Easing the Stress of Holiday Travel with Kids

image credit:  http://www.kafamilyessentials.com/index.php/2012/12/05/bag-2

For some parents, the hassle of getting to your holiday destination, coupled with the inevitable schedule disruptions, is enough to make you want to just stay home.  Of course, that usually isn't enough to allow you to cancel travel plans, especially when grandma and grandpa are waiting to spoil your kids.

Claire Haas, mom of two and Vice President of Education for Kiddie Academy (www.kiddie academy.com) offers the following tips for handling holiday travel with your kids:

•       Consider traveling at off-peak hours.  Start your trip at 9 p.m. instead of 9 a.m.  You'll avoid traffic, and the kids may just sleep for part of the trip.  Increase the chances for sleep by an extended playground trip to burn off energy before you buckle them in the car seats.

•       A dollar store cookie sheet with magnets works great as a lap desk for the car or on a plane.  The raised edge can help prevent crayons and cars from landing on the floor.

•       If you're facing a long car ride with the kids, pack each a "travel activity bag" with new games and activities to keep them busy. Keep the bag in the front seat with you, and dole out a new item each hour.  For example, a printed map for playing the license plate game.  Or, bubbles to blow out the car window.

•       Consider relaxing any restrictions on daily screen time.  Video games, iPads and laptops can be true lifesavers when dealing with kids facing hours in close proximity to their siblings.

•       You have two choices on bedtime disruptions during holiday travel - stick to your routine while away from home, or just accept that rules are out the window, and make the best of it.  For some children, staying up past bedtime during the holidays is a special treat they'll remember fondly. Do what you think will work best for your family, and shrug off the raised eyebrows you may get from a great aunt because you're letting the kids stay up late or insisting they stay on schedule.

For more parenting tips, including a downloadable checklist of suggested items for your travel activity bag, visit Kiddie Academy's Family Essentials blog: http://www.kafamilyessentials.com/index.php/2012/12/05/bag-2