[Valencia1]

I'm planning going to Europe by tour with a 5 yr old and a 80 yr old end of June. However, I haven't been abroad for a few yrs in fact, and I'm afraid I'm very outdated with travelling and security issues, and I've never had any experience in travelling with my child, not even to Macau.

Could anyone give me some advice and suggestions, such as staying alive with a screaming, nagging toddler on a plane? I think I should carry a backpack instead of a briefcase, am I correct? Thanks.

[Louiseamanda]

Hello Valencia
I sympathise. Keeping your hands free with a backpack is a good idea. Take some reading books/puzzles/ a couple of 'new' toys which you can produce if they get restless. Re your 5y old - at this age they are no longer toddlers and unless you have a younger child I'm not sure what you mean by the sreaming and nagging.
That said, at this age they are usually more than happy to plug into the
movies provided (cartoons/games) for the duration of the flight (in my experience) and the difficulty is getting them to 'bed down' and go to sleep and turn the thing off. Lots of snacks/distractions will get you through. No experienmce with the elderly but important to move around the cabin a little and drink plenty of water.
good luck
Louise

[Valencia1]

Thanks, Louiseamanda,

Mine is 4 and 10 months in fact, and she does scream and nag at times. The flight is scheduled at 00:25, I hope she'll be sleeping then, but I bet she'll be excited with the TV games and welcoming gift.

[larac]

Security in Europe is more of a concern than I find it here. Maybe you should consider getting a 'leash' for your daughter as she will be walking and dealing with the crowds, her, an 80 year old, figuring out where to go and keeping an eye on your belongings is alot to handle. I have seen the ones kind of like a harness but that is a bit full on, the ones that go around the wrist look to be better and the cord is kind of a spiral so it stretches and contracts. A backpack is a good idea as is a combination padlock to keep your hands free and your stuff safe. A money belt is often recommended but personally I find them a pain. Once you are there travelling by train is a relatively stress free way to go.

[Valencia1]

Thanks, Larac. We'll be travelling with a tour and I don't think we'll have a chance to take a train. The leash won't work since it's even more dangerous than not used, in my opinion. Thanks for reminding me about the padlock thing, I used to have several when travelling before but this time it just hasn't made its way to my muddled mind. Our first stop is Italy and security is indeed an issue: a mom with a 5 and an 80, the easiest target for pickpockets. Everybody's saying it's safe and you're the first one mentioning security to me, thanks, and that's just my concern.

Btw, are you hinting my daughter can be a target of kidnappers/children traders? That's my NO. 1 concern too.

[larac]

No nothing that sinister I would hope. Just that getting lost or separated in a crowd is easily done especially if you are only 3 feet tall. I don't have kids myself but I have been to Italy a couple of times and the place can be quite frantic in the cities. One thing I did see on some kids and I have seen it here too is a pouch worn around their neck - here they use it for MTR tickets - overseas I've seen kids with their name, hotel name and parents contact details. Good luck with your trip.

[Valencia1]

Thanks very much, larac.

[Louiseamanda]

Hi Valencia
I agree w you re the wrist 'reins'. I bought two but never used them. Anyway they are for a younger toddler and if you have another to look out for. No sustitute for paying correct attention eh! In my experience they go through a 'running' away phase which changes (very helpfully) to a clinging and holding hands stage.
Just be careful crossing the road (NEVER let go of their hand) particularly when you are distracted (traffic going the opposite way etc and traffic in Italy bit crazy) anyway I'm sure you know this hence this thread.
Enjoy your trip!
LA

[Valencia1]

Thanks for reminding me, LouiseAmanda, I forgot about the traffic totally, in fact. I have only one child to take care, so it won't be too difficult.