Holiday Travel Tips With Children

I f you are traveling by           result in fines.                   plane with children this                                           holiday season I bet you        • Tell your children that their    are hoping they will behave and       bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will  not throw any tantrums in the         be put in the X-ray machine and    airport and will be the perfect       will come out at the other end     angels you know they are. Here        and be returned to them.           are some tips to help make                                               traveling easier, happier and         • You may want to consider asking  less stressful. Some of them are      for a private screening if you     from The Transportation Security      are traveling with more than one   Administration (TSA).                 child.                                                                                                      • Allow extra time to get through     • All carry-on baggage, including  security when traveling with          children's bags and items, must    young children, especially during     go through the X-ray machine.      the busy holiday season.              Examples include: diaper bags,                                           blankets, and toys.                • Check with your airline for                                            their recommendation for check-in     • All child-related equipment      times for your departure airport.     that will fit through the X-ray                                          machine must go through the X-ray  • Talk to your child and tell         machine. Examples include:         them what they can expect during      strollers, umbrella-strollers,     the screening process. Let them       baby carriers, car and booster     know it is against the law to         seats, backpacks, and baby         make threats such as, "I have a       slings.                            bomb in my bag." Threats made                                            jokingly (even by a child) can        • When you arrive at the           delay the entire family and could     checkpoint, collapse or fold your  child-related equipment. Secure       the car seat and sending them      items that are in the pockets,        through the x-ray machine.         baskets, or attached to the                                              equipment and place it on the         • Remove babies and children from  X-ray belt for inspection.            their strollers or infant          Plastic bins are provided to          carriers so Security Officers can  deposit such items.                   screen them individually.                                                                                   • If any of your child-related        • You may not pass the child to    equipment does not fit through        another person behind you or in    the X-ray machine, security           front of you during this process.  officers will visually and                                               physically inspect it.                • Do not pass your child to the                                          Security Officer to hold.          • Ask a Security Officer for help                                        gathering your bags and               • The Security Officer may ask     child-related equipment, if you       for your help screening your       need it.                              child. If your child is old                                              enough to carry their own back     • If your child is old enough let     pack, pack it full of activities   them walk through separately from     they like to do, electronic        you. If you carry your child          games, head phones, activity       through and the metal detector’s      books they haven’t used before,    alarm sounds, the Security            coloring books and crayons etc.    Officer will have to additionally     Also have a supply of favorite     screen you and your child.            healthy snacks as well as                                                favorite comfort foods. After      Everyone including babies have to     leaving security fill up their     be screened. However this does        water bottle with water from the   not mean leaving your child in        drinking fountain or purchase      water and juice. Water is             Happy Holidays,                    especially important when flying                                         to keep bodies hydrated.              Marilyn                                                                                                     By planning ahead, talking with                                          the children about what is                                                   align="center">                About the Author: Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is working towards becoming a Certified Professional Organizer. Professionally she has been organizing homes and offices for two years. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah. Go to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing. Published At: www.Isnare.com