The right travel Smartphone apps are sure to make your vacation more pleasant

Mobile technology and its subsequent and scalable apps continue to revolutionize every aspect of life, travel included. With so much to see and so little time, these following travel apps help with everything from tracking down wayward Wi-Fi to uncovering the hidden gems of foreign countries. Families with kids in tow and tech-savvy travelers, take advantage of these four apps to satiate your wanderlust.

The Hartford Mobile App

Customer or not, this app from auto insurer Hartford Financial Services Group offers useful features for vehicle insurance customers. Drivers must adhere to Murphy’s Law and prepare for the worst when taking a cross country road trip. In the unfortunate case of an accident, drivers can access an accident checklist to review the necessary steps, collect and exchange driver info including snapshots of the crash and even request assistance through roadside services. Customers of the Hartford can quickly connect to Claims Services to report an accident. The Hartford Mobile App provides resources for after the crash as well: effortlessly locate an auto repair facility from approved shops, search for an inexpensive replacement vehicle and seek repairs for a cracked windshield. This app can come in handy when you’re miles from home and need to get back on the road safely and ASAP.

FlightTrack

FlightTrack’s aerial app aims to reduce the high stress of flight and airport traversal. It covers more than 1,400 airlines and 3,000 airports, allowing you to manage the multitude of information necessary for a smooth trip. Real-time updates of global flights is effective when waiting for your delayed flight. Delays, gate locations and cancellations—all the flight info you need is right at your fingertips. FlightTrack Pro’s additional terminal maps, alerts, TripIt integration, airport weather forecasts and FAA delay notices is well worth the asking price of $9.98.

Lonely Planet

The solo traveler’s bible, this popular guidebook has relegated its print version in lieu of this ultimate traveling app. A country’s top destinations are flagged on the map—simply tap where you want to go and that city’s guide unfurls. All locales are accompanied by a detailed description and basic site information (address, contact info, hours, offline map). The maps and text are available offline as well, if you prefer to traverse the road less traveled (i.e. outside of a cell phone tower’s range). Lonely Planet even provides audio phrase books for easier communication with locals and audio walking tours of Paris and London that guide you through popular attractions.

Wi-Finder

Search for more than half a million Wi-Fi spots in 144 countries with Wi-Finder. Upon downloading the 38MB offline database, this free app can find Wi-Fi locations without using Wi-Fi. Enter your geographic information (country, region, city) and optional ZIP code. The app displays a map displaying free Wi-Fi in green and paid locations in blue. Search results also shows the provider and type of location such as hotels and restaurants. Even more helpful, Wi-Finder reveals step-by-step directions and distance if location services are functional. Since you can’t carry a printer with you while traveling (not yet), HP ePrint stations are shown for on-the-go printing.

Get your kids involved by assigning them certain responsibilities

Between early morning wake-ups, multiple suitcases, bickering siblings and crying toddlers, family trips through the airport can be enough to make parents wonder why they decided to travel in the first place.

Unfortunately, some aspects of airport travel — like surprise pat downs and flight delays — are completely out of your hands. However, if you make a few changes in areas you can control, you’ll be able to get your family through the airport with these five tips.

Double-Check Your Reservations a Few Days in Advance

Something as simple as putting the wrong flight time in your planner could result in a missed flight or a few extra hours at the airport. In addition to making sure you have the correct flight time, Melanie Pinola at Lifehacker suggests confirming any reservations with your hotel and car rental service. It’s rare, but sometimes reservations can be lost or services can be overbooked. In either case, you’ll want to be prepared.

Don’t Let Them Log On

No matter how badly your teens and tweens want to send an email or check Facebook, enforce a no-Internet rule for the whole family. Staying offline while you make your way through the airport will keep everyone alert and undistracted. Taking this small step will also keep your family safe from stolen information and identities, as airport Wi-Fi connections are notoriously insecure. Many have taken the step in approaching companies like Lifelock to ensure they get notified of any discrepancies. This could prove as a great investment if you anticipate having to log on to unfamiliar networks later on in your trip. Travel and identity theft go hand in hand and receiving immediate notification of compromised security could really come in handy when preventing a trip from going sour.

Eliminate Extra Tasks

Avoid standing in line for food or weaving through the aisles of crowded gift shops by packing all your airport entertainment and snacks before you leave home. Granola bars and trail mix make great travel food because they’re healthy, filling and portable. By the same token, choosing books and magazines well before you get to the overpriced airport stores will save you money, time and the stress of having to make last-minute decisions. To eliminate one more step, print all of your boarding passes at home.

Carry On All of Your Family Valuables

Caroline Morse of Smartertravel warns that if an item in your checked luggage is damaged or goes missing, airlines won’t offer any reimbursement. Pack any valuables in your carry-on luggage and don’t just consider your high-priced items. If your daughter loses her diary or your son’s favorite stuffed animal disappears, it could put a damper on the whole trip. Keep all your valuables — whether expensive or sentimental — with you at all times.

