Prepare your child for their first solo winter break trip
A child’s first trip away from home is no small challenge, not only for the child but also for the parents. And what if it’s a winter camp? Whole days spent learning to ski or snowboard, throwing snowballs, or building snowmen can end with a cold and the rest of the break spent in bed—or even an early return home. However, if your child is well-prepared, neither being away from their parents nor the cold will be a problem. So what do you need to do before leaving?
If a child hasn’t developed habits of taking care of their health and hygiene, it can be hard to convince them to do so in a short time—especially when they’re out of a parent’s sight. That is why it is very important to foster independence and healthy habits in your child from a very young age. If a child decides for themselves what to wear every day, has been taught to wash their hands after returning from a walk and before meals, and doesn’t need to be reminded to brush their teeth, they will certainly have no trouble taking care of themselves even when away from their parents. If they’re still a bit hesitant about any of these activities, it’s worth paying special attention to them before the winter break. Remember that instead of ordering your child to do something, it’s better to explain why these activities are so important and why they should want to do them on their own. If the only motivation for brushing their teeth is parental coercion, you can be sure that their toothbrush will remain untouched during their trip away from home.
The main part of preparing for the trip is, of course, shopping and packing. What must every child have with them when going on a winter camp? Parents surely know best anyway, but we’ll suggest a few essential items that must not be forgotten. First, a well-stocked toiletries bag and mini-first-aid kit: it must include basic hygiene items, a cold-protection cream, and sunscreen—the sun can cause burns even in winter, despite low temperatures—a few band-aids, throat lozenges, and something for a runny nose, tissues, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer—especially useful for children on a bus or train. Next, appropriate clothing for the entire trip: waterproof pants, boots, and gloves; a spare set of clothes in case one gets wet; a lighter rain and wind jacket (keep in mind the changeable weather—it can warm up at any moment, so your child should have not only thick, warm ski clothing, but also a lighter jacket and something for rain), plenty of pairs of socks, and a balaclava or face scarf in case of extreme cold.
Don’t do the shopping or pack your child’s bags on your own—do it together with your child! Why? First, so they don’t feel like their parent is doing all the work for them. Second, so the child knows what items they’ll be taking on the trip and why. Shopping and packing together is also a great opportunity to talk and remind them to change wet socks, cover their mouths when sneezing and coughing, and apply sunscreen to their faces—yes, even in winter?
