Single Parenting and Travel

1. Consider renting a more luxurious car or SUV for the trip.
Companies like Enterprise and Hertz, for example, offer special weekend rental rates (with unlimited miles). This allows you to travel in a more luxurious and comfortable vehicle, plus avoid putting extra wear-and-tear and additional mileage on your own vehicle.
 
2. As you plan your driving route and itinerary, pre-plan fun stops every two to three hours.
Visits to a playground (where the kids can run around and burn off energy), local kid-friendly tourist attractions, or even a McDonald’s where your kids can get a Happy Meal, will all break up the trip and give your kids something fun to look forward to on the way to your destination. Many elementary schools, parks and McDonald’s locations along highways, for example, have kid-friendly playgrounds. You can find local tourist attractions and fun things to do along your route by visiting the Rand McNally website (www.randmcnally.com/rmc/road/rtgHome.jsp).

3. Provide each child with their own iPod (MP3 player).
Or try a Game Boy (handheld video game system), so they can listen to their choice of music or play their favorite video games using headphones. This eliminates the argument over what music should play on the car’s main radio. Plus, many kids can be kept occupied for hours at a time playing a challenging video game.

4. If your vehicle isn’t equipped with a DVD player, consider buying or renting a portable DVD player.
Stock up on several movies that your kids will enjoy watching. A few recent, family-friendly DVD releases include: High School Musical 2, Hairspray, Shrek the Third, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, Ratatouille, Surf’s Up, Spider-Man 3 and Transformers.

5. Play interactive games with your kids, such word games, “20 Questions” or “I Spy.” T
he Mom’s Minivan website (www.momsminivan.com/printables.html) offers free downloadable and printable “Roadside Bingo” cards which can be a fun activity for kids during long car trips.