Surviving Jet Lag With Babies And Children

I used to think that jet lag was nothing of consequence.  Sometimes it would cast a little fog of disorientation for a few days, and it might lead to one or two unexpected night wakenings.  But short of sipping tea at three in the morning before cosying back down into my peaceful bed, it had little bearing on my life, really.

Of course, that’s changed now.  Since the advent of children, jet lag has become Something Of Very Great Consequence.  Because jet lag is now a very firm presence in our life and has a bearing on almost everything we do over the course of the week following long haul travel (and most notably, West to East travel).  Not because my own symptoms of jet lag have changed, but because I am now in charge of relieving the prominent jet lag symptoms of two small people who don’t have recourse to soothing midnight cups of herbal tea in the same way that I once did.

So what to do?  I wish I was writing today to share a golden rule or a vital nugget.  I'm afraid I have neither.  But perhaps I’ll be able to share one or two things that might make the getting back to normalcy process a tiny bit shorter, or at least, a little less shocking and a little bit more likely to turn into a funny anecdote one day.  Maybe.  (And please forgive any typos.  I'm in the midst of London to KL-induced family jet lag at the moment).

Sunlight
All the experts say this, don’t they?  Getting your tots out into daylight may not reset their circadian clocks instantly, but it does seem to cheer everyone up. And keeping little ones occupied will give them fewer opportunities to discuss alternating sleep patterns for the coming night (is it just me, or is it an unwritten rule that in a household of two or more children while one sleeps the other will wake, and vice versa?).

Swim
If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor pool you can get your sunlight dosage and wear out your little ones all at the same time.  Swimming exhausts me at the best of times and I find it brings my children one little step closer to a decent bedtime during jet lag spells.

Take the pressure off
Try to return from a long trip at the start of a weekend.   And it might be wise to postpone that playdate with the destructive boy next door until you have the inner poise to deal with it calmly.

Forgo the sleep in and the long nap
This is of course the evil of jet lag: after an almost sleepless night, the family finally settles into a deep sleep sometime around six am.  Naturally no one wants to stir from this blessed relief until well after lunchtime, but do try!  Because let’s be honest, the child who sleeps until 1pm is not going to be happily dreaming at 8pm.  Of course, the same applies to naps too.  Whilst it might seem like a heavenly idea to put your feet up while your baby takes a (normally unheard of) four hour nap, you can also guarantee that your feet will be firmly on the floor in the wee hours of the coming night.

Keep it dark (and slow)
I once convinced my husband to watch an interior design documentary with me.  It happened to be about lighting.  He hasn’t watched another since, but he did take away a bit of a fixation with soft lighting.  And so we invested in a number or lamps.  These are a godsend during jet lag weeks.  As soon as the evening settles, we forgo overhead lights for tripods, uplights and table lamps (or you could just get a dimmer switch).  This helps somewhat, and even if I find myself sitting on the floor playing tea parties at two am the soft glow makes it somehow feel more like a dream than a nightmare.  It also seems to slow things down.  When we switch to low light as evening settles, games get quieter and more subdued.

Banish the clock
We’ve all played that dreadful little game that begins with a quick glance at the clock during a bout of sleeplessness.  There’s the countdown to wake up time and the mean little inner voice that pipes up with such useful gems as ‘Even if you fell asleep right now, which you won’t, you won’t get anywhere near enough sleep.’  Remove your phone from your bedside table.  Turn clocks inwards.  Do not succumb.

Roll with it
Because honestly, none of the points above are going to take you from jet lag to blissful sleep in one easy night.  But if you can, embrace a little of the craziness of jet lag and laugh a little at the midnight family gatherings in the hallway.  Remind yourself that your little one will probably manage to fall asleep on a matress, rather than your head, in a few days’ time.  You might even find it funny.  Sort of.

And do bear in mind that there is one very silver lining to family jet lag.  When your children finally do manage to return to their normal sleep patterns, you can rest assured that you’ll have no more of your own jet lag to deal with.  Sheer exhaustion will have taken care of that.  You’ll be able to snore your way through all the time zones in the world.

