that kids can’t wait to have visit. But it was last October that my skills were put to the test. My good friends invited me to join their family road trip down the southern coast of Brazil. Sounds great. Then I mapped it! Um, what? 19 hours one way? Yikes. But these are close friends and I love the kids so … I opted to meet them at the top and do the drive back. And wouldn’t you know that it was one of the best trips of my life. Who knew. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Games! Games! Games! If you don’t know any, learn them. Google, ask other creative parents.
other creative parents. You cannot survive a road trip without them. Trust me when I tell you that having an arsenal of fun activities for kids is worth its weight in gold. At the recent family and friends gathering after my godson was baptized, as my patience was waning a bit from my total attention to the kids for hours, I came up with a modified scavenger hunt. Since a camera was the new gift, I provided the boys a list of 25 items to find, take a photo of and report back … when they were done.
Things like a red flower, a brick, and even Colleen’s teeth. A note here: 25 is too much and likely results in the meltdown I witnessed. Keep the list short. At the airport once, I saw a kid having that similar meltdown. Rather than glare with disapproval at the parent for not quieting the darling little monster like so many travelers do, I challenged the kid with the quiz - “name 10 body parts that have only 3 letters” and the spell was cast. Do you know the answers? I’ve even done this via speaker phone while a friend was on his family road trip. Of course my standard “go to” games are “I SPY”, “20 Questions” and “Hangman” … and the more animated your voice and mannerisms the better. You’ll have the kids rapt attention and the driver will thank you. And did you know that a roll of masking tape makes for good fun, just be sure not to block any breathing passages or tape too tight.
“I SPY”, “20 Questions” and “Hangman” … and the more animated your voice and mannerisms the better. You’ll have the kids rapt attention and the driver will thank you. And did you know that a roll of masking tape makes for good fun, just be sure not to block any breathing passages or tape too tight.
Normally a “shotgun” kind of girl (a little car sickness goes a long way), I can actually survive long distances in the backseat sandwiched between munchkins for hours at a time. It’s a much better vantage point for tickling, elbowing, poking, pinching, and doling out small amounts of treats (sneaking the cookie when the parents in front can’t see, bribery gets you everywhere , but beware the sugar rule). Here is where I appreciate the family style SUV. With me in the car, no DVD required. One of my favorite memories is a tiny little head asleep on each shoulder. If you’ve ever been the grown-up pillow I know you agree.