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Modern Mom’s Holiday Sanity Savers: Family Travel --Take the Kids, Not the Stress

If you thought Thanksgiving travel was crazy, just wait until Christmas. Families will pack planes to visit relatives, hit the slopes or have some fun in the sun. And they'll pay astronomical ticket prices and crowd airports for the privilege. One storm in Denver, Chicago or New York can wreak havoc on the best laid holiday plans�??as last year's Denver blizzard proved.

That's why, especially when traveling with kids, it's important to be prepared as possible for every contingency.

Eileen Ogintz, family travel expert, offers these tips on how to take the family along but leave the drama at home.

Eileen Ogintz's Holiday Airport Smarts for Parents

• Check in online to save time and put you ahead in the boarding queue.
• If you're delayed or your flight's cancelled, get on your cell phone immediately to rebook (it'll be easier than rounding the kids up and standing in line, and you'll probably get quicker service, too)
• Make sure the kids leave belts or anything metal at home for an easier time through security
• If your kids are younger, explain that their �??blankie�?� or favorite stuffed toy is getting their picture taken on the security belt scanner. 
• When there aren't a lot of great snack or meal options around, pack your own snacks for the kids, such as trail mix, cut-up fruit and vegetables in fun shapes. Organic apples, individually wrapped 100 Calorie packs of Sun Chips, or CLIF Kid Organic ZBaRs are healthy alternatives to the fare often offered at airport kiosks. 
• Have the kids carry their own travel pack with only the essentials.  (See kids' essential travel pack checklist.)  Check everything else in.
• Fill water bottle after security check. Make sure kids stay well hydrated with electrolytes for their flight.
• Bring a portable DVD player for the kids in case of extended delays
• Extra batteries
• Bring a guide book of your destination and preoccupy your kids by letting them choose which playground, zoo, pool, ice skating rink, museum, aquarium, etc. in town they want to go to, so your kids will look forward to the trip with fun local activities/sights.
• Keep smiling even if your flight is delayed�??because you're prepared.

Eileen Ogintz's Essential Kids' Travel Pack Checklist

• Healthy, great-tasting and portable snacks that won't make a mess.
• Stainless steel or aluminum water bottle (to avoid the toxic BPA chemical, try Kleen Kanteen or SIGG)
• Extra t-shirt, sweatshirt or fleece (in case they spill their drink everywhere. Clothing can also double up as a blanket or pillow)
• �??Surprise�?� gift for the plane (a little something to remind them of home, a new toy, etc.)
• Deck of cards (or other toys, games travel games, activity books)
• Age-appropriate books
• Travel-sized first aid kit: Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, sanitizing wipes, vitamins, Kleenex
• Pad and pencil
• Emergency numbers on laminated card

Got a great family travel tip you want to share? Post your holiday travel secrets for kids below, and the first 100 tips (be creative!) will receive a CLIF Kid backpack, healthy holiday eating tips and samples of the new CLIF Kid line�??CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR, CLIF Kid Organic Twisted Fruit and CLIF Kid Splashers �?? which are organic, great-tasting and portable snacks to have when you're traveling with the kids.

Post your tips below and winners will be contacted throughout December.

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