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Before You Go.

What to think about before you travel with children.

Travel with Children

In a time before children we all used to take travelling in our stride, choosing different exciting destinations. Planning a holiday was fun and stress free. Now with children there are so many more things to think about and consider and it can be quite a daunting task. However, your travelling days do not have to be over, they just perhaps need a little more thought and planning. With this in mind in our new Travel Section, sponsored by Condor Ferries, we hope to bring you some handy help and tips to make travelling with children much easier!

Plan your trip


If there is one tip we picked up on when researching this section, it is that for any holiday with children you need to, Plan, Plan, Plan!

If this is your first trip with your children, plan for a slower pace than you might usually attempt. If you want to see more than one place, be realistic about what you can cover with little ones in tow. The less you feel you have to pack in, the more enjoyable and relaxed the holiday.

If you are travelling with another family, or adults, discuss before you go, what each person wants to do, agree how to split roles or take turns minding the children. Also talk about the balance of spending time together and apart. Come to an agreement about the way you'll split the bills, etc.

If your children have special needs, it can be helpful talking to parents whose children have similar conditions, and who may have useful travel tips - try www.disabledfriends.com or www.youreable.com. Getting an identity bracelet that has details of your child's medical condition, treatment and their doctor's name is useful in case of emergencies www.medicalert.org.uk.
Hopefully, some of you out there may have some tips on this subject to share with us in on the Grapevine.
Similarly if anyone has serious allergies, you might want them to travel with a card that specifies, in the language of your destination, what they're allergic to and how serious the condition is. Allergy UK produces cards in 27 different languages www.allergyuk.org.

Supervised childcare, such as a kids' club sounds good, but can sometimes mean, little more than a bunch of children lumped together in front of a TV while an attendant keeps an eye on them. Ask how many children are cared for, whether groups are split according to age, and what specific activities might be - and be prepared to check it out yourself when you arrive. If anything seems amiss, be prepared to cancel your plans and start looking for alternatives.


If you're going overseas and you think that jabs might be needed, see your doctor at least two months before you leave to discuss your plans. When making the appointment, mention the ages of your children and ask if they need to come to the appointment; when you go, bring everyone's vaccination records, and ask the doctor to note down their blood groups for you. If any of your children has a pre-existing medical condition, ask for help in identifying a doctor in your destination who specialises in the same condition. Children under 18 months won't be given any travel-related jabs.


Check our Health & Safety Section for more advice.


If you're going to need visas for your destination, don't be surprised if they're a requirement for children as well as adults, and that their fee is the same as for yours. As many countries require visas to be collected in person by applicants (including children), you may have to make a trip to the main embassy in your country, although it's often possible to apply in writing first to avoid two trips.


There are a number of instances where you might need to carry extra documentation when travelling with children. If you have an adopted child, you must take their adoption papers; and if you're the only parent travelling - regardless of your marital status - you might be asked for proof of consent from the other parent for your child to travel. This is more likely in countries where overseas adoption and/or child trafficking is common. If the name on your child's passport is not the same as yours, or if your child bears little resemblance to you, the chances of this being an issue increase.


The standard requirements for authorisation to travel are your child's birth certificate, your marriage certificate (if applicable) and a signed and attested consent letter from the other parent confirming you can travel with your child. If the other parent is no longer alive, you may need proof.

Contact The Passport Office on the White Rock for more information:
Tel. 01481 741410 or email: enquiries@nationality.gov.gg


Getting your children started on a few holiday-related projects before you leave is a great way to prepare them for what's to come. You could explore maps, or the history, geography, animal and plant life of your destination, or read books or watch a film that's set there. If the food is likely to be radically different, research dishes that they might enjoy, and try rustling up something similar before you go.


When you travel you don't want to pack and carry a week’s worth of nappies, toiletries and baby food do you? The last thing you want to do on arrival is to search the local supermarkets for your babies favourite branded products. There are companies that can ship everything you need to your travel destination. With increasingly tighter airline regulations and no luggage allowance at all for your infants under 2 years, this service allows you to order ahead of time, saves you the hassle of carrying it. All you have to do is pack clothes and toys!
Find out more: www.tinytraveller.co.uk and www.tinytotsaway.com

 

Choosing your Type of Holiday


What type of holiday do you want? Click here to read more about:

City Breaks

Long Haul Trips

Skiing Trips

Adventure Holidays

Camping


Day Trips from Guernsey - we are very lucky to have a choice of destinations on our doorstep.  Instead of going on a formal holiday one of the other things to consider are day trips to the other Islands, or France.  Why not think about taking advantage of the offers you can access as a Guernsey resident if you go by Condor as a foot passenger for the day to Jersey.  Click here to see brochure about these offers and check out the Condor website for more information.


Packing

Packing Check lists - Travelling with children can make your holiday an enjoyable adventure, but you will have a lot to think about and a lot to pack! Being organised and planning ahead can help to avoid those last minute panics, or frustrations that can occur during your travels. At the same time, you do not want to be weighed down with baggage. For a family of four, you should be able to pack into two large cases (with wheels!).
If you are flying, be aware of luggage allowances, making sure that your luggage conforms to all size and weight specifications, including hand luggage. You do not want to have the inconvenience at the airport having to move items about, or go to another desk to pay excess baggage!!
We have put together some checklists to help you get ready for a hassle free, trip with your little travellers:

Before you travel:
- Buy travellers checks/ Change currency. Check with your bank to see if your card can withdraw cash at your destination.
- Make arrangements for your pets to be looked after.
- Lock all windows and doors before you leave
- Unplug small appliances.
- Clear fridge/ cupboards of food which will expire before end of your holiday
- Put rubbish out.
- House keys

Important items:
- Wallet and/or purse and cash
- Credit cards and/or traveller’s checks
- Car and house keys
- Travel insurance, EHIC card and list of phone numbers
- Itineraries, tickets and reservation confirmations. Maps and directions
- Prescriptions and other medications
- Camera, film, digital camera memory cards, batteries
- Glasses / contact lenses.

Checklist for travel bags:
- Hand Luggage / Travel bag Checklist - A bag per person.
- Travel documents and itinerary in a separate pocket and easily accessible.
- Cardigan / Jumper and socks for each person– It can get cold when travelling on transport such as plane/train/coach.
- Travel DVD player

Babies’ hand luggage/ travel bag:
- Sterilised bottles with water / 3-way milk formula container.
- Blanket / hat/ socks
- Wet wipes/ nappies / drying cloth
- Change of clothes
- Antibacterial hand wash

Children’s /Toddlers travel bag /hand luggage:
- Favourite toys, colouring book and pencils
- Travel games and book.
- Favourite comforters.
- Drinks and snacks. – Please note: you will need to purchase your liquids after customs if travelling by plane
- Toddler snacks – Raisins, breadsticks, dried fruits, grapes, or dried cereals

First Aid Kit – click here to veiw Boots Holiday Check List
- Sunscreen
- Paracetamol / Ibuprofen
- Lotion for insect bites
- Sun cream and After Sun lotion
- Insect repellent/bite and sting relief product
- Birth Control (maybe?)
 



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