Seems to be a song lyrics…our favourite one btw. We are a family who travels a lot. We were always very happy to go around and visit places near and far. We traveled before kids. We travel pregnant. We traveled right after we welcomed our firstborn between us. We traveled even if it was quite frustrating for every family member before and after diagnosis. Before and after starting our ABA/VB therapy. Before and after out second child was born. We travel. We explore. We discover. We adapt to the needs of every each of us. 

We do not have restrictions about any kind of transport we use to move. Plane travels are nice because are short and not so exhausting. To move from point A to post B it takes much less time and energy. What’s boring and stressful – all the airport procedure that you simply can not skip. From the other hand, our car trips were those we loved most. Whilst traveling by car we take photos, stop to watch and admire landscapes or just lay dawn in the middle of the grass and dive into the nature . We are free to make a break, take a stroll and eat in the middle of the wildlife. Whenever we want. 

Railway travels are still our lacuna, an unpardonable gap that needs to be filled without any excuses. We need to find the right destination to be reached with beautiful views we would be able to adore while traveling.

I’m not a magician. I’m a well prepared mother of a kid with special needs and particular interests. I’m a savvy parent trying to act like a fortune teller and guess what would be a good reinforcer in case of an eventual meltdown in arrival. 

1. Something to watch – there is plenty of possibilities to have a few cartons and movies downloaded on your devices without the necessity of using the internet connection in places like a plane where it is strictly forbidden. If you are a Netflix customer just go in your through options of a select film and check if a download is available. It will also inform you for how long you will be available for you to watch it in offline mode. AppleTV app has a similar option, the only difference is that once you downloaded a movie, it will stay on your device as long as you wish until you delete it.

2. Something to touch – some sensory objects like fidget toys. There are some interesting bundles ready to be ordered. No need for the extra search. 

3. Something to chew – I find different kind of sugar-free jellies very helpful, especially during flights. There is a frequent pressure issue during takeing-off and landing. Chewing stuff easily give relief in the face of ear pain.

4. Something to read – something you know it would captivate their attention, you can think about something they like or they are interested in using already know item but in a different version. I often search for some apps that are based on books they love. One simple example: The Numberlys – a story about the creation of the alphabet (there is also a kindle version), and Professor Astro Cat– science and astrophysics for kids. Both great picture books and both with apps related to them.

5. Something to focus upon – it might be anything that brings and keeps your kid’s attention for a longer time. Stickers’ activity book, an interesting mystery app game like The Room, one of Rogger Priddy’s wipe clean workbooks like Seek-and-Find.

6. Something to cuddle with – my older son didn’t even care about any of his stuff animals and so on. He preferred to cuddle with me or with his dad. The younger one is in love with his…rat…

7. Something to build – some classic, old but gold LEGO blocks are perfect for their size and weight in general. Especially for those, I use IKEA resealable bags to keep everything in order and avoid losing any ‘priceless’ piece of the whole millions they own…

8. Something to distract with – I have always something in my purse I know it will work in case of an emergency. A small and smart object. A puzzle, a comic book, a lollipop. A pen you can use for drawing faces on your fingers etc

9. Something new – visit the airport’s duty-free and a trains station’s shops. There have lots of interesting products your child would appreciate for sure. Make her choose on her own giving some options through a few available in the store.

10…Something else – you are a person who knows your child better than anyone! What is your ‘secret weapon’ against any unpredictable and disastrous breakdown?