9 Must Know Tips for Traveling with Toddlers

Every parent feels that their children's safety is paramount regardless of the circumstances. But when that safety may be jeopardized by the justified anxiety associated with traveling with toddlers often times, parents opt not to put their families at risk. However, to forego travel is just not an option for many. A toddler's safety can be better insured even in crowded and confusing airport terminals and train stations if these strategies are employed.

If at all possible avoid plane changes and/or long layovers. If you must change modes of transportation (ie plane to train) make sure that you have ample time to get from one mode of transportation to the other. Traveling with toddlers will greatly slow the process.

Be sure to check out the layout of the airport and/or train station, etc and learn all of the customs requirements (both leaving and returning to the United States) long before booking your trip. This one travel itinerary issue is not something which can be overlooked if you are traveling with toddlers. If you can't avoid plane changes or layovers make additional preparations for those situations to help alleviate anxiety. The more you know, the less anxiety you will feel. Some airports, train stations, etc are easier to navigate than others. Do your research well in advance so that traveling with toddlers will be logistically as easy as possible.

Make a special trip to the local Target (or similar store) to have your traveling toddler pick out their personal bag with rollers; carry-on luggage for which they will be responsible. There are so many kid-friendly designs that are made just for a child that is the size of a toddler that your child will most certainly find something that they absolutely love.

After you fold and prepare clothing items that will go into your traveling toddler's special carry-on bag, help them pack the bag themselves. After these items go on the bottom of the bag help your traveling toddler personally pack coloring books, action figures, etc; anything that will keep them interested whether on the plane/train or in an airport terminal/train station during a layover. Be sure to include items that will engage the entire family ie cards, games. This tip is not designed to have your child quietly amuse themselves necessarily. Engaging your traveling toddler is paramount. What better way to do this than with simple games that you can all play together? They don't have to be structured games. They can just be pretend games with dolls and action figures. This requires a lot of extra effort on the part of the parent, but what better way to alleviate anxiety associated with traveling with toddlers?

Be sure to pack soft, chewy snacks like gummies on top of your traveling toddler's carry- on bag. This to alleviate the pressure they will feel in ears during air travel. The chewing and swallowing helps to alleviate this pressure which some toddlers may feel to be quite painful. If you have older children you can opt for more solid snacks like granola bars or dried fruit. The thought of being trapped on an airplane with a screaming, squirming traveling toddler adds tremendous anxiety for any parent. Just use common sense when choosing what snacks you have which child pack i.e chewing gum is totally inappropriate for a 2 year old but may be completely acceptable for a 7 year old.

The whole point of having a traveling toddler have their own carry-on bag is to convey a sense of responsibility and ownership. Make sure to reinforce the notion that your traveling toddler is a "big kid" now who is helping mommy and/or daddy out. They will remain steadily focused on keeping tabs on "their own stuff" and far less likely to wander off which is every parent's worst anxiety nightmare.

When flying, ask for bulkhead seats so your traveling toddler won't be put in the position to accidentally kick seats ahead of them.

When packing for yourself, be mindful of the fact that the less you as the adult have to carry, the "more free hands" you will have to hold onto and keep track of your traveling toddler. This simple tip will help alleviate the anxiety associated with traveling with toddlers.

Ask for assistance from flight attendants and airline personnel whether it is to carry a child's car seat or boarding the airplane before the other passengers. If you don't ask for help they won't know you need it. If you let the airline personnel know your specific needs they will gladly offer their assistance. A smiling, extra set of hands are invaluable when it comes to alleviating any parent's anxiety stemming from the idea of traveling with toddlers.

If you want a guarantee that your traveling toddlers will be served food before other passengers just choose a "specialty item" from the airplane menu when you book the flight.

These tips come from several moms/dads who have all traveled both domestically as well as internationally with more than one traveling toddler at a time. These tips helped them effectively avoid travel anxiety associated with traveling with toddlers.