Documents Checklist for flying abroad with family

If you are planning for an international destination with your kids, preparation for the trip should be well begun, starting from the packing of the luggage, which finally ends to the documentation process that makes you reach there.

But more important make sure that documents that you have filed are correct as per your landing - place because documentation can vary from country to country. Adequate documentation is a prerequisite for happy family travel abroad.

Documents Checklist for flying abroad with family

• Consent Letter: if you are holding a Consent letter, it means you have the permission to step in foreign countries.
• Travel Insurance is Must:  If you are flying abroad or anywhere, doesn't matter but make sure to buy the finest travel insurance. It is mandatory and your insurance should enclose health, a charge of hospitalization, cost of doctoring, etc to sidestep the super expenses.
• Passport the Only Trustworthy Identification: Carrying a passport along with you proves that you have the right to return to your homeland. But ensure that your passport is not expired or lost, or damaged. If so It happens better to apply for the renewal or apply for the new one.
• Visa: Visa is an approval for a non-citizen to trek for a specific country or outland. Check for which type of visa you have applied either for a student visa, business, or a tourist’s visa. It is the legitimate document, which gives you a privilege from overseas power that you can enter their country.
• Collateral Identification: Travel documents along with passports and visas the other supportive identification like birth certificate; driver's license or citizenship of the native country can also work as proof.
• Other Supplementary Documents:  if you are a single parent or a divorcee, you must carry divorce papers, or court orders, or the certificate of the dead person along with you.
• Tickets to Travel: Make sure you have paid for the correct ticket for the exact dates and the destination. Always carry an itinerary receipt along with you, if you have booked your tickets online.
•  Duplicates of the Documents: To deal with the case of an emergency like your documents are stolen or your important pages are lost, just Xerox the documents that should include all your airline tickets, visa, passports, credit cards, and all the necessary stuff. Also, carry additional photographs of your family members.
• Check other Customs and Laws: As the charge and rules of the countries vary in respect of documents containing visas, passports, citizenship, etc. Ensure that you have adopted the right screening of the records and testimony.

Check the above document list before planning for any vacation with kids; you will get to know if you have missed something. Feel relax and enjoy your holiday without any strain.

Important Family Travelling Accessories that you can’t skip

Packing of right traveling accessories is a prerequisite when you are going out for any family vacation. Check out the list below and make sure that you haven’t missed important travel accessories:

Clothes as per the Weather Conditions: Put on your clothes according to the climatic conditions. Add on the swimsuit if you are going near the beach. Bring jeans, a sweatshirt, and stockade shoes for the freezing nights. Add extra pairs of clothes, socks, and undergarments for your baby/ kid. Your choice of clothing and footwear should complement the weather and atmosphere of your destination.

Enjoy your family travel with the right travel accessories!

First Aid Items: Don’t forget to carry a small and separate bag full of bandages, pain relief tablets, cotton wools, Antiseptic creams, the necessary wipes, and a pair of scissors along with you that will help you out in an emergency. Also, take along mosquito repellants and creams, plus medicine for mosquito bites. Consult your child doctor for essential medicines for your baby/ kid.

Important documents: always carry identification papers of your family with you, even if it is a local trip. For overseas travel, you need to carry a passport, visas, permissions, and other necessary documents required by the destination country. 

Due to COVID, carry your vaccination reports and/ or COVID test reports as per visiting state laws.

Homemade snacks: Foods such as nuts, favorite snacks, cookies, biscuits, or any homemade food items must be carried on a family trip.

Plastic Bags, Rubber Bands, and Ziplocs: Everyone found plastic bags, Ziplocs, or a rubber band as the standout part while camping. If you want your wet clothes to put down somewhere, or you want to pack something, plastic bags and Ziplocs are the first things you remember.

Smartphone Chargers: The most important thing these days is the chargers of your Smartphone or any other gadget that you keep along with yourself while traveling. Try to go with multiple chargers that can charge your cell phone batteries and gadgets at once.

Headphones: Headphones take no space and are the perfect gear to travel with. Enjoy the tuning of your favorite songs with no whipping of the crowd.

