| The title says it all. How is it a holiday if the kids are | | | | lose interest pretty fast. Limit the number of suitcases |
| screaming and running up the aisles of the plane and | | | | as lugging around three bags and holding on to Junior's |
| the husband/wife is busy looking over business | | | | hand at the same time, is something you would want |
| proposals? Vacation usually spells exhaustion if you're | | | | to avoid. Also try not to bring too much on your carry |
| travelling with your family. | | | | on, if you're taking a flight. Let your little one have a |
| As a parent, a family holiday is a time when you get to | | | | bag to put his colouring materials, action figures, etc |
| bond with your children without the interruptions of | | | | because putting everything in your carry on would just |
| technology, have your spouse in your arms as you | | | | result in you having to stand and reach into your |
| both sit in a cabin surrounded by snow, wine glass in | | | | overhead compartment a zillion times! |
| hand, in front of a fire watching the kids play games | | | | Zap the road trip boredom! |
| and put on plays for you. Well at least that is how a | | | | Load the car and watch the children groan and sigh |
| family vacation is usually defined by the movies. | | | | because it means a limited amount of moving. Children |
| However the truth of family vacations? As American | | | | will tire of the books and toys eventually, especially if |
| author, Marcelene Cox, puts it, "vacation frequently | | | | your journey is more than three hours. Infants and |
| means that the family goes away for a rest, | | | | children have an unbelievably short attention span and |
| accompanied by a mother who sees that the others | | | | being strapped in just makes them more irritable as |
| get it". | | | | their movement is limited. Try to engage your child in |
| Our daily life is spent on work, the children's matters in | | | | imaginative play, even if you have very little items. For |
| school, the spouse's issues with many things and | | | | example, a doll can double up as a storybook |
| miscellaneous concerns dealing with the house, maid | | | | character or a mini version of the child. At times like |
| and just about everything else. A vacation should be | | | | this, it's not what you have but rather what you do |
| one that tears you away from all these issues and | | | | with what you have. |
| supplies you with an abundance of time to just relax, | | | | Another way is to have a slipcover with many |
| unwind and have fun with your kids. You should be | | | | pockets. This can be bought or made. Hang it over the |
| able to come back from your vacation, well rested | | | | front seat's back, which is a great space saver in the |
| with good memories and the children should be eagerly | | | | car, and the pockets can hold toys, games and books |
| counting down to the next family holiday. But of | | | | easily. To make it more interesting, you can allow the |
| course, reality comes and whacks you upside the | | | | child to change items hourly so that there will be a |
| head and well, you realise that such things are, at | | | | keen anticipation as time passes. If the kids are around |
| times, not possibilities but merely dreams. | | | | 4-6 years old, bringing along an empty scrapbook |
| Here is a list with points that you might want to | | | | might be fun. Encourage the children to fill it up with |
| consider while planning your next holiday. | | | | brochures, postcards, paper menus at eateries on the |
| Destination Choice | | | | way and even special types of leaves they may find |
| Firstly, choose wisely where to go. In Singapore, | | | | while stretching their legs at the side of the road. |
| families usually opt for nearby destinations such as | | | | Thoughts and feelings can also be penned down, |
| Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia to cut travelling time. | | | | which would make for a beautiful read, after a couple |
| Further destinations such as Europe, The States and | | | | of years. |
| such, are usually shelved till the kids are older. If your | | | | Hotel dullness: Beam me up, Scotty! |
| kids are the kind to get fidgety, then try to go to a | | | | Your child should not wish to be zapped away from |
| place where you don't have to sit in a plane for long. If | | | | your accommodation just because there is nothing to |
| you intend to drive up, make sure you plan out a lot of | | | | do at the hotel. Choose your hotel properly. There are |
| pit stops because cooping young children in a car for a | | | | many child-friendly hotels in many countries. By |
| long time not only gets them irritated but bored as well. | | | | child-friendly we are not just thinking about safety but |
| Get your kids a bunch of things for the journey - | | | | fun as well. Child-friendly hotels usually conduct many |
| healthy snacks, organic candy, puzzles and reading | | | | tours, games and fun activities for children. This |
| material. | | | | especially works well if you need one undisturbed day |
| Many parents usually opt to travel when their children | | | | with the spouse. We don't mean dump the kids there |
| are in primary or secondary schools, citing reasons | | | | but if you feel the need be away from them for at |
| that the children are at a more 'manageable' age or will | | | | least a few hours, you would at least be sure they are |
| be able to appreciate the vacation more as they are | | | | having fun as well and, not to add, making friends too. |
| older. However, it is important to take a vacation with | | | | At times there are even some activities that request |
| the children even if they are toddlers and if it becomes | | | | for participation by the parents, which just kicks the fun |
| a little hard, there are always holiday nannies that can | | | | factor up a notch for the kids. |
| be employed. | | | | Family holidays do not have to be the dreaded family |
| Packing | | | | travel they are cut out to be. It can be changed and |
| Pack wisely. It cannot be stated clearer than that. You | | | | made even more enjoyable to a larger extent. |
| are probably itching to declare that there is no such | | | | Remember, it is not just a holiday but also a time to |
| thing as limited packing when travelling with children. | | | | get to know your children better and a chance to bulk |
| We're not saying ease up on the important stuff but | | | | up on those precious memories that last longer than |
| don't take too many toys or books, as children tend to | | | | any souvenir! |