Military Travel
Traveling to distant places has always held a fascination for me. There is a mystic that surrounds traveling to the unknown that nothing can erase. The people who are fortunate enough to travel into far off lands on a regular basis understand and know this better than anyone else. Even jaded travelers who have been around the world can still be surprised by what the world has to offer. Now that I am grown, traveling means more than just getting in a car and driving six hours to the neighboring city. I love to get on a plane and allow myself to get carried away. I have had the fortune of watching the parade of stars on the red carpet during the Cannes Film Festival; I can attest to the earth shattering beauty of the Taj Mahal; I know first hand just how succulent freshly-caught king prawns can taste along the paradise-like coast of Bali and I missed the life-changing earthquake in Taiwan by mere hours. Being able to travel, to experience different cultures and to see the world from other people's perspectives has definitely broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of how fortunate I am. If you have ever been curious about travel, but too timid to take the plunge, I say ... now is the best time to make it happen - you certainly will never regret it! There is no reason to travel with children in tow so long as you fully understand what you are getting into and are prepared for whatever comes your way. I can safely suggest that long, overseas travel to exotic lands where the time difference alone can wreck havoc with a child's good nature, is best left until the kids are at least old enough to tell you what's wrong. However, that said, there is no reason not to take the tots along when planning trips on our own continent. Short car rides and flights can in fact be a fun way to spend quality time with your children. Bring a bag full of surprises. Include such things as crayons, paper, safety scissors, Play-Doh, books and toys that your child has not played with yet. You will be amazed at how quickly the time will fly as you occupy your toddler with your bag of tricks. Always carry emergency snacks and drinks in case your little one gets hungry. Another good rule of thumb is to take your child's favorite stuff animal or toy along for comfort in strange places. If there is a particular book that your child reads before going to bed, take that along too - anything that will ease the shock of not being in their familiar setting. Keeping trips simple are also a good way of traveling with children and making sure that everyone has a good time. Plan only one activity a day and make sure it does not interfere with nap and meal times if you want a happy and cooperative camper. Skip is a contributing writer for 4MilitaryFamilies.com. | 