Give the Kids Their Own Tasks

Let yourself have a break by giving your younger child the responsibility of regularly counting everyone’s bags to make sure nothing has been left behind. Assign an older child the task of finding your gate on the map and locating a bathroom stop on the way. Allowing your kids to take responsibility for simpler tasks will not only give them a sense of control, but it will keep them occupied and leave you with fewer things to worry about.

Going through the airport with your family can quickly turn into a train wreck — but only if you’re unprepared. If you make a few arrangements at home, take steps to safeguard your valuables and keep your kids engaged, you’ll find that your airport experience will be much less stressful for the entire family.

Related Articles:

Travel with Kids – Essential Planning Tips
Which Form of Transportation Works Best on your Family Trip?
Advice for Air Travel with your Baby – What Gear to Bring
Four Reasons a Road Trip is Better than Flying – Vacationing with Kids
Family Road Trip Tips – Excursion Through Southern California
Tips for Air Travel with Kids on Domestic and International Flights
TSA Procedures – Preparing Children for Body Scanners & Pat Downs

We loved train travel - kids and parents alike enjoyed views and room to roam the aisles.

Traveling with kids is often easiest by car – room for everyone’s toys and luggage, snacks and beverages; plus the ability to stop for bathroom and food breaks. However, cars are tough to park in the city, difficult on the wallet and trying on the patience; and of course you wouldn’t want to run out of patience struggling with a vehicle when you have tots in tow. Planes are expensive, airports often expensive to access as well, and of course, TSA regulations makes it hard on the diaper bag set, and annoying to older travelers, whether you’re seven or seventy. We found trains to be our favorite form of transport on this particular trip, but the lack of reserved seating on a busy weekend can still be problematic for the smallest travelers. Older kids will not mind, and will probably even relish, splitting up from their parental units and watching the scenery go by.

Here in short is a summary of our transportation hits and misses, and our do and don’t list for traveling parents.

Planes

Well, this trip marked the first time I’ve ever missed a plane, and that was due to airline snafus, not ours (you can read about our experience is Flying Lessons). Always arrive early to fly. Excrutiatingly early. Be prepared when bumped from a flight to be offered standby – and standby does not usually accommodate a large family group. Be equally prepared to argue that no, mom does not want to fly separately from the kids. If she did, she would’ve bought tickets like that in the first place. Naturally, with today’s limited meal selection on airplanes, bring plenty of snacks and actual meals on long flights. But remember, something like say a jar of jelly if you’re running late and considering making pb and j’s on board, won’t fly with TSA. Pay attention to in-flight entertainment options too. While some carriers have plenty of choices on a screen at the back of your seat, others have none, or a film that’s playing on a monitor far beyond visual ability of a child.

Trains

We loved them, plain and simple. We loved boarding without a hassle. We loved being able to walk the kids – holding their hands carefully of course – between cars, to reach the cafe car for bottled water and juice we didn’t have to carry on ourselves. Food items are available but are fairly limited, we saw no vegan or vegetarian choices or anything resembling organic on our short haul trips. Ham and cheese? Chips? There you go. The views from the train windows can be enjoyed by the entire family of course, because you’re leaving the driving to the engineer. And there’s something just friendly about train travel – I had not been on a train in many years and was thrilled to see that people still stop and pat small kids on the head, and conductors pause to point out sights along the way if they’re passing through your car at an appropriate moment. How great is it to see the New York skyline without navigating New York traffic? Pretty great.

That said, different train stations means different experiences. Boston was busy and efficient, but we had to ask where our train left from, markings were not clear. New York was chaotic, and Penn Station grubby, unlike the lovely Grand Central, this is all utiliarian. Philadelphia was calm, clean, and had decent food items available in the station – salads, fruit smoothies, and pizza from moderately upscale fast food vendors and local stands. Washington, DC was elegant, with sit down cafes and baroque architecture. All of them were picture worthy, and at none of them did we experience delays. Again, a caveat: weekend travel is busy. Be prepared for full cars and some family separation if you’re not starting from an originating station.

Automobiles

We were taking on a one way rental. This means a lot of creative thinking to find one that doesn’t cost as much as buying a used car. We found one not exactly close to our downtown hotel, and found public transportation to reach it quite onerous. A great middle ground: we saved hundreds of dollars renting from this remote car dealership, and gladly paid for a limo service to take us to it. We found one that was under a hundred dollars, carried our family and gear, and allowed the younger kids to experience “bottle service” – water bottles and gummy bears.

Subway

In Boston it was crowded and hot, but tourist friendly, once you figure out how to use the “Charley Card” system of buying fares in advance rather than as individual trips. Boston’s service does stop running at midnight for any of you night owls. In New York, it was fast and efficient but I’m not going to call anything about the system friendly. Washington’s ultra modern stations look a bit like Darth Vader designed them, and trains can run slow on the weekends, but its comfortable, comparitively uncrowded, and staff is very helpful across the board with ticket selection information.

