Lessons from Mom - Realistic Roadtripping with Kids
Listen, we’ve all heard it: oh you’re not a good parent if you’re kids not dressed properly/only on their iPad during trips/unable to self soothe on their own/need a security blanket – blah blah blah. It’s exhausting and parenting is already a marathon, not a sprint. I’m not saying let the iPad parent your child, but there are a few places where everyone traveling safely, quietly, and comfortably is a success. No need to bring yourself down if your kid wants to wear their Moana pajama pants and a Spiderman shirt with toothpaste stains.
We asked a couple parents who were familiar with long-distance travel with little kids if they had any tips to share – and boy did they!
1: Don’t be afraid to let your kids watch a movie or play a video game! There’s a big safety risk when driving if you’re constantly looking in the backseat to manage your kids or pass them things!
2: Hang a travel caddy on the back of the front seats so the kids have easy access to things like washable markers and coloring books, or you can get “pockets” to hang a tablet from to watch movies! Just make sure you’ve pre-loaded options – the longer the better.
3: Spill proof water bottles are a must, as well as healthy snacks! Stuff like granola bars, fruit snacks, dry Cheerios and the like – but NOT candy, that’ll just wire the kids up.
4: Window shades for the kids’ windows to manage heat. Many cars come equipped with ones that will give them shade without blinding you from doing proper shoulder checks.
5: Comfort items. Whether it’s small stuffed animals, cozy blankets, or, as one mom suggested, a lambskin rug to keep the kids comfy. ‘C,’ who suggested the lambskin, said it was a guarantee to get her youngest daughter to sleep on long car rides and flights!
6: For kids no longer in car seats, give them neck pillows to nap more comfortably.
Emergency Supplies!
Toilet paper, wipes, and a bucket and spray sanitizer and paper towel in case the bucket is needed during a motion sickness emergency.
Other recommended items:
- Sanitizing hand wipes
- Epi-pen(s)
- Band-aids and Polysporin (or other wound cream)
- Children’s Tylenol
- Pedialyte
- Bottled water
Travel toilets! They make very inexpensive units now which can be way easier for those still potty training or just out of it (particularly girls who don’t have the equipment to really pee standing up). These are a lot easier to pull off the highway to use than just squatting in the bush.
Finally, always have a quick change of clothing for each kid (and you) in case of spills or…other incidents. (That second change for you is strongly recommended by ‘L’ who shared a haunting toddler stomach bug story I won’t torture you with. Just know it gave me nightmares).
Do you have any advice for traveling with younger kids? Let us know!