Travelling can be a fantastic way to bond, and learn, with children. Meeting new people, experiencing other cultures, and exploring new neighbourhoods also helps instill Jewish values like respecting differences and repairing the world, tikkun olam. PJ Library Dad Igor and his daughter Kaya love travelling together. Here are his tips for making holidays with a toddler smooth.
Many people are surprised to hear that I love travelling with my three year-old daughter, Kaya. When we explore together, it’s like I’m getting to experience things for the first time again. Kids are fantastic reminders of maintaining an attitude of wonder and thankfulness, or hakarat hatov, and Kaya is no exception. Although I can wax poetic about travelling with my toddler, the reality is that it’s not all sunshine – she is, after all, three years old. With a little bit of preparation though, it’s easy to ensure that our adventures are smooth sailing. Here are some of the best tips for taking big or small holidays with kids of any age:
BRING SNACKS
Hunger is a really quick way to get in a bad mood, and not just for children. As with many kids, Kaya is picky, so I never rely on being able to buy what she wants at our destination. We always carry snacks with us. She’s a fan of dried fruit and nuts, so those are always in my bag.
REMEMBER TO REST
Kaya is usually exhausted by 7-8pm. If I am planning to take her somewhere in the evening, like the Monjuic fountain sound show in Barcelona, I put her to sleep for an hour during the day. I’ll remind her: “we’re resting now so we can have fun later.” If I don’t do this, chances are she’ll be too exhausted to enjoy the activity – even if it is something she has been looking forward to.
PACK WHEELS
Since Kaya is still relatively small, she can tire out quickly. To save my back and shoulders from carrying a sleepy toddler around, I’ve invested in a small, collapsible pram meant for travel in a city. We can easily tuck this into a backpack or carry it with a strap. When Kaya needs a break I simply unfold the pram and we’re good to go.
BE FLEXIBLE
I map out our plan for the day in advance and review it with Kaya. And then I prepare to throw some parts of it out the window, because as we all know, toddlers know how to throw a wrench in a parent’s plans. As I look over our activities and the route that we’ll be taking, I also make note of places where we can “retreat” to if need be: cafes, libraries, and other quiet in door spaces. The plan for the day, created ahead of time, must be simple, but reinforced with contingency retreat locations, such as cafes and playgrounds. I also try, purposefully, not to set my own heart too much on any one activity and adopt a more mindful, “go with the flow” attitude instead. This way, if we finally visit a museum I’ve been longing to see and Kaya is on the verge of a tantrum after a few minutes, I don’t find myself disappointed when we have to leave.
FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL, LET GO OF WHAT YOU CAN’T
Mostly, self-control. If the child loses control, I can try to make things better using my experience and the guidelines above. But if I lose control over myself, everything can only get worse. This last sentence I say to myself often, so that when I am teetering on the edge, I remember it, and it helps to anchor me.
MORE
The following PJ Library book is great bed time story options for kids who may be about to go on their first holiday or big outing. You’ll be able to see other children travelling, answer questions together, and set some expectations for your adventure:
This board book introduces very young children to Israel through the various ways by which people are transported through the country.
About Igor
Igor is originally from the USA. In no particular order he is a programmer, tour guide, father of two and a traveller.
May 23, 2019