Packing up and flying or driving with small children can be stressful enough. You certainly do not need to add hotel hassles once you arrive at your destination. Staying in a family oriented hotel will help, but it won't eliminate all of the headaches. To make your trip a bit easier, be sure to prepare and make your needs clear when you call to place your reservations.
Infants need many bottles and toddlers and preschoolers need a steady supply of juice and milk. Arrange for a room with a refrigerator so you can have plenty ofcold beverages on hand. It's also helpful for storing fruit and other snacks.
Having a refrigerator in our room has saved us time, tears and money. Mom and Dad didn't have to wake up early to run to a hotel shop for an expensive snack of juice and crackers for a hungry little one.
Arrange to have a crib set up in your room. It will save you from having to bring your own. Be sure to ask if the cribs meet federal safety regulations. If the hotel cannot guarantee that they do, bring your own portable crib or playpen.
When you arrive be sure to check for any safety hazards, such as a soft mattress, side bars spaced more than 2 3/4 inches apart, decorative adornments that can snag clothing and be sure the sheet fits tightly. Be sure the crib is placed away from heaters, windows, doors and dressers.
Some hotels carry toddler beds, but many don't. If you will be placing your toddler in a full size hotel bed, be sure to pack a guard rail.
Pack outlet protectors. Cover up all the outlets as soon as you arrive.
Check the windows for dangling cords. If you find any, wrap them up out of your child's reach.
Hotel tubs often do not have nonskid surfaces. Bring along a non-slip mat for bathtime. Also bring any covers you have for your tub faucets and knobs.
Bring along some safety latches for closet doors and dressers. Covers for doorknobs will keep little ones out of the bathroom and closet. The removable safety latches that loop on the outside of drawers and cabinets will keep your kiddo from pinching their fingers.
You know your child best. Sit down and make a list of all the things your child gets into at home and while visiting. Be prepared to take the appropriate safety measures during your stay and pack whatever baby proofing gear you'll need.
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Secrets of Happily Married Women Do you feel like you are constantly on overdrive? Juggling career and family, attending to everyone's needs but your own, and all the while struggling to maintain a sense of balance and harmony in your marriage? You can actually start getting more out of your relationship by doing less and we'll tell you how with Dr. Scott Haltzman, author of Secrets of Happily Married Women. Hear part 2
When Mars and Venus Collide It's a common scenario: a husband returns home from work stressed out and eager to kick back on the couch and watch TV. A wife returns home from work stressed out and wants to talk about it with her husband. What happens? Neither is on the same page, anger and resentment set in. We're going to find out how stress is impacting marriages today and what you can do about it when we talk with bestselling author John Gray Hear part 2
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