Travelling with your child and their security objects

Summer time brings on the family road trips. And as with all trips, you stand the risk of leaving a loved one behind on excursions. There's nothing worse than heading out on the highway and suddenly in a panic-stricken cry your child announces their lovey is missing...

Now it's the parents' time to panic and run through all the places it could've fallen off, been left behind, dropped out of the car, etc... Here's a few helpful tips to avoid this situation so everyone arrives back home safe and sound.

* Make sure you have somewhere to put that baby security blanket while you're on the move. It's really best for the blanket to stay in a diaper bag or suitcase while you travel but if your child needs to cuddle it on the go, be sure to have a way to attach it to a stroller or car seat. Our Travel ear, for example, can be used with little plastic linking toys to make sure the blanket hangs onto the stroller when dropped out of little hands.

* Have a checklist for yourself and your child if they're old enough for departing hotel rooms. Top of the list is making sure that lovey is safely stowed away before checkout. Double check and re-check before departing that there's nothing left behind.

* Plan for the unexpected. You should have a spare by now which should also be packed safely. Do not bring it out unless the unthinkable has happened. Last thing you want to do is be searching for two blankets. It's strictly to be your back up plan should the original go astray. And this blanket should be broken in, as mentioned in previous article. A brand new one that smells nothing like the old one will not be a comfort

* In and out of the car double check around the perimeter. When packing up the car, or stopping for breaks, things can very easily just slip right out without noticing. Once everyone is safely seated, take a walk around the car, checking even underneath, that nothing has escaped.

You can only do your best to prevent losing the security item. Should it happen, just do your best to reassure your child while backtracking, if possible. Give them the spare lovey for comfort and hopefully you'll be able to figure out where you may have lost the original. Hotels, restaurants, stores, etc are very understanding about these losses, as are most people who find them and turn them in. Check everywhere you were and more than likely you will recover the item