Cabs

Our feet were made for walking - this Beacon Hill, Boston street and many others all up and down the eastern seaboard.

Each city has its own style of driver. New York’s involved a fender bender and a lot of cursing; Boston a lot of getting lost – um, I’m the tourist, do I really have to explain which street is one way? Washington and Philadelphia were competent, but all over the place in terms of what fares they charged, particularly in DC. When traveling with your small children, negotiate the fare and figure out where you’re going if the driver doesn’t know the way cold – before your kids start pointing out the city’s landmarks or looking through your bag for the animal crackers.

Feet

We love to walk and have the worn out sneakers to prove it.  Walking was not only good exercise, it meant everyone was more than ready to tumble into bed at a (semi) decent hour. Umbrella strollers are a must for the smallest travelers and don’t be in a rush with kid walkers of all ages. Let them take the time to stretch their legs and their imaginations while they explore whatever city or country park they’re navigating.

A plane's eye view of Boston, Massachusetts - arrival at last!

That should be pretty simple, right? Just get on a plane! We’re inveterate flyers and used to the inconveniences of modern travel, from TSA procedures to early baggage check in requirements. Most of my airline selections in recent times have been based on the dictates of our current economy rather than our favorite airlines. In other words: cheap flights with a stop en route win over direct flights on a more luxurious airline. The inconvenience is outweighed by the savings. I thought I had this whole routine down – even bringing along food for the entire family picked up en route at the Veggie Grille, whose tasty, vegan fare is easily portable. But this time, we had a flying lesson handed to us.

Arriving at LAX with just shy of two hours before our flight, two carry on bags, my daughter’s guitar, and one pre-paid checked bag, we were immediately not too thrilled to find that Air Tran had no sky cap service. Okay, I’ll adapt. I’ll wait in the seemingly interminable line for counter check in. Well, first I’ll inquire as to whether there is a shorter line for pre-paid baggage. Yes, there was. Satisfied, I moved us all out of the long coach check in, and into a significantly smaller line for web-checked and business class that also – did not move. Nope. Not for forty minutes. Back into the first line (which was moving, albeit slowly) I went. Apparently there were computer issues, and that was the hold up, but why the shorter, pre-checked line wasn’t moving at all, no one could tell me.

Now time was getting a little bit tight for passing through TSA’s scrutiny. I approached the counter, letting my kids hold my place in line. How about taking customers with a soon to depart flight? Oh no, not yet, said the pleasantly oblivious woman checking people and baggage in. “I’ll take you with plenty of time though, we know the cut off, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Well, evidently she didn’t. She gave us just under a half hour to make our way through TSA’s lines – and that didn’t cut it on a busy Friday. As we escaped the rigors of the screening process and put our shoes back on, I knew no matter how much I rushed the kids, and how much they complained about me rushing them, we weren’t going to make our plane. Still, we high tailed it to the gate, to be told that the “doors have just closed.”

Knowing there were hold ups at check in, the gate staff assured us we’d get on the “next flight,” which like our original flight, had a stop. While my bag was winging its way toward Milwaukee, we were going to pass through Atlanta and on to Boston. Okay, fine. Well fine until they let us know that we weren’t going to be ticketed. We were flying standby. On both legs of the trip. Meaning if the Atlanta-Boston flight was full, we’d be stuck in Coca Cola’s home turf over night. This made me kind of edgy, but I was assured there’d be “no problem.” Hmm. I’d just recently heard that one before.

But there was no point in worrying about that Boston connection as it turned out. We didn’t get on the Atlanta bound flight. And the next flight up would make us miss our connection altogether. We approached the other carriers in the Air Tran terminal – Virgin and Jet Blue – both had available, ticketed seats. Would Air Tran please put us on one? No, we had to wait for that late afternoon flight, the one that would make us miss our connection. No amount of pleading, explaining, or ranting would move them. If we didn’t get on the next flight, then – a shrug of the shoulders.

Passengers disembarking in Boston - for us, with relief. Photo by Randall Davis.

So instead I paid, and I paid dearly for purchasing at-the-terminal tickets on Jet Blue. We boarded with minutes to spare, and my vow that Air Tran – whose employee miscalculations caused the missed flight in the first place – would refund our money. Not that the refund will exactly cover the cost of an in-terminal purchase – but it will help considerably. And I’ve since learned that the airline may in fact – we’re still negotiating – be liable for more than the face value of the ticket, as we missed our flight due to the airline’s errors, not our own. That would take care of it, and leave us only with this story to tell. And it’s a cautionary one.

