10 tips for vacationing with a 2 year old

1. Be prepared to watch the same DVD over, and over, and over, and over again. And that's just to get there.
2. Be prepared to tell lots of bed-time stories - at any time of day - based on the DVD you watched over, and over, and over again on the way to your destination.
3. Be prepared to execute creative tactics to keep the child from falling off the mountain while he throws rocks off the mountain.
4. Be prepared to deal with the aftermath of interrupted in-transit vehicle naps.
5. Be prepared to discipline the child as called for, even in front of horrified distant relatives.
6. Be prepared to hear new words, phrases, stories, and songs as the child discovers the new and exciting things around him.
7. Be prepared to be his comforting presence as he is confronted with the new and unfamiliar things around him.
8. Be prepared to snap pictures at any time, to catch that magical moment when the child sees that huge elephant on his first trip to the zoo.
9. Be prepared to say bye-bye to everything - animal, vegetable, mineral - as you depart your vacation spot.
10. Be prepared to save your memories through pictures, written word, and stories shared with loved ones when you return.