Either it be three blocks to the market, or across an ocean, traveling with miniature emotional time bombs (aka toddlers), is indeed possibly the most challenging feat on the planet, or perhaps the universe. It is not for the weak of heart. One must be brave, energetic, flexible, and have a keen sense of humor. Otherwise … it could all go up in flames with both toddler and parent kicking and screaming on the dirty floor of the train station.
Because we are only a one car family, my daughter and I regularly take public transportation, averaging an hour a day. By no means am I yet a master of the art of toddler travel, however, after almost a dozen trips across the Atlantic and endless hours “accompanying” my two-foot partner in crime on trains, buses and boats, here are a few of my personal survival tactics, which may, or may not help you other poor souls traveling with irrational toddlers or babies:
- Always travel with a scarf. This can act as a back up outfit incase they leak or soak through both their first outfit and their emergency outfit. It is also a great means to cover a surface area before your child decides to nussle their head into a scary seat crack.
- Extra snacks! Of course. ALWAYS pack more snacks then you think necessary. Planning, I know. It’s the worst, but so so worth it. AND don’t forget snacks for yourself to avoid turning into hungry mom-zilla.
- iPad. For all the anti-screen naysayers out there, sorry, but the iPad is my personal savior, and I don’t think I would be surviving here today without this key child support system. I only let her play informative games (to make myself feel like a better parent), and I usually limit her time to about half a train ride or so. BUT iPad time is so important for me to have a moment to settle in, wrap my head around the day and have a chance to breathe after a (usually always) rush to catch the train. iPads and airplanes are another story – I usually let her play on it quite a lot for the long flights, but lately she is really into watching tv on the plane, so I just let her be. Survival.
A Good Buggy. Your buggy is your mini van, your crap-schlepper, your crutch, and your saving grace when things go awry. Invest in a GOOD buggy, one that is reliable and can endure the extreme unexpected. My BOB stroller, is the ultimate best. It is tough, comfortable (my husband’s given me a ride in it on a few bad days – it was fabulous), it has withstood multiple international trips, terrible weather, and survived countless ridiculous journeys on cobblestones, up obviously non-stroller friendly passageways and through dirt trails. I love to run, and this stroller also allows me to strap my toddler in and go. Granted, I have to run at a grandpa pace, but at least it allows me to get out there.- Books! I always have a few special books that she loves tucked away in her messy travel bag. These are “train books” and are special because we only read them on the train.
- Crayons. Or any sort of drawing/coloring activity is good, although sometimes it’s honestly more of a pain picking up all the dropped crayons rolling across the train floor and fishing under grumpy passengers’ feet.
- I spy. If your little person is old enough, “I Spy with my little eye something ….” can eat up at least 5-10 minutes of travel time.
- Fart noises. No matter what, if you catch it in time, making fart noises can many times help avoid a near tantrum and replace it with fits of giggles. Ya, the person next to you will think you are crazy, but at least they don’t have to listen to a screaming little minion for the next thirty minutes.
- Bribery. This is a new tactic that I am still trying to perfect. Hasn’t been working perfectly, but I have faith.
- Positive Reinforcement. Always give them as much positive attention as you can when traveling. It can be SO hard because you are incredibly exhausted yourself, but they are in new places and it’s scary and uncertain and you are their person. They act out when they are tired or scared, so provide as much positive attention, hugs, kisses and snuggles as you are physically able. It will help heaps.
- Denial. If all else fails, and if your perfect little angel suddenly turns into a screaming, biting, monster hurling juice and food off the airplane tray table and onto your neighbor’s lap, just take a deep breath, pretend your toddler is just a tiny drunk adult whom you don’t have any affiliation with, and try to laugh it off. That’s really all you can do at that point! Or order a few vodka tonics and apologize profusely …
Bella Bon Voyage 