The best bonding times between grandchild and grandparent come when the middle generation (the parents) isn't around to interfere. That could happen during an afternoon, during an overnight visit or during a special trip.

What Is Grandtravel?
Helene Schlafer of Freeport, Ill., bonded with her grandchildren on camping trips. "The children's parents divorced, and the children no longer lived nearby," she says. "I found the best way to visit with the children on a senior citizen's budget was to go camping."

She and her grandchildren would fish, sing songs, tell dumb jokes and have a good time together. Her grandchildren are adults now, but she has maintained a very close relationship with them. She credits that relationship to that special time they shared, away from parents and away from home. "It helped the bonding," she says.

Schlafer was ahead of her time. Today, grandparent-grandchild vacations – trips that don't include the child's parents – have become big business ventures for resorts, amusement parks, spas and other vacation destinations. Even Elderhostels, once retreats for those over 55, have begun to put together events that include the grandchildren. This type of travel has been given a special name within the travel industry: grandtravel.

Before grandtravel can begin, grandparents need to decide what they want from this type of vacation. Is it to have fun with all or some of the grandchildren? Or is it a chance for one-on-one bonding? One set of grandparents, for example, likes to include as many grandchildren as possible for a week's vacation. Then, during the course of the year, the grandmother takes each grandchild individually for a weekend trip of the child's choice. The big trip gives all of them the chance to spend special time together as an extended family, and the smaller trips give them some special time to focus on a particular grandchild's interest.

It is also important to travel with grandchildren who are ready for trips away from their parents. No two grandchildren are alike. Just because one grandchild was capable of spending a week away from home at the age of 3 doesn't mean the rest of your grandchildren will be able to do that. Before promising a vacation, have a few sleepover visits first, to make sure the child is comfortable being away from their parents and to make sure the grandparents are comfortable caring for the child. This is especially important if the child requires special medical treatment.

Planning the Details
Once it is decided who will be taking the trip, it is time to plan the vacation. "Make the planning part of the journey," says Dr. Marlene Coleman, physician and author of Safe and Sound: Healthy Travel With Children (Globe Pequot Press, 2003). "Grandparents and grandchildren will learn a great deal about each other as they plan their vacation. Let the child make suggestions and express preferences, with the understanding that you may not be able to do everything on your wish list."

Parents can be helpful in planning the trip, as well. "Parents are in the unique position to know the interests and limitations on both sides," says Coleman. For example, whereas a child may try to convince the grandparents that he is able to spend a full day hiking around a Civil War battlefield, the parents would be able to explain that the child tends to tire out after a half-mile walk, and that perhaps a bus tour would be a better option. Or the parent can subtly let the child know that Grandma probably wouldn't enjoy trying out all the roller coasters at the amusement park.

Do whatever possible to schedule a trip you both enjoy. "If you hate boats, but the grandchild loves fishing, go to lakes and rivers where you can fish from the shoreline," says Elaine Fantle Shimberg, author of Blending Families (Berkley Publishing, 1999).

When on vacation, limit your activities. "You may want to show off every museum and art gallery in Chicago," says Fantle Shimberg. "But if you try to do too much, the youngster's eyes will glaze over."

Safety Precautions
Grandtravel also has some risks involved. Grandparents should always be aware of their physical limits. If the grandparent has a history of health problems, or if there is only one adult with the grandchild or grandchildren, the vacation should be at a location close to emergency medical care. The grandchild should not be put in a position of having to care for a sickly grandparent.

Another safety concern occurring when grandparents and grandchildren vacation together is small children having access to adult medication. "Even a small amount of some heart medication, for example, swallowed by a child can lead to tragedy," says Chris Falk, media director of the American Association of Poison Control Centers. "Grandparents who don't frequently spend time with small children may store their medicine in bottles without child-resistant caps or in 'reminder containers,' exacerbating the risk."

Falk recommends that grandparents keep the nationwide toll-free poison emergency line number (1-800-222-1222) handy. "It could save a life," he says.

Accidents or illness can happen to children, too. Parents should always provide insurance cards and a letter stating that the grandparent has permission to make medical decisions in case of an emergency. That letter should include the names of both the child and the grandparent, the dates of travel, and any important medical information including allergies and date of the most recent tetanus shot. If at all possible, include some sort of formal identification for the child, such as a passport or a school ID card.

If flying or crossing borders, it would be wise to have a notarized letter from the parents that shows the grandparents have permission to travel with the child. They may never need the letter, but in today's climate, it is best to be prepared for anything.

Time for Fun
Once all the plans are in place and the preparations are made, there is only one thing left to do – have a good time, make wonderful memories and build a special, lasting relationship with your grandchildren.

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