7 tips to take the stress out of travelling with children [AD]
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According to the Telegraph, going on holiday has a plethora of benefits for a child, helping with everything from family bonding to stress relief. For us parents though, travelling with children can strike fear into our hearts. Will the journey be horrific, will they fight and most importantly, how can we keep them safe? Here are 7 tips to take the stress out of travel with kids and a giveaway to make it easier.
1. Slow it down
The first rule of travel with children is that it takes longer. So, don’t rush. Leave time for stops. Not just toilet breaks but play breaks too. If you’re taking a road trip in the UK, I shared my 21 best family stops over on the Hertz blog. We sometimes even make an overnight stopover to visit family or visit somewhere we’d love to go en route.
2. Keep boredom at bay
Eliminating boredom for children means giving yourself a break. On a long journey, there’s no harm in allowing them to watch films or play games on an iPad or tablet. I advise going for games like Solitaire that they can play alone. Games played together always cause arguments between my two! Take some snacks and treats too, and save up some TV episodes or films that they’re desperate to watch. There’s nothing worse than the constant drone of, “Are we nearly there yet?” So take the boredom out of it to make it a more pleasant trip for everyone.
3. Play it safe
I don’t know about you, but I hate the thought of the girls travelling without a car seat. I know it’s legal in the UK for short taxi rides but I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of them being unsafe. It may be only a small risk, but the stress of worrying about it always puts a dampener on things. So, if you’re not travelling in your own car, why not pack a BubbleBum inflatable booster seat? They are inflatable so they don’t take up much space, but the peace of mind they offer is invaluable.
4. Get them involved in the planning
Planning and anticipating a holiday can be almost as much fun as the holiday itself. Deciding where you want to go, what you’ll do and where to stay. Getting excited about the amazing experiences you’re going to have. So, why not get the children involved in that process? My two have very different ideas to us about what makes an exciting holiday. Knowing their opinions often makes us change our plans – and we always end up having a great time.
5. Travel hand luggage only
Did you know that children have the same hand luggage allowance as adults? If you make the most of their allowance as well as yours, you might find you can travel hand luggage only. This will dramatically cut down on waiting time at the airport so you can get on with your holiday as soon as you leave the plane. The BubbleBum car seats are hand luggage friendly too – I even took one to London in my handbag when we went for brunch in case we needed a taxi.
6. It’s their holiday too
This is a big one for me. It can be pretty difficult to chill out when you’ve got kids. The parent in you wants to make sure they behave all the time. But let’s face it, who really behaves impeccably on holiday? So, remember it’s their holiday too and make a point of saying yes more. They want an ice cream on the beach or chips for tea? Why not?
7. Team up with friends
A few years ago, we wanted to go on a self-catering holiday to Scotland. At the time, the girls were tiny, we had an elderly dog and a puppy and my husband was on crutches. So, instead of a week of exclusive family time we decided to make time to see friends. We went for a big cottage where we could all stay – four children, four adults and three dogs. The other family helped out with the chaos and it took the stress out of the trip. In fact, we enjoyed their company so much that we make a point of having a few days away with them every year now.
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I’d choose the BubbleBum Travel Car Booster Seat Pink thanks!
Id choose black I think, as it’s suitable for my niece and nephew then
I’d choose the black one.
The Union Jack one
I’d choose the black one.
Sensible ideas 🙂 I used to dread travelling with the boys, but getting so much easier now they’re older and, lets face it, not horrifically distracting and poorly behaved on long car journeys (sending Ollie to sit in the third row of seats in our 7 seater every time he started misbehaving did the trick). Actually looking forward to heading to Cornwall this month! The booster looks really useful – we spent a fortune hiring booster seats for our hire car when we went to Germany two years ago. It cost more to hire them for a week than we’ve seen them for sale in the supermarket!
Oh gosh, what a nightmare about hiring the seats! Yes, these are really useful. I hope you all have a lovely time in Cornwall.
Nat.x
I love this idea, I would choose the pink one for my daughter else she would never forgive me!
Love the green one, such a clever idea 🙂
It would have to be the Union Jack
I feel a bit boring, but black would be fine for us. Cheers!
I would pick the Union Jack for my son
the union jack one x
This is such a great idea and so important too. Green please if we are lucky enough to win!
The Union Jack one
I would choose the pink as it’s our fav colour x
the black one
I’d choose the pink one.
The Union Jack
I would choose black!
As I am super boring, I Would choose the black one as it matches with everything and will not look dirty! Also, it would look quite elegant and formal too but I did like the other colours too! 🙂
I love the union jack seat. Amazing giveaway i have my fingers crossed
The black one looks great
Wow! This is the ultimate list of tips for a fun and careless trip, Natalie. I will make sure to share these tips with my friends who travel with kids! Well done!
Thank you, I’m so glad you found them helpful.
Nat.x
The pink chevron pattern. #mondaystumble
I would choose the black then it would suit both my son and daughter, my son first though as he’s the older one and can sit without a backed seat
I’d choose the black one!
Union Jack please
I would choose the pink one, thankyou for the competition x
Hi Nat, just the name Bubble Bum is funny enough to make sure children don’t let parents forget the booster seat. I imagine it could come in handy when eating out too. Getting the children involved with the planning of a break is a great idea. And if we can’t be a little lenient when on holiday, then when can we? Ice cream for breakfast all round!
xx
Yes, I love the name of it too! And ice cream for breakfast sounds like a great idea!
Nat.x
My daughter is obsessed with green, so I can’t choose anything else lol!!
The black one , useful for when we have grandson in the car
Love this idea! Def would chose the black one as it’s easier to keep clean.
The Union Jack version, not having a block colour should make stains harder to spot. Hopefully.
I’d probably go with the Pink Chevron.
I’d choose the plain black one.
Black One 🙂
these are such a super idea, my daughter is at the age/size where she is getting too big for a full backed car seat so this would be ideal. I would choose the black for her
I think I’d like to choose the Union Jack Design 🙂
I would choose the pink chevron.
I like the pink chevron, I think it would be the one my granddaughter would choose
Union Jack looks great.
The pink chevron design. This would be so handy for when we go abroad for the first time later this year.
I’d pick out the BubbleBum Inflatable Car Booster Seat, Group 2/3, Union Jack
Id choose the black one, as it would be suitable for either my son or daughter.xx
The union jack would be a hit with my grandsons!
i’d choose the pink chevron (altho if they add a welsh dragon to the range that would be awesome too)
I would love the pink one for Ava
The union jack
My son would like the union jack
The Stars and Stripes seat – great idea!
The green in the Irish Shamrocks looks pretty and practical.
union jack would b fab
The Union Jack one is cute!
I would love a pink one for my daughter
I like the green one, but I would probably go for the black one.
Pink chevron for me
The black one! 🙂
If I won I’d like the black one.
would have to be the Union Jack
The Union Jack one would be great!
I’d choose the Union Jack one
I’d love the Irish shamrocks
the blue one
I’d choose the Pink Chevron 🙂
id choose black
the black one please
Pink Chevron for my Girlie, I’d love to win to take to Florida where we are hiring a car x x x
Union Jack
Union Jack for my Grandson would be fantastic
I would like the pink chevron one
the Union Jack one please
I love the union jack one.
Union Jack please xx
As this would be for my daughter I would pick the Pink Chevron 🙂
I would choose black x
Your kids are so cute! I can relate. Before when it was just me and my husband, there was so much less to think and worry about. Thanks for the tips.
Oh yes wasn’t it easy pre-kids?? Hopefully it will get easier as they get older.
Nat.x