Counting Sheep While on the Go

10 Traveling Sleeping Tips for Tots in Tow

(and their parents)

Our relationship with sleep is as complicated as some of its idioms we use to describe this covetous pastime: Catching some zzzz’s, grabbing a little shut-eye, siesta time, crashing out, out like a light, hitting the sack/hay, catch 40 winks, a cat nap, zonked out, etc.  I think it is obvious our obsession with sleep runs deep.  I have yet to meet a parent that isn’t sleep deprived or doesn’t longing talk about to the time before their precious dreaming state was interrupted.

When the Sandman is no where in sight, what do you do?  Especially when you are away from home or suffering from a killer case of family jet lag.  Being a seasoned traveler with a tot in tow, I have come up with a few tricks for kid’s bedtime that will keep you sane on your family vacation.

#1 Try to book a suite, connecting room, or rent a home/condo for your vacation.  More space, various bedrooms and closing doors are crucial for night-night time.

#2 If staying in a single room is the only option, bring a book light and headphones (with a splitter) for post-bedtime moments (reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to music).

#3 Keep your sanity and arrange for a room with a balcony or patio to avoid nap-time or bedtime cabin fever (even a large window with an unobstructed view can help).

#4 Recreate at-home nap or bedtime rituals while away.  Make your new digs feel familiar with your kiddos favorite bedtime stories, sleeping music, beloved ‘stuffies’ and/or special blanket.

#5 At bedtime, talk about the day’s traveling adventures and your family’s plans for tomorrow.  Remind your little ones that they will need their rest to have the energy for the next day’s adventure.

#6 If you are jet lagged, go to sleep with your little ones.  Catch those zzzz’s when you can, especially since they will most likely wake with devilish energy.

#7 Use the Do Not Disturb sign!  The worst is when your tiny traveler is awakened by the doorbell or knocking of housekeeping or mini-bar attendant.

#8 Naps-on-wheels.  During naptime, do some sightseeing or get some exercise.  Use your vacation time wisely by planning strategically timed scenic drives, walks or jogs that will induce nap-on wheels.

#9 Keep your kiddos nap and bedtime schedule intact as much as possible!  Plan your day with nap in mind.  When it just doesn’t work out, don’t stress out.  Hey Budda, live in the moment.  Simply adjust your expectations, adjust your schedule and adjust your attitude!

#10 Take advantage of your child’s shut-eye and add some romance to your vacation.  Take your mom and dad hats off, pour some wine, and slip into husband and wife again.

On that note, enjoy your vacation and….

“Good Night, Sleep tight;

Don’t let the bed bugs bite;

If they do, hit them with a shoe,

Until they turn all black and blue.”

Read Full Post »

The Skype’s the Limit! AND it’s FREE

I’m a HUGE fan of Skype when traveling.

Growing up on Saturday afternoons, I used to curl up on the couch next to my dad and watch TV.  He was a science fiction fanatic, so I watched my share of Star Trek episodes and movies like Tron and Blade Runner.  I loved seeing ‘the future’ in movies; people having face to face conversations light years away, being magically transported from one place to another, flying cars, and computers that were alive.  I’ll have to wait for Scotty’s transporter device, but video chatting between computers is here!  Thanks Skype.

Out of all the telephone and computer providers of video chatting, Skype is my favorite!  Skype’s main claim to fame is that it allows you to make calls from one computer to another, anywhere in the world, totally free of charge. With all of the traveling we do throughout the year, Skype has been our technological advanced angel.  We can be in Tenerife and have a video chat through Skype with Charles’ 1st grade class.  Things have definitely changed since I was his age!  Imagine being clear across the world and chatting with your classmates face to face AND it’s FREE!  So cool.  These video chats happen weekly with Charles’ teachers and classmates.  He is able to share his traveling experiences with the entire class, feel connected and catch up on classroom happenings with a few clicks of the mouse pad.  Being his travel teacher, Skype makes keeping up with the lessons and connecting with his classmate a breeze! LOVE it.

