by Walter Barrett

Created on: February 22, 2009

I've never had the privilege- or nightmare- of travelling with pre-schoolers on long trips. In fact, the closest I have gotten to that were travelling back home in Trinidad with my younger brother when we were growing up, and taking my daughter, now 3, around the BVI where I now live. But I have had the chance to hear my mother complaining about how tough it was with me during one particular trip the family had made to Orlando. We had taken a 4 hour bus ride that proved to be a little more than my parents had planned for. Apparently I threw a tantrum so long winded that passengers threatened to throw us off at the next stop.

So, for anyone taking the time to travel with pre-schoolers- whether they be your own or someone else's- here are some tips that can avoid the unnecessary added frustration to you, to the tots, or to anyone else in air shot of the occupants of your vehicle.

1. Make your infant passenger comfortable. Your child seat should be properly secured, and should not rock or sway from side to side. This little oversight easily upsets children and leads to nauseousness. Also, you don't want to have to stop constantly to adjust a poorly fastened child seat. Do whatever you can to avoid your child's crankiness. A small headrest and blanket should also be brought along for your trip.

2. Ensure that you walk with your child's favorite carry-on toys. Nothing that is too bulky for them to handle during the trip, but nothing that is so small or contains such tiny parts as to warrant you needing to look back every 10 seconds and pull parts from their mouth. Things like picture books and musical toys are always good selections.

3. Pack food that can hold attention. Kids don't like to eat healthy. Most kids anyway. So you're going to start the ball of fire rolling rather early if an hour into a trip you pull out broccoli and celery sticks. Yes, you want your child to eat healthy, but make it attractive to them, so they enjoy the meal, so much that they take their time eating it to make it last. It will hold their attention during that snack time. Cut fruits like melons, bananas and apples out in shapes. They can be basic shapes, or whatever other elaborate designs you may be able to come up with.

4, While we are on the topic of food, try as far as possible to make a stop for a meal. The break in the long drive will calm your young traveler. They will welcome the new scene of fresh faces and lively activity. The meal will also prevent hunger pangs that can lead to bouts of crying and temper tantrums. A Happy Meal can work wonders just before the second leg of your journey begins, and may even facilitate sleep for your pre-schooler.

5. You also want to ensure that you have music ready for your child. Pop in a CD that has familiar tunes or nursery rhymes that can keep him or her smiling for some of the trip until they stop singing along or clapping, signs that they are probably getting bored.

6. Last, but by no means least, whatever medications your child may need, ensure that they are on hand, and that they are at least half filled. You don't want to encounter a bout of asthma, for example, and realize that the inhaler was left 10 miles back at the apartment. Be prepared.

Of course, you would have changes of clothes in case of small mishaps, and there are some other obvious details you woul dremember that may differ from child to child. All in all, do everything you can think of to make your child happy, comfortable and safe, which ultimately will reflect the same for you.

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