If you are thinking about booking your first holiday abroad with young children then there’s a lot that's need to be though about. The whole experience of looking after a child and ensuring they are happy whilst travelling can be a stressful one. However, by following a few simple tips and staying organised, you can stay in complete control of your time away.
"Are We Nearly There Yet?" (Guest Post)
It seems highly appropriate that I publish this guest-post on my blog, as right at this moment in time, Mr. TBaM is shoving our luggage into the boot of the car as we head off to Butlin's for a short break! In this stress-free family car travel advertorial, Isabelle from Passsmart.com (the UK service for learner drivers) presents a variety of ideas to minimise the anxiety of getting there. I'm off to pack some fruit and ditch the chocolate!
Long car journeys can be stressful at the best of times, but when you've got the children in the back and they're asking "Are we nearly there yet?" every half a mile, it doesn't get any easier! In this article we're going to take a look at some tips to keep the children happy and occupied in the car, and, no matter how many little ones you've got to keep entertained, it's sure to help make the ride a little smoother.
Classic travel games
Remember the travel games you used to pay as a child? Well, they work just as well these days! Classic travel games like the 'Number Plate Game' (where you make up sentences using number plate letters) and 'I Spy' are all fantastic ways to make the journey pass a little quicker. Best of all, they won't cost you a thing!
Don't forget to pack the fun stuff
Make sure you've packed some games and activities which will allow you to get some quiet time in. Whilst games like I Spy are great for keeping the children entertained in the car, they're also pretty noisy! Taking some activity books or a portable games console will help you get a bit of quiet time during the journey, and will also make sure you're able to keep your concentration on the road instead of what's going on in the back.
Be careful with the sweet treats
We all know the best part of a long car journey is having a big bag of sweets to munch your way through, but children, sweets and sitting still don't really mix. Instead of bringing sweets and chocolates for the journey, pack some healthy snacks like trail mix, raisins and fruit salad. OK, they'll probably be less enthusiastic about their in-car snacks, but at least you won't have to deal with a sugar high mid-journey.
You don't have to cut out the sweet things completely, though. If you do let them have a few treats, make sure it's just before you stop off for lunch or a toilet break, to ensure they have some time to burn the excess energy off before they get back in the car.
Stretch your legs
It's important that you take plenty of breaks when going on a long car trip. Not only will the children need a chance to run around, but you'll also need a break from being behind the wheel. Take plenty of chances to stop off and refuel (the car and you!), because although it may take you a little longer to get there, you won't arrive feeling cramped and grumpy!
Take a comfy change of clothes
We all know children can get through clean clothes at an alarming rate, so make sure you pack some easily-accessible spares. It's also a good idea to pack a fresh pair of pyjamas to make things a little comfier when it comes to nap time too.
It's essential to make sure the little ones are comfy as well as entertained, because sitting uncomfortably for that amount of time can make even the most grown up of us irritable!
Kiddy: Cruiserfix Pro Group 2/3
Having just read this review about the Kiddy Phoenixfix Pro, it makes a really important point which I want to reiterate. I review a lot of things, and I have been told that they have often sealed the deal for parents looking for information on a specific product. When it's a jigsaw puzzle, a play house or a toddler meal then that's fantastic and makes reviewing worthwhile. When it's a matter of safety, and for the protection of your child, don't take my word on whether it's safe or not. Please look at a proper breakdown on the safety of the Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro, like this one on Which?.
So what will I discuss?
- Ease of fitting, and
- Comfort.
The Boy has moved from his five-point Maxi-Cosi Axiss because he's too tall for it, I shouldn't be surprised because he grew out of his first car seat at seven months old. Therefore I needed to get him a decent seat which is robust enough to offer sufficient, and possibly more, protection for my little boy who had just turned three at the time. There aren't many five point harness group 2/3 child seats out there, and I would imagine this is purely due to the age range they span. While a five point harness is perceived to be safer, there is no evidence to support this misconception. In addition, the average seven year old male is not going to find the strap coming between his legs comfortable, and that was why I was happy to take The Boy up to a seat which uses the adult seatbelt.
The Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro is a Group 2/3 seat for the weight range 15-36kg and age range of 4-12 years. It's a big age range, however it adjusts for height and leg length to make it comfortable for the older child to use safely. The page on the Kiddy website gives a very comprehensive breakdown of materials chosen and the shock absorber system.
The seat arrived in the box ready to install. The Cruiserfix Pro has retractable clamps for use with Isofix, which our car (Renault Scenic) has. There are two small yellow brackets which are inserted into the fabric opening of the car seat, and they hold the fabric out of the way to allow the Kiddy seat bracket to attach to the Isofix units. It was relatively easy to attach, although Renault had kindly sewn up the fabric too tightly on one side which meant hacking some excess (and hidden) fabric off. Once attached to the Isofix unit, the seat is pushed back into place against the back of the adult seat. I removed the headrest from the Scenic's seat to ensure a flush fit. I had it fitted within ten minutes, it would have been five if Renault hadn't been so 'meticulous' with their stitching.
The Boy is incredibly comfortable in this seat. His head is inches below the top of the side protectors, and that's even at the lowest setting, and he has space either side of his shoulders and head, but not an excessive amount.
As he's still only just three years old, he does have a tendency to fall asleep in the car on long journeys. That was easier in his old seat as I could tilt it up for him to lie back. Obviously that's not possible in a seat which uses an adult seatbelt. However, because the Cruiserfix Pro has a three-stage leg extension which means that he can push the legrest out himself and put his feet up making himself very comfortable. This is what makes the difference for The Boy as a young user of the seat. He's fallen asleep in it comfortably (for well over an hour) at least a dozen times now.
If I was to ask The Boy why he loves his new seat (because he does) he'd tell you it's because it's a 'big boy seat'. Previously I had to lift him in and out of the Axiss; he's a big boy and I have a rubbish back. These things combined meant that it was becoming a nightmare putting him in. However, now he loves that he can climb in and out himself and only needs mummy to do/undo his seatbelt.
For installation and comfort, the Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro gets a big thumbs up from us!
The Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro retails for £150 and is available from a variety of stockists.
I was sent this product for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased. And please check out an independent safety specialist's opinion of any car seat before you buy it.
Lights Out Portable Pop-Up Blinds (Review & Competition)
One of the things that I was adamant with when setting up The Boy's bedroom when he was first born, was the window coverings. I was determined he'd have a black out blind and the linings on the curtains, as I didn't want him waking up at silly o'clock in the morning during the Summer, and I wanted him to have uninterrupted sleep during his afternoon naps. It's worked brilliantly and as a result is always something that I've worried about when we've gone to stay with friends and family, or gone on holiday. Most holiday homes have thin curtains which serve little purpose other than to throw a tinted hue over the room. I've been known to be pegging black out lining to the curtain rail in an attempt to darken it sufficiently enough for him to sleep.
Well, not any more!
Last week we were sent the Lights Out Portable Pop-Up Blinds to review, and they came at a perfect time as we were away for Easter weekend in a place that I knew had wafer-thin translucent curtains at the windows. These blinds are excellent. The pack contains two blinds and each one measures 1.2m x 1m. They fold down into a circular lightweight storage bag (measuring 45cm diameter) which took up barely any space in an otherwise cramped car!
Each of the blinds has a toggle through the middle of it with a suction cup attached to the one end. Simply position the suction cup and attach it to the window, pull the toggle and it holds the blind in place over the window, pulling taut to rest against the frame.
They overlapped perfectly and pulled tight to cover the wide expanse of window with no problem whastoever. Bearing in mind I'm not a 'follow-the-instructions' person, I had them up in the window within thirty seconds. For deeper window recesses there are extension rods to attach.
