Did you know research has shown that driving with bickering in the backseat can be as dangerous as drunk driving?
Please read these strategies to help make your travels safer, peaceful, and more pleasant:
- Get plenty of rest before driving so that you aren’t cranky
- Think safety: carseats, seat belts, 12 and under in the back - no exceptions
- Follow the rules for your state http://www.chp.ca.gov/community/safeseat.html
- Prepare the kids ahead of time, but don’t make promises you can’t keep
- Wear comfortable clothes for journey
- Pack small blankets, pillows, favorite soft animal if age appropriate
- Special care must be taken for infants and toddlers to keep car free of hazards
- Avoid heavy or hard items in passenger area
- Keep enough water in the car
- Pack healthy snacks, including some protein
- Avoid caffeine and sweets for the children
- Pack variety of age appropriate activities for the children
- Involve the children with packing their items
- Plan short breaks into your itinerary
- Encourage everyone to use the restroom during stops
- Get inexpensive new toys for a surprise activity during the trip
- Know a few travel games (20?s, Build a Story, Math Drills, Sing)
- Keep variety of music available to play (trying calming music)
- Bickering in the backseat? Pull over in a safe area, remain calm, and resume driving once the bickering stops
- Offer periodic rewards for orderly behavior (play fave song, download app)
- Always use common sense and be safe minded
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