Making Family Travel Fun

Keep everyone entertained

By Alida B

Keeping kids happy when you travel is actually quite simple when you keep in mind that beyond their obvious need for being entertained, it’s an emotional experience. As the adult, being in tune with not only how WE feel about the trip, but how the child feels about making that plane trip can make a difference. And remember, each child may view the experience differently!

Before the Trip

Talk with children who are old enough to understand, one on one if possible, prior to leaving. Ask how they feel about going. Ask what they are looking forward to seeing. Ask if the trips sounds like it will be fun. Be CERTAIN to ask all 3 questions in just that way, and you will hold the key to success on helping your child feel content. Why? You’ll have information to re-introduce into the conversation to remind them what they said and help bring their thoughts back to what they are looking forward to. Not only that, but plane travel can be daunting for grownups, let alone kids, and if they know it’s safe to tell you what they think, you’ll be ahead of the game in helping them feel happy on the journey.

Departure

Avoiding sugary drinks is also wise. I regularly see perfectly calm children become bouncing balls after one soda pop, and it’s rather unfair to punish a child for behaving badly when you gave them a sugary substance their little body simply cannot process without them becoming physically energized, much to the dismay of those sitting nearby them in the plane. When children are noisy in a restaurant, folks can simply get up and leave if they wish. Doing that on a plane is not an option.

There’s also a helpful product called Rescue Remedy sold in health food stores. I would never travel anywhere without mine. It is all natural, no side effects, not habit forming, and can even be given to babies, for whom plane travel can be especially difficult, considering they can’t tell you, for example, that they are feeling afraid. It takes only three drops on the tongue every three hours to do the trick, beginning before you even leave the house. Rescue Remedy also comes in a cream form (to rub on those little ones) and in a spray form (two squirts are more fun for kids). If the experience gets extra scary due to turbulence or whatever, it can be given as often as every five minutes. The drops can also be placed in a drink and sipped. The key to its effectiveness is not how much you take, but how OFTEN.

Rescue Remedy was developed over 80 years ago by a highly respected medical doctor in England, and there are an equal number of years of case histories documenting its effectiveness. It is a combination of flower essences that work to bring calm to the person taking it. What you’ll see is that the child (or the adult) will simply be calmer. It’s also helpful for you as the adult to take it too, as your calmness will not only reflect onto your child; and regardless of what may come up like a delay or lost luggage, you will be able to remain everyone’s rock.

Remember, entertaining an emotionally calm child is the easy part of plane travel.