, one of you could give the other some time off to go see the destination like an adult or even go for a long walk as a break. If you are a single parent, book yourself into a place that has child care and take some time off to wander by yourself. This will mean that you all enjoy yourselves and the enjoyment reduces any stress that comes from tiredness. 4. EMPTY DAYS ON A HOLIDAY ARE LIKE WHITE SPACE AROUND BEAUTIFUL ART You’ve spent a lot to organise this holiday, so there’s a temptation to cram in as much as you can. Instead of this, it’s better to plan only one or two cities in a week if you are travelling around. rnDon’t plan to see more than one place a day either. Plan for some days with no itinerary and take it as it comes. Like white space to appreciate a beautiful piece of art, the light days gives everyone a chance to rest and will help you create happy memories. rn5. KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON rnDisasters by nature are unexpected. So even with the best will in the world, you can’t have expected the emergency appendix surgery or a sat nav taking you somewhere else. Keep a calm head and try to see the funny side of any situation. This will help you get through even the more trying period on a vacation. But experience has shown that even if it happens, this is usually a fraction of the whole vacation. “TAKE VACATIONS, YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE MONEY, BUT YOU CANT MAKE MEMORIES” International family travel can be a source of rich experiences for your children and yourself. With some planning and some change of attitude, it is possible to make international travel with children and really be stress free.