Road Trip Tricks

There are 6 of us in our family.  This means when we travel we are at the point of buying six full-price-take-up-a-whole-seat plane tickets. Therefore, this makes us the crazy-road-tripping-across-the-country-in-the-minivan kinda family.  Even though the idea of a mere 5 hour plane trip (including a layover) sounds fabulous, the thought of driving 24 hours with 4 children between the ages of 8 1/2 and 2 1/2 isn't quite as daunting as it used to be.  I don't develop a tic or want to crawl into the corner in a fetal position (that's for at the end of the trip).

But, that's not to say it has always been this way.  Granted as the kiddos get older they are getting better. Annika and Taryn are Rockstar road-trippers.  Landon is towards the end of his apprenticeship (has yet to master the "I can hold it" Level), and Simon is a novice, but learning. 

Since we are in the midst of prepping for another roadtrip, I thought I would share a few of my tricks...

1) Other than the whine of "Hoowww much looonnngerrr?" the other incessant complaint is "I'm hunnnngrrryy!" For some reason, the act of sitting in booster seat in a minivan makes their metabolism skyrocket.  They can go no problem between breakfast and lunch at home, but in the car they are starving every 15 minutes.  My solution...individual snack/lunch bags. 

Each kiddo gets their very own snack bag. We usually go 5 hours in between stops, so I put in enough snacks for that amount of time.  They can eat their snacks whenever they want, but when they're gone, they're gone. No asking for more food.  If one of your siblings is willing to share, more power too them, but don't count on it. This trick has literally put a halt to the "I'm hungry" complaint.  Score one point for mommy!!

2) Books/Musicals on tape. DVD's are great, but another perk of our "entertainment" system is the kids can listen to c.d.s through their wireless headsets. Some of our favorites are Amelia Bedelia, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and Dr. Seuss books. Annika also likes to listen to Nancy Drew.  This actually brings back very fond memories for me.  I distinctly remember listening to "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" while on a road trip when I was younger. I also have to give a shout out to Psalty The Singing Song Book.  We have all 10 c.d.s and, boy, do those bring me back!! As much I like like DVD's (and don't get me wrong we watch those on our trips as well), my heart goes pitter-patter when I look back and see the kids listening with their headphones on and (gasp!) looking out the window. 

3) Sticker pads!  I love me some sticker books!!  Melissa and Doug sticker pads are our favorites around here. Annika has the Sweets and Treats and Make A Face, Landon has the Habitats and Vehicles and Taryn has the Play House and Dress Up.  Simon doesn't have his own sticker pad yet (that comes when he graduates out of the novice stage)...but he still likes his stickers.  I give him a big pad of stickers from the dollar store and a blank notepad. Taking the stickers off and putting them in the notepad keeps him occupied for a while.  One little trick about the stickers for those with little fingers...take off the trim around the stickers...let me demonstrate...

Taking the time for this little trick has has saved me from turning around every minute to help Simon get this stickers off the page.

4) Book bags. I did a post about this in 2011 before a road trip we took back East.  I still do about the same.  I don't do as many craft as I did before, but books and coloring pages are a must!  I still include a binder with a map and some road trip bingo games and scavenger hunts. I also have a clipboard for each kiddo which makes it easier for them to color.  Color Wonder and Twistables  were made for roadtrips. Annika and Taryn each get some colored pencils as well.  No normal crayons (which melt) and markers (which get everywhere) are allowed!!

5) Last trick...set your expectations low. I have to realize that it takes a lot for these kiddos to be patient and buckled in for long stretches of time.  Gone are the days of stretching out on the floor or across the seats.  Booster Seats and Five-Point Harnesses sure are safer, but definitely not as comfortable. I have to remember that time does go a lot slower when you are little.  This a great time for mommy to practice the Fruits of the Spirit. :) 

When Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson came up with the quote "Life is a journey, not a destination" he had probably never traveled over 1500 miles with four kids in a minivan. Perhaps, we should thank Winston Churchill for a more appropriate quote "Keep Calm and Carry On."

So, let's get "on the road again" (thank you Willie Nelson) and maybe we'll see you along the way!!