Every parent finds themselves feeling pressure from time to time. For many parents out there, this is normally when we are heading on long car journeys.
Long Car Journeys With Your Kids
Let’s be honest, traveling with children is not easy, because there are a lot of distractions (for them and you), and if they start to argue in the backseat, this is going to take your attention off the road, where every second should count.
So what can we do to make sure that we are handling long car journeys with children effectively?
Get Yourself in the Right Frame of Mind
Every car accident attorney says the number one cause of accidents is distracted driving. Ensuring that you get yourself in the right frame of mind is crucial, and this is because you don’t want to be distracted.
It’s partly to do with making sure that the kids are entertained while on the roads, but it’s also just as important to make sure you are ready to deal with whatever is going to happen on the road or in the vehicle.
Ensuring that you have a good night’s sleep the night before is the first thing, but making sure that you don’t feel overly stressed is the second.
Ensuring that you plan your journey properly and get a real understanding of the traffic situation in every place can make a massive difference. When we fail to prepare, we prepare to fail.
Do Not Attempt To Defuse Arguments While Moving
When children squabble in the car for an extended period of time, this is asking for trouble. When our children start to argue, and they inevitably will, if there is another adult in the car, it’s crucial for them to deal with the situation.
If this is not the case, you need to pull over. We cannot lose our cool in this situation because it will take our attention off the road. One of the best ways to preempt this is to have a discussion with the children upfront before you set off, but you also could put a reward system in place.
For example, if they do not argue for X amount of time or until you’ve reached your first pit stop, they can have a reward. This means that your children are going to be on their best behavior, and you can focus better on the road.
Dress Them in Layers Before You Head Off
Depending on your journey, you will need to make sure that they are comfortable. If they’re not comfortable, you are going to hear about it! You don’t know what the weather will be like, so make sure that you dress your children in layers while remembering to remove the jackets before you strap them in.
Regular Breaks
Finally, as obvious as it sounds, you’ve got to remember that everybody needs a break from the monotony. If you are trying to stay focused on your journey you’ve got to remember that your road trip should factor in a few rest stops.
This is especially important for young babies, and try to work around their sleeping and eating times.
