Stressful times during travel are not fun. A bit of planning can help diffuse and re-direct the energy toward more fun and productive ways.

Thanks to Flickr contributor, Ben Francis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kessiye/).

When traveling together – whether a short trip across town or a multi-state trip to visit family – Mom sets the tone. I know. I know. It doesn’t seem fair, but we all know it is true! When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. So, dear Mama, you really do have a God-given responsibility to guard your heart and your responses. The car is a closed, confining space. Your family needs you to be the thermostat rather than the thermometer. (Set the temperature rather than measuring it.)

Which will you choose?
1. Cranky, put out, inconvenienced, ungrateful, grumpy, dreading the time of being crammed in the car together? Or…
2. Smiling. Grateful. Fun. Encouraging. Counting the blessings of being together?

Opportunity knocks.
You have the opportunity to choose the second option. To CHOOSE joy! It is contagious!!!

7 great ideas to bring smiles from your family when traveling with kids

1. Plan small (unmessy/unsticky) treats, small gifts or books for the kids to open at set intervals along the trip.
2. Remember to keep everyone hydrated. Don’t forget protein. Resist a lot of sweets.
3. Take along small blankets or pillows. Or sleep socks. Whatever you can think of to make the trip more comfortable.
4. Plan games like finding cars with license plates from all 50 states. Or leave off the last word of a sentence and see who can guess the right word.
5. Sing songs together. Or you could play “name that tune”.
6. Before the trip, research Christian radio stations along your route.
7. Take along books on tape. (Like the Focus on the Family Oddessy series.)

Make new friends
So…What is YOUR default setting when traveling together with kids? We Moms need all the help we can get. Make new friends by sharing your own “tricks of the trade”. And then share the blog post with a Mom or two. They will thank you.

I am praying for you. I believe in you. Let’s talk soon!