I recently stumbled across a notebook I kept of our trip to the Italian Riviera many moons ago when the kids were still young enough to enjoy my company and did not yet flinch when I tried to touch them.
Some of these tips that I wrote to myself will be useful in my future ventures with my newborn grandson, Floyd. And some might help you, too.
Here are my ABCs of traveling with children:
A. Apartment. Rent one. There's more room for the kids to run around and you can cook. This means you don't have to hear "I'm not hungry" three times a day when the kids don't like a meal you just purchased in an expensive restaurant.
B. Backpacks. Give each of the kids one to bring onto the plane, with favorite snacks, a sweater and something to do.
C. Companions. You need these for help when you're traveling with kids, or else you'll just be exhausted every second. For older kids, bringing a companion for them means they won't make your life a living hell.
D. Distractions. My kids were endlessly distracted by anything involving dogs or dinosaurs. One or the other would keep them entertained for hours.
E. Electronic devices. Even if you don't approve, bring them along because they will prevent migraines. If you have a kid, you already know this.
F. First Aid Kit. Yes, you need this. When my daughter Curly Girl was small, we camped on a remote beach in Baja. Running around on the rocks, she tore her knee open. I nearly fainted at the blood gushing from her wound, but I pretended that it was no big deal, cleaned it up with wipes from the first aid kit and then used a butterfly bandage to close it up. We were too far from a doctor for stitches. Luckily, it worked and the gash healed fine. This is why you bring a First Aid kit.
G. Grocery stores. These are your friend. Find snacks for your room, even if you're not cooking. And if you are cooking, go crazy. We lived on pasta in Italy, because it was cheap and I could easily buy it from the store. Eating out was, ouch, expensive.
H. Hat. Bring them. With a string so they don't blow away.
I. Insect repellent. Wipes work better than sprays because the rugrats will resist less and they won't spill inside your suitcase.
J. Jump rope. I find these are useful for both entertaining the kids and getting them good and tired. And they take up little space in your suitcase. You can also use it as an impromptu clothesline.
K. Kids ticket. If your kids are 12 and under, you should always assume they'll pay half price. So ask. On some airlines, kids under 12 pay half for their airfares. Shop around for these. I had a lot of frequent flier miles at one time on Delta, so I decided to use those to take my kids to Egypt, way back when. I looked on the Delta Airlines website and just saw regular fares for the kids. But when I looked at Orbitz for the same fares, it showed the kids for half price. So, ask!
L. Laundry. You can get your laundry done anywhere. Seriously. I had laundry done by Masai tribal people on the banks of Kenya's Sand River. So don't bring too much stuff. You can get it washed.
M. Milk. In other countries, you often find milk in shelf-stable boxes that don't need to be refrigerated. Your kids may or may not drink this. It will probably be okay in cereal, which I'm sure you also bought at the grocery store.
N. Nightlight. Buy one of these at the dollar store. It's so useful to light up the bathroom at night. I still bring this along for myself.
O. Old Maid. Speaking as a woman who's never been married, I object to its name, but this is a great card game to shove in your pocket and play with the kids whenever.
P. Potato chips. Or Pretzels. Pack them in suitcases so the kids have instant access whenever they want.
Q. Quilt. Bring a small quilt or throw along for cold waiting rooms, planes and so forth. It can also serve as a pillow.
R. Red-eye flights. I know most people dislike these, but I found the darkness and quiet helped my kids to sleep on long flights, and helped me keep my sanity.
S. Snacks. Bring them. Lots of them. In their own suitcases and little backpacks for the plane.
T. TV. Yes, you want this. My kids watched "The Wizard of Oz" on Italian TV and it actually gave me a few minutes to nap. You can also download movies onto your tablet to ruin their brains, er, give yourself a small break.
U. Underwear. Don't forget to pack these. Don't ask me how I know this.
V. Very light suitcases. Make sure they can wheel them on their own.
W. Water bottles. Yes. Bring them. Stainless steel and they can often be refilled at the airport.
X. Xanax. Yeah, you might need one of these.
Y. Yard. Whenever possible, try to get a place with a yard so the rugrats can burn off steam.
Z. Zoo. This is usually a good location to run the kids ragged, although you'll also be dragging by the end. I don't like small zoos, they depress me, but animal rescue places are great.