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Preparing for a long car trip can be nerve-fraying at the best of times, but toss in young children and you've got a potential disaster. Aside from the annoyance factor you might also be putting you and your children at risk as many car accidents occur when the driver is distracted - and there's nothing more distracting than fighting children in the back seat.
The first thing you should do is map out your rest stops along the way. Even adults have a hard time sitting still for ten to twelve hours; so why should you expect your children to do the same?
Pick open areas where they can run and yell and expel their energy before tucking them back into the car. As well, pack a soccer ball or a frisbee to make the stop more pleasant and exercise-based. If the family pet is being brought along, you should include a leash so that the children can exercise the pet as well; taking care of two items at once. Rest stops should be designated every two hours at the most, if not sooner. Depending on how much fuel your vehicle uses, you might find it convenient to time the stops with fill-ups to save time - but do not scrimp on the activity time outside the car. If your children are physically active during these stops, they will most certainly fuss less inside the car, as will their parents.
Pack an activity bag for them to open and discover during the trip. Depending on the age of the children it can range from new crayons and a blank pad of paper to a new portable video game. Small goodie bags are available at most toy stores for an inexpensive treat during a trip and will break up the monotony of their own familiar toys. Including candy may not be such a wise idea, though. The sugar content is sure to have them bouncing off the car ceiling and nullify the exercise.
Instead pack a small munchie bag of good healthy foods, such as apples and nuts. If you do not plan to stop at a restaurant on the trip include plenty of sandwiches and nibbly snacks to make them feel full and content during the scheduled mealtime - don't let them fill up on candy and chocolate and then try to force a cheese sandwich into them! Instead, monitor their eating and encourage the better foods you've got on hand instead of a visit to the vending machines in the rest area.
If the trip is to be during sleeping hours, pack familiar items for them to feel comfortable with. A friendly blanket or pillow can make the difference between crying all night and blissful slumber as your family speeds down the highway towards your destination. Try to keep to your regular bedtime schedule if possible as to not upset the children too much.
If you plan to stop at a hotel overnight, make sure that the children are kept with you at all times. Most hotels that have pools do NOT have full time lifeguards and will not be responsible if anything happens to your child during your stay. Keep them inside the room and try to maintain the familiar routines as best you can.
In the event that the car is becoming a warzone, pull off to the nearest rest area and resolve all conflicts away from the highway. The last thing your driver needs is to be asked to break up a fight while he/she is concentrating on the road, so be prepared to pull off at a moment's notice to take care of any situations that might arise. NEVER distract the driver from his/her task of driving safely and soundly.
It doesn't take long to prepare properly for a car trip to make it a pleasant experience for you and your children. With a little foresight, you'll be on the road and at your destination in no time!
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