Summer is upon us and with it come vacations and plenty of road trips! If you’re planning on heading out with a full car, guest blogger Keith Jacobs from carupkeep.info has a few tips and tricks to make your life easier. Bonus tip: take your SkyMed TAKESYOUHOME family membership along with you because it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!
Traveling can be a fun, memorable time for the entire family, but when it comes to hitting the road with children and pets, it’s important to have a good plan so that everyone will stay happy and comfortable. Taking a trip that lasts longer than a day will require excellent packing skills and a decent idea of the timeline you’ll follow. While you don’t have to stay on schedule the entire time, creating a plan will allow you to reduce stress and anxiety and retain the harmony.
It’s also important to keep safety in mind. Being prepared will go a long way toward helping your family stay safe. Think about things such as getting your vehicle serviced, dressing young children in the same bright color so they’ll be easy to spot in public, and teaching everyone your name and phone number in case you’re separated.
Keep reading for some great tips on how to make a trip with your family a smooth one.
Stick to a routine
Routines are important for everyone, especially if you’ll be away for longer than a day or two. New patterns and schedules can lead to anxiety and meltdowns for kids and pets alike, so do your best to stick to your normal routine. Snack time, nap time, dinner time, and bedtime should stay relatively the same while you’re gone. The same applies to your pet’s routine. When traveling with your dog, he should have his own bedding and a few of his favorite toys to play with, and you’ll want to make sure he gets the same amount of exercise he gets at home. If you’ll be in the car for a while, pull over at a rest stop so he can run in the grass and burn off excess energy. Note, not everyone wants to take their beloved pet on a family trip. If that’s the case, be sure to board your pet or hire a pet sitter so that his routine stays intact and your stress levels low.
Pack separate bags
It’s a good idea to pack one small bag for each member of the family to keep in an easily accessible spot in the trunk or back of the car that holds a change of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, and anything else they need for bedtime. This will allow you to grab these light bags when you stop overnight rather than taking in everyone’s luggage.
If you’ll be flying, pack half of your clothing in your spouse or partner’s bag, and do the same for their belongings. Kids’ luggage can be packed the same way; this will ensure that if the airline loses someone’s luggage, they’ll still have a few things in someone else’s bag.
Bring food and supplements
It can be hard to eat healthy on the road, so it’s a good idea to pack lunch totes or a cooler full of healthy snacks and lunch or dinner that can be eaten when you find a nice park or rest area. Think veggies and dip, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, turkey wraps, and fresh fruit. If you’re traveling with young kids, plan on stopping every two or three hours so they can get a snack, stretch their legs, and get the wiggles out.
In addition to healthy snacks, you might need to consider a few supplements that could help out in should a situation arise. For example, if your child tends to get upset stomachs, consider packing some probiotics to help keep their gut health in balance. And if your child tends to get a little nervous during trips, consider bringing along CBD oils, which have shown to help control stress and anxiety in children. Of course, not all CBD oils are made equal, so look through online reviews that can guide you to the best products on the market, and don’t hesitate to call the brand if you have any questions that you can’t find answers for. Also, don’t forget to speak with your child’s doctor before beginning any new supplements.
Think safety
Road trip safety is imperative, so plan on having your car serviced about a week before you leave. Have the fluids changed and/or topped off, check the tires and windshield wipers, and pack an emergency kit for the trunk that contains water, road flares, a flashlight, blankets, and the right tools to change a tire. You’ll also want to make sure your child’s car seat or booster seat is installed properly.
Traveling with the entire family can be stressful if you don’t have a good plan, so begin your preparations at least a few weeks in advance and talk to your family members about your plans so there will be no confusion. This way, you’ll be able to keep everyone safe and happy.
