Whether it’s just a short trip to the grocery or a long excursion out of town, kids can become restless easily inside the car. Here are some travel tips to keep your young passengers entertained and under control.
1. Child Safety should always come first. Keep children in the back seat of the car and buckle them up. Avoid putting your child on the “death seat” beside the driver. Put the child-safety lock on to prevent doors from being opened from inside. Keep the windows closed, and teach children not to put their hands or heads out the window.
2. Comfort comes next. Clothe children in lightweight clothing, especially if you’re expecting a long drive. Cotton shirts and shorts are best for toddlers. Babies, on the other hand, can be dressed in a one-piece shirt-and-short ensemble since a separate shirt tends to bunch at the chest. Bring at least one extra change of clothes for every two to three hours of road travel.
3. Make sure everybody does their bathroom duties before leaving the house. This will ensure unwanted discomfort and delay while on the road.
4. For babies boarding a plane, delay their feeding time. Bring along milk bottles with you and feed the baby during take-off. Sucking alleviates the discomfort caused by the changing pressure when the plane leaves the ground.
5. For children, comfort food on a family trip is still one of the best tranquilizers. But these should be drip-free and easy to eat.
6. Go for food that travel well or keep till you get to your destination, like fruit juices, cookies, and water, preferably in plastic containers. Don’t pack food that needs refrigeration. Don’t forget paper napkins and wet towels for instant clean-ups.
7. You can prevent crying baby’s bouts by bringing a bag of toys. Include among his favorite toys a number of new ones to catch his interest and to keep him occupied.
8. Don’t leave sharp or heavy objects in the vehicle – it could be fatal when you come to a sudden stop. Likewise, don’t let kids suck on a lollipop or serve food on barbecue sticks while on the road.
9. Bring along small throw pillows for aching backs and sleepy heads.
