How do you care for your family when you're traveling? I'm traveling a lot with my family this summer.
We have a few big celebrations this year; my husband and I will be married 25 years in October, my oldest daughter will be 21, and my youngest daughter will be 18.
Holy moly. I still can't believe how the time has flown just since we moved to Florida eight years ago!
Because of this banner year, we've planned a couple of big vacations. We're sailing off the coast of Rockland Maine for five days on a Windjammer cruise and in August, we're going to Europe for almost two weeks on a Viking Rhine River Cruise.
A lof of preparation goes into traveling, especially for extended periods. I've got some ideas of how I prepare, so I hope it helps you plan for a great vacation, too. Better safe!
How to Care for your Family When Traveling
- When you're traveling, especially when you're flying, make sure everyone is hydrated. The minute someone doesn't feel well or has a headache, I ask them if they have been drinking enough water. Usually, that is the reason they aren't feeling great.
- Pack snacks in your backpack. I've been on two flights recently where the turbulence prevented the flight attendant from serving snacks. In addition, plan out meals. Getting on a flight at 10 am, you may not be thinking about lunch, but if you're arriving at 3, everyone is going to be starving. Pick up a sandwich or two to share before you board. Hangry kids are no fun!
- Check the weather. It may sound silly, but arriving at your vacation spot unprepared for the weather can be costly and ruin a vacation! It can get cold in Florida in the winter. I've been to the parks in Orlando in January wearing gloves!
- Use a packing list. I can't stress this enough. When I pull out of my driveway, I don't want to be thinking about what I may have forgotten. If everything is written down and checked off, I know I have everything we will need.
We're packing now for Maine, and as it's the first time we've done anything like this, my list is longer than usual.
Thankfully, the company we're sailing with sent us recommendations of what to bring. Things we normally wouldn't think about, like rain suits, are on the list, along with bathing suits and heavy sweaters.
It seems weird to pack those in the same duffel, but it's going to be in the 70s during the day and in the 50s at night, so we really will need both (though I don't know if I'll brave the chilly water to swim!)
One thing that is always in my bag is first aid for minor injuries. It never fails that at least one of us will get a blister, scrape, or cut. We usually do a lot of walking when we travel, and it wears on your feet.
In fact, I had two bandages in my travel kit recently and went through both of them!
Walking through the airport with a terrible blister was painful, so I stopped in one of the stores to see if they had a first-aid section. I was so grateful to see my favorite brand on the shelf! A fresh bandage was all I needed to make it through the rest of my trip pain-free.
For our summer trips, I'll be packing The new CURAD SoothePlus™ Non-Stick Pads and Medium Rolled Gauze.
On the schooner, one of the activities we can do is learn to sail. I can't wait! Handling the ropes is bound to put a little wear and tear on my hands, but this new line from CURAD is infused with naturally soothing ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda.
I love that even the gauze is infused. It's perfect for taking care of any blisters or scrapes my family might encounter and helps eliminate bacterial odors so it's great for those blisters from walking, too.
Whether I need bandages, gauze, or even specialty first aid products, CURAD® makes it easy to provide my family with the best care possible.
Inevitably, on a daily basis, someone in our house needs some extra loving care! It might be my younger daughter who loves to cook and garden and often ends up with a cut from one or the other.
It could be my mother-in-law who needs a little extra care when she visits. At almost 95, she needs a bandage from the slightest scrape. Then again, it might be me, which is why I travel with Curad®, too.
Maybe you're part of the sandwich generation, caring for your aging parents and your children, or perhaps you still have littles in the house. Either way, these new, innovative products from CURAD® will help you provide the most soothing care possible, on the road or at home.
When life needs advanced healing, know you can call on the brand that is Hospital Approved. Life Tested™.
Where is your family headed this summer? I'd love to learn about some new vacation spots! Share in the comments.
Laura
Keep Curad products for the sumber vacation never know when you will need them.
