Have Children, Will Travel: 8 Pitfalls to Avoid on Your Next Family Trip

In recent years, our trips as a family have had their share of miserable and unfortunate moments. The good news is we have learned to be more careful. Armed with these tips and warnings, you can spare your family from suffering similar mishaps and have a much better trip.

1. Soap and sanitizer injuries to eyes

Bees and aggressive dogs have never harmed us, but soap dispensers have. With hand soap dispensers, check to see where the soap squirts or sprays before allowing your child near the dispenser. Otherwise your child can suffer a painful surprise if soap squirts in her eye.

Recently I noticed that a major airport had installed touch-less hand sanitizer dispensers that squirt the chemicals right where unsuspecting children could get an eyeful. Keep children away from these.

2. Shoe loss

We have left flip flops behind after rest stops, or had single shoes fall out from the car floor. The price of carelessness is twofold: First, your family may not be able to dine inside a restaurant if one or more members are missing a shoe. Secondly, you may need to stop somewhere and purchase a replacement pair.

For these reasons, when traveling by car, make sure all passengers have both shoes before pulling back onto the highway. If you know that you will be carrying your child at times (through an airport, for instance), dress him or her in shoes that will not fall off easily.

3. Unfriendly terrain

Sidewalks and paths may be uneven, steep, and unfamiliar, tripping up the energetic child who runs too far ahead too fast. While a first aid kit in the car or carry-on comes in handy, it is best to prevent falls in the first place, making sure the new path is safe before anyone zips down it.

4. Not drinking enough or drinking too much liquid

Thirsty children make for unhappy ones. On the other hand, if you allow your children to drink too much liquid, you will be stopping for frequent bathroom breaks which will throw off your expected travel times. Bring along an ample supply of beverages and cups and dispense drinks at reasonable intervals.

5. Sugar overload

Another pitfall to avoid is excessive sugar. Letting the kids help themselves to pop, candy or artificially-colored fruit snacks may seem easier at first, but soon they become hyperactive and/or cranky as their blood sugar levels get out of whack. Regulate sugar intake and offer snacks with a lower glycemic index (like whole grain products, cheese, and nuts) so that your children will have an easier time staying on an even keel.

6. Seating chart woes

Sitting by the same sibling for hours on end is a recipe for bickering and personal space invasions. A trip may be a good time to start rotating your seating arrangements every few hours. Even a parent can swap in next to a child, enabling more parent-child interaction.

7. DVD player battery issues

Just charging your battery is no guarantee that the charge with last long enough for your kids to watch a show or movie. If not properly charged and operated, the DVD player turns from delightful to extremely disappointing. Prepare for meltdowns. It is wise to test the DVD player at home with the battery first. And don't forget the car charger.

8. Missing sleep aids

Leaving behind a critical blanket or stuffed animal at any point in your journey--before or during it, or arriving home without the requisite item is a huge mistake. You may or may not be lucky enough to find an acceptable replacement, and until you do, everyone will be sleep-deprived and grumpy. So put that "lovey" on your top must-have-before-departing list, along with your keys and cell phone.

Why Make the Effort?

Traveling as a family requires significant investments of time, money and energy, and so it is important to maximize the fun and minimize potential miseries. To avoid trouble, keep this list of pitfalls in mind whenever you go on a family trip. By taking preventative steps, parents can help ensure a smoother trip for the whole family and return home with good memories that will endure for a lifetime.