"Are We There Yet?"

Ah, the dreaded question on the lips of strapped-down children everywhere.Your sweet grandma may tell you fond stories of the kids jumping in the back of the station wagon (sans seat belts) with a few comic books and their Walkman and then hitting the road for Yellowstone, but those days are long gone!

For those trips that take longer than the kids’ favorite Red Grammer CD, we have some great tips to share as you set out on the road for adventure with your little ones.

Plan F (Flexibility!)

When there are delays, traffic, unexpected extended layovers, or other surprises, remember that the journey can be as meaningful as the destination. Sounds trite, but it’s oh so true! If you start grinding your teeth, your kiddos will sense the tension and feed off of it. Kids don’t feel the same pressures with schedules or checklists, so this is a perfect opportunity to live in the moment with them.

(Almost) Endless Activities

Handheld tech gadgets and the minivan console are miraculous inventions, but don’t forget the old standbys when they get tired of staring at a screen: coloring books, maze books, crayons (twistable crayons are perfect), stickers, slide puzzles, books, rose-colored sunglasses, books, yarn, and pipe-cleaners. Another fun idea is filling an empty water bottle with rice or sand and small items (glue the lid on!) and having a “find it” contest.

Bring Your Nanny!

This is one luxury that you should take advantage of if you can. Your nanny not only knows your kids and their little peccadillos, but is also an extra set of eyes, hands, and ears as well. Just imagine the possibilities! You will have time to take a real bathroom break, have a date night, and maybe even get to sleep in! Your nanny can also be a great back-up if your kiddos need to nap or are just feeling yucky, but you still want to get out and enjoy the day.

Plan for weather fluctuations and Don’t forget the necessities

Planes can be stuffy, nights can be cool, wind, rain and sunburns can wreak havoc on an otherwise pleasant trip. Pack for a variety of conditions and temperatures and you can’t go wrong.Medicine, first aid, baby wipes and prescriptions are easy-to-forget items, but can have very memorable consequences once the trip is already underway!MomAboard has a wonderful, printable checklist to make this step much easier!Leanne Powell, 2017