Tips for travelling with children
Pack light
Make sure even the smallest family member can carry their own bag. You won't need as much as you think - we all managed fine with a couple of T-shirts and a few pairs of shorts!
We're going on an adventure!
Get everyone excited about the trip before you leave by reading up about your destination and charting your route on a big map.
Don't forget who's boss
Understand that you can't please everyone all of the time, and don't feel bad about imposing a benign dictatorship when deciding on entertainment and food!
Encourage them to take responsibility for their own belongings
Impose joint liability on everyone for checking train carriages, bus seats, and hotel wardrobes, drawers and rooms on departure.
Make family memories
Encourage everyone to take turns in recording, photographing, drawing or writing about the trip. Even a one-line, bad-tempered journal entry is hugely entertaining to look back on in years to come.
Step out of your comfort zone
Relax! I found that when I took a deep breath and went with the flow, the children enjoyed themselves even more.
Read Gillian's story in our January 2013 issue. Find more of her artwork and pictures on her website: gillianholding.com. Through the Veil of Orientalism, her book of drawings inspired by the family's trip, is available through Debut Contemporary.
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