Guest Author - Kimberly Misra

If you and your children are traveling for the holidays this year, you may feel anxious about how you will cope. Keep the following tips in mind as you make your plans and pack your suitcases.

1. Leave an hour earlier than you need to. This allows for delays- having to stop to change a diaper or gas up the car, a child that has to use the bathroom right now, heavy traffic, long lines at the airport etc. Having extra time will allow you to relax a little and go with the flow.

2. Take your routines with you. Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean your kids can’t get to bed early, eat regular meals, or have a daily story time with you. Especially for younger kids, a routine provides a sense of comfort and continuity that relaxes them and may help them behave better during family visits and outings.

3. Eat healthy. Of course your children will want to eat cookies and candy. If you can keep your regular meals fairly low in fat and sugar, a moderate indulgence shouldn’t do much harm. If you’re visiting a family that doesn’t embrace healthy eating, pick up fresh fruit for dessert, or offer to make a couple of your healthy side dishes for dinner. And be sure to brush the kids’ teeth extra well each night.

4. Bring a little bit of home along. Of course you can’t bring everything to Grandma’s house. But let each child choose a few familiar things, such as favorite pillowcases, a blanket, stuffed animals, or pictures of pets that he can set up in his temporary bedroom. Also bring a nightlight for each child.

5. Consider having gifts and baby equipment shipped ahead. You could also rent baby equipment and order your major gifts online (shipping them directly to Grandma’s house). If you’re really daring, wait and do your holiday shopping when you get there.

6. Bring an entertainment bag for each child. Stock it with both favorite and new items, such as coloring and activity books, a new box of crayons or colored pencils, a few books or magazines, new toys, and a deck of cards or small travel game. Also include favorite snacks and a little money so kids can buy souvenirs.

7. Take your traditions with you. If there’s something you must have for your holiday, bring it along. If your kids want a Christmas tree but Uncle Lou can’t stand them, bring a potted tree to set up in the kids’ bedroom. Bring ingredients for the cookies your kids like to make for Santa (don’t forget carrots for the reindeer). Bring your advent calendar if your kids have been using one, special candles and holiday toys, your kids’ stockings etc.

8. Teach your kids to be good house guests. If nothing else, traveling during the holidays will provide your kids with valuable lessons in patience, goodwill, and helpfulness. Have them make simple hostess gifts, such as cookie ingredients in a pretty basket, a bottle of sparkling cider wrapped in a nice ribbon, or a small pot of bulbs that will bloom during the cold days of winter. Encourage them to help with chores, such as picking up the hotel room each night, helping Grandpa wash dishes, or offering to shovel the walk for their elderly Aunt.

9. Bring and use hand sanitizer. When traveling and staying with extended family, you’ll naturally be exposed to more germs. Encourage kids to wash their hands frequently and well, and use a hand sanitizer when they can’t.

10. Consider staying home this year. Finally, consider not traveling this year. There’s always next year and, especially for a family with young children, travel may be more stressful than it’s worth during the holidays. Consider traveling after the holidays or inviting the grandparents to stay with you this year.