The classic family road trip movie, National Lampoon's Vacation, took us along with the Griswolds as they drove from Chicago to Los Angeles to visit the mythical Walley World theme park. And it let us experience the worst and the best aspects of traveling with kids.
On the plus side, the trip was a bonding experience for the Griswolds as they endured getting lost, running out of money, awful accommodations and weird relatives. But just about everything that could go wrong did, stressing a family to the max.
Kaydee Sorensen of Salt Lake City recently experienced the downside of family travel when she, her husband and their 9-month-old twins joined an extended group of relatives in Ixtapa, Mexico.
"Our trip was a nightmare," said Sorensen, who paid the extra air fare to return home early.
The biggest problem was that their rented condo was on the sixth floor of a building without elevators, making it difficult to haul heavy strollers and other necessities. Sorensen said the rental Web site didn't have enough detail and, in retrospect, she wishes she would have called to see what the facility was like.
The floors were too hard to throw down a blanket on which the twins could sleep, so they needed to be held most of the time. The lady in the condo above yelled to keep the kids quiet, and family members didn't provide the couple with much of a break.
"I learned a whole lot about traveling with babies on this trip," said Sorensen. "My best advice is to wait until they are 10!"
Kristi Watabe of Sandy might argue that point. She takes her kids, ages 2 and 5, on one or two family large trips each year.
"I love travel with kids more than just about anything," she said. "I plan and plan, and we always end up having a great trip."
That planning takes some work. Watabe spends a great deal of time on the Internet searching for information about such things as parks and playgrounds, reliable tour companies, travel accessories, cruises with kid components, all-inclusive resorts and Web forums with tips to make the journey simpler (see box).
And experts like Mary Wells, an assistant professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at the University of Utah, stress the importance of family vacations.
"Spending time together and doing things that are fun has a big impact on the strength of a family," she said. "Planning vacations or every day things can help make a strong family."
She said exposing children to new experiences at a young age can be valuable, especially since youngsters can pick up sports such as skiing, or learn languages, easier when they are young.
Just getting family members out of their comfort zones for an adventure together can promote bonding and trust.
Parents who try to plan too much need to recognize that parents and kids, especially teenagers, need some down time or a chance to do things on their own.
"When you are dealing with older kids who don't have time to rest or to be by themselves, you are not going to have a good trip," said Wells. "They need to have input on what they are doing and on how they spend their time."
Following kids' instincts, especially when outdoors but also in a city environment, can create interesting opportunities.
"Kids are creative when you let them have the opportunity," said Wells. "If you surround them with everything so they don't have to come up with something themselves, it really isn't helpful."
Kristi Watabe of Sandy is a geologist and paleontologist who describes herself as a stay-at-home mom of two pre-schoolers whose hobby is planning the next family vacation. The Watabe's take one or two large trips each year and have shared cruises and visits to Hawaii, Mexico, California and Miami Beach.
Here are her tips on traveling with kids:
Research » Read as much as possible about your destination before you travel. Tripadvisor.com, for example, has forums where you can ask about local playgrounds or which tour companies provide car seats, and search for things to do with kids at your destination. They also rank hotels and restaurants. Start with a paper map of your destination and a red pen. When you read about a great restaurant, a must-see sight or a beach, mark with red pen on the map. Having a general plan and a pre-marked map reduces a lot of stress.
Reservations » Always book the biggest room within your budget. A suite can give parents an extra room to call their own. Cruise ship cabins can be difficult: If you can afford a cabin with a balcony, book one. Try an all-inclusive resort where everything is paid for in advance.
Responsibility » Kids as young as 1 or 2 can carry their own stuff in a backpack. Pack new toys, activities and treats. Tell the kids they can open a new activity or snack every 30 minutes so they don't go through the whole thing in the first hour.
Electronics » If kids are old enough, pack iPods, Leapsters, portable DVD players or other electronic devices.
Air travel » Fly direct. Airport layovers can double your travel time, something no one wants when kids are involved. Pack individual Zip-Lock bundles of diapers and wipes. Always check the TSA Web site for current rules about carrying liquids, including formula and breast milk, through security. Older kids should carry empty sippy cups through security and fill them on the other side.
Cruising » Become familiar with the Family Cruising Forum on Cruise Critic and look for a cruise line such as Disney, Carnival or Royal Caribbean that has a well supervised and fun kids club. Because most cabins don't come with a tub, pack a small inflatable baby bath tub that can be placed inside the shower and filled for a bath. Since some ships don't allow diapered children in pools, take the little inflatable tub to the pool deck.
Car travel » Schedule extra time at playgrounds along the way to avoid the stress of a too-long drive. Look up road trip travel games online. Invest in music for kids.
Packing » Pack as many bags as the airline will allow assuming the fees aren't too high. Carry an extra empty duffel or two in your baggage that can be used to bring home souvenirs or dirty laundry.
Great travel items »Pack cheap toys in your luggage from a dollar store for use when you are trapped in your room, the car, or a cabin with a cranky kid. Many hotels offer mini-cribs for babies. Pack a sheet or pillow that smells like home if you have space. Pack a travel stroller with a good sun canopy and a seat that reclines. Many online sites, such as Onestepahead.com, offer a range of travel and sun accessories for kids.
Packing lists » Make a packing list months before you travel. Start collecting items you'll need in an unused corner of your house. Make sure you don't forget items that aren't easily found at your destination, such as medications, swim diapers or sunscreen for sensitive skin.
» cruisingwithchildren.blogspot.com (cruising with kids)
» www.onestepahead.com (travel gear)
» boards.cruisecrutic.com (family cruise forum)
