Accessories
There are a few accessories that we always travel with. We really like creating some familiarity for the kids (and ourselves). Although we’re not really strict on routines we try and stick to our basic patterns, no matter where we are. (We’ve had our children quite close together, 14 and 17 months apart – so we’ve found what works for us and stuck to it)!
- iPod for sleep music – Our kids have ‘Music for Dreaming’ every sleep. It is a sleep cue we have used since before they were born! It is also great for drowning out background noise in small hotel rooms or noisy family gatherings. (I also have some fun music loaded for play when stuck in a hotel room or to lift some cranky moods – Jay, The Wiggles, Justine…)
- Night light – We have never used night lights in the kids rooms until recently, so we are taking it for familiarity. We always have one in the bathroom at home though, so we have one for on the road. They are handy for bathrooms, toilets and hallways not lit up at night and better than turning on a bright light if you are doing a midnight toilet assist.
- Gro bag – I love gro bags and have used them for each of our children from babies until they moved out of cots (our youngest is still in a cot). I find a gro bag is a great way to have some familiarity on the road and is easy to pack. At home I have a 1 and 2.5 tog per gro bag size, but only travel with 1 – depending on the weather expected at the destination.
- Body wash/ shampoo/conditioner – while its fine to go easy on yourself when you’re travelling (if you have the room) thinking about bathing is a good thing. If you have ever looked at the ingredients on those motel complimentary items, then you may be happier using your own! (GAIA is a great brand and Little Gulliver stock handy travel sizes for just this purpose).
- Activities – colouring books + pencils. I never travel without activities. I also take a separate lot for the destination as well as the journey! Variety keeps it interesting. These things don’t have to be too sophisticated either. This time I took sticker books and Crayola colour explosion.
- Books – I always take a few favourites that are in high night-time reading rotation. That way you know, no matter what the mood, the kids will be entertained. I try and throw a new one in, that I know they will like also.
- Comfort toys – whether your child has an old faithful or would like to choose one for the trip – pack one. It can be comforting to see a familiar face smiling up at them sitting on a bed in unfamiliar surroundings. For our baby, once they are sitting up I always put a board book and a comfort toy in the cot. They are used to this at home, so we do it on the road.
- DVD’s – no matter how you feel about the box, it can help to get them to sit still for a minute. On our last holiday I found our kids were playing at a level of energy I had never seen before. The only way to get them to sit for a minute was some “quiet time”. If you’re staying in a motel check ahead if they have DVD players, some older style apartments may have video’s (if you don’t have any video’s – check your local op shop)! Internationally, perhaps you are travelling with a lap top that the kids could watch something on occasionally.
- Medical – last trip the kids and myself got quite sick and I felt too sick to venture out to the chemist! This time I am taking medication (some basics for pain and fever) just in case.
Ok, thats it for the accessories – next installment will be what we take on the plane!