Taking the grandchildren or nieces and nephews traveling.
Want to give your grown children or siblings a break? Think about offering to take the grandkids or nieces or nephews on a trip.
Most parents would love to give their children the gift of travel. Unfortunately, parenting is expensive and time-consuming so parents do not always have the resources to provide this gift. Sometimes parents could use a break. Extended families with close ties can help out. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles can offer to take their grandchildren or nieces or nephews on an adventure. Unfortunately, that is not a simple endeavor. Traveling with kids and not their parents isn’t as easy as picking them up and making sure they get a kiss goodbye. If you want to have a great time with the younger generation and have things go smoothly make sure you know what to pack and what to do.
Basic documentation:
If you are taking children traveling and you are not their parent or guardian you need some basic documents.
Letter of permission
It is legal for grandparents to take their grandchildren traveling but if you want to take a niece or nephew who is under 18 on a trip you do need written consent from their parents. Make sure the letter is notarized and includes the following information:
- Parent’s names and contact information.
- Children’s full names and birthdates.
- Travel itinerary including departure and return dates.
- Parental signatures and date. If the parents are divorced be sure to have both parents sign and date the document.
Basic documents
In most cases, children under 18 do not need identification when traveling on an airline but it never hurts to be prepared. The following documents will make traveling smoother.
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport.
- A notarized letter from the parents giving permission for medical care.
- Copies of the children’s insurance cards. Don’t forget prescription cards, cards for dental insurance and secondary insurance cards if applicable.
- Children’s social security numbers.
- Keep a list of emergency contacts handy, in case you have questions while traveling.
First Things First
You and the child’s parents might agree that they are ready to travel without their parents but it is always a good idea to have a test run. You won’t know about homesickness until you’re already away from home, and it is best to find out if your grandchild or niece or nephew is miserable away from his or her parents on a day trip rather than a weekend-long vacation. If you’ve never spent time with this child without his or her parents, this is a good opportunity to do just that. Take the child to the zoo or to the beach for a day trip and see how it goes. If it doesn’t go well, maybe they aren’t ready to travel, or maybe you just need to warm up to a long weekend with several more day trips.
A test run will also help you assess your own limits. Remember, children have seemingly endless energy and are difficult to keep up with. If you find yourself wiped out after just a few hours, you may need to either scale back on your travel plans or wait until the child is a little older.
Plan with your young travel companions
Your vacation with your grandchildren/niece/nephew will be much more fun if you plan the trip together. Find out what they want to see and where they want to go. You might have a basic itinerary already planned out, but find out which restaurants the kids would enjoy visiting or which museums seem interesting. That way, you’ll be able to see what you like and what the grandchildren like.
Does your grandchild have any health, diet or activity restrictions you should follow? Keep them in mind when you plan the trip.
Air travel tips:
Packing
Consider the medications you and/or your grandchildren/nieces/nephews might need. Be sure to bring enough of everyone’s medication to last through the trip, ask doctors for written prescriptions so you can obtain refills in case the meds are lost.
Keep children occupied during travel
Pack an audiocassette or CD player with your special children’s favorite music, plus several books, games and other activities that are easy to transport. Many children like listening to an audiobook while traveling. Crayons have a tendency to melt so colored pencils and a drawing pad or coloring book make good additions to an activity bag. While driving or waiting at the airport, you’ll be glad you brought something to keep your grandchildren entertained
Make sure to bring fruit, beverages and other healthy snacks to keep energy up — and hunger at bay.
Don’t forget comfort items such as a favorite stuffed doll or blanket, books, and games, or a small nightlight if the child usually sleeps with one.
Keeping all of these items in a special backpack your young traveling companion can carry will help them be able to make the decision to occupy themselves. A small camera and a travel journal are wonderful for young people. They can document their adventure with you each step of the way.
Including a friend can help both of you
If you’re traveling with one child, consider letting your grandchild invite a friend. The children will keep each other amused, and you’ll feel less pressure to entertain them.
If you are single, invite one of your friends along, you’ll have company when the kids are busy, plus a chance for adult conversation.
What to do?
Look for opportunities that include playing and learning. If you can teach a child to be a life long learner you will give them an incredible gift, besides, hands-on museum exhibits can be more fun than just looking at paintings. Your grandchildren will have more fun, and they will have a chance to work through some of their energy. The best part is it will make quiet times, nap times, and bedtimes more pleasant because the children will be tired. Make sure your nieces and nephews have opportunities to run, climb, dance or swim to burn off energy every few hours.
Flexibility is key
Being flexible is especially important when traveling with children. Remember, your end goal is to spend time with this special child and create memories not to check off an itinerary. Leave room in your schedule for spontaneous activities, and for those inevitable times when an activity takes longer than you expected. You will find yourself enjoying wonderful activities that you either didn’t know about or didn’t plan for.
Take time to connect
Along the journey, share your memories, stories, and songs, and let your grandchildren share theirs with you. You will build a connection on a trip that will carry over to life back at home.
Preserve the memories
Take lots of photos, and when you get home plan some time to make a scrapbook together. Talk about the trip — what you liked, and even what you didn’t like. You can use this shared information to plan the next adventure. Build on each relational experience with another.
Often parents don’t have the time or money to take their children on vacation. When grandparents or aunts or uncles help out it benefits the entire family. The kids get much need time with their extended family, aunts, uncles and grandparents connect with the next generation. Parents get a chance to allow their children to have an adventure they could not provide. It’s an everyone wins situation.
