When thinking of a peaceful, relaxing vacation it's easy to picture your "perfect" environment with no distractions and no schedule. When you are a parent and have children to entertain, accomplishing this can be challenging. "The Real Housewives of New York City's" stylish, jet-setting young cast member and mother of two, Alex McCord, offers her insight on planning a family fun vacation with vital tips about traveling with children and having an enjoyable and safe vacation. As Alex explains, "attitude is everything: assume that even if you're hit by Murphy's Law and everything that can go wrong does, stay calm, go with the flow and things will work themselves out just fine." Treat your trip like an adventure and, annoyances, missteps and mishaps simply become small obstacles. If dogs can sense fear, you better believe your three-year-old can. According to Alex, "Happy, calm parents are better equipped to deal with the crazed munchkins who only want to know 'Are we there yet?'"Picking the perfect location:
The most important thing when planning a vacation is to choose a place that has plenty of activities to amuse kids but also offers a relaxing environment for parents. "Simon and I used to take Francois and Johan too once he came along, to Cannes every year, says Alex. We knew there would be countless carousels and new playgrounds for boys to explore which always kept them excited and occupied. And although it's not for us, others swear by all-inclusive resorts." Resorts with special inclusive programs for children can be wonderful because the programs help balance the time children spend immersed in a fun and child friendly environment with time they spend enjoying their vacation with their parents.
If one is looking to rent a house or apartment for your family, speak to a travel agent or just search a reputable Web site to find accommodations with a kitchen. Especially in these tough times, it is budget friendly to visit a local grocery store and cook meals at home instead of eating every meal at a restaurant or ordering in room service with expensive surcharges. "Renting a house or an apartment is great because it allows you to live like a local, which is an educational experience for the whole family," says Alex.
Packing for the kids:Do not over pack. Gauge what may be available from a local grocery store or a pharmacy when you arrive at your destination so you can eliminate carrying those items in transit. Focus on the more important items to keep the children comfortable and content that may be inconvenient to find outside the States (i.e. swim diapers if you use them, prescribed medication). It is also wise to bring a carry on bag for the family in case luggage is lost. For example, if you are headed to a warm weather destination, throw some swim suits into a carry on, and other light weight clothes so that you don't miss a day of fun while the airline searches for your luggage. In addition, if your children are on prescription medication such as Asthma inhalers, allergy medication, make sure you have these with you in-flight. With today's travel restrictions, any liquid or aerosol medication that is larger than 3 oz. should be kept separate from other carry-on toiletries and declared to airport security. Visit http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm for more information.
Pack one or two favorite toys to keep the children occupied while waiting at the airport and for long trips on the plane. Keep in mind that you will be carrying everything – in addition to your own luggage. "We always bring the boys' favorite smaller toys for them to play with and we also play games in the airport or on the plane that occupy them," says Alex. "Simon and I create a 'surprise pack' filled with random 99 cent store toys or knick-knacks the boys have never seen before. Depending on how long the flight is, we dip into the bag every half hour and pull out a new item! If it breaks or falls between the seats, it's no big loss. Also, never forget the power that 'found objects' on the plane such as belt buckles, plastic cups, the flight map and the exit instruction card can have over youngsters. We spent a flight to Dallas creating puppet theatre with plastic cups and napkins." If you are taking an extended vacation with the kids, you might even want to think about fed-exing items to your destination.
A mother's natural instinct is to pack plenty of snacks and drinks while in transit for her kids. "There was a time when Simon and I traveled with packs and packs of milk and juice," says Alex. "No matter where we went or how long the trip was, we always came home with extra and wished we hadn't taken as much as we did. As we became more adept at traveling with the boys, we reduced the supply of snacks and drinks we packed and purchased them as needed."
