How To Survive the Family Holiday Roadtrip

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In today’s society of go-go-go, we often do not spend quality time together as a family until it comes to the annual trek to grandmother’s house or any other destination for the Holidays. When we think of Holiday travel, the movie ‘Home Alone’ comes to mind as the hustle and bustle of getting a family out the door ensues. So here are our survival tips for your next trip with the family.

Traveling With Young Children and Babies
Tackling a road trip with toddlers and/or babies can seem daunting and maybe even impossible, but these tips can help make your trip a little less stressful.

  • When to Travel
    There are two schools of thought as to when the best time to travel is. One is to prepare your child for bed and hit the road while they sleep. Second option is to leave early in the morning in hopes of arriving at your destination by mid- afternoon. Which option you choose is based on how well your child sleeps in the car.
  • Keep to a Schedule
    Often it is a race to see how fast you can reach your destination. However, if your child is hungry or you attempt to feed them in the car while keeping the road race going, it could end in a tragic mess. It’s better to stop at your child’s scheduled feeding time and plan drive times around their nap time.
  • Stay Stocked
    Stay fully stocked in wipes, diapers, snacks and change of clothing. Clothing that is easy to change and comfortable will make the trip go by faster. Bring new toys, the newness of the toy will keep them occupied for quite some time.

Traveling With Older Children
While traveling with grade school children and teens is somewhat easier, let’s face it, they get bored too.

  • Switch Up Seating
    To avoid hearing “he’s touching me or she’s on my side,” vary the seating in the car at each stop. You might even have Mom or Dad switch up and let the age appropriate child sit in the front seat for some one-on-one time. Teens will often talk in the car because the driver has to look straight ahead and it feels less judgmental.
  • Games & Snacks
    Games and snacks are a must for this growing group of travelers. Electronics can be a lifesaver during a long trip but when the sensory overload happens, pull out some tried and true family road trip games like counting the states of license plates. You can tell stories of your own childhood travels.
  • Don’t be Afraid to Detour
    Traveling with older kids can be a great opportunity for a picnic along the way. On one family trip, we stopped at a Rest Stop at a state line where they were serving free popcorn and had games for kids. My kids remember that part of the trip more than the trip itself.
  • Remember the Essentials
    Lastly, don’t forget the essentials- emergency medical kit of band-aids, first aid antibiotic cream, tylenol and a flashlight for those lost items in the car when the sun goes down. Have a safe journey to your Holiday destination!