Archives for May 2019

10 Tips For Traveling On A Budget With Family

Whole family riding on a bike to save money

Travel season is one of my favorite times of the year that allows me to feel free and see the world without the hassles of daily stresses. However, traveling does not always come stress-free, there are some moments that I wished I learned how to properly plan my trip and budget it accurately before the trip was made.

Therefore, I decided that this time was going to be different; I decided to create ten traveling bullet points to help me budget the trip better and obtain more results, and guess what? It worked! So because it was such an inspiration, I created the same top 10 tips for traveling on a budget with a family for you. Hopefully you do not have to go through some of the stresses I did before traveling this year.

1. Make Itinerary’s Before Going On The Trip

The most primary function of a trip is to pre-plan everything! I learned this the hard way and lost a lot of money because of it. I created a preliminary itinerary for my family and me to follow that worked out blissfully, and it saved me a lot of extra money. This even was pinpointed to where we were staying, what we were doing, and a breakdown of how much to spend each day.

I also decided to add additional time to visit family and friends to cut out additional expenses that might arise, and it was a perfect plan that was able to adjust a little while in the trip. Overall it made my budgeting easier to follow and my family and I the ability to not freak out about overspending on random ideas.

Newsrooms clarifies, ” “Two-thirds of Americans say spending quality time as a family is the most important part of taking a family vacation,” said Bill Sutherland, AAA senior vice president of Travel and Publishing. “Whether it’s a cross-country road trip or a dream vacation to a far-off destination, travel offers busy families an excellent opportunity to share experiences and connect with each other in meaningful ways.”

2. Look For Free Leisure’s And Fun Activities

While I started to make my itinerary, I decided that random ideas while on the road may not have been the best plan because it could end up becoming really expensive. So I decided to research different places and things to do that worked well with my family in the area that was on a low-cost or free budget plan.

I added extra time with the family and friends, at areas like a beach or a national park where there were many opportunities to have fun and still get the most out of traveling. I learned that by adding the free events and fun things to do dramatically cut down the expenses, giving us more time together without stressing of what to go do to have fun.

Forbes expresses, “Multigenerational family travel tops the list of travel trends, according to the 2014 Virtuoso Luxe Report. Rounding out the list are river cruising, active or adventure trips, celebration travel, and luxury cruises. Families whose members are geographically separated often find multi generational trips a good opportunity to reconnect.” Therefore, consider looking up new and free leisurely places to see and do, and it will be more worthwhile for the entire trip, and more cost-effective.

3. Consider Bundling And Using Rewards Programs

Most people just go with the flow and see what happens on a trip. If you pre-plan the trip you then have access to bundling and seeing what your rewards can give you for each trip. This step was more complicated to figure out. Once I learned what type of rewards that I accumulated over the years through insurance or even coupons, it allowed me to see what I could add to the trip to give it an extra “wow” factor.

For example, maybe your credit card or local grocery store gave you a number of points that have been adding up. You could save on travel and overhead of the entire trip by using the rewards for your trip instead of spending the extra money.

I also learned that by using rewards program you really have to be conscious and use them as much as possible. When I realized that it allowed me to start saving money for the next trip and build up my rewards, which worked out beautifully in the overall trip planning aspect.

4. Consider Timing Of Actual Vacation

Planning a trip can be a difficult process to accomplish if you are not fully prepared. For example, there was one year that I didn’t plan a single event and that led me to have a negative experience that almost made me never want to travel again.

However, I learned that timing the trip was a cost-effective choice to help reduce my stress and the negative outlook with my family. I decide that by changing the timing of the vacation made the trip more memorable.

If you travel during dates that are more popular, like holidays, you are automatically going to spend more money because of the increased traffic in the area. However, by adjusting the time of the vacation, my family and I were able to see more and not stress about parking or increased holiday prices. Overall, this was a huge impact on my trip planning to be more budget friendly.

5. Separate Travel Accounts

UsNews says, “Keep a separate travel account. Instead of scrambling to figure out how you’re going to pay for a trip at the last minute before you book. Establish a specific account for travel and save throughout the year.

“It’s essential that you keep your vacation fund separate from your other savings account,” says Leslie Tayne, a debt resolution attorney and managing director of Tayne Law Group. “The best way to deal with unexpected costs is to be prepared, so this doesn’t take away from your [allocated] vacation fund.”

This was an entirely new concept to add to my trip planning, as I never thought that a secondary account could be beneficial. However, I decided to try it on my last vacation, and it made such a difference in expenses.

What I learned was that with the secondary vacation account, I was able to only put in how much we were allowed to spend, and then break it down to a daily basis, so if there was not enough in the account, it was easier to explain to my family that we had to consider other ideas. In addition, this secondary account allowed my family and me to all be on the same page, which made a tremendous difference in the entirety of the trip.

6. Lower Monthly Phone Bill

This was a good idea that was brought up through a friend of mine to consider for my trips with my family. I decided to change up my phone plan for the entire family so I could manage the phone usage for the duration of the trip.

