Traveling For Turkey Day? How To Survive Toddlers, Tantrums and Tolls
We’re right upon the single busiest travel day of the year, and if you’re like me, you’re groaning thinking of your packing list and avoiding the chore with a few extra episodes of your favorite Netflix binge. When you finally dust off the carry ons, it’s time to think about how to get through the airport or freeway with your entire family intact (or at least your sanity). Leave the stress for what to bring that goes with Nana’s new recipe for green bean casserole and take our tried and true tips for Turkey Day Travel:
Pack Light, Pack Smart
You might be tempted to bring every single thing that you’ll need while you’re away, but resist the temptation to strap the crib on top of your car. Holidays are a time of stretched routines, later or wonky bedtimes, and plenty of wired excitement to slightly throw even the most faithfully familiar of kiddos. Think of the essentials, call ahead to relatives or hotels to find out what they have on hand, and make a list and assigned bag for everything. After all, the less you bring, the less you’ll lose!
Baby Wear in the Airport
If you’re flying and have the means, see if you can wear your small infant through security checkpoints and while you’re boarding. It will make it much less stressful navigating the terminals and you won’t have to worry about anything happening to your stroller or car seat system when you’re getting close to boarding time. It’ll also soothe a sleepy and cranky little one if you had to wake up early (or stay up late) to get to the flight.
Rent Car Seats, Strollers, and More at your Destination
If you’re too packed to bring the stroller, car seat and more on the plane or take them in your car, utilize the incredibly smart new services available at your travel destination, like the amazing Babierge, an equipment rental service that allows you to schedule strollers, car seats, cribs and more at your final landing location to have the comforts of home right alongside you. This will also eliminate the worry of damage during transport!
Pack Snacks and New-to-Them Entertainment
Worried about the four hour car ride up to Grandma’s? Break up the ride between bathroom stops with well timed snacks and scout the dollar bin at Target for small trinkets that toddlers can play with in the car on the way. Every 15-20 minutes, grab something new out of the bag. This will also help keep your sanity intact as you’re counting down the minutes until you get where you’re going!
Focus on Naps
So much of our day goes by rapidly over the holiday and we’re ready to crash in our new (or parent’s) environment over the holiday weekend. By bedtime, a derailed routine and passing baby off to the countless relatives and excited friends will equate to a cranky little who won’t go down for the night. Do your diligence to keep naps (or at the very least quiet time) part of your routine while you’re traveling to assist with bedtime being less likely to meltdown from overtired babes.
Have That In Flight Drink
Yes, traveling with children is stressful. No, everyone isn’t looking at you when you get in your seat, wondering when your baby will start shrieking. When the flight attendant comes around and asks what you want, put an extra splash in that Coke. Take a deep breath and relax. Chances are your ride is going to go much smoother than you expect, and even if it doesn’t, everyone understands!
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