Got Toddlers? Got Chaos! Planning any kind of trip with toddlers can be complicated. There are certain things to keep in mind that might help preserve your sanity and possibly even let you have a little bit of fun together as a family.
Arrive Leisurely
Traveling with a toddler can take a toll on even the most patient parent. If you are flying, the experience can be exciting and will keep them occupied for about ten minutes before your little one is ready to start a full-scale exploration effort. In an airplane you do have the opportunity to get up and move around – take a trip to the restroom or, pilot willing, consider a trip to the cockpit.
Car rides can be complicated as well. Fortunately, toddlers are great at napping in the car, so you might consider leaving right before naptime and letting your enthusiastic one sleep the first couple of hours. A lot of parents also drive in the evening in hopes of a sleepy car ride for longer than a few hours.
While your toddler is awake, consider a favorite video, toys, books, coloring, action figures, snacks and anything else you can think of to keep them entertained. Plan on plenty of stops along the way to get out, change diapers and stretch legs. Rushing to get anywhere just makes things more stressful, so don’t get in a hurry.
Maintain a Routine
Your toddler probably has a nice nap routine at home, and vacation is not a time to wing it. If your little one naps at noon every day, move mountains to help them nap at noon on the road. Take a break in the hotel room or alternate separate parent activities so someone is there to help even the most reluctant toddler take a break in a busy day. Try to keep bedtime reasonably close to normal, too – a tired toddler is not a toddler that travels well.
Keep it Loose
If you are a scheduling fanatic when it comes to travel, toddler travel may not be for you. Plan activities with plenty of cushion time in between. Toddlers aren’t able to appreciate fine architecture, but they love a good fountain or the local zoo. Find activities that have a little bit of something for everyone – zoos, parks, beaches, hikes, wildlife, etc…
Mix “grown-up” activities in with toddler activities to give everyone something to look forward to. You might also want to pick a few of the most important landmarks to see and leave the rest for when your child has an attention span longer than fifteen minutes. Above all, just remember that this should be fun for everyone – even if you never leave the hotel pool!
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Toy contaminated with 'date rape' drug pulled...Your thoughts?
By: JenniferL | 08-11-2007
U.S. safety officials have recalled about 4.2 million Chinese-made Aqua Dots bead toys that contain a chemical that has caused some children to vomit and become comatose after swallowing them.Scientists have found the popular toy's coating contains a chemical that, once metabolized, converts into the toxic "date rape" drug GHB, or gamma-hydroxy butyrate, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman Scott Wolfson told CNN. GHB in low doses actually causes euphoria. In higher doses, it can cause people to go into a coma. It can cause seizures. It can cause something known as hypotonia, where all your muscles just become very flaccid. And it can cause people to become amnestic, meaning they forget everything that's about to happen to them, which is why it became a date-rape drug. The arts and craft beads, aimed at children 4 years and older, have been selling since April at major U.S. retail stores as "Aqua Dots" and in Australia under the name "Bindeez Beads."Anyone with Aqua Dots at home should throw them out, CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said. The toy was named toy of the year in Australia and recently made Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s list of top 12 Christmas toys.What are your thoughts? Do you think America needs tougher laws regarding product imports? How can we better monitor new products on the market, specifically children's toys? Can Bush do anything to protect consumers?
Aqua Dots Beads and Rape Drug
By: Emma.p | 08-11-2007
5 children were hospitalized after swallowing Aqua Dots, not because of the swallowed beads but because they are covered in a substance that can be used as the rape drug.Am I now in extra danger because any crazy guy out there has free access to the rape drug?
Geotrax recall
By: safi | 05-09-2007
I keep hearing about mattel's recalls, I think that the current geotrax recall is the third. I am wondering if the toys that were produced by mattel, until recent time, are safe? It's weird that they have discovered the excessive amount of lead only now.
Are there recalls on the following toys/kids ...
By: Jak1 | 19-08-2007
Are there recalls on the following toys/kids items: Dancing Elmo, Sponge Bob cup, Ernie a small toy, Vibrating Elmo chair, Elmo Dancing-Shout
Conspiracy with Burger King and Simpsons movie toys?
By: zuzak | 15-08-2007
Do you think there is some sort of conspiracy with Burger King and the Simpsons movie toys?
Fisher Price recall toys because of lead paint
By: John R | 02-08-2007
Enough with imported low quality merchandise ! Why import from China and not make everything here?A few weeks ago it was Thomas the Tank Engine, now it's Fisher Price, recalling almost a million toys because of lead paint.Needless to say half our house is crawling with this junk, and my kid sister is crazy about them. If you're going to take her Elmo away, you're basically risking your life...Isn't it time we started buying our merchandise in the States, and not from China? WSAV.com posted a phone number you can call to make sure the toys in your house aren't infected.
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