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Surviving the open road
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Hit the road, Jack....Photo by drniels/Stock Xchng
Well, summer is in full swing, and many of you may find yourselves in the interesting situation of traveling by car with small (or not) children. There are some people who will tell you that road trips are one of childhoods most time honored memories. If that is true, then so is potty training and washing vomit out of sheets in the middle of the night.
Now I don't want to paint with too broad a brush and imply that all road trips are a unpleasant. I treasure the time I spend with my children in the car. Its just at times I treasure it while contemplating that perhaps I shouldn't have taught them to speak.
We've all been there. You haven't backed out of the driveway yet, and already they are hungry, bored, and depending on how many you have, combative. I live in Palmer, and we attend church in Anchorage. It has been this way for ten years. It never fails, every Sunday, right about the Old Glenn Highway, I will inevitably hear "are we there yet?"
So to save your sanity and your vacation, here are some tips to help keep your younger travelers occupied while your on the road.
1. Pack a lunch: All the articles you will read about traveling with children list this first, and it is absolutely necessary. Hungry kids are grouchy kids. It is the first step on the spiraling staircase that will end with something like this "HIS SHADOW IS TOUCHING ME!!" Try to keep a small cooler in the car with you rather than in the trunk, so you can easily access it while driving. Try to keep it healthy, its better for their bodies, and junk food has a high sugar content, which will make kids more, shall we say, active. Fruit, cheese and crackers, air popped popcorn are all good choices. Make sure and include lots of water, and try to avoid drinks with high sugar content, such as juice.
2. Get an early start: The earlier you leave, the better chance the kiddos will still be snoozing for at least part of your trip. Let them bring a blanket and pillow or favorite stuffed animal along in the car with them. They also make travel pillows which go around your neck for upright napping if you are so inclined. Once you get started, make sure you stop regularly so everybody can stretch their legs and get their wiggles out.
3. Make a "care package": If you have room, think about letting each child bring along a backpack or small bag with books, small toys, or other quiet activities of their choosing. If everybody has their own, it might cut down on squabbling. (You will notice I used the word "might")
4. Have a backup "keep em busy" plan: These days, family vehicles are designed with comfort in mind, and many of them have TV's and DVD players installed right in the vehicle. We have portable DVD players, and while I don't condone electronic babysitting, sometimes you just gotta have some piece and quiet. Another option is having some games up your sleeve for once they start to get bored. Momsminivan.com has a variety of printable games, license plate games, and general games for kids and toddlers alike. Its best to be prepared.
5. Make a list and check it twice: Make a list of all the necessities you want to make sure and bring in the car with you just in case. Life with kids is unpredictable at best, so make sure your armed and ready with some of these essentials:
-wet wipes
-first aid kit
-change of clothes
-extra socks
-hair bands
-diapers, if you need them
-bottled water
-nose tissues
-sunscreen
-bug spray
You will notice socks do not fall under change of clothes for me. If we are within 5 miles of any standing body of water, my son will change his socks at least three times. Also, if you have little girls, you can appreciate not having any rubber bands when you need them. Every car should be equipped with a first aid kit, and if you don't have one, now is the time.
So now that you are armed with this wealth of knowledge, pack up the car and go see the world. Be sure and make some memories all of you will cherish for years to come....or at least until the headache goes away.
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