Traveling with children is a very trickyactivity. You have to learn the right techniques to be quite successful and ensure that the trip stays safe and enjoyable for everyone. Having 3 kids of my own, it took me a while to determine the right methods to teach them propermanners and the right behavior. You may be surprised how your own kids can respond well if you approach them in the most friendly and matured tone you can muster.
Preparing the Trip
Regardless of the distance, it is very important that you make the necessary preparations to make the trip as fun as possible. Sit your kids down around the dinner table then set up desk business card holders if you want to give them the idea that they are part of the success of the trip. Children actually want to act as if they are responsibleenough, so you, as the parent, should encourage them the right way and deploy their energy to your advantage.
Let your kids know where you are going, how long the trip can take, as well as other stops that you may take along the road. Assign tasks to your kids, considering the differenceof their ages. You may create teams or assign pairs too so that they can be responsible for each other. Give them interesting positions such as map navigator, traffic light alerter or security officer. My kids love to role play so I give them scenarios and stories that will ensure that responsibilities are met.
On the Road
I always set a makeshift desk in the backseat after my kids put on their seatbelts, per command of the “security officer”. I hand each of them a townsend pen plus a lot of paper for them to draw and scribble. It can cut time by as much as half. I also offercoloring books. For kids who are not realy into that kind of stuff, I recommend providing a hand-held video game or installing an LCD screen at the backseat. This should only be used as a last resort though.
Being interactive with my kids throughout the trip helped developour relationship as I planned a number of games such as connecting lyrics in songs, naming tunes, counting cars and rhyming. I do not recommend leaving a ball or Frisbee with the kids since these can be hazardous when things get rough. Set rules when they are in the car with corresponding rewards and punishments. No horseplay mustbe allowed at all times.
Making Stops
Always make stops for bathroom breaks, lunch or snacks and sightseeing. Map out your route nights before the trip so you can spend time taking photos of famous landmarks and educate your kids about places and the history of the people who built them. You may be fortunateto find a leather fanny pack where food and other supplies can be stored to last for a long time. Make stopovers every 3 hours or so, depending on the requests of your kids. You may also have to make emergency stops if quarrels occur. Assign seating arrangements and have your kids return in the same position.
