c) In the Woods
Whenever travelling with kids in the wilderness, make sure that your children are covered as much as possible with their own clothing - this means long-sleeved shirts, hats, pants, socks, and sturdy shoes. The less flesh that is exposed, the higher chance that your child will not have accidental contact with any insects, plants or overhanging branches that can pose problems. DEET (a widely used insect repellant in many of the best-selling products on the market), can be very effective in repelling mosquitoes and other insects, but has been proven to cause a variety of minor as well as life-threatening problems in children, especially those under the age of two years. There are few alternatives to products containing DEET for your children that are truly effective in repelling insects; one of my personal favorites is Avon's Skin So Soft, which has been proven in a surprising amount of laboratory tests, as well my own real world "tests," to repell insects. However, it is not waterproof, nor is it sweatproof, and will need to be reapplied more frequently. But with no adverse side effects, it is one of the best ways (that I have found) of protecting ourselves from bites, ticks and other irritations.
Perhaps you just need some time to yourself, or perhaps you and your partner are looking forward to a night on the town - sans kids. Whatever your reasons, there may be times where a babysitter is needed. Child Care Aware (800) 424-2246, in the USA, can provide you with a list of child care options in your area. The National Resource Center For Health And Safety In Child Care can also help when locating seperate state's child care regulations. Make sure to contact these organizations before your trip, just to make sure that you do not have any last minute surprises. And even if you do not anticipate needing child care during your trip, calling just to have the information handy couldn't hurt - you never know when an emergency may arise, and your children may need short term child care.