Packing Hacks For Families (Expatriate Lifestyle Magazine Collaboration)

A few weeks ago my family and I had a great time doing a photo shoot and interview with the lovely people at Expatriate Lifestyle magazine, Malaysia's number one expat magazine.  We talked about our experiences of travelling in the region and why we won't be stopping anytime soon, in spite of (or perhaps because of!) our two little children. It was an exciting moment to see it in print!

I also wrote a supplementary piece for the website on my top packing hacks for weekends away in Malaysia.  Want to read more?  You can see it here.

Seven Steps To Transform A Hotel Room Into A Family Room

Do you remember the days when you'd walk into a hotel room, kick your shoes off, unzip your suitcase and lie back on the bed with a big 'Aaaah'?

Yeah, my memories of those moments are getting a little hazy too.  These days I feel more like a health and safety officer as I enter any new abode.  Are there plug sockets just waiting for little fingers?  Will Mister Four decide to use the in-room phone as a radio for his firefighting games? (The answer is always yes).  And where on earth can I put the baby down safely for a few minutes?

It's all a matter of strategy and creative thinking.  So here are my seven tips for turning a hotel room into a family room.

1. A playmat for baby
Have you noticed that hotels are notorious for stuffing complimentary baby cots with superfluous bedding?  I've yet to meet a five month old who needs a full eiderdown and pillow for her naps (and don't get me started on the safety aspect).  But it isn't all wasted.  You can lay the excess bedding from the cot, as well as pointless throws from your bed on the floor to make a soft, padded playmat for your bouncing bundle.  Of course, lots of babies have sensitive skin (and plenty are also prone to projecting from both ends) so I always lay my own clean muslin over the top.  Put down a few toys and voila, baby has a play area.  And if you're really clever, you can place the whole setup in front of a full length mirror and chatty babies will have a ready-made playmate to share hours of fun with.

2. Older children's play area
This works best for boys but I know plenty of girls who'd like this too.  We have a small, lightweight mat with a road map on it.  We gather up a handful of matchbox cars and Mister Four has a little play space of his own that can be easily folded up at the end of the day.

3. Baby change station
A desk is the perfect height for this.  Just lay down a travel change mat, pull out a pack of wipes, a bag of nappies and a handful of nappy sacks.  We have a brilliant children's toiletries bag from Pumpkin Patch which makes a perfect place to stow baby's lotions and potions too and this sits on the desk top as well.  Much easier than constantly rummaging through a suitcase or removing mess from failed nappy changes on crisp white bed linen.

4. Step stool
There's nothing more frustrating for a newly-indepent small person than to have to ask mum or dad to lift him up to the sink.  But we've found that we can often use an (obviously empty) upturned wastepaper basket for this purpose.  Of course you'll want to make a call on how sturdy/safe the one in your room is, but failing that, a footstool will work nicely.  Is it just me or have you noticed too that hotels just love footstools?

5. Laundry room
If the bathtub has one of those pull out string washing lines you're in luck.  You can save $$ by bringing your own laundry powder and hand washing in the bathtub.  And if you don't have one of those fun strings?  You can hang wet clothes on coat hangers and decorate the bathroom with them.

For some reason it's so much more fun to do the laundry in a hotel room

6. Nappy bin
Maybe it's just me, but I can't stand seeing dirty nappies in open rubbish bins.  We get round this by converting the hotel's laundry bag into a nappy bag.  Dirty nappies go in nappy sacks and then straight into the laundry bag with the drawstring firmly tied.  Just don't leave it anywhere where a poor hotel staff member could end up carting it off to be washed...

7. Football stadium
Yes, I know.  Playing football around a hotel room isn't perhaps the brightest idea I've had.  But if your child has been cooped up inside for waaay too long and needs to burn up some energy, you can use a blow up beach ball for some indoor fun and squash it back down again when you're done.  Just make sure dad reins it in a bit and doesn't knock over a decorative vase or something.  (But then again, you've got kids.  You probably ID'd the vase and relocated it within the first three minutes of your stay).

Got any more suggestions?  Please share them here.

Guest Blog By Abby Clark: Top Things You Must Carry For A Day Out On The Beach With Kids

Here in North America Spring has sprung. Beach days are still few and far between for us, but I know that for those of you in SE Asia, most days are beach days! If you’ve got young children, you’ve learned that a day at the beach generally keeps the kids happy, with the fringe benefit of providing you with some sunshine and relaxation, as well.

