Are you planning a road trip this Christmas? Visiting family is important during the holidays, but traveling can be a little intimidating if you are a single parent. Just loading the kids up to go to the grocery store can be a challenge. You may be feeling a little discouraged about the long drive, but here are some tips and tricks we’ve learned from our own road trips to make the journey just a little less stressful.
Bring plenty of things to keep the kids entertained. Long car rides are boring, especially for children who seem to have the attention span of a goldfish. Bring a portable DVD player and headphones with some of the kids favorite movies. If your kids are sick of their shows, stop at any Redbox along the way and pick up a few new ones. They’re cheap and you can return them at any Redbox location along the way. Switch them out at your next rest stop. Make sure you have plenty of backup batteries in the glove box.
Make up some fun games before you leave. If your kids are old enough make a list of all the different state license plates and have them watch for them along the way. See how many you can get before you reach your destination. If your kids are younger, try typing up an I Spy Game. Think of different things for them to look for along the way; a dog, a horse, a balloon, etc. You can find all kinds of lists on the internet if you are having trouble coming up with some of your own. These kinds of games can keep kids entertained for hours.
Pack a cooler with some car friendly snacks and drinks. Capri suns are always a good choice because the don’t spill as easily as some of the other drinks out there. Avoid chocolate and other treats that could melt all over little fingers. Pack some wipes just in case.
Keep the essentials close by. Pack a small bag with medicine in it. You never know when one of them is going to end up with a fever or a headache. Always pack extra diapers and an extra change of clothes for little ones that is easily accessible. For children in the potty training stage you may want to bring their potty chair. Even if you make frequent stops, you will inevitably hear the dreaded, “Mommy! I have to go potty!” at least a time or two along the way. It’s nice to be able to pull over to the side of the road to avoid the messy accidents that so often accompany toddlers.
With these tips you are now ready to make the trek “over the river and through the woods!” Good luck and happy traveling!