Road trips with kids

 

Travelling with kids is a daunting task.
My wife and I, both avid travellers put road trips and long-distance travelling on the back burner when we had our first kid.

 

 

Photo Credits Freepik

This was tough because we enjoyed travelling, particularly by vehicle, which carries this sense of adventure and discovery. You get to meet new people and experience things that you’d otherwise miss when flying, not to mention the convenience of travelling at your own time and pace and enjoying the little stops along the way.

The very first time we travelled with my 9-month-old, teething daughter was an experience that had left both my wife and I scarred for some time. We are able to laugh about it now but it's taken us some time and some serious therapy to get to this point! I remember the trip clearly. We drove down to Durban in the, at the time, newly launched BMW 320d, but not even the luxury German sedan could make our trip a pleasant one.

Now, as a driver, having a kid howling from the backseat is less than desirable, not just from a sanity point of view but the distraction could potentially be life threatening on the roads. But, before you put off travelling until your child leaves for university, here are some tips to try and make your travels a safer and more enjoyable one - for everyone.

1. Make sure your vehicle is road worthy

Of course, your number one priority during a road trip with a baby or toddler is to arrive at your destination safe and sound. Before setting out, be sure to check that your vehicle is in good condition, up-to-date on any oil changes or scheduled maintenance and is fuelled up. The last thing you would want is being stuck on the side of the road with your family, or being forced to stop at a dodgy filling station because you require fuel. As a rule of thumb, always have more fuel than required, detours, traffic and driving conditions can change requiring more fuel. Make sure you have reliable roadside assistance, if something does go wrong.

2. Prepare your car

Childproof your car and ensure that the child-lock is set to the rear doors. Bring pillow, blanket, sun shield, and trash bag along. These could all make your kid's journey a lot more comfortable. Another important piece of equipment is a roadside emergency kit. Pack it with bandages, medicines, a flashlight, jumper cables and other useful items. An easy solution is to purchase a pre-filled kit and make sure that it is easily and quickly accessible if needed.

3. Safety first

All passengers should remain safely seated and buckled throughout the journey. Did you know that child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers? There are many brands and models of child seats available on the market, so be sure to do your homework when purchasing. Speak to the salespeople and check for online reviews. Also, be sure to select a seat that is ideal for your child's age, size and weight. Make sure you know how to use the system correctly; most cars now have Isofix mounts which are safer and more convenient.

4. Don’t overdo it

Let's be real- your plans of a 4-day long Cape to Kruger road trip, will not cut it with your 1 year old. Remember to take things slow and don’t be overly optimistic. Sitting in one position for hours on end isn't comfortable for anyone, your little one feels the same way too.

5. Travel when it’s comfortable for you

As much as people advise you to travel at night when your baby is naturally asleep, this is something I do not recommend at all. For starters, it's unsafe to be travelling at that time; there are security risks, visibility is low, keeping the driver awake may be a struggle and you get to your destination exhausted and off-schedule. Instead, travel when you are most comfortable but avoid rush hour traffic.

6. Back seat buddy

Where possible, have an adult passenger supervise and oversee your little one on long trips. As much as I miss my wife riding shotgun beside me, having her move to the back seat to entertain and oversee our little ones have made travels a lot easier. Use your time in the back seat to bond with your baby, play games and encourage exploration.

7. Silence is not always golden

Play music or sounds that your little one enjoys or is used to. This does come at a cost though - 3 hours of back-to-back “baby shark” will have you singing it in your sleep!

8. Screentime

While we all strive to keep our little ones screentime in check, you may want to consider bending the rules for road trips. Try not to start the journey off with screentime, rather pull out the "big guns" only when the journey starts gets tiring for your little one. This will serve as the perfect distraction until the next stop.

9. Playtime

Bring along your kids favourite toys for the ride and bring a few new ones too. Beware of toys that could potentially cause injury to your child, need I say, pencils were not created for roadtrips, or toys that cause a distraction to the driver, for example: a toy police car with flashing lights and sirens is a definite no-no!

10. Snacks are your friends

Just like your vehicle, your little one needs fuel for the journey too. Trust me when I say this, kids become a nightmare when they’re hungry! Pack ample snacks, drinks and treats too. Individually wrapped and resealable foods are amazing for road trips.

11. Stop regularly

Ensure that the place you've chosen to stop at, is safe. It's never a good idea to stop on the side of the road. Busy, well-lit filling stations are a much better option. Take your kid for a short walk to stretch and refresh. Stopping regularly also provides the perfect opportunity for nursing moms to safely feed their babies.

12. Tag team

Driving for a long time is taxing for the driver too. My wife and I regularly switch driving responsibilities. This gives her a break from the demanding task of keeping the kids entertained and gives me some time away from behind the wheel.

13. Plan-B

Last but not least, if all else fails and your journey is nightmarish, it may be useful to have a plan-b in the form of an overnight stop. Do some research on the areas and towns that you will be travelling through and look for suitable accommodation that will give you, and your little ones enough time to recuperate. Our go-to has always been Airbnb and surprisingly we've found some absolute gems that were very affordable.

Hopefully these tips will help you to travel more frequently with your kids and won't stop you from exploring our beautiful country!

Looking for more travel tips, motoring advice or just want to see what I’m driving? Follow me on Instagram @what.james.drives

Jameel Ismail - Freelance Motoring Journalist | Automotive Content Creator | Advanced Driving Instructor

Currently, Jameel enjoys writing articles that cover new vehicle launches, car culture, industry news, road safety and road trips. He also produces and co-hosts a weekly motoring radio show called Bumper 2 Bumper - a multi-award winning and the longest running Motoring and lifestyle radio show in South Africa. 

Find him at: Instagram: @what.james.drives Facebook: Jameel Ismail Website: www.findyouradventure.co.za