So I went on a road trip with the kids during their last February vacation. Yes, me…the adventure/risk-adverse, long-distance-driving-adverse, patience-impaired, non-sneaker/practical-shoes-wearing, coffee-fueled mom took on the mission to drive my kids two states away to visit the BFF. Because I had dared myself, all atop my six-inch heels, to kick the fear and try something new…You know, those things you say after reading positive quotes in chain on Instagram and vowing to change your life…before you actually realize what kind of hot mess you’ve just volunteered for…
And when said hot mess involves two kids with (stubborn) minds of their own, the open highway, and unpredictable bladders, you know it’s a wrap…So for all the moms like myself who are not experts at packing ahead of time, not forgetting the toothbrushes, or taking enough underwear, here’s my own, no-shame-in-my-game version of the non-adventurous mom’s guide to survive road trips with kids. Because: no mom is perfect, that’s why they invented coffee and waterproof concealer…
Behold the packing list!
Who else is a pro at packing everything but the toothpaste and everyone’s underwear? Stop frontin’, you know you did…Let’s keep it real, unless you’ve got your life together (which who does really?), or you’re from my mother’s direct (and chronically late) lineage, you may be packing about an hour before leaving…
So to ward off the crazy prospects of looking for strawberry-flavored toothpaste somewhere between interstate highways, make a packing list. So no matter when you actually get around to packing throwing clothing and useful general hygiene objects into traveling bags, you don’t have to discriminate against your brain for premature ageism…
Just grab some fun list pads like these, write it all down, stick it on the fridge where you can find it, and give that mommy brain of yours a well-deserved break…Just sayin’…
Respect your bladders!
When you have to stop in the middle of the Connecticut suburbs and hide your kids squatting behind the car because they’re about to pee themselves, you start respecting the Queen Bladder. There are many things in nature you can remedy, but if you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go…
So don’t do like I did and try skipping in service areas so “we can get there faster”, only to have a general family peeing session by the roadside, with cars driving by…Instead, have a pee stop before leaving the house, and pretty much every time you see a rest area. Oh, and don’t trust those little humans to tell you they have to go ahead of time. The only signal you’ll get is something resembling a loud cry before the peeing waterfalls open for service…You get the drift…
And if you’re in the middle of potty training, drop everything and get yourself some Luvs. I’m telling you, it ain’t worth it…
Got Cleaning Supplies?
Speaking of bodily fluids and other food messes, unless you want to drive in a giant mobile trash, please pack along some cleaning supplies. After my initial road trip disasters, I always like to take some easy plastic bags (these scented ones are my faves), and some baby wipes like these generic Parent’s Choice ones. And because there are serious chances you will drop your coffee on top of the ill-packed snacks, some disinfecting wipes like these Clorox ones might help…
Snack smart!
Road trip snacking 101: if you want to stop at every service area for a general peeing session, pack loads of juices! And if you’ve not experienced the whole road trip pee situation yet, go back a few paragraphs up…
Prepare a cooler where you can toss a few types of food. Fruit, cheese sticks, bolachas (Cape-Verdean cookies), sandwiches, etc…Warning: anything with a sucky top, including yogurt tube, WILL explode all over your kid and the car, all over, every time…
Technology’s a savior!
I know what’s said about not allowing kids to have too much access to technology. Yet when it comes to road trips with kids, the right tech can save everyone’s sanity. So invest in quality kids’ earphones, like these Puro Headphones, awarded one of the best headphones for kids.
Oh, and don’t forget the tablets/DVD/iPad chargers. Not that I’d ever do that…
Make it a (fun) teaching experience!
No matter how many snacks you bring, or how many times the kids are allowed to watch “Frozen” on repeat, nothing beats enjoying the experience live! Get the kids to actually enjoy what’s going on outside their windows, by teaching them the various states you drive through and having fun quizzes around it…
Or have a sing-along competition, until they fall asleep from the dreadful voices…
Have a tantrum plan!
Tantrums/mood swings will happen, period! So you need a plan. And no, it doesn’t include turning up the music any louder, or threats to never ever give them chocolate ever again…
Whatever works best for you to calm the tension, whether it’s to recite mantras and call forth your inner peace, or use AM static (I’ve heard it’s quite effective), come up with your tantrum plan.
BONUS: CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR YOUR “NON-ADVENTUROUS MOM’S GUIDE TO ROAD TRIPS WITH KIDS”
Now to you…what are your best tips to survive road trips with kids?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
