I admit it I’m a helicopter parent who prefers to prep and pack everything herself because it gets done faster and better.
However, I do understand the importance of equipping children with the independence and necessary skills to have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
And while my son has been travelling since birth, he is now old enough to understand the essential elements of travelling, like packing, transportation, weather, currency exchange, as well as the importance of having a valid passport.
To get him started on the basics of packing for our upcoming trip across Europe, we discussed all the items he would need such as sunscreen, beach towels, hats, and comfortable shoes since we’ll be travelling to different destinations with varying climates and activities.
I also highlighted how important it is for him to keep his personal and valuable items safe since the safety measures in other countries can be very different than the one we live in, and thus, keeping our personal items safe is of great importance. I further explained the importance of bringing documents such passports at all times.
When it comes to transportation, our son is familiar with air, rail and car travel, so discussing safety procedures (like always wearing a seatbelt) as well as exploring all of the various methods of arriving from one destination to the next with the help of Google Maps.
This lead us to the weather – reminding him to check the weather of our destination so that he could be sure to have the right gear packed and be prepared in case he was caught unexpectedly in a rainstorm.
As I moved onto other essential topics for children when travelling, I took time to explain currency exchange, including the different coins and notes, and how to use an ATM machine to get the money needed. At the age of nine, living in a place where children are exposed to many different cultures, I felt it was important to stress to my son the legal requirements of obtaining a passport and crossing international borders.
So as frustrating as it can be for a time constrained helicopter-mum such as myself, it is important to let kids discover things on their own, and getting them in-the-know about holiday travel. Preparation is key to avoiding any stress-induced meltdowns and ensuring a smooth vacation. Plus, the more informed and prepped your child is, the more likely the whole family will have a fun and enjoyable experience.
P.S. Be sure to give your child’s bag a thorough inspection – you never know what random objects, such as the kitchen sink, might have found their way into it!
