Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday! Every Friday (well, ok, almost every Friday) I ask a simple question--nothing that requires a lengthy response.
Ten Talents, one of my favorite blogs, recently had a a wonderful post you might find useful if you are taking a long road trip this holiday. It's full of tips for driving long distances with a baby...inspired by driving 42 hours (21 hours each way) with their young daughter.
She even had advice specifically for driving through Texas.
"Bring some sort of music-playing device if you EVER plan to drive through Texas, especially if you're going to be driving through from 2 to 4 a.m. Mariachi music might be your style, but when it's your only option, you really wish you would have thought to bring along your iPod."
So true, oh, so true!
So, what's your best advice when taking long road trips (with or without children)?
Please leave your answer in a comment below. And, if you have a blog and would like to post your own question you can leave your link at An Island Life.
Bring along a cooler with healthy snacks and water (along with fun snacks, too). That always seems to help! :)
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My best tip is to make sure you have lots of car friendly things to eat and do. We do not have a DVD player for the car, so the kids love their Doodle Pro, Nintendo DS/iXL/VReader and things, books, and other items. Kids music and music on an MP3 player are also essential.
ReplyDeleteportable music device always helps!
ReplyDeletei was with my then 7-month-old first baby on a 4-hour plane trip. I couldn't get him to settle down until i placed an earphone on his ear. he settled down listening to music.
If you are driving with little ones, plan to stop every 1 and a half to 2 hours for bathroom breaks and stretching your legs - very important for circulation also for little ones in car seats.
ReplyDeleteMake stops when you can because you don't want to be stuck without a rest stop or gas station.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Friday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/12/what-was-the-worst-way-you-ever-left-a-lover/
I have a DVD player for my car that I use with my 2 year old...it makes trips so much better.
ReplyDeleteWhile you don't want to miss all the scenery, you must always bring books and magazine for both you and kids.
ReplyDeleteGrab the ipod and never leave your camera! e
Important: Bring a cooler with water or you'll be buying too many drinks/water at pricey convenience stores.
I love road trips and have done trips as long as 2200 miles each way with my grandkids, alone. In the last two summers I have traveled almost 10,000 miles with kids aged 1-9. One thing that I highly recommend is making plenty of stops at rest areas so they can run around. If the weather is nice I always picnic at rest areas, as I discovered that they have no desire to sit still at a restaurant to eat. I always take a case of bottled water, plenty of juice packs, peanut butter, jelly, a loaf of bread and Pringles, bologna and cheese are good too. While I make lunch they can run and play. If the weather isn't nice go to the trouble to find a McDs with a play place and allow them time to play. They also love to stop at Walmart, I can restock juice and chips, apple snacks and veggies (they have those little one dollar packs with dip!) and let them pick out a small toy like action figure, hot wheels or Polly Pockets to keep them entertained for a while. I usually plan on something to eat in the hotel room, once you stop for the night they won't want to get back in the car and go out to eat. Carry supplies like plastic knives and forks, napkins, cups and you can pick up some pretty decent meals from the grocery store deli to eat in. Or if you are going to the pool you can have pizza delivered too, they usually have coupons in the room.
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