This year’s Eid celebrations in Malaysia took an unexpected turn when it was announced to arrive one day early! It was a chaotic time for the majority of us. My friends and family, not to mention myself, were feeling overwhelmed because some still needed to go shopping, had no Raya dishes prepared, were stuck in another part of the country, were finishing up work, and were simply Not Ready!
Nonetheless, as they say, “Raya is still Raya“. It’s a fun experience anyhow and it’s priceless to see distant families reunite and celebrate Eid Ul Fitri together again. We still went on our Eid Vacation, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend a week with my husband, children, and in-laws. To think about it, we’re pretty fortunate to have that one extra day off, right?
Honestly, I didn’t panic when I found out about Eid, but I did feel bad because I couldn’t just pack up and rush back to my in-laws’ house (it’s the other side’s turn this year ;p). Super glad that my in-laws understand, and instead of worrying about what to cook and do on the first day of Eid, my husband’s uncle decided, “Let’s not burden ourselves and go for a Raya Buffet!”
That’s a first for me. I’ve never spent the first day of Eid eating at a hotel rather than hustling in the kitchen with families. It’s incredible to be able to experience it. After the buffet, we carry on with our Eid shopping, which was supposed to take place on that day anyway. The following day, or should I say the second day of Raya, we begin our Eid holiday journey.
Vacation Planning and Preparation with Children
A lot of factors had to be considered when planning a trip with my three musketeers. We expected heavy traffic and a lot of people at rest areas and petrol stations because it is Eid, after all. So, I must do what I can to ensure that my kids are comfortable and do not become restless during the journey.
Here are some items that I always pack and have on hand when going on a road trip (be it short or long).
- Diaper bag: This is the most important thing to have with me wherever I go with my kids because they can get messy, sweaty, and uncomfortable. You never know when they’ll need that extra clothing. Nappy blowouts and leaks can also happen at any time, especially with a toddler still in diapers.
- Snacks and water: I don’t know about your kids, but mine are always hungry during car rides. Even if it’s only a 20–30-minute drive, they’ll be saying things like “Mama, we’re hungry,” “Mama, we want something to eat,” or “Mama, can I have some water?” Oh, the requests can be endless.
- Toys or colouring kits: This is essential for long trips, but not so much for short ones. My kids will become bored and start bugging each other, as well as me and my husband, and will continue to ask when we will arrive. Providing a colouring kit or toys usually does the trick to keep them occupied and distracted during the long journey.
- Pillows and blankets: These are always in the car so my kids can nap and use the blanket when it’s cold. I will have one pillow and blanket for each of them so they don’t fight over it. This will likely make travel more comfortable for the children.
For this Eid vacation, my mother-in-law and I decided to rent a homestay rather than hotel rooms so that we could all spend time together. We routinely plan visits to relatives’ homes while also making time for the kids’ entertainment.
To be honest, taking my kids out this time was a lot of fun but also quite a hassle because it had been a long time since we had gone on a trip like this. Plus, it’s Eid Vacation and we visit different houses daily during that 7-day trip so we have to make sure the kids are well-managed while also spending quality time with them.
8 Ways to Manage and Spend Vacation Time with Children
1. Discuss vacation plans with your children
It is best to take some time, perhaps a few days up to the day before the vacation, to inform your children that the family is going on vacation. Let the kids know what the plan is for the entire trip, such as what will be done, who will be visited, where will they go, and so on. In a way, you can get your children excited about the trip and anticipate what it will be like. It will be more enjoyable if you can include them in the planning as they may have their ideas of where they want to go and what they want to do.
2. Inform what is expected of them
There is no getting around the fact that children must be reminded regularly. They tend to forget, especially when they are overjoyed about something. So, tell them ahead of time how you expect them to behave. For example, I’d tell my kids to sit well in the car, not run and hold things at other people’s houses, and most importantly, during Eid, not to open or even peek at the ‘duit raya‘ packets when received from anyone. Of course, there are many expectations, but make sure to cut some slack and not be so strict that the kids end up hating the holiday.
3. Spending precious time together
Keep in mind that this is the time for you to spend with your kids and your entire family. Always have plans in place to strengthen the bonds between you all. For me, I would have the kids hang out with me on the bed every night before bedtime. We would talk about anything, watch movies on my laptop, play games together, goof around with them, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a great stress reliever for me because I get to spend time with my children instead of being preoccupied with work.
4. Safety preparation for vacation
When going on vacation, always bring the necessary medications, especially if you are going somewhere far from a city or town. You can never predict what will happen, so being prepared will help you in treating your children from the beginning before things worsen. I’ll usually put together a simple first-aid kit with bandages, children’s fever and pain reliever, a thermometer, children’s cold and flu relief medication, and anti-itch cream, among other things.
5. Prepare or find kids’ activities
Wherever you go, you’ll most likely find places where you can bring your kids to relax and have fun, such as a park, playground, zoo, or other children’s facility. If there are none, or if you prefer to avoid crowded places, bring along some games or activities for them to enjoy at the homestay or hotel. This is one way of keeping your children engaged and entertained on the trip.
6. Taking breaks as needed
We all know how exhausting travelling can be, especially for small children who need to nap. Consider how many hours you will spend out and about before returning to your homestay or hotel for a rest. Most of the time, I’d try to plan things for the first half of the day, then take a break before going out for the second half. Just make sure it is not overly late at night so the kids can still sleep well. Tired children are difficult to manage, so avoid exhausting them with nonstop activities.
7. Staying calm as parents
This brings us to the need for parents to remain calm at all times. Traveling can be stressful for anyone, but keep in mind that your children rely on you not only to regulate their surroundings but also to help them control their moods. That means you must maintain your state of well-being. At the same time, you must be prepared to make changes during the trip.
8. Watch out on what your kids eat
I pack a lot of snacks for the kids to eat in the car and at the homestay, so I have to keep an eye on their food intake. It is critical to ensure that they are eating nutritious food and not becoming overly full from snacks. Even though it’s a holiday, we have to keep the kids from overindulging in sugar and becoming ill from an empty stomach with real food.
Always Be Prepared When Traveling with Kids
The Eid celebrations are still going on, and many people must be having a good time because we’ve been under lockdown and unable to return to our hometowns and villages for Eid. Even so, whatever you plan to do with your children, make sure to be prepared and cautious at all times. I hope the tips and information on this blog will be useful to you on your next vacation. You can also find out what to pack for a trip with a baby here.
Have a blessed one and enjoy the rest of the Shawwal month, Muslim readers!
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