While it’s wonderful to spend some quality time with your family, travelling with kids can be stressful.
 
This is especially the case if you plan on staying at a hotel and sharing a room with your little one - or in fact, the whole brood.
 
That said, by planning ahead and packing right, you can actually enjoy a relaxing stay away with your family.
 
1. Bring along a childproofing kit
Hotel rooms are absolutely full of new and dangerous things for children to explore. Open electrical outlets, beds that beg for bouncing on, exposed cords for curtains, and sharp furniture corners all add to the risks for curious little ones. Make sure that you pull up cords, block outlets, close bathroom doors, and pad sharp edges and corners.  If you are borrowing a crib or other kids’ items from the hotel, check that the items are in good working order, and safe.
 
2. Seek out the ‘invisibles’
Kids have a way of finding things, especially dangerous things, that are virtually invisible to those over three feet tall.  It’s always a good idea to do a quick floor check under beds and throughout the room for anything left behind by other guests or housekeeping. 
 
3. Request a room based on your child’s needs
Kids can be noisy. Requesting a first floor room will let your little one be free to play without disturbing downstairs neighbours.  Also, if your little one is a light sleeper, perhaps request a room far from high traffic zones like the pool or elevators. 
 
4. Get organised
It may be a good idea to set up stations in the room when you arrive. Nothing is worse than needing to change an explosive nappy and having to dig through a suitcase to find everything you need. So, upon arrival, get yourself organised, setting up feeding and nappy changing stations so you have a go-to spot for everything your child needs. 
 
5. Be flexible
If you try to stick to a rigid feeding or sleeping schedule, you are setting yourself up for a lot of frustration and stress. Relax, go with it and keep a loose schedule only. Things aren’t going to run exactly how they do at home so don’t expect them to.
 
6. Take advantage of hotel staff and amenities
The staff are likely area residents and should be used as resources. Need some green space?  Ask the front desk about an onsite playground or local park. Hotel staff may also know about some cheap, family friendly events during the trip that did not make the radar of a travel agent. Some hotels even offer free kids' clubs with colouring books, activities or even games and videos to help families during stays. Let the front desk know of the little visitor and see how the hotel may be of assistance.
 
7. Be creative with meals
During travel, frequent meals can be difficult to schedule, so be sure to take advantage of a la carte breakfasts by picking up an extra yogurt or piece of fruit for the mid morning and afternoon snacks. Do not forget to box up larger meal leftovers or order an extra side for takeout, and store in the room refrigerator for later. Many hotels take light eating little ones into consideration and offer them free meals with dining adults in full scale hotel restaurants, sometimes even through room service.
 
8. Keep it clean
Hotel rooms are small, and can get chaotic if the whole family is staying there. So it's important to keep on top of the mess. Keeping your room clean will cut down on frustration and stress. If you brought your car, you can even stow empty suitcases in your car to relieve some clutter.
 
9. Always latch the door
Children are often fascinated with hotel room doors, and because you can't really lock yourself (or your kids) in them, you can latch the top to ensure that your little one doesn’t wander off. This is especially important if you're sharing connecting rooms or a suite and not always in the same room as your tot.
 
10. Bring sleeping aids
Hotel rooms are full of strange noises from the outside hall and surrounding rooms, and they can also be quite dark at night. Packing a white-noise machine and/or a night light will do wonders in making your child, and therefore you, get a better night's sleep.
 
11. Keep yourself entertained
If you're going to be sharing a room with your child and you don't especially feel like going to sleep at the same time they do, bring a book (with a light) or your iPad so that you can entertain yourself without waking the kids.
 
12. Bring entertainment for the kids
Be sure to bring some easy-to-pack entertainment for the kids, to keep them occupied. A hotel room with a TV is handy if you need a few minutes to get yourself ready for the day.
 
Image via Pinterest. 

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