Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Preparing For A Road Trip: The Parent's Guide ♥

At some point we’ve all been on a road trip, whether it’s an hour or so down the road or exploring a new country but one thing’s for sure, if not planned correctly what can seem like a fairly straight forward car journey can turn into a nightmare, especially if you have children on board!

For any of us with children the thought of a long car journey can become very stressful. To avoid the common phrases of “are we there yet?” and “I’m bored” it’s essential to plan in advance so the journey can be as relaxed as possible for both you and the children.

With two boys myself and being a family of adventurers, I know how difficult it can be travelling for long periods of time. Last year we travelled the length of the Republic of Ireland to stay in the d Hotel, Co. Louth and visit Tayto Park for the first time and we also travelled a good three hours to Co. Kildare to stay at Killashee Hotel and with big plans to travel to the west coast of Ireland this year, I thought I’d put together a short guide with tips for preparing for a road trip.


Make sure your car’s in good health
The most important part of a road trip is to make sure your vehicle is in good health and won’t cause you any issues during the journey. The last thing you want is to find yourself on the hard shoulder of a motorway waiting for road side assistance.


Before you set off on your journey it’s important to carry out the necessary checks on your vehicle to ensure you get to your destination safely. NCT/MOT & service should be carried out on a yearly basis anyway, but making sure the screen wash is topped up and the tyres are in good condition are just some of the other factors you need to consider before setting off. The condition of tyres is often overlooked, but worn or damaged tyres can result in serious consequences. If you’re planning a road trip then make sure your tyres are in good healt.


Keep the children occupied
For us as adults being cooped up in a car for long periods of time can be frustrating, so we can only imagine what it’s like for the younger passengers. Packing a bag with things to do and read means the kids will be occupied throughout the journey and you can enjoy the ride in peace (hopefully). If you're looking for some ideas you can read my 6 ways to keep children happy and entertained on long car journeys.


Stopping at service stations is a good way for everyone to stretch their legs and have a break from driving but with sweet shops all around it’s important to buy snacks before you leave as buying refreshments at service stations can be costly.


Plan ahead
If you’re setting off on a journey you’ve driven before then you’ll be familiar with the route you’re taking and any possible factors that could affect your arrival time. If the journey is one you’ve never done before then plan ahead and map the route out and research whether there may be any roadworks or areas where traffic is common, as well as travelling before or after rush hours. The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic with children in the car.


Hopefully this quick guide has given you some ideas if you’re planning a road trip and I hope both you and the children enjoy the ride.


What do you find works best when planning a road trip?


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