Traveling with kids is equal parts exciting and terrifying. Some will tell you that with a little prep work it is easy-peasy. They will say their kids are quiet and content the entire trip.
My experience traveling with kids is NOT like that…
I have always dreaded road trips. Always. I don’t really know why. The thought of being stuck in the car for hours at a time just gets me all antsy. However, I have absolutely no problem sitting on the couch watching TV for hours at a time. Some things in life just aren’t meant to make sense, I suppose…
Our first big trip with my son was when he was about 5 months old. We were headed to central Florida to visit family. What was supposed to be a 12 hour trip took sixteen hours – SIXTEEN!!!! It was awful – AWFUL!!!! We had to stop every 3 hours to get him out of his car seat, change his diaper, feed him, etc. At one point in the trip we were so desperate to reach our destination that I contorted my body in such a way that I could breastfeed him without having to get him out of his car seat and without me having to remove my seat belt all the while telling my husband to keep his eyes on the road because no one needed to witness what was happening in the back seat!
Since then I have Googled and Pinterested every single article on how to make traveling with kids more bearable, and dare I even say fun?!
**SPOILER ALERT** I haven’t figured out the fun part, but I have figured out the bearable part.
My Tips for Traveling with Kids
- Have an adult sit in the back seat with the kids. I know this isn’t always possible, but if it is – DO IT! Having 2 kids under 5 it has proven to be helpful and downright necessary. I don’t know why, but my kids need something every 5-10 minutes. “Open this” “My tablet wont turn on” “I dropped my paci” “I can’t reach my cup” “Where is my book?” “Will you read me a book?” You get the picture. Adults in the backseat minimizes the stress and whining from this angle.
- Never EVER stop when the kids are sleeping! Never stop when the kids are happy either. Ride that happy train until it’s no longer happy!
- Alternate driving responsibilities. When we go on family trips, whoever is driving wears 1 ear bud and listens to whatever he/she wants via Bluetooth. The other parent/adult tends to the children and their ever-changing needs. For our sanity we must switch off occasionally.
- Pit stop snacks. Pre-planned snacks are great, but my gosh they take up so much room in the car! Not only do they take up almost all of someone’s foot room, but kids know when you have snacks in the car. They were either with you when you bought them or, if you have already made that mistake and decided you would outsmart them by shopping on your lunch break, they saw them while you were packing the car. Once they know the snacks are in the car there is something inside of them (and inside of me too if I’m being completely honest) that NEEDS to eat (or at least try) ALL of the snacks before we even cross the state line (I’m not proud). If I can manage to muster up some sort of self restraint and not open them the kids are CONSTANTLY asking for them. My advice is to pack a few things to get the trip started, but make it a fun activity to look forward to. At each stop everyone gets to pick out a snack that will last until the next stop. You may end up spending a little bit more money than you would if you packed all your snacks, but it buys you a little peace and quiet. My kids think they are hot stuff when they get to pick out a snack at a gas station!
- Stretch your legs. At every single stop find a place to let the kids run around – even if it is a field next to the gas station. We have even been known to get crazy and stop at a McDonald’s with a Play Place (gasp!). The adults eat dinner while the kids climb and play. It’s a win-win!
- Slow down. You are on toddler time, not normal functioning adult time (or normal functioning human time for that matter).
- Electronic devices. Talk about a taboo subject! I know, I know, kids aren’t developing appropriately because they are always on their devices and they are never allowed to be bored or required to use their imagination yada yada yada. I get it, BUT my kids get a lot of time for unstructured play on any given regular day. A 16 hour car trip allows PLENTY of time for devices AND boredom! If I am lucky my kids will only watch 2-3 episodes of Peppa Pig. My kids are fine. We are fine. And if I am being completely honest, if they would watch their tablets the entire trip instead of whine and cry – I WOULD LET THEM!! (Shhhh don’t tell the mom-shamers!)
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