With summer getaways fast approaching, for many parents, long queues, airport delays and mid-journey meltdowns may leave them overwhelmed before they even reach their destination.
In fact, one contributor to a public Mumsnet discussion described the stress of travelling with children as making holidays feel “hard to justify altogether1.”
To help families navigate the chaos, Post Office Travel Insurance has teamed up with child sleep specialist, Gemma Coe2, to reveal five practical tips for smoother family travel:
- Don’t board too early
While many airlines invite families to board early, it may not always be the best move.
Early boarding can mean an extra hour of trying to keep a baby or young child still in a confined space. If two adults are travelling, one parent can board first with the bags while the other waits until later with the baby or child.
- Pack the things parents always forget
When travelling with kids, it’s often the smallest items that make the biggest difference.
While spare clothes, wipes and snacks are important, items like a favourite book or blanket can be essential when helping children settle into an unfamiliar environment.
- Plan for a flexible routine
Instead of sticking to strict schedules, Gemma suggests focusing on familiar steps that signal routine, such as a story book or even a portable white-noise machine. These small consistencies can create stability, even when plans change.
Having a mini bedtime routine and packing pyjamas can really help children wind down during late arrivals or longer journeys.
- Keep boredom at bay
The initial excitement of being on a plane can soon wear off. For flights, delays and queues, Gemma advises packing an activity bag and introducing items gradually rather than all at once.
Sticker or colouring books, reusable drawing boards, snacks, headphones, a comforter and a couple of novelty items can help break the journey into manageable chunks.
- Comfort is key
Temperature changes and unfamiliar surroundings can make children more restless.
Dressing children in layers makes it easier to quickly adapt to changing temperatures without the fuss of changing a whole outfit. Check in advance for potential disruptions, such as airport delays or traffic congestion, to minimise stress and discomfort.
Adam Edinburgh, Head of Post Office Travel & New Products, commented:
“Travelling with children is rarely stress-free, especially during busy summer months, but small steps can make a big difference for parents.
“Preparation is key, and having the right travel insurance helps to remove some of the added stress by covering unexpected disruptions like significantly delayed flights 3 or lost belongings. Family policies also include under-18s with no medical conditions at no extra cost.”
To find out more about Post Office Family Travel Insurance, visit: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance/family-travel-insurance
Leave a Reply