There’s a conflict of opinion about whether or not it’s safe (or even sane) to travel to exotic climes with youngsters; but I say go for it. Giving your children the chance to experience a new culture at a young age is a fantastic gift to them.

The most important advice is to be prepared.

Flights to India can be lengthy, and this can lead to boredom and temper tantrums. Pack plenty of snacks, colouring books, and toys to keep little ones entertained.  Remember to bring boiled sweets, too; sucking on something during take-off and landing helps alleviate the pain of their ears popping and may go some way to avoid crying.

When you land, you’ll be glad to see that children will be well received by locals. Your mini-me might not be quite so accepting of the local food however, particularly if they’re a fussy eater. Western food is very expensive once you arrive in Asia so before you leave make sure you’ve packed some food to keep them going if they refuse to eat anything. Ketchup, peanut butter, cereal, and instant noodles will keep hungry little tummies happy.

If your children are old enough that they are starting to become aware of society, they may become distressed witnessing the social injustices and poverty that are common in third world countries. Be ready to talk to them, and empathise; don’t try to shelter them from it. By letting them know that there are vast wrongs in the world you may be setting the foundations for them to change things when they grow up.

If your children are still at the toddler stage it will do no harm to pack extra nappies and hand wipes. If your child is still in the phase of picking everything up and putting it in their mouth, it might be a good idea to leave Asian travelling until they are a bit older.

Happily, accommodation in Asia is fairly cheap. You may have backpacked around the continent as a student, but this is sadly not an option when you have children to think of. Try to find a self catering apartment, with air conditioning if possible, to keep comfort high and stress levels low. Having an air conditioned apartment means that if it gets too hot outside, you’ll have somewhere to retire to with the little ones.

And of course, remember to wear sunscreen.

James writes for Skyscanner.net, a flights comparison company who compare the cheapest flights to India as well as hundreds of other destinations throughout Asia and the world. Find out more about Skyscanner by trying out the new Skyscanner app for Android.

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