One of the tricks Lynn Campbell uses for peaceful family road trips is a rotation of audiobooks to keep everyone occupied and engaged during the ride.Lynn Campbell
My childhood holidays revolved around the car. My family would pile into our silver Toyota Corolla and drive from East London to the British seaside. We’d stay in a caravan park, similar to Canadian campgrounds and a traditional, budget-friendly British holiday staple, where we’d eat fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, and brave the icy waters of the North Sea for a dip. Before moving here, I thought those short seaside trips were road trips. But in Canada, where people think nothing of driving for days, those couple of hours each way don’t quite compare.
Since becoming a mom, I’ve embraced road trips across provinces as an affordable way to create lasting family memories while exploring new places together. The beauty of a road trip is that you’re in complete control. You choose the route, the music, the temperature, the snacks, and can stop for playtime or rest whenever you like. But despite all the perks, with multiple personalities piled together in a small space for extended periods of time, a family road trip has its own set of challenges. Here’s what can go wrong on the road with kids – and how to plan for it.
Sibling fights
Being strapped in next to your arch nemesis for hours on end is bound to cause a few arguments. Even siblings who ordinarily get along may get frustrated by sharing their space for so long. Caitlin Slavens, a perinatal mental health and child psychologist in Lethbridge, Alta., recommends parents have a rotation of solo activities and group games on hand to help manage energy levels and reduce arguments. “It’s also helpful to set some ground rules before hitting the road – like what to do if they are pushing each other’s buttons,” she says.
‘Are we there yet?’
Long drives, especially with endless highway scenery, can feel dull. Now that our son is a tween, we’ve started curating family playlists and have each person take a turn as the DJ. It makes for an eclectic mix – Eminem, Twisted Sister, Pulp – but the time flies. Audiobooks have the same effect, as Lynn Campbell, co-founder of hiking and cycling tour booking company 10Adventures, has discovered with her husband and three sons. “This year, on a road trip to South Dakota [from Calgary], we listened to seven hours of The Rest is History podcast on Custer’s Last Stand and Crazy Horse. The kids were riveted, which added meaning to the places we visited.”
Many parents (myself included) ban screens in the car to avoid overstimulation, meltdowns or even car sickness. Alice Wu, a St. Catharines, Ont.-based mom of two, does the same. “After two or three trips with devices, I decided we were done with them. It was actually more hassle than hands-free. Now, I ask them each to pack a backpack with car activities, like books, markers for colouring, journals and card games.”
Car sickness
It’s common for kids to experience nausea, headaches and vomiting from motion sickness, especially on long journeys. Pack motion-sickness remedies, such as ginger candies or Dramamine (if age-appropriate), and keep plastic bags, wipes and extra clothes within reach for any potential mess.
Toilet breaks
With younger kids and little ones still in diapers, toilet breaks can really slow down your progress on a long drive. To make things a little easier, consider carrying a portable potty as well as tissues and hand sanitizer. Always pack extra clothes and more diapers than you think you need.
Lack of healthy food options
Gas station snacks or stops at fast-food joints aren’t always nutritious, instead pack balanced snacks like sandwiches, fruit and protein bars to keep kids full and satisfied. Wu suggests bringing extra snacks and water in your own bag for refills and setting clear times for when snacks will be restocked to help kids learn to pace themselves.
Meltdowns
Sometimes, no matter how well you plan, things go sideways – especially with toddlers. One of our most challenging road trips was a five-hour drive from our home in Ottawa to the Quebec countryside. Our son, in his “run-free-or-else” phase, found the car seat unbearable. About 45 minutes in, he became fixated on one song – the Downton Abbey theme tune – and insisted we play it on repeat. Although preferable to Baby Shark, 12 or 13 replays later, I’d had enough. Cue the screaming, breath-holding and eventual car sickness. My husband pulled over while I wrestled our sobbing son into the back to clean him up as he wailed, “Downton, Downton!”
Snacks, toys, or a quick break to stretch can sometimes stave off a tantrum, but when a full-blown meltdown hits, the best plan is to hunker down, keep driving and push through. Thankfully, once you arrive, the chaos of the journey will fade, and you can get on with enjoying your family vacation.