Talking it through

Practicalities Getting Organised Talking it through 

Even very small children understand more than you think so it's worth taking the time to describe to them where you are going, how long it will take to get there and what you will be doing when you arrive.

It can be helpful to show pictures and perhaps look through guidebooks.

With older children you can start discussions before you have even decided on the destination.

What to Cover

1. Anything it would be useful for children to get used to in advance. Examples include different food (see Eating), different beds such as bunk beds or grown up beds when they have been used to a cot, and different lavatories. Newly toilet trained children may be unsure about unfamiliar lavatories so it can be helpful to prepare them by visiting a few nearer home in friend's homes plus shops and restaurants.



2. What you might do when you get there - whether you are just going to relax and what you are planning which might be more active. It is helpful to listen to what everyone votes (getting older children to write it down is a good way to focus minds) and then come up with a plan which takes it all into account. This can be a good way to ensure that you have factored in options which appeal to children, like play areas, animals and water. If going somewhere sunny it can be a good idea to pick bad weather options in advance so they don't seem like second best if the weather does break. Prepare a Planning Table beforehand.



3. Whether there are likely to be other children to play with. If there will not be, forewarned is forearmed.



4. If the children will have special holiday money you could discuss what there might be to spend the money on, including what souvenirs there will be which they might like to buy.