Monday, December 22, 2014

How To Not Go Crazy On A Road Trip With Kids

As you read this, we're on our way to Texas to spend Christmas with my parents.

Unless you read this at 3 AM. If that's the case, I'm still in bed. Tom wants to be on the road by 7.

We'll be traveling for 7 hours. I have my earplugs ready.

I'm kidding.

Maybe.

Traveling with children can be tricky. Here's a list of things I do to help make a road trip bearable:




1. Invest in earplugs.


Okay, sometimes you can't tune out the world, especially if you have tiny kids. So maybe earplugs aren't the way to go even though you don't want to hear, "Are we there yet?" for the hundredth time.




2. Pack new books.

I love to read, so I always pick up books at my beloved Target or Amazon for the kids. I also buy one for myself. The book I'll be reading as we head to Texas? Shopaholic To The Stars by Sophie Kinsella.


3. Get new DVDs.

We have a portable DVD player. I always find new things for the kids to watch.


4. Buy earphones for the kids.

I don't want to hear the latest My Little Pony movie from the DVD player. So I make sure Natalie has earphones so I don't have to hear Pinkie Pie shriek, "Oh my GOSH!"


5. Play road games.

I'm kidding. I don't do this. I want to read.


6. Pack snacks.

I always have snacks ready to go nearby. I usually bring fruit snacks, Rice Krispie treats (not homemade--from a box), dry cereal, and Pirate's Booty.


7. Explain that there will be no bathroom stops for a while.

I make sure the kids try and go to the bathroom before we go. Tom does not like to stop. Not even for me. So I make sure my bladder is empty and limit my liquids.


8. Bring Caffeine

Not for the kids, obviously. For me, so I stay friendly. Sometimes I can convince Tom to stop at a gas station so I can run in and get some beloved Diet Coke for .79 cents. But again, I have to watch how much I drink, because Tom won't stop until he needs gas.


9. Bring out small toys.

I'll buy items from the dollar spot at Target and hand this out if the kids get restless. I'm all, "Look, here's a ball in a cup."



I think everything will go smoothly. If it doesn't, be sure to follow along on my Twitter and Instagram accounts. I'll be sure to relay any drama we might encounter.

The main issue we'll have, I think, is Tom being insulted that I'm reading rather than talking to him.



Sorry, dear.

14 comments:

  1. I can't stand the hour and a half it takes to get to my parent's house. Don't ask me to do 7!!!!!! I wish I could read in the car. I get car sick.

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  2. we used to drive 18 hours to MD as a kid. no electronics, just the glow of my parents smoking the entire drive with the windows up. how the hell did i survive?? i have 5 hrs this week. no kids, just Charlie, and the diet coke i can drink!!!

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  3. HAHA yesssssss - have an awesome road trip! I can't stand them - I have a carsick older kid and a dragon for a second child - combined it's like fire and ick....

    My husband also hates to stop. What is with people hating to stop?

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  4. Have fun and have a great Christmas!

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  5. Ahh, have fun driving! I wish I could read in the car, but it makes me want to throw up. :( Mh husband learned early on that he has to stop for me... I try not to drink ANYTHING for a day before we leave, and I still have to stop every couple hours, haha.

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  6. I stop as often as I want because I need my liquids. I am not above peeing on the roadside in unpopulated areas if it's an absolute must. LOL

    Have a great time! Safe travels!

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  7. Our car ride is four hours, and we try to time it when they will both nap! I suppose that will only last for a few years.
    I am so jealous that you can read in the car! It makes me queasy.

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  8. I'm not traveling by car, but am flying to the opposite coast with 2 toddlers..I feel your pain! Happy travels.

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  9. I'm pretty sure we're twins, separated at birth. Reading in the car, check. Beloved diet coke, check. Husband who won't stop to let me pee, check. Why is that? I am very fast, so it literally takes like 2 minutes. Hope your road trip went smoothly!

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  10. I wish I could read in the car on road trips. It makes me soo nauseous. Glad you made it there safely the tips must have worked! BTW- What is this pirates booty??

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  11. Whoops. I drink a ton of water, all day every day, so the stopping needs to happen for me. Also, if I tried to read in the car I'm pretty sure I would instantly throw up. My way of coping with long car rides is generally to try to sleep through them.

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  12. It looks like you have it down! I hope it was a nice trip! And that the trip back is just as nice!

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  13. This is when I finally stop rolling my eyes at kids glued to technology and say God Bless the Innotabs and iPod!!!
    and yes, ear phones are essential.
    the only difference: I talk my husbands' ear off. I think he'd gladly ride with you.

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  14. My husband loves to talk to me as I'm reading and I love to tell him to shut up, I'm reading. It's annoying- he literally only has something to say when I pick up a book.

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