To Grandmother’s house we go, or to another relative’s house perhaps. No matter where you are going, in the next couple of months you will be traveling in the car with your family. Maybe even if they are short jaunts to the mall for Christmas shopping, there will be more time spent in the car than usual. Along with long hauls come the whining, boredom, and the required stops for bathroom breaks and munchies. No matter what the age of your son is, some of these symptoms are liable to make traveling uncomfortable if not a nightmare. Who wants to start your holiday with that happening?

Borrowing from the Boy Scouts, “Be Prepared.” You can stop the problems before they start if you schedule in a few minutes to get everything you need together before you start your traveling. A checklist for items that are you son’s favorite items would be a good idea to carry where you store important information. Let’s talk about a few things in each age range that we need to remember for our trip.

If your son is an infant, this is a basic list of necessities:
Formula blanket plenty of clothing bottles burp clothes diapers wipes powder ointment soft toys

If your son is a toddler: Remember, since your son’s car seat is in the back of the car, you can’t watch him every second, so make sure what you give him to play with cannot be chewed and swallowed.
Healthy snacks sippy cup mess less coloring tools soft book toys that do not come apart and do not have parts that can be swallowed a change of clothes a towel wipes a soft pillow his blanket &/or stuffed animal

As we start in elementary school we can play games with him as we are riding, such as the timeless Alphabet Game where you have to find the letters of the alphabet on signs as you travel by them. This is addictive, so don’t plan on playing just one game!
Books that have quizzes, word search, or other age appropriate games
Don’t forget, if he has a hand held game, to bring extra batteries if required. Small drinks to quench his thirst but not big enough that he feels he can and should finish them, thus requiring more bathroom breaks. A small pillow, and if he still has a favorite blanket or soft toy, add this to your list.

Our older boys require very little to keep them occupied. They already know that eventually they will get there, so the complaints from them will come less often. Do remember the car charger for their cell phone, iPod, mp3 player, and hand held game, or extra batteries that they require. Suggest they take a book, a crossword puzzle book, or magazine about their favorite hobby. Give him the map and let him be your navigator. This will give him a feeling of importance, learn geography, and be occupied at the same time.

On your travels, keep in mind that wherever they are going, they could easily get bored, especially if there are not others there of the same age. Pack a few of his favorite DVDs or videos. You might want to consider packing an outdoor toy too if you are going where the climate will allow you to be outside.
Sleeping in a new place will require a little extra attention. Even though he knows and loves his relatives, this still isn’t going to be his room or his bed. If he has a favorite comforter and pillow, better to throw that in the back of the car to help with the transition and sleep.
Here a couple of great links to help you with your list.

From our household to yours, travel safe, enjoy yourself and your family, and Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.activitiesforkids.com/travel/travel_hints.htm
http://www.flyingwithkids.com/
http://www.travelingwithkids.com/

****If you are traveling by car, please remember to do a check on your child or baby seat to make sure it is installed correctly and all the parts are working on the seat. Most fire departments do this a couple of times a year as a community service. I am sure if you drove up to one and requested to have it checked out, they would be glad to make sure you child is safe!****