Schools are out and it’s that time of the year when the parents get a chance to relax and unwind too. Yes, the home chores and routine drills never end but now for a few days things can be set to a snooze-mode.
It is also that time of the year when families relax by travelling to meet relatives or just for fun and what a better way than a “Road Trip”.
Road trips though super popular and fun can seem scary and daunting especially if you have young children. The idea of being cooped in a car for hours with everyone getting on each other’s nerve is not a pleasant sight to dream off. But with proper planning, road trips are the best way to beat the long queues of airport security, see places and landmarks you will never see otherwise, make memories to enjoy later and the most importantly, best chance to bond with your family.
Here are some key tips for families which have helped us enjoy all our memorable road trips (The longest was over 300 hours and we made it to our destination ….ALIVE J ).
1.MINDSET:
This, in my opinion, is the most important one. The adults, not the kids, yes you read it right are the ones who hold the key to how the trip will fare.
If you go in with a positive mindset your trip will be a success and vice versa. The key is to mentally prepare yourself that not all the things are in your control and it is okay. As long as you have packed well, you will be just fine.
From throw-ups to detours due to bad weather to stopping every so often for bathroom breaks to fights over the songs to the “How long?” after every 5 minutes there will always be some type of free entertainment going on and trust me years later these nagging things will be the backbone of your life story.
2.PLANNING:
Planning will heavily impact your trip success. We have a 2-Step Planning Approach.
First one is all about the journey, so mainly like what to pack, what to keep inside in the car for easy reach and what goes in the trunk for later use. Where will our pit-stops be and so on. When in doubt, always keep more.
Second is all about the destination. Places to visit, things to do. We do this because sometimes you need to have early reservations for certain sites and you also get better discounts.
3.CAR CHECKUP:
Make sure to do a thorough checkup of the car before hitting the highway. After all your family is counting on you to keep them safe so give extra attention to the nitty gritties so you don’t end up stranded in the middle of nowhere. Keep the roadside emergency number handy and make sure you have a spare tire (Stepney) in case of emergency.
4.TIME:
Though this is a hard one but we have found that when you leave early or can avoid the peak-traffic hours, the trip has a smooth start. This is especially good with younger children as they will doze off for a few hours and it makes the drive shorter for them. Also, you can enjoy some grown-up talk with complete sentences without the interruptions of the volcano of questions.
5.ELECTRONICS:
I love Road Trips as this gives a chance for the whole family to go on an Electronic Detox. But that being said, if your road trip is long, do keep the electronics handy, and the kids can get it for a certain amount of time. We usually decide how much it will be during the planning stage. This way they can have it whenever they want but only for that allotted time.
If you have a DVD player make sure that the forgotten DVD’s are scratch free as you don’t want your kiddos screaming at the top of their lungs when it gets stuck. Also
6.GPS/OFFLINE MAPS:
During our Road Trips, there have been plenty of times when we were stuck as there was no mobile coverage and we did not get a chance to download the directions. In those times a GPS comes in real handy. The only thing with the GPs is that you have to make sure that you have the updated version of the maps or else you will be scratching your head trying to find the road in the middle of the lake.
7.GET OUT AND STRETCH:
When the drive is long it is really good to find some park/splash pad when planning and stop to stretch your legs as well as let the kids run around so they can drain some of the buckled up energy. Every state has some awesome park, all you have to do is look up one closest to your route. I understand that it will add sometime extra time to get to your destination but trust me you will thank me later. Well-exercised kids equal happy parents. Also, this is an excellent time to grab a bite and relax while the kids get some action.
8.CAR SICKNESS:
I have a confession to make and that is I have severe, I mean SEVERE motion sickness. So it is natural that on long drives I do get car sick. Even if no one is your family gets car sick, there can always be a first time so be prepared. Keep vomit bags and a bottle of water handy. If the kids are old enough, teach them to tell you if they feel queasy or nauseous.
A few tips which have helped to keep car sickness at bay are:
·Ginger/Peppermint Candy
·Sea Sickness Bands
·Good ventilation. Make sure to open windows every now and then for cross ventilation.
·No screen/reading if feeling dizzy.
·Avoid fried or heavy food items. Aim for a light snack with smaller sips of water.
·Avoid direct sunlight. Use a car window shade and if you don’t have one try to cover the window with a light towel or so.
9.ACTIVITY PACK:
There should be one for each kid. From books to mess-free activity sets to travel-friendly board games, there are soo many options out there. Check out these travel toys/games for kids under $10.
If you have older kids ask them to fill a backpack of things which will keep them entertained while for younger ones the parents need to do it themselves. That being said, also purchase some organizational gear to keep these activity packs from floating all over the car. Something like the XXXX is a good option.
10. FOOD PACK:
This is by far my favorite part of the journey. Food/Snacks Shopping. I love food and soo do my kids.
As my younger one has food allergies, I make sure to bring a cooler packed with his favorite food and drinks. This way, we don’t have to worry if are unable to find a Gluten Free, Dairy Free snack in the middle of nowhere.
Ask your kids about their favorite snacks, this goes for yourself as well as your partner too. Make a list of everything. Try taking your kids food shopping with you as it makes them more excited about the trip.
I agree that the charm of a road trip is buying snacks on the way and we looove doing that too but having food packs with you will ensure that the kids get some healthier options too.
Hope these tips help you have a safe and memorable road trip.
