Driving In Wintery Conditions With Your Baby
Before I had children, I worked as a therapist in a nursing home which was about a 45 minute drive from my house. I drove in it all: snow, sleet, and freezing rain!
Then I had children.
I remember the first time I ever skidded on ice with my children in the van. I was driving on our country road and slid on “black ice“. I had skidded and slid around before, but my children were in the car and that was terrifying to me because I realized exactly how much was at stake.
Now, we’ve moved south, and we rarely get even a snow shower. We occasionally get ice, but most everything closes down when that happens.
If you have to drive in the wintry weather with your baby, be safe and don’t take chances. If you can delay your drive, do so. Perhaps you can go into work late once the roads are better cleared. Perhaps you can work at home that day.
If you have to go out, make sure to carry extra blankets and a shovel. Leave earlier than usual so you can take extra time to get safely to your destination. If you are able to do so, you can alter your route to avoid the less traveled roads which may not be so well cleared from snow and ice.
If you get stuck, many times, you can dig yourself out of the snow. The extra blankets can help to keep your children warm while you are digging. Kitty litter can be used for extra traction and can help you if you get stuck in the snow or ice. Studded tires, if they are legal in your area, are a big help when you have to drive in winter weather.
Hopefully, you won’t ever need to use any of these tips! I wish everyone a safe winter driving season!
Read More
