Reducing The Stress Of Family Travel

Family travel can be a terrific bonding experience but getting there can be a stressful process when traveling with young children.

How can parents avoid or manage the potential for high altitude decompensation in their children? 

Let’s face it; family travel can cause anxiety in both the parents and the children. The packing, the check-in, and the lines at the airport can all cause emotional discomfort.

 

Amy Tara Koch wrote an article for The New York Times, (11/4/18, Travel Section), titled “Strategies to Soothe a Turbulent Child.”  She offers the following advice for parents:

Pre – Trip Prep – Chat with your children in advance about the possible overwhelming experience they may have at the airport.

Set Ground Rules – Make sure your children are comfortable and well fed.  Establish some travel ground rules.

Keep Kids Busy – Have age-appropriate activities and easy to transport snacks on hand.  Overstimulation can be caused by the use of electronic devices.

Establish a Rewards System – Distribute surprises for good behavior.

Use a Flight Attendant as a Buffer – They are trained to de-escalate the conflict.

Bribe your Fellow Passengers – Bring goody bags to those sitting near you.  It’s a peace offering in the event of a storm.

I read this article with great interest, as I remembered traveling with my children when they were young. I recall those days of boarding a plane with my then two young children. It is a scary time both for the parents and the passengers.

It’s why I created The ArtsBot in hopes to inspire creativity and imagination across the universe through arts, crafts and reduce screen time. Our craft kits are compact, neat and require no glue or scissors and fit perfectly on tray tables. These craft kits are a bright and fresh solution to make your trip smoother. 

Join us in our mission to bring creativity to all!