Travelling with kids

Travelling with children needn't be a total nightmare, if you follow the golden rule which in this case is planning. Getting organised and planning ahead eliminates heaps of the dramas that become great stories much, much later on...

I like to lay out all the stuff I'm taking ahead of time, and go through a day at home and things pop into my mind that I should take. "Oh - the favourite toy" or "Ah yes, the bibs" are Eureka moments that occur all day and not just when packing in a frenzy at the last minute.

What you wear to travel is vitally important! Pictured left: I wear ECCO boots - great for travelling and super comfortable even after hours of walking - with Levi's Curve Fit jeans, and Claire Barker camel wool blazer. Lily wears Nature Baby organic cotton dress in red stripe. Louis wears striped bodysuit, cardigan and black skinny jeans and shoes all from YmamaY?

Get packing: I like to pack lots of natural fibres that breathe and are comfortable even on long trips. Below: Merino hoody by Icebreaker, Nature Baby sleeping bag is a must as it's pajamas and bedding all in one. YmamaY has gorgeous striped bodysuits and leggings that look smart with solid colours and mix and match. A must-have is baby wipes; I packed Johnson's Baby travel wipes. A wipe-off plastic-coated baby bag is great; mine's from Cath Kidston.

It can also help to stay somewhere before catching a flight so you're close by. We had the great opportunity of a 'stay-cation' at Jet Park Hotel five minutes from Auckland Airport to test out the Family Suites designed especially for families about to fly or who have just landed.

The new interconnecting rooms cater for mum, dad and up to four kids with over 70 square metres of space (which is more than the hotel’s apartments) including a kitchenette, as well as lots of entertainment. Our suite had a master bedroom with kitchenette and full bathroom, and an adjoining room with two double beds and a cot and another separate bathroom. There were three tVs, with SKY TV inlcuding the Nickelodeon channel and a selection of children's music CDs, toys, and books. 

The family suites are just $259 per night which includes two weeks hotel free car storage, free shuttles to the airport and use of gym and pool on site. 

Below: The family suites come with children's cushions, soft toys, fleece throws and a fully made-up port-a-cot.

Below: There was also a box of toys and books and puzzles provided in the room.

Below: Both bathrooms had pottery washbasins and a baby bath with bath toy and even more towels. 

Below: The kitchenette with microwave and fridge and tea and coffee-making facilities. 

Outside, there's a pool and garden deck chairs to relax in.

Below: Lily wears Icebreaker red merino hoody with Nature Baby organic cotton dress in red stripe and YmamaY leggings. Louis wears all YmamaY

Jet Park Hotel is located at 63 Westney Road Mangere phone 0800 538 466
e-mail: reservations@jetpark.co.nz

Megan Robinson 7 May 2012
Photos Kevin Robinson