We have all been there before, you bring your teeny tiny offspring on a lovely holiday away that you have been planning for months.
You are excited, thinking the whole family will enjoy it and it breaks out into absolute hell because of unhappy children.
Toddlers need routine and familiarity in their lives. There is a way to combine this with the unknown surroundings of a holiday to make an easy, relaxing holiday for your little one and also you. Preparation is key!
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1. Familiar Games
Play board games
Image credit: Pixabay
For those moments of downtime such as waiting in the airport or early mornings in the hotel, having familiar games at hand is a great way to make them feel more a home.
If you do not want to haul the more costly games you have, just head over to one of your local garage sales to pick up a cheaper second-hand version or a similar alternative.
2. Opportunity to make friends
Make friends
Image credit: Pixabay
One of the best ways to distract your toddler from feeling homesick is to surround them with children of a similar age.
Being able to make friends and play in entirely new surroundings makes them feel happy and relaxed. The hardest part of your holiday will be tearing them away from their newfound friends at the end.
3. Bedtime companions
Take snuggle friend
Image credit: Pixabay
Fighting with a toddler to get them to sleep can be a nightmare at any time. On a holiday where the weather, bedding, room and surrounds might be different, you can’t expect them to relax so easily.
Bringing along their bedtime cuddly toys or a blanket is a small consideration that makes a big impact.
4. Slow down the pace
Schedule in play time
Image credit: Pixabay
Try not to pack lots of activities into every hour of the day. Although this may work for you, a jam-packed day is going to exhaust your child. This makes for a tired and cranky toddler at the end of it.
Try to space things out. Intermittently integrate action into your holiday and avoid angry children. This makes for a less stressful holiday for the whole family.
5. Choose your accommodation wisely
Choose the right accommodation for your family
Image credit: Pixabay
When looking at accommodation, a house swap or an Airbnb could be a great low-cost and more homely option.
Make sure to look for a family home with children of a similar age. That way, you have a home that is toddler-proof and is already stacked with toys and bedrooms designed for children.
Taking your toddler away for a much-deserved family holiday can be a memorable experience you can document forever.
Of course, the expression “toddler tantrum” is there for a reason. You can minimise these by making your little ones feel as comfortable as possible.
This way, they will embrace the new experiences and you will enjoy the holiday even more.