Pillow for a Calm Sleep: At times you may find the beanbags of hotels or different places quite uninteresting and smelly. So, always carry a sleeping bag and pillow with you for your peaceful sleep.

Flashlights with Extra Batteries: Of course, adding little flashlights and lanterns to your traveling kit can save you from the darkness. Lanterns are protracted and shed their glowing light in all directions.

Toiletries: Pack your own toiletries, your toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, towels, conditioners, shaving kit, sanitizers, etc. in your bag. Make sure you have kept all your ablutions in the correct way. Take an extra set of diapers, baby wipes, and essential accessories in separate bags for your kid.

A Pocket Knife: This lightweight pocket knife will help you a lot while you're traveling. Many times, we use a knife, scissors, or cutters for cutting vegetables or fruits.

A Pack of cards - An Easy Time Pass: Playing games like UNO or a simple rummy will work out with family and will also add a little memorable moment while winning the games. Moreover, remember to carry your favorite toy or a portable game for your kiddo.

                                             

All-Inclusive Backpack: A Backpack is the essential item to carry along you're traveling route. You can put all your personal belongings, eatables, goods everything in the zippers and the hidden locks all at once that are provided.

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Important tips for single moms travelling with kids

Planning out for a vacation with friends or with singles is quite an amazing and wonderful experience. Isn't it? However, it is possible many times that you have to plan out for some trip alone with your children. The main concern of single moms remains safe to travel with kids. It can be very tricky and challenging to manage kids and travel happily. 

Important tips for single moms traveling with kids 

Don’t you worry, keep on reading these traveling tips for moms with kids and have a good time with your little ones.

• Pack Your Bags Wisely:

The foremost important thing you must remember at the time of your journey is the luggage. The less you pack, the more you will enjoy it. Just add on one carry bag, one suitcase, and a stroller for your little one. It would be smooth for you to take care of your child alone. In addition, pack clothes as per the climate of your destination.

• Some Cookies and Dry Fruits will help you a lot:

Don’t forget to bundle a small kit of healthy snacks mixed with some cookies, almonds, raisins, and candies that your child loves to eat. Yes, it happens most of the time your child doesn’t like airplane food. Always carry his preferred food and refreshments for inch-by-inch munching.

• Don’t Miss Their Favorites at Home:

Mom always knows what her child loves to do. While packing up a bag don’t forget to team with their favorites. Carry on their preferred coloring books, board games, a tiny DVD player, or an iPod for the songs or movies they watch and enjoy.

• Essential documents while traveling with kids

Remember to carry your identification cards and that of kids too! While traveling abroad do carry passports, visas, and necessary permissions wherever required for taking kids abroad without the other parent.

• Traveling Insurance - Save Your Bucks:

Some of the traveling insurance companies bid various offers for kids. A well-planned trip with following the insurance plans can save you money.

                                           

• Pick the Perfect destination and also analyze the Hotel before stepping in:

The destination that you choose really matters, ask your kids what kind of involvement they want for their recreation. You may choose single-parent vacation packages for traveling with like-minded people.

Make sure that the hotel you selected is kid-friendly and that all the requirement kits are available at your desk. Ask your hotel for babysitting services that will provide you much-needed relief.

                                   

• Pack a First Aid Box and Also Involve a Backup Plan:

Always carry a thermometer, Band-Aids, cough syrups, and other regular medicines in a small bag that can be used at any time. Teach your children if they got lost whom they can call for help, teach them a little about road maps, memorize them your cell phone numbers, etc which will be of great help to you in unforeseen circumstances.

• Don’t Forget to Click a Beautiful Snap:              

Last, but not least clicking beautiful snaps will surely talk a lot about your superb journey. Don’t forget to give some space to your camera. Keep on flashing the angelic moments and spend the ideal time together.

The above tips will comfort you a lot while knocking around with your kids and you will love traveling all the way.

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Road trip with kids

Tips to avoid food poisoning to kids while traveling

Food poisoning in the kid is the last thing you will keep in judgment while creating a traveling plan with the family. It can be as minute as stomach pain to as dangerous as to last several days. The major symptoms of food poisoning are being sick, belly aches, mild fever, and weakness.

