Taking Grandkids on Vacation

A great deal of preparation before taking grandkids on vacation with you. Consider the age of the child, parents, and benefits to both yourself and the child.

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What is the best age to take your grandchildren on holiday?

“Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.”

Lois Wyse

I would not advise taking your grandchildren under the age of 3 on vacation, even then I feel it is a bit early.

Up to the age of one, it is recommended that babies should not be separated from their parents.  Personally, if you are going to be away for more than 3 nights, I would suggest four years and above.

Between 3 and 4 years old, a child is still getting in touch with his or her emotions. This is the age they start understanding their bodies and minds, but can also start having new fears of imaginary things. Their sadness can be really sad and if they are happy, very happy.

This is a “balancing” age.  Emotions can swing either way very quickly and they are learning to handle this. It is an age of very challenging behaviour. Feelings of separation from parents can be extreme if they are away from them even for more than two nights.

During this year, when learning is an important part of their lives, I would suggest you take your grandchild on day excursions and do something with them that is age appropriate. Have them over for a night, prepare basic meals together, play games and even start preparing them for future travels. 

Look at an atlas and children-related information on different destinations you would like to take them in future years.  You are building the roots of journey opportunities for the future.  Under my recommended section, have a look at books which I recommend you start reading with your grandkids. Plant the seed and passion for travelling!

Start a scrapbook together. Discuss where they would like to go. The seaside or mountains, France or Germany, or game reserves? Collect pictures from magazines of one destination for each. Every time you have your grandchild over, you can build on this dream together.

At 4 years old your grandchild becomes far more independent and the inquisitiveness explodes! Who, why, what and many other questions will keep popping up. Five years they are developing into their own individuality, and it is an age where they would be able to cope with a few days away with grandma. 

Most importantly discuss with your children and their partners, when they think their child will be ready to go on vacation with you.

17 Tips: What do minors require to travel with grandparents

The time to travel with your grandchild has arrived!  Make sure all your plans are discussed initially with the parents before you discuss them with your grandchild or grandchildren.  They are the parents and must consent.  This is time for them to have a break too, but you do not want them to worry while you are away.

Do you have all your preparation done for yourself? Read my articles Making Initial Plans for Your Trip and What Steps to Take: Seniors let us Prepare Your Journey to assist you to get ready.

Make sure you prepare all documentation well ahead of the trip, to give you time to get everything done.

1. You need a letter of consent from both parents, signed. I would have this even if you are taking them away locally to a local destination. I would get this notarized by a licensed official.
2. You need full contact information from both parents. This should include their full names, telephone numbers, addresses, and email addresses.
3. Certified copies of their birth certificates. This is required for land and sea travel, but if going on a cruise, when you dock at different locations, you may also need them.
4. Passports are required for air travel but could also be required for ports you disembark at on a cruise or crossing borders.
5. In some countries, you will require visas. Make sure you know if you need these early in your planning.
6. Get a certified copy of their immunization records.
7. Some countries require certain vaccinations to be given prior to entry.
8. Make sure health insurance – medical and dental, is taken out for each grandchild. This is imperative! With local travel, get the child’s medical aid number, and name of the medical aid and who is the main member.
9. You also need to make sure travel insurance is organized.
10. If traveling out of your country, I suggest obtaining a limited power of attorney for extra protection if something goes wrong.
11. Let the parents make up a list of medication their child is allergic to or is allowed to have for fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sunburn (although make sure you pack a good sunblock), bee stings, or any other symptoms the child is prone to.
12. Also, get a list of the parents’ routines and food preferences and likings. I know fruit after 15.00hr is a no-no for my one pair of grandkids. Also, they are allergic to gluten and her sibling, dairy. Some children will not go to bed without a story and a prayer. The cuddle toy! Wise to make sure you know which one is for which time of the day. Bath time, eating preferences ….., dislikes, and likes. Toilet routines for the younger kids and reluctance to drink water.  Assess the age with the parents and take their advice. Older grandkids may twist you around their little finger and try to go to bed late. The parents through experience, know the ramifications of allowing this to happen.
13. Get a letter from the parents giving you full authorization to act on their behalf, if your grandchild needs to go to the hospital. You never know, they could trip and break an arm.
14. I would suggest you get a wristband made up with the child’s name on it and your cell number on it. To be worn whenever you go out. Make sure they are waterproof. 
15. Make sure the parents have a full list of your itinerary. 
16. Take recent photos of the grandchild or children, print them, and place them in your wallet or bag. Have them on your phone as well, in case there is an emergency.
17. Wise to get a kid’s waist bag so inside your grandchild can place a little bit of pocket money which they can spend, and very importantly, your contact details and itinerary. Another great selection of kids’ waist bags with different styles.

