POLOKWANE – Many families are already in the holiday spirit and are embarking on long road trips to their vacation destinations.
However, not long after the first tollgate your backseat passengers begin to get restless, asking for food, to use the toilet or the ever popular ‘Are we there yet?’ in the middle of nowhere.
After a quick stop, another snack and some calming music, one would think a nap would be in order, but no.
“Mom, my brother touched my leg” or “Mom I don’t have space’ is what you’ll hear and before you can even find the words, there are tears.
There are many ways to keep your toddler busy in a car if you don’t have the luxury of an on-board DVD player.
Here are some suggestions:
• Prepare your child for what lies ahead. When and where you will stop and when the estimated time of arrival is.
• Make sure you stop often, let the children stretch their legs and get out of the car for a while.
• Make sure your children will be comfortable at all times.
• Take enough snacks with you. Make them interesting and turn eating them into activities.
• Take toys that will keep them busy and won’t land up all over the back seat. These could include books, figurines, crayons, paper and their favourite toy or blanket.
• Play games like ‘I spy with my little eye’.
• If all else fails, give them a tablet to play games on. Warn them it will not be charged until the next rest stop.
• Tell them when the next stop will be the last one.
