When you become a parent, you know that certain aspects of life are going to become more challenging. The simple act of leaving the house can take hours, and going out to eat at a restaurant can seem like a distant memory.

However, nothing is more daunting than the prospect of travelling with your children. 

An already stressful experience, travelling with children, especially little ones, can put the fear of God into even the most laid-back parent.

Fortunately, travelling with kids doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Simply follow the below tried and tested practical tips, and you will be relaxing in the sun in no time.

Be early 

Pre-kids, you may have left everything to the last minute when it comes to travelling, but you simply can’t do this when you have little ones in tow. Instead, pack early, leave for the airport early and then simply sit back and watch everyone else rush around you. 

Pack all the essentials 

If you used to buy all your holiday essentials at the airport, unfortunately, you can no longer rely on this method to see you through a trip with children. Instead, purchase items such as childrens suncream and medicine before you go so that you can ensure you have exactly what you need. Toddle Born Wild specialises in natural vegan sun creams for babies and children that are ideal for sensitive skin as they contain no chemicals or parfum.

Pick child-friendly accommodation 

You may have a favourite hotel that you used to frequent in your child-free days, but you need to carefully consider whether this accommodation is child-friendly or not before you make another booking. For example, if your child is still using a pushchair, does the hotel have a lot of steps or does it provide easy access for you to push your child around? 

Does it offer a family restaurant? Entertainment for children? All of these elements need to be considered if you want to enjoy a stress-free holiday. 

Plan your flights

Did you used to book flights in the middle of the night to save a few quid? If yes, you may want to reconsider this now that you have kids. Depending on the age of your child, it can be a good idea to try and book a flight time that coincides with their usual bedtime so that they are more likely to sleep through the flight. 

Alternatively, a mid-morning flight when they are due a nap can also work well but don’t take it as gospel that your child will sleep as they usually do. The excitement of new surroundings may cause them to stay awake and alert, or worse, tired and grumpy but still refusing to sleep. 

Of course, the best option would just be to hire a private jet so you can just come and go anytime you please in total comfort and luxury without having to worry about strangers kicking the back of your seat. To charter a private jet cost quite a bit more than a standard flight, but if you can afford it then it could well be worth the investment.

Keep calm 

Although easier said than done, if your children see you getting stressed out and worked up, they are much more likely to follow suit. Instead, try to keep your cool, ask for help from the airline or accommodation provider where possible and try to remember that it won’t be long before you are sipping cocktails by the poolside.