7 Survival Tips for a Road Trip with Your Toddler
Planning a road trip with your toddler? Wondering how you'll survive after the first few hours? It could be a very daunting experience, or it could be great - you never know which way it's going to go when you're dealing with a toddler.
Here are some tips to make your road trip with your toddler a little bit more enjoyable:
Build a strategic plan.
When travelling with a toddler, it is important to have a strategic plan in place to ensure you are packing all the necessities. How many times has your toddler realized that they have forgotten to bring his/her favorite item - toy, blanket, cup, or whatever it may be -- and you're already at the grocery store? It is torturous having to deal with the cries of frustration over the missing favorite item. This is exponentially increased during a road trip. You could actually be six hours away and realize that the favorite item is missing and you have to deal with the cries and frustration for hours to come. Pack everything you need and then some - you will need it.
Schedule small pit stops to stretch and allow your toddler to run.
On any given day, your toddler is used to running around - whether it is on the playground, through the house, or at school. Therefore, a long road trip will definitely be difficult without making a few pit stops along the way to allow everyone to stretch and relax for a little bit. So make some schedule pit stops to allow both you and your toddler to have some fun before heading back out on the road.
Plan your travel time around your toddler's nap time.
Some toddlers seem to sleep more soundly and longer when in the car. If possible, consider starting your travel around your toddler's nap time. You may have to experience some grouchiness because they are tired, but you may get a couple of hours of quiet driving while your toddler gets some sleep. You could have a conversation with your driving partner (it could be your spouse, friend, family member or otherwise) and enjoy the drive for a little bit.
Snacks galore?
A road trip is not a road trip without snacks period. Snacks are great for toddlers, as they have the ability to feed themselves. Enjoy the road trip with your toddler by sharing in the snack munchies. It always breaks up the trip and you get to enjoy some time with your toddler.
Increase your patience and tolerance levels.
Toddlers sometimes have a tendency to repeat things over and over and over again. It usually happens when you are most distracted - backing out of a parking space, navigating through traffic, or trying to figure out the detour that your GPS is obviously pushing you to take. Your toddler doesn't understand what's going on, therefore, they will possibly annoy you in the process. Your toddler may cry or become frustrated, start throwing stuff, have a temper tantrum - who knows, just be prepared for what will come. The best way to deal with it? Increase your patience and tolerance levels.
Plan activities to engage your toddler.
Pack the portable DVD player and connect it in your car; bring some DVDs that your toddler really enjoys. Pack some activities that both you and your toddler can enjoy. Plan some road trip games or songs that could keep your toddler engaged for some time. It will help to avoid the nefarious "Are We There Yet?" question from showing its head.
Enjoy the road trip!
Possibly the best survival tip for a road trip with your toddler is to just enjoy the road trip! It allows you to bond as a family and connect further. It is an opportunity to be in close proximity with each other and enjoy the moments until you arrive at your destination. How often do you have that opportunity? At home, there is always something to do, but when you are travelling, you have the chance to learn more about yourself AND your toddler. So enjoy it! The trip will all be worth it.
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