How to Travel with Your Children

So you are ready to go on vacation but you have never traveled with your children? It's not that difficult. With just a little bit of planning you can have the entire family enjoying the warm sandy beach, or sailing through the beautiful Alaskan water ways in no time. Here are a few steps to get you to where you want to go.

The first thing that you want to consider when traveling with your children is health. This will quickly help you rule out some destinations that you may want to consider when they get a little older. Children are far more susceptible to getting ill, and you want to make sure that you and your children enjoy the vacation, and don't spend it dealing with administering medication every 4 to 6 hours. You will also want to avoid areas that are affected by infectious diseases such as malaria, and those who have had a recent outbreak of rabies as well.

You will also want to avoid areas with an altitude higher than 3200 feet with babies less than 12 months, and less than 6500 feet with children under age 2. Of course this can vary, and you want to make sure that you can turn back to lower ground if your child starts to have issues with the altitude.

You will also want to call your hotel ahead of time, and find out what amenities that they have for children, and also for babies. Ask about things like room sharing options for you and your children, childcare facilities, what food is available, and what kind of indoor/outdoor play area they have. Your children will enjoy a place that has these facilities far more than a place that just offers you a room. When you are satisfied that you have found the correct place, then it is time for you to book your airline seats.

I recommend if you are traveling with children to make the airline aware of that. If you let them know that you are traveling with children you will be provided priority seating. Most airlines offer a seating chart of the plane, and this will allow you to decide the best place for you. You can also use websites like Seat Guru if your airline does not have a seating chart on their website. I personally recommend seating your child next to the window. This will allow them to look out the window, and keep distracted. This also allows you to keep constant watch over her. They cannot leave their seat and wonder down the aisle without you noticing first. Of course if your child is under the age of two they will sit on your lap, and fly for free.

Make sure that you bring at least a miniature first aid kit with you on your trip as well. Most airlines will not allow you to carry this on the plane because it may contain sharp objects. Just place this in your checked baggage, and you will be happy that you did. From my experience children get some kind of small ouch about 80% of the time on a vacation. And you will be happy that you have that Winnie the Poo band aid. Also make sure that you pack a few healthy snacks. There is nothing worse than being hungry in an airport, but not wanting to leave the gate, because you would be risking missing your boarding call. A little something to snack on is a good idea for you as well as your children.

You are also going to want to make sure that you pack a few goodies for your children. Things like portable DVD players, or CD's. This will allow your child to choose what they would like to do when that mid flight boredom hits. It's always good to allow for a choice instead of telling them "This is all that I have for you to do." Be because we all know that that could cause a tantrum and nobody wants to deal with that on an over crowded airplane.

Finally, before your trip make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. If you have to call a cab to get to there, or if you're taking the train, or if you are driving just give yourself a few extra minuets. This will ensure that you get to your gate on time, and that you are not running with a baby in one arm and a toddler in the other to reach your plane.

With a little planning you will have a wonderful vacation ahead of you. Remember relax, and have fun, it is your vacation after all.