HELLO EVERYONE, I often get questions on how do I manage with 4 boys, and many times on how do I manage traveling with them. I don’t like living them, so most of the times we travel all together the 6 of us even when they were newborns. Emiliano’s first vacation was at 6 weeks, for Cristobal was at 8 weeks, Benjamin 8 weeks as well and Lorenzo even started cruising at 6 months old. So here I give you some tips on how to do it without going crazy. CHECK MY OTHER POSTS ABOUT STRESS FREE TRAVELING
Traveling with kids it’s a whole different from when traveling alone. You need to take it very slow and plan-prepare for every single thing.
1. BRING MANY MANY SNACKS!
If you think that having one or 2 snacks per kid its enough think again, you need to plan for more because the flight may be delayed or because that day he decided not to like applesauce! So bring plenty I normally carry a bag full of snacks from crackers, popcorn, potato chips, some candy, applesauce, fruit, raisins, bars, rice crispy treats, you name it I have it! Normally my bag will have enough for both flights going and coming back!.
If you have an infant where you need milk bring more than needed because it may be longer, or like me when one time I opened the container with the formula and everything blew so thank God I had my backup.
2. GET NEW ACTIVITIES AND TOYS.
If they are new the will engage with them longer as if they are old ones, I love the very cool activities for the older boys like painting by numbers but with stickers, they can be entertained for hours with this ones a sudoku book or any time of brain activity they enjoy, even playing cards if you have more than one kid and they can play together. With younger kids, playdoh, coloring books, cars, planes, a small box of legos where they build a little car or train.
3. FLY BACK 2 DAYS BEFORE RETURNING TO YOUR SCHEDULE (WORK-SCHOOL)
Taking a flight home, especially with layovers and kids after a vacation is exhausting so arriving home a day earlier for example a Saturday you can relax and return to normality on Sunday and then go back to School on Monday, that extra day its very beneficial for everyone.
4. ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH ANTIBACTERIAL
I am not the biggest fan of antibacterials but when traveling they can be a lifesaver, airports, planes, taxis,ubers can be gross, and not always you can go bathroom to wash hands especially if you are traveling with multiple kids, so use antibacterials as often as you can.
5. PACK A FIRST AIR SICKNESS BAG
Thermometer, something for a cold, something for a sore throat or cough, pain reliever such as Tylenol, motrin) fever reducer, diaper rash creams are always on my trips, I don’t know why but traveling can lower our defenses so we are most likely to get sick and not always you can find a pharmacy easily. Try to give an immune system boost like Emergen-C a couple of days before leaving, that will keep everyone healthier while traveling.
6. TAKING OF ANd LANDING
I always make sure to give the boys a gum, or make them drink water and when they were babies give them a bottle every time the plane is taking off and when landing. Kids are more likely to have an earache or pop and swallowing during this times can be very beneficial.
7. BRING BOTTLES AND SIPPY CUPS
When traveling we are most likely to drink less water so that is why I always pack a bottle for the boys or sippy cup and I continue insist on them to give little sips thought the day.
8. GADGETS
I am not a fan of electronics but when traveling its a must. So bring your Ipad, pad, iphone and a couple of days before I download a couple of movies (free with Netflix) and some new free games so they can be entertained for a while and don’t forget the headphones, (with the noise on the plane its hard to hear so headphones are the way to go.
9. BRING A STROLLER
Even with older kids I always bring a stroller because on trips even Emiliano need a little break sometimes and most often we use it as a cart, (we put on the stroller my bags, their bags, jackets and everything you carry and that way its very convenient to just push it around. I love my Mclaren scissor stroller.
11.HOTEL VS. HOUSE
I feel that when traveling with kids renting a house is the way to go, you can settle into a larger space and at least have breakfast at the house instead of eating out every single time (the kids need a home cooked meal even if its cereal). And for me with 4 kids no hotel will allow us to sleep in 1 room so going to a hotel means that I have to be in 1 room with 2 boys and my husband has to be in another room with the other 2 boys, so my trip is not as fun as when we all share a house.
12. TAKE IT EASY AND SLOW
If you are traveling with kids you will most likely to achieve 1/2 of the things than when traveling alone, so be patient, take breaks, enjoy a park, take a night in at the hotel or house and just relax. Maybe plan an extra day so you can conquer everything planned but at a slower pace.
13. BOOK THE SHORTEST FLIGHT TIME
When booking you normally have many different options, book the shortest available even if it’s a little more expensive, non Stop when possible or shortest Layover, I know that the price difference affects but you will be glad on the traveling day.
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Hope this tips help and HAPPY traveling!