Prep 2 Go: Traveling without our Kids

Dillan, my youngest, sitting on a scooter in a local Italian eatery. 

I recently listened to a brilliant preach by a man named Rob Botha (The Call 2017, Session 5). He pastors a church in Doha and has traveled to many nations with his wife, having left their kids at home. I really love what he says, that in their kids' sacrifice (because, yes, traveling without our kids, is a sacrifice for them too) they (their kids) will receive honour and blessing! I truly believe that when we, as parents, are obedient to God, even though it is hard and we have to leave our little ones behind, then we, as a family, including our children, will reap a sure blessing from God. Honour and favour.

Deu 28:2  And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. 

I have recently shared on the most important aspect of traveling without our kids: choosing their babysitter/ guardian.

Once you have asked your favourite friends and they have kindly agreed to help, there are a few important things that need to happen:

Four/Three/Two weeks ahead

Have the guardians over for a dinner/ coffee date to discuss:

1. Routine/ Itinerary 

As mentioned previously, start by getting your kids into an easy routine. And then, ensure that your guardians know this routine. It is best to have it written down in itinerary format (like a day and time schedule) that they can refer to. 

I even stick a copy of the routine in my kids' bedrooms (since they can read) and another in the food cupboard/ pantry.  

2. Important contact details. Provide your guardians with contact information of other people who can help and also with emergency contact details and even the teachers' contact information if your kids are school going. 

3. Medical aid and medical info. Show them your medicine cupboard and explain any medication that need to be given and so forth.

4. General House keeping. If your guardians will be staying at your home, it is a good idea to run through things such as garbage removal days, gardening services, security- alarm activation and deactivation. How the washing machine etc. works and so forth. Using your car...

5. Important last minute notes. Have a space that the guardians know of, where you can place or put last minute things (such as your medical aid card).

then,

ENSURE THAT YOUR GROCERY CUPBOARD IS FULL.

It will be a good idea to cook or buy a few meals beforehand that you can place in the freezer. Lasagnas and pastas are great. I even like to bake some cinnamon rolls and muffins and place it in the freezer. Try to make your guardians' job as easy as possible by eliminating (minimizing) time-consuming things such as cooking and preparing lunchboxes. Another good idea is to leave them some cash for unforeseen expenses. 

Warren.

In the last week (Two weeks ahead):

The most important thing is to prioritize spending time together as a family. It will be a good idea to go for a relaxed (not rushed) lunch somewhere and to take the time to discuss the trip with your kids. Make sure that you get to do your usual routine with your kids such as reading a bible story before bed and to lie with them a little when it is bedtime. It always amazes me how hectic and pressured those last few days can become. Try to keep it as seemingly unpressured as possible for your kids.

Extra Tips: 

Creative calendars. I have a friend who would make a worm with different coloured paper- each round body part would represent a day. And every day, her kids would get a little surprise at bedtime. This helps children to 'gage' the length of time and the time that has lapsed. (You can be as creative as you like!) Another idea is to leave your kids a little more tuck-shop money than usual.

Also, when we leave our kids behind, they go into a sort of a survival "mode" (for the lack of a better explanation) and when we contact them constantly from wherever we are, then we disrupt their ability to stay in that "mode". I find it is much easier for our kids if we keep communication to a minimum.  I do however, like to keep in contact with our kids' guardians.

Lastly, ALWAYS BRING HOME GIFTS from your travels (for the guardians, your kids, your spouse.) ALWAYS! (And this is very possible, even if it means stopping at a store close to your house on your way home.)