The left picture above shows the window to be covered, the middle shows it with the 'curtains' drawn, and the right hand picture shows the blinds in action. Apologies for the blurriness on the middle picture but I was taking the photo without a flash and had to stand still for thirty seconds to get the photo. I couldn't take a photo of the room with the blinds attached at first, as it was pitch black and my camera couldn't focus. I had to place my phone on the bedside table with the light on to give it something to focus on. As a result the slight light strip you can see is from the reflection of my phone not from the window.
One last point to note is that, despite many 'pop-up' items being nigh on impossible to 'pop-down' again afterwards, these were back in the storage bag within thirty seconds.
The Lights Out Portable Pop-Up Blinds are excellent! I would buy these in a flash because they work brilliantly, and I wish I'd known about them when I first had The Boy, so many holidays could have been more enjoyable with more sleep!
The kind souls at Lights Out are offering a set of the Portable Pop-Up Blinds to one lucky reader. Simply fill in the Rafflecopter form in order to enter.
All entry mechanisms must be completed for your entry to count.
The Open Road (Guest Post)
Within the past eight months, we've started to make longer car journeys with The Boy, the first was in June when we went down to Winchester for my father-in-laws birthday, the most recent was to west Wales for a weekend break, the longest was to Manchester (eight hours to do 190 miles!) to meet some friends. Trips before last June saw The Boy falling asleep in the car after about thirty minutes and sleeping happily for an hour or so. Then the moment hit when he stopped doing that and just became bored very quickly. Now when we set off, we have a plethora of things we take in order to make the journey more comfortable.
In this guest-post, Sainsbury's bring you some more ideas.
Long Car Journeys: The Ultimate Survival Guide
Not many people relish the thought of spending hours in the car, but there are a few simple tricks that can make long journeys slightly more bearable. After all, the trick to getting through endless hours of driving is good planning, and if you’re well prepared then everything should run smoothly.
Start by checking out your car before you go – and leave plenty of time for a last-minute visit to the garage should you need anything. Make sure your oil and water is topped up and that you have plenty of washer fluid. Check out those tyres too – not just for wear and tear but for pressure as well.
Next you need to plan your route, not just in terms of directions but also for fuel and comfort stops. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on a motorway with miles to the next service station if you’re busting for the loo or running out of fuel, so be prepared and plan your stops in advance.
Remember to get your paperwork up to date. Getting stopped by the police, especially when you’re away from home, can be a stressful experience. Avoid any unnecessary hassle by checking that your car insurance and MOT is in date, and that your insurance covers your needs for the journey.
Be prepared for the worst. Yes, that might sound a little dramatic, but having a few provisions on board is only sensible if you’ve got hours of driving ahead of you. Make sure you’ve got a few pillows handy for passengers to avoid sore necks, pack enough food and water for the journey, have a blanket and a torch ready for emergencies and carry a working mobile phone just in case (but don’t use it while you’re driving).
Make sure you take regular breaks, or swap over with another qualified, insured driver on a regular basis. Driving can be really draining, and just a small lapse of concentration can be potentially fatal on a busy road. Avoid the risk and stop every few hours, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
Ensure that there’s plenty for the kids to do. Bored children can be a nightmare on long journeys, so have plenty of activities planned beforehand. In-car games are always fun, or if you fancy a bit of peace and quite then download some audible stories for them to listen to on their headphones. There are also some great in-car entertainment systems available if you run out of inspiration.
And finally, keep your cool. Long car journeys can be stressful and troublesome. Make sure you’ve got some great music to listen to, or tune in to an interesting radio show. You could even use the time to teach yourself another language with an educational CD! Just try to make the most out of your long journey.
Theraline Animal Neck Pillow
In a few weeks time we're off down to Delightfully Delicious Dorset for a week's holiday and therefore my mind is filled to bursting with all the different things that we're going to need. That includes all the things that will make a possibly three-hour journey (depending upon the damned M5 around Taunton) easier for us, especially me as I'll be in the back next to a crotchety two-year old who has started to refuse to sleep in the car.
