Keeping your little ones safe on holiday

Taking young children on holiday can feel daunting. There seems to be so many more risks with children when you’re in an unfamiliar place and that can be quite stressful. So what can you do to minimise some of those risks? One concern is always your child getting lost. It’s important to discuss this with your child and talk about what they should do if they are lost. If you’re in a busy place you could show them a place they could go if they lose you. Another thing that you could do is have them all wear an ID bracelet that has your mobile number on them. You can buy these now that are light weight and waterproof to give you that extra peace of mind.

Water safety is another big worry for parents of young children particularly if your child cannot swim. Floatation devices such as arm bands and rubber rings are great as they allow your child to keep their head above water. You can also get vest style floatation devices that allow a little bit more unrestricted movement compared to bulky inflatables. It’s important to remember that even with these devices on you should never leave your child unattended near any open areas of water.

Stress-free holidays with toddlers

As much as we love our children there are times, especially when on holiday, that we wonder whether the cost and upheaval that a holiday with young children creates is really worth it. The amount of luggage that has to be packed catering for every eventuality is huge and many families struggle to fit it all into the family car. How can we make holidays with toddlers and young children easier and enjoyable for all the family?

Inevitably when on holiday normal routines go out of the window and this is often the problem with babies and young children as they need to keep some sort of routine in place. For instance, regular eating times should be in place so that they do not get too hungry, or they will get upset and grouchy. It is a good idea to have a supply of healthy snacks on hand in case there is a wait for food and always have cartons or bottles of juice or water available. Try to resist giving children too many sweets as this will raise their blood sugar quickly but may make them feel low after a short while.

It is sensible when on holiday to try to keep bedtimes roughly the same as at home or make sure that there is a pushchair available for a tired toddler to sleep in if you intend staying out in the evening. Children are generally adaptable to a certain extent and often the fresh air and full days will make them sleep soundly when they do go to bed.

A family holiday to Thailand

If you are looking as to where you may want to book to go on holiday next year for your family get away, Thailand may not be the first place that comes to mind. But if you are looking for a holiday with a difference and want to try something new and away from the traditional beach holiday, then a trip to Thailand may be perfect for you.

Although it may be ok for younger children to go, you need to consider how long the flight will be, if there are any immunisations that you may need to have and also if they are likely to enjoy the holiday and also if you will whilst they are there.

Thailand is a country at the centre of the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is packed with culture and history and is a very vibrant country. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and it is said to be one of the most interesting cities in the world. This is why it is such a popular destination and has grown in popularity year upon year.

Often when in Thailand, you are greeted with a number of local people in the street who are looking to sell their street cuisine and tempting you in to local bars and restaurants. This is a great way to learn more about their local culture but just be aware of how the food is being prepared and consider if it is likely to make you ill.  

A day trip to Blackpool?

Blackpool is one of those places most people like to visit at least every few years. Although it can be a little run down in places, it has a lot to offer families and can make for a great day out or short getaway. Blackpool is overrun with different types of accommodation and there are a huge selection of B and B’s which are often a popular choice. There are Unfortunately a lot of badly run B and B’s that can make your experience a not too pleasant one so it is important to do your research first.

Be sure to shop around and read plenty of reviews before you book your accommodation. Do not be fooled by the pictures that they may have on their website, comparison site or social media pages as it is very easy to only show the nice areas.

If you decide to book through a booking site that has multiple choices of accommodation, you can then more easily compare what you are getting. In Blackpool, the cheaper accommodation is likely to not be very good. This may be find if you just want a place to get your head down, but if you are looking for a bit more comfort and luxury then you will need to be a substantial amount more.

Have you left it too late to book your staycation in the UK?

The past year has been horrendous and many of us have had to give up on sending time with family and friends, going on day trips and going on holiday. The government have now allowed holidays to resume in this country and in a limited number of countries abroad, but many people are struggling to find campsites that still have availability. If you had a holiday booked for last year or early on this year that had to be cancelled then you may have been able to rebook that, but if not you may struggle to get in a hotel, on a campsite or in a B and B especially in the main costal towns.

If you are not restricted to the school holidays then it is definitely advisable to avoid these times as you will be more likely to find a holiday during the school term time. The hard thing about holidaying in this country is the weather. You can never guarantee or often even predict what the weather is going to be like. If you are going camping in a tent, then the weather can have a huge effect on how enjoyable your holiday is, which is why people often leave it to the last minute to go, but unfortunately this year, that means you are unlikely to be able to get a pitch.