| "Are we almost there yet?"This is the | | | | types. Back then we did the Slug-Bug, Slam |
| question that every parent dreads to hear | | | | Trans Am, and Sock Cop. I am happy to say |
| when riding in a car. Even worse is when your | | | | that the women in the family took over the |
| children start fighting because they get | | | | rules of this one. Now if you see one of |
| impatient sitting in the car for long periods | | | | these car types, you call it out and get a |
| of time.Here are some tips to combat the | | | | kiss. (Less bruises) The person calling out a |
| issue of the children getting bored and | | | | car also has the option to save up ten and |
| unruly. As a matter of fact, with a little | | | | get a hug when the car stops at a rest |
| planning, you can eliminate this problem | | | | stop.Other items that you will want to |
| before it starts.The most important thing to | | | | consider taking on your road trips in order |
| be prepared for with a long road trip is the | | | | to make them more enjoyable are as follows: |
| possibility of someone getting motion | | | | |
| sickness. It may be helpful to purchase an | | | | -Frisbee or Ball: Allows for some exercise |
| over-the-counter motion sickness medicine. | | | | at rest stops. |
| One person getting motion sickness can make | | | | |
| the trip miserable for everyone in the | | | | -Plastic box: Age-appropriate for each child |
| car.Aside from the misery of being ill, | | | | to hold supplies (the lid will make a good |
| another important thing to be prepared for is | | | | desk.) |
| boredom. This is what causes the children to | | | | |
| get restless and punchy. You can easily | | | | -Bottles of water: For drinking and cleaning |
| combat boredom by making sure that you have | | | | (not messy like drink boxes) |
| plenty of entertainment for them. First, you | | | | |
| can have your kids bring a book. (As long as | | | | -Blanket: For naps |
| reading doesn't cause or worsen motion | | | | |
| sickness.) Reading can keep the older | | | | -Paper towels: For cleanups |
| children occupied for hours. However if | | | | |
| reading causes nausea, you might want to | | | | -Snacks: Healthy finger foods are best, |
| consider an audio book. Everyone in the | | | | crackers are especially good because they can |
| family can help pick the audio books. This | | | | ease nausea. |
| can keep the whole family entertained for a | | | | |
| pretty long time. Of course, younger children | | | | -Compass: Fun for the kids if they want to |
| will get bored from audio books quicker than | | | | help navigate |
| everyone else.You may want to invest in a | | | | |
| portable DVD player. These little gems have | | | | -Trash bags: For cleaning and wet |
| fallen in price and can really keep smaller | | | | clothesSince I have a toddler, I try to limit |
| children entertained for a longer period of | | | | the length of my road trips. The only lengthy |
| time than an audio book.For an opportunity | | | | trip that my family has taken with her was to |
| for a great family bonding activity, you may | | | | Disney World. We chose to take an airplane to |
| want to play some road games. Following is a | | | | minimize the hours that she would be strapped |
| list of some entertaining family road games. | | | | in. I was surprised by how much she loved the |
| | | | airplane. We did take plenty of things to |
| 1) ABC Game-Find letters of the alphabet on | | | | keep her busy. She was very content with |
| road signs, billboards, etc. | | | | looking out the window for most of the trip. |
| | | | Now, she looks up at the sky and points out |
| 2) Woody-Get a point when you see a car with | | | | any airplanes she sees. She also tells the |
| wood panel sides. Set a certain level of | | | | airplanes hi an bye and waves at them.Good |
| points in order to win. Predetermine a prize | | | | Luck with your trips!This article was written |
| for the winner. | | | | by Sandy. I am a parent who is concerned with |
| | | | giving my children the best start in life. |
| 3) The name game-Pick a letter of the | | | | Since my first child didn't come with a |
| alphabet and have everyone call out names | | | | manual, I have found other parents' advice |
| that begin with that letter. Person with most | | | | invaluable. I would like to pass on what I |
| names is the winner. | | | | have learned and hope that other parents |
| | | | would like to do the same. I have recently |
| 4) As a derivative of the Woody game, pick a | | | | been reminded of how important my family is |
| type of car such as VW Beetle (Slug-Bug), PT | | | | and that my family should always come first. |
| Cruiser (Cruiser Bruiser), Hummer (Hummer | | | | Please visit my blog at Hope to see you |
| Bummer). When I was a kid, my brothers would | | | | there. |
| punch people when they saw one of the car | | | | |