Long car journeys can be something to dread for many parents but as long as you have planned and prepared ways to keep them occupied prior to your trip, says Jeremy Chapman then they can be stress free. Here are his top tips:
Some children find it hard to sit still even for five minutes, so it’s no
wonder many parents approach a long family car journey with trepidation.
There’s no need to panic, though – if you have to hit the highway with the
kids in tow, there’s plenty you can do to make sure your journey is fun.
Below are our five top ideas to keep kids happy in the car.
1. Pack the things they love
The things your children like to do at home will also keep them entertained
in the car, so take advantage of what you know. If your children like to
read, note down their favourite books and buy a sequel, or something else
by the same author. Think about their favourite toys and choose the most
car-friendly to bring along, or buy some similar toys that will be fresh
and new to them.
2. Help them entertain each other
Two young children can spell double trouble, but if you give them tasks to
complete together, you might find they become lost in their own world. Try
giving them colouring-in books and telling them to colour a page each, or
get them to ask each other questions from children’s quiz books. Of course,
any old-fashioned in-car game like ‘I spy’ also works well.
Once they’re involved in their own games with each other, they’re less
likely to pester you, so you can concentrate on driving.
3. Bring treats with a difference
It’s easy to bring oodles of sweets on a long car journey to try to pacify
the kids, but it’s not always the best idea. The instant pick-me-up from
sweets and chocolate, and the inevitable low that follows, can make them
irritable and difficult.
Try taking some fruits instead. Things like pears and strawberries are
normally sweet enough to tickle the taste buds, and it’s a reassurance to
know that you are giving them something natural. You could also try exotic
fruits they haven’t seen before, to make the journey more of an adventure
than a chore.
4. Make plenty of stops
It might add more to your overall journey time, but making lots of stops
can keep children in a reasonable mood. A bit of fresh air will do you the
world of good, and if the children can run around for half an hour, it
might even send them to sleep in the car!
To make the most of your stops, plan ahead. When choosing your route, make
sure it takes in service stations, preferably with outdoor play areas if
the weather is fine. You can even look online to find interesting picnic
spots or attractions to do a spot of sightseeing after your lunch.
5. Get involved
A major problem for children when they are in the back of the car is that
they are not getting the attention from you that they crave. This is often
what drives the squabbles and tantrums.
As long as it is safe to do so, you should try to give a good amount of
attention to your children during the journey. Take part in their
conversations and suggest games that you can play together as a family.
It’s important to think about your children prior to a long journey, but
don’t let yourself be distracted from other essential issues. Make sure you
run smoothly.
 |
| stock photo c/o sainsburys |
Author Bio:
Jeremy Chapman writes for the Sainsbury’s Finance Money Matters blog on
anything children and car related. At home, he’s quite content tending to
his overgrown garden and dreaming of exotic motors well beyond his means.*
(I was not paid to feature this post)
(I was not paid to feature this post)
Completely agree with this post - especially making sure you have the right insurance and break down cover etc. Preparation is more than just ensuring you have food, drink and toys - check the tread of your tyres, check their inflation, your oils - practically give your car a service before you drive a long distance!
ReplyDelete