TRAVELLING WITH children can be a challenging experience at times, especially on long journeys when sibling rivalry and boredom in an enclosed space can lead to arguments and dangerous distractions for the driver.
Preparation is the key to avoiding these situations, and some simple activities and well thought out packing and seating can help make a journey more enjoyable for everyone.
First of all, pack wisely for the car, making sure that there are plenty of different things for each child to do throughout the trip.
Each child should have their own bag of things they can enjoy by themselves including items like books, colouring books and pens or magazines, video games, personal DVD players and mp3 players with headphones, so the whole family doesn’t have to hear.
A variety of snacks and drinks such as crisps, dried and fresh fruits, sandwiches, biscuits, cheese, fruit juices, drinkable yogurts and water are also important, to give your child plenty of choice. Avoid sugary sweets and fizzy drinks, which will give them a sugar high!
Choose seating in the car wisely. It may not be your idea of fun, but allowing a teenager to sit in the front while one parent sits in the back with a younger child can make a world of difference.
This will also make it easier to keep smaller children entertained with car games and sing-a-longs.
Take regular breaks to allow everyone to stretch their legs, get some fresh air and most importantly of all, give the driver some rest. These don’t have to be boring either. Sites can be explored along the way, making the journey part of the trip!
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