With the lockdown on everyone’s mind and Christmas fast approaching, my thoughts have started to think about how Christmas might look this year. It is still too early to tell, however as lots of mums will appreciate planning is the key to success and stress free (or less stressful at least) times! With Christmas set to look a bit different this year, road trips may be on the agenda! Each year I like to take my own children to visit Santa somewhere. This year I was finding it tough to find somewhere safe to do this, then bingo… a drive through Santa experience. I quickly google mapped the journey – 2 hours each way!! So if travel restrictions allow we will be having a road trip to see Santa.
My tips for long road trips would be…
- Food and drink! Especially at the moment when life can’t be a bit more tricky to stop and pick something up than previously. I always feel more hungry when travelling and I’m sure it’s not just my children than can demolish a packed lunch before 10am when travelling!! So be prepared and bring lots of handy snacks and drinks!
- Don’t forget the potty! Over the summer I actually purchased a ‘OneCreation Portable’ potty! I was not sure if it would just be a fad or actually a great invention. Turns out it was a great invention and I can highly recommend it for boys! Although just one wee fits, it is much smaller and pram/bag friendly than a traditional sized potty! Obviously, nappies (if appropriate), wipes, changing mat and other changing bag essentials will be needed.
- Entertainment! Whether it is listening to a specific paw patrol episode on repeat or a favourite nursery rhyme over and over, my moto – happy kids = happy mummy so set your speakers to play in the back of the car higher than in the front and relax! Over the summer I learnt that my youngest suffers from travel sickness so now we have a strict rule listening and no watching in the car!!
- Take spare clothes! Even though it is only a day trip anything can happen as I have learnt over the summer, whether it is trying to cram two wees into the emergency potty that over spills or someone being travel sick all over themselves I have been very grateful to always keep a spare set of clothes in the boot!
- Sleep! Time the trip around naps and bedtime. I always try and head out first thing and then be heading home after lunch. That way if the little ones nod off (if they don’t have naps) it is hopefully early enough for them to not be impacted too much by bedtime. Equally if they are still nappy this offers a morning and afternoon nap option. Depending on the location and timing options, another favourite time to travel is after bedtime routine. We have family a few hours journey away and when we go to visit them, we always do bedtime stories and pyjamas before we leave. Then a cup of milk in the car on the way home and the plan is the children fall asleep in the car, enabling a successful transfer when you get home.
So, to conclude, when leaving for a road trip be organised and take more of everything than you think you’ll need as chances are you may need it! But one last thing before you leave for your trip… don’t forget to capture your best family memories with one of our Family sessions, please take a look at www.mariemyersphotography.co.uk for more information on these wonderful sessions.