5 Tips to Apply on Your Next Family Road Trip

Summer time is here and with that brings special day trips as well as long adventurous trips.  In order to have a wonderful time and have trips in the car that will be pleasant without stress, let’s look at some tips that will help.

If you have younger children and older ones as well you may consider some of the following:

  • Prepare in advance – sounds silly, but you’d be amazed how our busy schedules will ultimately interfere with our planning.  It is important to mark on a calendar the day of your trip and make the children aware as well.  This will help ease the question: when are we going? When are we leaving? Where are we going?  It is important to sit down as a family, and decide your destination together and plan accordingly.
  • Pack Healthy Snacks – ever here the famous words – ‘I’m hungry’ as soon as you are leave your driveway?  Having a cooler in the vehicle will help ease the hunger pangs.  Not only can you be assured that your children will have fresh and healthy snacks, but you won’t have to interrupt your trip by going to a fast food restaurant.
  • Bring movies and games – if your vehicle is equipped with a DVD player, bring movies that the children will enjoy.  Not only will it keep them entertained but mom and dad will be able to converse without interruption.  Games are always fun too!  Electronic games are fun, but having the entire family get involved in car games is even better.  Let’s go retro and play the license plate game or I spy game.
  • Music and Story CD’s – who doesn’t enjoy music?  Pick music that the entire family will enjoy and sing along.  Consider making up some songs or teaching your children songs you sang as a child.  Books on audio are wonderful to listen to on long trips, not only will it keep the children involved but it will help build their imagination.  Remember listening to stories on the radio? Hmmm, perhaps I’m dating myself.  Let’s introduce those wonderful times to our children; you’ll be amazed how intrigued they will become.
  • Have Fun –this one is the easiest of all but you’d be amazed how many will forget.  All too often Moms are totally occupied with all the planning, packing that it is easy to get stressed out and forget the entire reason you were going on a trip in the first place.  If you plan ahead, have the children help with the packing, you will be assured to have a wonderful time.  After all isn’t that what family trips and vacations are all about?  Building long lasting memories and having fun should be on the top of the list and all else will follow.

Dr. Daisy Sutherland is the Founder & CEO of Dr. Mommy, LLC.  She  is a Doctor of Chiropractic by profession, wife to a loving and supportive husband and home school mom to 5 beautiful children. Dr. Sutherland also known as Dr. Mommy is a published author, speaker, consultant and devotes her time sharing her parenting experiences, health/wellness tips as well has helping others build a business if desired.

Dr. Mommy’s mission continues to be:  Helping You to Help Your Family.  Be sure to visit Dr. Mommy Helps You to learn more about Dr. Mommy.