Are you considering traveling with your children? I'd strongly encourage you to do so! While it can be a bit intimidating, the rewards are many. Whether you decide to take a road trip to a neighboring city or state, or board a plane to visit a new country, you will create memories that will last a lifetime.

 But, to benefit from a trip with children, it helps to prepare ahead of time. There are many tips for travel, but here are a few of mine:

• Prepare for the unexpected and be over-prepared! Extra diapers, wet wipes and clothes for small children and an extra outfit for you will keep everyone more comfortable.
• Rather than focus just on the destination,make travel part of the adventure. I often wrapped up new, small, inexpensive toys to be opened at various times during the trip. It kept the children occupied and wondering what was next. If you don't mind electronics, a new game for the phone or tablet will make the time go quickly. Teaching your kids to follow your travels with a map and markers can be both educational and fun. Something as simple as a wet wipe can entertain as a child "cleans" everything in sight.
• Let each child carry a small backpack with some of their favorite things. However, be sure and check what's inside before you travel. My son would fill his backpack with all his favorite books and soon it was too heavy for him to carry. The point is not for you to end up carrying all the backpacks!
• Take time to learn about the place you'll be visiting. Videos, books, even coloring books can build a sense of anticipation. Visit a restaurant or even try cooking some local foods. Google ethnic foods and kids and you'll find lots of ideas to try.
• Bring plenty of healthy snacks. Avoid messy, melty, sugary snacks. It can be useful to have snacks that are individually wrapped so there's no squabbling over who is holding the bag and who gets more of the goldfish. It keeps little hands busy and no one will have a melt-down waiting for the airplane meal to be served or to arrive in the nearest town with a McDonalds.
• Allow your older children to be part of the planning. One of the best days my 10-year old son and I shared was when I allowed him to choose how we would spend our day in Paris. We visited Napoleon's tomb, the War Museum and saw an original meter stick embedded in a hotel wall. Because he chose the activities, he happily walked for miles without a word of complaint.
• If traveling overseas, plan ahead for passports. Passports for children only last 5 years and, if you're like me, years pass quickly between trips. For many destinations, the State Department recommends that your passport be valid for six months following your travel dates. It's better not to have to pay the cost of an expedited passport when you realize that yours or one of the kid's passport has expired.
• Some pediatricians recommend giving children Benadryl for motion sickness or to help them sleep on a long flight. Not everyone agrees with this approach, but if you choose to do so, check with your pediatrician and watch the dosage carefully. Always test any medication to make sure that your child isn't one of the 5% of children who have the opposite reaction. I learned this the hard way with a toddler on a many hour flight from West Africa to Portland, OR!

The good thing about traveling with kids, whatever happens and however challenging it may seem in the moment, you will have great stories to tell in the future.

About the author: Meet Barb! Barb serves as the IDEAS Director of Community Life. She successfully raised four children while living overseas and navigated many planes, trains and automobiles with them in tow.