It is prudent if travel plans include precautions and medical solutions for this problem before heading for a trip. 

Best Tips to avoid food poisoning to kids while traveling

Here are some guidelines which should be adopted to avoid food poisoning to kids while traveling.

Breastfeeding the baby while traveling  

                  

Breast milk is the purest milk a baby can have. Breast milk should be favored instead of pasteurized milk. And it is the best option while traveling as it cuts down the prospects of food poisoning to the child. 

It can cause danger to the kid if his/her mother prefers the milk in plastic bottles. The bottle needs to be fresh every two hours, which is a huge task while traveling.

All you need to do is carry comfortable, nursing clothes/ maternity wear to nurse your baby whenever required.

                        Casual Colorblock Long-sleeve Nursing Hoodie

Say NO to plastic covered food items

You have to be careful about the food your child is using up. Is it properly cooked or baked? It must not be handled with plastic wrappers and also keep a look at the expiry date of the foodstuff. 

It is advisable to have some house cooked food while traveling as it would cut down the prospects of food intoxication. You can also prefer fruits for your kids, but they must be fresh and well cleaned.

Check drinking water before you use it during travel

Keep an eye on which type of water your kid is drinking. It must be well sterilized or mineral water. Besides, don’t forget to see the seal as well as the expiry date on the bottle. Water is one of the main sources from which your kid can get food poisoning.

Ensure kids drink plenty of safe water and fluids throughout the travel period.

Say no to roadside foods

                                         

Always go for food from reputed food outlets. Avoid buying from roadside vendors as they seldom follow cleanliness rules. Check from locals about reputed restaurants or resort to the internet for reliable food outlets at your destination.

                         

Choose what you eat carefully

Mostly, food poisoning occurs from meat and eggs. It could be dangerous if eggs are not properly boiled or meat is not properly cooked. They carry higher risks of food poisoning with them. 

It would be better if you avoid this stuff during traveling. Also, this counts in a heavy diet, which should be avoided during traveling.

Ideally, homecooked food is safe and nutritious. If not possible, buy packed foods/ snacks beforehand and carry them while traveling to avoid food poisoning to kids.

                                                   Banana Bar Cookies 

Ensure the cleanliness quotient twice

Make sure the spoons or the plates you are using must be sterilized. Also, there must be no dirt in your kid’s hands as they give a pathway to bacteria to let inside the body and cause stomach issues. 

Develop a habit of handwashing in kids before eating and after using washrooms.

                Werewolf Spot the Difference Game for kids

Ensure must-have items in your carry bag

Keep some antibiotics, energy drinks,  face masks, and sanitizer with your luggage, and don’t forget to have a thermometer. Also, pack some emergency food that must be easier and can be used during an emergency. 

If the child is having stomachache or showing symptoms of food poisoning, ensure the kid drinks loads of water while you contact the nearby doctor as soon as possible.

Follow these tips to avoid food poisoning and for safe travel with kids.

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Air Travel with infant and kids

Traveling needs conceptualizing, planning, and organizing. When it comes to air traveling with kids, this same task calls for extra attention to all details. Our children are completely dependent on us and so we as adults need to make sure that their journey is safe, comfortable, and joyful. 

Checklist for your safe air travel with infant and kids

Plan well in advance

Adults don't have the luxury to opt for a last-minute journey if they are going to be accompanied by their kids. Planning is very important if you wish you make it a hassle-free affair. Always decide in advance one parent will accompany kids and the other one will get things done once the family leaves for the airport. For reaching the airport, you may request a friend to drop you else book a cab in advance to avoid the last-minute hassle.

                                                                                               

Family travel is a great time for bonding with kids.

Before you leave for the airport

Web check-in and online seat assignment are big-time savers. These small things save you from lots of hassles when you are at the airport with your baby/ kid. Remember to print out your boarding pass as well and put them on top of your cabin bag. Along with this, you must have your IDs, tour itinerary, and important contact numbers of the travel agent/ contact person of your destination.

