Travelling with kids

Tips and tricks for a stress-free trip

MARCHELLE ABRAHAMS

A SUNNY spot to read my book, that's all I crave when going on holiday. Do I ever get the chance to sweep my fingers through the overused, brittle pages? Nope, but it's a fantasy that I hold dear.

It's a whole different story for my kids. When planning a trip, their requirements rival that of a pop group's tour rider.

And sometimes I think my eldest places these outrageous demands on me just to get a kick out of my reaction.

No, dear son you cannot get 24 hour butler access and a PS5 in your room, and no, the pool does not come heated. As soon as the planning starts, so do the questions. Is there internet access? What about a pool? Can we take the pets?

As a parent, I’ve learnt to carefully sift through the craziness until we have a complete wishlist of what my children's great expectations are. But sometimes even the best laid plans get shot to a glorious piece of turd.

I get reminded of this exactly an hour into our holidays when we're on the road and I turn the music up to drown out the protestations and shouts of “how long still?” and “I need to use the bathroom”.

So for the sake of keeping your sanity, I've outlined some tips to keep in mind when embarking on the great South African family holiday.

Start at 1

Before you start planning, get the family together and ask each one what their requirements are. Most kids will say wi-fi access and a water source. Once you have your wishlist together, then you'll have some sort of idea of where you're heading.

Self-catering or hotel?

If you're a family larger than four, then it would probably be easier on your pocket to go the self catering route. Most resorts and self-catering establishments offer special rates if you book during the week. It also works in your favour because you'll practically have the place to yourself after missing the weekend hordes.

Some hotels are now doing specials where kids under 12 stay for free. Just make sure you read the T&Cs carefully before confirming your bookings to avoid a nasty hotel bill afterwards.

Safety first

Our infection numbers may be down but that doesn't mean that Covid isn't around. When travelling with a family, you need to be extra cautious, so find out what the establishment's Covid policies are. For instance, do they deep clean after every room check out? Are there sanitising stations in the room/unit?

What is the establishment’s mask-wearing policy and do guests abide by it?

Road trip preparation

When travelling by car, make sure there’s enough to keep younger children occupied. Load their favourite shows onto a tablet or device, stock up on healthy snacks and stop intermittently for a quick walk so they don’t get angsty. It can be a lot for them to be cooped up in the car for too long.

Also keep some hard boiled sweets handy if any of them are prone are motion sickness. A pack of wet wipes should be within easy reach because we all know accidents can happen.

The babysitter

As much as it’s a holiday for the kids, sometimes mom and dad need a little break as well. Make arrangements before the time with the hotel to make use of their babysitting facilities.

Some establishments even have a kids club to keep them occupied for a few hours or so you can use the time to do something that doesn’t involve the little ones.

Cancellation policy

Children get sick, it’s inevitable. One minute your packing for a holiday, next you’re sitting in a doctor’s surgery with an ill child. It happens.

In this case, you need to be sure you can get your money back or at least most of it if your trip was paid in full. Some establishments on Airbnb and bookings.com have an up to 24hr cancellation policy so make sure when booking that this policy is in place.

Expectations vs reality

It’s frustrating when you reach your destination and nothing goes according to plan. Your place is too small. The kids are bored after just an hour or so. Marchelle Abrahams knows the secret to keeping her kids Loadshedding! I’ve experienced it all. happy during their

The best advice is to just roll with holidays. the punches and remember that it’s okay to deviate from the plan.

If the place where you’re staying offers nothing with regards to keeping the kids occupied, do a quick Google search for places close by that does offer activities. I remember one year we booked into a lovely self-catering cottage on a working farm. Everything was perfect. The only problem is that we had gotten there a day after heavy rains so the result was the nearby river had overflowed and was not safe for swimming.

We eventually found a resort an hour away and ended up having one of the most memorable holidays.

Oh, and don’t expect to have a relaxing holiday, that’s not included in the vocabulary until they’re teens. Instead, know that it’s going to be crazy, exhausting, but most of all fun.

Everything you need to know for a perfect Easter getaway

LUTHO PASIYA

WITH the Easter holidays upon us, it is time to gear up and be safe. Co-director of Ubhejane Tours Mduduzi Ngubane shares some safety protocols you can follow on your road trip, hotel and when dining out.

Road safety

*Tour operators should ensure they have permits to carry people if you’re travelling with a group.

*Vehicles should be road-worthy.

*Tour operators should ensure vehicles and passengers.

*Ensure passengers are wearing masks and observe social distancing.

*Check temperatures before travellers get into the vehicles.

*Provide sanitisers for passengers before they enter the vehicle.

*Ensure there is sufficient space between passengers to observe social distancing.

Hotel safety

*On arrival at a hotel, ensure you are wearing a mask.

*If porters are carrying your bags, ensure their hands are sanitised.

*Sanitise your hands when approaching a reception desk.

*Ensure you provide an emergency contact to the hotel.

*Follow all protocols observed by the hotel.

Dining out

*Instead of wandering into the nearest restaurant with an open sign in the window, spend some time online exploring your options. We live in an age where reviews can tell you exactly what to expect. Look out for feedback that mentions safety protocols and how well they are executed.

Check if there is an option for outdoor seating for extra ventilation. Secondly, keep your mask on as you enter the restaurant. This is a good time to check out the protocols in action. How is the ventilation, table spacing, and cleanliness? Until recently, restaurants had to ask customers to sign in, but this is no longer a requirement. However, there should be sanitising stations on your way to your table, so be sure to use them. When it’s time to pay, most facilities accept cash, but contactless payment is recommended. Remember to sanitise your hands after dealing with payments. The waiter should do the same with the card machine.