Traveling with a toddler is quite a challenge, especially when the drive is long. Dealing with projectile vomiting, diaper blowouts, screaming fits and head banging tantrums is distracting to even the best of drivers! Happy trips are important for your sanity as well as the safety of your entire family. Get informed. Try Tammy's Ten' tips below.
1. Let them sleep. Travel with your kids when you know they are tired. Plan long trips around their usual naps or bedtime. Rearranging your schedule can be easier than driving with a screaming child!
2. Plan your route. Organizing your trip in advance is a good idea when driving with toddlers. Little detours can cause big tantrums! It's not like driving alone.
3. Bring food. Toddlers eat frequently and snacking in the car keeps them busy. Fruit-To-Go, soda crackers and apples work well. Sippy cups with water are also a good idea. When it's only water, you don't have to worry if your child finds an old one!
4. Play music. Whether it's kids music, nursery rhymes or your favorite rock and roll, stock your car with a variety of entertaining music for your child. My kids enjoy the Fisher Price collections and upbeat country. Alan Jackson's Little Bitty is my son's all-time favorite!
5. Bring a toy box. Let your child choose their toys or rotate their options frequently. Kids get easily bored of playing with the same toys, especially if you do a lot of driving. Good suggestions are musical toys, anything with buttons, board books or a magnetic drawing board.
6. Keep them comfortable. Don't overdress your child in the car. How would you feel bundled in a snowsuit for a half-hour drive? Dress them lightly and offer them a blanket when it's chilly. Bring their bunny, soother or favorite doll. It gives them comfort while you are busy.
7. Play games. It's amazing how parents learn to multitask! There are many games you can play that do not require the use of your hands. Play I-Spy, count the red cars, talk about the scenery or tell them a joke. When your child feels they have your attention, they will stop screaming for it!
8. Play a movie. You can have a DVD player installed in your car or purchase a portable version. They work well for long trips and amuse other passengers too!
9. Give them your things. When toys and games don't satisfy your child, it's time to go through your purse. Key chains, mirrors or your empty coffee cup can starve off their boredom for a few minutes. To your child, it's like forbidden fruit!
10. Enlist help. Invite your spouse, family or friends to join you. Having an extra pair of hands can really be a lifesaver. Kids can make quite a fuss when they drop their sippy cup or favorite toy!
Surviving car rides with your toddler requires careful planning and a lot of patience. Sometimes it's just one of those days! Staying calm and positive is very important. Your child knows when you are stressed. Drive when they are sleepy and bring an assortment of snacks and entertainment. Just when you feel you have it mastered, Baby #2 arrives with a whole new set of challenges. Good luck!