(Almost) Pain-free Travel with Kids

By Michele Blandino

Traveling with children is never easy and with so many people crowding airport terminals and bus and train stations, it becomes even more difficult. Between keeping track of luggage, looking for departure information, and going through security checkpoints, it's easy to see how a child can become separated from their parents.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help keep your family together while en-route to your destination.

Staying Together

First, allow yourself plenty of time. Your tendency to become distracted will increase when you are trying to navigate your way though a crowded terminal while under time pressures. When planning your itinerary, be sure to budget extra time for travel to the airport, finding a parking space (if you plan to leave your car there) and getting into the terminal.

If at all possible, book non-stop flights. Not only will this get you to your destination faster, you will not have to content with winding your way through a crowded terminal - often under severe time pressures - to get to your connecting flight.

Before setting off on your trip, remind your children of the importance of staying together. Explain to them how easy it can be to become separated and how difficult it may be to be reunited. You may also find it helpful to choose brightly colored clothing - preferably the same color - for each family member to wear while traveling. This will make it easier to spot a wayward child - or for your child to spot you. When selecting clothing, be sure to stay away from anything that bears your child's name.

If it is necessary to use the restroom, be sure to use the buddy system; under no circumstances should a child be allowed to enter a public restroom alone. If possible, you should also have someone waiting outside the restroom; children in unfamiliar places can easily become disoriented and head in the wrong direction. If you are flying, have your child use the restroom onboard the aircraft before you land, this will eliminate the need to make a stop in the terminal.

Consider packing snacks for the trip. Not only will this be less costly than hitting the snack bars, you will reduce the likelihood of someone getting lost, particularly if you are traveling with two or more children who tend to have different tastes.

Travel During Non-Peak Periods

Another thing you can do is to plan your departure times for non-peak periods. For example, many people who travel for Thanksgiving will depart after lunchtime on Wednesday and return on Sunday. If your schedule permits, consider leaving either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning and extending your trip until Monday. Chances are, you will encounter less crowded terminals during these periods, which will make it far easier for you and your family to stay together.

If you live too far from the airport to make an early morning departure a realistic option, consider staying at a hotel near the airport the night before you leave. Not only will this cut down on your morning travel time, many hotels offer free or discounted parking as well as a complimentary shuttle service to their guests.

Have Proper Identification

If you haven't flown for a few years, you may want to check with your airline to learn what type of identification you and your family may need. Similarly, be sure to review the list of items that are banned from being carried on board such as scissors, razor blades, corkscrews, multipurpose tools, even metal nail files or knitting needles. If you need to bring any of these types of items with you, be sure they are stored in the baggage that you check. Knowing these requirements ahead of time will help make the check-in and screening processes go a little more smoothly and will help you keep your focus on your kids.