Road Trip Essentials

Road Trip Essentials

I recently went on a road trip with my two children. I think back on the road trips that I took as a child and of course realize we did not have nearly as much to entertain ourselves. Even though my children have the electronics, the DVD player, the learning game system, the books and the coloring, it is great when they notice the outside world and see what is all around. It could be noticing the cows on the farm, traveling over the tallest bridge in the south or seeing the fabulous view over the Cumberland Plateu.
Every trip I have to remember things to keep the kids happy. My children are 3 and 8. Here are some of my ideas.

1. The license plate game – keep track and see how many out of state plates you spot. This should be interesting when we drive across South Dakota and Wyoming.
2. ABC Billboard – spot a word that begins with the letter of the alphabet. The rules one word per billboard, okay maybe two. This could take a while when you are driving through the prairie.
3. Potty stops every 2-3 hours. This should be especially interesting with a potty training toddler. Get out and stretch, pray that the bathroom you have just stopped at is clean.
4. Listen to music - I get tickled when I hear “ Mommy don’t sing”
5. Eating in the car is an art. One thing I avoid is ketchup. “Mommy, Daddy do you have any ketchup?” then I say, “No I forgot it sweetheart (or did I?). Lots of napkins and don’t forget the trash.
6. I have to admit DVD players are good, especially when you use the iPod tape adapter to make surround sound in the car. The kids think it’s cool and Mommy and Daddy can listen too. We really don’t have to watch it because we know it by heart and we have “seen” it 1000 times. I know some people have fancy systems with wireless headphones, but we don’t.
7. A person watching at truck stops and rest stops is fascinating. All different walks of life, fellow travelers and locals all mixed together.
8. Night driving can be good. Consider an overnight trip when going more than 12 hours from home. Mommy and Daddy need to switch off driving and it could potentially need a few days to recover after that but it’s possible. Why is it easier to do all nighters when you are young? The quiet is nice when the kids are asleep. Also you can log in some miles in with our too many “are we there yet?”
9. Keep your sense of humor. Keeping kids cooped up in the car can and will bring to the surface every annoying habit your child has. Keep your sense of humor and laugh about it, unless someone is getting hurt.
10. Take pictures and make memories. Your children will remember and appreciate it. They will also enjoy taking their kids on road trips one day.