Traveling with children can be immensely fulfilling, as you give them new experiences and open the door for new family members. But it is also challenging. Children have a lot of needs that adults simply do not have, and so from packing backup clothes to making sure your child keeps to a consistent schedule, to listening to them whining about how boring the local monuments are, it isn’t easy to travel with children of any age.
Traveling and ADHD
If your child has ADHD, traveling can also be a trigger for more significant and noticeable ADHD symptoms. That is because vacation life is very different from life at home. There are many issues that can arise that make traveling harder. For example:
- Stress – Even when traveling is fun, it is stressful. Between the airports, the flow of people, the new locations, the luggage, the busy-ness, and more, both children and adults are going to find they feel a little uneasy. Stress can trigger more ADHD symptoms, and also make those symptoms a bit more stressful for parents.
- Loss of Structure – Traveling typically has much less structure for kids, if it has any structure at all. Since structure can help ease symptoms and promote focus, that loss of structure can make it harder for children with ADHD to feel comfortable, and ultimately might make it harder for them to focus and remain still.
- Tiredness – Similarly, most of the time when people travel, they do not get adequate sleep. Poor sleep is a trigger for ADHD symptoms, so as you’re traveling, your tired child might struggle as they don’t get enough rest or adjust to new time zones.
- Sensory Overload – Airports, train stations, and tourist attractions can be overwhelming due to the noise, crowds, and general commotion. New sounds, sights, and smells can be distracting and cause sensory overload, making it difficult for a child with ADHD to remain calm and focused.
- Limited Coping Tools – Tools and resources that help manage ADHD symptoms at home, such as quiet spaces, fidget toys, or sensory breaks, may not be available while traveling. Being away from regular support systems, such as therapists or structured activities, can make it harder to manage symptoms effectively.
It should also be noted that you, as a parent, may also have more difficulty coping with ADHD symptoms when you’re traveling. It can be difficult, for example, to properly give a child what they need or maintain your cool when you’re trying to navigate an airport. The less patience you have, the more you and your child may be feeding off each other.
Knowing How to Prepare
Giving children a chance to experience the world is often great for their development. But it can be challenging. If you find that you’re having a hard time traveling with a child that has ADHD, consider our parent coaching services at ADHD Training Center, where we can address some of the issues that you’re struggling with and provide you with solutions to help you the next time you find yourself exploring the world.