Keeping kids calm in the car can be a dreaded task as a parent. You could be dealing with kids who like to kick the back of your chair, and make as much noise as possible when they’re strapped into their car seats. You could also have to deal with kids who get easily motion sick and struggle on long journeys.
Whatever you’re dealing with, it probably stresses you out when you get behind the wheel! And that’s why we’ve listed a few tips below to help maintain a sense of calmness when it’s time to go on a trip.
Play a Window Game
Window games keep kids looking out the window at the road, meaning they’re far less likely to get motion sick. If you put a DVD, a tablet, or a book in front of them, it’ll just make the feeling worse.
But if they watch the road moving, it’ll help soothe them into feeling like they’re going along with it. To keep them looking out the window, play a game involving it. Ask them to spot a certain number of things, or make up a story with them about what they can see.
Keep Snacks Light and Easy
Snacks that are light and easy to digest are great for short and long journeys both. They help the kids stay calm because a snack is always nice, but they’re not too heavy on the stomach. A sugary sweet is the kind of thing you want to avoid, but a simple sandwich or some crackers and a couple of grapes are good choices here.
Find Out What to Do in a Crisis
A crisis on the road is a parent’s worst nightmare when the kids are in the back. But it could happen, and you need to know what to do about it. From a collision to a roadside breakdown, keeping the kids calm during these scenarios is going to be tough.
Keep the number of a towing service in your car somewhere easy to access, make sure you’ve got a phone charger in the glove box, keep blankets in the trunk, always pack a ‘day’ bag with snacks and toiletries, and tell your kids it’s OK to be scared while you reassure them.
Make Their Seat Comfortable
Making a seat comfortable, whether your child is in a car seat, using a booster seat, or can sit on the seat proper, will help keep them still. A seat belt cushion, for example, will stop any hard or sharp belt edges from eating into their shoulder or neck. You can also add padding behind them, or to the edges of a strapped in car seat, if they feel too low or like they’re sitting too straight.
Keeping kids calm in the car needn’t be a struggle every time. Use tips like these to help make them more comfortable in the back, reduce the nausea that comes with travel, and keep them entertained as you drive along.