At the Airport and On the Plane:
"If possible, check the configuration of the plane before choosing your seats. If you are flying coach, the first row may have the best legroom or the worst. I usually prefer to book seats close to the restroom as the kids will invariably need to go more than once. There's always a lot of ambient noise around the bathrooms or the galley, and you'll be removed from most of the plane when the kids get cranky from the long flight. Wherever you sit, place children away from the aisle, preferably between responsible adults. A good way to check the configuration of the plane ahead of time is to visit www.seatguru.com " Also, remember to get up, stretch and walk around with kids often during the flight, but do not allow children to walk around unsupervised. Whenever possible, book a nonstop flight. This streamlines your trip and prevents change-of-flight problems. Traveling at nonpeak times-- midday and Mondays to Wednesdays--gives you a good chance of getting on less-crowded flights. Arrive at the airport early. Sprints down an endless terminal are difficult enough but they are nearly impossible when packing a baby on your back and holding a preschooler's hand. Since airplanes tend to be cold, make sure all children have an extra sweater or jacket at their seat. Don't forget to grab blankets and pillows as you board; there won't be any left later on when your kids want them.
Alex cautions, "Don't forget to talk with your child about the trip, explaining each stage of the boarding process and the flight. Make sure young children realize that the bumpiness and engine noises are normal and not a signal of an impending crash. Get the kids excited about "going fast" on the runway before going "up, up & away!"
At the hotel:Put safety first by avoiding a myriad of possible accidents. Make a sweep of balconies and bathrooms for any potential dangers. Hide away small objects, accessible medications and cleaners children could get their hands on. If you have rented someone's vacation home, make sure any fragile items are well out of reach. Familiarize yourself with the building fire and emergency evacuation routes and procedures. If your vacation includes a trip to a pool, ocean, water park or any other place involving water, the number one rule is to never let children venture off alone. Even if they know how to swim, children should never be unattended. Also, it is important to know what to expect in the water, such as jellyfish or strong riptides. Very cold temperatures, biting fish, and sudden drop-offs are all things to avoid, especially with children. Sunburn can ruin any vacation.Apply waterproof sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) before you head outside as you'll be able to see better and avoid accidental sand exfoliation. "My boys love the sunscreen spray that comes out blue, which also helps avoid missing a spot. If your kids are like mine, they won't keep a hat or sunglasses on for long so a gallon or two of sunscreen helps."
Hiring a babysitter in a foreign destination:
Alex suggests speaking with the hotel manager or concierge and finding a babysitter who has an affiliation with that hotel – the closer the sitter's connection with the hotel, the more invested the hotel is in the experience being positive. Also make sure that when in a foreign country that language will not be not a barrier. Obviously parents want a care taker who can communicate with the children, parents and the hotel, especially in case of an emergency. If parents cannot communicate directly with the sitter, get an interpreter.
If your child requires medical attention while on vacation:
It's a reality that children can get sick at the most inopportune times. If you child needs a pediatrician while you are away, you have several options. You can call your child's own doctor to see if he/she has any recommendations at your destination or you can also call the hotel concierge to see if they have a doctor whom they regularly send their hotel guests to. Lastly, if you are traveling abroad and not staying at a major hotel, you can always contact The American Embassy for a list of accredited doctors.
Update immunizations for the entire family. These days, most everything you might catch is covered in standard vaccination schedules unless you are traveling to an area with a risk of yellow fever. For more information visit the Center for Disease Control's website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentVaccinations.aspx
General Safety Tips:
Keep a recent color photo of your child with you at all times.
Always accompany children into public rest rooms.
If your children are old enough to talk, make sure they know the name of your hotel or accommodation in case they should become separated from you.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.
Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of this data with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry the originals.
Just in case, create a "if I get lost" plan and review it with your child.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/ and
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/travelsafetytips.htm.
A Word on Etiquette:
Staying in a hotel or just traveling in general is a privilege and should be treated as such. This experience shared with the family will help prepare children to be considerate of others as they get older and begin traveling with their peers. The most important thing for children to remember is that there are other guests in a hotel. They should be mindful of the noise level in their hotel room so as not to disturb their neighbors. Electronic devices should be played quietly and voices should be kept low. There should never be any running or talking loudly in the hallway. In the hotel, although there is maid service, children should pick up after themselves and keep their clothes neatly folded in drawers. They may also organize their towels and toiletries. Upon completion of their stay, children should be encouraged to help pack their belongings before checking out.
ALEX MCCORDAlex McCord is best known for being featured in the successful reality series “Th e Real Housewives of New York City,” which documents her personal life with her husband, Simon van Kempen; as well as her two children Francois and Johan. Currently, Alex is writing a book about urban parenting slated to be published in late 2009. To learn more about the McCord-van Kempen family, please visit: www.McCordvanKempen.com.
Show/hide comment form
