Spring Break is here, and packing for your retreat is only half the battle when you’re traveling with kids. Driving down the road with a bunch of wild children in the car can be quite troubling, and it’s almost a special power to wrangle the herd.
You clearly have an interest in learning a few tricks to pulling off a successful road trip with little demons in the back seat. Take a few moments to read through these helpful hints to get you on your way to arriving alive at your destination.
Know when it’s time to ignore them
You may have figured out by now that when your kids are in the car, the more you interact with them coordinates with their level of need. The more you react or argue with your kids, the more likely they will be to continue being obnoxious.
Use your mom superpowers to ignore them. Obviously, this doesn’t apply if there’s a real issue, but ignore the kids when they’re simply bickering over petty things. Ignore them long enough, and they’ll fall asleep. They’re probably just bored with the monotony of the road.
Don’t be afraid to pull the car over
Pulling the car over isn’t a dreaded pastime for Generation X for no reason. Our parents knew when it was time to regain control of the situation. Don’t be afraid to pull the car over to handle your kids when they’re being too rowdy.
Arguing and reaching behind you while you’re trying to drive can cause a really terrible list of events to ensue. Don’t risk getting tied up in a personal injury lawsuit, because you weren’t paying attention on the road. Pull the car over.
Pack a cooler for snacks on the road
Kids get hungry a lot, but you already knew that fact. You don’t want to get caught up in stopping over and over again to spend unnecessary money on junk food. Pack a cooler with acceptable snacks, and let the kids choose from what’s there.
Your bank account will thank you later, and your nerves will thank you along the way. You’ll make much better time when you don’t have to stop for every tummy rumble.
Make sure to check the weather ahead
One of the worst things in life is trying to drive through a downpour with screaming children in the back seat of the car. Prepare yourself, and check the weather ahead. If it’s going to be a rainy journey, make sure the kids have plenty to keep them entertained.
Plan prepare and plan some more
You’re a parent. You can do nothing without proper planning, especially a road trip. Plan, prepare, and then plan just a little more. You can never be too prepared when you’re traveling with kids.