One such item that will make him more comfy (and therefore more likely to sleep) is the Theraline animal neck pillow that we've recently been sent to review. We chose a sheep one because we're Welsh but they come in three very cute and cuddly designs to keep little boys and girls happy. Made from a soft and cuddly materials and filled with fine sand-like micro-beads, I already know that The Boy is going to enjoy cuddling up to sheep, and when he falls asleep I can pop it around his neck to support and make it more comfy for him.
The Gallery: Travel
So the lovely Tara has set us the following challenge this week:
This week it's time to access your happy memories once again about places you've been, things you've seen, experiences you've had.
This week's theme is: Travel.
Which quite frankly after the emotional outpouring about my grandparents last week is a relief.
Now the obvious one for me, is our road-trip around America from six years ago, but I did that one for the Unofficial Gallery several weeks ago. Therefore I'm going to choose a few photos from our first trip away with The Boy.
He was born on Friday 12th June 2009 three hours before my entire family attended my great-aunt's funeral in Dorset, hence none of them being able to visit immediately. I was devastated that I couldn't go to Aunty Nell's funeral because I was so very fond of her, and due to not being allowed to travel in the last month or so I hadn't seen her before she died either. However, contractions had other plans for me that day!
In the September my mum arranged for us all to spend the weekend back down where she used to live and to scatter her ashes. This is not the type of thing my family normally does; someone dies then that's it, they get cremated and their ashes scattered in the garden of rememberance. I firmly believe that my mum arranged this for me. In the end, because none of the others knew what to do (through lack of experience) I ended up taking the bag and scattering Aunty Nell's ashes into the bay at West Bay, where she used to go to mark her school books. I stood there by myself, watching her ashes swishing in the sea, hanging around and not wanting to leave the party. There was my moment of parting, there was the goodbye that I had missed.
When I turned around, the others had joined me from a distance.
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Listography: Top 5 Places I'd Like To Visit
The marvel and wit that is KateTakes5 has decreed that this week's Listography is places we'd like to visit.
I'm quite a homebird and don't like to spend weeks and weeks away from the little haven that is my three-bedroom, semi-detached suburban cocoon. Before The Boy we would have two breaks throughout the year, all just a long weekend normally in an European city. Some we revisited, like Prague and Barcelona, because when I find somewhere I like, I like to go back and explore more. However, I've always maintained that I will not take an infant abroad because I personally could not stand the stress it puts on them, you and every other person in the vicinity. That's me trying to have an easy life. It does however mean that I have deprived myself of feeling the sun on my skin for the forseeable future.
There are five places that I'd like to visit though before I'm too old and wrinkly to appreciate them:
1) The Greek Islands
We very nearly made it there. In the August before I fell pregnant with The Boy we started planning our October half-term holiday. I really wanted to go to the Greek Islands but was put off by the whole loo-paper in bin debacle. I decided that we'd probably do it through a cruise instead which would mean a) we'd see more of the islands, and b) I could flush my bog-paper! Finances meant that we'd have to put that off 'til the following year so we looked at Menorca instead. And then I fell pregnant so we stayed home and bought a car-seat and nappies instead!
2) The Galapagos Islands
I want to see the turtles lumbering around in their natural and protected environment. I want to see what made Charles Darwin think 'hang on a minute…' and I wouldn't mind enjoying the beaches either!
3) Alaska
Blame Northern Exposure!
4) Petra
I have inherited my dad's fascination with the place and it has nothing to do with Indiana Jones. I find the whole place completely astounding, a true Wonder of the World. To walk through that passage and see temples carved out of stone must be breathtaking.
5) The River Nile
This is somewhere that I've wanted to go for years and years! This one is completely down to Agatha Christie and Peter Ustinov, the glamour of the cruise-boats is amazing. So one day we will cruise 'up' the Nile from South to North (how bizarre?) enjoying the temples of Abu Simble and, of course, the Pyramids at Giza.
One day.
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