Travelling With Children On Car Journeys
Every parent knows what a nightmare travelling with small children can turn into. If the stress bores you to tears, here are some tips on easing the pressure.
Pack the car before the children get in to avoid tantrums.
Make sure to leave everyone enough room to travel comfortably. A car which is so packed its occupants can't move is a recipe for disaster! At the same time, make sure that everything is properly arranged so that nothing can come out of place and endanger you or the other passengers.
A few toys and games will come in handy, as will a rubbish bag for all the sweets and drinks that they will undoubtedly consume.
Before you set off, inform the children where you are heading, how long you think the journey will be and what they can expect to see and do when you get there. This will help them to see the journey as a bit of an adventure, rather than being bored.
Put some of their favourite CDs in the CD player and take some books too. Story cassettes or CDs are a good bet for younger children.
If the choices cause an argument, let one of them take a Walkman or iPod so they can listen to what they want. Spare batteries will come in handy!
Schedule a toilet break every couple of hours. This will help to break up the monotony of a long journey.
If any of the children are over six, let them pack a bag with their personal choice of things to amuse them. This makes them more likely to keep themselves occupied.
Think about driving through the night or in the early hours. Children are more likely to be asleep, which will make the journey a whole lot easier.
Keep some cool air in circulation, especially on a hot day, and make sure that they drink enough liquid (but not too much or toilet breaks will be frequent).
Stay clear of fizzy drinks and sweets which can cause children to become overly excited. Giving them water, fruit and biscuits are a better bet, as long as you can cope with the inevitable mess.
Small children often want frequent attention so you'll need to stop at the most convenient place if they begin crying.
If your children are below pre-school age, travel sickness might be a problem to deal with.
All being well, this advice should help to make the situation less stressful but we can't promise miraculously well-behaved little angels!
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