Preparing Your Child for the School Trip

Your child is getting ready to leave on his school trip. It's not any trip. It's the trip and both of you are anxious, nervous and downright scared about the whole thing. Hold that thought - you are anxious, nervous and scared. Your child is looking forward to the time of his life. Woo hoo! No parents, just fun with his friends.

So, what can you do to prepare and to make sure your child has everything he needs or will need on this trip? Perhaps this checklist will help make things easier on you. It's always better to be prepared, then get somewhere and not have what you need.

Label Clothes - We all know that our child's clothes will somehow get discarded and/or misplaced with another child's belongings. Label your child's clothing and that way if they are misplaced, it will be easier to locate them after they have returned home. You may even want to label their shoes, and toiletries that are brought along.

Medications - Will your child need to take their medications while they are away? Be sure to instruct all chaperones who will accompany your child of any necessary medications your child may need to take. If they have a regular scheduled medication, I am sure the school nurse is aware of this and will instruct others of the correct dosage and amounts. However, you may want to write this down on a note card of some sort and slide it inside of the bag of medications. If your child experiences stomach discomfort or aches and pains such as headaches, you may want to include the appropriate medication.

Phone numbers - I am sure your child will be excited upon departure, however once there and they are in unfamiliar territory, he or she may want to call you. Be sure you include phone numbers your child can reach you if they need to. This may include friends, grandparents, aunt and uncles. Sometimes just a familiar voice will help keep the uncertainties away.