But packing for a day at the beach can feel like packing for a major vacation—hatchback so full that your visibility is obscured, odds and ends tumbling out onto the ground, thoughts that you’ve probably forgotten something important, and the inevitable wails of “you forgot my [insert name of toy they haven’t touched in months]” from the back seat.

Image source: http://pixabay.com/p-114625/?no_redirect

It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, though. Here’s a checklist and some good tips for packing for a trip to the beach with the kids:

The basics 

Bathing suits

Towels
Bring one or two extra, as towels occasionally (read: often) get soaked or dirty.

Sunscreen

Bug repellant

Particularly important if you’re going to be near the water at dusk, and if your local beach is a lake rather than an ocean.

Hats

They prevent both sunburn and sun stroke.

Sunglasses

UV rays aren’t good for young eyes, either.

Sand toys

A must. Parents are also generally more relaxed with the kids at their side shoveling, digging and sandcastle-building, than when they’re in the water.

Water shoes
If you’re going anywhere that might be rocky, water shoes (or flip flops) make things much more comfortable, and as you know, if kids aren’t comfortable, they’ll make you aware.

Plastic bags

People always forget plastic bags—they are incredibly handy for transporting wet bathing suits and towels home, and for storing food garbage.

Frisbee and or beach balls

Always popular, and don’t take up much space, provided your lungs are up to blowing up the beach ball when you get there.

Drinks and snacks

Adults might be happy to read at the beach for a few hours and then go eat, but not so with kids. They need to graze, or they get grumpy.

Bring a variety of sandwiches and maybe themed snacks (kids love the idea of Goldfish crackers and Shark Bite fruit snacks when they’re at the beach) and to avoid having to buy drinks (ridiculously expensive at beach concessions), bring containers of juice or iced tea from home.

Secret weapon #1 – a sheet

The best tip about putting together beach gear that you’ve likely never heard, is to designate a bed sheet as your ‘beach sheet’, and take it every time.

A sheet is much less bulky than a blanket and can easily be folded and packed into a beach bag. At the same time, it's a bigger than a few towels laid out on the sand, and makes a great home base for the family. It gives you a nice big surface on which to spread out, and you won't have to disturb it when your towels are needed.

Consider using a fitted/bottom sheet as a beach sheet—with your jackets, baskets and bags tucked in each of its four fitted corners, it will create a beach blanket area with walls that keep out the sand!

And in general, sand won’t stick to a sheet the way it will to a blanket or towel, easily shaking off.

Secret weapon #2 – A wagon

A wagon always makes things easier, and is particularly helpful if only one adult is taking the kids to the beach.

Lugging all of your gear to the sand from the parking lot (or from a parking spot blocks away, which might be the case on a busy summer Saturday) can be a big endeavor. But a wagon makes the trip easier, and eliminates the need for multiple trips.

Once you’re set up, a wagon becomes helpful for laying out food, hanging wet bathing suits, all kinds of stuff.

And contrary to what you might think, you can in fact drag wagons on the sand. If possible, however, look for something plastic or stainless steel, and with rubber tires—old-timey wooden wagons don’t like uneven surfaces and moisture. You’ll be able to find something suitable at any good toy store.

About the author: Abby Clark yearned to travel ever since her childhood and managed to realize her dreams in her youth. Apart from traveling around the world, Abby writes blogs and guest blogs for Best Quote Travel Insurance, a company which offers Super Visa insurance for travel.

Surviving The Family Road Trip

For the first eight years of my life I spent six months of the year travelling around Australia in a rusty blue Hiace.  My father, you see, was a member of a professional orchestra.  He and my mother would bundle up my three siblings and I, wedge us in with an assortment of suitcases and musical instruments, and away we'd go, accompanying the orchestra on their various national tours. 

My memories of those days are overridingly positive, though the fingernail-shaped scars my two older brothers bear to this day suggest that there may have been the odd moment of, ahem, sibling tension during those longs drives.  But growing up along highways and murram roads was a privilege and something I want my own children to experience too.  We're trying to give them a taste of life on the road; in fact this evening we returned from a driving trip from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

Of course the shoe is on the other foot now.  I look back in admiration as I consider the hundreds of toileting emergencies, food fights and boredom-induced-hair-pulling incidents my parents must have endured.  And so I've reflected on my own experiences as a child and a mum to pull together my guide to surviving the family road trip.