It is multi-layered as well. You can use the video chat like us or if you are in a towel straight from the shower, use the instant messaging or phone call option.  If you are like Betsi (our other traveling nanny) and don’t want to rack up those texting and calling charges on your phone, call or text through Skype!   You can easily switch from instant messaging, to a phone call and then to video chat with a simple click of the button.

This is such a great tool to use while traveling.  Navigating through the site is so easy as well, even a six year old can do it….no, really, Charles is a Skype-pro.  And did I mention it’s FREE?!?  Go to Skype’s website and start skypin’ it up!  Give your grandparents kisses, show your classmates your new book, and tell your friends you wish they were here face to face!

Photo by Betsi Ewing

Read Full Post »

Mom Maps

Genius!  I found a new iPhone app last night that I am excited to try out.  I am always excited to find new tools that make traveling with Charles easier.  And this app does exactly that.

Mom Maps is a new iPhone application that helps you find fun, kid-friendly locations on the go!  With the touch of a finger, you can search major cities for parks, playgrounds, museums, and indoor play areas.  Using GPS, the locations are displayed with red dots on the city’s map, along with reviews and contact info for each place.  Traveling is becoming more and more convenient and the family on the go have instant access to insider’s tips at their finger tips.

iPhone Screenshot

With such a new app, more locations and hidden gems are constantly being added.  I like the idea of locating clean bathrooms in an unfamiliar city when those emergency moments happen.  Check out “Calling All Foodie Moms and Dad’s” to help out this app discover of hidden dining gems for family foodies.

Read Full Post »

UNO!

The solitary word, “Uno!” can be heard clear across the train car.  I am sure the commuting business men and women aren’t too thrilled with Charles’ new card game obsession, but we are as happy as clams!  We picked up this ideal traveling game a month ago in Paris-Charles de Gaulle and haven’t lost interest in this competitive pursuit of a winning hand yet.

Charles and I playing UNO

At first, Charles needed a partner to help him choose the right cards to put down, but now the only difficulty he has is holding all of the cards in his five-year-old hands.  We have solved this little problem by putting up book barriers for him to lay out his cards on the table.  He is an expert hoarder and keeps the draw fours and wilds until the end, often securing a victory.

We play in airplanes, trains, hotel rooms, restaurants, lounges and lobbies….often playing for hours.  I don’t mind.  I loved this game as a child myself, playing epic tournaments with my brother and sister, so bring on the UNO cards, I am game!

Read Full Post »

Travel Day Role-Play

Travel days can be daunting and stressful for anyone of any age, but sheer torture for kids who don’t know what to expect on this often chaotic day.  Expectation is key when it comes to the day of travel.  An easy way to prepare your child is to role-play.  It is through the power of imaginative play that children explore and make discoveries about themselves and the world around them.  You can incorporate travel play in their normal playtime weeks before departure.  Play airport!  Play airplane!  Play train!  Make it fun, interactive and educational.   When travel is presented as an adventure, the process will be less tedious and more appealing for a child to experience.

Play Airport

Lines, lines and more lines.  The airport is a classic example of the ever-popular adult game, ‘Hurry Up and Wait.” The airport is not always the most interesting place to spend 2-5 hours of your traveling day with your children surrounded by hundreds of frantic, stressed out, annoyed travelers.  Although this space is not a playground, you can prepare your child for the procedures of the airport through imaginative play.  Before your travel, pretend to arrive at the airport with luggage, locate the check-in counter, show passports, receive boarding passes, check luggage, walk through security, etc.  Your child will better understand why all the lines are necessary and will excitedly know ‘what comes next.’ Tip: Creating passports and boarding tickets with your little ones can be a lot of fun and will make the scenarios more interactive.

Play Airplane
Build an airplane out of cardboard, or simply put chairs in rows to simulate the cabin of a plane.  Make believe you are a flight attendant and have your child be a passenger or visa versa, giving them the coveted control.  They will love your imaginative play, undivided attention and playing a ‘new game.’  Introduce a new in-flight procedure or occurrence each time you play, keeping the game fresh and exciting.  Be sure to include boarding with ticket, storing the luggage, listening to the flight attendants’ speech, waiting for take off, the food and drink cart, sleeping, bathroom breaks, turbulence, landing, and so on.  You can make this experience more authentic and fun by even serving an actual meal or snack during this time and allow your child to eat in her seat in your makeshift plane.

