Road Trip with kids

I have always been an avid traveller who loves to take road trips whenever I got the chance, but for the last one year, planning a road trip was looking like an impossible task as I am now, father of a 17 month old kid who happens to be a fussy eater and can be a challenging one specially at meal times. With an upcoming marriage in the family for which both me and my wife were excited, we had the perfect opportunity and decided to plan a road trip to Amritsar which is a whooping 480KM drive one way.

 

We were not too sure if the child would be able to enjoy the drive as much as we both did and was prepared to take as many halts as possible, even a overnight stay at a midway hotel was on the cards. Thankfully our planning and arrangements were good enough and we needed minimum halts for this trip. I have tried to compile and share a list of things to take care, before you embark on such a journey.

Pre plan the meals

We make sure our kid gets home cooked food as you are never too sure of the ingredients used in the restaurants and Dhabas. You must make a list of the meals that your child would have and pack all the ingredients as per the meals in small leak proof containers. Packaging them in a separate box or bag is advisable, so that you can locate them easily whenever needed.

Carry utensils

Now that you have the ingredients the most important question is how to cook it. You can carry a small 1kg pressure cooker in case you get a gas stove to cook at a local dhaba or at the kitchen of your restaurant another handy option is a electric cooker which comes in a small size and is easy to carry along. You will have to carry your own basic utensils so you will have an idea of the quantity that you serve every day, you don’t want to underfeed or overfeed your infant.

Keep lots of toys

You must make the back seat of the car into a play area for the kid so that they are engrossed in their own wonderland make sure to spread a sheet on the seat so they don’t spoil the seat even if they spill something. Do Keeps bags on the floor to protect them from falling. If and when they fall asleep the same area can be used as bed for them. Make sure to put a child lock on the doors and windows also ensure the car is clean and dust free from the inside.

Take frequent halts

Even if you don’t feel fatigued, the child would be and will not sit at one place for very long. You must take halts at a neat clean place where the child can walk, crawl, or even roll in the grass or sit on swings in case the place has such options. Halts are also necessary to change diapers.

McDonald’s is one place I strongly recommend as you can buy happy meals and give the kid a new toy, they even give Balloons to young ones.

Protect and hydrate

You must ensure Windows curtains or blinds on the back seat make shift play area of the child especially in Summer’s as the heat can take it toll on them also you need to keep the kid well hydrated during travelling. The air conditioning system needs to be moderate and switched on to comfort them, But occasionally you must open your own windows to let the fresh air come in.

Carry all Medication

You will have to carry all the medicines that you have ever given to your young one as you can never be sure, when an situation arises. You should also consult your pediatrician before commencing on such a journey and make travel only if the Doctor gives a go ahead. Try and fit the medicines in a tamper proof box, even if a medicine spills they won’t have any effect on the cloths. I would strongly suggest a thermometer, it comes in handy.

The basic precautions while travelling on a  highway would always be the same. Getting a car checked is the foremost and having hygienic food would be great as you don’t want to fall sick, otherwise who will take care of the child in case you fall ill. Staying at a hotel that has a lawn or a garden would be a big advantage as kids love such greenery.

It’s not easy to travel with the kids so try and make it as memorable as possible and travel at a slow pace so the it is enjoyable for everyone