I’m writing this because 5 years later, if someone asks me how we managed to travel so much with two kids under 5, I’m sure I won’t remember the details. Just in case this will help other parents out there.
The basics
I’ve found that kids don’t really care about where they are so long as they are well fed, well rested, clothed comfortably and have a trusted adult around. This might seem very obvious, but I’m guilty of forgetting one of these things on several occastions. So if you have a fussy child on your hands, first check if they are hungry, sleepy or feeling too hot/cold in their clothing. And prevention is always better than cure. If you anticipate when the child is likely to feel hungry/tired, and make sure to feed them and have them take a nap well in time, it makes outings a lot easier to manage and enjoyable, both for the kids and yourselves.
When we were traveling in Iceland, on the occasions when I forgot to dress Vedant warmly he was super cranky. When he was dry and warm, he didn’t mind walking and staying out in the rain. I was thankful that it occurred to me to get waterproof jackets, warm clothing and comfortable shoes for both kids. So it pays to check the weather in your destination at the time of your travel, and plan accordingly.
Food
In the last five years I’ve always found it very useful to carry some food/snack that is non-messy and easy for the kids to eat. Even if I’m just going to the park. When traveling, it could just be biscuits or rice puffs. When I have the time and resources, I make parathas and roll them up. If you have something to offer to the kids as soon as they say “I’m hungry”, it keeps them from getting cranky, and gives you time to find an eatery/whip up something in the kitchen.
Also, I always carry water bottles with me. If I had to empty them for airport security, I fill them up immediately afterwards. Kids have the most amazing timing when it comes to feeling hungry or thirsty. You don’t want to be without a full water bottle while you’re stuck in a long queue waiting to get into the aircraft, when you can’t leave the queue and find water, and they don’t want to wait till you’re in the plane and can ask for some water.
If you’re traveling by air with a child under 2, it also helps to carry food that is easy to eat with one hand, for yourself. Most times, if your child is asleep, it’s hard to manage the airline’s tray. Sometimes the crew is not understanding about waiting till your spouse finishes his/her meal to serve you your food. In these cases it’s easy to just eat the rolled up paratha.
Bathroom breaks
Take the toilet trained child to the bathroom before leaving home or the restaurant or the touristy spot that you’ve just seen. Or ask them to make the trip when you have a bathroom accessible, and they’ve not relieved themselves in 2 hours or more. I’ve not done this several times, and regretted it a lot. Most kids also need to use the bathroom soon after they wake up, so it’s better to have them make the trip immediately after a nap too.
During our Iceland trip, on one occasion, Daksh needed to pee urgently and it was quite a long walk to the bathroom. So Rahul just got him to pee into Vedant’s diaper. It might sound gross, but better that than an accident which is more stressful for the child. I have, since, resolved to carry diapers with me even after Vedant is toilet trained, just in case I’m in a situation like that.
Travel accessories
The two travel accessories I absolutely swear by are an ergonomic baby carrier, and a travel stroller that folds to cabin baggage size.
We bought a Tula baby carrier when Daksh was about 9 months old, and since then, it’s been worth about a 100 times the price I paid for it, in terms of convenience when traveling. If your child is under 2, the carrier is also the best way to get them to fall asleep when they are tired and sleepy. I’ve used the carrier in airports, museums, hikes and long walks, trains, the underground, pretty much everywhere, and my back has been grateful for it.
We also have a Mountain Buggy Nano stroller, that folds to cabin baggage size. It’s comfortable enough that even Daksh can sleep in it, at nearly 5 years of age. This stroller has been invaluable during long waits at airports, especially at immigration or baggage claim. It can also be a very long walk between gates when you’re in transit, or from the gate to the baggage claim area, and in those situations, this stroller is worth every rupee you pay for it. Add some sturdy luggage hooks and most of your hand luggage can also hang from the handle or go under the seat.
Entertainment
These are the things we packed in Daksh’s travel bag, that he could carry on his back:
- Colour pencils and a colouring book.
- Electronic writing pad (we were gifted a Boogie board that has been the best gift ever)
- A finger puppet book and a touch and feel book for Vedant.
- Play dough and some shape cutters
- 3-4 hot wheels cars
- Some winding toys
These were more than enough to keep the kids occupied during all our travel, and were especially useful in the plane or in restaurants. You will also be surprised how music can help in a variety of situations, starting with “I’m feeling bored” to getting them to fall asleep. We downloaded Daksh and Vedant’s favourite songs on our phones, and played them in the car/anywhere they started to get cranky or fidgety. I also get Daksh and Vedant to listen to a playlist with lullabies before they fall asleep. This helped a lot during travel because it became their cue that it was bedtime.
Carrying a favourite toy might help some children, but Daksh and Vedant never had this favourite toy that they always need, so we didn’t carry anything. If you carry one for your child, losing it could be a source of a lot of stress, so that’s something to think about. And things get lost very easily when you’re traveling, especially considering all the luggage you’ll be carrying around, and that you could be rushing and pressed for time.
Travel with family
We were very lucky to be able to travel a lot with family – all our travel after Vedant was born has been with family. This meant that we actually got a break, and we didn’t feel like we spent all our vacation just taking care of the kids. Having a trusted person you can hand over the child to, even for a short while and even if you’re still around, can give you a much needed break, and make you feel rejuvenated. So if possible, choose to travel with family. It’s also a great way for the kids to bond with grandparents and uncles and aunts.
For emergencies
I always carried a thermometer, and medicines for fever, allergy, cold/cough and an upset tummy during our travels. Thankfully, the worst we had to face when traveling with Daksh and Vedant were fevers and a cough/cold. It goes without saying that travel insurance with good health cover is a must have for all trips.
