It is often humorously said about the changes that occur in parents' attitudes with each subsequent child. With the first one, they tend to be most protective, counting the number of meals, sterilizing everything. With the third, as the joke goes, if the child swallows a coin, they deduct it from the pocket money. One could say it's similar with traveling with a child on holiday; mainly it’s the first time that causes panic, and the last one, the child can pack themselves.
We travel further and further on holidays with a child, and not only during the summer season anymore. Adding to that the child’s age and the fact that their needs differ at various stages makes it quite a logic puzzle called “How to pack the entire house into a suitcase”? It's not easy to prepare for such holidays based on a single, drawer-kept list. There are too many nuances that require modifications. At the same time, to reassure, there are things that are always essential and must be remembered. So the world is open before us, we can travel everywhere in comfortable conditions, but baggage limits at airports and a suitcase that isn’t elastic are restrictions that cannot be denied.
So what must be in the suitcase packed for a holiday with a child? First, reach for the documents and health booklet. Undoubtedly, pack a first aid kit as well, because if a child is going to hurt themselves, it usually happens when we are unprepared. We must be one step ahead and bring something for every situation. Secondly, pack cosmetics of all kinds. It may suddenly turn out that the child's cosmetic bag is bigger than the mother's.
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Let’s now focus on the details of the above list. The first aid kit should include painkillers, fever reducers, something for cough, seawater or saline solution for a runny nose, plasters, wound disinfectant, allergy medications, a rehydration solution for diarrhea or vomiting. Additionally, of course, bring any prescribed medications the child takes. Then add something for mosquito bites, a thermometer and sometimes a useful inhaler to administer some medications. Among cosmetics, there must be sunscreens, shampoo suitable for the child, bath liquid, toothbrush and toothpaste. A cream for sunburn or after-sun lotion, nail scissors, a tick removal tool, and tissues are also recommended.
If our child is small, depending on their needs, either pack a sufficient supply of diapers, or a potty or toilet seat if the child uses that. At this stage, we can already feel more at ease because the basics for holidays with a child are packed. Before moving on to the next stage, and still regarding cosmetics, we can consider laundry detergent. The decision whether to take it is tied to the amount of clothing we bring.
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Clean meaning a child who can spend the entire day in one outfit. For most parents, an absolute abstraction. Since such children are quite rare, we must assume we will take more clothes for the child than for ourselves. Unless we ourselves have trouble keeping food on a fork. Of course, a decisive factor is whether we are traveling on holiday with a child to hot regions or more unpredictable, perhaps cooler ones. The former parents will mainly focus on beachwear, but the others less so. The basics will always be underwear, socks (preferably enough for half a week multiplied by 2). A sun hat, a thin jacket and a thicker one, something for rain, pajamas, sweatshirts. T-shirts and pants, both long and short, best taken in amounts judged sufficient based on what we know about the child’s lifestyle. The more tomato sauce a child usually smears on clothes, the more we take. Footwear should also cover all weather conditions—from sandals, through comfortable trekking shoes, to rain boots.
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If we complement the above basics with adequate supplies of treats and favorite engaging toys and games, maybe we can distract the child enough so we won’t hear constant questions during the trip about how far it is to the destination. For the lucky ones traveling to the water, a set of bath toys will be useful. Other parents will need to be more creative organizing time and attractions during later stages of the holiday.
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