As the holidays approach and school breaks loom on the horizon, many families are preparing to travel. Some are seasoned travelers, but some may be preparing for their first long trip with children. Whether by car or air (or bus or train), families may ask your advice on how to travel safely and with the least amount of difficulty. Additionally, every opportunity for travel – no matter where you are going – is an opportunity for children to learn.
First, I think it is important to remember that the same safety precautions that apply while home also apply while traveling, with particular emphasis on car safety. Having struggled to carry a large bulky car seat through the airport on more than one occasion, I’m sympathetic to the fact that this isn’t always easy. However, the risks of car travel remain the same no matter where you are (and, no matter what the laws of the state or country you are in). Families may want to think about simple ways they can make things easier for themselves. First, there are a variety of different carrying bags for car seats, which can make transport much less cumbersome. Our family purchased a fairly inexpensive backpack-style carrier that was very convenient to use, but there are many other options as well, including one that transforms a convertible car seat into a stroller. Rental car companies typically can also provide car seats if you’d rather not wrestle yours onto the plane or pay the luggage fee. When traveling around cities when my own children were very young, we often chose to take public transportation rather than a taxicab so we didn’t have to make the choice between dragging the car seat around all day or not using a car seat in the cab. The added benefit to this was that our children got a bit more walking in, saw a different view of the city, and had fun learning how to read the subway maps. And, of course, even on long car rides, older children and adults should always wear their seat belts throughout the entire trip.
Another consideration to make travel safe and easy is being prepared for the unexpected. Particularly during the winter when weather is unpredictable, delays can happen at any time and without warning. Advise parents to travel with snacks and a simple meal (peanut butter sandwiches are our standby) because sometimes food won’t be available for immediate purchase, and restless hungry children are much crankier than simply restless children. On that note, it is also wise to travel with books, small activities, and diversions. Electronics are popular, but I don’t recommend relying only on electronics. From a practical standpoint, batteries may run out, but more importantly having a variety of activities to choose from is intellectually stimulating, keeps children occupied for longer, and helps them learn how to entertain themselves without a screen. When our children were little, we would often wrap small gifts for them (like coloring books) that we would parse out at critical moments on the trip. Parents should be sure to travel with (and carry on if they are flying) any essential medicines. For children with special health care needs, it is a good idea to also travel with a summary medical history, and the names and contact information for their regular pediatrician and any specialty providers.
Finally, travel should be fun and interesting. No matter where a family is traveling to, there are unique things to see and learn along the way – and once you get there. A trip to the library or bookstore before you go (or once you get where you are going if you’re like my family and are scrambling to get everything ready at the last minute) to find both nonfiction and fiction books that have something to do with the area you are visiting, even if they are just set in the state or country, can make even seemingly boring things much more intriguing. For example, my children have spent much more time in museums than they otherwise would have after reading books about paintings or history, which sparked their interest (and then finding the painting or person described in the book in the actual museum). Talking about the states they travel through, reading maps as they go, or even making short stops along the way will allow children to experience new things that will keep them interested, make travel exciting to them, and broaden their perspective of the country or world. Some of this you can plan in advance, some you may come across completely spontaneously – with your smart phone you can find out just about anything, anywhere, at any time. With a little patience and planning, families can have safe and fun holiday travel, and keep learning happening even when school is out.
Dr. Beers is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Children’s National Medical Center and the George Washington University Medical Center, Washington. She is chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Residency Scholarships and president of the District of Columbia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. To comment, e-mail Dr. Beers at pdnews@frontlinemedcom.com .
