Terrie McEvoy shares her holiday hack for parents travelling with young kids

Terrie McEvoy has opened up about how her travel habits have changed since she became a mum, and her advice for parents travelling with young children this summer.

Terrie and her husband David Fitzpatrick share daughter Sydney, who is two, and she admitted that having a toddler in tow has definitely altered how she plans trips.

The podcaster, nurse and content creator loves jetting around the world and has been to stunning places like Cuba, Australia, South Asia and more. However, she is now holding off on some of the more exotic locations as she wants her daughter to be able to appreciate and remember the trips.

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Speaking to RSVP Live, Terrie said: “It’s definitely impacted where I’m going to. I like to be safe, I like to know where I’m going, I like to make sure there’s paediatric hospitals nearby. I always just have to make sure it’s safe for kids and we’re not going to get ourselves into a pickle.

“As a couple, years ago, we’d land into Cuba without any money on us and just wing it, but when you’re responsible for another human, it’s a whole different ball game!”

For a lot of parents, the prospect of getting on a plane for the first time with their young child can be nerve-wracking. Terrie is a dab hand at travelling with a toddler by now, as Sydney has been on over 20 flights.

“It’s a basic tip but we don’t usually give Sydney screen time,” she said. “It’s very minimal in our house. But when she travels, she gets the iPad and we download a couple of Disney movies and honestly, it’s like Christmas for her! That definitely kills an hour.”

Terrie continued: “Another tip I would have is buy some new little toys, you can get cheap ones in Penneys, and I trickle them to her. I think the worst thing you can do is when they cry, throw everything at them because they’re bored in 20 minutes. But if you give them a new one every 10 minutes, she’s like, ‘wow, stickers, colours, Play-Doh!’. Trickle is the hack, trickle the things and rotate them as well, because they do get bored of everything. It’s like a juggling act!”

Terrie was speaking to RSVP Live as she has partnered with Specsavers to urge the people of Ireland to get their eyes tested before their adventures to avoid any unforeseen travel fails.

A recent survey by Specsavers found that one fifth of adults (21%) aged 25 – 44 claim to have misread timings and missed a flight, while 32% of the same age cohort have picked up someone else’s bag on the conveyor belt at the airport. Over 1 in 10 male adults have arrived at the airport only to realise passport details were out of date.

Almost a third (28%) of adults have found themselves in a completely unexpected place because they misinterpreted the directions, with 38% claiming to have misread directions on the motorway and missed the exit. Younger adults more likely to have done both.

It is advised to get an eye test every two years but if you notice any changes to your vision, book in for an eye test and OCT scan as soon as possible. You can book an appointment at www.specsavers.ie .