Road trip with small children, needless to say, has a challenge on its own. Although there is no doubt that it can be a great bonding experience for both parties, but too much time together, cooped up in a car definitely has its challenges.
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It is no surprise that younger children often get bored and restless during road trip. Their movements are restricted, they have to sit through long stretches of dull, flat scenery; to not be able to do anything freely can make any person feel lethargic and cranky.
However, fret not. It is possible to overcome the obstacles of travelling with kiddos with little bit of planning. Whether you’ll be on the road for five hours or five days, here are some tips to help your vacation go as smoothly as possible.
Night Drive
This is one of the most helpful tips you will ever receive in regards to comfort for you and your child. There are plenty of risks driving at night and you will probably feel uncomfortable with it but, to be able to drive with no screaming child at the backseat might sound like a good idea.
Driving at night means your child will spend more time sleeping and less time awake and hungry/bored/needing changes. You’ll be able to drive for long stretches without needing breaks.
Manage Expectation
Take note that during a road trip, there are so many things that can possibly go wrong and transform your happy road trip into a travel nightmare. Flat tire, bad weather, food poisoning, accidents and collisions— these are some of the most common scenarios that might happen if you’re going on a road trip.
To make it worse, these hiccups can become exponentially more stressful with a young (likely screaming) child in tow. When travelling with kids, to be able to slow down and stay positive is the key to ease the tension. After all, it will help you remain less emotional and improve your ability to make decisions.
Classic Car Games (No Signal Needed)
For parents, this is the best way for them to reduce the amount of screen time spent by their children looking at smartphones, tablets and video consoles. After all, WHO says no screen time at all is best. However, long hours in the car can be physically taxing for your child and the chance for them to scream will become relatively high.
One way to solve this problem is by playing classic games such as playing cards. Besides being fun, card playing is known to increase IQ in kids, teach mathematical and logic skills, and enhance social skills. Another popular game is the ‘Alphabet Game’, where each player tries to find something of each letter.
Motion Sickness, be gone!
Reminder: if your kid is prone to car sickness, road trips will not be smooth sailing. While it is good for you to pack some medicinal products that prevent motion sickness, but it is also important to list down other things can make car sickness worse. Feeding a child ginger or peppermint can help settle a stomach, but spicy foods can irritate them further.
Some parents said that ginger and peppermint might not help considering the bitter aftertaste. How about their favorite candy? For toddlers, sucking on candy can provide them with a lot of comforts.
Plan frequent breaks.
Don’t plan your trip without a few toilet breaks and some snacks to satiate their hunger. As an adult, you might be able to go six hours or even eight hours without using the bathroom or the need to eat, that’s not how it works when you’re going on a trip with your kids.
So what you can do is, plan for stops every 1 to 3 hours during the day and 3 to 6 hours at night to eat, stretch legs and change diapers as needed.
Moody blues.
If you’re tired or feel frustrated, that’s the sign. You need to stop. Don’t spend another second on the road.
Find a place to rest, and give yourself a few minutes or hours to regroup. Don’t even think about arriving at your destination early. What matters are you and your little one’s comfort and needs. Take a nap in a real bed, or freshen up with a hot shower and a meal at a real restaurant. Give yourself and your baby a chance to reset and it will help make the rest of the ride go smoothly.
Stay calm!
Take note that vacations can be stressful, but you are there to have fun! So take it easy, and enjoy your time with your family. After all, you’re making lasting connections and memories with them. Your calm attitude will definitely help your kids have a better time too.