Toddlers are at an odd age for traveling. They are older than babies, who tend to travel easily as long as you have all the necessary gear. But they aren't old enough yet to have special interests to engage them while traveling. But they are wonderful and curious creature who enjoy, and are stimulated, by travel.
Keeping Your Toddler Happy While Traveling
First of all, keep in mind that toddlers have very short attention spans. So first and foremost, don't plan anything too long or boring during your travels. Keep things short, light and fun.
Think routine, above all, when traveling with a toddler. The best way to avoid tantrums and keep the peace is to stick as closely to your home routine as is possible while traveling.
Let your toddler bring favorite stuffed animals, books and toys. Keep bedtime and naptime routines the same, and as close as possible to the normal time. Try to book a centrally located hotel to make it easy to scoot back to the hotel for naptime (and grownup downtime) each day. Don't expect your toddler to go past a normal feeding time just because you're in a museum. He or she won't do it without complaining.
Keep driving, flying or train times as short as possible. If you will be on a roadtrip, split driving time up by staying overnight en route to make it easier on your toddler. Also avoid overstimulation, which is easy to do to a toddler when traveling and sightseeing.
Keeping Your Toddler Safe While Traveling
Toddlers are called toddlers for a reason: they can get around. But they aren't old enough yet to know what is dangerous. This means it's especially important to watch for hazards in your car, on the plane, in your hotel, at attractions and, especially, when sightseeing along busy roads.
Check before you book to see what a hotel does when it comes to visiting toddlers. Do they have any child-proofing items? If not, bring your own. Ask a lot of questions about the hotel's cribs, which often are of questionable safety as they are heavily used. You will need to watch your toddler constantly in your hotel room and while traveling in general.
It's also easy to fall into unsafe habits when you're in cramped spaces like vehicles or hotel rooms. Be sure you don't leave purses or suitcases with unsafe items like pills lying around. Look for places out of reach to put these items.
Also remember that a hotel might have certain hazards, such as a pool, that you don't have at home. The same issues apply when visiting family, particularly family members who have no children.
Keeping Your Toddler Fed While Traveling
It isn't always easy finding toddler-friendly food on the road. Consider getting a hotel room with a kitchen, or at least a microwave, or renting a vacation apartment. You should bring some of your toddlers favorites with you, if possible.
Even so, don't be afraid to ask a restaurant to make a special dish for your toddler. Even requesting a plate with green beans and mashed potatoes is usually doable for most restaurants.
Just be sure you continue to feed your toddler as well as possible and, again, at the normal feeding times.
 |
