Top Ten Tips For Travel Mamas by Lucinda
Hello there fellow travel lover! I am so happy to be able to share with you my tips to make travelling with little ones easier, calmer and happier. Travel should be a time of joy, rest and relaxation. In reality, many parents, especially mothers, find it overwhelming, stressful, hard work and need another holiday after their family holiday. Believe me, you are not alone and I am here to support you in getting back out there with your kiddos. Whether you are a first-time travelling Mama, or looking to find easier ways to travel with children, I hope you find these tips and tricks useful.
TOP TEN TIPS FOR TRAVEL MAMAS
1. Be prepared to be unprepared.
Spent 4 weeks packing before your holiday and then realise you forgot the bottles/favourite blankie/suncream? No one is going to die (literally). You can buy most things, or similar, at your holiday destination. Or even at the airport. Make it fun for the kids to find a holiday version of their “forgotten thing.” If something goes wrong, shrug it off, pick yourself up, and turn it into an adventure. Kids love adventures, so making a potential drama into an adventure is the best way to avoid the meltdowns.
2. Select a hotel with a minibar and a kettle.
Sounds odd, but if you are bottle feeding it will be a lifesaver, and if you are with a toddler, you can keep chilled water and snacks in it. And maybe a wine for mum to recover from the buffet tantrum.
3. Travel light.
It may sound crazy, but just taking the basics will actually do you a favour in the long run. Carrying unnecessary amounts of equipment will only cause you to be stressed with the amount of stuff you have to carry, very hot, and tired. You do not need 25 muslins for a 1 week holiday to Corfu.
4. Get clever with your accessories.
Take items that will actually help you on holiday. My favourite item for those lazy hot days is a Snoozeshade. It packs really small, and it is a life saver when its time for a nap with no shade in sight. If you are on a long haul, invest in a seat extender for toddlers to get their well needed rest during your flight. Bubba Board or Plane Pals are great to get those kiddos comfy.
5. Reduce your luggage by leaving the car seat at home.
There are many ways you can travel without the heavy luggage, whether its MiFold booster seats for toddlers or by hiring your car seat with the hire car. Carrying your big ol’ car seat is no longer essential and will weigh you down.
6. Pack a lunch.
Yes, even if your flight isn't at lunchtime. Kids love snacks and it gives them something to do on long journeys. If they are at the toddler stage, get them to help pack it up ready for the journey to get them excited. Pack lots of little Tupperware boxes for them to unbox throughout the journey. Carrots, cucumber, raisins, homemade flapjacks, malt loaf, marmite sandwich squares, are all great snacks to pack up and keep littles ones fingers amused. The Tupperware can be reused on holiday too for day trips out.
7. Easy activities.
We love to take simple things like a pack of crayons or pencils and some mini note pads. Toddlers can doodle for hours on the plane, and older kids can write or draw their memories of their holiday. We always purchase the notepads as souvenirs whilst away. You’d be surprised how many mini pads there are out there! Take a zip lock bag with a few easy activities – card games, puzzles, mini blocks, foam letters, shapes, sensory books. Anything small and easy. Don’t have the inclination to create your own? Try My Busy Bot Bags for a premade activity bag.
8. Nervous child?
Let them pack their own case. This will help them prepare for their journey so they are happy to travel and will engage them with the change of events, helping them to be excited rather than nervous. If you are travelling for the first time, let them select their suitcase themselves so they know its theirs for the holiday. Try not to take over the packing, stay calm and encouraging so not to make them anxious. You can always pack a few essentials you think they have missed in your case! When you arrive on holiday, let them choose a drawer or two to put their belongings in to keep them safe. Children love packing and unpacking and it will keep them amused whilst you settle into the new environment.
9. Work as a team.
If you are travelling with a partner, make sure you take turns in the childrens activities as well as having a break yourself. Even if that means a little siesta in the afternoon, or a walk along the beach. A little bit of me time is needed. This also goes for the kids too. Make sure you give them a choice when deciding on activities so they feel included in making memories. If you are travelling with more than one child, ask them to help out with their siblings and choose a game each to play.
10. Lastly. Take it Easy, Mama!
Travelling is supposed to be fun, Mama. No one (including your children) is going to be having fun if YOU are completely wired and stressed out. You absolutely cannot control what happens on holiday – whether that’s Elsie eating 10 ice-creams from the buffet and having a sugar rush, or Jacob having an unseasonable nap for 3 hours. Roll with it. If you let it happen and relax the boundaries, it will not impact the enjoyment of your holiday. And always pack a wine.
Hi! I'm Lucinda, AKA @luce_travelmama, and I am travel obsessed. I have a gorgeous toddler, Bethanie, who is holiday mad, just like her Mama. I have always had a passion for travel which is why I started my own online travel business, TripLux Travel, as a side gig alongside my 9-5 procurement job. After having my daughter, we soon started travelling with her everywhere. Then the pandemic hit which halted all our plans and changed everything. When travel plans were lifted, I was saddened to hear so many mums too scared to take their children away on holiday, so I started sharing tips to support those wanting to travel again and bring joy to families by providing practical advice, support and recommendations. Since launching TripLux Travel in 2022, I quit my job in procurement to become a fully fledged business owner and take my business to the next level. I now also coach other mums on how to start an online travel business around their family.
I truly believe travel is the best therapy, and I am here to show you it can be done with our little ones in tow, creating the best memories. She has recently designed this family travel e-book to help families travel! Find her at the links below.
IG @luce_travelmama & @tripluxtravel
Website: www.tripluxtravel.com