By doing so it forced my family to really consider how much time and data they were able to use. by doing that it actually increased the family time that was much needed. It honestly even made me consider changing the entire plan for the whole year; however, I am still working on that one.

Encyclopedia shares, ‘Budgeting may be described as the art of living within an economic constraint.” Overall, this helped decrease the monthly expenses giving my family and I more access to additional funds for the trip.

7. Entice Conversation With The Local’s

CNBC shares about a families journey from a family of nine that properly went through every scenario on how to budget their trips to make the most out of them. “Too often people go right to the touristy places and pay the highest prices,” Greg said. “Spend a little time looking for deals in the lesser-known, but often better places.” Their story gives inspiration to other fellow travelers that want to learn how to travel on a budget, even if they are not doing it full time. The context clues are obvious and simple to follow because of this family.

You can view the video here.

I also found out that by talking with the locals that lived in the areas that we traveled gave us insights on cost-effective choices of things to do. For example, on a trip, I was talking to a local about a good place to eat, and they mentioned to me a local food truck that was nearby. It wasn’t on the internet when planning the trip, but it saved us money on the food budget for the day.

Moreover, we were able to go see a local event that was not planned that was free, and I was able to tip them with the extra money saved. So it not only was beneficial for my family but also helped increase the local community in a different sort of fashion.

8. Consider Alternative Places To Sleep

Finding places to sleep is one of the most expensive parts of a trip. So I decided to change it up one year and try new ways to sleep in the areas. For example, I decided to buy some camping gear, and take the family a few nights to random locations to get back in touch with nature, and it was free.

New York Times discusses a good insight on budgeting for trips, “Among seasoned travelers, selective splurging — picking the one thing they’ll spend big on while saving everywhere else — is a common strategy for getting the most out of a trip.

The additional spend doesn’t have to be sizable; it can be several thousand on a nice hotel room — or a hundred dollars or less on a local experience. It’s about mindfully choosing to allocate a little extra on one part of the trip to make it easier, more memorable or more engaging.” You can also talk to the locals about ideas they may have that some of them do. It increases awareness of their culture, and allows for the additional budgeting to be effective.

9. Bring Your Own Meals

Another expensive part of traveling is the food aspect. No matter where you go, you will have to eat. Moreover, if you are traveling with a family, it becomes very expensive. So change it up, and bring your own prepared meals and snacks. Yes, it may take up room for the beginning of the trip; however, the savings are incredible.

Business Insider voices, “You also need space for snacks, entertainment devices, and materials to change your child’s bottom mid-air. And of course, you’ll need several extra outfits on hand and within reach during the trip — you know, just in case your kid vomits unexpectedly or spills chocolate milk at the worst possible time.

While family travel can seem overwhelming, experienced parents know that the success of a trip depends on how well you prepare. If you plan for every possible scenario under the sun and pack accordingly, chances are you’ll be okay.”

On another note, if you cannot bring your own food, consider going to a local grocery mart and buying ingredients to make your own food, rather than go out. Keep eating out to special occasions on the trip. It will save you time and money.

10. Travel Like The Locals

Huff Posts gives some details on some facts for traveling families, “Our family travel survey uncovered some interesting statistics and trends across a wide range of travel-related activities, including air travel, vacation living accommodations, purchasing habits — and some naughty behaviors, too.

45% said airline mile redemption was a deciding factor in taking a family vacation, 75% said they “stole” overhead bin space that wasn’t theirs, more than 1/3 said they brought their own food to eat on the plane, and 72% of family travelers have either booked a non-traditional vacation accommodation or would consider it, such as hostels or home and apartment rentals.”

Therefore, I suggest seeing how the locals in the area travel, as it could be more cost-effective and fun for your family. One year, I decided to travel by horseback with my family, instead of a taxi, and the memory will forever remain. There were some fantastic pictures that were gained. So it saves on money, increased fun, and it became a new type of tradition that was used on every trip.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, traveling with a budget can be accomplished if you pre-plan most of the trip. There are many ways to save on expenses that can increase every aspect of the vacation, and not break your bank while embarking on the adventure. Therefore, consider implementing these tips into your next trip like I do, and see what a difference it makes. You will come home thinking of the memories, rather than your bank account, thus making the trip an adventure you always wanted.

10 Best Places To Camp On The East Coast With Your Family

By Jared Leave a Comment

family at their campsite on the east coast

Camping is a great way for families to get away from their hectic day-to-day lives to just unwind and be together. It’s a great way to get off the grid and away from all of the technology that distracts us every day. It’s also an amazing way to spend time together as a family out in nature.

Families that are located in the East can travel up and down the East Coast and find a whole number of campsites that are beautiful and relaxing. The thing about these campgrounds is that they are full of other families that are looking for a way to unwind and enjoy their time away from the real world even for just a little bit of time. If you are looking to meet other families with similar interests then this is a great way to do it.