Before you leave: Pimp your ride

Okay, so maybe customised paintwork isn't quite necessary, but you'll want your car to be kid-comfy.  This might mean seat-back protectors, waterproof pads on toddler car seats and front seats adjusted to provide maximum leg room (and fewer kicks in the rear).  It might also mean installing sunshades, a shoulder pad on a seatbelt or a mirror so you can keep an eye on children in the back.

We keep a toy bag hanging on the back of each front seat.  We fill these with toys that stay only in the car.  Needless to say noisy, talking toys are vetoed, but matchbox cars, figurines, novelty sunglasses and clip-ons are winners.

And if you're going to be on the road for days on end there are ways to turn the car into a real multi-tasker: a bucket with a lid, a handful of laundry powder and a few litres of water creates an on-the-road washing machine, as the bumps and jolts wash your clothes clean.  A pull-down boot door on a four wheel drive makes a great nappy changing station.  A GPS will (theoretically) prevent marital discord.

The first hour: Novelty factor

You're only two hours late.  You found Dad's missing sunglasses, the toddler has weed in the driveway and at last, you're on the road.  This is a happy time; at this stage the trip is a novel, even good, idea.  Children who are old enough might like to look at a map of the journey.  You can get the children started on filling out home-made passports for the trip.  You can pass time by talking about where you're going, what you will be doing and pretending you're the Brady Bunch. 

Mid-morning:  Pull out the cooler bag

Suddenly the road looks a little less exciting.  The pre-schooler's fifth rendition of 'I Like To Move It' looses some of the cute factor.  Stomachs begin to rumble.  It's time to open up the cooler bag.  I'm of the mindset that supervising snacks is harder work than driving (in fact I had a conversation to this very effect with my husband today).   But it's worth the arm strain for the contentment that will ensue.  Go for small, not too-filling or too-crumbly bites.  I like bananas, apples, dried fruit, muesli bars and peanut butter sandwiches.  If you're super mum you can even make individual snack packs.  If you're like me you'll throw everything together in a bag and hope for the best.  Don't forget to also bring a stash of wet wipes, hand sanitizer, napkins and rubbish bags.  A water bottle for each traveller helps too, but you might want to dole these out and collect them up again if water fights are at all a possibility.

Lunch time: Get me out of here!

Unless you're about to miss your brother's wedding or something, do NOT eat lunch in the car.  If you wish to arrive at your destination as the harmonious family unit you were when you left home you'd be wise to plan regular pit stops along the way.  There's no substitute for a park where little ones can burn off pent up energy or a services stop, where your children's shouts will just blend right in with the ensuing noise and general chaos.  You might have to substitute nutrition for fast food contentment, but since you packed such healthy snacks (see above) don't beat yourself up about it too much.

Look for pit stops that have playgrounds, toilets (or at least tall trees), drinking water and space.

The post-lunch slump: Audio/visual aids

The baby's asleep.  With luck the others will be soon.  But if your little angels don't nod off, arm yourself with a coffee, crank up some music and pretend it's 1999 again.   Mister Four is currently being schooled by my husband in the history of 90s garage and hip hop.  There is a good deal of censorship required, but it beats hearing The Wiggles for the nine hundredth time.  Children's audiobooks are good too.  Don't make the mistake of trying to listen to anything adult.  I bought Bill Bryson's 'A Short History of Everything' a few years ago and we are still trying to get past Chapter One. 

Screens can be a godsend at this point too.  I'm not a fan of in-car DVD players (but that may be because in my child traveller days I thought our tape player was the height of modernity), but I have lots of friends who swear by the calming effects of a Disney movie at this point.  I must admit I've whipped out an iPad a few times and lapped up the ensuing silence with great relief.

Then there are family games.  Personally, 'I Spy' makes me feel carsick, but you might try playing 'Have you ever?' or 'First person to find a yellow car gets a Smartie' type games.

The home stretch: Make plans

By this point the car looks as if it has been accosted by a pack of monkeys.  Your toddler is squashing raisins into his hair and your husband has somehow managed to find a radio station broadcasting the most boring cricket match in the history of boring cricket matches.  Look lively, people! Now's the time to start drumming up excitement about your destination. 

