Full-time mommy to three Kendra
Thornton was the former Orbitz director of communications and has traveled to
28 countries on 6 continents. She loves to write about travel and offer travel
tips. Today she joins us to share some of her favorite tips on traveling healthy
with your kids.
Family Fun In The Summertime: 5 Travel
Tips
Summer is on its way. That means road trips and days at the
beach with the kids. Before you soak in those rays, though, you have to get to
your destination. That can be an adventure in itself! What do you do when the
kids are hungry and screaming in the backseat? As a full-time mom who's roamed
all around the country with her husband and kids in tow, I've put together some
tips on keeping your family healthy, safe, and happy while traveling.
1. Eat Breakfast
If you're headed out for a full day at the amusement park,
be sure your family eats a healthy breakfast beforehand. During sleep, your
body is hard at work making repairs. All that energy needs to be replenished in
order to function the next day. Aim for a serving of healthy protein, such as
scrambled eggs, and complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy. If
you're staying at a hotel, take advantage of the continental breakfast offered.
Eat foods like whole-grain toast, oatmeal, and fresh fruit. Steer your family
clear of sugary cereals and pastries. These provide little nutritional value
and won't satisfy hunger for very long.
2. Pack Healthy Snacks
The munchies can hit hard while you're on the road. Instead
of settling for greasy, salty convenience store snacks, pack your own healthy
food. Keep a cooler stocked with juice, water, low-fat string cheese, Greek
yogurt, apples, and celery and carrot sticks. Keep bags of trail mix and
pretzels, too. Kids always hungry on road trips? Instead of constantly stopping
for food, I like to surprise mine by packing their favorite cookies or candy.
Keep in mind that if you must stop for something on-the-go you should still
take the time to make healthy decisions at fast foods places!
3. Keep Hand Sanitizer Handy
Here's something to think about the next time your family
uses a public bathroom at a rest stop or airport. According to an SCA survey, four in ten adults have admitted to not washing their hands
after sneezing or coughing. Fifty-eight percent
have seen other people walk out of restrooms without having washed their hands.
Gross, right? Teach your children to lather up on the soap and wash their hands
for at least twenty seconds under running water. Keep sanitizer on hand when
soap and water are not available.
4. Maintain Regular Sleep-Wake Schedules
You know that crying baby on the airplane? Chances are, he's probably traveling during the hours when he's usually asleep. Disruptions in children's sleep-wake cycles can lead to episodes of crankiness. As much as possible, schedule flights, meal times, and rest periods around the usual times your family engages in them at home. There are a bunch of Orlando hotels in Walt Disney World that offer quiet hours to ensure their visitors get the proper night’s rest they need.
5. Make Time For The Adults
Mom, Dad, this is your vacation, too. Fit some grown-up time
into your days. Enjoy cocktails at the bar or have a couple's massage at the
spa. Many hotels have childcare options that you can utilize for a few hours.
This way, you and your spouse will come away refreshed from the vacation
instead of frazzled.
Use these tips to plan for a healthy, safe, and fun vacation
with your family!
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