Car Trips

Do you do long car trips with your kids?

My immediate family lives about 7 hours away. Seven hours of adult driving – it’s about 8 or 9 driving with kids. It’s a very long day to say the least.

I’ve tried multiple ways of making it a fun trip for everyone. And let me just say… the driving is not going to be the fun part of the trip. It’s just not, so accept and move on. There are a couple of ways to make a little less painful:

• More than one adult (or teen). Wow! This alone makes the biggest difference. Everything is easier. I know this sounds basic, but for the single moms out there, it is worth paying for someone else to come along. If, you know, you can’t rope someone into coming along for free.
• Non-sugary snacks and drinks. You’re already trapped in the car with a two year old… adding sugar is just scary.
• DVD player – with movies they haven’t seen before. Sadly, the old standbys won’t prevent sibling slap fights, no matter how beloved.
• A map of city parks. Just accept that you will have to stop for an exercise break at least twice (if not more)… and do you really want your child running around a rest stop? I swear the Cuddler heads straight for the freeway every single time. Small town city park is much safer and has play ground equipment.
• Map of the long route. Interstate highways are faster, but more boring. And expensive. Take the local highways instead. Easier access to parks, restaurants that have picnic areas (not a drive through), cheaper gas and much more interesting sights. One of these days we’re going to dig for dinosaurs while heading to our summer camp. Can’t do that while driving along the interstate and you save no time.
• Wipes – for kids and your car

Last, don’t have a time table. Don’t try to beat your time or make plans at a certain time. Doing the car trip with little kids and a time table is just a recipe for screaming frustration. To paraphrase Sally, Don’t drive to get to a good time, drive to have a good time.