Taking a child out of the country is no small feat. Heck, taking a child to grandma’s house for the holidays can be exhausting! Not only is it important to prepare logistically for your trip—plane tickets, passports, itineraries, etc.—it is important to prepare your child emotionally, physically, and awesomely. Your mini-me is about to become a citizen of the world, and you are already nailing it.

 Before you go:

Get them stoked.  

Kids know more about the world now than we did then. But they still need to realize why going to another country is a big deal. When we were preparing our little one, aged seven, for her first European extravaganza, it was our duty to light her fire for travel abroad. We gave her macaroons whilst looking at pictures of the Eiffel Tower. We talked about the Queen of England and the fact that princesses are a real thing! By the time we boarded the plane, she was out-of-her-mind excited to see this magical land of yesteryear (and thriving metropolitan of today).

Teach them key phrases for languages they don’t speak. 

I feel as if this is incredibly important for going to countries that do not speak your native tongue. It shows respect and that you are trying. Also, communication is SUPER key in life—especially travel. I tried to buff up my French by listening to tapes with the family in the car, on the way to and from school. Hearing El say, “Puis-je avoir une baguette si’il vous plait?” was almost as great as seeing the pride on her face when she was understood.