Road Trip Suggestions

[Anonymous]

I just posted in general parenting but wanted to ask here also. I'm heading out on a 2 1/2 wk road trip with my boys this weekend, stopping at various airbnb locations along the way. Airbnb is a better fit so the boys can have their own bedroom. The challenge is my 8yo is ADHD and my 5yo is HFA. This is our first trip like this and just looking for tips that have worked for you in the past. They both travel well in the car, we have plenty of devices for games and videos, but the lack of routine is going to be the biggest challenge. I will try to keep bedtime as close to our home routine as possible. Other than that, suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Good luck. My ASD child is difficult enough with trips where we are in one place for the whole time (so can develop somewhat of a routine and at least he's sleeping in the same place every night). I can't imagine doing a road trip where we are in the car every day and different places each night.

Please post back when you are done -- if it goes well for you, I might have more courage in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. My ASD child is difficult enough with trips where we are in one place for the whole time (so can develop somewhat of a routine and at least he's sleeping in the same place every night). I can't imagine doing a road trip where we are in the car every day and different places each night.

Please post back when you are done -- if it goes well for you, I might have more courage in the future.

Oh, I'm petrified, believe me. We've done beach trips and road trips before, staying with friends, new environments, so it will be interesting. I think I will take his blanket from his room and make a fort for him to sleep in at each place, which is where he sleeps most of the time at home anyway. He is excited to see Grandma and his cousins. 3 of the places we're staying have pools so that is good for us also. The biggest challenge for me on this trip won't be the kids, it will be not killing my Mom, ha! We don't do eye to eye on many things, mostly politics, lol.

[Anonymous]

With my kids, I've found that having time to burn off energy b/f the car trip helps and taking breaks along the way as well. Water bottles and snacks they like as well.

Graphic novels, hand fidgets, like squeezy toys or fiddly things like wiki stix might help to break up the screen time.

[Anonymous]

If there is an issue about "where somebody sit" i would assign seats ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there is an issue about "where somebody sit" i would assign seats ahead of time.

The 5yo is still in a carseat so no problem there. But there have been arguments recently about who is first to the car, to the building and more. With all the stops we'll be making, you just reminded me that these are conversations to have BEFORE we get out of the car.

[Anonymous]

Pack wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If there is an issue about "where somebody sit" i would assign seats ahead of time.

The 5yo is still in a carseat so no problem there. But there have been arguments recently about who is first to the car, to the building and more. With all the stops we'll be making, you just reminded me that these are conversations to have BEFORE we get out of the car.

What has really helped us with these arguments is making the inevitable race one between kids and adults, instead of between the kids. That way the younger kid doesn't always lose and they have to work together.

[Anonymous]

Just as a future suggestion, OP, instead of hotels and houses we tend to fend cabins and gents in campgrounds. That gives my kids tons to do during downtime and breaks.