How to prepare children to travel without Mom and Dad

“Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric.”

Pam Brown

This is an enormous jump for kids for the first time. Even if the child is older it can be scary. 

• Start by reading books together on travel related to their age. See our recommendations. Look at an atlas and discuss all the different countries, their culture, food, children in those cultures, and animals that can be found there.
• Discuss together where you are looking at going
• Get a scrapbook and cut out from magazines, draw pictures, write poems, and see what those children wear
• Don’t create a fear of abandonment
• Everything must be very clear in their minds and you will need to repeat the plans numerous times
• Let the grandchild be part of the decision making
• Get your grandchild a beautiful journal of his or her own. This can be taken on each trip. Daily either the child or if too young, can write in this journal of what was special that day. Pictures can be drawn.
• Take your grandchild out first for day outings
• Progress next to a couple of one-night sleepovers at your home. The grandchild will see that the next day they will come home.
• Next, take them away for one night on a different holiday vacation. Different environments that they are not used to and new surroundings.
• You can repeat this for two nights, then three at your home
• Then take them away for a weekend to a holiday location close by. Each time discuss the holiday and let them be involved too
• Make sure you have a good child car seat if you are traveling to local spots. Later when traveling to further away places, by air or ship, make sure the car you hire, or tour you go on, do have good safety car seats or accommodations for children relevant to their age
• When the child is now older, they are used to the planning, and being away with you, so going abroad or across borders is now not as scary
• Don’t make the initial trips too long, rather let the child long for the holiday to continue

4 Tips on What is wise not to Do

1. On vacation, do not phone the parents. Have an agreement with the parents that if something is wrong, or the child wants desperately to phone them, you will phone! Telephone calls can be terribly unsettling for a child. It generates a huge feeling of separation.  Rather let the child take lots of photos of where they have been and what they have done and these can be sent via WhatsApp before they go to bed with a bedtime message. This still creates the link of home. The parents need to trust you and stand back on this one. 
2. Don’t alter the routine in the evenings and mornings too much from the child’s home routine. Keep the rules set by the parents. Parents do know what is best for their children and this routine will provide a feeling of security.
3. As a grandma, we are allowed to do the extra spoiling bit, which is a must of a grandparent, but don’t over spoil by allowing too many sweets or fuzzy cool drinks. Rather buy a new outfit or memorabilia of where you have visited. Make sure you have provided space in the suitcase to bring these back, so whatever you purchase must be small. 
4. If the child is prone to tantrums, make sure you know how the parents handle this situation. Yes we have been parents ourselves and sometimes we think we know better, but our job as a grandparent is to respect how our children are brought up with their kids and abide by their ways. Our children turned out wonderfully, so we need to trust that they in turn are doing a fantastic job with their kids. 

What are the benefits of having a vacation with your grandkids: without the parents

“Being a grandparent is a blessing. For with the little ones, you learn to see things anew. After all, it takes a patient and caring heart to nurture equally loving and tender grandchildren”.

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• The big added plus for you as the grandma is that the longer time spent with your grandchildren is believed to increase your life expectancy
• Another benefit of being a grandparent is that you got a new name and a new part-time job
• You will be more active
• The planning of the trip with your kids brings your children closer to you again. It will give you a feeling of self-worth
• As a grandma, the love we feel for our grandchildren is an extension of the love we have for our children. Love that makes us feel we want to burst!  This unconditional love is both good for the grandma and grandchild
• You will form a deep bond with your grandchild or grandchildren while you are away together. This bond and family extension is very important for a child growing up
• The games you play and books you read on holiday will help your memory to stay healthy
• As we get older depression can sneak in, but time with your grandchild assists to lower that risk
• A lengthened period such as a vacation, will lift your spirits, bring you joy and lift that feeling of emptiness, worthlessness, and sadness
• If we know we are going to spend such quality time with the grandkids, we are inclined to take greater care of our health and try to stay fit
• You will stay young at heart. They make sure of that
• All the planning will allow you to also form stronger bonds with your daughter or son’s life partner
• You get the opportunity to spoil your grandchildren on holiday, in a good way of course
• Life on vacation will be less serious
• It is a time to pass down family stories and traditions

What your grandchild must pack

“What children need the most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humour, comfort, and lessons in life.”

