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Want to take a family vacation this summer and still be smiling at the end of it?
Family travel expert Kate Pocock can help you plan the perfect summer holiday for your family - even if it includes a rowdy toddler, a stubborn teenager or a picky spouse (or all of the above). She was online earlier to answer readers' summertime family vacation queries.
Your questions and Ms. Pocock's answers will appear at the bottom of this page once the discussion has begun.
Kate Pocock is a Toronto-based travel writer who specializes in family travel. Many of her stories are based on over two decades of travel with her own three kids.
Kate Pocock
As an editor, she helped launch five national Canadian magazines, including Chatelaine Travels! and Travel and More, your Air Miles magazine. As a guidebook writer, she wrote 14 chapters for National Geographic Guide to Family Adventure Vacations and authored Fodor's Around Toronto with Kids. For more than ten years, she was family travel columnist for the Toronto Sun newspaper and sister publications.
Today, her family stories can be found in numerous publications including Today's Parent, MoneySense and Reader's Digest. She's won many awards for her writing including the recent 2006 First Prize, Family Travel category from the North American Travel Journalists Association.
Although she believes that you can have great experiences far and wide, some of her best travel times with her family have been those close to home.
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Claire Townsend, Victoria: My husband, daughter (17mo.) and I will be flying to Ottawa in August. This will be our daughter's longest flight by far, and we're a little apprehensive about such a long flight (around 5hrs) with our daughter on our laps. We would love any suggestions to help keep a toddler happy while flying and confined to a small space.
Kate Pocock: Dear Claire, Yes, I agree. Flying with toddlers can be a daunting experience as they are usually wiggly and want to roam. I would suggest getting some children's' books from the library about flying and airplanes — even board books that she might be able to take with her in a small carry-on backpack or bag. I found that preparing them can help a lot. Even if they have flown before, they might have forgotten certain aspects. For instance, my toddler began a screaming fit one time because he wanted to be in a seat belt like everyone else! And some of the noises scare them such as the engines or even the toilet flush, so it's good to warn them ahead of time and make it into an adventure.
My flying cope kit with young toddlers used to include food in small baggies such as Cheerios (which can take quite some time to eat one by one) and drink (juice boxes are good to clear the ears during take- off and landing, and also as a distraction), wet washcloths, Ziploc bags for diapers or wet clothes, a flashlight (so kids are not constantly hopping up to turn the overhead light on and off), small pillows and a cuddly toy from home. I would also bring small board books and a few small toys. You might also want to record some favourite story tapes such as Little Bear or Angelina Ballerina to keep her amused. Sometimes we would do impromptu puppet shows with small doll figurines or action figures.
Where to sit on a plane is also a moot point. Some parents prefer a bulkhead seat as it gives a bit more space for playing or impromptu naps. They can be a mixed blessing however. Carry-on may have to be stored in the overhead bins where it is less accessible. And we know that when travelling with toddlers, you need a lot! The key is to make it as exciting as possible and prepare her for a flying adventure. Also enlist the help of a friendly flight attendant as soon as you board. She or he could help out with warming food, storing a stroller or helping you out should you need assistance. With more babies and toddlers winging the tarmac, I find that airline staff are experienced and willing to help. Happy Flying.
Jim Carey, Newmarket: We have two boys aged 8 and 10. They are bright, adventurous and love nature. Can you recommend a few adventures within a few hours of Toronto that would be great for us to enjoy as a family?