There are so many places to choose from to go camping on the East Coast, but there are ten places, in particular, that stand out as the most beautiful, peaceful, and wonderful places to camp in the entire East Coast.

Below is a guide to these great camping sites that will allow you to begin planning the next camping trip for your family.

1. Acadia National Park in Maine

Acadia National Park is located in Maine on what is known as Mount Desert Island. There are two campsites on Mount Desert Island that families can choose from:

Seawall campsite
Blackwoods campsite.

The Seawall campsite will give you and your family as much solitude as you could possibly want with nothing surrounding it. The individual campsites are great for people to pitch their tents because they are spread quite aways away from each other.

Blackwoods, on the other hand, is a bit closer to the nearest town and is easier to access. This may be a better option for people who may need to go to town, and for those who need a site that is easier to access. Blackwoods is also the only site out of the two that is open to visitors year round, so you and your family can enjoy it all year long.

2. Woodford State Park In Vermont

Woodford State Park, which is located in Vermont is the perfect place to camp if you and your family camp often and want to do different activities every time you go. This State Park offers all the variety you could want as it has over 103 campsites to choose from within the park itself.

Woodford State Park is located close to the Green Mountain National Forest, George Aiken Wilderness Area, and the Adams Reservoir. All three of these are places that the entire family will enjoy seeing and exploring. If you and your family enjoy hiking, the hundreds of trails and hills that roll throughout the park will give you endless possibilities of places to go hiking for days on end.

If your family is the kind of family that may need a little break from the woods now and then while you are on your camping trip then you are in luck. There are a few destinations that you can look into that will get you out of the woods and doing other fun activities as a family.

There are several tourist spots nearby such as little shops and restaurants that everyone is sure to enjoy. There is the Norman Rockwell Museum which is as entertaining as it is informational. One thing is for sure, if you and your family visit Woodford State Park to camp, you will never see the same thing twice!

3. Delaware Seashore State Park in Delaware

Delaware Seashore State Park has almost 3,000 acres of fun for you and your family to explore outside. This area includes Rehoboth Beach which gives campers access to the beautiful scenery of the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, this park in Delaware has two areas that are set aside specifically for swimming. Families with kids or individuals who love the water and spending time relaxing on the beach can find just what they are looking for right there within the parks.

The parks offer special deals for people who stay at different times of the year. If you and your family go during the hot summer months, you can stay on site and put up your tent for the low cost of just $40 a night! There are even sites where you can set up an RV if you want a little bit of luxury and comforts of home while on your camping trip.

4. Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina

Anyone who likes to camp can enjoy Huntington Beach State Park and find something to do there. It is a special place for families to go together and enjoy. It is packed full of endless activities such as the education center in the park which gives children the opportunity to not just see nature, but learn about it from experts as well.

This campground is located right next to the beach. There are hiking trails all over the campground, bird watching tours, and fishing spots with huge fish to catch. You can even go to designated areas and see alligators in the freshwaters lakes.

If you and your family go to the park in September, you can also take part in the annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival! It is jammed packed with fun activities for family members of every age.

5. Eighth Lake Campground in New York

Eighth Lake Campground is most often considered a paradise and is the perfect place to go for camping and fishing adventures. There are trails within the campground on which you can go hiking and bike riding.

You can also get a canoe or a kayak out into the water which allows you to explore the area in a totally different light. The water is stocked full of trout and salmon which is great for fishing.

The fees to stay at the site will cost you less than $30 per night! A perfect, inexpensive, place to go spend a few days with your family away from the hectic bustle of life.

6. Glen Ellis Family Campground in New Hampshire

Glen Ellis Family Campground has more than 200 campsites on its premises making it a perfect location for families to go camping. You can go there for $40 a day. While at the campground you can do group activities like hiking, tennis, volleyball, and even group tubing! There are even perfect places for kids to go such as arcades, ice cream shops. There are also laundry facilities that get you out of the woods for a little while and feeling a little clean.

This is a very large campground but the sites do start to fill up very quickly so you need to get your reservation done ahead of time. If you and your family want a trip that offers a lot of solitude. If you are looking for a little solitude then this is not the best place to go as there are campers all around most days out of the year. But even with all the people it is still a lot of fun and highly recommended.

7. Myles Standish State Forest in Massachusetts

Myles Standish State Forest is named after the Plymouth Colony Pilgrims advisor and a military officer who is known as Myles Standish.

There are several campsites spread out across the forest. There are also several ponds located near the campsites. If you and your family are looking for a place to camp that is rustic and does not have many other campers then this may be the place for you to go.

8. Lake George Escape in New York

Lake George Escape is the right place for you and your family to go if you all enjoy recreational and social activities. There are about 575 sites that are set up for RVs and tents and you can stay there for as little as $20 a night.

There are even special sites for motorcycles to stay. You can choose places that offer you an electric and water hookup so you can have a few extra comforts of home while you camp in your RV or camper.