Flying lesson: beware the bargain and those bargains with stops. Or at least leave plenty of leeway for taking a later flight. People get bounced from over booked flights, and caught in the snarls of TSA all the time. And they also encounter less than polished performances from discount carriers. If you have a tight schedule, as we did, paying more to begin with may help you avoid being penny-wise and pound foolish. And speaking of pounds: you may save money choosing an airline that allows you to check a bag for free. I paid to send my bag to Milwaukee. It had no comment when we picked it up, unsupervised, in Boston.

Related Articles:

Travel with Kids – Essential Planning Tips
Flying High with Kids in the Sky
Flying With a Disability: What Parents Should Know Before Arriving at the Airport
Lugging the Bare Necessities

Plan Ahead with a List

Planning ahead with a travel checklist

Make a list and check it twice (or thrice). Jot down everything you will need by category from clothes, favorite toys, medicines, toiletries, gear (pack-n-play, stroller, backpack carrier, etc.) to food and snacks. Typing up a list and saving it on your computer makes it very easy to edit and reprint every time you travel, without pulling your hair out and starting all over again. Items can be listed under each person (their own personal items and clothes) and under general categories such as toiletries, medicines and more.

Be Organized and Methodical

Start early and proceed with your packing list in hand. As you gather items and place them in the suitcases, cross them off the list. This will ensure that nothing important is forgotten. It will give you tremendous peace of mind. You may think of other items that are not on the list as you go: write them down. Later you can edit your saved list on your computer to make it easier for your next adventure.

Suitcase or Carry-on?

Keep kids occupied with their own carry-on backpacks

Determine what can go in the suitcase and what you absolutely need with you. If your children are old enough (ages 3 and up) you may want to allow them their own little carry-on backpacks with items to keep them occupied: color pad and crayons, book, a favorite toy (doll or plush toy), snacks (crackers, baby carrots or cut fruit). Allowing your children to have their own carry-on does several things: it will instill a sense of responsibility in them and help them feel “grown up.” It will give them a sense of security by having something tangible to hold. It will keep them busy and productive (and quiet) which helps you to concentrate on the getting there.

Prep Pep-Talk

Prepare your children by telling them what to expect. This is a good time to explain your rules and expectations. Tell them what behavior is expected and what will not be tolerated. Be frank and sincere. A little foresight and preparation can go a long way. This pep talk will help them to feel part of the clan, giving them a sense of pride and personal responsibility. And always, always, always follow-through with consequences. Although it may feel hard to do, it will actually make everyone happier and your travels filled with less travails. Children with clearly delineated boundaries are happier, more secure and more obedient.

Engage and Enlist

Get your kids involved in the packing process

Having your children participate in the packing process (if they are old enough) can be very exciting for them and may even make things easier for you. Sort through their clothes with them and then have them place them in the suitcase. You may even allow them to pack their carry-on bag (and then check it later). Have them cross out items on the list that have been packed. This will teach them important organizational skills that will be useful for life.

Bon Voyage!

Once you start your own list, you will find it much easier to edit it as needed depending on your destination and the activities involved. Traveling is stressful enough without children, but doing so with the kids can add a whole new dimension to stress. With a little planning and organization, you can turn every vacation into an idyllic getaway, where family bonds are strengthened and wonderful memories are made. Bon Voyage!

Related Topics

Lugging the bare necessities
Flying High with Kids in the Sky
Potty Training and Road Trips
4 Reasons a Road Trip is Better than Flying!
First Aid Kit Essentials for the Traveling Family
Flying With a Disability: What Parents Should Know Before Arriving at the Airport
Road Trip Essentials for Children, Activities and Food to Entertain

Travel is filled with opportunities to blow your diet

Travel is fraught with opportunities to completely blow your family’s diet. Fast food restaurants and greasy spoons beckon hungry road trippers, while many airlines have cut back the in-flight options to stale potato chips or high-sugar candy. The good news is that it is entirely possible to make healthy dining options during your trip. The bad news is that it requires advance planning and organization.

Road Trips

The best way to avoid pigging out on unhealthy food is to eat small, frequent meals. On a road trip, consider packing your own food. Dad and I travel full-time in our RV, and we try to always keep a “car bag” packed. We generally carry individual tuna salad kits, canned meats such as Vienna sausages or sardines, crackers, fresh fruit and a small assortment of cookies and candy. When we remember to pack the cooler, we add yogurt, fruit cups, cheese sticks, hummus and other healthier options.

Packing a picnic puts you in control of your family's dining

One of my favorite childhood road trip traditions was picnicking at roadside rest areas. Before each trip, we splurged on fun foods that we didn’t get every day. At the rest area, my parents would let me buy a soda and some cookies or chips to add to my meal. Instead of sitting still in a restaurant or inhaling burgers in the car, we had some time to run around in the grass and enjoy the sunshine. My favorite stops were always state Welcome Centers, where we picked up maps and tourist brochures or visited the attached museum displays. Now that Dad and I travel full time, we don’t always go the picnic route, but we still try to stop at the Welcome Center every time we cross a state line.

