Taking the Kids: When they are babies and toddlers

Travel with extended family or friends works best when everyone is on the same page about budget (who is paying for what?), is respectful (don’t offer a treat or screen-time without checking in with the other parents!), and parenting (don’t discipline anyone else’s child!).

That said, if it is a special occasion (say the grandparents’ 40th anniversary or a special birthday) certainly be ready and willing to compromise — just make sure the suggested locale is kid-friendly and not a far-flung destination.

“It is wise to steer clear of very remote or exotic locations with young children,” said Dr. Trachtenberg. Consider how long it would take you to reach first-rate medical care, should you need it.

Always carry a list of any medications your children are taking, she added, and know in advance where you can find a local pediatrician or urgent care center for kids and in a severe emergency, a children’s hospital. “Inevitably kids get sick on vacation or during travel,” Dr. Trachtenberg said.

Whether you are heading to a theme park, a new city or a national park, take a deep breath and remind yourselves to take your cues from the kids. If they are tired, hot (especially this summer), it’s time to quit or at least take a break. Take a lot of breaks when you are driving, and go picnicking rather than going to a restaurant for lunch so the toddlers can run off some energy.

I felt sorry for the Philadelphia couple I met at Walt Disney World whose toddler was happiest running around in circles in the air-conditioned hotel lobby. “Not what I expected,” said the mom. “So much money spent,” said the dad.

The airline delays we are facing this summer can make traveling with young kids even more frustrating, disrupting their sleep and meal schedules. Despite gas prices, at least on road trips, you can control your schedule, make stops as you need and if you are lucky, like the Mastandunos, your kids will sleep in their car seats. That was one reason they left for their 12-hour drive at 4:15 a.m., having packed the car the night before. The kids slept for the first half of the drive.

Meghan and Jonathan Boydston, road tripping with their 7-month-old son Dominic from Denver to Oregon, were delighted to discover that he loved looking at himself in the mirror they rigged up as they drove, along with supplying plenty of his favorite toys. Meghan Boydston added the Guava Lotus Travel Crib (currently on sale for $229.95) because it is lightweight, folds into a backpack, and is sturdy with a waterproof mattress, as well as plenty of room (designed for kids up to three).

Consider a small CamelBak hydration backpack with a reservoir for water and room for snacks. suggested Scot Ernst. “No spilling or tossing out water bottles.”

Treats really help when the whining starts. In our family, that used to be Tootsie-Roll pops. Rachel Mastanduno said her son’s favorite is fruit snacks.

“Absolutely we will do it again,” she said. “It was a lot scarier with the first kid.”

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia and The Kid’s Guide to Camping are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)