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Below are some suggestions that may help parents minimize a child’s anxiety when traveling:
- If your child is old enough, let him or her help plan your trip. Let them learn about where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.
- Leave plenty of time. Nothing is more stressful for parents or children than rushing to catch a plane or trying to reach a destination on time.
- Keep children occupied, especially on car or plane trips. Bring food, books, and games.
- Try to establish a relatively regular routine, even when traveling. Children are reassured by predictability.
- Let your child bring something familiar from home. It may be a stuffed animal, blanket, or a favorite toy. Encourage kids to bring pictures of friends, family, and pets.
- Plan plenty of bathroom and snack breaks. Try to keep kids comfortable and well fed.
- If traveling for an extended period, help kids keep in contact with friends back home. Let them call, send letters, postcards, or email to friends.
- Don’t force kids to tolerate extended “adult activities” like long museum visits, formal dinners, or plays in languages they don’t understand. Plan child oriented activities -- children’s museums, parks, zoos, and toy stores.
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