Road Trip Rules

When planning road trips, there are two main things to consider - length of time and filling that time. Let's start with length of time. If your child is still taking naps, coordinate your trip to overlap with the nap. Of course, the best laid plans can go awry, but chances are good that by traveling during a scheduled nap time, your child will sleep.

Depending on the length of your trip and how long your child naps, consider stopping every two hours to break up the monotony of the drive and to allow for a good stretch.

For longer trips, plan breaks in advance. If you're traveling in favourable weather, map out provincial parks along the way. During winter months, stops might include interesting towns or museums. And plan to stop for at least an hour - enough time to eat and get in some active play.

Occupying your child in the car is becoming easier with technology. Handheld video games are great and most MP3 players allow you to create play lists of your children's favourite songs. Many new cars also feature DVD options, but, if not, there are many inexpensive portable DVD players out there that can be securely attached and run on your car's battery. And the old standards - stories and music on tape or CD, books, magazines and games will also help pass the time.

Finally no matter how savvy you are at planning; one thing that you can never account for is weather. If you are faced with inclement weather, consider pulling over and if needed, bunking down for the night. Your child will sense any stress you may be feeling during the ride and, in the end, arriving a few hours later then intended costs nothing, but saves you the angst of a very long, rain or snow savaged drive.

By Rochelle Strauss