Our days as moms are filled with carpool, shuffling kids from one location to the next and often it feels like we spend more hours in our car than we do at home. That time can create havoc or if you take a few intentional steps you can make it a little more pleasant, for everyone, but most importantly mom!
Through the years of doing my ‘mom driving’ I have discovered that anticipating needs pays off in huge dividends keeping everyone happy. There is nothing fun about having a car full of hungry and thirsty kids – plus a crabby mom!
Here are some tips to help the Chauffeur survive:
Hungry Kids
Keep non-perishable snacks in your car – granola bars are an old standby at our house and you can find them in the car at all times. It actually is someone’s tasks to keep on top of stocking the supply, and it is not mom! If you love fresh food, then fit the time in your day to pack apple slices, carrot sticks or other fresh vegetables to keep your brood happy. By preparing in advance, you will head off excess drama!
Thirsty Passengers
Along with food comes some type of beverage – whether you choose to keep a big jug of water to refill personal water bottles, or keep small bottles, make sure you have some spare beverages in the car.
Wipes
This is almost one of those tips that I think is now ‘inbred’ in mom’s DNA now! Go no-where without some type of moist wipes! Enough said. :-)
Clear the Car
At the end of the day remove everything from that car that was added during each trip. Coats, backpacks, books, magazines, toys and food items all should be removed so you can start fresh each day. Accumulating items in your car can really put a damper on having to spend time amongst a lot of clutter.
Stow Extra Bags
Having extra grocery bags in your car to collect trash along the way is a life saver. You can also use these to place wet clothes in, extra school papers and supplies that don’t fit in backpacks and picking up library books.
Pick up Trash
Give one passenger each day the task of making sure all the trash is removed from the car. There is nothing worse than having to drive around and spend your time among yesterday’s granola wrappers and water bottles floating around your car.
Entertainment Anyone?
Do you prefer to listen to music, news or perhaps an audio book? Maybe you can combine your preference with some of your other passengers? I enjoy audio books while driving, but I know my kids do not. So I listen to the audio book when they are not in the car and we listen to “some” of their music while we are all together. This gives me a chance to connect with them and experience what they are interested in.
Get a Mom Bag
Keep a tote bag that contains magazines, catalogs and extra paperwork that needs to be filled, or cards that need written ready to go. Have the bag handy at home where you can toss in those types of tasks that you could possibly do while waiting in the school pick up line or at gymnastics. You will be amazed how much you can accomplish if you get in the habit of placing those items in a tote bag to grab when you are on the way out the door.
Emergency Supplies
Use a small cosmetic bag to create a simple first aid kit that contains bandages, pain-relievers, antibacterial ointment and other items that your family uses. There is nothing like having that pounding headache while you are out with a car load of kids with no relief in site. This has saved a lot of car rides and family activities at our house
What tips can you share that help you survive so much time in the car?
