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Surviving Family Trips

09.03.2009 · Posted in Home and Garden Articles

According to the United States Department of Energy, travel continues to grow in popularity every year. The department predicts that even more people will be on the road this year. And while traveling with your family can often be a super way to spend quality time together, let’s face it: it can also be stressful. Increase your chances of a fun, stress-free and safe vacation on the road with kids by following these simple tips:nnBeat Boredom with Child’s Playnn”Are we there yet?” Why is it that those words are always uttered exactly at the moment when mom and dad’s own energy levels are at their worst, making it easy to lose patience? Prevent a tired response you’ll have to apologize for later. Make sure your children have something to play with. It will keep them entertained, alert, and, hopefully, behaving kindly towards one another. Magnetic board games, portable video games and classics such as the license plate game, “I Spy” and the alphabet game will keep your kids in good spirits and actively engaged no matter how long the highway is.nnRemember to Stay Clean at Rest StopsnnUsing rest stops is an inevitable part of family travel. To keep your car from becoming a breeding ground for nasty bacteria you or your kids may pick up from the stop, however, make sure you carry hand sanitizers. Use them liberally to make sure that the germs you may have acquired in the bathrooms don’t take hold in your vehicle, or your great family trip may mutate into a family sickness festival. Also, make sure you keep moist wipes around for the occasional spills and accidents in the car during travel.nnSavvy EatingnnWhile it may be tempting to join the thousands of other families who fuel up on food at rest stops, the savvy traveling family knows better. By strategically stocking a cooler with healthy snacks — trail mix, yogurt, fruit — your family can beat the lines at the rest stop restaurants and feel good about the food you’re putting in your body at the same time. Bringing these easy, convenient, and healthful snacks can keep your family in tip-top shape at a time when other families may be letting their bellies get bigger.nnIf you opt to stop instead of keeping food in the car, consider the grocery store instead of the fast food restaurant. There’s plenty of healthy fare at low prices, and you’ll probably find that it’s less crowded than the roadside restaurants catering to travelers. Just by going a few extra miles away from exits, you’ll open up your gustatory possibilities without expanding your waistline.nnThink of EveryonennThere are plenty of kid-oriented vacation destinations that are sure to please the young ones. But can the adults in the group have fun there, too? With proper planning, family vacations don’t have to be exclusively kid-centric. Mom, dad, and the grand parents can have fun in the same places as the kids if you pick the right venues. Some popular family spots all can enjoy can include Williamsburg, VA; Disneyworld in Orlando; or Yosemite National Park.nnA chaotic disaster? Or an unforgettable bonding time? Family vacations have been known to produce both. But with a little strategic planning, you can make sure that your next trip is the latter.

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