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A Survival Guide for Traveling with Kids

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"Are we there yet?" "Mom, he's touching me!" "Well, she'slooking at me!" "Are we there YET?" "I've gotta go!" "Aren't weTHERE YET?" It's phrases like these that drive fear into a parent's heart,and make you wonder why you ever thought taking a familyvacation was going to be "fun!" Florida Forum So what is a parent to do? Traveling with kids doesn't have tobe a bad experience. Instead of deciding to leave the kids homefor the next "family" vacation, relax! You can make travelingwith the kids an enjoyable and stress-free experience byfollowing these simple tips: 1. When possible, travel at night and let the kids sleep. But becautious, because it's easy to get tired. If you find yourselfgetting sleepy, roll down the windows, play music, or betteryet, find a safe place to pull over and take a 20 minute nap. 2. Plan your trip during the day with stops about every 90minutes. By planning ahead, and using travel planning software,online trip planning sites or travel associations, you can find-- and stop at -- kid-friendly places such as parks withplaygrounds, historic monuments or view areas where everyone canget out and walk around for a few minutes. Giving the kids evena 15 minute break will give them a chance to "get the wigglesout" and work off some energy. 3. Bring along some sing-along music. Although your kids maygroan at first when you start singing, they'll soon join in,especially if the songs are either well-known, absurd or"gross." Think of your own childhood favorites, or camp songs.Singing can really help to pass the time, and


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creates happymemories later on. To help cut costs, you can even record yourown CDs? If the kids don't know the words, create sing-alongbooks for everyone by typing them in your Word processingprogram and printing them out. 4. Create a goodie-bag. Good ideas are travel toys and games,bubbles, inexpensive art books and pencils, even the latest incollectible cards or action figures. (To save money, look forseasonal sales or buy something every payday.) To cut down onarguments about sharing, you can set a time limit for playingwith each game, before everyone has to switch. Individualpresents can be wrapped or not, and given out at whateverschedule fits your needs and your kids' boredom levels. You caneven choose particular games for particular stops, such asbubbles, Frisbees or small balls, which will encourage runningoff energy. 5. Bring along individual "quiet time" activities. These couldinclude an art box (keep the supplies inside an inexpensiveplastic shoe box), postcards or writing paper, or even a journalgiven to each child at the beginning of the trip. Encourage themto write letters, or record their thoughts and feelings. You canalso bring along hand-held games, or inexpensive CD players andearphones, so that everyone can listen to the music or books oftheir choice. Depending on the space you've got and the lengthof time you'll be gone, each child could have their own box orbackpack, to keep their things organized and accessible. About the author: Visit the FloridaForum Today http://www.joyofflorida.com to find moreInformation!

Written by: David Nelson

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