I am a total wimp when it comes to traveling with children. Hence, we have been out of state only a handful of times since becoming parents eight years ago!
So, how did it go? As well as can be expected!
Here's what I think helped the trip go well for us:
In the Van
- First of all, we purchased a Toyota Sienna last fall with this trip in mind. Not as roomy as a Trad van, but with a Rooftop Cargo Box we were able to fit everything in and still get 22 MPG. Couldn't park above the first floor in the hotel ramp, but got a really great valet spot close to the door instead!
- My husband took it in for an oil change and tire rotation before we left as well as a spa treatment at Master Wash!
- Eight hours of driving per day max!
- Homeopathic Motion Sickness Remedy for Dancer.
- This footrest for Sunshine who is prone to "pins and needles".
- Backseat Car Organizers from Lillain Vernon stocked with tissues, wipes, drawing pads, mini magna-doodles, chenille sticks, markers, tape (Sunshine goes through a lot of tape!) and a trash bag for each child.
- Cookie sheets with edges for lap desks.
- Anne of Green Gables Trilogy Boxed Set on DVD - 644 minutes!
- Lots of new CDs like Wee Sing in the Car.
- Lots of activity books like dot-to-dots, mazes and color by number. My MIL gave the kids activity books by Holy Family Press for Easter that we saved for the trip.
- The activity books were a GODSEND in the mornings - the kids could keep busy in the hotel room while waiting for mom and dad to get ready and leave for breakfast.
- Gallon jugs of water and Stainless Steel Thermos Leak Proof Bottles with Flip Up Straws.
- Lots of snacks and juice boxes of course!
- One rolling suitcase per child. They LOVED packing and pulling their own!
- For the baby - I just packed a tote bag full of toys and pulled them out as needed. Her typical pattern in the van went like this: sleep for an hour or two, awake and happy for an hour or so, maxed out and needing a diaper change and nursing session until the next suitable stop!
Overnights:
- We spent three nights with a friend of a friend brave enough to help put us up and the rest in hotels. Most nights we made due with a room with two queen beds, but sleeping was a little rough. The best room we had was in a La Quinta - a two room suite. King in one room and a sofa bed in the other. We brought the pack & play (co-sleeper actually) for the baby.
- Again, activity books for the mornings gave them something to do while waiting.
- We brought along a CD clock radio to play favorite night-time music and stories on CD.
- I brought my own laundry detergent and did about five loads over the course of the trip.
- Some dish soap was handy for washing out water cups in the hotel sink.
- A night light for the bathroom was a must!
- In the health kit: vitamins, Emergen-C and night-time cough syrup.
- Paper bowls, plastic spoons, cereal and Almond Breeze saved us $$$ on breakfasts.
- Take & Toss products for the baby.
- We didn't get a mini-fridge in our room, but brought along a small cooler.
Back at Home
- I put in a hold request online at USPS.
- My husband forwarded our home phone calls to his cell phone.
- The boys next door earned money by feeding our porch cat.
- The family on the other side collected our newspapers, watered my two plants and parked their car in our driveway.
- We put a lamp on a plug-in timer and left a radio playing.
- My husband hid the computer and firebox in the basement, just in case.
- He also locked up the garage and turned off the power to the garage doors.
Prep
- One thing I think my husband was glad I did before we left was to print out maps and destination info that I put into a three-ring binder. Directions, phone numbers, hours and admission prices were all in one place!
- A friend suggested starting allergy meds before leaving as a precaution - everything was in bloom down south.
- The baby slept in the pack & play several nights before leaving to get used to it.
- We put together a little photo album for the kids to show other kids they met.
Back at Home:
- We stopped by the grocery store for "a few things" on the way home. I was at the checkout before I realized we were packed to the hilt and might not have room for twelve bags of groceries. It all fit, somehow!
- Hubby took off an extra day to help unpack and do laundry. And call insurance about the fallen tree. Thanks, honey!
- After the van was unloaded I took it for a gas, wash and vacuum.
- And of course, vacation from homeschool is extended until next week!
Biggest travel challenges for me:
- Getting enough fruits and vegetables.
- Sleeping.
- Homesick children.
- Packing everything I needed to be gone for the whole day; diapers, wipes, baby food, a bib, baby spoons, baby water, baby blanket, etc.
Hope this helps and good luck to anyone traveling in the near future - and please leave comments with your own travel tips!
