Traveling With Kids - Be Prepared

Traveling with children gives them an opportunity to learn about the world around them, expand their understanding of other cultures, and experience valuable life-lessons.

Traveling with children can be great fun - or it can be a disaster. When traveling with kids, if you are prepared for emergencies, boredom, homesickness and other unpleasantness, the whole family will have a better time.

Here are a few tips to ensure that your family vacation goes smoothly.

There are a few necessities that you should always bring with you.

• Band-Aids
• small packs of tissues
• Emergency phone numbers
• hand sanitizer gel
• sun screen and hats for everyone
• Advil or Tylenol - both children's and adults
• Small flashlight for rummaging around in the trunk of the car at night, or to find the bathroom in the wee hours.
• Keep a photo of each child on you at all times - just in case you lose one in a crowd.
• Always carry your passport and ID on you at all times, and also have a photocopy of everyone's passport, birth certificates and airline tickets. You can never be too careful!

Even on vacation there are bound to be times that the kids get bored. Whether it's while driving, waiting for it to be time to go somewhere, or just in the evening when the grown-ups are pooped and need a rest, at some point you're going to hear "I'm boooored!" in that special whiney tone we all love.

Be prepared for the boring times by bringing a fun-pack for the kids. Include things like:

• Crayons, pencils, paper and coloring books
• A hand-held game, if you have one, such as a DS or PSP
• Puzzle books (word-find, crosswords, Sudoku, etc.)
• Card games and travel games
• Portable DVD player and DVD's
• zip lock bags (for collecting shells and other treasures, storing snacks, ect.)

A few other items that I usually forget if I don't have a list:

• sun glasses
• hats

Proper planning is the key to success in any endeavor, especially ne that involved kids!