Traveling to the United States as a family is a dream come true for many, but it can also quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. Bringing kids makes every stage of the journey a little more complicated and strenuous.
The good news is that you can get to know and anticipate the challenges beforehand. Here’s what you’ll face and what you can do about it to make the trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible for everyone.
The Additional Document Burden
Almost everything surrounding kids when it comes to travel, from ticket prices to meal expenses, is cheaper or more manageable than its adult equivalent. Except travel documentation. If anything, bringing kids on a US trip complicates the paperwork considerably.
Just like adults, every child needs a passport, plus a visa if required. Moreover, you may need additional documentation and consent forms if only one parent or a different guardian is present.
Either way, you’ll want to thoroughly check and bring the entire travel documentation in order well before starting the trip. Once you collect everything, you’ll also want to make and securely store digital copies to make immigration checks, etc., easier.
Here, securely storing means keeping them in an encrypted and password-protected vault, since the documents are sensitive and personal. For that, download the best password manager for iPhone, Android or whichever system you’re using. While these tools can be helpful for storing credentials, they’re also excellent for storing files. In the end, your sensitive documents become so much harder to steal.
Packing Light Becomes Much Harder
A 10yo might see the benefit of sticking to carry-ons and bringing a capsule wardrobe, but the younger the kid, the more non-negotiables there are. Stuff like baby formula, diapers, their favorite toy, and even heavy-duty items like strollers and car seats thoroughly bog down your logistics.
You adapt by making the best of the situation. Older kids can carry small backpacks with some of their clothes, snacks, and entertainment. Packing cubes will help you maximize space, potentially letting you bring one less piece of luggage than anticipated. It’s also a good idea to assess and buy as many items like diapers, toiletries, etc., once you land rather than lug them around.
The Airport Gauntlet Becomes Even More Tedious
Moving through the airport at speed with small children in tow is a pipe dream. The bathroom and snack breaks, the tantrums and impatience all make an already needlessly convoluted ordeal more complicated and stressful for everyone. Long immigration queues don’t help, either.
If they’re four or older, be upfront with kids about airport procedures. Explain what’s going to happen and give them a few simple ground rules to follow, like being quiet and staying still at security. Make sure that snacks, toys, and other distractions are easily accessible for soothing younger children. Also, arrive earlier than you normally would to deal with bodily needs and get your bearings in time.
The Flight Takes a Bigger Toll on Children
Unless you’re flying in from Canada or Mexico, you’re looking at flights lasting anywhere between six and eighteen hours. Even on the shorter end, this is enough time spent in a cramped seat for smaller children to become restless and overstimulated. And that’s even without accounting for the acrobatics of organizing meal times and diaper changes mid-air.
Minimizing the flight’s impact on your regular schedule is the best thing you can do. Try to time the flight with your kids’ sleep cycles, for example. You’ll also want to prepare various games and activities to keep the kids distracted and engaged. Finally, make sure that they drink lots of water during the flight to combat the negative effects of low cabin humidity.
As Does Jetlag
Traveling to the US from Asia or Europe means having to deal with serious jetlag. It’s especially hard on kids since it disrupts their sleep and other daily rhythms, which takes several days of adjusting to stabilize. Expect irritability, weird nap times, and not much sightseeing in the meantime.
Apart from strategically picking your flight, it’s also a good idea to keep activities on arrival day to a minimum. Taking in plenty of sunlight will help with internal clock adjustment. Older kids should try to stay awake until local time coincides with their usual bedtimes to speed things up even more.
Transportation Becomes More Complicated
The USA is extremely car-centric, and bringing children may add friction. For example, you may need to spend more on the rental to accommodate all the people and luggage. You may also need to bring or rent a car seat.
Research is the best thing you can do, starting with the car’s specifics. You should also set up a US eSIM plan before leaving so you have reliable internet access everywhere when you land. That way, you can more easily navigate to your accommodations or work schedule changes with the rental company. Keep in mind that cities like Washington, Seattle, and Chicago have reasonably developed and child-friendly public transport, so that’s an option too if those are your destinations.
