AboutMK Expertise I am highly experienced with traveling with small children abroad. I enjoy enriching experiences for my kids as well as myself. I have much advice on having a happy travel experience for both you and your child. I am also a resource of information regarding unique experiences such as learning languages abroad as a family in immersion settings and how to really get to know a culture.
Experience I have worked in international business for 20 years. I have been traveling successfully with kids as young as 6 months- and I continue to do so happily.
Question We are about to embark on a new chapter in our lives. We're moving from England to Scotland!!! I have a 6mth old baby and my partner and I cannot agree on wether to travel during the night or day!! We have to meet the removal company the day after we travel up so we need to have our wits about us. My partner feels we should leave in the morning, therefore we will be able to sleep well the night before we meet the truck!! I feel that it will be hard for Archie to be in his car seat all day awake, he will get frustrated and bored!!I feel the less disruption to him the better as he is going to be going through enough. But, he has a strict bedtime routine, so how will he cope with this and will he sleep. He sleeps through the night every night and has done so since he was 2 months old (apart from the odd occasion) !! Please help as all we are doing is arguing, open to all advice.
Answer Dear Caz,
This is a tough question. I have traveled well through the night and day with my kids. I am a firm believe that the kids pick up on your mood and follow it. So part of your decision could include what would make you at your optimum. Kids are so flexible, they may sleep where ever, when ever as they need. Sleeping through the night while on travel, the kids do not always get a great night sleep, and may get cranky the following day or after. Sounds like there is a lot going on so keep in mind the entire weeks' demands, change will affect everyone and sleep patterns for everyone. Make a healthy and positive choice for kids and parents- it's OK to think of the parents too (I give you permission) !!!
Now for the car seat. I traveled with my 6 month old for 6 weeks, airplanes, cars, trains, buses. We had a remarkable time. I really liked that time together looking back. Sure, she was in a car seat, but it was not like the usual trip, I was focused on OUR trip together. I had lots of things that we did together- I needed to keep myself entertained. Mostly, I talked. Lots of stories that I made up. I narrated what we saw (increasing her vocabulary). I gave her little leg massages and tickles. I had a few stickers that I placed on paper and her. The trip was too short and we had a great time without incident. It was a great start to many years of great traveling together.
For the entire trip, I would suggest a stroller that can be adjusted to be flat for great sleeping and a think lambs wool for sleeping anywhere. i have written a few previous tips on aroma therapy and traveling for great sleep association- hitting as many senses as you can before your trip and during. Check out my previous replies.
Have a great move!! mk@familylanguagevacations.com