There are a lot of activities for you and your family to enjoy together such as mini golfing, tubing, tennis, and even wagon rides. It is an ideal location for families who enjoy the outdoors with a mix of other social activities to do as well. There is a little something for everyone to do.

9. Baxter State Park in Maine

Baxter State Park not only gives you and your family a backcountry experience but a historical one as well. This campsite is a great option for families who like to hike long distances and explore outside as much as possible.

There are a few campsites on the grounds that are a bit easier to access and closer to town, but no matter where you choose to camp there are glorious views to see at every angle.

10. White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire

White Mountain National Forest is one of the most rustic campgrounds on the East Coast, and there are only a handful of developed campsites on the grounds. This is for families who want a completely rustic vacation and to delve themselves completely into nature.

No matter which of these sites you and your family choose, you are sure to have a great time relaxing in nature and unplugging from the real world even if only for a few days!

15 Tips For Traveling With Kids That Will Make Traveling Fun And Reduce The Overall Stress

By Jared Leave a Comment

I am sure most people will agree with me when I say that traveling with kids is not easy. It is especially more daunting for first-timers.

Truth is, traveling with your kids can be amazing but extremely overwhelming. This is because of the many things you have to remember to pack and plan for. However, a good traveling plan is bound to improve your experience in a big way.

I have had my own daunting experiences and I am happy to share tips I have picked up over time. In this article, I am going to give you 15 tips for traveling with your kids. Want a hassle-free trip next time you are traveling with those little darlings? Read on.

1. Make child-Friendly Flight Plans

Flying with kids and especially toddlers is not a so-very-fun experience for parents. Especially over very long flights. Kids can get fidgety and cranky not to mention how hard it can be to calm them in these situations. Below are a few tips for flying with your kids.

Plan flight times strategically: when planning to travel with your children, it is key to look at their schedules and make travel plans accordingly. Most airlines have flights at different times of the day. Ensure that their sleeping time does not coincide with boarding and landing times.
Long Layovers? Yes, please. I am in no rush thanks to this little brood: when traveling with children especially toddlers, book flights with long layover periods. This will give you plenty of time to take care of all the needs and leave you a little time for yourself.

Long layovers give you time to sit down to eat and the kids can go to the bathroom as many times as they want. Longer waiting periods means you will wait for your next flight longer but your family will board the next flight without any hassles and in no rush.

Check-In Early: no one likes to line up for anything. Especially not with kids running around and getting impatient as you wait to board the plane. There are several ways to reduce the checking in and security clearance hassle. The most inexpensive is checking in early before other passengers start coming in.

This will leave you enough time to ensure the kids are well settled in as well as give them time to prepare for the flight. Other not-so-cheap ways of avoiding long waiting times include traveling premium class or sign up for TSA pre-check.

Have kids carry their own bags: older children who can be able to carry or pull their own bags should do it. This is to reduce the hassle of you having to deal with both the children and the bags not to mention that it teaches them how to be responsible.

Additionally, having kids handle their own luggage prevents over packing and allows you to move through airports faster. If what you are carrying is heavy or sensitive, you can choose to carry it yourself to reduce the risk of causing injury to your child or destroying the item.

2. Pre-book, pre-book, pre-book!

When planning to travel with your children, pre-book everything beforehand. This includes flights, hotel, and even the activities that you intend to take part in. With kids, you do not have the luxury of gambling with situations.

If you do not pre-book for everything you might just find yourself struggling to amuse tired, hungry, and restless kids. Booking ahead gives you and your kids time to relax and enjoy the trip without having to wait for anything.

Most vacation activities can be planned online: This makes the entire travel experience especially with kids easier. Imagine promising your kids an awesome afternoon at a trail only to get there and find that it is fully booked.

Reserving early prevents you from disappointing your kids and giving them a flawless vacation full of fun. It does not hurt to call and reserve even when reservations are not required. This is to be sure that there are slots available in addition to confirming that the place actually exists!

3. Children discounts? That’s a thing?

Travel companies, tour guides, hotels, and even airlines have discounts when you are traveling with children. However, some do not tell you this unless you ask. I have discovered that you can save a lot with these discounts.

If you are not sure whether the company you are dealing with offers a children’s discount, you can always ask when making bookings. It will not hurt to ask plus you get to save the extra money that you could have otherwise spent.

4. Practice a safety routine

Kids can get lost when traveling as has been seen in many airports and train stations. Before you leave home, ensure that you practice a safety routine with your kids in preparation for the occurrence of a safety scenario.

You can advise your children on what to do in case they get lost. However, to emphasize this, it is good to practice what they would do in such situations. For example, you can help them know how to identify security by their uniform in order to get help.

5. Know where your kids are always

It only takes a few seconds to lose a child. One minute you are looking at them, you turn around to buy candy and on turning back, they are gone. There are a few tips to this end that can come in quite handy when you are traveling with your children.

