Traveling as a Family - by Jo Anne Fogarty, Traverus Agent

If your children are old enough - get them involved in the family travel planning. First share with them what you had in mind for the family trip. Share brochures and/or websites with them so they can learn about the destination. This should help build interest for your family vacation. Listen carefully to their ideas - this can save a lot of grief and rescheduling later. Not only listen - but actually do some of the things your children want to do. This way everyone's a happy camper on your family trip

If your toddlers take naps, try to depart for your family trip about one hour before their regular nap time. If you have a long flight, consider taking the redeye and hopefully your kids will sleep through the night. Of course, it's not always possible to time your flights. But if possible - spend the extra dollars and schedule non-stop flights for your family trip. Trying to pack up and move a family around in an airport is no fun!!

Choose the toys you take on your family trip wisely. Have you even been in a small area with a child with an obnoxious-sounding toy? It can drive one wild. Please consider what sounds are emanated from the toys your little one loves. Also, of course, they should be toys that will not break easily. Crayons and coloring books are the perfect choice. When I travel with my toddler grandchildren, I tear out a few pages of the coloring book and stick them in my backpack so wherever we are, I always have something for them to do. If you take electronic games for your children when traveling, be sure to have extra batteries.

This little thing can pay off enormously all throughout the family vacation. When the little one is tired - suggest he or she take some pictures. All of a sudden - he will brighten up. And a notebook to keep a journal in is an excellent idea. When you return home from your family trip, the family can create a travel journal complete with photos AND stories.

Talk abut the day's experiences when on a family trip. What was the best part of the day? What was the funniest moment? What did everyone learn? Reliving the day can reinforce the best memories. And don't forget to record those moments in your travel journals.

Airline luggage is being lost at an incredible rate. So it is imperative that you have certain things in your carry on for any travel. Always include a change of clothes (especially underwear and bed clothes), toothbrush, makeup (as long as it fits in 1 quart bag allowed), jewelry, all media chargers (phone, laptop, cameras), medications, and, of course contact information and important travel documents. My carry on always has a small collapsible bag packed right on top. If anything doesn't make it past security - the bag is right there to send down to be checked with the rest of my baggage. And, I can use it for bringing home souvenirs when I return.

If you have a ‘permanent' packing list - then you be less likely to forget something important. Extra eye glasses, phone and camera chargers, umbrella, flashlight, medications. Store this permanent packing list in your suitcases, so it's available for each trip. For family trips I suggest one list for the kids, and a separate list for the adults.

Pack too much sight seeing into one day or one trip - and your kids will end up cranky. Just hang loose. Sometimes the side trips take up more time - and are more meaningful and enjoyable - than getting to that big waterfall or the monument. On a trip to Yosemite our toddlers were much more interested in the sticks and rocks along the trail than the waterfall at the end.

To learn what a child is interested in, you need go no further than your neighborhood. Take the family on a walk around the block. The toddlers will be looking at things on the ground, flowers, bugs, rocks; a little older will be interested in kids in the neighborhood and what they are doing, maybe playing ball; teens often more interested in their music; and the adults - well they are interested in all of it!!!

Also, be sure to include some down time when on a family trip. Maybe a picnic with no agenda other than eating and being together. If you're traveling in a community different from yours, allowing time to get a feel of what life is like where you're visiting. Talk with some ‘locals'. Attend some event in the town where you may be the only ‘tourist'.

But most of all - enjoy being together as a family.

Wishing you a fantastic family vacation that's packed with fun for everyone!!

Jo Anne Fogarty

Want to see the World ... ItCanBeDone

http://www.TraverusTravelTime.com