Nanny to Mommy

Considering heading away on a family trip? You’re far from alone. Travel has been off the cards for most of us over the past couple years, with the majority of us trying to figure out how to best keep our little ones safe throughout the course of the pandemic. But as vaccines are being taken up and as countries are loosening their restrictions regarding social isolation, social distancing and the closure or strict passage across borders, more and more families are feeling increasingly comfortable planning a family getaway. There are so many perks to doing this. It can give you and your little ones a break from the routine of day-to-day life, seeing new places, experiencing new things and generally creating lasting and fond memories. Of course, if you’re going to head away, you are going to have to pack everything you need for both you and your kids to have a great time. Here are some essentials to remember!

First things first, check everyone’s passports. If you’re heading somewhere where you’re going to cross a border, you’re going to need your passports to complete your trip. If anyone’s has been lost or gone missing, you can apply for replacements in good time. It’s important to not simply check that you all have your passports, but to also check that they’re all in date. You don’t want to get to passport control, only to find that one family member’s passport has expired. You may also need other documentation for everyone in your travelling party, such as visas, boarding passes and more.

Of course, this is a given. But you need to make sure that everyone has sufficient clothes packed for your stay and to make sure that all of the clothes are suitable for the setting that you’re planning on visiting. Check the weather forecast, check the expected humidity and temperature. This can help you to make some good decisions. You also need to consider the activities you’re going to be involved in to ensure you have everything everyone needs to be comfortable during these. You might need swimwear, walking boots, knife holster, and more.

Heading somewhere sunny? Sunscreen is going to be an essential for all of your family members. Make sure to invest in plenty of reliable and known brands with a good SPF. The higher the SPF, the better in most cases. Make sure you have enough to last your entire trip. You may also want to consider waterproof options if your little ones are going to be playing in the pool or sea.

Does anyone in your family need regular medicine or other healthcare products? It’s important to get everything you need on board before heading away and ensuring that you have enough to last the entire trip. This may require a trip to the doctors to explain why you need a larger prescription than usual.

There are a number of products that you may need to invest in for your own safety. These can range drastically, from insect repellant to reduce your chances of being bitten by insects to Defense Options Against Dog Attacks if you’re going to be walking through more rural areas. If you are camping or in locations where others might not have first aid kits available for you to use, you may also want to carry a portable first aid kit of your own.

Most trips will require some element of travelling and kids tend to get pretty bored along the way. Whether you’re heading away by land, air or sea, you’re going to need some sort of entertainment options to keep your little ones occupied, however long it takes to get to your destination. There are so many different options to choose from, ranging from lost cost and basic toys to high end tech purchases like handheld games consoles. If you do go for any electronic forms of distraction for your children, you should make sure that they are fully charged before getting started on your trip and to take the chargers along with you, so they can be charged up ready for the journey home too.

Luckily, if you are traveling to Midland, Texas, there are plenty of family activities in this city to choose from, so you won’t need to worry about packing too many forms of entertainment for the children. From movie theatres and bowling alleys to outdoor activities like horseback riding, river rafting, fishing, and hiking, Midland has something for everyone.

These are just a few essentials to take into consideration when it comes to planning a family trip. Of course, there may be other options to take into account, but these should get the ball rolling in the right direction. Start planning as much in advance as possible.