New research from AA Travel Insurance reveals that parents navigate an average of 4 stress triggers every family trip, with keeping kids entertained, worry about illness or injury and unexpected costs blowing out the budget the biggest pressure points. 

If you’ve ever dealt with toddler airport meltdowns, a sick child overseas or ‘are we there yet?’ on repeat, you’re not alone. 67% of Kiwi parents say family travel is stressful, with one describing it as ‘chaotic, overwhelming and constant’. For many, the stress begins long before the car engine starts or plane takes off, as the pressure to plan for every possible scenario while creating precious family memories takes a toll. 

Of Kiwi parents surveyed by AA Travel Insurance, 72% said they overpack ‘just in case’, adding to the stress of dealing with lots of bags and lots of equipment – two of the stressors that make the top ten. Keeping kids entertained is the leading cause of stress for 37% of parents and frequently identified as key to managing behavior.

Unsurprisingly, a child having a meltdown during boarding is the fourth top stressor, while managing delays or cancellations, travelling with lots of bags, long car rides, packing for the trip, navigating unfamiliar destinations, and travelling with lots of equipment, such as strollers and car seats, rounding out the top ten.

“Travelling with children is a rollercoaster of emotions for Kiwi parents,” says Ben Rose, Head of Financial Services at the AA. “It can be stressful and complex, presenting unique challenges that you don’t face when travelling without them, but there are overwhelming positives too.”

When asked to describe travelling with their children, many parents described it as ‘chaotic,’ but ‘rewarding and the memories are worth it. Negative responses focused on mental load, behaviour management, and exhaustion with standouts including: ‘hell on earth, and times that by ten,’ ‘my kids are loud and hard work,’ and ‘they spend all my money before we even leave the airport!’

Bonding, memory making, and pure joy and love featured in the positive parent responses, including ‘amazing, love it,’ ‘definitely challenging and has its moments, but is so rewarding,’ ‘the sheer joy and excitement they exhibit as they discover new places and create unforgettable memories makes the entire journey incredibly worthwhile.” 

Ben Rose says booking travel insurance should be part of every parent’s holiday prep. “It helps you travel with confidence, knowing that if something unexpected happens, you have the right amount of cover and support available. Mums and dads should make sure they have enough cover for cancellations, medical or dental emergencies and, of course, their kids.” 

“Thrill-seeking families should make sure they include extra cover for specific activities like snow sports and certain adventure activities. If they’re going on a cruise, they can also add cover for that too,” Rose suggested.

AA Travel Insurance bookings for the July school holidays show parents continue to be drawn to shorter-haul destinations again this year, including Australia, the South Pacific and South-East Asia with length of stays range from 7 to 14 days. A choice that Ben Rose says, “makes even more sense for parents this year, given the conflict in the Middle East and uncertainty in other parts of the world.”

“It’s great to see Kiwi parents continuing to explore the world with their children and travel insurance, so they can focus on what really matters - making memories and enjoying unforgettable experiences,” Rose added.

ENDS