Remember to carry your COVID vaccination reports and/ or the latest COVID test reports as per the rules of the airlines and state/ country you intend to visit.

Consider possible emergencies

Make a checklist of what you can possibly need for your child during the travel. Also, check with the airlines if they allow a stroller and car seat for lap infants. Also, make sure that you pay attention to the standard emergency briefing. You may also talk to the flight attendant if they have any emergency equipment for children in particular.

Carry-on luggage should be thoroughly equipped   
                      

Right from your kid’s food, water, milk, baby food, snacks, and medications, your cabin luggage should include everything in sufficient quantities.  For babies, remember to carry pacifiers, milk bottles, and plenty of diapers. 

                                               

Children tend to get bored very soon. Don’t forget to carry some items of their interest too, so that they don’t bother you too much.

Security checks before boarding the plane

Check with the officials if there are special lanes for security checks of families. Also, ascertain if they allow slings/ strollers/ car seats to be used while security checks going on and after that as well till the time of boarding the plane. In addition, prepare your kids well about the security process in order to seek cooperation from them. 

Once the process is done, let the kids run around or play in the play area of the airport. It is also the time to head to the restroom to change the diapers of your baby or buy some last-minute snacks/ water bottles for your family.

Related post-  Important Family Travelling Accessories that you can't skip

No aisle seat for your child

While most kids love the window seat, there are also a few who would want to sit on the aisle one. But don’t allow them to sit there for too long and definitely not if you see the serving cart coming.

                              

Taking off, in-flight, and landing time

The ear pressure during takeoff and landing can disturb your baby/ kids a lot. So it’s better to nurse your baby or bottle feed him or use pacifiers to divert the attention. For older kids, gum can do the trick. Encourage them to take a nap so that the journey is less tiresome for them.

Don’t let your kids wander in the airplane without you having an eye on them. During long journeys, you should take extra care of this. Engage them in some conversation, book reading, or playing with small toys.

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In addition, sharp, heavy objects, and toys that can break easily should be avoided while traveling by air. Electronic games should be immediately closed as per the instructions.

Keep the child belted at all times

This can be very tough especially if you have a hyperactive kid, but nevertheless, you will, at all costs, have to ensure this, just to make sure that your kid is safe and very much in his place.

Unforeseen situations

Flight delays obviously upset anybody but you cannot do anything about it. It is better to be prepared for it especially w.r.t. kids. While on the flight, bad weather conditions or emergency landings do create havoc. The best thing at that time is to follow the instructions of the crew and maintain your composure. Your kids will react in the same way as you will.

Werewolf Spot the Difference Game for kids.

A child’s responsibility is the biggest ever. And you cannot blame anybody if things don’t fall according to your plan. The most important thing to remember is never to panic no matter what. Instead, think of all the alternatives that can come in handy in case of emergencies!

Hope these air travel tips with infants and kids have helped you to plan your air travel. Have a safe journey!

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Important Tips for Train Travel with kids

Kids love train journeys, and especially if the travel is planned well. Taking small things into consideration and giving attention to the smallest details can work wonders for you. Here we present a list of train travel tips for traveling with kids. Go over them to have a successful train journey with kids.

                                                               

Important Tips for Train Travel with Kids

1.    Arrive well before scheduled departure

Irrespective of whether you have booked your ticket in advance or not, you should arrive at the station at least forty-five minutes before the train arrives. This way you can take care of the seating arrangements and make the journey comfortable, especially for your kids.

Opt for a direct-route train

Look at the various options and you’ll be amazed to see that although you have a wide range of trains to choose from, there are only a handful that has a direct route. This is important to save time. And your kids will appreciate a short journey moreover a never-ending train ride!

3.  Know the Train Ticket Prices For Kids

Don’t pay an adult rate for your eight- year old. Many times, there is a low fare for children below 12 years. You might want to get complete information before you book your tickets.

Different countries follow varied price structure, it is vital to check beforehand. In case the price provide special benefits for families or any other kind, like for the army, do check it out and avail the benefit.