Flights

Airport food has greatly improved in recent years

Last year, Dad and I discovered one of the dirty little secrets of the airline industry–first class still gets amazing food service. We were booked in coach on Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to Denver, but the upgrade fairy decided to smile on us and we were sent to first class. It was an overnight flight, so I didn’t expect much, but we had a never ending supply of hummus, gourmet crackers, trail mix and other treats.

If you, like us, generally fly coach, don’t expect the airline to feed you too well. When we got to Denver, we ran into someone we had met in Alaska. He told us that on his coach class flight on Frontier, he was offered stale potato chips–for a fee. This has been our experience as well across several airlines.

Instead, take nutrition into your own hands by packing some snacks in your carryon bag. Current TSA regulations allow you to carry on food items that are not liquids or gels, and rules surrounding pies and cakes can get tricky. Minimize your hassles by choosing pre-packaged items that are entirely sealed and are of a fully solid consistency.

Alternately, most major airports have dramatically raised the quality of food that is sold airside. Although airport food is pricey, much of it is reasonably healthy. Look for cafés that sell wraps, salads and sandwiches, all of which are easy to carry onto the airplane. You can purchase bottled water airside as well, rather than waiting for flight attendants to come around with drink service.

Cruises

Cruise ships offer a wide range of healthy dining options

Cruise ships are well known for the seemingly limitless array of food choices, almost all of which are included in your fare. Although deep fried, high-fat options are everywhere, cruise lines now offer a plethora of healthier selections. Look for items that are labeled “spa fare” or similar. These healthier choices follow strict guidelines regarding the amount of fat, cholesterol and sodium they can contain. Some cruise lines publish nutritional content labels for their healthier options in the menus, while others do not. Regardless, sticking to spa fare and simpler dishes can drastically reduce your family’s chances of gaining weight on your cruise.

In Town

Scope out the local restaurants when you arrive at your destination

Although you may be able to curb bad habits until you get to your destination, the majority of your vacation meals are eaten once you arrive. Thankfully, both traditional restaurants and museum cafes have gotten on board with healthier solutions.

Shortly after checking into your hotel, take the time to scope out the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with not only the chain restaurants, but also the mom-and-pops. Knowing where to go for a good home-cooked meal can help you avoid making bad choices out of sheer hunger or exhaustion.

Likewise, if you know you’ll be spending the day at a tourist attraction, check out the café early in the day. This gives you time to study the menu and make arrangements to eat elsewhere if nothing on the menu appeals to you.

Finding Balance

There's nothing wrong with the occasional splurge on a decadent dessert

Ultimately, you are on vacation and you deserve to splurge a bit. If your lodging provides a kitchen, you can prepare some meals yourself. You can also keep healthy snack items close at hand. But don’t go overboard.  Allowing your kids to eat some chicken nuggets, sharing a pizza or even indulging in a decadent dessert won’t totally ruin your family’s diet. Like anything else in life, moderation is the key.

Baby travelling gear

Possibly the two most important elements of any trip – with or without children – are what you’ll eat and what essential but sometimes forgotten items you’ll bring on your journey. 

Let’s start with a look at mealtime. Not exactly a news flash, is it? When you get hungry, you get cranky. Small children are often small eaters, and often hungry. And that means – often cranky. Small children who are traveling and cranky…well, let’s just not go there. 

Instead, make sure your little ones are well fed and ready to sight-see. Sounds easy, but on an extended road trip or when you’re trying to avoid both fast food and high end establishments, as our family most often does, it can be a juggling act. 

Travel Snacks for Kids 

Here are some tips to make feeding your brood a less challenging endeavor. First of all, whether you’re going by car, plane, train, or boat, be sure to have plenty of that all important beverage at hand: water. Now obviously these days you’ll have to buy your water at the airport after passing security, but this is not a time to save a few dollars and wait for the beverages on board. Any number of delays can happen, and water not only hydrates and refreshes healthy bodies of all ages, it can be a real life saver to the smaller set. A thirsty child trumps a hungry child any day in terms of unhappiness. When we drive by car, we do keep our nalgene bottles handy for ecologically sound refills, but because you never know what water supplies are out there on the road, we also keep two flats of bottled water in our car at all times. And we use them. 