Always have your eyes at them on all times: when traveling with kids, ensure that they are always in your field of sight. When traveling with another adult, one of you should have their eyes on the children at all times when the other is busy checking in.

Hold their hands to keep them close or have them sit in a specific position. Before you leave home make sure you give them a few tips on what to do in case they get lost. For example, you can ask them to talk to a cop to ask for help.

Have a GPS tracker attached to them: you can tag your child with a GPS tracker to know when they wander off too far. It points to the exact location of your child so in case one gets lost, you can be able to track them.

A tracker can be disguised as a watch or can be pinned on the clothes so your child might not even know they are wearing a tracker. For older kids, you can agree on a location to meet in case anyone gets lost.

Your kids should have your contact information: this will come in handy in case your child gets lost. People can contact you in case they find your lost child. Basic contact information to ensure your child has includes your name, local and email, address, and phone number.

For very young children who cannot memorize this information, you can write a small note with this information and put it in their pocket. Ensure that you tell your child how to find it to facilitate getting help in case anything goes wrong.

6. Car seats, baby monitors, and clothes for all occasions? Do we really need all that?

Parents most times end up overpacking when traveling with children. This makes it very hard to organize stuff around and makes items hard to find. Not to mention all the extra baggage and charges that might come with it. Below are a few tips to help you prevent overpacking.

Essentials only: ensure that you have a bag for your essentials. These include medicines, clothes, snacks, and food. This bag needs to be with you at all places and should be kept within easy reach in case you need anything to go.

This will prevent overpacking since you only gather the most important things. Additionally, also consider packing clothes and shoes for the family that can be worn on different occasions. This is to avoid carrying a lot of luggage plus the kids.

Can you get an app to do it? : Thanks to the continuous evolution of technology, apps are increasingly taking over functions of basic electronic devices like baby monitors and radio among others. If you can get an app that works similarly to a particular electronic, save the space for something else and leave the bulky gadget at home.
Really? I can rent baby items over there?: To avoid the extra hassle of a lot of luggage especially when traveling with kids, you can rent baby items at the place you are traveling to if it is an option. Bulky baby items that are usually rented out include car seats, strollers, and bassinets.

7. I’m hungry. That is why I am cranky

A hungry child is an unhappy child. You do not want to deal with a hungry child when traveling so ensure that you carry snacks with you. Avoid packing sugary foods to avoid crashes.

Have a water bottle for everyone to keep the children hydrated during the entire trip. Do not assume that you will buy them on the way. Unexpected things happen such as getting stuck in traffic that can leave you stuck with a cranky hungry child.

8. Travel entertainment is a must

Keeping kids entertained is imperative. This adds to the thrill and memories of the trip. Several ways of keeping your children entertained on the road include:

Bringing electronic devices: electronic devices have a range of applications and games that can keep children busy as they wait on queues or during rides. These will keep them entertained and busy with little time to bother you.

Ensure that you preload the devices with music and movies beforehand because you might not get access to more later. Additionally, ensure that you monitor and control device usage for your children.

Toys and books, yes please: toys and books are bound to keep your kids entertained throughout the trip. To be able to associate specific toys and books with specific memories, you can always try and get them new books and toys. These will be able to grab their attention even more.

You can buy these from souvenir shops. What’s more, you do not have to worry about carrying paperback books since this only adds to the luggage. You can carry audiobooks for them and yourself too! Additionally, pack easy games for the trip. These can help you and the kids pass time as you wait in queues and during the entire trip.

Get them a camera: if your kids are responsible and grown enough to handle a camera, it would be a great idea to hand them one. You can by a low-cost camera or a phone for them to be able to capture precious moments.

Taking pictures requires focus and this will allows your kid to be keener during the trip. What’s more, your kids get to focus more on their environment. They are able to appreciate more detail of whatever landscape, city, or beach you are visiting.

Travel journals: to get older kids to be keener on the trip, you can get them a travel journal for them to be able to document their travel. They also get to open up about what they like and what they do not for better future planning in addition to improving their writing skills.

Moreover, children like collecting things. You can encourage them to collect pieces for a scrapbook. These pieces can include postcards, welcome messages, and tickets that remind the family of the thrill that they had during the trip.

9. Do not overload the itinerary

When traveling, avoid planning for too many activities. This is because everyone needs some bit of downtime and this is required even more when you are traveling with kids. The amount of downtime required will vary depending on the age of your kids. Always remember:

Kids’ sleep schedules: when planning for activities to do on a trip, one might be tempted to book very many activities to take advantage of the short time. However, when traveling with kids, always schedule their sleep time.

Interrupting sleep schedules can lead to cranky kids who are not excited about doing the much you planned to do.

Things take longer than planned on trips: trip activities can sometimes take more time than planned. This is especially for tourist activities since they are mostly exploratory and no one is in a hurry.

Having a congested itinerary might leave you in a big fix since you might not be able to make it to all planned activities. Especially with kids and all the bathroom breaks they require. Always leave your schedule open with large breaks between sessions.