What will you eat tonight?  Who's sleeping where?   Will there be time for a quick swim before dinner?  Look out for places to visit and things to do as you approach your end point.  Get everyone to guess your room number or the colour of your hotel/motel/caravan/cabin/yurt's curtains (winner gets to sit in the front seat for an hour on the drive home).  Turn down the radio.  Sing Kumbaya together.  See, you're the Brady Bunch again!  You're nearly there.  Wasn't that easy?

Heavy Baggage: Flying Whilst Pregnant

Our little Scrufty (the name Mister Three has given to our bump) has taken three airborne trips over the last few months.  I know that I had lots of questions about flying with a bump before trying it out for myself, so I thought I'd share my experiences for other mums-to-be who are considering it.

The first trip: Kuala Lumpur --> Dubai --> London --> Dubai --> Kuala Lumpur with Emirates

13 to 17 weeks

The second trip: Kuala Lumpur -->Singapore --> Brisbane --> Singapore --> Kuala Lumpur with Singapore Airlines

21 to 24 weeks

The third trip: Kuala Lumpur --> Denpasar --> Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia

26 weeks

The hardest of these flights was the first, not least because it was the longest, but also because I have suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum (extreme sickness) throughout this pregnancy and at 13 weeks, whilst I was learning to manage the condition, I was still reeling from the effects.  My obstetrician okayed the trip to go back for a family wedding provided I continued to take my medication religiously and drank as much (water) as I could.

The second flight, although it involved just myself and three year old was much easier.  At this point in the pregnancy, whilst hardly radiant and basking in the glow of pregnancy, I had the sickness under much better control and wasn't so bump-laden that sitting on a plane felt uncomfy.

The final flight, although short, was a less luxurious experience: growing bump + budget airline.

So what works, and what doesn't when you fly with a bump?

Things to do:

1. Get your doctor's okay.  For most women it's fine to fly during your first and second trimesters, but check with your practitioner first.  If you are flying in the latter stages of pregnancy you may require a letter from your doctor outlining their approval.  Each airline has a different policy on this so check before you book your ticket.  

2. Check your travel insurance.  Cover whilst pregnant can vary - make sure you know what you've paid for.

3. Choose your seat in advance.  You can usually pre-book your seat online.  If you're not sure of the configuration of your plane, check out the wonderful site Seat Guru.  According to my pilot brother, the middle of the plane is the area where you will experience least turbulence.  Consider also proximity to toilets (especially an issue if you are sick or have a busy pregnancy bladder), and whether you'd be more comfy in an aisle seat where you can get up and down as you please, or next to a window, where you can lean your head against the side and zone out.

4. Pack carefully.  If you are experiencing sickness and can't avoid travelling, think carefully about the sorts of foods and drinks you can tolerate, and pack your own.  You won't be allowed to take more than 100mL of liquid on board, so consider taking powdered drinks that you can add to water on board or your favourite tea bags.  Also pack the sort of snacky food that helps keep nausea at bay and keeps your energy levels up.  I always take a thick woollen shawl with me when I travel.  It doubles up as a cosy blanket, much more snug than the thin ones airlines hand out.  And make sure you pack flight socks.  The risk of DVT is slightly heightened when pregnant.  Lastly, keep your medical notes in your handbag.

5. Dress comfortably.  You might live in your maternity jeans, but think twice about flying in them.  Denim tends to be stiff and can dig in.  It's also very hard to get flight socks on properly under skinny jeans.  I prefer to wear comfy maternity leggings with a loose top.  I always go for a mid-length sleeve with my shawl or a cardigan to add if I get cold.  Flat shoes that you can slip on or off are a must.  Ballet shoes are ideal.

6. Make friends with the cabin crew - I've found them to be very helpful when I tell them I'm pregnant, plying me with extra pillows and checking on me now and again to see if I'm comfy.  The exception to this may be on budget airlines:  I was pretty unimpressed that Air Asia required me to buy a bottle of water just so I could take my sickness medicine.  On the other hand, the lovely staff at Emirates personally ushered me up to Business Class so I could use the toilets there and skip the ever-present economy queue.

7. Move around.  Chances are, if your pregnancy bladder is anything like mine, you'll be forced to do this in the form of numerous visits to the loo.  It's important to keep moving to help prevent the risk of DVT and it should also help to counteract swelling feet.  

