Holiday travel with your kids

This is such a fun time of year - it's the holidays!  But, with the holidays can come some stress, especially if you are packing up and heading out of town.  Right now is one of the busiest times of the year to travel.  And, with kids, your difficulty rating goes way up!  

You need snacks, games, toys --   whatever will keep your little ones entertained getting from point A to point B.  And, if you are flying, you'll want to be extra sure you have everything because pit stops are a whole lot harder from the air.  Buddy Rice is with the Mobile Regional Airport.  He says while it's busy right now, the airport is ready and waiting for families to come through.  And, we should start talking about these trips early on, they are adventures. 

Rice explains, "get their ideas about what's going to be fun about the trip.  And, then you set expectations for them about what you want them to do, what they're going to see and what they are going to experience."

Buddy says to make travel smoother, we should arrive early.  That way, if there are any problems, we'll have plenty of time to deal with them.  And, remember, it can take longer to get through security - even board the plane - with little ones in tow.  Speaking of security.  Remember, children 12 and under can leave their shoes on to go through security - that's new.  You have to carry your little ones through security.  They can't go through in a carrier or a stroller.  You have to send those through the screening separately.  All carry-on baggage will be screened.  That includes toys, games, snacks - all of that!  If that means a favorite lovey, let your child know ahead that the security folks are going to look it over.  All liquids need to be less than three ounces and in a zip-top bag.  That could be hand sanitizer, lotion, etc.  Now, the rules are different for baby formula, breast milk and other liquids for infants and small children.  Those can go through in larger amounts, and, do not have to be in zip-top bags.

For more on security at airports, click here .  And, for some other travel ideas, click here .