Portable healthy snacks are the next step. Children of all ages will enjoy a crunchy cracker – but make sure it’s low sodium. Excess salt will make kids thirsty and tired. And much of the salt in processed crackers isn’t a sprinkle or two of sea salt. It’s a preservative. A great alternative: unsalted matzoh, available at any grocery store. For toddlers, Zwiebach crispy crunchy bread is relatively low in sodium, and like many foods for small children, just as tasty for older kids too. Pureed apple sauce, mangos, sweet potatoes aren’t just baby food anymore. They can be a dipping sauce or topping for older kids too. Our favorite toppings though are peanut butter and almond butter, both low or no-sodium, available in convenient individual foil packets at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, and some Safeway chain stores. If you don’t have a local seller, look on line. Incredibly portable, high in protein, and healthy, too. Bananas are also a great snack, easy to eat, come in their own disposable wrappers. And of course, most kids love candy. And some candy is healthier than others. Read the sodium content and list of preservatives on the labels of the major brands and you’ll be surprised at the difference. We’re big on peanut m&m’s, because – assuming there are no peanut allergies in your family, of course – the peanuts are a small source of protein, and the candy is relatively healthy. I’m a Hershey bar with almonds fanatic for much the same reason.  A bag of chocolate chips mixed with unsalted almonds or pumpkin seeds is also both a great treat and food source. Whatever you choose, try to avoid heavy corn syrup and preservatives in the mix. 

Mmmm…pizza. Sometimes a great food-notion.

And now, inevitably, it’s meal time. Just as you’ve chosen healthy snacks, select healthy dining. No matter how quick and easy, or how familiar, avoid fast food. It’s inexpensive and filling, but not fulfilling – in terms of essential nutrients or dining pleasure. By the same token, you’ll want to avoid the convenience of a possibly overpriced hotel restaurant where the kids are going to have few menu choices amid a hushed atmosphere. Our top pick in any town is ethnic restaurants. Regardless of the diet of our family members – and we have one special diet, one vegan, one meat eater, and one pescatarian – it’s the rare Italian restaurant that doesn’t offer a salad, a meat-free pasta, a meat dish, a fish dish. We also like Thai and Chinese, but not the take-out variety which often presents pre-prepared food difficult to custom order. Surprisingly, given the range of our diets, a family style steak house or diner will often have great side dishes or be able to custom prepare a basic meal without the diet elements we wish to exclude. 

Packing Tips 

So, with meal time and snack-sustenance discussed, let’s take a look at the other top travel concern in our book – packing. 

Packing…don’t forget the kid-essentials.

No matter where you go, no matter what the season, we’ve always been glad when we brought these items along and frustrated when we have not. First, a swim suit, even in winter – we’ve discovered heated pools and jacuzzi’s and not had our gear; and a rash guard for the kids to protect them from sunburn. Second, a night light. A small night light is often handy even for adults stumbling to the bathroom in an unfamiliar and dark hotel room, and it can prevent many bumps and bruises for little ones, as well as offering a reassuring glow. Third, if your tots are very small, bring a cloth high chair along. If you’re dining in your room, voila, your little one can join you at the table. Fourth, paper and pencil – or crayons, or pen – great for drawing, journal making, doodling, note taking. Our kids brought unlined notebooks with them from the time they could scrawl a line on a page. Great entertainment, and handy when you have to jot information down quickly, too. Lastly, don’t forget the guide book. There may be something you missed when you read it the first time, a number or name you wish you had along; or you may simply enjoy reading a succinct summary of the places you are visiting or are about to go to the children if they’re of reading age. 

So there you have it – some tips for things to eat and things to bring that should keep your family happy on the road and off, whether you’re visiting family and friends or exploring an exotic locale. Remember, happy travelers of all ages are well fed and ready for the pool!

Learn what to expect before you leave for the airport

As the holiday travel season ramps up, families are facing controversial new procedures at airport security checkpoints. The debate on the new procedures has become a firestorm of controversy, but the TSA is holding fast to its belief that the new procedures are necessary for everyone’s safety. Some families are actually choosing to avoid flying altogether. If you choose to fly, proper preparation can help your kids know what to expect.

Choose Neutral Language

Much of the debate regarding TSA security procedures uses hot words such as “naked scanning” and “groping.” Whatever side of the debate you fall on, these procedures are a current reality. When explaining the process to your children, avoid using hot words. Instead, use neutral language such as “scanner” and “pat down.”

Provide a Step by Step Explanation

Explain to your children that there are three current security processes in place — metal detectors, body scanners and pat downs — and that they might be selected for one or two of those processes. Familiarize yourself with each procedure and explain each in language that your child can understand. Stress the importance of standing perfectly still inside the body scanner, since movement can blur the image and trigger a secondary pat down.

Practice Going Through the Checkpoint

Kids are generally most comfortable when they know exactly what to expect. Use a large cardboard box to set up a pretend scanner. Have your child step inside and hold his arms up over his head. Make sure the child knows that, depending on the type of scanner, it may be loud.

If your child is selected for the body scanner, he will have to not only take off his shoes, but also his belt and any outer garments such as a jacket. He will also need to completely empty his pockets. Practice this process, throwing items into a box or bin, until your child is comfortable doing it quickly and efficiently.

