Welcome back to Toddlerland where you and your family have likely shifted into a summer routine and may have already taken a family vacation. While I emphasize the importance for families to spend time together away from work, school and the daily grind, family vacations can be a mixed blessing.
If you’re approaching your summer vacation with caution or even trepidation, I understand. I’ve been there. My husband and I have traveled extensively with our three children– east coast, west coast, the Midwest and to Europe. I recall (not-so-fondly) hours of children’s screams down the highway and near wrestling matches within the airplane aisles.
WHAT’S GOING ON? Toddlers live in the here and now. They don’t wait well. They don’t understand or appreciate the concepts of soon and later, as in, “Soon we will be getting on a plane,” or “Later this month, we’ll go to the beach/lake/amusement park.” They only understand now. So again, taking a toddler POV is the key to getting from here to there with as little fuss as possible. [Read more…]
Family vacations can be a mixed blessing. Remember how fun and easy they were before you had toddlers in tow? If you’re approaching your summer vacation with caution or even trepidation, I understand. I’ve been there. My husband and I have traveled extensively with our 3 children– east coast, west coast, the midwest and to Europe. I recall (not-so-fondly) hours of children’s screams down the highway and near wrestling matches within the airplane aisles. And what I’ve learned over the years and from hundreds of parents of toddlers I’ve met along the way is that the secret to a stress-free family vacation comes down to preparation, realistic expectations and distraction.
