Opening Words
As an '80s mom, traveling around the world with two kids brings both joy and challenges. With my older child at 14 and younger one at 5, the journey from chaos to confidence has taught me many lessons. Today, I'll share my years of experience and insights with everyone, hoping to help parents who want to travel abroad with their children but worry about various issues.
Documents First
When it comes to international travel, documentation is absolutely crucial. I still remember the embarrassing situation when we almost got denied boarding at the airport on our first trip to Singapore with my older child. The issue was that we hadn't paid attention to passport validity - it was one month short of the required six months. Singapore requires passports to be valid for at least six months upon entry, which really put us in a panic. We finally resolved the situation with help from airport staff who contacted the embassy for special assistance. Since then, I've been extremely vigilant about passport validity - now I start the renewal process whenever there's less than 8 months remaining.
Passport application procedures are completely different now compared to before. Children used to be able to be added to their parents' passports, but now they must have their own. The required materials for passport applications are quite extensive - besides household registration and ID cards, you also need the child's birth certificate. In first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, passport applications are quite convenient now, with weekend services available and even express processing in some places. However, in second and third-tier cities, you might need to wait a few more days.
Now when I travel, besides carrying the original passports, I prepare several photocopies: passport main page, birth certificate, and if traveling alone with children, a notarized consent letter from the other parent. While some countries don't strictly require this consent letter, it's better to be prepared. I also keep digital copies of these documents on my phone in case the paper versions are lost.
Speaking of documents, visas are another major concern. While many countries now offer e-visas, I recommend going through traditional channels when applying with children. Although e-visas are convenient, problems can be harder to resolve if they arise. I once experienced a situation where the e-visa system showed a successful application, but at the local immigration, the visa was shown as invalid - it really gave me a fright.
Insurance is Essential
Regarding insurance, I have deep personal experience. Last year when I took my younger child to Japan, she suddenly developed a high fever, reaching 39°C. Getting medical treatment abroad is no joke - just the registration fee was several hundred dollars. After examinations and medication, it cost nearly ten thousand yuan in total. Since then, I've made sure everyone in the family has travel insurance that includes medical coverage.
There are many types of travel insurance available now, with several options just for family travel. I personally recommend choosing comprehensive coverage that includes: medical protection (both accident and illness), emergency medical evacuation, accompanying minor return, baggage delay, flight cancellation or delay, and personal liability.
I especially want to remind everyone that some insurance companies have restrictions on pre-existing conditions. If your child has a special medical history, be sure to carefully read the insurance terms. A friend's child who has asthma had an attack in Korea, but the insurance company refused compensation citing pre-existing conditions, resulting in tens of thousands in out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Regarding claims, make sure to keep all documents. Foreign hospitals are generally very standardized and will provide detailed diagnostic certificates and billing statements. However, some small clinics might be less formal, so be sure to actively request official receipts and diagnostic certificates. I now carry a folder specifically for storing these important documents when traveling.
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