And now a few don'ts:

1. Long transits!  On the trip to London, we flew with Emirates and had a four hour stopover in Dubai.  The rationale behind this was that it would be good for both myself and our three year old to have a stretch between flights.  The reality was that we disembarked at 2am, having to wake our sleeping boy.  None of us were in the mood for four hours of shopping - we just wanted to get back on board and curl up.  That said, between Kuala Lumpur and Brisbane my little boy and I had a two hour transit in Singapore.  This worked well - just long enough for a leg stretch and a coffee stop before getting back on board.

2. Budget airlines!  Normally I'm an advocate.  What's not to love about flying around the world for half the price of the other airlines?  When you're pregnant though, you will notice the reduced leg room, the hard seat backs and the limited service on board.  It's the one time in your life when you really, really need those little comforts.

3. Worry!  Millions of pregnant women fly.  And in all likelihood, it will be the easiest flight you ever take with a baby in tow.

Airlines We Love: Emirates

Aaah, the wonderful A380.  Is it just me, or do flights on this aeronautical masterpiece really feel smoother, quieter and somehow more comfortable?

Or maybe it's just Emirates.  I do love flying with them.

We've just returned from a Kuala Lumpur - Dubai - London - Dubai - Kuala Lumpur route and I have to say, it was pretty pleasant all round.  I was 13 weeks pregnant and hideously sick on the first two legs and 16 weeks and achy on the return legs and still enjoyed it.

Emirates gets big bonus points as a friendly family carrier for a few vital things:

- Service.  Service comes with a smile.  This is not one of those surly airlines.  I genuinely think the staff are there to please.

- Comfort.  Okay, so not all their carriers are swanky new A380s but I still find Emirates seats to be comfortable, leg room pretty good and the blankets and pillows provided of the soft and cosy variety (as opposed to the crinkly thin ones some airlines prefer).

- Catering to children.  It's standard procedure for the little ones to receive a freebie or two on board most longer flights, but the Emirates ones are actually quite good.  Mister Three was bestowed with a little magazine, colouring pencils, a backpack, a diary and pen (okay, not quite age-appropriate but he loved scribbling on it) and a magnetic drawing board.  And the master stroke: on the overnighters he was given his own colourful blanket tied up with a cuddly toy.  I am convinced this little gift was created by someone who has tried many times to convince a small person that it would be a good idea to snuggle up and go to sleep now that it's 3 am and the man across the aisle is getting huffy.  Worked like a charm both times.  And for those occasions when you need it, the children's entertainment on the newer ICE system is great.  The little man was beside himself with glee to discover numerous episodes of Fireman Sam readily available.  Kids' meals are good too: they even have a vegetarian children's option, something I haven't come across before.

Snuggly blankets wrapped up by cuddly toys: a genius idea, Emirates!

Chances are you'll be spending some time in Dubai International Airport if you use this airline.  My feelings about it as a family-friendly transit point are mixed.  It's brand-spanking new and in true Dubai style it practically glitters.  There are multi-storied waterfalls and big fancy cars on display.  It is a tribute to decadence and modernity.  The trouble is, I didn't find it particularly comfortable.  I would have happily traded the shiny marble floors for a patch of cosy carpet the little man could sit down on, or a few of the glamorous shops for a little playground or bit of greenery.

The real low point for us was a four hour transit at 2 am.  We had heard that the Dubai International Hotel based inside the airport did hourly rates.  Sleep-deprived and suffering from dreadful hyperemesis (more on that in another blog) I had pinned my hopes on a little power nap.  We were flabbergasted to discover that a double room for the three of us would cost $US60/hour - $US180 for the three hours of sleep we wanted!!  We were instead shown to the 'loungers' outside many of the gates.  We spent a miserable three hours lying on these uncomfy things under the bright lights that are everywhere in this airport.  Not ideal.

Don't let that taint your airline experience though: fly direct or get a quick transfer.  Or better yet, transit for a day or more and check into a nearby hotel.  You can enjoy Dubai's bright lights after you've caught up on sleep.

Hotels And Children: Seven Top Tips

Do you remember those days when you'd see an enticing lastminute.com email pop into your inbox on a Thursday evening for a chi chi little boutique hotel at 70% off and you and the other half would be checking in blithely the next evening?

