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Many families look forward to the destination but seldom look forward to the trip there. Phrases like 'are we there yet?' 'I'm bored.' 'I'm hungry.' 'He's touching me', have sent blood surging through the veins of the sanest parent. Traveling, especially with children, can be taxing, draining and tension filled. Can there be any relief to the mayhem? Or is it a right of passage that all parents must go through?
It is a situation that many parents dread facing, but in order to enjoy family time together in a setting other than the familiar, it is a necessary task. Preparation for the unexpected, as well as the expected can make the travel to the destination a less fraught battle. Often times the trip can be made into an endurable experience.
The Basics
Parents often wonder about ways to keep their children occupied on the journey. They sometimes overlook the jaunt to the store or a friend's house. Travel is can mean going to the grocery or enjoying a fun filled week in the Bahamas. Being prepared for any occasion can make even the simplest drive less daunting.
Children have their moments in which they are the easiest to handle. Some children are their best in the morning, making it easier for the parent to accomplish errand running at that time. Other children are not early birds and prefer the afternoon, in which case, the parents of these children can get the most done then. Some children like to sleep in the car and some don't. Knowing your child can make a difficult trip easier.
Parents who understand their child and the needs that may arise during travel time can best prepare themselves for the journey. Longer trips can be taken when the child is sleeping, making for less stopping along the way.
Make sure that all safety standards are adhered to regardless if the child wants it or not. Their life is more important than a moment of contentment. Once they learn that all travel is made in the safety of their restraint, they soon become accustomed to it. However, once a child knows that they can leave the sanctuary of their restraint then they will employ the same tactics regularly.
A Bag Full of Fun
Knowing what captures your child's attention is key when packing a bag of fun. Find an easily accessible bag or container and fill it with toys or activities that do not take up much room and can be contained where the child is seated. Magnetic drawing boards and mechanical sketching toys both provide amusement without a parent having to re-supply paper and drawing untensils, dolls, books and activity toys can capture the imagination for the child. By letting him or her enjoy one item from the bag a time until that toys usefulness wears out, the parent can prolong the time before the child finds him or her self bored. Make sure that the bag is placed in an area that the child or parent can easily reach.
Do not take toys or activities that create a lot of mess or have a lot of accessories, it will cause frustration when pieces drop or messes are made. The best way to know what to take is to observe your child playing with the item and if it is something that is easy to bring along put it in the bag.
Another bag that can be packed is a snack bag. Items that are easy to handle and do not take a lot of effort to eat are ideal to include. Snack crackers, wafers, fruit drops, and snack mixes can aid in the battle of hunger. Bring along small baggies that smaller portions can be placed in, that way the child can better handle the amount and more children can enjoy their own. It cuts down on the argument created when one child is in control of the container. Spill proof cups are best to use when travelling; it cuts down on mess and creates ease of use.
The trip in the car may be made easier if your vehicle is equipped with a television and VCR. Many times the option is available upon purchase, but if it is not an option at the time portable units can be purchased after market for reasonable rates. A favorite movie or show is sure to hold a child's attention.
Travel Time
There is no easy answer when it comes to picking the best part of the day to travel. Realizing what difficulties will be faced at different times can help the parents choose what is best for them. If travel is done by car during the day, be aware that most of the metropolitan areas have congestion during commuter traffic rush hours. Be aware of road construction along the route, which may, prolong the travel time. Those types of situations often cause tension for both the driver and occupants.
Traveling by car, at night provides for less traffic headaches but the battle would be more in relation to driver fatigue. Children are more apt to sleep during the night hours. Drivers find the roadways easier to maneuver even through road construction areas. By having more that one driver that can relieve the tired partner can make the trip at night easier.
Traveling by air can be just as tension filled as traveling by car. Choosing the best time of day for the children is key to a less chaotic flight. Remember that there are other passengers traveling with your family who may not be as accepting of children that are fraught because they are bored or their needs aren't easily met. The pressure changes can wreak havoc on a child's ears and can cause discomfort that may send your child reeling. Be prepared with gum and pain medication that may make the flight less traumatic for them and those around you.
Flights are often crowded, tempers are short and the space is confined, so make sure that all possible situations are planned for during your trip. Layovers and delays can be another upsetting situation that needs to be considered. Alternate plans should be made in passing the time while waiting. By actively taking part in the preparation as well as the trip you can adapt to any situation.
Safety is the Key
Whether traveling by land or air, parents should always consider their child's safety above anything else. A child safety seat is crucial in keeping your child safe if they are less than 60 pounds. Most states require children under the age of 5, who are passengers in a vehicle, to be securely fastened in a safety seat. However, according the Academy of Pediatrics the safest place for a child less than 60 pounds is in a child safety seat even if they are older than 5. These guides should be adhered to at all time, whether traveling by air or land.
If traveling by air, the best thing to do is to purchase a seat for your child. If a child is 2 and younger the airlines do not require parents to purchase a seat. However, it is very difficult for a parent to hold on to a child when turbulence is experienced. Sudden jolts can send a child flying like a projectile. They can be seriously injured when they are not properly restrained. The life of a child is worth the extra expense of a seat. Those children that are old enough to require a seat should be placed in their safety seat if they are less than 60 pounds. The same safety standards that govern travel by car should be followed when riding a plane, even though it is not regulated.
When children become fussy or they combat staying in their seat, parents need to be firm about keeping them there. Many injuries and even death can be prevented if the child is properly restrained. Distracting a child by activities can aid in them becoming more comfortable and it also takes the focus off of being restrained.
Without proper restraint the child becomes a human projectile. They are hurled at great speed through the air. They can be ejected from the vehicle or make contact with a solid object, serious injury or even death will result.
Parents need to make sure that they read the instructions that come with the safety seat. Familiarize yourself on the proper way to secure the seat in the vehicle. Make sure all aspects of the restraints are used. Leaving the shoulder harness off does not completely protect your child. Allowing for too much play between the safety seat and the vehicle seat creates an unsafe situation and the seat cannot do it's intended job. Improper use renders the safety equipment useless. Make sure that directions are followed completely to get the maximum protection intended by the manufacturer.
Children greater than 60 pounds and any passenger in a car or plane should make full use of the safety restraint that comes standard on that vehicle. Lives can be spared and injuries lessened if parents and children take precautions.
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