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Traveling With Family |
The United States' Department of Energy informs us that travel continues to grow as an industry and predicts that each year, more and more families will be on the road. It's definitely a trend that won't stop any time soon. And while seeing the sights of our great country can be a fantastic way to educate kids , it can also lead to a lot of stress. Luckily, by following some simple tips, parents can survive the annual road trip without shortening their life spans or turning their hair gray.
Beat Boredom with Child's Play
"Are we there yet?" Why is it that those words are always uttered exactly at the moment when mom and dad's own energy levels are at their worst, making it easy to lose patience? Prevent a tired response you'll have to apologize for later. Make sure your children have something to play with. It will keep them entertained, alert, and, hopefully, behaving kindly towards one another. Magnetic board games, portable video games and classics such as the license plate game, "I Spy" and the alphabet game will keep your kids in good spirits and actively engaged no matter how long the highway is.
Stop Smart
The smart parents take a liberal amount of rest stops. Not only does this keep the kids from pulling each others' hair out, it keeps the drivers fresh. But stopping at rest stops often means coming into contact with the germs other people inadvertently leave behind. Keep your trip from becoming a sickness incubator. Carry hand sanitizers and apply them often. And remember to have anti-bacterial wipes for the accidental messes kids will make in the back seat. Remember, "Godliness is Next to Cleanliness", and there's no reason to stray from God during a road trip!
Savvy Eating
While it may be tempting to join the thousands of other families who fuel up on food at rest stops, the savvy traveling family knows better. By strategically stocking a cooler with healthy snacks -- trail mix, yogurt, fruit -- your family can beat the lines at the rest stop restaurants and feel good about the food you're putting in your body at the same time. Bringing these easy, convenient, and healthful snacks can keep your family in tip-top shape at a time when other families may be letting their bellies get bigger.
Not enough room to keep a cooler in the car? You can still find a way to eat healthily on the road by going past the fast food restaurants just off exits. Travel a few miles farther, preferably with the help of your car's on-board satellite, to the local grocery stores. They'll be full of the fresh fruit, vegetables, trail mix, water, and other healthy goodies you'll want. And it will be far less expensive to boot.
Thoughtful Destination Planning
There are plenty of kid-oriented vacation destinations that are sure to please the young ones. But can the adults in the group have fun there, too? With proper planning, family vacations don't have to be exclusively kid-centric. Mom, dad, and the grand parents can have fun in the same places as the kids if you pick the right venues. Some popular family spots all can enjoy can include Williamsburg, VA; Disney World in Orlando; or Yosemite National Park.
Family vacations can either bring your family together or drive a wedge between its members. Make sure your next trip together results in the former. With just a little thoughtful planning and the right attitude, you can make your next vacation an unforgettable experience for all the right reasons.
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