Do you have any advice on travelling with 8 children...?
Answer:
Organization! That's the best advice. My parents often would take all of my sister and my friends with us on trips. We've gone on so many plane rides I cannot even count them all!
Pack the night before. This means carry-on and luggage. Try to get it all out into the car the night before you leave so that you don't have to worry about getting it all to fit or merely getting it all in the car the next day.
Collect all passports/ID, money, and valuables that you are going to bring before leaving the house pertaining to your child or group. Put them all together in an easy to reach place--but not so easy where a pickpocket can grab them without you noticing. This way you have all of the kids important stuff and you don't have to worry about it getting lost or them forgetting it.
Carry On--Make sure all the children have things to occupy them. Some things to keep in mind are paper and pens (multiple so that they don't run out of ink), CD players with head sets, games, and plenty of snacks. I'm not too sure what the restrictions on food are now but call your airline and they will tell you.
Your Carry-On--bring things to occupy yourself of course, along with toiletries--extra hair ties, hair brushes, deodorant, sanitizer, and things along that nature. Chances are someone's hair is going to get messed up and they won't have a brush.
Arrive at the airport 3-4 hours early. With all of the kids there are bound to be a few set backs. Make sure the kids don't have any metal on them (belts, necklaces, rings, and/or coins). While you can take them off before going through security it may lag you up. Also wear shoes that are easily taken off and put back on.
The seven adults are pretty easy. They will be there to help with the cats and the chameleon. Most airlines require you to put animals with the luggage while checking in.
Use the buddy up system. For example--the 13 year old with the 3 year old, the 11 year old with the 4 year old, the 10 year old with the 4 year old, the 9 year old with the 6 year old. This way everyone has a buddy and will be accounted for. I find it useful too because then all the kids are looking out for someone else and if one kid doesn’t hear someone they can ask their buddy.
So now there would be four sets of buddies and just pick a chaperone. So four adults will have two kids to watch out for. The kids that are in their group will have to be accounted for and they will carry their weight. The other three adults will just care for the animals and helping/assisting the other adults with whatever they need--they can also be the ones to get food/water.
Best of luck--keep it organized and assign people tasks the night before leaving and I’m sure it will be enjoyable and a pleasant experience.
stay home! a lot less stressful.
GOOD LUCK
Which London?
The real London ... i.e. the one I'm in ... or one of the myriad of fake ones in america?
If the former. my advice would be a boat or aeroplane... if they'll let the other species on board at least.
If the latter. I'd recommend a train or minivan. A car won't be big enough, obviously.
Oh... and you might want to sedate them for the journey, or you could have all hell on your hands. Alternatively, some kids can be bribed to stay quiet. I did that once with my little brother. I basically bet him a fiver that he couldn't stay quiet for half an hour. He would have failed if my OTHER brothers hadn't kept reminding him.
LOTS of patience..and be sure you always have the kids on sight...maybe that each adult has to know where is one kid always..kids can get lost very quickly and 8 kids are a handful. It's gonna drive you nuts...good luck
yes, have less children
Yeah, Dont go!
Or take several cars instead of all loading up in one.
have a plan and a schedule of stops..bring activity bags for each kid ( stuff they can do on the road - like drawing, puzzles, game books/..) plus pillows and blankets for naps and some snacks too for everyone to share
Rent a 15-passenger van and cage the animals. Take lots of snacks and drinks, fruit, water and juices, laptops, hand held video games, pillows, blankets, books, magazines, coloring books and crayons, ipods.
Make frequent stops to let the young ones get rid of their energy (frisbees, balls for games at the rest stops), and to let the older ones stretch their legs. Most of all, have fun!
Yes, stick together and give them a contact number in case of lost.
I'm actually concerned about the Chameleon. I own one myself and I don't think he could make a trip like that.
How are you going to keep his temps, lighting, and humidity constant on a plane?
Chams are also very easily stressed lizards. Any change in his enviroment could cause him to go on a hunger strike for days.
I personally would keep the lizard home and put his lighting on a timer and have a neighbor come over every few days to feed him.
As far as travelling with 8 children..all I can say is GOOD LUCK!
went cross country camping. i have 6 children all mine. at the time 3,4,5,6,9 and 10. i took alot of breaks. got out and walked around. take alot of games with you. books. cd players. whatever you think they will like to keep them busy. snacks also help.
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