Posted by
ross |
Having three children and one on the way, relatives 5 hours away in Houston and other commitments many states away, my wife and I have been no strangers to the long road trip. We have learned a few tricks along the way to make the runnings a bit smoother, and so I have decided to open the vault of my vast wisdom and experience and bequeath it to you, Joe and Judy Generic Driver.
Right off the bat it is important to say that this list must be realistic. In other words, I think we would all agree that a flying car would be nice for making long road trips into short puddle jumps, but that is not going to happen for awhile. Something else important is the reality that people have been making long road trips for thousands of years without these necessities. For example, my Dad didn't have what I would deem the number one most important necessity, the iPod, when he drove us in our Aerostar from Dallas to Orlando. He couldn't escape into an audio book or his favorite music, but instead had to put up with chirping kids or Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, my brother's awkwardly favorite band at the time. Realizing that we are not as tough as our forbears, I am not going to forego these luxuries just to be "old school." Finally, not all of these necessities are for the children themselves, but for helping the parents cope with said children as well.
With that said, here is the list accompanied by a short explanation of each one. The next few posts will go into more detail.
5. Snacks - this seems obvious, but many folks neglect to do the hard work of packing a fat cooler full of fruits, crackers, the ever present yet surprisingly unhealthy Goldfish, and drinks.
4. Pillows and Blankets - this helps the trip seem like one giant and ridiculously cramped camp out for your kids. They love that kind of stuff.
3. "I Spy" - it seems ridiculous, but younger kids love this game. It is the perfect thing to do when they get restless. WARNING: Use sparingly, because this game will likely be very boring for you.
2. DVD Player - if your vehicle doesn't have one, drop a hundred bucks or much less at Best Buy and pick one up. Many come with multiple headsets. The trick is figuring out where to set it up, as fights will break out over who gets to hold it.
1. iPod - ah the sweet iPod. Never has there been a greater invention. Find an audio book and listen for hours while everyone else is occupied or sleeping. This helps the time pass much more quickly.
Buckle your seatbelts and stay tuned for more detailed information on each one.
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