If I had just a few hours left to live, I would choose to spend them on a family road trip. Why, you ask? Because during our last journey, time seemed to stretch on indefinitely. We drove from Washington to Montana to visit my sister-in-law, and oh, the chaos! The kids bickered over everything — from who got the coveted seat (a title that changed with every segment of the trip) to who devoured the last of the potato chips, and even who let out the worst gas (seriously, my four-year-old was the undisputed champion of that contest). One child was perpetually too hot while another was always too cold. And someone always seemed to need a bathroom break at the worst possible moment. I was inches away from pulling the car over and disappearing into the wilderness.
Why do we subject ourselves to this? Every summer, we embark on these cross-state adventures, dreaming of minivans equipped with soundproof partitions that could transform the front into a serene retreat while the back becomes a raucous arena. The last family member standing gets to enjoy the hotel pool.
I get it; the family road trip can be a real test of patience. As I ran out of ideas to survive these obligatory excursions, I turned to the Internet for help. Here are some standout tips that could make the experience a bit more bearable. Enjoy!
- “I handed each child a bag of quarters. Anytime they whined or teased a sibling, I took a quarter. If they behaved, they could earn a quarter back by the end of the trip. They could then spend their earnings on whatever they wished.” Brilliant! I end up spending way more on therapy after these trips, so it’s a steal.
- “Start your journey around 3-4 a.m. The kids will likely doze off for hours, and the roads are mostly empty. Or consider driving overnight.” While this may sound daunting to some parents, those who can manage sleep deprivation might find this strategy effective.
- “Keep tablets and chargers handy; also pack coloring books and sticker sets.” This is a classic strategy for the digital age.
- “Use a star reward system: a bronze star for good behavior at rest stops, silver for meals, and gold for overall good behavior during the day. Overnight hotel behavior also earns a gold star.” This clever tactic makes kids feel like they’re achieving something while subtly keeping them in line.
- “Audiobooks that the whole family can enjoy and discuss together work wonders. Currently, we’re listening to ‘Magic Treehouse’ with my toddlers, pausing often to chat about feelings and experiences.” This could definitely work. For more ideas, check out some great podcasts. Just make sure your kids can agree on what to listen to first.
- “Cookie sheets with magnetic building toys.” A fantastic idea!
- “Toys and books from the dollar section are perfect since I won’t mind if they get lost or damaged.” Thank you, dollar section!
- “We play Lip-Sync Roulette: turn down the radio, hit the tune button until a new station appears, and lip-sync to whatever’s playing. It’s highly entertaining!” I can envision this turning into a hilarious YouTube moment.
- “Bring empty Gatorade bottles for quick pee breaks, as someone always needs to go right after leaving the restroom.” This might work, but let’s just say my son’s aim isn’t exactly spot on.
- “Buy each child a giant jawbreaker, the type with a hundred colorful layers. Challenge them to see who can lick through it first. It keeps them occupied for hours.” Aside from sticky hands and faces, it could buy you some precious silence — and we all know how valuable that is on a road trip.
- “Unlimited screen time.” Nuff said.
While there’s no magic formula to completely avoid the discomfort of a road trip with kids, hopefully these tips will help make the journey a little more manageable. If you’re looking for more parenting advice, don’t forget to check out our home insemination kit blog for tips on family planning, as well as resources from child sleep solutions and valuable insights on insemination.
Summary
Family road trips can be chaotic, but with some clever strategies, you can make the experience a lot more enjoyable. From reward systems to engaging activities, there are numerous ways to keep the peace and sanity during your travels.