10. Do not forget the first aid kit

When traveling with children, remember to carry a basic first aid kit or items. Do not strain to carry much as you cannot carry all of it. Remember to carry essential drugs, like allergy and pain relieving medication. Bandages and medicated spirit is also important in case of small accidents.

Before you travel, check for local hospitals around the area you will be traveling to. This is especially important if you are traveling with a child with a special condition or illness that requires special care.

11. Traveling with babies

Traveling with small babies and toddlers is even more hectic and requires a little more packing. Babies require special attention and are quite messy so you have to be prepared for the rough experience. Below are some tips on how to prepare to travel with a baby or toddler.

More diapers and wipes: when on a trip with a baby, carry diapers and wipes in excess. After all more is always better than less. This is because babies have to go lots of times even over small journeys.
Carry extra clothes both for the baby and you: babies are messy and they can end up ruining their and your clothes too. They can spill food on you, puke on your dress, and diapers can leak onto your outfit. This is why you need extra clothes for both of you.

Carry an entire set of clothes as opposed to specific ones. This is because you do not know the level of damage that the baby can cause to your outfit. This applies to the baby’s clothes too.

Carry gum and a feeding bottle to help equalize air pressure: popping ears is important when a plane is taking off or landing. This is because of the unequal air pressure that can be very uncomfortable. Compared to adults who can equalize theirs easily, toddlers and babies cannot.

To help them equalize the pressure, you can have the toddlers chew gum. This pops their ears which levels the pressure outside and inside. You can feed smaller babies at this time because the sucking motion helps their ears pop naturally.

12. Kids, would you like to plan the trip activities with me?

Engaging your kids in the planning of the trip will get them more excited and interested in things that they come up with. You do not want to impose activities on them without being sure that they like them. Give them the available options and let them choose their favorites.

Select tour activities that are in line with their interests for more fun. Let them plan what day and what time to do what. Do not forget about yourself as you indulge your little brood, however. It is easy to forget about yourself when you are engrossed watching kids have fun.

13. Know when to be flexible and when to be rigid

When you get to your destination, it is key to be able to know when to adapt and when to juggle. Below we look at how to enjoy your vacay when you get to your destination.

Do not move from hotel to hotel: when traveling with children, avoid changing hotels more than required. Constant moving brings the stress of constant packing and unpacking especially knowing how messy kids can be.

Staying at one location also gives your children some level of comfort. They sleep better and are more relaxed. Avoid changing hotels unless it is extremely necessary to avoid destabilizing your kids.

Be flexible: you should above all strive to give your kids a smooth trip with minimal hassle. But sometimes, things might not go as planned. You should anticipate that things might not go as planned and you should be able to be flexible in case something does not go as planned.

Avoid getting stressed when things do not work out and have a list of miscellaneous activities that the family can take part in when they have free time on their hands. This will also keep the kids distracted they will not even notice the canceled activity.

Break from routine: A vacation is all about having fun. Being free without having to be tied to routines. Let the kids have special moments like staying up with you guys. They can have regular extended bedtime to indulge a little bit more. Your kids will most definitely appreciate this small yet very important gesture to them.

Furthermore, let them eat whatever they like. Allow them to indulge their ice cream taste buds with lunch every day to be able to have a different feel away from home. A little allowance to spend about town on a little junk will not hurt anyone as well.

14. Identification

Some countries require additional paperwork when traveling with your kids while others only require your passport. Before traveling with your kids, ensure that you know the travel identification requirements in the country that you are traveling to.

To avoid embarrassing situations when traveling especially with children who are not yours, ensure you have carried all the required identification information. You would not want to be arrested and separated from your child even for a few minutes due to an avoidable misunderstanding.

15. Try out public transport

Public transport gives you a deeper insight into the culture of the people of the region you are visiting. Children get to see what other cultures are all about and take pictures of beautiful cities and architecture.

Conclusion

Traveling with kids is a total hassle. When traveling with kids, you can almost be sure that something will go wrong. Worry not, however. The experience does get better with time.

Similarly, we hope that after reading this the hassle of traveling with children has been lessened for you.

We have looked at quite a detailed list on how to plan to travel with your kids which will come in handy for anyone traveling with kids, whether toddlers or older children. You do not have to get it all the first time, I mean no one is a super parent. You can always come back to refer before your next trip.

You can watch a video by Virgin Atlantic on how to travel with kids here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovgcaq9MQOQ

Virgin Atlantic is a long standing airline that has earned accolades over the years. This video is a compilation of their tested tricks to keep your kids entertained and calm throughout the flight.

Everything You Need To Know When Flying With Your Dog That Will Make Your Trip Less Stressful

By Jared Leave a Comment

Dogs are great pets that are part and parcel of many families. As a result, many families prefer taking their dogs with them whenever they are traveling instead of leaving them behind. This is because a dog will make your vacation more exciting, especially if the traveling is planned thoughtfully and carefully. Before flying with your dog to a far holiday destination, however, there are things you must know before you make a decision.

