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THE TODDLER ROADMAP SERIES 2: Episode 18 – What Every Parent of a Toddler Should Know Before Travelling!

"Everything you need to raise a happy, confident, resilient toddler 
undamaged by living through a pandemic!"

Show notes:

In this episode we will be looking at the benefits of reading with your child. We also talked about what you should know before travelling with a toddler especially if it's a long car ride or an airplane ride.  

In this episode:

  • What Every Parent of a Toddler Should Know Before Travelling!
  • ​Building Self-Esteem with Your Toddler: 15 Helpful Tips
  • ​Stickers for the Little Ones: Motivation Booster or Evil Bribe?
  • ​Parent Hacks and #TipsandScripts to Make Life with Kids Easier!
On the Parentverse: Sue Atkins in Conversation with Kate Wogan, Author of the Award Winning Uh Oh Milo! Books for under 5’s around Toddler Tantrums, Table Manners and more ……
I have filmed and written tips for Disney’s ‘The Gift of Play’ website. Get inspired and spark the magic of imaginative play with my tips & videos in collaboration with Disney, Pixar, Star Wars™ and Marvel.

Download & Discover ‘The Gift of Play!’ Guide

Bursting with inspirational play ideas, arts, crafts, games, activities and puzzles!

There’s a new feature on my Instagram: @sueatkins18

#ParentHacks

#ParentHacks for Hot Days ☀️
Keep a spray bottle in the car for hot days to avoid your toddler touching scorching seat belts & buckles!
Spray them before your little one climbs in 🚘

#TipsandScripts

When you're tempted to say something negative – it’s much better to reframe it into something positive so kids really hear you and can act on what you want them to do.
They’ll feel better – you’ll feel better – win – win!
Reading is so much fun isn’t it?

It’s also so important for little ones.

Children’s energy levels often occur in bouts; once they are tired they need a bit of down time & cuddling up with a favourite story book is perfect for that.

Having a book ready to read can be a way of giving children time to rest, have your full attention and enjoy a story which can be a springboard into their next round of play.

Sitting under a shady tree, sipping a cool drink & listening to a story is a lovely way to connect with your toddler & make memories that last a lifetime which will nurture their self esteem.

Here’s why reading will give your toddler a head start in so many areas.

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Updated on my blog this week

Self Esteem Tips for things to say to nurture it in kids of ALL ages! 
1. 15 great things to tell your kids ~ Tip 15
2. Activities To Build Self Esteem – Tip 9

Question:

Hi Sue we are finally able to go and see family in Portugal in a few weeks – I’m a bit nervous travelling with our son Francisco, who’s 2 and a half – any tips? Thanks Beatriz Silva from Rochester, Kent, UK

Answer:

1. Bathroom
Make sure that your toddler has used the toilet before boarding the aircraft as they are spacious and much cleaner compared to the aircraft ones! It’s also a good idea to carry a supply of baby wipes and be sure to put them in a place where you can easily reach them throughout the flight.

2. Seat choice
Only choose bulkhead seats if your baby needs a baby bed as the armrests can’t be moved. Normal seats are far better if your baby or toddler wants to lie down on the seat with their head on your lap as the armrests can be moved up which is far more comfortable.

3. Ear pressure
If your baby is breastfeeding or on a bottle, give them the breast or bottle during take-off & landing as it is the best thing for their sensitive ears. They will be more relaxed and far less distressed and you will feel more at ease too.
If your child is older, then carry cotton wool or ask for earplugs as soon as you board the aircraft. Make use of them for take-off then save them for landing as the crew may not have any fresh ones left by then. Or play a yawning game with them to see how many times they can yawn on take off or landing as this helps pop their ears so the pressure doesn’t cause them discomfort.

4. Food
Carry a supply of biscuits, water, juice & healthy snacks for your toddler. Raisins are great for keeping little hands and minds occupied for quite awhile and also carry milk packets (the UHT small packets) yourself. Airline snacks run out in flight and milk is a shortage very often too so bring your own so you won’t panic if they run out.
Car Journeys
Keeping a toddler busy on long car rides.
Toddlers and small children have short attention spans. Add to that, sitting in an enclosed space for an extended period of time, with minimal things to do, and you have the makings of a major melt down!

