It’s your first family adventure, and you’re excited as can be. You’re also a little worried. This is the first time you’ve gone abroad with your young child, and you’re concerned as to how to best facilitate your trip. How will the little one react to travel? Do you need special documentation for them? What should you do if they become sick on holiday?
The considerations you have to reflect on as a parent are seemingly endless, and begin the day you’re identified as pregnant to the day they leave the nest for good. You needn’t tear your hair out in worry and stress before your trip though, as there are multiple ways you can best prepare for the holiday of a lifetime.
Holidays are proven to help the development of a child. Getting them outside of their surroundings and seeing environments they haven’t before is a great way to inspire their wanderlust and willingness to try new things from a young age. Depending on the age of your child, they might have memories of this for the rest of their lives.
This little guide will help you make the most of your travels abroad and give you some semblance of relief the day you leave your house to go on your great family adventure.
Identification
Depending on the country you’re in, there’s a chance your child could use your passport alongside their birth certificate. This is slowly being phased out though, and there’s a chance you’ll need to apply for one for them. Take them to professional photographers to get correct passport photo’s made, and submit them with all relevant information to your governing body. Be sure to do this well in advance in order to have the passport ready by your leaving date.
Be sure to bring any identification you have to hand for your child, including international health insurance cards.
Authorization
Make sure you submit any and all authorization applications to grant safe accommodation in your country of choice. Getting stuck on the border of any country is a rough experience, but that goes tenfold if you’re with your child. If you’re visiting the EU from a non-visa required country, be sure to check out the upcoming ETIAS legislation in effect around 2020. You can find out more at etias.com Make sure all applications have been taken care of weeks before you travel for peace of mind. It would be a shame to miss out on beautiful countries like Switzerland and France because of missing a simple form.
Medication
Make sure you prepare for any eventuality medically by bringing a list of medications your child needs, and correctly declaring it when crossing borders. Allow this medication to be inspected during your passing. Make sure you can get more in the country you’re going to if you’re desperate. Also, make sure your health insurance covers you internationally. If it doesn’t, you may have to return home if any maladies strike.
Climate
Before selecting your destination, be sure to take into account the climate you’re going to. This will give you a chance to prepare a ‘care package’ for your child. For example, if you’re going to a very hot climate, your child’s physiology might not be best adapted to this yet. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and other related items for the best preparative foresight.
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