Family travel is one of those things that will provide you with lifelong memories, plenty of special moments, laughs, and sheer joy no matter where you go or what you do. Of course, as any parent will attest, family travel also tends to have stress, a little frustration, and the occasional temper tantrums also tied to it! It’s the life of a parent, as you already know. So what happens if you’ve made the choice to go road-tripping through the United States as your next family holiday? That’s a whole lot of time spent in a confined space together and on the road. What can you do to ensure the trip goes as smoothly a possible?
Javier Burillo went ahead and put together five invaluable tips for parents that are gearing up for a fabulous road-tripping itinerary through the United States.
Look Into the State Laws Regarding Child Safety Seats
First is the logistics. The United States has very specific child safety seat laws that can differ slightly from state to state. It’s important you do your research and ensure that you have the right type of seat for your children if you are visiting from out-of-country. Some car rental companies will rent seats to you, but this is something to check well in advance.
If you already live in the United States, it still doesn’t hurt to brush up on the child safety seat laws and ensure you’re following the right requirements.
Accept that the Sights Alone Won’t Keep Them Entertained
While you may be able to travel for hours in awe and wonder simply staring at the scenery outside the window, this isn’t how kids are going to feel. It’s best to accept this reality before you hit the open road and plan ahead. Bring activities that can keep them entertained such as travel-sized board games and card games, coloring books, personal electronic devices, a few toys, and anything else that keeps them happy and busy.
Plan on Making Frequent Stops
With kids, it’s also impossible to “drive straight through”, as you’re going to find things go much smoother if you stop every couple of hours. This allows them to get out, stretch their legs, get some fresh air, use a washroom, and even have a little snack.
Pack Travel-Friendly Snacks and Drinks
This brings us to snacks and drinks, which is also a must-have in the car. You’ll want to avoid anything that is ultra-messy or hard to eat, as they need to be able to nibble on their own in their car seat. If you have an infant who is still nursing or drinking from a bottle, then you’ll need to make sure you schedule those stops in your route.
Bring a Parent Supply Bag
The parent supply bag is another item that can ensure all goes smoothly. This is a kit that contains such things as travel sickness medication, pain relief, wet wipes, garbage bags which can also be used for car sickness, bandages, anti-bacterial gel, and anything else you think may be needed.
By following these tips, you’ll be setting you and your family up for a fabulous road-trip.
| Javier Burillo | https://medium.com/@javierburilloa |
