Summer Travel & Road Trips

Road Trips With Small Children: Help Me Survive

posted by Linda Sharps June 29, 2010 at 10:05 AM in Toddler

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We live in Seattle; my husband's family lives in southern Oregon. Several times a year, we gear up and make the 400-mile journey to spend time together, and while it's always worth it once we get there, the drive itself is never easy.It's not as bad as it used to be, because at least I don't have to repeatedly crawl into the backseat to take care of a squalling infant, but toddlers aren't exactly known for the their patience and tolerance of discomfort either, you know?No one likes to sit in a car for 7+ hours, no matter how many granola bars they have access to. Our older boy is pretty good about limiting himself to the occasional dramatic sigh and announcing that THIS SURE IS A LONG DRIVE, but the 2-year-old ... well. Around hour 4 or 5, he's had enough, and by god, you're going to hear about it.
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'Wheels on the Bus' Travel Kit Cures Road Trip Blues

posted by Jeanne Sager June 10, 2010 at 4:30 PM in Toddler

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Photo from AmazonFamily road trips await this summer, but how are you going to keep your toddler from talking your ear off?

Thank you Scholastic.

This week the publisher has rolled out the first of its "Sing Along Travel Kits," part of its Storybook Treasures series.
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6 Tips for Surviving (and Enjoying!) Family Road Trips

posted by Jeanne Sager June 7, 2010 at 7:03 AM in Big Kid

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Photo by Jeanne SagerWhen my husband decided we'd drive from New York to Florida for our Disney vacation, my friends started pulling out the sympathy cards.

A 2,000-mile road trip with a 4 1/2-year-old sounded ominous.

But I'd do it again. Yes, I said again.
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Kids Are In Charge of Family Vacations

posted by Jeanne Sager April 8, 2010 at 7:33 AM in Toddler

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Photo by lucy.jospehsmomThink you're the one planning that trip to Sesame Place? Guess again -- the experts say our kids are calling all the shots when it comes to vacation planning.

I'd love to cry righteous indignation for painting parents with a broad brush. But with a trip to Disney World with my toddler all mapped out, I'm going to cry uncle -- they got me.
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Favorite Road Food for Summer Travel?

posted by June 11, 2009 at 7:38 AM in Food & Party

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Photo From Culvers.com

I'm hitting the road this weekend! We're driving all the way from Chicago to Florida to visit family. So what's the best thing about long road trips? Stopping for food, of course!

My favorite road trip restaurant is Culver's (Butter Burgers and Concrete Mixers, Yum!). But Waffle House is definitely a close second...

Poll Results
Question: Which is your favorite restaurant to eat at on a road trip?
Culver's
7%
Cracker Barrel
28%
Waffle House
7%
IHOP
19%
McDonald's
28%
Other (please specify below)
12%
Total Votes: 43
Only CafeMom members can vote on polls. Sign up for an account or Click here to log in.
Poll
Which is your favorite restaurant to eat at on a road trip?
Culver's
Cracker Barrel
Waffle House
IHOP
McDonald's
Other (please specify below)
Only CafeMom members can vote on polls. Sign up for an account or Click here to log in.
Total Votes: 43
View Results
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Road Trip? Your Car's AC Can Keep You Healthy!

posted by Suzanne Murray May 20, 2009 at 7:07 AM in Healthy Living

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Photo from Small Town Toys

My family and I will be road-tripping it to our favorite beach town in Massachusetts this summer, and while I know it will be wonderful once we get there, I'm not looking forward to all of the inevitable car-related "fun." There will be traffic jams, a screaming, bored baby who wants out of her car seat, and the never-ending battle with Mr. Cafe Suzanne over the air conditioning. He likes the windows down; I like the AC on. But this year, I plan on winning that argument once and for all: Research shows that using the air conditioning can keep you healthy.
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Vacation With Kids More Stress Than It's Worth?

posted by Sheri Reed May 19, 2009 at 7:00 AM in Big Kid

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Photo by tracyd1215

Vacation with the kids? Worth the trip or not?

About two-thirds of parents think going on vacation with their kids is more stressful than being at work, according to a story in U.K.-based Human Resources magazine. Almost fifty percent of parents say they don't look forward to family trips.
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10 Ideas to Keep Kids Entertained on Car Trips

posted by Michele Zipp May 18, 2009 at 4:00 PM in Entertainment

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Photo by LelandsMommy

Back when you were younger and had car trips with friends, maybe you sang 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. That's not going to cut it with the kids. So how can you keep them occupied on a long (or even short) drive to your family vacation destination?

I've got some suggestions for moms with kids of all ages.
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