Traveling with Kids
Tips, Trips, and fun little clips exploring the world with kidsBoating Trips (Watch video)
A friend of ours invited us on a day trip on the bay in Annapolis. Boats and ships are probably my favorite forms of transportation. There’s something about cruising on the water that provides a certain level of serenity which just can’t be matched by a car or a plane. However, I was particularly nervous about this trip because I was traveling alone with my boys and it was my toddler’s first time on a boat. I have this incredible abililty to create scenes in my head that would deter even the most determined of souls. Any new experience I embark upon with my sons makes me uneasy, inherently so because its new and unfamiliar and even more unexpected. Thank goodness we have friends who too have kids (albeit older ones) and were prepared for just about anything.
Here are some tips:
In the clip below, you will see that I wore sneakers. The smarter choice would be to wear flip flops or better yet water shoes because more than likely, the deck is going to get wet. At the time, I thought it was more practical to wear sneakers so that I could get out of the boat with greater ease when we docked.
I limited our drinking before and while we were on this particular vessel as there was no head, seaman’s term for bathroom. Men always have an option but unfortunately, women can’t be as flexible.
It’s also important to pack a change of clothes, especially if you or your kids decide to jump in calm waters or in the event that your clothes get drenched from excess spray.
If you are traveling with a toddler, be sure to have an appropriately sized life vest for them which should be on them at all times. Luckily, my youngest only fussed for the first 5 minutes. However, be prepared for a toddler to put up a struggle as the snug confines of the vest are unfamilar and can be very uncomfortable to them at first. You will also need to hold them in your lap if the boat is moving since the weight of it and the motion of the boat will more than likely throw their balance off.
My 5 year old was quite the Jacques Cousteau for the day so he definitely needed to be strapped with a vest. He was excited and anxious to get in the water for water tubing. To add to his comfort and enjoyment, I suggested he wear his goggles. I think wherever there’s water, just as easily as you’d pack a towel for your child, you should pack their goggles. Sometimes they use them, sometimes they don’t. The last thing you want to experience is a crying fit because water keeps getting in their eyes. My son was a trooper and braver than me I must say.
My nerves were all over the place on our first boating trip. Again, preparation is key. Having veterans of the water helps a lot too. The kids probably enjoyed themselves more than I did. Next time I’ll be sure that daddy is present so that I can enjoy the serenity I search for whenever my feet leave dry land.
