{"id":1614,"date":"2017-07-06T23:21:38","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T04:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/askdoctorg.com\/?p=1614"},"modified":"2021-05-10T13:59:51","modified_gmt":"2021-05-10T18:59:51","slug":"tips-surviving-family-trips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/askdoctorg.com\/tips-surviving-family-trips\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Surviving Family Trips This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the Fourth of July upon us, many families are hitting the road. Whether you are staying close to home and visiting an amusement park or heading on a cross-country road trip, it can be a stressful time. Packing while keeping the kids from running into the street, hours of sitting in a car, overstimulation, strange and new places, this can all be a recipe for amazing memories or an epic meltdown. Usually both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how can we prepare for these situations ahead of time to keep our sanity and keep our kids happy and safe? Here are some general tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know your kid.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your kid doesn\u2019t do well with tons of stimulation or getting over-tired, watch for the signs and remove them from the situation so they can regroup. Maybe it\u2019s heading back to the hotel for a few hours for a nap, or taking a quick break to get out of the car to stretch their legs. Don\u2019t take it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t take it personally.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just like this dad explains so beautifully<\/a> kids are going to meltdown sometimes. It\u2019s inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare your kids for different situation.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By being prepared, you can help your kids not get stressed out in the moment as often. Go over what to do if they get lost<\/a> or frustrated. Maybe there is a chance there may be a delay \u2013 prep them for that<\/a>. Let them know that sometimes on family vacations things don\u2019t go as planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have enough activities to keep them busy.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t always have to be technology, either. Be prepared with activity bags or topics to sing, dance or talk about, or fun games to play while you are in the car or waiting in line at the amusement park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve put together some posts I have contributed to or written that can be helpful for your summer vacation with the kids. Read through them and bookmark for future use. You will be glad that you did!<\/p>\n\n\n\n