TIPS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH THE EASTER TRAVEL PERIOD

ZAMANDOSI CELE

WHEN it comes to Easter, flights are packed and South African roads experience large volumes of traffic.

Travelling alone or as a family can seem daunting whether you’re flying for a couple of hours or locked in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Dealing with children during transit in such circumstances can be stressful.

Here are some travel tips to help you navigate through this Easter’s travel whether you’re travelling alone or with family.

Plan ahead

Planning and preparation is the key to success and, of course, requires co-ordination and participation from parents and kids so you can have a fun, comfortable voyage with lifetime memories.

Plan the route to your holiday destination and give yourself enough time. Key in rest stops along the way and if you are travelling with kids, let them know when and where you will be stopping.

Travelling with kids

According to Judy Kirkwood, a specialist in parent and baby care and founder of Best Start Baby, the best way to travel with little ones is to have a plan and structure.

“Let them know ahead of time where you are going and what you’re planning to do. Have maps of where you are going so they can see the journey and what the destination has to offer,” said Kirkwood.

When it comes to first-time moms travelling with babies she offered encouragement.

“I think that as a breast-feeding mom, it’s good to have a cover so you’re relaxed and don’t feel like people are looking at you. Feeding in public is allowed because children need to eat,” said Kirkwood.

She said the best way to deal with a baby is to hold them close to you to comfort and reassure them, and always have food, healthy snacks and some distractions on hand.

Stay safe

The Easter and festive period can be dangerous on the road with huge traffic volumes. The AA has road safety tips you can follow, not just for the Easter period.

It reminds us that you should always obey the rules of the road and carry your licence when driving.

Make sure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure, and for peace of mind, try to stick to major routes or toll roads in order to stay safe and accessible in case of emergencies.

Also, make sure that everyone always has their seatbelts on.