Children on an
extended trip can either be a drag ("…are we there yet") or a
joy for both the adults and the children. Plus, if the latter,
these trips can -- and should -- be very educating (for the
adults, too).
Ages of the children can be very important
Ages are very important. An
infant can be a host of problems but there are times when there
is no choice. Ways must then be devised to continually service
the infant during the trip (which can demand a lot of stops
depending upon the type of vehicle). Please note that it is
unlawful for passengers to be riding in a trailer when in
motion. We found the ideal ages to be between 8 and 12. Ours
started traveling with us in that age bracket and continued as
teenagers. Teen agers usually have their own schedules and
taking an extended trip away from their friends is rarely on
their agendas.
Know their 'hot buttons'
If you know the children's
personalities and their 'hot buttons' taking advantage of these
can make all the difference. The goal is to have them anticipate
activities they will like and will look forward to. For example,
museums can be dreadfully boring for children (and adults, too).
There are many museums across the country designed to be a
thrill for their juvenile guests; it can be a challenge to get
the children to willingly leave.
Plan with the children in advance
If possible, start planning the
trip several months in advance with the children. Let them see
the possible destinations and be participants in choosing where
to go and where to stop (within the required limits). Use these
planning sessions to help build anticipation and enthusiasm.
Ensure there are no date conflicts
If they are teenagers, this
planning can also serve to prevent conflicts of activities they
might rather do at home instead of going on the trip. If they
are anticipating the trip they will be much less inclined to
desire to be involved in activities at home during these same
dates.
Encourage the creation of mementos
Start a scrapbook for each
child while still in the planning stage. If a child is inclined
to draw (many are when they are still under 10 years of age)
encourage them draw a pictorial map of where you will be going.
The map could easily cover several pages. Review with them on a
road map where you will be going. Five-year-olds can learn to
read a map; this is a good time to teach them.
Buy an inexpensive camera for each child
Children love to take pictures
so they can show them to their friends. When the prints come
back from processing (or printed out if digital) they should be
placed in the scrapbooks. While it is much easier to avoid
taking poor pictures with digital cameras (where you can see the
shot both before and after), we still prefer the disposable
cameras. They are very simple, light weight and inexpensive if
they get lost (and kids are experts at losing things).
Unfortunately, the digital age is making acquiring these cameras
more difficult as well as finding film processing
establishments.
If mother (or mothers) are not
going on the trip (e.g., grandchildren of a friend of your
child), prepare the mother to wave goodbye cheerfully with a
smile. Tears can -- and usually will -- haunt the child
throughout the trip. Vacation trips with children in an RV can,
and should be, be a joy for both the adults and the children.