As August draws to a close, it’s time to start packing and preparing for the family’s big August vacation. Whether you’re going to a well traveled, destination attraction or some obscure, out-of-the-way getaway, moms need to be prepared for any sort of emergency while on the road – especially if you’ve got a baby on board.
GET ORGANIZED BEFORE YOU LEAVE
The best way to avoid emergencies while traveling is to plan ahead and get organized before you take off. Make sure all of your family’s prescriptions and special needs are addressed and fulfilled. Take some time to scout the web for various resources available, for not only food and lodging, but also information about medical facilities, different cultures and environments you’re about to encounter during your summer vacation.
Anything that can happen right in your own backyard or family room can also happen thousands of miles away in a motel room or state park. The difference is; you don’t have access to the usual familiar resources for stemming the crisis and getting yourself, or another family member, back up to speed.
WHERE DO YOU LOOK?
In the old days, the only quick reference material your mother had when she took the family on vacation were the local Yellow Pages books to try and find a doctor or emergency room. With today’s even smarter, smart phones and WiFi, there’s easy, instant access to almost all of the local resources available. And with the countless ratings’ websites, you can get a pretty good idea of who and what the best resources are.
But availability of the best emergency health resources can sometimes be a problem, even with all of the support systems we have for finding them. What if one of the kids comes down with a serious toothache or orthodontic problem during your vacation? Most dentists want to treat pain as quickly as possible. For example, one dentist, at Celebrity Dental, explains his approach to last minute, oral health adventures this way: “Dental emergencies can happen at any time and rarely when it’s convenient for you. When a dental emergency arises, it’s important to know that you can treat promptly … it often can’t wait for the next available appointment.” Quick care for relief of pain requires quick decisions – you’ll need medical professionals who can adjust schedules to meet emergency demands.
SUMMER USUALLY MEANS THERE WILL BE SWIMMING
Your children may well be cooped up in a car or airplane all day while you travel to your next vacation destination. If it’s hot, and there is a swimming pool or beach available, they will want to swim. Immediately upon arrival. There’s a temptation to just let them go to the pool by themselves and you’ll catch up with them. Don’t fall for it, especially with the little ones. You’ll need to be firm and tell them they’ll have to wait until an adult can go with them, and that’s not going to be easy. With small children, like up to age six, you should practice “touch supervision” around swimming facilities – meaning that a child should always be within an arm’s length when in or near the water. Older children even need to concede to supervision while they’re swimming. It may be tempting to get engrossed in that summer novel, or dive into a cocktail, but always keep at least one eye on kids in water.
CHOOSE SOUVENIRS CAREFULLY
How many of us have bought a souvenir while on vacation only to have it languish in a forgotten drawer ‘til the cows come home? That’s why you should choose souvenirs carefully. Always ask yourself: Is it handcrafted by locals? And unique to the area? What is so special about this little treasure? Or is it a mere trinket? Is it something with which you could either start a collection or add to one you’ve already began? A collection of, say, woven baskets, from different cultures and locations can not only be a wonderful reminder of a much-loved vacation, but also something that can stand on its own as a provocative artistic statement.
SAVE YOUR BIG EVENT FOR THE END
If there’s some extraordinary destination in your summer travel plans, try to schedule so that you save this adventure for the end of your trip. Starting your vacation with too big of a bang might leave the rest of your journey anticlimactic and disappointing. Work up to the big event slowly, with some languid beach or hiking/picnic days, or maybe even a museum or a zoo, before that thrilling day at the super popular attraction. Then you’ll happily take the whole summer experience home with you and never forget it.
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