Road trips with kids can be some of the most memorable occasions for families. Of course, the memories aren't always good ones if the kids are kicking each other in the backseat, and driving mom and dad insane upfront. From the right snacks to planning restroom breaks there's a lot to plan before you hit the road, but almost nothing is more important than a strategy to keep everyone from getting bored, which is just a recipe for disaster.

So what to plan? Car games and lots of them. I'm not going to lie to you and say that being prepared with a slew of games is going to magically stop the refrain of "Are we there yet?!" It will, however, help cut it down significantly, and make everyone's trip that much more enjoyable. Here are 10 of the best car games for kids:

Ok, I have a confession to make. My son is almost 7 years old, and I still bring him into the ladies room with me when we're out in public and he needs to go to the bathroom. I just don't feel right about letting him wander into the men's room -- particularly if we're traveling.

Since we live in Connecticut and have so many wonderful destinations and attractions nearby in surrounding states, we take a ton of road trips. And while we do our best to go away as a family whenever we can, there have been a few occasions where it's been just me and my son on the road.

If you're sick of the drab, gloomy, freezing, no-good, horrible winter weather say, "I." "Iiiiiiiiiii." Ugh, it's the worst. I am so ready for summer. But since summer's still not for a few months away, a quick getaway may be in order. Nothing crazy. Nothing that costs a million dollars. Just a little something to mix up the overall blah of my winter routine (and hopefully something that involves a little sunshine).

If you've been debating taking a last-minute trip, I have the perfect website for you. Actually, make that websites. Here are five fantastic websites for last-minute travel deals.

So you may have heard, winter storm Nemo just blew through and buried much of the Northeast in snow. Some folks are still digging their way out, but the fun goes on! This morning we had that kind of rain that turns snow into gray, mucky slush, and it's been 50 shades of yuck all over town. Add to that the freezing temps we've had all winter and you know what? I've gotta get out of here!

I am so ready for a warm-weather escape. At the end of the week, we're heading south -- to Houston for my grandma's 95th birthday. We'll definitely enjoy the warmer weather there, and I'll enjoy seeing my family. But here are five other body-and-soul-warming vacation destinations I wish I could visit right now.

How much do you loathe any sentence or phrase that includes the words "bikini season" or "bathing suit ready"? Rest assured, this post has nothing to do with getting abs in 10 minutes! or toning those thighs! and everything to do with bathing suit fashion.

The top 5 swim trends expected to debut at Fashion Week this month are retro, floral, '80s, lingerie, and maritime, so before embarking on that winter getaway you're planning, fantasy or real, take a look at these 5 bathing suits from each trend category that are more than suitable for hot mamacitas like yourselves.

Whether you're bringing your family to the slopes to get in some quality time and skiing or heading off to visit family, winter travel can call for even more hours in the car than a road trip any other time of the year. That's why you've gotta be prepared ... with various diversions from games to music to the family iPad and, of course, snacks.

But even the most prepared parents find themselves ocassionally hunting down a healthy treat in a highway gas station, rest stop, or convenience store. Not an easy task. But have no fear. A few ideas here ...

The idea of a big family road trip can be an intimidating thought for a lot of people. But it actually is the ideal way to travel. It may not be as fast as flying, but the benefits are far greater in the end. I remember hitting the road with my mom or my grandparents many times. Nestled in the car for hours, there is no greater way to bond and really get the opportunity to share. Of course, at the time, I didn't realize what fond memories I would later have, but I am so grateful for those moments now. With our schedules so jam-packed, real quality time seems like an impossibility. A road trip is the perfect way to create special moments -- both hilarious and poignant -- no one will forget. Need more convincing? Here are 5 more reasons a road trip is the best way for a family to travel together:

Just as scary for parents of toddlers as it is for parents of babies: Car seat safety mistakes are easy to make, especially during the winter. Simply buckling your kid in the car seat still wearing a coat can have lethal consequences, as thick, puffy jackets prevent the straps from tightening against your child's body in the event of a crash. Then there's the whole issue of car seat installation -- as in, most of us fail to install them properly (even if we think otherwise!).

Don't stress: As we did for babies, we've drawn out exactly what you need to do to keep your toddler safe and warm on-the-go. Board-certified pediatrician Dr. Alisa Baer, better known as the The Car Seat Lady, helped The Stir develop these drawings and examined them from start to finish to ensure accuracy and safety.