Jenny
My must haves for traveling include lots of back-ups! I love having a first aid kit in my car and diaper bag.
Mileesa
Beach, is my favorite! We love the Emerald Coast in Florida.
Felicia McRaney
We now live in the beautiful state of Utah. So many gorgeous sites with trails, hikes, camping, skiing. So many reasons for CURAD products!
Melissa wells
Making sure my family has plenty of liquids and food & first aid items on a trip is always important to me.
Melissa wells
Always a good ideal to keep a first aid kit on hand with plenty curad
Sara Lee
I live in Nashville,TN and have a six month old so no vacation this year but we have so many plans to go do stuff around here and me and my boyfriend are both clumsy so I also have a little first aid kit with us
Angel
I keep a first aid kit in all our car at all times. So
Kelly
I have a first aid kit in my car, too, though I probably need to replenish it. Thanks for the reminder!
Charlotte Mathews
We take mini weekend camping trips and I have a first aid kit in our camper, I also keep a first aid kit in my purse.
Kelly
I keep supplies in my purse, too, Charlotte. You never know when you will need them!
Carole Biggs
My family has started a camping family Reunion every summer, we did our 2nd year in June and have already started planning for next year. I definitely carry a first aid kit which includes curad bandages fir all my grand children's boo boo's, it helped them feel better and gave me peace of mind that their little scrapes and cuts were protected.
Kelly
Exactly, Carole. It just gives you peace of mind knowing you have it if you need it. A camping reunion sounds like so much fun!
Angela
I have never heard of the smoothplus variety. On the look out for it now.
Do you find particular drugstore or large retailers carry it more often than others?
Kelly
I think just about everyone carries it now, Angela, but on the website you can see specifically. There's a coupon, too. Go here: http://curad.com/special-offers/ Thanks for visiting!
Mary
When we go on our mini-cations , we will bring our own snacks and drinks for the room, a cooler of drinks and sandwich's for the road. Of course our own first-aid kit, including flea and tick spray for the dog. And plenty of bug spray and sunscreen as well. Everyone looks forward to our Mini-cations.
Kelly
Same here, Mary! We're taking a road trip soon to see my husband's mom for her birthday and we'll be taking all of the same with us!
Vicky
At all times, no matter where we travel or indulge in outdoor activities, I keep a first aid kit in the trunk of the car...supplied with all that might be needed in case of emergency. Curad brand has everything from first aid cream to gauze wrap and numerous examples of band aids. In addition to first aid, water is available for hydration along with snacks.
Kelly
Exactly, Vicky! Us, too! I don't want to have to spend time looking for first aid while on the trip. Been there, done that, too many times!
Laurie Miller
We are not going anywhere this summer, just built new home. Next summer planning on Canada.
Kelly
Congrats on the new home, Laurie! I adore Canada. I've been to Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Oakville, and Quebec. So much more to see! Enjoy the new house!
Tina
I haven't traveled for a long time but plan to within the next yeaar. I always carry emergency kit with bandaids in it. This is a must.
Kelly
Me, too, Tina! Have fun on your travels when you go!
C Creel
I try to travel light just snacks and bandaids. I will be checking weather reports too.
Kelly
Yes, C Creel, very good suggestion. I try to check the weather, too! Thanks for taking the time to share.
Darren Elmore
I agree! Those are the essentials when traveling for me and my family.
Sandra Jacobi
Where do you go for a vacation? I already live in a vacation spot - California.
Kelly
I live in a great vacation spot, too, Sandra, in Florida near Siesta Key. But I still love getting away for the food and culture. We're going to Europe in a couple of weeks. I also love the Caribbean.
Cathy
You go to what is not typical but wonderful area your interested in. Like mountains and fresh water lakes of TN or snow covered mountains and skiing of Colorado.
Kelly
Sounds perfect, Cathy. I've not been to TN yet. On my list! I do love Colorado!