Road Trip Trumps Guilt Trip
Who among us has taken a road trip with our family only to arrive at our destination feeling like crap? Or maybe the guilt trip followed you home? Either way, many moms and dads dread revving up the car, hitting the road with the fam and driving over the river and thru the woods, blah, blah, blah.
Maybe you feel guilty because you lost your temper at more mile markers than you care to remember. Maybe your guilt-0-meter is maxed out because you worry that 9 hours of The Doodlebops on the DVD player may be damaging to brain development. Whatever the reason, it is possible that you are now dreading another holiday inspired road trip.
Fear not. Guilt not. Read on.
It's no secret to my kids that I love to role play. After all, I am a therapist, and I love me some good Gestalt. Let's Pretend is fun for the entire family! Fun with your kids is something children will remember for the rest of their lives. I'm not suggesting you become your child's mobile Birthday Clown, just that you try letting your grownup guard down a bit and turn up the laugh track. Don't be afraid to be silly or be campy. Kids eat it up. Really. They do.
I'll give you an example of what happens when I am the one driving the carpool. Everyone being schlepped gets in the car and my kids know I am going to make the following announcement, "May I have your attention folks. Welcome to Renn Air. Please buckle your seat-belts. We will be traveling at an altitude of approximately one and a half feet. Arms, legs and uvulas will remain in the vehicle at all times. The captain has indicated there will be NO SHOUTING or THROWING stuff around. We expect an on-time arrival as long as everyone sits in their seat, respects the captain and doesn't poke anyone else!" The kids all get the point we've got rules in our car and I don't have to go into parental lecture mode to make it.
If you are looking for ideas for enjoying the open road with your family,holiday or any day, ya gotta go visit Road Trip Mom. Make sure to check out her article "Pirates of the Caravan: Make Like Roger And Have a Jolly Good Time In The Car" which will give you blow by blow instructions on how to pretend to be the captain of your ship and turn your kids into your happy crew. Pick a pirate name and get yourself in the mood. Now? Aye!
Sure road trips can be long and stressful. But maybe taking a new turn towards fun and games will make it not only a more enjoyable, but a memorable trip too, as you hit the open road this holiday season todrive all over hell visit friends and family.
As for our next family trip? "Home or The Odyssey: A Travel Epic of Interstate 95."
(Disclosure: Road Trip Mom is a BFF and frequent travel buddy. We combine our families and hit the road together every summer! I was not paid off in any way for this post nor does Laurel even know I wrote it. Shhhhhh!)
Cross-posted at DCMetro Moms Blog
Maybe you feel guilty because you lost your temper at more mile markers than you care to remember. Maybe your guilt-0-meter is maxed out because you worry that 9 hours of The Doodlebops on the DVD player may be damaging to brain development. Whatever the reason, it is possible that you are now dreading another holiday inspired road trip.
Fear not. Guilt not. Read on.
It's no secret to my kids that I love to role play. After all, I am a therapist, and I love me some good Gestalt. Let's Pretend is fun for the entire family! Fun with your kids is something children will remember for the rest of their lives. I'm not suggesting you become your child's mobile Birthday Clown, just that you try letting your grownup guard down a bit and turn up the laugh track. Don't be afraid to be silly or be campy. Kids eat it up. Really. They do.
I'll give you an example of what happens when I am the one driving the carpool. Everyone being schlepped gets in the car and my kids know I am going to make the following announcement, "May I have your attention folks. Welcome to Renn Air. Please buckle your seat-belts. We will be traveling at an altitude of approximately one and a half feet. Arms, legs and uvulas will remain in the vehicle at all times. The captain has indicated there will be NO SHOUTING or THROWING stuff around. We expect an on-time arrival as long as everyone sits in their seat, respects the captain and doesn't poke anyone else!" The kids all get the point we've got rules in our car and I don't have to go into parental lecture mode to make it.
If you are looking for ideas for enjoying the open road with your family,holiday or any day, ya gotta go visit Road Trip Mom. Make sure to check out her article "Pirates of the Caravan: Make Like Roger And Have a Jolly Good Time In The Car" which will give you blow by blow instructions on how to pretend to be the captain of your ship and turn your kids into your happy crew. Pick a pirate name and get yourself in the mood. Now? Aye!
Sure road trips can be long and stressful. But maybe taking a new turn towards fun and games will make it not only a more enjoyable, but a memorable trip too, as you hit the open road this holiday season to
As for our next family trip? "Home or The Odyssey: A Travel Epic of Interstate 95."
(Disclosure: Road Trip Mom is a BFF and frequent travel buddy. We combine our families and hit the road together every summer! I was not paid off in any way for this post nor does Laurel even know I wrote it. Shhhhhh!)
Cross-posted at DCMetro Moms Blog
posted by Devra @ 8:25 PM
8 Comments:
"Home or the Oddessy" Bwaah ha ha haaaa!!! You kill me. Thanks for the nod on my Pirates story. You rule.
Oh, and where can I get a flat Santa like that one in the pic?
I love that picture so much I want to cry.
I love that we have a photoshop guru here at Parentopia! I adore the pic too!
Man, you should have gotten her to photoshop in some lovely landscaping or something.
Silly is the only way to travel!
Speaking of Caravan's, I posted my story and told everyone why you wouldn't run away with me in mine!
Here:
http://ablondeandherblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-got-to-test-drive-new-dodge-grand.html
and here:
http://blondereviews.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-got-to-test-drive-new-dodge-grand.html
:)
It's not so much the travel that is hard (though that can be a little rough at times). It's arriving at an adult home (read: you can break everything pretty easily!) with 3 boys under 4 years old. THAT'S when the guilt jumps in.
Any advice on keeping everyone happy and guilt free during a 5 day trip away to a not-kid friendly house?
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