Toddlers

Traveling with toddlers may just be one of the toughest times you will have. They are just discovering their walking skills and hate the idea of being confined for any amount of time on an airplane or in a car, in a stroller or backpack. They are polishing their verbal skills and are ready to debate, contradict and throw tantrums over decisions that are made by others (and even some they make themselves!). They tend to decide when, where and what they will eat, usually changing their mind, quite loudly, in the midst of a meal. With all this in mind, vacations are still an option for families with toddlers.

Following are some recommendations for vacations with toddlers (not many changes from infant travel):

Beach stays:
This is probably still the easiest vacation to take with a toddler. Imagine laying on the beach in the warm sun while your toddler plays in the sand on a secluded beach. There are even some resorts (all be it few) that have organized programs just for toddlers (2-3 years old). Most hotels and resorts offer group or private childcare for a fee, cribs, bed rails and other child amenities. Many have kitchenettes, which allow you to make meals on demand, or offer free meals for children eating with their parents. Several are self contained villages, or near towns that just require a walk with the stroller or backpack. Some places to consider would be the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Active Vacations (Biking & Hiking):
Many tour operators are now offering Family Departures which welcome toddlers on the trips with no age limit. Some do charge a fee, such as 75% of adult fare. For the biking trips, Burley trailers are often available to rent. One thing to take note on is that the parents are solely responsible for any child not able to participate in organized activities due to age or other restraints. Some tours are reserving hotels that offer childcare with advance notice (for such times as child-free dining, etc), though most do not have care available during rides or optional activities like rafting, kayaking and horseback riding. This means one parent will need to remain behind with the child. One tour operator is looking into providing "traveling daycare" - someone who will ride with the children in the van while the parents bike, hike, etc and be available for group care when the rides/hikes finish. If the parents are willing to go at their child's pace, this can be a rewarding and exciting vacation to take. One company to consider is Freewheeling Adventures. They offer a Family Frolic program in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. The thing that sets the family trips apart from the regular ones is that a family counselor is provide who plans routes, activities and excursions geared toward the younger crowd. They open start dates - you can either join an existing tour, or start one of your own. One thing to note is that regardless of a child's age, there is some charge to join the trip.

Disneyland:
I recommend this over Disneyworld for toddlers just because of size. Disneyland is more compact, making it more child friendly. While an child cannot go on any of the adult rides, they can still go on It's a Small World, Casey Jones' Train and other gentle rides along with other, more exciting rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, the rockets in FutureLand and the car ride in Toon Town. The parades and fireworks will amaze them, and even slow them down a little. I would recommend staying in a hotel right by the park, which makes for easier and frequent returns. If you stay at any of the three Disney hotels, they also offer a concierge service, where they offer all day beverages, morning continental breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese and evening coca and cookies. To make your holiday more relaxing and less overwhelming, try to go during the week, especially when school is in session. You will be able to get on rides quickly, see more up close and avoid great crowds. Disneyland also offers a service to parents with children - the family stands in line, and when it's your turn, one parent can get on the ride, and on the return, switch places with the other parent so he or she can ride next.

Cruises:
If your child is under 2, this might not be the nice relaxing holiday you've dreamed of. Many cruise ships do not have private childcare available, and only a few have childcare options for children under 3 years of age, usually with a charge of $6/hr or more in a group setting. Most do not have a care option on port days. Carnival Cruise Line is one company that provides fun, well organized daily programs for children 2 and older at sea and while in port. Beware, the cruise ships are very strict about their age policy for joining the youth programs. Even if your child is a day or two shy of the age requirement, it is very unlikely s/he will be allowed to join.