Travelling With LotsOfKids
Travelling with children can be difficult for any family. When you have a large family, it can be a greater challenge. While there is a lot of concentration on long car trips, sometimes a journey to park can be more stressful. Whether it's a quick trip to store, or a three-hour drive to grandma's house, these tips can help make your journey go smoothly.
First of all, organization goes a long way. We focus so much on getting our house together, we forget that an orderly car/van can be equally important. Because of its cramped quarters and the amount of time we spend in there, it's needs even more attention. Take time prior to a trip, and periodically throughout the year, to organize your vehicle. Clean it out, restock the necessities, and give it a good spritz of Febreeze or other deodorizer.
Keep a fun bag in the car (this is a great way to recycle your child's backpacks from the previous school year). The key is to make sure it stays in the car and that it's stocked with items your kids will be interested in. Here's a few ideas of what to put in it:
- The next time you weed through the toys in your children's room, instead of discarding the seldom-used or less than perfect toys, put them in the car. The kids will appreciate them, and if they get lost or broken it isn't a big loss. This is also a great use for those kids' meal toys.
- Have a coloring book where most of the pages are finished, but your children have lost interest? Bring them in the car. Buy a pack of crayons, or make a pack with some of the used ones your children don't use. Add a notebook of paper and your children can show off their artistic talents on their journey. It's also great to have on hand when going out to restaurants, as children love to pass the time before the food comes by drawing and coloring.
- Make a small scrapbook of family photos (use duplicates or scan some into the computer and print out). Small children love looking at pictures and identifying the individuals in them.
- A few packs of Colorforms. They work great on windows.
- A favorite child's book, particularly one with several chapters like Charlotte's Web. Have the book be a special "car story." Read a chapter or two of the book each time you go out (or have an older child read if you are driving).
Survival Gear
Keeping certain things on hand can be a lifesaver for an LOK parent. Any or all of the following can make a huge difference in your vehicle.
- A small stash of snack bags and juice boxes. When a trip goes longer than expected and the kids are cranky, a few chips and a juice may make all the difference in the world.
- A change of clothes in the vehicle for accidents. Don't worry about having different outfits to fit each child. Pick a larger size that will fit several children (even if it's big on a 2-year old, better to have something baggy but clean).
- A box of baby wipes. Even if your children are older, they will be invaluable. For wiping a dirty face before you go into the store, to cleaning off the windshield so you can see. Keeping a roll of paper towels (or a small package of paper napkins) on hand can also help.
- You always seem to have some lying around, so keep several small empty plastic grocery store bags. It's great to have for picking up garbage, or wrapping up that wet set of clothes after baby had an accident.
- Nothing is more frustrating than getting to your destination after a long ride and finding out that your 3 year old kicked off his shoes and they are nowhere in sight ("Are you sure you had them at the rest stop back in Georgia?") Have a tote bag or small container in the car specifically for kids to put their socks and shoes in when they take them off.
General Tips
Mostly use the dvd, but a ton of old vcr tapes lying around? You can purchase a portable vcr/television combo which plugs into the cigarette lighter of your vehicle. Keep a small supply of tapes on hand. When a trip gets too long, or it's a particular fussy time, pop in a video to help calm the kids. If you are looking to go on a long trip and don't want to invest in a television, you can actually rent a portable dvd player. Check out http://www.drivinsane.com for more information.
Sometimes a few minutes of silence can be a lifesaver. Have a contest to see who can be quiet the longest. Reward the winner with a snack or other treat. Even if it gives you 5 or 10 minutes of quiet, it'll be worth it.
When going on trips nearby, have your children help navigate. This helps distract them, and gets them excited in the journey, rather then "when" they are going to get there (or home).
They might drive you crazy, but consider keeping on hand a tape of the theme songs from your children's favorite television shows/movies. These songs are usually short, kids remember all the words, and they happily sing along. You may not want to hear the Winnie the Pooh theme song for the 25th time, but it's better than listening to a crying child.
If your children are old enough to ride in the front seat, make a ride schedule. Assign each child an "order" in the rotation. This way, there is no confusion. If John was the last child to ride in front, then it's Matthew's turn, and then Mary, and so on.
Car Sickness
If your child suffers from car sickness, here's some things you can do to help him/her.
- Plenty of fresh air helps. Keep the car windows open a little.
- Avoid heavy meals before and during travel, as an overly full stomach will help increase the nauseated feeling.
- Sit children facing forward in the vehicle, and have them focus ahead. Looking out the window is best. Avoid reading or focusing on something inside or near them.
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Article by: Michelle Lehmann
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