I have been globe-trotting most of last year with kuttyma in tow and begun 2014 on the road. We had a blast exploring, shopping, eating, catching up with friends, making new relationships and enjoying family time. We hope to do more of that this year.

I admit I go through a moment of utter panic as soon as I finalize my vacation details. No sane person would like to be trapped in the economy class with a hyper-active 4 year old for 15+ hours. I tell myself to breathe through it and go on.

Kuttyma was a gem and put up with everything thrown at her. I sighed in relief when I saw my daughter easily adapt to things. Time zones, strangers, new food baffled her at times but she was able to handle it. (On the other hand, I was a mess. I was exhausted, sleepless and drained till I hit my comfort zone)

I am a planner – I plan my vacations to cover every possible contignecy (and even after that many of my plans flop). My planning went on an overdrive after I started traveling with a child. I plan, make mistakes, learn, repeat the mistakes, relearn and prod along.

Here are some points worth pondering over before your next vacation

Check the weather

Before you book the tickets. Some supposedly all-around-the-year-paradises flood in certain months. Typhoons come without warnings. Believe me being locked in a hotel room with a kid for more than 2 hours is a pain.

Don’t forget

Favorite blankets, toys and anything your kid decides he/she cannot live without (it will mean hauling the whole house often). I usually let kuttyma pick 2 of her favorites and tell her she cannot bring more than 2 toys/books.

Another thing not to forget is medications. Be on the safer side – pack everything from pain-killers to bug repellants.

And at the end of the trip please check more than once if the favorites are packed up (we have left behind favorite blankets and stuffed toys on airplanes, hotels and buses)

Make promises that you plan to keep

Often in the confusion that accompanies herding the family on a vacation, you make promises that you cannot honor. It could be something as life altering as buying a pet or something dramatic as a neon green hair color. Watch what you say and promise only what you can deliver.

Tricks up your sleeve

Every parent has a few of those. Plan and prepare to unleash a few in times of need. My daughter gets distracted with paper and pens. Throw in a few stickers and crayons – she can keep occupied for say 15 minutes. Enough time to wrap up some quick shopping.

Indulge

Vacations are indulgences. It is time I drink that extra cup of tea and eat multiple courses for breakfast. Vacation is the time when I order dessert and finish it too. I let my daughter indulge in few things during vacation – TV time gets quardrupled and she gets her carbonated drink fix atleast once a day. I let her pick some candy and treats as we travel. I ensure that I tell her the same rules do not hold true when we head back home. Indulging kids means they let you indulge in your world.

I let kuttyma sip some coke while I explored the ruins in Ayuttaya, watch cartoons as I drooled over gorgeous sunrises in Dubai, make cards for friends as I enjoyed catching up with friends over Tex-Mex . To me it was complete  win-win situation.

What are your contingency plans?