This guest post was written by Joan Villanueva.
Parents tend to think that their kids will like most everything that they do. They think the kids will be excited to go new places and see new things, but it doesn’t always work like that. Sometimes, the kids are moody, even if the parents are excited about the trip they are going to take. There will be times when the kids just want to stay home rather than go on an adventure. When they travel, kids may be tired and moody rather than thrilled to get up early and do stuff.
So, how do you get your kids to have a good time when you are travelling? Sometimes, it will be easy to do, depending on the temperament of your kids, but other times it will be difficult. Here are some tips to help with those difficult times.
1. Give Them Some Options
You might think that your kids will enjoy the big tourist attractions where you are going, but don’t take that for granted. They may have no fun at the art museums, the historic sites, and the natural wonders. What would they enjoy, though? If you ask them, they might say that they just want to sit in the hotel room and watch television. But if you give them a few choices and let them pick, they may suddenly take an interest in the trip.
Try this the next time you are traveling. Either pick out a few experiences and let your child choose one to do or ask them if there is anything they are interested in doing where you are going. This lets them know that they have some input and control over the trip, and it gives them the opportunity to let their voice be heard. It shows that they are valued and that the trip isn’t just about your interests.
2. Give Them Spending Money
The reason your kids are not interested in the trip you are taking could be because they have no money to spend. They might not be all that interested in snapping pictures and seeing monuments, but if you put some money in their hands, they may start thinking about what they want to purchase and look forward to the trip. It doesn’t have to be a lot of money, but if you give them a chance to just buy one or two small things, that can be enough to have them looking out in anticipation for shops and looking forward to each day of the trip.
3. Relieve Them of Some Chores
Parents who are raising responsible kids will require them to do chores like washing dishes, sweeping floors, taking out the trash, and cleaning their room. Your kids might not be as excited as you are about the trip because they know that their chores will pile up in their absence. They may be thinking about how much work they will have to do when they get back home and that they won’t have much of a chance to rest. You can relieve some of those concerns by handling some chores for them or having someone else take care of them. You could even tell your kids that they get a break from their chores for the first day back from the trip.
Consider hiring a maid service for a standard cleaning, and that can take some of the pressure off of your kids. You can do this either right before you leave for your trip or after you come back, so there isn’t as much work for the kids to do. They will really appreciate this thoughtful gesture, and it will allow them to enjoy the trip more and not worry so much about their chores.
4. Bring Activities for Your Kids to Do
What are your kids going to be doing on the long plane or car rides to and from your destination? What will they do at night in the hotel room or at other downtimes during your trip? You want to provide them with some form of entertainment or something to do, so plan for these downtimes as well.
It may not be wise to just put a tablet or phone in their hands and tell them to find something to do during the long travel periods. You can bring colouring and activity books for them, drawing pads, and books to read. There are many travel games you could play in a car or plane as well, and if you look up a list of those, you can find a few games your kids might enjoy, no matter how old they are.
5. Give Them a Chance to Rest
Kids tend to burn energy fast, especially when they are doing something they really enjoy or spending time on vacation. They might get up early and stay active all day long. While you are sitting down looking at a historic site, your kids may be running around and having a great time. That energy expenditure will catch up with them, and they may crash by midday or early evening. Give them plenty of time to recuperate and catch their energy back. They may need extra time to sleep and a chance to recharge after lunch.
If you can take the time to let them rest up properly as you travel, your kids will have better attitudes and be less grumpy. They will be more excited about the trip and will have the energy to do all the things they and you want to do. Pay attention to their energy levels and their need for rest. Even if they don’t think they are tired, they might benefit from some late mornings and some extra time at the hotel.
Kids can be fun to travel with if you manage their expectations and give them something to look forward to. Think about activities you can do that are appropriate for their age level and that will interest them. If you follow the tips we have given you, traveling with your kids can be much more pleasant.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by by Joan Villanueva.
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