Play Train
With Thomas the Train obsessed boys, this imaginative play chugs past the rest!  Luckily, traveling by train has built-in entertainment with the freedom to walk around, visiting other compartments, and watching the moving countryside out the window, but some children might have apprehensions about this mode of transport.  Again, these simulated imaginative play scenarios are to reduce stress of the unknown, so be sure to cover typical train procedures, such as waiting on the platform, boarding, finding your seat or cabin, food and drink cart or car, sleeping, etc.

Read Full Post »

The Conierge is your Best Friend

Concierge Desk

One of the most valuable resources while traveling is standing in plain view in the lobby of your hotel. The concierge is a master of answers and your guide to the good life when experiencing a new destination. Whether he is meeting mundane needs or unusual requests, this ultimate insider has spun a web of contacts that reach restaurant managers, boutique owners, airline agents, maitre d’s, other businesses and personal friends. Her expertise, personal attention and magic fingers are not just for VIP’s; they are for you and all you have to do is ask.

Do’s and Dont’s

DO

• Call before you arrive. Inquire about particular hotel family services or special family events occurring during your stay. Consider booking a dinner reservation or theatre tickets, arrange for a babysitter or a car seat, or simply introduce yourself prior to arrival.
• Introduce yourself and family when you check-in.
• Note who is serving you and refer to them by name.
• Say thank you and smile. Be polite.
• Give feedback of your family’s experience at recommended venues. This exchange can help another guest or simply reiterate your appreciation for the suggestion.
• Show your appreciation. Give a tip or a simple thank you note handwritten by yourself or your child.

DON’T

• Pride yourself on being a low-maintenance hotel guest by organizing your own cultural outings, stubbornly arranging your own dinner plans, or never asking for advice or directions. You are squandering an incredible resource, whose duties and capabilities far surpass mere dinner reservations.
• Be embarrassed or too shy to ask.
• Throw tantrums or cop an attitude when your needs cannot be met. Concierges are notorious miracle workers, but not everything is possible.

Enhance your family’s traveling possibilities by involving an insider. It never hurts to ask. In fact, I have been known to waltz into random hotels and ask the concierge for directions, advice or a restaurant recommendation. Oftentimes, they are unaware that I am not a guest in their hotel, and are always eager to help a damsel in distress, especially with a tot in tow.

Read Full Post »

Flu Season Attacked Me!

Homeopathy Medicine for Cold and Flu I Swear By

I am packing for Turks and Caicos tonight. We leave tomorrow at 4:45am to catch our direct flight.  Unfortunately, I am sick with a cold.  I went to my doctor today to see what I could do when illness creeps up on me in times of travel.  She swears by some homeopathic products and suggested them to me.  I made a beeline to Whole Foods and found all but one product and now my body is full of antibodies fighting this cold.

I wanted to share her recommendations with you.  When you are ill consume only warm foods and rest!   Herbal supplements and homeopathic medicine are great for prevention and immunity boosts.  The suggestions below were recommended for me and you should always consult your own doctor prior to using any of these products:

-New Chapter host defense for prevention- 2 capsules every 4 hours up to eight/day for 4 days then go to a 2 a day.

-New Chapter Immunity support- 2 Twice a day x 3 days

-Colostrum helps strengthen immune response- 2 every 6 hours up to six/day for 4 days then go to a 2 a day.

-Kang Jang 2 in am for a week

-Oscillococcium reduces duration and severity of Flu Symptoms- one tube every 6 hours, up to 3 x a day

-Coldcalm relieves symptoms temporarily- follow instructions

-Use host defense throat spray on the plane.

The good news is that I am headed to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos tomorrow!  The hotel Amanyara is awaiting my arrival and although I have to work even if I am not feeling 100%, I get to ‘work’ laying on the beach, swimming in the infinity pool, building sandcastles, and playing with Charles.  With that kind of a work environment, I am sure my recovery will be quicker than it would have been in snowy New York.

Read Full Post »