Preparing to Travel with Kids

Are you planning a family vacation to South Florida?
There are a few things you need to remember when preparing for a family vacation to the beaches of Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
1. Find a family friendly resort.  Hotels like The Fontainebleau, The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, and The Lowes Hotel are great places that both your and your kids will love.
2. Bring swimsuits, hats and sunscreen.  One of the great things about visiting South Florida is the weather.  You can enjoy a day at the beach year round!
3.  Plan some rainy day activities.  There are lots of fun things to do besides going to the beach.  Check out the Jungle Island, The Miami Children’s Museum, and Butterfly World.
4. Set a Date Night.  Just because you are on a family vacation doesn’t mean mom and dad don’t need a night out.  Contact TLC for Kids Miami for  a hotel babysitter in South Florida.  Our sitters are experienced, screened and available to come to the hotel.

Tips for a More Enjoyable Vacation!

Are you going on a family vacation this summer?  Vacations are fun and it’s a nice break to get away from the daily grind.   Vacations can also be a time for parents to reconnect.   Planning  and running after kids can be tiring.  Parents should take a day or evening and spend time together without the kids!

Here are some tips for parents who are looking to take a vacation from their kids while on vacation.

1.  Hire a babysitter on your own.

Check with the International Nanny Agency (nanny.org) for a list of babysitting agencies where you will be staying.  Nanny agencies like TLC For Kids can send a vetted sitter to the care for the kids in your hotel room.  Check with the agency about rates, hours, and pre-screening.   TLC For Kids offers hotel babysitters in South Florida and St. Louis, Missouri.

2.  Bring your nanny or babysitter with you.

If you have a nanny or regular babysitter see if she wants to come along!   Negotiate everything ahead of time.  Talk about what is expected as far as hours on duty and hours off duty.  Remember you will be responsible for a salary plus her traveling expenses.  Having another set of hands for the trip whom the kids already know and love maybe worth the extra expense.

3.  Find a hotel that offers sitting services.

Lots of hotels and resorts offer provide  babysitters, day care or  kids’ clubs. Do your research when making arrangements with the hotel.  Ask questions like where do they find their sitters, does the hotel check their references and do a background check, and where will the childcare take place?

Make your plans prior to your arrival so you won’t by trying to make arrangements last minute.

4. Take family-friendly cruise.

Most cruise ships offer child care or supervised activities for children.  For example the  Disney Cruise Line offers lots of options for kids of all ages.  Do your research to make sure there are no age requirements.

Most importantly have fun and take time to relax and reconnect!