The Family Road Trip - 6 Survival Tips by Barb Dearing

When we start planning a family road trip, we usually have visions of the kids coloring quietly in the backseat, memorable moments at the roadside petting zoo caught on video and the entire family ooh-ing and aah-ing at Niagra Falls. But the reality usually includes kids bickering nonstop from one side of the country to the other, video of your toddler crying at the petting zoo and your teen spending most her time at Niagra Falls in the gift shop.

While some of these moments are predictable regardless of your best efforts, there are a few things you can do to make the trip more pleasant for all involved.

1. Give 'em a rest. When traveling with children , it's a good idea to stop about every two hours. Young children lack the attention span to stay cooped up in one place for much longer than that. Even older children need some air and a change of scenery stay refreshed and committed to the travel schedule.

2. Put 'em on the dole. Don't make the mistake of giving each child his or her own goody bag. They will most likely tear straight through it and be completely bored within an hour. It's better if one of the adults keeps the games, books and treats within their possession and hands them out when necessary. It's also a great idea to invest in one new game or toy specifically for the trip. Then bring it out as a surprise when things start to get really tense. Novelty is great distraction.

3. Turn 'em loose. If your idea of a rest stop is a quick trip to the bathroom, think again. Children of all ages need to get the wiggles out. Make sure to pack footballs, jump ropes and Frisbees and make the most of them every time you stop.

4. Don't forget to feed 'em. Skip the fast food, afterall, there is a good chance your kids get more of that than they need at home. A family road trip is the perfect time to plan a family picnic. So pack your cooler with healthy treats and cold water and look for a playground or roadside table to hold your picnic.

5. Plug 'em in. While a non-electronic vacation may sound heavenly to you, it may be pure torture for your kids. Older kids may really need to the privacy that comes with an ipod and set of headphones. When everybody has reached wits end, a dvd player may help younger kids hold it together for another hour or two. But the key here is balance. The electronics should be kept packed away and brought out only when desperate measures are required.

6. Don't sweat 'em. Backseat squabbles are bound to occur even under the best of circumstances. Just count to ten, or two thousand, and remember -- this too shall pass. Our parents survived their family road trips and we will, too.

Barb Dearing is an online writer and a mom who has found that family road trips work best when she brings along a portable dvd player for the kids and a set of headphones -- for herself.

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