With the holidays quickly approaching, road trips and plane travels are most likely on your radar. Until you remember, the chaos, stress, and almost nightmare that can be traveling with kids. Well, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow these GR8 strategies to make traveling with children a bliss – yes, I said bliss.

Traveling with Children: How to Be Prepared

Book Your Flight During Their Nap Time
This is a trick I learned from a new mom. If your child has a set nap/sleeping schedule, then book your flight around those hours. By doing this, they’ll most likely be asleep for most of the trip anyway. Another good planning strategy is to book flights early in the morning, this avoids delays at takeoff and landing. Not to mention, these flights are usually less crowded.

Switch Strollers
Even the thought of going through TSA with your regular-size stroller should give you shivers. Instead, opt for an umbrella stroller to make it easier for you to carry, pass through security, and simply fold when it’s time to board the plane.

Pack Just Enough
It’s easy to overthink the packing list when you’re traveling with children. However, in the long run, this will only make your travel more stressful. Instead, bring just what you need like kid-size headphones, smartphones, and tablets (fully charged), and comfort items such as their pacifier.

BYO Snacks
If you’re hoping that the plane will be filled with children-friendly snacks, think again. Most items found at the airport won’t really excite any kid unless it’s sugary, and you want to keep them away from that. Bring your own low-sugar snacks instead like nuts, string cheese, and pretzels, for example.

Make It Fun
Think about it, airports are not fun at all. Picture being a child just waiting for hours for a plane to take off. Even though you’re exhausted, stressed, and most likely extremely anxious, find a way to make it fun for the kiddos. Play games, walk around, read books, and plan different activities to make the wait fun. If you’re traveling by car, then engage in some backseat games, bring toys and books to keep them engaged.

Embrace the Pull-Ups
Even if your child has moved away from Pull-Ups, they are a must-have when you’re traveling. Instead of having to run to the bathroom, for what sometimes feels miles away, having the Pull-Ups can make everything less stressful. Besides, they also help prevent in-seat accidents. They're also helpful for road trips, where having the luxury of a nearby bathroom is non-existent.

Don’t Stress It
There’s only so much you can do when traveling with children. Don’t let the complaints of other passengers get to you. Keep your focus on your child, and don’t engage with others looking for a fight.