For instance, enough preparations are needed, especially if it is the first time you’re traveling with your dog by air. This is because you will need your trip to be less stressful and dramatic. Here is everything you need to know when flying with your dog.

Has Your Dog Air Traveled Before

Taking a flight with a dog that has not flown before over a long distance is not an ideal thing to do. According to Annie Grossman, a pet behaviorist and School for the Dogs founder, the biggest mistake dog owners do is expecting too much within a short time from dogs. She believes that it is important to test the waters by flying with your dog over small distances to see whether he or she is fit for a long flight.

Moreover, it is important to introduce your dog to air travel when it is still a puppy. The best time would probably be when the dog is below 12 weeks old. Dogs under this age cope with flying easily as compared to older dogs since their window of socialization is still open.

Health Status of You Dog

Your dog might have existing health conditions that can pose severe complications during your flight. The Air Travel Consumer Reports from the Transport Department show that the respiratory and heart problems are the leading causes of pet deaths in the air. In case your dog has a medical condition whether a temporary illness or injury, it is advisable to leave him or her at home. Otherwise, visit your veterinary for health checks to ascertain the health status of your dog before taking a flight with it. Additionally, make sure that all the vaccinations are updated. Don’t forget to take a health certificate with you since it is one of the requirements when traveling with pets.

Inform the Airline

Not all airlines accept pets while others have set a limited number of dogs on a flight even as cargo. As a result, carry out a research to know which airline allows traveling with pets and particularly dogs. Once you get one, talk to them and let them know that you will be traveling with your dog. Ensure you are furnished with the airline’s pet policies and see whether it’s comfortable with you. By doing this, you will avoid the inconveniences of finding out that the airlines don’t accept pets when you already have a ticket with you.

Prepare Your Dog for the Flight

Before you even think about the possibility of flying with your dog to your destination, be aware that there is no shortcut when it comes to the size of the dog you intend to fly with. In fact, the size of the dog is the leading limiting factor under which your dog is prohibited onto a flight. Nonetheless, different airlines have their own dimension requirements for kennels as well as the soft-sided carries.

For instance, we found that some airlines accepted a maximum carrier height of 11 inches and a minimum of 7.5 inches. However, the dimensions for the width as well as the length of the carrier varied too in different airlines. While the maximum carrier width ranged from 11 to 19 inches, the maximum length ranged from 12 to 19 inches.

Besides the limitations of the carrier dimension, we established that some airlines also have a weight limit for both the pet and their carrier while other airlines have capped the weight separately. JetBlue Airline, for instance, has a requirement that the total weight of your dog and the carrier should not surpass the 20 pounds mark.

Is your Dog’s Carrier Comfortable?

The kind of carrier you prepare should be spacious enough to allow the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down in a stress-free manner. Just like you will want to be more comfortable when flying, comfort also matters a lot to your dog. Your trip can be a lot stressful if your dog’s carrier is too small for the dog to stand and turn around comfortably.

The best way to ascertain whether the carrier is the perfect choice for your dog is to let it sleep in it at home to see whether it can move, stand, and turn freely. Don’t wait until the travel day to cage your dog. Making the carrier familiar to the dog right from home can help you a great deal!

Breed of Your Dog

The breed of your dog will also determine whether it will accompany you or not. Short-nosed dog breeds, for instance, are not allowed to fly in most airlines. Furthermore, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation advises against allowing them to fly. According to statistics, over half of dog deaths during flights in a period of the past five years have involved short-nosed breeds.

The breeds of dogs that are at risk during flying include boxers, bulldogs, Pekingese, some mastiffs, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos. According to Tracy Thompson, restricted dogs are often mixed breeds.

How Old is Your Dog?

As much as you want to fly with your dog for a holiday, the United States Department of Agriculture has set requirements that pets must be older than 8 weeks old for them to fly. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to fly with an old dog. You certainly won’t want to handle the stress of flying with an old dog.

Buying Your Ticket

In most airlines, you will book your flight and then proceed to inform the airline that you will be traveling with your dog so that they can make reservations for your dog early enough. Since the airlines have a maximum number of pets per flight, it is advisable to inquire about their pet policies before buying your ticket. To avoid such inconveniences, book your flight early enough so that you can have space for your dog.

Getting the Dog Ready for a Flight

As mentioned above, it is wise to buy your ticket and make reservations for your dog days to your flight. This gives you an ample time to prepare your dog for a few experiences that it will be subjected to on the day of travel. You wouldn’t want to see it miserable during the flight.

One of the most important things to do is to familiarize your dog with its carrier. Let it subjected to different environments and noises that are almost similar to those experienced during flying. It is imperative to note that slightly older dogs are not the same as the young ones since the young ones are more likely to cope with the flying experience with ease.

