If you are traveling to the Middle East with your kids then you need to be prepared to spend a great deal of time, helping your kids to stay comfortable and hydrated. Children’s bodies do not cool down as well as adults bodies and so it is important that you constantly have it in your mind to cool them down because let me tell you, it is hot, hot, hot.
There are many steps which you can take to ensure that your child not only stays hydrated, but happy and healthy so that they can enjoy their trip. Here are some of the things that I did in order to make sure that my kids stayed well hydrated during our time in the Middle East.
Liquids
One of the most important things for your child is that they are taking on fluids as much as possible and it is your responsibility to ensure that they do so. Make sure that your kids are drinking water or water-based drinks in order to hydrate them and not sugary drinks or anything which might have the opposite effect. Try buying a water bottle which can go around their neck so that they are constantly reminded to drink. Don’t wait until your child is thirsty to get them to drink as it will already be too late, continuously keep them drinking fluids to avoid dehydration.
Fruit and Vegetables
There are many fruits and vegetables which your kids should be eating that can not only help to hydrate them, but also help to ensure that they remain hydrated. At every meal time, make sure that your child is eating lots of vegetables and finishing the meal of with fresh fruit such as melon, which can help to keep their fluids up. Thankfully, throughout the Middle East you will find some gorgeous and fresh fruit and vegetables so there is really no excuse for your kids not eating them.
Sun Protection
It is important that you try to find ways in which you can protect your children from both the sun and the heat. This goes beyond simply putting a hat on them, because the heat really is so extreme. Try to get into the habit of taking a couple of hours in the middle of the day, where the family will do something indoors, in an air conditioned environment. The heat at lunch time is extraordinary, and even the adults suffer, just think how your child may feel. Kids will want to be out and on the go at all times, but you need to curb this, and make sure that you don’t make any plans unless they are first thing in the morning, or towards the end of the day when the sun goes down.
Learning to spot the signs of dehydration is very important and if your child complains of feeling weak or thirsty, these are the first signs. The speed with which a child can be dehydrated in this heat is in incredible and you need to make sure that you are always on your toes.
