Going On a Car Ride
Monday, February 18th, 2008
We headed out on Saturday to drive 3 hours to Maine. We were going to pick up our two newest family members - two Alaskan Malamute puppies we have named Takaani and Kamik. Wha was I worried about? THE DRIVE. I hadn’t taken the kids on a drive that was over an hour and a half one way…well…ever! Like many parents, I shy away a bit from doing things that will thoroughly break up our routine, and I was worried about what would happen when we took our 7 year old and our 3 1/2 year old on a car ride. Turns out that it was a great family adventure for all. Here are a few tips for bringing your toddler on the road with you.
Pack a toy bag - when you’re going on a long trip with your toddler, let them pack a bag full of toys that they can enjoy in the car. Crayons, makers, and coloring books are always a plus, and stuffed animals can have tons of usage in a car, from being something to snuggle with to being makeshift puppets!
Lots of snacks - even if you plan on stopping to eat, make sure you put some snacks and some drinks in the car. You never know when a toddler, or any child, for that matter, will become hungry. Try to bring small snacks that do not cause too much of a mess or are easily cleanable, such as cracker, granola bars, and raisins. And water is always a good thing for a drink, as it will keep them hydrated and it is very easily cleanable.
Video games - our children each have their own Gameboy Advance, and the ONLY time they get to play it is in the vehicle if we have to go for a long car ride. It gives them something to enjoy and is the perfect way to make things quiet for awhile. If your toddler isn’t big enough for video games yet, think about investing in a portable DVD player for those trips that seem to be endless.
Play car games - we played some great car games this weekend, from the rhyming game (one person chooses a word and the other rhymes with it, then you make up a silly sentence), to spot the color. We even did a bit of eye-spy, but we had to choose things that were in the car because it was constantly moving.
Talk about the destination - we discussed the puppies when we were about an hour away. We talked about how puppies act, how they like to play, and how they eat. We told the kids that we would need their help to teach the puppies how to be good in our home, and how to get along with everyone else. By the time we got there, the kids realized that they puppies were theirs to help train. Play up the destination a bit, but only when you are in fairly close proximity with your destination.
Potty time - no joking…we stopped five times total to allow our daughter to go potty. Be prepared to make some stops, and if you see a rest area about an hour or so after you’ve stopped last, you may want to stop and just try to go potty. It also gives everyone a chance to stretch out and to walk around a bit. If you will be going on a long trip where you may not have access to a bathroom (especially if you have a girl), you might want to invest in a portable potty. Make sure you bring along some water and some baby wipes to clean it out a bit when your toddler is done.
Have fun - bringing a toddler on the road can be a bit stressful, but I’ve always found that if you relax and try to enjoy it, your toddler will relax and enjoy it as well! We talked about the trip as an “adventure”. When we got home they were both excited to go to school and preschool so that they could tell their friends about the huge adventure we had on Saturday.
The puppies, however, are another adventure entirely…