If you have an averagely older dog, however, you will need some exercising and desensitization as fast as possible before the actual flying day. Since it is going to be in the carrier for quite some time during the flight, it is also important that you train your dog to conquer separation anxiety before you actually fly. This will be a great deal at making tour trip less stressful. To help the dog overcome the anxiety, let it be in the carrier for some time to familiarize with it when you are still at home.

You should also train your dog to stand up in the carrier, turn around, and even lie down before the actual flight. Moreover, make sure to make necessary adjustments as fast as possible to ensure the dog will be comfortable during the actual flight.

Day of Flight

On the day of flight, make sure your dog has an ID around its neck with your formal present contact information like the cellphone number. If you microchip your dog, then ensure its registration is up to date.

Usually, it is advisable not to feed your dog six hours to the flight. This will ensure your dog does not defecate, urinate, or vomit in its carrier while on the plane – which will be helpful in the long-run. Nonetheless, this advice may hold water only if you have trained and conditioned your dog well on how to act when staying in the carrier.

This is because a comfortable dog that is well-trained on how to spend a long time in the carrier won’t urinate or vomit more than usual. On the other hand, a dog that is not well-trained, is not familiar with flying, and is not used to being in the carrier for long is more likely to be nervous, will urinate, and vomit more than usual.

Most importantly, let your dog walk a bit to allow it eliminate just like it does on any other day. When at the airport, give your dog another chance to eliminate before putting him back on the carrier and boarding the plane.

Don’t Compromise Travel Condition Changes for Your Dog

Imagine it is time to board the plane and you have your dog carrier in your hand only to be informed that a mistake was made and that your dog will have to fly in the cargo room and not in the cabin. If this kind of situation befalls you, we advise that you calmly decline the offer, especially if you had been made a reservation for your dog at the cabin. In most cases, the airline will have to honor its promises. Alternatively, you can accept re-ticketing – though without incurring extra costs – on another flight that allows your dog to fly with you in the cabin area.

The reason for this is that you trained your dog to be comfortable in a carrier that will be next to you during the entire flight. You, however, can make an exception for your dog to fly in the cargo area if it will be comfortable traveling without seeing you and the cargo conditions are great.

During the Flight

Before the plane takes off, check and ensure that all the fasteners and zippers on your carrier are closed and your dog won’t easily open either with its nose or paws. Some carrier bags feature double zippers and tabs that can be clipped together to ensure the bag isn’t unzipped without snapping off the tabs first.

Moreover, make sure you have trained your dog to lick water through a small opening, especially if the weather seems hot or he is panting. If you are certain that you won’t have trouble if you bring him out, however, you can gently unzip the carrier’s door and let him lick water with ease.

Don’t bend the rules and let your dog out of his carrier during the flight. It will be much safer and comfortable for your fellow travelers if the dog is securely contained in its carrier. Moreover, if your dog has eliminated in the carrier, letting him out only complicates the situation by creating a big mess and stench. You will need to wait until you alight before you can try to make the situation better for the dog.

Should You Tranquilize Your Dog?

Veterinaries often advise against tranquilizing your dog for air travel. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, they have a Traveling with Your Pet FAQ page on their website with a statement that discourages you from tranquilizing your dog or any other pet during air travel. This is because tranquilizing is associated with increasing the risk of respiratory and heart problems for your pet.

According to Dr. Patricia Olsen of the American Humane Association, an animal’s natural ability to strike a balance and maintain the equilibrium is affected by sedation and when the carrier is moved, your sedated dog won’t be able to remain steady and avoid injuries.

If you are worried about your dog’s behavior and anxiety on the forthcoming flight, it is advisable that you start training him and getting him familiar with being confined in a carrier for an extended period of time. This will work better for the both of you instead of tranquilizing him!

Upon Arrival

Once you alight, you can ask the gate attendant for the nearest pet relief station so that you can have your dog relieve himself. You should also consider making arrangements to get a ride that allows pets. Uber and Lyft are among the firms that allow clients to travel with pets.

Moreover, consider finding lodging prior at your holiday destination that allows dogs. Most hotels and motels don’t have or have restrictions based on dog sizes. If you are allowed to stay with your dog in a particular hotel, it is important to show respect to other guests, staff, as well as their belonging.

It is also important to keep your dog as quiet as possible. Never leave your dog unattended because it will bark and destroy people’s properties, especially when everything looks strange to him. Inquire from the management designated places where you can walk your dog. Don’t leave any mess behind.

Bear in mind that a bad experience with your dog is likely to prompt the hotel management to ban dogs in and around their premises. As such, be considerate to others and ensure you leave your room and the hotel ground in as good a condition as you found them.

Conclusion

It is important to keep in mind that when going for a vacation with our dog, traveling can be hectic. It is also wise to note that a composed dog owner usually owns a composed dog. This is because pets often pick up on your stress, which means that if you are nervous about the whole flight, your dog will certainly show the same stress and anxiety.