Okay, I don't really either; I've never been that organised.  But the point I'm trying to make is that once there are three or more, finding a place to stay becomes significantly more of an ordeal.  Thankfully for me, I have a husband who should include 'masquerading as travel agent' under his list of hobbies.  Over the years I've been taking notes as he sources perfect family hotels around the globe.  And since we're married and all, I figure he won't be too upset if I pass some of this off as my own...  Here are seven top tips for making a hotel work for you and your family.

1. You can't beat word of mouth.  You will get the best idea of a hotel's suitability from asking around.  If another family recommends it, it's probably a winner.  And sites like Trip Advisor are brilliant for frank, honest reviews.  Obviously read reviews written by people travelling with kids, rather than honeymoon couples...

2. Location, location, location.  Sometimes you won't have a choice in this matter, but if you do, do a little bit of homework.  Top destinations will have decent attractions nearby, open spaces in easy walking distance (parks, beaches, forests), supermarkets not too far away and a few restaurants that look okay within a few minutes.  If you have those essentials, you can't go too far wrong.

3. Facilities.  This is a big one.  Visit the hotel website and read reviews.  Does your hotel have a pool? Does the pool have a wading area for the little ones?  Are there gardens or other spaces to run around (playing hide and seek in hotel rooms gets really old really fast)?  Is there a program of free activities for the kids to get involved with, or family activities such as table tennis, board games or outdoor activities?  What about food?  A lot of hotels have 'kids eat free' deals or at least decent kids' menus.  Don't forget babies' meals.  Many hotels will help you out with some mushed up vegies if you ask nicely.  Is there a kids' club?  What sort of a kids' club?  Can you drop kids off or do parents need to supervise?

Kids in the pool?  Good.

4. Rooms: Where will your little one sleep?  I've never bothered with a travel cot as I've yet to find a hotel that wouldn't provide one.  That said, we've found that in some parts of the world cot hire is chargeable!  Check first.  And you might want to bring your own baby blanket or sleeping bag.  I've lost count of the number of times I've been offered a towel, or worse yet, a double bed quilt as bedding for a baby.

If you have older children, make sure that the hotel can provide a roll-away bed in your room.  Some rooms will have a little sofa bed or if you're clever, a sofa that you yourself can convert into a bed.  There are sometimes charges to bringing an extra bed in.

When you're booking the room, speak directly to the hotel and ask if they have any quieter rooms, or roomier rooms.  Explain that you have small children who need space.  Sometimes you can even score yourself an upgrade this way.  Corner rooms are sometimes more spacious and quieter.  Find out too about lift access.  It's a nightmare having to lug little ones up and down long flights of stairs and it can happen in older hotels (think boutique hotels and any place with the word 'restored' in the title).

When in the room, ask housekeeping for some extra towels.  Hotels often forget that babies need to be dried too!

5. Save money: All of the above is great, but not if it's going to cost you an arm and a leg.  There are some good ways to shave $$ off the room bill:

* If you can be flexible with dates, you'll save bucket loads.  Obviously, school holidays are restrictive but if you can work outside them it's a huge advantage.  In fact, if you can, phone the hotel you like and ask them when they have lower rates.  Book your time off once you've established this.

* Do you or your other half work for a big company?  Phone up the reservations desk and ask if they offer a corporate discount.  You'd be surprised what's on offer sometimes.

* Join a loyalty club.  Some of the chains will offer you lots of perks, like free breakfasts or discount rates if you sign up to their (free) loyalty club before you book.  It's well worth the five minutes the online application will take.

* Hunt around.  And if you find a good price with one service provider, phone up a competitor and ask them to beat it.  'I'll book with you right now if you can beat that offer' sometimes works a treat.

* Ask for an upgrade.  Speak to the hotel direct (even if you book with an outside provider) and politely explain why you would be a good candidate for an upgrade.  Things like having young children and needing space, a birthday or anniversary, or just because you are reallllly nice do sometimes work!

6. Come prepared.  I won't get into a long packing list here (I'll save that for another rainy day) but there are a few staples that no hotel on earth is going to provide.  Do not forget to bring:

* Nappy bags!  I've yet to find a hotel with a nice hygienic nappy disposal system, so do yourself a favour and wrap up those icky nappies before you have to throw them in the tiny bin next to your suitcases.

