Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright April 17, 1991
Today’s column will be a continuation of last week’s “Helpful Hints for Travelling with Children in the Car.’’ As I mentioned last week, this information was sent to me by the Ministry of Transportation, and the ministry feels that happy, contented children on a motor trip will relax everyone in the car, including the driver. This results in a more careful, attentive driver, and therefore less accidents. Last week the suggestions were regarding safety of children in the car. Today’s ideas are more general, common sense suggestions.
Here are the rest of the ministry’s recommendations on how to survive a long car trip with toddlers:
A seat saver made from a plastic table cloth protects car upholstery from messy boots and spills. Knowing the car is protected might help prevent the driver from continually looking behind to see what damage is being caused to the new Mercedes.
Carry a “survival kit” containing a damp cloth, tissues, diapers, cookies, fruit and drinking boxes. This might come in handy if it is inconvenient to stop on a highway. If a child wants a drink or a cookie, he doesn’t understand that the New York State Thruway doesn’t have drive-thru cookie machines every mile.
A blanket, soft toys, teddy bear, cassette tapes, pajamas, etc. might all help the child to fall asleep on a long trip. Entertaining toys such as puzzles and/or computer games might keep them entertained enough to keep them out of your rear view mirror for a while. (These toys might also keep them busy enough that they don’t tell the customs agent about your secret hiding place in the corner of the trunk).
Inevitably your children will begin to ask: “When will we be there?” (Usually this question pops up as you back your car out of the driveway.) Try to answer your child by saying: “When such and such happens, this will happen, and when this will happen, etc. In other words always try to give the children short passages of time to think about. Don’t tell them it takes three days to drive to Florida. Tell them that they will soon see the licence plates change colors, then the trees will change, the gas prices will go down, there will be no more G.S.T., and soon everyone will be smiling and “warm.”
If the child is uncomfortable in the car because of the hot sun or the cold he/she may act cranky. Remember that the air temperature is different in the backseat.
Most children will be more comfortable if they are wearing comfortable clothing. There is no need to dress a child warmly if the car is climate controlled with a heater. Wearing pajamas or a light sweat suit makes the most sense.
Some children suffer from motion sickness, even though they may not vomit. When a child is too young to explain his/her feelings, this discomfort on a car trip may be incorrectly interpreted. If a child constantly cries on a car trip, and you have thought of everything else, you should consult you child’s doctor.
Remember to praise children for good behavior in the car. Rewards always work well.
You must be firm, persistent and determined when setting out and following through with the rules set for children in the car. If you are, the children will be happier, the car will last longer, your trip will be more pleasant and you will likely arrive safely, which is the most important thing.
(If anyone else has any suggestions I would be pleased to print some of them.)