Our guest blogger today is Bianca Cordova, wife, entrepreneur, and Alex’s gorgeous mom! We met Bianca during one of our breastfeeding talks several years ago.

It’s officially summer time! And for most people, it means going out of town, relaxing on the beach, and non-stop traveling. But if you are a parent of a toddler (like myself), just the idea of packing stuff is already daunting! Another thing to worry about is the long travel time which means sitting still in the car (or plane) for a couple of hours, and we know how frustrating that can be for our little balls of energy! But do not fret and definitely do not cancel your summer plans just yet! Here are some tips and hacks to make your getaway possible and memorable! (Plus, you get to keep your sanity! 😛 )

So first things first, make a list of all the stuff that you need to bring for your trip. Remember, the best trips are always the well-planned ones 🙂 If you make a list, it’s less likely for you to forget something, as opposed to just winging it.

What to bring for your toddler:

• Clothes,socks,shoes
• Diapers
• Snacks for the travel
• Toys and books to keep them entertained
• First aid kit
• Plastic bag for motion sickness, soiled clothes, diaper, or shoes
• Blanket or Shawl for a lighter option.
• Wipes
• Disinfecting hand gel/ alcohol
• Small bottles of toiletries
• Tissues
• Swimsuit
• Bibs
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Sippy cups and feeding set with utensils
• Car seat
• Lightweight stroller
• Jacket/cardigan
• Wide brim sun hat

Hacks and Tips:

Never forget to bring a car seat!

Some kids might not be used to sitting on a car seat here in the Philippines because we’re used to sitting our kids on our laps. Not only is this unsafe, but it does not enforce independence to our children. There might be some resistance in the beginning but once they get distracted with the view or with their favorite toy, i am sure that they eventually settle down. After all, a crying baby is better than an injured baby.

Bring their favorite toys for the long trip

To keep them entertained and preoccupied during the drive out of town, bring lots of toys and prepare fun activities for you child. Below are some ideas:

Bring a toy which can be played in different ways. It will foster creativity and use of imagination. It is also lighter than bringing lots of different toys.

Stopovers are as important to kids as they are for us so don’t skip on taking a small break along the way. You and your child can stretch your legs, take a pee break, and relax a little before hitting the road again. This is the perfect time to bring out bigger toys, toys with detachable parts, and paper and crayons. These toys will also keep them entertained for a long time if you are just going for a staycation within the city.

Improvise!

There are several ways to make traveling with a toddler less messy and more fun!

1.  Re-purpose an old DVD case as a travel coloring kit

Since we download just about everything we want to watch now, give those old DVD cases a new sense of purpose! It doubles as a pencil/crayon holder and a paper in one nifty case.

2. Lasso that sippy cup

To keep you from bending over and over again to reach for that sippy cup which keeps on falling to the car floor, tie it up with a regular or elastic ribbon. Just make sure it’s long enough for your child to drink properly but not too long to get them tangled in it.

3. Magnetic lunch box

Use a metal lunch box to keep your child’s magnets in a portable case that becomes a magnetic board when opened.

4. No sippy cup, no problem!

Just get a regular cup, wrap it tightly with a cling wrap (make sure it’s really sealed on all edges), poke a straw in it, and voila! You have a spill-proof sippy cup!

5. Protect your car interior from spills

To make sure that your car interior is protected from nasty juice spills, use an old fitted sheet (garterized bed sheets). Place one end under your child’s car seat and put the other end over the headrest of the front seat to create a barrier. Your husband will thank you for it!

6. Use shower caddies

Let your children help themselves by putting shower caddies with suctions on the window beside them. Small items or snacks can be put there for easy access.

I hope you find these tips useful and may it inspire you to plan and go on more memorable adventures with your family!

 

Bianca