Do you want to spend a pleasant holiday with your children?
Many parents opt for an all-inclusive package that provides childcare through “clubs” supervised by specialized educators. This package may seem like a pleasant compromise for everyone. However, when our daily lives go by at a fast pace and our children are already well engaged between school and extracurricular activities, a little bit of letting go for them is a great source of fulfillment.
1 – The journey
Traveling with children involves a more or less long period of transit. Many parents do not feel like enduring several hours of flight, train or car with young children. And yet, it is only a question of organization and perception. A 12-hour car trip can seem long and prohibitive. Reconsidering the structure of the trip can be a good way to reduce stress and fatigue. For example, split the trip over 2 days, taking care to choose a pleasant place for a restful night. This quote can have several axes of reflection, but I find it very relevant in the first sense of the words. The journey begins when we leave home, and not when we arrive at our destination.
2 – Find out more
It is important to take a little time to gather some information about the destination: the weather, possible activities, the time to get there, the papers or other documents to plan. No need to wrap everything up, but having the essential and vital information allows you to have a free mind to manage the stress and fatigue of the children (and your own) when the time comes.
3 – Suitcases
We are not fans of big suitcases filled with everything except the essentials. The five of us travel with two big suitcases or three cabin suitcases and a backpack depending on the destination. We take with us three to four outfits and an extra one that we wear for the transport time. There is always a way to wash your clothes.
4 – The first aid kit
As with my suitcases, I manage my first aid kit by focusing on the essentials. I take Tégarome (a compound of essential oils that soothes bruises, sunburn and insect bites), sunscreen and probiotics (depending on the destination), diaper cream in case of diaper rash, tick tweezers, a thermometer, disinfectant and a box of bandages. In case of complications, I know that I can always find a pharmacy on site.
5 – Activities on site
Many children already have busy schedules throughout the year. The holiday period should be conducive to pleasure and non-rhythm. We like museums and cultural visits, however, with young children, we take care to choose visits that are attractive to children: hiking in a national park where we will take our time to observe the surrounding fauna and flora, going on a boat trip, going to a remarkable viewpoint.
6 – Children’s things
There is no point in overloading yourself with a whole bunch of toys and materials that the children will not use. They are often much more attracted by the finds that they will make on site . The children each bring a very small backpack in which they place 2 books, a blank notebook for drawing, colored pencils, a few small cars and a small cooperative game to play together (Uno, mistigri, the mini orchard…etc.)
7 – Means of carrying
At home, no strollers. We travel in France and around the world with our physiological means of carrying . For very young babies (0 to 6 months), we use a classic baby sling. From 6 to 12 months we use a mid-Tai, from 12 months to about 2 ½ years we use a preformed baby carrier. Then we move on to additional means of carrying . We have a Sling, which I use from birth to 3 years, the Suppori which has the big advantage of slipping into my small handbag.
8 – Let go
Leaving the unknown can seem scary. However, it is by stepping out of your comfort zone that the magic happens . It is when we all marvel together that we create a strong connection. Ultimately, the real question is “what could really happen to us. We do not dwell on disaster scenarios and we let go in the face of problems in sight.
9 – Leave room for improvisation
I find that planning everything in advance is anxiety-provoking and stressful. What is interesting about vacations is precisely being able to break the daily rhythm and let yourself be carried away by experiences and opportunities . So don’t plan too much and leave room for improvisation. With young children it will be all the more constructive.
10 – Enjoy and have fun
Holidays must remain at all costs a moment of pleasure, relaxation and family reconnection. Prioritize quality over quantity . Enjoying these moments with family is priceless. Take photos and videos, time flies so enjoying each little moment of quality is a generator of happiness for all.
