Prep 2 Go: Taking our Kids with on a Missions Trip

Traveling is fun. Kids love to travel but when they get bored, they tend to start irritating each other. Make sure you have plenty of new episodes or stories to watch on the Tablet; some new games (we give each child 7 minutes to play a game and then it's the other one's turn.) even a new toy can do the trick. Don't forget their favourite toy too because it brings a sense of safety and continuation and comfort. You could even print out a map for each child with fun facts along the route and they can follow the journey. (I am sure pinterest will have some great suggestions around this).

Back to missions trips... 

I asked a friend of mine who has traveled to America a few times with her kids. Her short answer: "Drug 'em. Drink and drag 'em on a leash if necessary".

To which I was 'rolling on the floor, laughing'. (Her advice is just a joke in case you missed it.) 

I have flown with two toddlers to Canada in the pre-iPad era and I can assure you, it was beyond hectic! In fact, I cannot believe we actually did it. Really!? It was a crazy idea!

Funny how the most insane decisions become part of our most treasured memories. Don't just not do something because the journey seems daunting. At the very least, you'll have some horrific stories to tell ;-)

Driving to Zimbabwe. Pitstop next to the road for some espresso coffee (juice for the kids) and muffins. Being vigilant is part and parcel of life in Africa, but what joy to be able to have breakfast next to a large baobab tree (even though there is a sign saying "beware of thieves".)

If I had to provide advice for taking your kids with on a missions trip, it would be to pack enough water and wet wipes. Thankfully, traveling with little ones have gotten much easier with things such as iPads and Tablets. 

To make them feel like they are part of the trip, get each child a special backpack that they are allowed to pack with their favourite things such as soft toys, books, toys etc. (Just make sure the items that they have packed are allowed as carry-on luggage if you are flying. Plastic toy guns are not such a great idea.)

If traveling by car, pack a lot of healthy snacks such as fruits (cold pineapple is a favorite for my family) and yogurt and oats crunchies, date balls, mini pancakes filled with tuna mayo and so on. Remember a bag for rubbish and also a toilet roll/tissues (along with the wipes). 

When traveling by plane, it is not possible to bring along your own snacks, but you are allowed to purchase bottled water and other snacks at the duty-free area, once you have passed through customs.

(If traveling to a country or area where you might not have easy access to a shop, it would be a good idea to pack some snacks for the entire trip. Something like chips or fruit bars (non-perishables), and of course, lots of water. As adults, we can wait when we are hungry, but little kids are less likely to be gracious and considerate toward our hosts if their tummies are talking.)

Some of the mistakes I made as a parent flying/ traveling:

I would say, to give them medicine that made them drowsy and irritable. They were suppose to sleep but in all the excitement, they only ended up looking and talking like two loud drunks. (oh dear, another one of my parenting blunders.) Don't drug 'em :-)

And lastly, the biggest mistake I made, was to not get enough sleep beforehand. Instead of sleeping, I was happily packing and sorting in the middle of the night... not thinking that I probably won't get to sleep until we land at our destination! GET ENOUGH SLEEP! Rather pack a few days ahead and then make sure you get as much sleep as possible to cope with all the unplanned little incidents that might occur.