This post will include my tips and tricks for an enjoyable and relaxing, fun filled vacation with little ones. Its based around my experience, which was an 11 day vacation with 2 three-year-olds.
Preparation
1. Week of- Create your packing list.
2. Day before- wash and dry all clothes.
-clean your house (you want to come home to a clean house)
-do any shopping you need to do for what to take with you. I do not typically do this, I wait until we are at our destination and buy things then. That means less to pack, and one less thing to do before you leave town.
3. Day of - clean out your refrigerator with anything that will go bad over your trip
- be sure your pantry and / or freezer has enough in it for a day or two upon returning home. You won't want a "grocery trip" on top of all the unpacking and returning to routine you have to do.
-wash all the dirty dishes
-take out all trash cans
-PACK-
*We travel so much you would think packing is second nature. And it is. But I nearly have a panic attack when it's time to pack b/c I dislike it so.much. So I pour a glass of wine and turn the housewives on to numb my mind from the task at hand.
-tidy your house one last time. no one wants to come home to a cluttered and dirty house.
-Change the thermostat in your home (58 in winter, 80 in summer)
The Travel
1. Travel at bedtime or naptime. We left at bedtime, and came home at naptime, so both ways there was a decent amount of sleep per child.
2. Take a DVD player with a few movie choices.
3. Take each child's favorite activity. Between the naps, movies, and one activity, the travel was roughly not too bad.
4. Make sure you have their bellies full before you really get started on the trip, and their sippy cups close at hand for them.
5. Have their favorite blankies and/or stuffed animals in their reach so they are comforted.
The Vacation
1. Keep the children well fed and hydrated, and well rested. This goes a long way with their attitudes.
2. Plan something fun to do for them everyday. Make sure it is something that will channel their energy to produce good behavior, while getting energy out. (We basically played on the beach for hours a day every day)
3. Take Mimi with you. Seriously. Having 3 people to take care of 2 little people on a vacation makes it so much more fun. Plus the kids love getting to snuggle and have special time with their loved one.
Returning Home
1. Take it easy and give yourself grace getting back into routine. Don't schedule much for the first few days. You'll have to unpack, catch up laundry, and re-establish a schedule.
What are your favorite tips and tricks for vacationing with little people???
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