Dress the Part

Choose slip on shoes that are easily removed

The goal of enhanced security measures is to find any items that might be hidden under the clothes. Make it as easy as possible by dressing your kids in lightweight clothes that fit well. Baggy and bulky items may trigger secondary screening, and can make it more difficult for TSA agents to perform the search. Choose slip-on shoes if possible, and unload everything from your family’s pockets into your carryon bag before approaching the checkpoint.

Use the Green Line

Most airports designate different security lines for travelers with different levels of experience. The green line is designated for travelers with disabilities and families. Although the security screening process is the same in all lines, the time pressure is not. Everyone else in the green line will be dealing with strollers, diaper bags, medical devices and other items, so take as much time as you need.

Line up in Advance

Have one adult gather the carry-on bags

One major downside to the new security procedures is that you must leave your personal items unattended on the scanner belt while you undergo enhanced screening. Children old enough to walk must go through the scanner unattended, and must not touch you while you are undergoing your own screening. Minimize the amount of time that your child and your bags are unattended by lining up your family in advance.

Send one adult through first, with no carryon bags, and let others in line go around you until the first adult is cleared. Then send everyone’s carryon bags and the first child. The first adult can keep an eye on both the child and the bags while everyone else goes through. An adult should be the last person through security.

File a Complaint

If you feel that anyone in your family is violated in any way, don’t hesitate to document your experience. Write down the names of everyone involved along with the time and date and a brief description of what happened. The TSA complaint address is listed on the TSA website, and some people also follow up with complaints to their congressional representatives. Many websites and newspapers are also collecting complaints.

While in the situation, though, remain as calm as possible. The TSA does have the power to detain you for questioning and even levy fines for refusing to cooperate. Speak calmly and quietly, cuing your child to do the same.

Above all, try not to worry about the new procedures. Children are very sensitive to their parents’ emotions, and they may become upset or confused. Maintain a positive demeanor, and your kids are more likely to do the same.

Of course part of that stress may come from the fact that this time our ten-day trip to Austin, Texas is not just for vacation; we’ll be attending the wedding of my sister-in-law where both my husband and son will be part of the wedding party. With a host of pre- and post-wedding activities, dinners, and brunches, my usual supply of jeans and t-shirts simply won’t cut it. Now in addition to all the baby and pre-schooler necessities, I also have to pack them a wide selection of clothes that will be perfect for any weather or setting and that I won’t be embarrassed to look at for years to come in all the various wedding pictures. We also have to haul around two enormous car seats and figure out how to cram the belongings of four people into only three suitcases. It’s been a bit of an adventure to get everything worked out but I’ve found three quick things along the way that have made the packing dilemma—especially for children—a bit easier.

1. Mix and match. When it comes to clothes, packing a variety of items that can be mixed and matched is best; that way you end up with several different outfits from only a couple pairs of pants and a few shirts. It significantly cuts down on the number of items you need to bring without limiting the wardrobe selection. It also ensures that you don’t end up packing unnecessary items—like that one shirt that doesn’t go with anything. By bringing mix and match clothes, I’ve made sure that my kids have a number of wedding-appropriate outfits that don’t require ten extra suitcases!

2. If you can buy it there, leave it here. In the past I hauled several packs of diapers and wipes with me on all our trips. Eventually I learned to cut that down to just what I needed while we were traveling. Then when we arrived at our destination I would buy the rest of what we needed to take us through the duration of our trip. This saved us a ton of space in our suitcases and also cut back on their weight—something that’s essential when checking bags for a flight! Of course this tip not only works for diapers and wipes but also for things like snacks, disposable sippy cups, and even toiletries.

3. Improvise where possible. Since we’re staying with family this time we’ve had to make a few adjustments. We’re not willing to drag the pack-n-play with us on this trip so instead we’ll let our daughter share a bed with us. It’s one of those things we don’t do at home but that works best while traveling. When we’re not staying with family, we avoid the sleeping problem by using a portable crib provided by the hotel. Similarly, rental car agencies often provide car seats so you don’t have to go through the hassle of bringing yours with you. We’re not renting a car this time so sadly, we’ll have to haul ours half-way across the U.S.!

While I’ve admitted before that I can be a bit of an over-packer, on some things (like medication and jackets) I’d still rather take too much than risk having too little. Still, I’ve found the three tips above to be extremely helpful while packing for this trip; they’ve allowed me to take everything I’ll need for the wedding and its activities while fitting it all in just three bags. I’m hoping that will make the whole travel experience a lot less stressful. Since this is our first time traveling with both our son and our newborn daughter though, I guess we’ll find out!

Other Related Travel Tips:

Taking the Stress out of Vacation Prep

Lugging the bare necessities

First Aid Kit Essentials for the Traveling Family

Flying With a Disability: What Parents Should Know Before Arriving at the Airport

Flying High with Kids in the Sky

Anchorage airport Alaska at midnight

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, air travel has become increasingly challenging for everyone. Taking off your shoes, undergoing random pat-downs and packing your liquids to comply with regulations can be annoying at best, particularly when traveling with children. If your child has a disability, the process may seem overwhelming. Make a detailed plan before leaving home to help everyone understand what to expect. 

