'You visualise a scene from a Disney movie with the kids always laughing and smiling, and mum and dad giving each other loving looks," says mum-of-two Laurie Clothier, who has worked in the tourism industry in Ireland, Europe and America for the best part of 20 years, and knows a thing or two about surviving family holidays.

"The reality is screaming kids, car sickness, boredom, sticky jellies and juice all over the back seat, with you and your beloved exchanging mono-syllabic replies and trying very hard not to snap at each other," she says.

Laurie now co-runs Precipio, a direct-marketing company, and loves getting away for a break from work and home with baby son Charlie (17 months) and three-and-a-half year-old Adam.

So what does Laurie, a veteran of the tourist industry, suggest that parents do to survive the threat of insanity when travelling with toddlers -- and let's face it, more and more parents are now desperate to travel, given the awful weather we've been having, and the fact children have been stuck indoors for far longer thanis healthy.

Laurie's tips for a happy family holiday are:

Be organised

Create a checklist to help you pack. Use it as a template and update it before each trip to include anything new such as medications, toiletries, accessories, etc. Keep all information related to your trip in one place -- create a folder for papers such as reservations, passports, tickets and insurance documents.

Too many new sights can over-tire your baby and toddler. Keep daily plans to just one main activity a day and skip over-crowded tourist destinations and places without shade.

What to pack

Have extra nappies, wipes, and first-aid items in the glove compartment at all times. Pack your monitor so that, while in a different home or location, you can keep tabs on your kids while they sleep. Be sure to bring along comfort items for each child -- a blanket, pillow or stuffed toy, etc.

Always have at least one change of clothes available so that spills and accidents don't create a panic situation for you. Always have plenty of nappy bags packed in which you can store such messes until you can wash them.

During the journey

If they are old enough to look at a map, and they recognise letters or numbers, try highlighting some places of interest, villages and towns which you'll be travelling through, asking them to find them on the map as you go through them. Pre-prepare brown bags with the site or place names on them with a little treat inside -- they get the bag when they get to the place.

Place a box between or next to their seats which contains some little gadgets. If your children are prone to car sickness, books might not be the best idea. But little toys and fun things can be shared and passed back and forth. You might try making some kind of compartmentalised bag that you can hook over the backs of your seats so they can reach in and grab them.

For loo breaks (which will need to be accommodated often ) have a bottle of bubbles, or a Frisbee, packed for some outdoor fun. Kids have so much energy, and it is important that they expend some of it during these breaks.

If possible, change seating periodically. Mum can sit in the back for just a bit and the kids will love it! Or, if mum drives for a while, dad can join in the fun in the back.

Dining out

Once you're there, when eating out with kids, call ahead and ask if the restaurant has equipment such as high chairs, booster seats etc. You will want to ask about a kids' menu, as well. Try to stop at restaurants that have a play area where children can get rid of that pent-up energy. Be prepared that you or your spouse may have to take the child out during dinner a few times; sitting still is difficult for young children.

Home from home

When staying in a hotel or self-catering, call ahead to see if they have necessary equipment -- cots, roll-away beds, playpens, etc. Upon arrival, check with the reception about children's activities and possibly, babysitting. Make sure that your room is safe for your children: check balcony doors and make sure that they are locked, check the windows to ensure they cannot be opened easily and that there are no dangling cords from blinds or wires from TVs or kettles.

When staying with family or friends in their home, be sure that any baby equipment that they may have is up to current safety standards. Call ahead and ask them to please place any breakable items in a high place. Again, check windows, wires and doors.

Be realistic about your itinerary. Children become irritable when over-tired and are more likely to have tantrums. Always prepare children for what will be happening next, with details of who, where and what as the unknown can unsettle them.

Most of all, offer praise for good behaviour; they'll appreciate your positive reinforcement.

Last, but not least, relax. . . breathe deeply and let it all go. The most important thing is to have fun, as they won't be kids for long.

- Anna Coogan