 It’s challenging enough to keep kids busy on a fifteen-minute drive, so what do you do if you’ll be in the car for an hour or more?
  • Before embarking on a long drive, make sure your little one is comfortable. If they are crammed between boxes and suitcases with hardly any room to move or look out the windows, you’re asking for a disaster. 
Try to put as little as possible on the seats on either side of them and keep the windows within their view clear. 
  • Make sure your toddler is wearing comfortable clothing. If they are wearing bulky layers, remove whatever is necessary to make them feel comfortable and allow them to move as freely as possible within their seat.
  • Bring some familiar items from your home, such as a favourite pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal. You toddler is sure to be comforted by having some of their special things along for the ride. 
  • Take a bit of time before your trip to pack your toddlers’ favourite books or buy a new book with lifting pages or vivid pictures or with usual sounds to entertain and fascinate as looking at books is a great way to pass the time. Go to the library too and ask for ideas of books to borrow.
Before you begin your journey, get your toddler to help you pick out the books they’d like to bring along.

The key to happy toddler travel is variety. 

Pack many different activity items that are sure to hold their interest. Wooden beads and string (bearing in mind they are behind you – so make sure they can’t choke) stickers and paper or colouring books, small chalk boards, flash cards with pictures, mini family photo albums and small toys you know they’ll enjoy.
For my full advice on travelling with toddlers check out the Toddler Roadmap eCourse Module 18 
Here’s an exclusive DISCOUNT CODE of 25% OFF JOINING MY TODDLER ROADMAP eTraining

Everything you need to raise a happy, confident, resilient toddler

Parentverse 

Sue Atkins in conversation with Victoria Ballard Founder of The Victoria Chart Company

Reward Stickers for the Little Ones: Motivation Booster or Evil Bribe?

I liked them as a teacher – the kids liked them, so I don’t see the problem with them – but I do think they need to be earned.

It gives toddlers a sense of pride and accomplishment. It's proof and evidence of a job well done. Children connect to real objects more than abstract concepts, and reward stickers are the one tangible item they need to feel encouraged to keep trying for.

Words like, "Good job!" are simply not enough if they don't come with the visible “seal of approval”. It’s good to teach children about things like responsibility and the importance of learning, but it just doesn’t sink in if they don’t have something tangible to hold on to.

But never take them away for naughty behaviour as it’s demoralising and demotivating and little ones can’t cope with that.

Keep it a positive experience and make them special.
What are your thoughts on stickers and sticker charts?

Pause to Ponder This Week:

How can I consciously nurture my child’s self esteem this week? What one thing can I remember to do? 

Time To Take Action

Sign up to my Toddler Roadmap
My Toddler Roadmap looks at all the aspects of raising your toddler so they are not damaged by a unique time in history - living through a pandemic - & each module will help you to nurture your child’s mental health and wellbeing and this podcast is linked to my Toddler Roadmap training.

I’m going to hold your hand, support and guide you through everything you need to know about raising happy, confident resilient kids – today’s toddlers but tomorrow’s adults!
I want you to relax & have total confidence that you’ve got a parenting expert who’s got your back - showing you the way to happy, confident kids and knowing the pandemic didn’t damage your kids long term!

In my TODDLER Roadmap Course and Community I will give you the step by step guide for handling toddler tantrums and why they happen, I give you the roadmap for potty training, why kids become fussy eaters and what to do about it. I show you how to build self confidence in your toddler and explain why they say ‘why?’ all the time, I give you my parenting hacks on how to handle sibling rivalry when another baby arrives, I tell you about the importance of play and how to handle when they say ‘NO!’

I tell you how to handle whining, crying, and biting. I show you my tips for getting kids into a good bedtime routine and why that’s important. I talk about why reading with kids is so important and why singing nursery rhymes with them helps their language development. I show you how to handle night terrors and I look at the bigger picture to your parenting – not just the socks and pants of life that we all get stuck in!

So, I’m really excited to share with you my Toddler Roadmap

Check out my YouTube Channel Playlist – videos released every Tuesday and Friday

Remember, if you want to review what we’ve talked about, check out the full Show Notes

There, you can find a full article on the topic, videos that summarise the different elements and links to any tools or resources we’ve pointed out. You can also drop us a comment there and get involved in the conversation.
You can find a full article on the topic, videos that summarise the different elements and links to any tools or resources we’ve pointed out. You can also drop us a comment there and get involved in the conversation. 
To get my full advice and videos join my Toddler Roadmap

Coming up Next Week 

Coming up in Episode 19: Preparing for Nursery.

From the moment you play peek-a-boo with your baby, you are preparing them for the
process of moving away from you and learning about independence.
Separation can be a difficult emotion not only for you as a parent but also for your
toddler. As your child matures and gains in confidence, they grow into independent
beings, and it is important that you prepare them to fly the nest one day.

In this episode I’ll give you my advice to prepare them – and you!

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Jump on and join in – it’s free from finger pointing or tut-tting – it takes a village and we’re all in this together!
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