Building memories with a little extra (Part 1)

There are families that prefer to wait until there kids are older to plan family vacations, but when it is a family as our, that have a little extra, a family vacation is a need. We don't have much free time in our typical routine. After I leave from my work, I run to do what ever therapy, chiropractor visit or anything needs to be done to help Tommy overcome his challenges. I don't go to bed until 10 pm or 11pm depending on how things are around the house and wake up the next day at 5:45 am to get to my work at 7:00 am. So I am on the run all the time. I don't have the time other typical moms have, but I make it works. Our first years as a family, we spent a lot time with our son's therapists rather than with our own families. On top of that, we have extra worries and stress about our son's development than with our typical child, as well as, medical check-ups and appointments, which are time consuming, but we truly believe in monitoring Tommy's health makes a huge different in his quality of life. So to function as a family, we need a relief. I hope and pray other families with a child with a genetic disorder can have the same opportunity than us to have a family vacation every year.

Planning a family vacation with a child with developmental challenges may be more challenging. So we want to share a few tips when planning a family vacation with a child with a genetic disorder, sensory issues and food sensitivity based on our experience.


Tips for a route trip:

• Choosing a season. We always choose to take our vacation in Spring because touristic places are not too crowded and the weather is nice comparing with the summer that can get too hot.  Our kids suet like crazy.
• Choosing the vacation destiny. Plan your family vacation in a family friendly place because you always will find people willing to help. As well as, considering your child's preferences. Tommy is an animal lover, Elmo's best friend and He loves being on the water. So we considered these things while planing our vacation.
• Previously expose your child to the environment he or she will be having fun. I got books to talk about the ocean and sea creatures. So he was ready for the beach! I also got new books to bring in our trip about topics he is interested on. He is very interested in Cowboys, so I read his new book.
• Booking the hotel close to an organic grocery store. Our favorite organic store is Wholefoods Market, they have many locations around the country. So you can get food your child can eat. We chose Embassy Suite Hotel and the closest Wholefood was about 2 miles or even closer. 
• Packing food that the child can eat during your route trip. A few examples are: rice chips, oat cereal, apple sauce. It will depend on the child's food sensitivity or allergy..
• Getting thermo coolers. We had a small thermo cooler bag to transport our supplements. As well ad a tote bag to trasport cold food such as goat milk if you are doing a route trip. 
• Checking the menu of fast food stores, if possible before going on vacation. You may be surprised. We found some food for Tommy in fast food places. But I don't recommend this, if the child have food allergy. In our next vacation, I will call some fast food places to get detail information about the food labels.
• Packing a few a familiar toys, books and if possible a few home made toys. A small blanket to play hide and seek or peak-a-booh in the car. Tommy and Francis had so much fun being cover by the blanket.  Play simple games while on the route, such a pat a cake or singing your kids favorite songs. We had fun!
• Bringing technology on your vacation. If possible borrow a TV for the car, bring your iPad, download your kids favorite music to your iPhone. The cable to plug the TV to the car, can also be used to plug the iPhone and listening to the iTunes. 
• Smaller Strollers. Umbrella strallers are ideal. Walmart carries one that support up to 100 lb at an economic price.
• Small vibrating massager. I brought a small massager, so before going to bed, I gave massages to Tommy to help him to get calm. I just did it the nights he was very active and didn't want to sleep.

Enjoying the beach at Panama City, FL

 

Celebrating Daddy's Birthday

Sea World

Tommy got captivated by the sea creatures

Bush Garden

Look at his smile. It was the exact moment he saw at Elmo from far away.

The moment arrive. We all were excited when Tommy met Elmo

You can tell how happy he was after meeting Elmo

 He couldn't take an eye out of Elmo 

He enjoyed the gorillas. He even was thumbing his chest as a gorilla.

Tommy regularly doesn't drink plane water. But he did it at Bush Garden.

We are extremely blessed that Tommy is an adventured and risk taker, as we are.

He loves the change of routine. In fact, he is a happier child when we take him on vacation. 

He has traveled since he was a year old and we don't know other child who loves to travel more than him.

We have so much fun that we decided to stay one more day. We have a great time! 

I will post more photos and a few videos of our super boy in his trip to Florida.

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!