Preparing your Kids for the Trip

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It’s important to recognize that you’ll be changing your child’s routine, and while they may be excited about the trip, not knowing what to expect can be scary.

With very young toddlers and babies, starting to talk about the trip the night before is fine. With older kids, start earlier, telling them about the destination, what you’ll do there, and perhaps teaching them some of the local language (or learning it together). You can find books about the destination or look at pictures online. Be careful that in your excitement to teach your kids about where they're going you don't burn them out on the subject, or remove the joy of discovery and exploration from the trip itself. Let their interest level guide you.

Beginning at about age two (and younger for kids with rich imaginations), you can give your child a small bag and ask them to pack a few important items. (We use Eagle Creek Packing Cubes because they're small, lightweight, and have a handle). Perhaps they will choose some toys, a treasured lovey, or a few books. Let your child carry the bag or hold it on their lap (but make sure you have space to stow it when they're tired). While your children are young, you'll still need to pack your own busy bag for them, but as they get older they'll learn to provide their own entertainment. You'll be suprised how comforting a self-packed suitcase can be, even for a very young child. My son used to carry his around with him all day whenever we were out of town.

In addition to telling your kids about your destination and what they should expect to do once there, make sure you share all the details about how you'll get there. Things that seem little (or obvious) to you, like riding to the airport in a taxi or shuttle, might be stressful for young children. On the day of travel keep reiterating what's going to happen next and, when appropriate, what expectations you have of your children (e.g. I expect you to wear your seatbelt on the plane just like you do in the car.

Comments

  1. Scotty Kober, GoodLittleTraveler.com

    June 19, 2008 at 10:43 a.m.

    I am so glad for this article, because it's a subject not often touched on by the experts with regard to prepping parents to fly.

    In situations with traveling infants, parents really only have themselves to prepare. But with toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners - this is not the case. Small children are very capable of grasping new concepts and understanding boundaries. It is of paramount importance that in planning for the trip, the kiddos are included in the process, and I recommend:

    1. If possible, go to the airport before your trip with your 3-year-old son who has never been on a plane. Watch the planes take off, notice people queuing up for security - tell him why these things are happening and how soon it will be his turn to stand in the line and board the plane, and take off into the sky. Let him get excited! and then ...

    2. Let your child help pack: if you're headed to the beach, ask your 2-year-old what she might want to wear at the ocean. She will answer bathing suit, and she can help you put it in the suitcase.

    3. Let children pull their own carry-on bag. It gives you a separate space to pack your child's extra pull-ups, change of clothes, etc. (that doesn't constitute an extra bag since your youngster has his or her own seat) and gives your kiddo a responsibility during the pre-flight process. For most children, having a "job" is a treat and a privilege (just ask a preschool or kindergarten teacher). A toddler who knows he has to get his bag to the airplane will be a little more focused than one whose only responsibility is to follow meekly along behind his parents (boring!).

    4. Buy the Shae by Air DVD Toolkit™ or one of the few books/media available that SHOW children what goes on at the airport. Give kids something to relate to. The security checkpoint alone was a source of major fear for my daughter when she was almost two years old. The loud metal doorway with beeping lights and the expectation by serious people in uniforms that she walk through said doorway alone was enough on one trip to reduce her to tears. Couple that with wanding or the air puff room ... if a child doesn't know this is coming, and hasn't been prepared for it such that she isn't scared, parents are setting themselves up for trouble.

    Also, it is worth noting that my little one had been flying since infancy, but as children grow and change, things that were once unnoticed can suddenly become very important. So even if your child is flying for the 30th time, it is always worth a mention before and at the airport and on the plane what he or she can expect. That goes for the literal (long lines) and the behavioral: ie, those seatback tray tables (only a parent should open and close them), and the feet (not on the seat in front) as well.

    (Disclaimer: All of these are reasons why the I'm A Good Little Traveler! Series was created, in particular the Shae by Air DVD Toolkit.)

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