Thoughtful Thursdays: Traveling with Kiddos

Since we have family in several different states and live in a totally different state our family travels a lot!  Long car rides and flights could be scary for parents but we have it down to a science.  We have survived trips like an 18 hour drive with a two year old, and flights over 4 hours with two kids!  So I'm going to share with you some of our secrets to traveling well with kids of all ages!

• Always take food!  Snacks, finger foods, etc... food helps past the time for kids of all ages.  If you are flying and nursing a baby, nurse during take off to help de-pressurize the baby's ears.  
• Allow more time:  Just know that when traveling with kids... things are going to take longer than if you were going to travel alone.  If driving allow time to stop and feed babies, and change diapers.  If flying it will take you longer to get to your gate.  (little legs cover less distance than us adults)
• Hands free traveling:  When flying it helps to have both of your hands free to juggle your boarding pass, ID, phone, kids ect....  If traveling with an infant, use a wrap carrier.  I use the Moby Wrap, because it is truly hands free!  I saw another mother use a carrier and she still used one hand at all times to support the baby's head... no fun.  Also once your kid is around 3 or 4 get a rolling carry on bag.  That way you can put lots of stuff in it and they don't have to carry it on their back.  Also our diaper bag is a backpack so I don't have to worry about it sliding off my shoulder when i bend down!
• Blankets are Awesome:  Everyone loves being comfy and kids are even happier when they are all snuggled up.  One for an infant, to lay them out at the airport or in the car (when the car is parked!!!) so they can stretch out.  For kids to snuggle and sleep with in the car or plane.  And also for you parents to use as a pillow and back support in the car or plane :)  You can never have too many blankets to make traveling more comfy.
• Entertainment: Coloring books, games, movies, books, etc.  Don't forget to bring the entertainment that will make the time go by much quicker.  If flying don't make the kids sit at the gate... walk the terminal until it is time for your seating zone to board.
• Cool stops:  If driving a long distance, stop for an hour at a 'cool' attraction to get the kids out of the car and doing something.  If there isn't any attractions around, find a park to let the kids run for a while.
• Make traveling fun: Kids pick up on the emotions of their parents more than most parents realize.  If you are dreading a trip, drive or flight the kid will pick up on that and tend to be more fussy and upset.  Take a deep breath, smile, and enjoy traveling with your kids!  

Hope these help on your next trip with the family!!