• this world is not my home

Some random thoughts on making travel with children, especially small children, easier.

Take food everywhere. Take more than you think you will need. Make sure it is healthy food that won't spoil easily and which will be convenient to open and eat anywhere. Take a variety, and make sure some has protein. Things like trail mixes with dried fruit and nuts are fabulous. So are saltine crackers or pretzels.

Take some bottled water everywhere too.

Always take advantage of every opportunity to use the toilet. Take the kids in every one that you see whenever it is even remotely convenient. This helps prevent the urgent and inconvenient "I have to go now" while you are in line at the customs checkpoint or waiting for luggage, or while sitting on a tram between airport terminals.

Try to have a sense of humor. I know that is difficult when you are all tired, the kids are crying and you want to, and someone just threw up or spilled something or had a potty emergency.

That reminds me...always have at least one change of clothes with you for each person. It's no fun to sit on an airplane or in a taxi covered in <smelly, uncomfortable substance>. Neither a child nor an adult enjoys that.

Bring some small toys and books. I like to pack a small new toy for each kid when I travel and keep it hidden until that last minute when I/they just can't take it anymore. This usually buys about twenty to thirty minutes (depending on the child and the toy) and can help until another distraction can be found (food, toilet, etc.).

Try to be gentle, soft voiced, and patient. Yeah, that can be really hard when you are stressed because the plane was late and you are afraid you are going to miss your connecting flight and someone has to <insert inconvenient request>, but do your best.