Having children definitely doesn’t mean you have to stay put in the UK until they turn 18. With a little planning and the right destination, going abroad can be a genuinely enjoyable and even relaxing experience. In my experience, choosing somewhere that’s just a short flight away and has a minimal time difference can make a huge difference, especially if it’s your first trip abroad with a baby or toddler.
The flight
Preparation really is everything when it comes to flying with little ones. It’s always worth checking what the airline provides and thinking ahead to any potential issues so you’re not caught out mid air. A leaky nappy on your lap with no change of clothes is never a great start to a holiday.
Pack spares of everything. Changes of clothes, snacks, bottles, nappies and all your usual essentials. If you’ve got older children, make sure you’ve got plenty to keep them entertained too. A few of their favourite snacks always help.
In relation to sleep, the ideal situation would be to book your flights around your little one’s routine but, realistically, that is unlikely to be possible. All sleep rules can be put on hold when you fly. Let your little one, especially babies, sleep whenever they will sleep. This may not be too much of a problem during a short flight but if your flight is longer than a couple of hours you need to bear this in mind.
Time zones and local schedules
Once you’ve arrived and are getting settled in, you’ll want to think about the time difference. If you’re only a couple of hours ahead, like in most of Europe, it might be easiest to stick to UK time. It means you’re not resetting everything when you get home and also works well with local customs like later dinner times.
A 7pm bedtime doesn’t line up well when restaurants only start opening at 7. If your little ones are under three, this can make evenings feel long and sometimes stressful. Older children might cope fine but for younger ones it can really test everyone’s patience.
It’s not always just about the time difference. Sometimes the local routine is completely different even when the clocks are the same. We had this when we went to Crete. Dinner didn’t start until 6.30pm and I watched lots of families juggling tired children.
My experience in Crete
We were in Crete recently and although my daughter is 21, we chatted to lots of families whilst away. The families that thought ahead about how to manage things were definitely finding things easier.
Companies who have lots of experience with children are well worth looking at. Is the environment you are arriving in suitable for your little ones and are there facilities during the day that meet your needs?
A couple of families were working on UK time so although the clock said 20:00 their body clocks were working on 18:00 which made evenings later. They had thought about darkness in the room and taken black out travel blinds with them to give their little ones the best opportunity of sleeping later in the morning.
Helping your child settle at bedtime
If your little one struggles to settle in a new environment, try to do what you would do at home. A familiar routine, a calm wind down and checking in on them if they need it is often all it takes. Within a couple of nights, most little ones start to settle and sleep as they normally would.
If your child is eight months or older, it helps to create a bit of a private space for them to sleep. A travel cot in a darker corner or behind a curtain or screen can work well. The goal is to stop them waking up and seeing you, thinking it’s time to play. A second bedroom is ideal if that’s an option.
If siblings are sharing a room on holiday for the first time, there may be a bit of giggling and excitement to start with. Stay consistent and they’ll quickly settle into a new rhythm.
What about naps
You don’t need to worry about every nap being in the cot. One or two naps in the buggy or car seat won’t undo your hard work, but just try not to make it the norm. Motion naps can become something little ones rely on, and it’s also a good excuse to head inside for some quiet time and shade during the hottest part of the day.
And finally…
Enjoy it. Time away together can be full of memories you’ll treasure forever. Try not to stress too much about perfect sleep and instead focus on what will help you all enjoy the trip. A bit of flexibility, some preparation and keeping realistic expectations go a long way.