Rudy Giuliani

1.  The first and most important item is the luggage.  It is so exciting for your grandchild to pack in his or her suitcase.  The suitcase must be easily visible. So when you arrive by airplane at an airport and the luggage comes through the carousel, they will be delighted when they spot it at a distance. There are numerous theme suitcases today and I am sure you will find the perfect theme that your grandkid is mad about.
2. The suitcase must not be too large. Must have a handle for them to pull, as they do like to be grown up and “sometimes” pull their own bag. Take into consideration that you will more often than not have to handle the case yourself, with your own bag. Often the child will enjoy sitting on the bag, while you pull it along. So yes, wheels are necessary!
3. A kid’s backpack is also a necessity.  Make sure it is not too long for the smaller frame. These are important wherever you go. A place for a water bottle is important as whether on a plane, in a vehicle or on a bus or walking around sightseeing,  the backpack will be with you. 
4. Neck travel pillows if you are flying. They come in such lovely designs today. They must be able to go around the suitcase handle or be velcroed around their backpack, so as not to be easily forgotten, lost, or cumbersome while walking at the airport.
5. If traveling by car or plane, and even by train or bus,  download some music on your phone and stories which are appropriate for the child’s age.  Let’s Play Music is a free site. 
6. Earphones are a must-be-packed. Pack these in your backpack.
7. All medication is to be packed in your backpack. Don’t forget plasters.
8. What to pack in that Backpack? Whatever you can wrap elastic bands around, wrap them up. It saves space.

• Refillable, a non-leaking water bottle that must be empty for international flights, but can be used everywhere else. Baby bargains have very practical water bottles. Even though the company says “baby”, the bottles can be used easily until the child is 8 years old. If the child is older have a look at more appropriate styles of water bottles.
• One or two small toys. One could be new and one could be a comfort toy that is very important to them.
• A book and drawing paper or coloring book
• Pack a warm pair of socks for the child to walk around the plane while in flight. If they get dirty you can wash them at your destination. Pack another pair for when you land.
• Wet wipes and a small pack of tissues.
• A few healthy snacks.
• A hoodie. Great for the ears if it gets cold while traveling.
• Thin rain jacket with hood.
• Underwear. 2 extra pairs.
• A change of clothes. Extra T-shirt and pants. The warmth of these clothes will determine where you are going. If you have a granddaughter and she insists on wearing a dress, make sure it is a simple dress and she can wear pants underneath.
• A cap that protects the eyes and ears.
• Change of shoes.
• Toiletries are relevant to the form of travel. If traveling by plane, they must be in the same size containers as yours in a clear zip-up plastic bag.
• A half toilet roll. I am particular about toilet paper on airplanes, restrooms, and any place in between, especially for kids.
• The face mask and shield

9. What to pack in the suitcase. Again use elastic bands to wrap around the clothes.

Remember there is a travel weight that you need to adhere to if you are flying. Chat with the parents for assistance on what to pack. Get the family involved and let your grandchild have his or her suggestions too.

What to pack determines what the weather will be like at your destination. If it is a warm climate, still cater for those cooler days. Is it a rainy climate? That requires more changes.

In Winter weather, then you will need really warm socks and shoes and a thick jacket. Is it a beach holiday or a hiking holiday?

Good walking shoes are important for any vacation. Don’t forget the caps, sunblock, and costumes. Mosquito repellent if you are going to be outside in the evenings. Make sure you pack pajamas related to the season. A tracksuit is always wonderful for morning walks.

The cuddle nighttime fluffy toy, don’t forget. Relate how many of each piece of clothing to how many days you are away. Don’t pack the bulky over smart clothes. They must be comfortable and relaxing. Clothes can always be washed. Underwear and socks take some extras. Some toys, not too large, and a book or two. Another facemask.

“To become a grandparent is to enjoy one of the few pleasures in life for which the consequences have already been paid.” –

Robert Brault

Have you been away with your grandchildren without the parents? If you have, share any advice you can offer so other grandparents can benefit, in the comments below.

Other articles you should read in relation to our grandkids:

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