No matter how high powered your job, there’s
no greater position of responsibility than that of a parent. From the moment we
first lay eyes on our children our psychology changes instantly and
irrevocably. Our priorities change near instantaneously and we abandon our
self-interest in favor of protecting the tiny life we hold in our hands for the
first time. But while parenthood is instinctual for many of us, there’s a lot
more to it than simple instinct alone. We need to learn new sets of skills and
proficiencies from learning the best way to get the temperature of a baby bottle just right to making sure that your home is a safe
and hazard free environment to grow up in. As our kids get older, we become
more and more adept at sheltering them from the everyday hazards and dangers
present in our home and local environment. We develop a “safe zone” that
expands ever outwards as our children grow in experience and intellect.
When we go on vacation, however, we’re no
longer in an environment where we can perceive and preempt risks as they
happen. We’re in unfamiliar territory and we need to master the precarious
balancing act between staying vigilant and learning and adapting to our new
surroundings. That shouldn’t put parents off travelling with kids. Far from it!
Travel is a wonderfully edifying experience that keeps us humble and inspires a
love of new experiences and adventures, and the sooner your kids are exposed to
other places, people and cultures, the more broadminded and adventurous they’ll
be as adults. That said, we have a responsibility to keep our children safe in
exotic locales. Whether it’s an international cruise or a good old fashioned family road trip, here are some tips to help
you do just that…
Before
you go…
If you’ll be travelling abroad, it’s important
to ensure that your kids are up to date on their vaccinations. They will be
entering a different ecosystem in which they’ll be exposed to different viruses
and bacteria to which they will not have had the chance to build an immunity on
their own like polio or typhoid. Thus, before you go away, check with your
doctor which immunizations or boosters they may need for your chosen destination.
Needless to say, you should check what
vaccinations you and your partner need too!
You should also carry out a risk assessment,
so that you’re mentally and psychologically prepared to what threats to your
children’s safety you may encounter. Looking up the infant mortality rate of
your chosen destination is a good indicator of what you will need to remain
vigilant against, Different countries have different attitudes and legislation
as well as different infectious diseases. Some countries have distressingly lax
attitudes towards road safety and you won’t have access to a drunk driving accident attorney in your new
destination. You shouldn’t go into your vacation seeing doom and gloom around
every corner, but you owe it to your kids to know the inherent risks.
In
transit
Whether you’re travelling by plane, train or automobile, you’ve got to make sure your kids
are as safe as possible. If you’re renting a car to travel, be sure to do so
from a reputable company as they will have greater safety provision than a
smaller local outfit. You should also bring your own travel seat for children
who need one. Keep them buckled up but plan regular stops for them to stretch
their legs. If you’re travelling by air, remember that air travel can be very
distressing for young children. Talk them through the safety and security
checks they’ll go through before you arrive at the airport so that the
experience doesn’t get too overwhelming for them. It’s also advisable not to
seat your kids in an aisle seat. Bored kids tend to get wandering hands which
could easily catch on a passing service trolley or fellow passenger’s luggage.
Guard
against separation
Even when parents are ever vigilant, kids can
slip away and become separated from their parents in a crowded place. While
this is a scenario that is every parent’s worst nightmare, it needn’t be
disastrous. Make sure that you have a picture of each individual child on your
phone or somewhere about your person. This will help authorities or local
passers by to identify your child. Some parents get their kids to memorize
their cell phone numbers or write them on their arms in sharpie so that it
won’t wash off easily. This not only helps authorities or well meaning locals
to reunite them with their kids quickly, this easy identification also
discourages kidnappers or predators.
A more incognito solution might be to give
each of your children a belt pack which can be worn beneath their
clothing. In the pack they put the child’s medical information as well as their
own contact details.
When travelling on foot through busy and
unfamiliar areas, make sure that you hold hands with kids or keep some form of
physical contact. You should also use the “adult sandwich” technique, where
kids are flanked by adults to reduce their chances of wandering off. It’s also
a good idea to pack brightly colored tops to help you to identify your kids
quickly should you become separated. You should also make sure that your kids
know and remember what you’re wearing
to help them to identify you quickly and easily if you are separated.
You should also arrange meeting points with
your kids wherever you go in the event that you get separated from them.
In the
hotel
Hotels are fun and exciting for all of us, but
especially for kids. Nonetheless, it’s important for them to conduct themselves
in a safe way. Make sure that they don’t leave the room without you, nor should
you leave them in the hotel room alone. It’s also a good idea to child proof
your hotel room if you’re travelling with a toddler (duct tape is great for covering up electrical cables
and such). Make sure that your medications, vitamins and the like are stored
somewhere out of their reach, just like at home.
With just a little vigilance and planning, you
can ensure that you and your kids have a safe and fun vacation.
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