4.   Consider train timings

Children love gazing out the window, especially when the train is passing by the countryside. That’s their favorite pastime. And if you accidentally happen to book a night train, then your kids are not going to like it. Or, in case you have a considerably long train journey, then opt for the overnight train and preferably a cabin for the privacy of your family.

5.  Always opt for a trial train journey first

Hyperactive kids don’t like to sit and do nothing. Go for a short length train journey to see how your kid reacts. If he/ she likes it then you can choose to go by train for long distances or else skip the idea for a few years.

6.   Never ignore the train’s safety guidelines

Train travel is different from a road trip. Familiarize yourself with all the safety rules and guidelines of the train. You can then make your kids aware of the train protocols. This is mandatory to protect your family from having to face uncalled-for incidents and to make your travel as comfortable as possible.

7.   Know about the dining car

If you are opting for long-distance train travel, then pre-book the seating/ meal in the dining car. This will avoid last-minute hassles, and you can ensure that your child is well-fed during the journey.

8.  Exclusive Travel backpack for kids

Kids love to carry luggage of their own. So, allot a backpack to your kid with his/ her choice of homemade snacks, comics, storybooks, and entertainment options such as cards, Rubik's Cube, puzzles, and other portable pastimes. You may also stick a card on the bag displaying their name and other details.

                                

Baby accessories

In case you need to travel with your baby, then pack plenty of clothes, diapers, pacifiers, and baby food in a separate bag. It is advised to keep an extra of everything to deal with unforeseen situations.

Medical kit

Need we say, you must pack essential medicines related to kids. If your kid is prone to some medical ailment, then do carry the related medicine and doctor's prescription to deal with unexpected circumstances. Always encourage kids to use hand sanitizer/ soap on the journey to maintain hygiene.

Must Read - Tips to Avoid Food Poisoning to Kids while Traveling

Rules to remember for Train Travel with Kids

  

Always keep your kids in between and do not let them go out of your sight.  

While waiting on the platform, boarding or deboarding the train, always hold their hands as the place may be crowded. 

Even while going to the washroom, accompany your kids so that help is just a call away. 

Make sure that you don’t leave your kids alone even for a moment while on the train. 

Confirm kids of 5 years or so know their home address, parents' contact number, their destination, etc.

Kids are really vulnerable and can create huge problems or get into one without even blinking an eye. Provide age-appropriate guidance at home for smooth family travel.

With these essential travel tips, we hope you and you kids will definitely love your train travel experience!

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Happy Eco-friendly Holi to you

Smearing colors on each other and splashing water- this scene instantly brings fond memories of the Holi festival to our minds, though I only watch people splashing water and colors. :)

My idea of Holi is all about preparing delicacies and enjoying them with family. Besides, I enjoy exchanging greetings with all those who mean to me a lot in my life. In fact, I do feel we can find some eco-friendly and alternative ways to enjoy Holi as we often hear about mishaps due to negligence or otherwise.

Let us celebrate eco-friendly Holi!

Alternate Ways to Celebrate Holi This Year

1. Instead of wasting tonnes of water down the streets, it would be better to create a huge water tub filled with natural colors in a common area and enjoy the celebrations. However, there are other ways too that exclude unnecessary water usage.

2. Another attractive option is to play Holi with flower petals. In some parts of India, people shower petals on each other and celebrate in an eco-friendly way.

3. Create colors at home with daily-use items such as turmeric, vegetables, henna powder, sandalwood powder, dried leaves, and flowers. These are natural and skin-friendly, causing no harm to users. Avoid chemical colors and other harmful options.

                                                      

4. Involving kids in Holi preparations, be it in the kitchen or in decoration, is another awesome way. Ask your kids to express their feelings about the festival by way of drawings/ paintings or write-ups as well.

5. Switch to colors on the paper. Let kids draw, color/ paint their thoughts and feelings related to the festival on the canvas. Just see what comes out and enjoy the creation. My six-year-old daughter created her imagination on paper and here it is:

We pasted her masterpiece on the door of her room.

Let there be colors of love, faith, hope, and happiness everywhere. Wish you all a safe, memorable, and eco-friendly Holi!!

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