4 Solid Tips For Your Summer Road Trips

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I couldn’t wait as a teen for summer to be here. Oh the freedom, the road trips, the memories. Flash forward to present day, I still love spur of the moment road trips but cringe slightly at the thought of being locked in my suburban with my three kids. If you dread it too, and are looking for ways to maximize peace and fun; and minimize the potential of world war III–I’m your girl. We have family in four different states and I speak often, in which case my family sometimes travels along. 

Your Summer Road Trippin’ Fun Tips

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Set A Goal & Stick It To The Dashboard

1. As a family, sit down and talk about how God wants us to respect each other and each other’s things.

2. Find a scripture verse that relates to the character you want to build, we focus on having compassion, thus the golden rule. Treat others how you want to be treated.

3. Whether you are running errands or traveling out of town, try beginning the practice of saying a quick prayer as you pull out of your driveway. It reminds them and you, God is with you and sees all we do.

Plan Ahead

1. Pack each child a set of clothes, favorite toys, (I save McDonald’s toys or scout the dollar bins at Target) and snacks that won’t melt like Granola bars.

2. Each pack is placed in the back of your vehicle for those spur of the moment trips.

3. Grab a portable DVD Player and keep an eye out for your favorite movies for the kids.

Character Counts

1. In order to make those trips more fun, begin practicing character lessons now. One a ring, place notecards for each child with their name on them. Then assign stickers and a reward for each short trip or errand you have to run. If your child listens, add 3 stickers, if he disobeys, he doesn’t earn them.

2. If your child is too hold for stickers, use Hassle Time. When my kids are bickering or driving me nuts with singing Jesus Loves Me over and over and over, then tell them you will start their Hassle Time. They can then serve the time before going off to play or do a chore when they get home. (This idea came from Danny Silk’s, Loving Your Kids On Purpose).

No Expectations

1. As my family size began to grow, so did my ability to stress and be anxious about my kids’ behaviors anywhere in public. A mentor taught me one of the most important lessons in motherhood: Go with no expectations. She went on to say, “Someone is going to cry, two of them will fight, someone will spill milk, another will pee their pants. It’s a part of growing up. You can be a good mama by embracing it.” She didn’t mean that I shouldn’t discipline, but I should let go of the expectations I have in my mind. When a mess happens, put on a smile and talk to them about why it happened. It’s life.

 

 

Stephanie Shott
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