The Journey

Practicalities Getting Organised The Journey 

Pre-planning is a key element in ensuring that journeys with children go smoothly. Quite how organised you need to be will depend how predictable you and your children like life to be.

• The cardinal rule is to be prepared for changes of plan, especially at the last minute.



• Try to time your travel for when your children are at their best - morning for larks, later for owls, unless you can rely on them sleeping through it, in which case go for the reverse.



• Organise in advance as much as possible of the nitty gritty stuff. That starts with knowing exactly how you are going to get to the airport/park the car. If travelling independently book ahead for accommodation at least one night. Even the children will be more relaxed if they have a specific destination in mind. Try to ensure that you have really good instructions on how to get there.



• If you can, bear in mind the idea that the journey can be as much fun as the arrival. If you can do that, the experience can all seem like part of the entertainment. The books in the Holiday Reading section on transport might be useful here.



• Take enough food, clothes and entertainment (See Wanted on Voyage) to prevent a real nightmare if there is a hiccup somewhere along the line.



• It is definitely a good idea to let everyone know how long it might take to get there, with reference to something else they can relate to - the length of the school day, or a favourite video for example. Always be honest about what is likely to happen. If it's a very long journey tell them it's very, very long. If there's a delay, let them know as soon as you do.