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.
SUGAR IS NO JOKE. Have you ever seen a kid with a sugar high? I have. And I’m not talking about tipsy from sneaking the last sips of discarded drinks at the grown-ups party (there seems to be a photo of me doing this as a toddler). Nope, I now have documented (via secret but parent-approved video) just what happens when your child ingests a few too many desserts from the novelty sushi conveyor belt restaurant. Imagine the scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Veruca Salt, among others, going wild over the candy. Or go back farther to the candy factory conveyor belt episode of I Love Lucy … popping one delectable morsel after another. Admittedly trying not to laugh at the calamity and random diatribe of this kid loudly, heatedly and repeatedly exclaiming, “I am NOT DRUNK!!!”, we were also pretty shocked to really see the change - louder, stumbly, irrational, talking to strangers (how many of you have I just described) and trying to keep grasping at more chocolates. These desserts were not alcohol infused. Just sugar filled. As expected, a bit later came the dreaded MELTDOWN. It is sure to come so just be ready. Away from a public place (like said restaurant) and definitely not trapped in the back seat with the Tasmanian Devil child. We witness this a few more times simply with a few bites of cookie. And then we started noticing in it ourselves. An easy solution is to pack healthier treats since they can be really difficult to find on the road, no matter your best intentions. When all else fails, pack your own anti-meltdown treat (cheers! Just make sure it’s not your turn at the wheel).
Finally, I get to go home. I never expected to count “road tripping with kids” as one of my favorite vacations of all time. Their parents were just as surprised as I was that I wasn’t dying to sneak away and escape the mayhem. So much so that they extended an open invite for future vacations. In fact, I think I may have been offered a free trip if I DO go to Disney World - so long as I play the role of Mother’s Little Helper. To be sure, I have fallen in love with these beautiful spirits. While at times I used to long for munchkins of my own, having the freedom to go home ...by myself… and just quietly relax, is truly valuable. It’s a trade-off for sure. Some parent friends long for the freedom that I enjoy and I sometimes envy the magical bond they all have with their kids. Fortunately for me I am enjoying the best of both worlds. I’ve always said, one of my favorite sounds is that of little children laughing. Looking forward to my next great adventure in Family Road Tripping.
later came the dreaded MELTDOWN. It is sure to come so just be ready. Away from a public place (like said restaurant) and definitely not trapped in the back seat with the Tasmanian Devil child. We witness this a few more times simply with a few bites of cookie. And then we started noticing in it ourselves. An easy solution is to pack healthier treats since they can be really difficult to find on the road, no matter your best intentions. When all else fails, pack your own anti-meltdown treat (cheers! Just make sure it’s not your turn at the wheel).
Finally, I get to go home. I never expected to count “road tripping with kids” as one of my favorite vacations of all time. Their parents were just as surprised as I was that I wasn’t dying to sneak away and escape the mayhem. So much so that they extended an open invite for future vacations. In fact, I think I may have been offered a free trip if I DO go to Disney World - so long as I play the role of Mother’s Little Helper. To be sure, I have fallen in love with these beautiful spirits. While at times I used to long for munchkins of my own, having the freedom to go home ...by myself… and just quietly relax, is truly valuable. It’s a trade-off for sure. Some parent friends long for the freedom that I enjoy and I sometimes envy the magical bond they all have with their kids. Fortunately for me I am enjoying the best of both worlds. I’ve always said, one of my favorite sounds is that of little children laughing. Looking forward to my next great adventure in Family Road Tripping.