* A small bag of washing powder.  It would be totally understandable if you don't want to fork out the $10 to have your toddler's favourite (very dirty) jeans washed and laundered by the hotel.  Just bring a little sachet of powder and sort if out yourself in about five minutes in the bathroom sink.

* A small bottle of detergent and a cloth.  If your little one spends all day sucking on a beloved water bottle, you'll want to be keeping it clean.  Unless you have a self-catering apartment, your hotel is unlikely to have thought of this, so bring detergent yourself.

Kids in the minibar?  Not good.

7. Secure the room!  I don't want to scare you (and I do realise the point of a holiday is that somewhere, somehow you get a little bit of time to relax) but I don't think I've ever found a hotel room that has been totally child-proofed.  Here are some things to look out for and rectify:

* The phone!  Hotel phones with their shiny buttons are like magnets to small people.  You are going to want to move it sharpish, before your little chatterbox starts running up all sorts of bills.

* Power points.  If there are things like lamps that are plugged in to floor-level power points, you might want to put something in front of them to prevent curious fingers playing around.

* Balcony doors.  Make sure you can lock these from inside and that your little one is never alone out there.

* Bathroom doors.  Make a policy of keeping the bathroom door shut all the time.  And on that note you might want to move the little packets of soap, cotton buds and razors that the hotel provide.  Take away the sewing kit before you little one discovers the pretty colourful threads.

* The minibar.  You really don't want to be forking out for overpriced minibar drinks...unless you actually had the pleasure of consuming them yourself.  We often put the suitcase in front of the minibar door for this reason.

* Glasses, bottle openers, cups and saucers.  Not smart to leave them on the little shelf below the TV...which seems to be the standard location across the globe.

* Irons, hairdryers, kettles.  Put these in a shelf high up somewhere.

And if there's anything else that's dangerous or just not working for you, don't be afraid to phone housekeeping.  It's what they are there for.

And now, let the holiday begin!

Airlines We Love: Singapore

In an ideal world we'd all travel in business class.  Every single flight we took (children or not) would be a calming, relaxing experience involving a spot of fine dining, a satisfying REM sleep and a decent movie in surround sound.

Back to earth with a jolt.  In this day and age, where flying with children nearly always means sloppy lasagne spilt on your lap, nothing at all that even closely resembles sleep and surround sound tears on take off and landing, all in the comfort of cattle class, the airline you fly with matters hugely.  And that's why I wanted to write about Singapore Airlines.

If you're in the lucky position of being able to choose which airline to fly your family with, this is an excellent option.  I have flown with Singapore Airlines with a newborn, a one year old and a two year old (not all at the same time thankfully).  Each time I've been impressed.

There are a few reasons they tick the children-in-the-air box:

1. Comfort.  Seats are comfy and there's decent leg room in economy class.
2. Service.  I think Singapore Airlines has some of the best in the air service.  I've noticed that my little boy can never resist a beautiful Singapore girl stewardess in her immaculate batik outfit.  Come to think of it, my husband quite likes them too...
3. Food.  Kids' meals are good and you can pre-order special children's meals up to 24 hours before you fly.  They are served before adults' meals, which surprisingly doesn't happen on all airlines.
4. Bassinets.  If you have a baby in tow make sure you pre-book a bulk-head seat with a bassinet.  I've found Sinagpore's bassinets to be some of the biggest going - I don't think I've bumped a baby's head once in one  of these.
5. Gift packs.  I've yet to find a child (or parent) who doesn't get excited by a freebie.  Child flyers all receive a little something special when they board.
6. Entertainment.  The inflight entertainment is very good.  Worried your five year old will spend the entire flight watching horror films?  You can request channels to be blocked before you fly.

And there's one final, and very good reason to love this airline.  Chances are, if you fly with Singapore, at some point you will be spending a decent length of time at Singapore's Changi Airport.  This has to be the most child-friendly airport on the globe.  Here are some of the things you can do:

1. Take a walk through the butterfly garden.
2. Have a shower in the transit hotel.
3. Play at the playground.
4. Hang out in the entertainment deck.
5. Watch a movie.
6. Look at the fish in the pond.
7. Visit the orchid garden.
8. Pop into the interactive art studio.

Transit?  It will never be a dirty word again.