Are you dreading the family road trip? Here are some great ideas to keep you sane, and believe it or not, have fun on your family road trip!
Preparation
Your road trip is actually going to start the night before you hit the road. The best time to load the car is after the kids are in bed. So let's start packing! When traveling with small children, pack a separate bag with an extra pair of clothes for everyone including you. If you have an overnight stop, it is much easier to bring in the backpack than a suitcase. Bring a goody bag for your children that includes games, a drawing pad, string (for making sting art with their hands), a flashlight, Frisbee or ball and a few items chosen by your children. There are lots of online sights where you can print out road trip games. In a separate bag, keep a few new toys in case things get too boring on the road. Pack some music and books-on-tape for yourself. Always remember the luggage, and don't forget to put a first aid kit in the glove compartment.
Plan for stops
Prepare an ice chest with snacks and picnic food. When figuring out the length of your road trip, always remember to plan for stops. Be sure to give your family time to get out of the car and have plenty of restroom breaks. Let the kids have an hour for a picnic lunch. Include the kids when picking the items for the picnic. Let each child pick one thing to bring. Then when you make your stop, let the kids set up for lunch. Don't forget that you brought a Frisbee! On the off chance that the weather is too bad for a picnic, you can always stop at a McDonald’s with an indoor playground. When stopped at the indoor playground, order food to-go right before you leave. This way, the kids can play for an hour and eat on the road.
You've made it to your destination! What next?
If you’re visiting relatives, you should call ahead. Call about an hour before you arrive so they can prepare for everyone. Double-check everything that has been previously arranged with your relatives for your visit. Sometimes people miscount blankets or towels. It happens, and if it is a problem, someone can make a run to the store the next day.
If you are staying in a hotel, create a list of anything you might need at the hotel. This includes cribs, extra beds, etc. Then call the hotel, and make sure they can accommodate your family. Being specific about what you need will make your stay a more enjoyable one. Here are a couple of examples:
Do you have a lot of people reserved to stay at the hotel during our stay?
Does the crib come with a fitted sheet?
Pace yourselves!
Do not plan on doing everything all at once. Pace yourself. Otherwise, you and the family are going to pay for your impatience. If there are too many things to do all at once, your children will become exhausted and grumpy. So plan on a couple of really exciting activities and don't forget to relax!
