Uniquely Us – Preparing for Summer Adventures
Summer is always a prime time for a family vacation. Over the last 13 years, we’ve taken several trips. Some have gone smoothly; some not so much, and I’ve learned a few things from our experiences.
Preparing ahead for summer adventures is imperative. I start making my packing lists about two weeks ahead of time, and I also keep a copy of the list in one of our bags so I can check that we have everything when it’s time to leave. We have to pack a little more than most with our kids’ medical equipment, supplies and medication, and I don’t want to realize halfway to or from our destination that we’ve forgotten something crucial.
If we travel anywhere unfamiliar, I try to learn as much about the place as I can beforehand. Our 11-year-old daughter is on the autism spectrum and has a hard time with new routines and schedules, so we make “social stories” to help prepare her. Pictures of where we’re staying and a schedule of things we’ll be doing have really helped ward off anxiety and fear of the unknown.
On road trips, along with snacks and DVDs, I pack a car-sick kit into our medical emergency bag, plus some extra trash bags and towels for easy cleanup. We’ve found out the hard way that it’s better to have that extra stuff than not!
We typically splurge on hotels that have in-room kitchens, so we can save money on meals and avoid meltdowns in restaurants after a long day on the road.
When we travel by plane, I obtain a written doctor’s order for my kids’ medical equipment. I’ve never had an issue, but with the ever-changing TSA regulations, I’d rather not take any chances. Social stories are great for airplane rides as well, and many airports now have “rehearsals” for kids with special needs, so they know what to expect on a flight.
Whatever your method of travel or destination this summer happens to be, a little planning and preparation for summer adventures ahead of time will go a long way.
Posted in: Uniquely Us
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