Stress Free Summer Travel

Taking my 13 year old down to sleep away camp this week reminded me of all the previous summers we’ve gone through the same ritual. I always try to squeeze in a couple days of vacation, but with packing for his time away from home, making travel arrangements, packing for myself, and meanwhile keeping the household running and getting my work done, it became a priority to make the travel as stress-free and simple as possible. Though my son can entertain himself now for the most part with his books and music, I like to take advantage of the time we spend together in planes and cars and catch up with my ever-growing son. I’ve found that we both enjoy books on tape in fun genres, choosing Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. We listen to together and then discuss and can usually finish a whole book together over the course of one vacation.

Travel isn’t quite as easy with younger kids, as I remember from my early days as a Mom. In the spirit of nostalgia and to help all you Moms with your own summer travel, I’ve put together a few tips for traveling with your kids, from the time they’re infants up to the pre-tween years.

With infants and toddlers, I’ve found that toys, rattles, and teething rings that have loops are best for travel. I string them together on soft cotton rope so that they can’t be lost under car seats or flung into the laps of fellow plane passengers. Suction toys can be stuck to airline trays or car windows and bringing only noiseless toys will save your sanity! Laying a beach towel or sheet over the back seat of your car will save you crushed crackers in the seats and drink spills on the leather. It’s essential to bring a no-spill cup, and I’ve found that the best new ones have a flip design. Also, plates with snap-on covers, baby spoons and forks, and healthful snacks carefully chosen by Mom are lifesavers. CVS Playskool makes very good versions of the cups, plates, and utensils, as well as cotton wet wipes that won’t irritate your baby’s face or fall apart when you’re cleaning up a spill.

With elementary-aged kids, entertainment without mess or hassle is the highest priority. I’ve found that Etch-a-Sketch, sticker books, and magnet books are as good as drawing but without lost marker caps or ink stains on the seats. It’s also easy to find no-mess coloring paper in any toy store. I like to find little gifts, like small books or travel-sized playdough containers, to wrap up and hand out during the trip as incentives for good behavior. To reduce backseat bickering, I put a soft cooler or small suitcase in the center seat. It keeps a boundary between the kids and gives them a surface for cards or drawing.

When you find yourself pushed to the limits of your patients, the Quiet Game—challenging kids to stay silent for as long as possible—gives you a much-needed rest.

Take these tips on your travels this summer and remember—family vacations are meant to be fun.

Image: CVS

Comments

[Esther]

yes, the quiet game would be excellent, if my kids would play.

;o)

[kim p]

yes, take my kids on vacation all the time.

[Debbie]

Wow! Your son is 13 and YOU'RE doing his packing for camp? Bet it's not Boy Scout camp, 'cause the kids learn to pack for themselves. They learn to make checklists, get everything together before hand, pack their gear and then hike it in to and from the campsite. As I am the camper and not my husband, I taught two sons how to prepare for camp. After the first year (the boys are 13 years apart) of summer camp, they were on their own to make their own mistakes. A few times I've heard: "Man, I wish I'd remembered that" or "I should never have lugged all that extra gear that I didn't really need" but that's about it.

Stop wearing yourself out before he goes to camp. Pry the video game controller out of his hand and tell him to grow up and take care of his own needs.

Tell me, does he earn all of the money to go to camp? My son busts his hump to come up with the funds on his own. He knows on our meager income (now only $24,000 combined - his father is disabled) he'll never have anything handed to him. We only buy the uniforms (new or barely used on eBay) and pay his dues for Scouts. Next summer he'll be going to camp and on a two-week trip out West for Scouts. he's already saving money and looking for ways to make money. It'll be a very expensive summer, but so much sweeter for him knowing that he really did earn the trip.

In my husband's former line of work, we've never been anything more than just barely solvent, so our older two knew that they had to cover things on their own and they are very resourceful as a result. It's pretty easy to live within your means, once you figure out exactly what you need, as opposed to what you want.

With all three of our kids, we learned to take the omnipresent zippy bag of Cheerios, non-sugared drinks, pretzels and tons of fresh fruit. We never had a tv or game boy for entertainment - just the beautiful scenery of the country we were driving through. We would stop at rest stops and people watch, count cars as we traveled, "collect" license plates, and sing our way to our destination, without a radio or walkman's help. (The Angola rest stop on the New York Thruway is still a lot of fun. We stand there way too long, while the cars and trucks race by under our feet!) We'd take lots of pictures, too, in the car and out. And we talked to each other. There were a few grumpy moments, but generally, the trips were fun and memorable.

What it all boils down to is, if your kids are crazy and out of control at home, they'll be crazy and out of control in the car.

[Traci]

Yes, my son (17) and I have made two lenghthy trips together so far this year. First, 12 hours to Alabama for a long weekend! Second, a working trip to help his older sister move to grad school. Both trips he was involved in the planning, budgeting and driving. It's a great way to talk and catch-up on thoughts, feelings and "things", without him feeling like I'm being nosy. Anytime in the car is good for talking! Next, an autumn trip to the north to check out colleges...