| Statisticians love to talk about the traditional white | | | | Travelling with tweens... to a resort |
| picket fenced home with 2.4 children and half a dog, | | | | The next difficult stage of travelling with kids comes |
| but the truth is that every single family is different. | | | | around the double figures mark - the tweens. These |
| So it makes sense that your Easter holiday should | | | | kids are no longer kids, but not yet teens and can be |
| follow suit. Travelling with toddlers is very different | | | | demanding and picky when it comes to their |
| to dragging teens away from the TV and it can | | | | entertainment choices. Sadly, fireside sing-alongs and |
| often be that the success of your holiday (and your | | | | games of charades no longer set a tween's hair on |
| sanity) depends on your pre-departure choices. | | | | fire as their tastes run to 'cooler' activities - which |
| With the credit crisis and uncertainty that is plaguing | | | | also happen to have a heftier price tag. |
| the world at the moment, any holiday should be | | | | The solution often can be to head out to a resort |
| cherished and used as a chance to unwind and | | | | for your Easter holiday and avoid the expensive |
| distress. So the last thing you need is a screaming | | | | shopping malls, bowling alleys and cinemas of the city. |
| toddler, a sulky teen or a bored tween. Hopefully, | | | | Many resorts have recognised that this age group |
| with a few easy tips, travelling with your particular | | | | needs its own kind of entertainment and have |
| children should not be a drama and you may even | | | | willingly obliged with events, fun activities and cool |
| find a little time to yourself. | | | | places for them to 'hang out' and be seen. |
| Travelling with a toddler... on safari | | | | These types of places are the ideal holiday venue for |
| Travelling with a toddler doesn't need to be hard - | | | | families with tweens as they offer these |
| one fun activity daily should tire them out enough to | | | | nearly-teens the freedom and social life that they |
| stay in the pram for the rest of the day - but there | | | | crave, but in a safe environment that allows parents |
| are some basic holidays to avoid this Easter, should | | | | to relax. Just don't force them to participate, |
| you be packing a toddler or two. | | | | remember, it is their holiday too and if they want to |
| As South Africans, safaris are often our first choice | | | | stay inside, let them. |
| for a quick, local break, but there are some things to | | | | Travelling with teens... on an adventure |
| bear in mind if you are going to have a little one in | | | | Let's face it - tweens were just teens in training. No |
| the back seat. Unfortunately, many of the best safari | | | | parent has escaped a sulky teenager slumped in the |
| parks in Southern Africa are in malaria areas. Malaria | | | | back of the car, complete with IPod and defiant |
| medication is not exactly tasty and can be a | | | | stare. But somehow we still love them and want |
| nightmare to administer and is usually followed by the | | | | them on holiday with us - the challenge is for it still to |
| delight of having to smother a squirming two year old | | | | be enjoyable for all. The answer can sometimes to |
| in stinky malaria lotion. | | | | be to really get our city teens out of their comfort |
| Another downside to a toddler safari is the age old | | | | zones and to try something new - something that |
| "are we there yet?" Unfortunately, on a safari drive, | | | | would make an awesome story for their friends. |
| you are not actually getting anywhere. And even | | | | Think along the lines of safari where they meet the |
| more unfortunately, the animals are not always | | | | Big Five, go on night excursions with game rangers, |
| obliging in their distracting, entertaining antics - to the | | | | camp in the bush or even get to learn to drive on |
| point that they may not even show up at all. You | | | | the quiet dirt roads. Or, if you are up to it, really get |
| could spend a lot of time playing I-spy and distributing | | | | their blood pumping. White water rafting trips, bungee |
| juice boxes and sweets in exchange for some quiet | | | | jumping, mountain biking excursions and shark cage |
| time. | | | | diving are among the many activities guaranteed to |
| However, a toddler safari can still be possible, | | | | excite a teen and allow you to bond as a family. You |
| provided that you choose the right place to stay. | | | | might even score a few 'cool' points too. |
| Many safari camps and reserves offer child care | | | | If you are a little nervous of these activities or |
| facilities that allow you to enjoy a quiet game drive | | | | prefer a quieter holiday, all is not lost and there are |
| while your kids have the time of their lives back at | | | | other ways to ensure the success of a teen |
| camp, leaving them exhausted and ready for bed | | | | vacation. No matter where you go, there should be |
| when you get back - another bonus. | | | | something that will appeal to your teen. Involve them |
| Many places have facilities and activities ranging from | | | | in the planning beforehand and let them choose one |
| cookie baking to sandpits and even ensure that your | | | | activity a day that they would like to do. Making sure |
| kids get a mini safari of their own with local bush | | | | they get their way at least some of the time can go |
| walks and other specialised activities like bark | | | | a long way to ensuring some smiles while you are on |
| rubbings and spoor castings. Adjacent rooms at one | | | | holiday. |
| of these safari camps even means that your toddler | | | | Whichever 'T' you are travelling with this Easter, |
| can sleep in his own bed - not breaking your night | | | | good luck and remember chocolate bribes work |
| time routine and saving you a whole lot of hassles | | | | wonders - no matter how old you are. |
| when you get back home. | | | | |