Road Trip Essentials For Single Moms

Going on a road trip can be both exciting and nerve racking.  Lots to plan for and pack, reservations, mapping it out, timing it to avoid traffic. Trying to have snacks for the kids, toys and other ways to entertain them (and keep them from fighting) and to make sure you, as the driver, stay awake for the drive, is important.  You want to arrive without being too stressed or regretting the trip.  If you are taking the trip alone (as the only adult) without another driver or co-pilot, than you want to do some extra things.  For young kids (not infant, but not teens, somewhere in the middle) a great idea is to play things like ‘road trip bingo, I spy and licence plate games.’  I used to by cheap toys, like from the Dollar Store, and wrap them for the kids to open.  They’d get to choose one once an hour.  Note- do NOT wrap them in aluminum foil.  The noise of the wrappers rattling against each other is horrible.  Choose something else, like wrapping paper.  Driving when you aren’t too tired is important.  If a trip is long I like to go about 2 hours before the kids usually get up.  That way they can be lazy-ish-tired in the car and hopefully sleep more for the beginning of the trip.

 

I am not one to advocate kids on multi-media 24/7 but it is not a bad idea for some car trips, especially if they are long and all the other games have been played out.  Being in areas in the middle of no where could mean not only do the kids not have a good signal, but I can lose it too for my cell and my map.  I definitely need my GPS and being in a dead zone is dangerous since my car is 15-years-old.  I like the SureCall on-the-road cell booster!  It is easy to set up and it works with all North American carriers to maximize the signal while on our trip.

 

Proper Seats For Everyone

 

If you have kids that fight- make sure you have a roomy car.  Even put the kids in separate rows.  Trying to referee fights while driving on a long trip isn’t safe.  If you are renting a car or taking your own, make sure little ones are in a proper car seat.  Make sure the height, weight, etc is fine.  Buying one ahead and making sure it is a proper fit is a good idea.

 

Not all kids have a cell phone (and that isn’t a bad thing.  They can take pictures other ways to create memories.  Kids can have fun with this new Polaroid Camera called the Polaroid Pop!  Instant print digital camera with touchscreen display.  It comes in six colors and is easy to toss in a beach bag or tote.  Easy to print photos while on vacation with 3.5×4.25″ Zink Paper that prints dry to touch and is smudge-proof, water- resistant and tear-resistant.  The prints can be personalized with borders, stickers, emojis and digital filters.

Extra paper called Polaroid Zink Paper,  can be ordered on Amazon for $10 a box.

 

Get some snacks for everyone with Good Health and Snikiddy.  This was a nice variety that had something for everyone.  Healthy popcorn, puffs and chips!

 

Some of the snacks we received:

• Kettle Chips in sea salt flavor with avocado oil. (ingredients are potatoes, avocado oil and sea salt.  Nothing else).
• Half Naked Popcorn with a hint of olive oil.
• Mickey Shaped Veggie Chips.  The chips contain broccoli, beets, tomatoes, spinach and carrots.
• Veggie Straws in Sriracha flavor (with the above veggies in them).
• Organic Mac n’ Cheese Baked Puffs.
• Organic Grilled Cheese Baked Puffs.

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If you are going to a hotel and do not want to carry lots of bottled water you might want to think about bringing a ZeroWater filter.  That way you and the kids can have clean water where every you are at.  Additional filters can be purchased.  Most filters last a while, but it depends on how clean the water is that you are adding to them.  Each pitcher holds 7 cups. If you are in a hotel with a mini-kitchen or fridge you can keep it chilled too.

I like to have snacks the kids can grab without making a mess and something they don’t have to hand me to open.  Snacks that are healthy are an added bonus.  I love these bars from Nakd.  They are bars all sorts of amazing flavors and have fruit and nuts in them, are gluten free, wheat-free and dairy-free.  Love the flavors, like Blueberry Muffin, Carrot Cake, Cashew Cookie, Ginger Bread and more.  Plus Fruit & Nut Nibbles.

 

Don’t Forget The Essential Toiletries In Mini Size

I will never forget the trip I went on with the kids where all my luggage was left at home.  I went to fill up my tank, do the bank deposit and an oil change and asked them to get everything in the garage so when I pulled up we could load up and leave.  Well, my bag with my toiletries and clothing was left on my bed.  Big opps!  I try to keep travel-sized must-haves in the car.  Either in the glove box or in the first aid backpack I keep in the back of the car.  I love these small containers from B+B Company with Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen and Naproxen Sodium.  Each contains 50 caplets/tablets.  There is nothing like being far away, in a hotel or camping and needing a pain reliever for aches, headaches or a fever.   Plus every time you buy one they donate one to Americares.

Don’t Forgets…

Other essentials would be an antacid, towels, at least one extra pair of socks, travel sized toothbrushes, soap and conditioner (since some hotel conditioner is sub-par), sunscreen and lotion.  We also pack our own pillows (kids like to use them in the car and love being able to sleep with their favorite pillow when we are far from home).   If you will be at the beach this is a great umbrella anchor and really small, so it’ll fit in a tote or back pocket.  Simply fill up this bag with sand and anchor the umbrella so it doesn’t fly away.  Made by Noblo.

 

Mini-Snacks.  Great for all-day walking and exploring.  They fit in a purse easily and are low in carbs and high in protein!  These Pistachio Chewy bites are like a little dessert and are all natural.

Another good snack to throw in the purse is these Grain & Seed Bars by Enjoy Life.  They come in an assortment to choose from and are seriously packed with lots of flavor.  We got Banana Caramel, Maple Sweet Potato, Cranberry Orange and Chocolate Marshmallow.  Each one contains plant-based protein, is allergy friendly and has all natural ingredients so you can eat freely.

Snacks for ME!

I’m diabetic so I don’t have the same snacks as the kids.  I try to do low-carb and high protein.  Not always easy in the car or while on vacation.  One thing I do while driving to keep me occupied is eat sunflower seeds.  Another thing is to have something like these Premier Protein drinks.  That way I’m drinking something, besides water, and having protein.  The shakes are great if its past a meal and I still have hours to drive.  The Clear Protein Drinks are good for a cool drink and have only 1 carb plus 20 grams of protein.  They come in Orange Mango, Tropical Punch and Raspberry.

 

 

What About Pets?

If you are leaving pets behind make sure you have a friend or family member that will be able to stop by and check on them daily (and this is a great way to get your mail brought in too).  Have a backup friend, in case the first falls ill.  Make sure your pets have plenty of food, extra water and if there is any special instructions print them and leave them out in a visible place.

I ALWAYS leave double the water out for our cats.  That way if for any reason someone doesn’t make it to our house as planned the cats will be okay.

If you are bringing a pet, like a dog, with you, make sure you have everything needed.  Travel food and water container by Poochables is perfect.  Put them in a crate, kennel or doggie seat belt.  Do not let a dog walk around the car freely while you are driving.  This is not safe for the driver and if you are in an accident your pet can be seriously hurt.

 

All in all- don’t forget to have fun and make lifetime memories!!! Enjoy the trip getting there and don’t wait for the destination to begin enjoying your vacation.  It is definitely harder taking a trip with just the kids but you can do it!  Once you do it the first time you’ll realize it wasn’t too bad (or it was and you learn by it) and you become a pro to do it again and again!  Don’t wait until the kids are ‘older’ to take a vacation with them.  Just take baby steps and have fun now.