Airport Screening Lanes 

Most major airports now offer three separate security lanes. The black diamond lane is for expert travelers with little carryon luggage and no special equipment. This lane is primarily used by business travelers and frequent fliers, and is not recommended for families. The blue square lane is for casual travelers who are familiar with airport screening procedures. Many well-traveled families with older children use this lane. The green circle lane is for those with special needs, including travelers with disabilities and families with small children. In this lane, everyone is taking their time. You need not worry about “holding up” the line when using the green circle lane. 

Shoes 

Flip flops are easy to remove at the security checkpoint

All travelers passing through a United States airport must remove their shoes and place them on the X-ray conveyor belt. Have everyone in the family wear flip flops or other easily removable footwear. If your disabled child needs special footwear that involves buckles or laces, decide in advance who will help the child with his shoes. That person should not be distracted with carryon bags, electronics, medications or other equipment. Some airports provide chairs immediately before and after the security checkpoint, but many do not. 

Carryon Items 

All items must be individually placed into a bin and onto the X-ray conveyor belt. This includes any pillows, cushions or detachable baskets on your child’s wheelchair or ECV, as well as any mobility aids such as a cane. Items in carryon bags should be neatly packed, making it easy to identify each item during the scan. 

Unless you have a specifically designated TSA (Transportation Security Administration)-approved computer bag, you must remove your laptop from its case. All cell phones and handheld electronic devices must be separately scanned, and you may be required to turn them on. 

Liquids 

Follow the 3-1-1 rule for all liquids except medications

All liquids and gels must conform to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. Each person may present a single one-quart zip top baggie containing liquids in packages no larger than 3 ounces. However, an exception is made for medically necessary liquids. 

If your child uses liquid or gel medications, breast milk or baby food, or if he has a medical need for water or juice, you may carry reasonable quantities. You must declare the liquid items separately from all other carryon items, and present the liquids for additional security screening. 

Wheelchairs or Scooters 

Lock up your chair anytime you leave it unattended

If your child uses a wheelchair or ECV, you have a few options. If the child is able to walk through the metal detector, this is the simplest solution. Roll right up to the metal detector and have the child walk through. The screener will help reunite the child with the chair. 

If your child is unable to walk, you may carry her through the metal detector. Leave the chair with the screener, pick up the child and walk through the detector. You may not pass the child to anyone else until you have both fully passed through the scanner. 

The chair will need to be screened as well. After passing through the metal detector, you will be directed to a separate screening area where the chair will be carefully analyzed. Most screeners allow the child to remain in the chair during this process. Designate someone in your party to collect the carryon bags from the X-ray belt while you are busy with the chair. 

Stay With Your Child 

Certain medical devices including prosthetics and casts may trigger the need for additional security screenings. Your child may need to undergo a pat-down, be scanned with a hand wand or have the cast X-rayed. At no time is TSA permitted to separate you from your child. Assist the security screener by sharing your child’s physical abilities and limitations. Ask the screener what needs to be accomplished and share your opinions on how best to accomplish the goal without causing pain or distress to the child. Speak calmly with your child throughout the process, giving reassurance that everything is okay. 

Boarding the Plane 

Leave your medications in the original pharmacy containers

Most airlines offer special pre-boarding for passengers with disabilities. As soon as you book your flight, contact the airline to explain your family’s needs. Special paperwork is required for certain medical supplies such as a power chair with wet cell batteries or an oxygen container. Speak with the airline’s special needs department at least 24 hours before the flight to confirm that all paperwork was received. Check in at the gate at least 30 minutes before general boarding begins to handle last-minute details. Wheelchairs, scooters and strollers can be checked at the gate. 

Medical supplies do not count against your carryon luggage limit. If your child requires a great deal of medication, consider packing a separate medication backpack to carry on board the plane. Never pack medications or medical devices in your checked luggage. Divide the medical supplies into enough containers to make them easy to lift into overhead storage. Unless you are in a bulkhead seat, you will also have a small amount of storage space beneath the seat in front of you.

Arriving at Your Destination 

An ECV can double as a pack mule for heavy carryon bags

If you gate-checked an item, settle in and relax while everyone else rushes off the plane. Gate-checked mobility aids must be unloaded from the plane’s cargo compartment and then brought to you, a process which often takes 10 or 15 minutes. If you have multiple carryon bags in overhead storage, remove them and place them around your seats to give other travelers access to their belongings. Aircraft personnel will let you know when your chair is delivered. Although incidents are rare, check the chair thoroughly for damage before leaving. By the time you make it to baggage claim, it should be easy to tell which bags are yours!