If the thought of a family road trip conjures up images of whining, sibling fights in the back seat or cries of “Are we there yet?”, think again. A road trip can actually be a great way to communicate better with your kids and even learn something about each other along the way.

Ways to make a car trip more enjoyable.

• Distractions.
  • If your home is anything like mine, it seems like there are more distractions than opportunities to talk to each other. Between the television, cell phones and electronic games, we’ve found more and more ways to not communicate. However, in the car, things are much different. Not only do you have a captive audience, but no distractions – save for a DVD player or other device you might have installed. Turn off the TV and radio, and talk to your kids. It might take a little while to get them warmed up, but after you do you may be surprised at what you learn.

• Broaden horizons.
  • A road trip – any road trip – can broaden your horizons and introduce you and your family to something new. Even the same weekly drive to Grandma’s house across town can be a new experience if you take a different route or add a new pit stop along the way. Take a few minutes before leaving to map out new directions or find a new place to stop that no one has been to before.

• Play games.
  • Games aren’t just for kids – get the whole family involved. Whether it’s car games, such as watching for out of state license plates or counting the number of a certain type of car, or playing 20 Questions, everyone can play. Or, for younger kids, sing a silly song together — either make up new words to a familiar tune, or sing a favorite. Playing games together can strengthen bonds and be fun for the entire family.

• Start a new tradition.
  • In our family, there are certain stops we always make, depending on which direction we are headed. These stops become part of the journey and make the time more enjoyable. Try adding a new tradition to your road trips, such as collecting a certain type of souvenir, like post cards, or taking a photograph in the same spot each time you drive by and make a scrapbook. You and the kids will come to enjoy these special traditions that you all share.

Thirteen Ways to Make Car Trips Less Painful

Driving with your baby in the car can be a trial sometimes. Even if your baby seems to love car rides, there may come a day when there’s incessant crying or screaming.
Here are some tips to make the trips a little less bumpy.

1. Make sure your baby isn’t hungry or thirsty before going for a drive.

2. If you can’t avoid having a hungry or thirsty baby, be prepared to pull over to feed the baby, or have nourishment ready as soon as you reach your destination.

3. Equip the car seat with toys (safely attached according to the manufacturer’s directions). Change the toys frequently if you can.

4. Talk to your baby. Tell him about your day, where you’re going, or where you’ve been.

5. Sing lots of songs. Whether it’s songs you make up as you go along, children’s songs, or your favorite tunes, just sing. Don’t worry if you have a horrible voice. Your baby loves it just the same.

6. Play the radio or a CD (not too loudly). You may want to play the same CD every time, and only play it in your car, so your baby starts to look forward to riding in the car.

7. Whenever possible, have a passenger sit in the backseat with the baby.

8. Dress your baby properly for the car’s temperature. Sure, it may be freezing outside, but a snowsuit may get to warm in a long car trip. At least turn down the heat.

9. Make sure the straps are adjusted correctly. Straps that are too tight can be very uncomfortable. But follow the instructions or get the seat checked out. You don’t want to make them too loose either.

10. Touch your baby when you can. At stoplights, in parking lots, or wherever you have a chance. Touch is a powerful soothing device.

11. Keep your errands short, if possible. Taking your baby out of the car seat to go on errand adventures helps break up the monotony.

12. Put a clean diaper on the baby before you get in the car.

13. Use a sun shield on the back and side windows. Sun in the eyes can make for an unhappy baby.

What tips do you have for pleasant car trips?