SCHOOL'S almost out for the summer and there's nothing better than jetting off on a well deserved family break with your kids. But some parents would rather single-handedly organise U2's upcoming 360-Degree tour than embark on a couple of weeks in the sun with their little ones.

Newstalk radio presenter Tom Dunne was used to gruelling tour schedules when he fronted the band Something Happens, but when it comes to taking his kids abroad nothing happens.

Tom and his wife Audrey have two girls, Eva, aged two, and Skye, who's 10 months old.

The Dunne family's reluctance to darken the door of an airport began when Eva was a baby.

"It wasn't a big conscious decision not to travel abroad.

"When Eva was born we had a hard time with colic and really it took the first nine months to get her into a proper sleep routine which was hard fought."

Baffled

Eva's reluctance to sleep even baffled the experts.

"Audrey was on various online forums trying to figure it out. One day she was at home and answered the phone only to discover it was Gina Ford herself calling!

"Eva seemed to be stumping all the books when it came to sleep," says Tom. "So it was high up in the list of priorities for us because it took so long to get her into a proper routine."

Tom wasn't prepared to throw away nine months work for a chance of two weeks by a pool in Portugal.

"The reason we didn't go abroad was just fear. It's as simple as that," he says.

"The first year after Eva was born we brought her down to Wexford and it was brilliant. We were door to door in two hours and the weather was great.

"Then last year we were going to go abroad but Audrey was pregnant, and we decided it wasn't an option and we didn't want to risk it so we went back to Wexford again and had a lovely time.

"This summer we were hoping to go in August but we're holidaying in Ireland again because we decided it would be too hot for two little babies.

"I really felt, at the end of the day, with hours in airports and the delays it really wouldn't be fair to them," added Tom.

Travelling

The Dublin Airport Authority has issued guidelines on travelling with children.

Their key advice is to allow plenty of time and to check that all visas, tickets and passports are in order well in advance.

They also advise passengers to inform themselves on the EU liquids regulations before travel by visiting www.dublinairport.com for information on restrictions on liquids and gels.

The airport authority point out that there are exceptions in relation to medicines and baby formula and food.

At passenger screening, staff will endeavour to fast-track families with young children but this is not always the case so the DAA advise that families allow themselves plenty of time to get through the security searches.

Michelle and Robert Kerr live in Chapelizod, Dublin, with their 19-month-old daughter Emma and the whole family travelled to Sorrento in Italy when Emma was just six months old.

Mum Michelle had some concerns about taking Emma on her first flight at such a young age.

"I was weaning her at the time but I breastfed her on the plane to settle her. I was worried about her ears popping but she slept for most of the journey," she says.

They found it to be a positive experience overall that benefited both them as new parents and their little girl.

"The bit of sunshine was really good for her and it was a really nice break for us too," says Michelle.

"She loved the sun and the pool and we chose somewhere close to the airport to reduce hassle and stress," she added.

They also went to Sorrento in early summer when it wasn't that hot.

It was the availability of baby food in Italy for Emma that worried her parents most, so they ended up taking enough to feed a crèche.

"I really didn't know how much I needed and so I had around 40 jars packed. We just weren't sure what to look for in Italy.

"We kept the food quite bland in the hotel and used the jars as back-up. We didn't use that many of them in the end!"

The Kerrs also brought Calpol and Dioralyte just in case Emma got a temperature or a tummy bug.

They also packed Milton tablets for sterilising.

"One thing you can be sure of -- your holidays are very different after you have a child," says Michelle.

Whether you're home or abroad, sleeping with your baby in the same room or getting separate bedrooms is a big issue.

Tom and Audrey try to get a separate room for the babies when they stay in hotels but that doesn't always work out.

"Of course there was the occasion we arrived and there was no room, so Eva was in the room with us. It was a bit of a disaster. We tried to put her down to sleep and she wouldn't sleep so we ended up sitting in the room in the dark.

"Then room service arrived and we sat in the dark eating our meal," Tom says.

"On another occasion we went to Kilkenny for a few days.

"It was a military operation to get down, and then there was no fridge in the room so they had to keep the bottles in a fridge behind the front desk.

"I was stumbling down at 2.30 in the morning to get them."

Psychologist Niamh Fitzpatrick advises the Irish Olympic team but also has tips about how to avoid hissy fits on holidays.

"On the actual journey, give yourself a fighting chance when travelling with kids by planning ahead so that you have food, drinks and play options available on the way to your destination.

"Remember that this little person is at a stage in life whereby as far as they are concerned, it is all about them.

"Hunger, thirst, fatigue, boredom and lack of attention are all common triggers for a child to decide to throw a strop, so if you can anticipate their needs it will lower your chances of a hissy fit at 35,000 feet," says Niamh.

Routine

"When you are at your holiday destination, remember that you are in fact still on Planet Earth, not on Mars, and people do actually eat and sleep abroad.

"Get them into an eating and sleeping routine right away and stick to it, having your family time at the pool or on the beach outside of these times," adds Niamh.

If your child loses it on the plane or during the holiday Niamh advises a two-step process to resolve it.

"Take a few deep breaths and tell yourself 'I can handle this.' Whatever has happened has already happened so focus on the solution, not the problem.

"Ask yourself 'what is the best option here for this child?' and focus on that.

"The solution may be distraction, humour, change of environment and so on and you will know yourself what will work for this child."

Even if sleep and behaviour issues are resolved, certain stories have received blanket media coverage and serve to worry parents about to embark on sunshine holidays.

The Kerr family are travelling to Portugal later this month and the Madeleine McCann abduction is something they are keenly aware of.

"The Maddie abduction would make us extra cautious. You would be very aware of not leaving kids on their own on holidays. I wouldn't let Emma out of my sight for a minute," says Michelle.

"If there is anything positive out of it, it's that parents will keep their eyes peeled," she adds.

Another concern for parents this summer is the outbreak of swine flu.

A statement from the Department of Health and Children advises common sense when it comes to travelling with kids.

"Maintain good basic hygiene such as washing hands frequently with soap and water and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing."

They also recommend having up to date travel health insurance and making yourself aware of the local medical services in case you need them.

The statement goes on to say: "Be sure and bring your usual fever medication such as Calpol and ibuprofen in case your child develops a temperature."

For more information

www.dohe.ie (swine flu advice and updates)

www.dublinairport.ie

www.hse.ie (faqs on travel/illness etc)

- Mary Kirwan