Tips for Traveling with Children "Are we almost there yet?"

Tips for Traveling with Children

"Are we almost there yet?"

This is the question that every parent dreads to hear when riding in a car. Even worse is when your children start fighting because they get impatient sitting in the car for long periods of time.

Tips for Traveling with Children "Are we almost there yet?"

Here are some tips to combat the issue of the children getting bored and unruly. As a matter of fact, with a little planning, you can eliminate this problem before it starts.

The most important thing to be prepared for with a long road trip is the possibility of someone getting motion sickness. It may be helpful to purchase an over-the-counter motion sickness medicine. One person getting motion sickness can make the trip miserable for everyone in the car.

Aside from the misery of being ill, another important thing to be prepared for is boredom. This is what causes the children to get restless and punchy. You can easily combat boredom by making sure that you have plenty of entertainment for them. First, you can have your kids bring a book.

(As long as reading doesn't cause or worsen motion sickness.) Reading can keep the older children occupied for hours. However if reading causes nausea, you might want to consider an audio book. Everyone in the family can help pick the audio books. This can keep the whole family entertained for a pretty long time. Of course, younger children will get bored from audio books quicker than everyone else.

You may want to invest in a portable DVD player. These little gems have fallen in price and can really keep smaller children entertained for a longer period of time than an audio book.

For an opportunity for a great family bonding activity, you may want to play some road games. Following is a list of some entertaining family road games.

• 1) ABC Game-Find letters of the alphabet on road signs, billboards, etc.
• 2) Woody-Get a point when you see a car with wood panel sides. Set a certain level of points in order to win. Predetermine a prize for the winner.
• 3) The name game-Pick a letter of the alphabet and have everyone call out names that begin with that letter. Person with most names is the winner.
• 4) As a derivative of the Woody game, pick a type of car such as VW Beetle (Slug-Bug), PT Cruiser (Cruiser Bruiser), Hummer (Hummer Bummer). When I was a kid, my brothers would punch people when they saw one of the car types. Back then we did the Slug-Bug, Slam Trans Am, and Sock Cop. I am happy to say that the women in the family took over the rules of this one. Now if you see one of these car types, you call it out and get a kiss. (Less bruises) The person calling out a car also has the option to save up ten and get a hug when the car stops at a rest stop.

Other items that you will want to consider taking on your road trips in order to make them more enjoyable are as follows:

• -Frisbee or Ball: Allows for some exercise at rest stops.
• -Plastic box: Age-appropriate for each child to hold supplies (the lid will make a good desk.)
• -Bottles of water: For drinking and cleaning (not messy like drink boxes)
• -Blanket: For naps
• -Paper towels: For cleanups
• -Snacks: Healthy finger foods are best, crackers are especially good because they can ease nausea.
• -Compass: Fun for the kids if they want to help navigate
• -Trash bags: For cleaning and wet clothes

Since I have a toddler, I try to limit the length of my road trips. The only lengthy trip that my family has taken with her was to Disney World. We chose to take an airplane to minimize the hours that she would be strapped in.

I was surprised by how much she loved the airplane. We did take plenty of things to keep her busy. She was very content with looking out the window for most of the trip. Now, she looks up at the sky and points out any airplanes she sees. She also tells the airplanes hi an bye and waves at them.

Good Luck with your trips!