For small children, new airport security measures are scary. In the innocent world of children, they can’t imaging someone would hurt them or their family. The strange sights of airport security can terrify them.

Not used to seeing people in uniforms carrying guns, some children might be afraid of the armed security guards. They might be afraid of walking through the metal detectors. They will wonder why all their things have to go through that ‘big x-ray machine’, or why mom and dad have to take their shoes off. They could even fear being taken away from their parents during security checks.

Parents need to be sensitive to the way a child’s mind and heart works and prepare the child well in advance of the trip.

Spend plenty of time talking with your child before your trip to the airport about what they will see and hear. Practice handing over beloved toys to go through a pretend scan. If possible, consider taking your child to a local courthouse or municipal building to go through the metal detector and see a security x-ray machine before your flight.

Explain to your child that the x-ray machine helps the security people make sure someone doesn’t sneak something dangerous on the plane. Tell your child these things help keep them, and everybody else on the plane safe.  

Don’t discuss terrorist attacks or tell your child security are looking for bombs or guns. The harsh realities of air travel can be terrifying for adults, children are not equipped to handle the complexities of  travel security today.

If security asks you to remove your shoes, tell your child that sometimes people try to take things on a plane that they’re not supposed to have, and taking off shoes is one way to help them be safe. Reassure your child the security people will give your shoes back.

By taking the time to talk with your child and practice going through security measures, you will alleviate your child’s fears and make the process easier for both of you.

The thought of air travel can be overwhelming and scary for children. The idea of putting some of their things in suitcases and getting on a huge airplane, leaving their home, pets, and everything that they love behind can invoke terror and insecurity. They wonder what will happen to their things and their friends when they come home. They wonder if they will come home.

Take the time to explain to your child where you will be going and how you will get there. Whatever the reason for your trip, talk to your child about why you are going. If possible, let your child help decide what they would like to do at your destination. Your child will be much more enthusiastic and cooperative while you do the things you have to do if they get to choose things they want to do.

To help relieve fears that something will happen to their home or things while they are gone, play a pretend game with your child. Tell your child the two of you are going to tell a story about all the fun things your home and belongings will do while you are away You start the story by pretending to be a toy and say, “Wow, my little girl (boy) has gone on a trip. We toys are going to have lots of fun.” Talk about some of the fun things they toys will do, then, turn the story over to your child and listen. Take turns telling the story, and make sure it ends with your family coming home safely to find the house and everything in it just as your child left it.

Make sure your child knows who will be caring for any family pets while you’re gone and make arrangements for your child to call the caretaker so they can check up on their beloved Fluffy.

Alleviating your child’s worry and insecurity is the first step to having a fun, relaxing trip with your child

Staying in a hotel with your children can be enough to frazzle any parent. Close quarters with not much to do and neighbors on the other side of the wall can be a recipe for disaster. Especially if the kids get loud and restless.

But, it doesn’t have to be all bad. You and your kids can make the best out of hotel travel with a few simple ideas.

Before you leave home, call several hotels in your destination area and shop for the best price. Many hotels offer “kids stay free” weekends. Some have even adopted the policy for all but their busiest times. Also, if your children are older, check into the availability of adjoining rooms. The kids will be close by, but mom and dad can get some privacy as well.

Not all hotels offer cribs, so be sure to ask when you call.

In addition to staying free, kids can eat free, too. Continental breakfasts, kids menus, and time locked specials mean your hotel may offer free food for your little one to.

Most hotels have heated swimming pools. Be sure to bring swim suits and take advantage of entertainment and exercise you may not be able to access at home. Not only will the kids have fun splashing around, but they’ll sleep well, too.

In today’s techno-centric world, most hotels have free cable television, and a many offer video game rooms and free internet access.

A few travel hotels offer game and book libraries where bored kids can check out board games or good books.

Depending on how long you’re staying, evaluate your family’s need for a kitchen. Some hotels offer rooms with small kitchens, while others do not.

With a little research, you can make your child’s hotel experience fun, without annoying others on the floor.

Eating out when traveling with children can be an experience. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always interesting.

If you plan carefully, your family can have a pleasant dining experience without ruining the wait staff’s day.

First, try to plan restaurant visits during less busy times. Waiting in long lines for a table, slow service and harried wait staff do not make for a pleasant meal for anyone. Small children get bored easily and a bored, hungry child is an unhappy child.

Let your children snack before leaving for the restaurant. In this case, it’s not going to ruin the child’s appetite to snack before hand. A small snack will tide the child over while they wait to order, and wait for their meal.

Look for kid friendly places to eat. Many mid-priced restaurants are family friendly. They offer kid menus, crayons and table games, and designated “kids eat free” periods through out the day. And let’s face it, eating out with the whole family can be expensive, so free is always good.

When you have the whole family in tow, be especially generous when you tip your wait staff. Most servers go out of their way to be friendly to your kids. Acknowledge that and let your server know it’s appreciated.

Let your child choose what they want from the menu. They’re more likely to eat what is served if they ordered it themselves.

If you have small children or babies, be sure to clean up after them. It’s a fact of life babies and toddlers will spill drinks, throw food on the floor and smear catsup on the table. Be considerate of the restaurant staff. Pick up food from the floor, wipe up the spilled drinks and scrape the catsup off the table.

Be a good customer and you’ll likely to be greeted with a smile the next time you bring your family in for dinner.

When traveling with small children, try to keep your child’s likes and dislikes in mind when selecting a destination.

Some children will happily visit “boring old places,” but many will not.  Most children, however, might be more willing to sit through the boring spots if they understand that they’ll get to go to “someplace cool” afterwards.

Remember to think through the destinations, too.  While an amusement park—with the rides, costumes, food and fun—might sound great, children might disagree when they’re too small to actually ride the rides.  How much fun is it to sit in a stroller while the older kids ride the roller coaster, or to wave to Mommy from Daddy’s arms on the shore as her paddle boat passes by? 

The reverse is also true; while the younger children will happily explore a petting zoo or pony ride, the older children might spend the entire visit wishing they were anyplace else and hoping that pictures of them feeding a baby goat won’t get back to their classmates.

Some children will be thrilled by a museum, while others will not.  The fossilized skeletons and stuffed hunting cats will fascinate some kids and terrify others.  Many museums have interactive areas that provide a hands-on learning experience.

National parks and other outdoor attractions attract kids of all ages.  The younger ones will appreciate the chance to run around and play, while the older ones might be interested in the science or history of the site. 

Keep in mind the attitudes and feelings of children, too.  They might say they’re looking forward to visiting a cave, until they realize that “exploring the cavern” actually means “climbing down into this really big really scary dark hole in the ground.”  Sensitive children might just cut the exploring short when they see what it involves.