If I get my OCD packing a week early from my mother, I get my organization of both the suitcases and the CAR from my father. Now that is one hell of a packer. That Man could and still pack anything into anything. LOL.
Course he always says he taught me well, when he sees my work.
Packing a car shouldn’t be hard. You have to think ahead of what you are going to need during the car ride and separate it and keep it close by and keep the stuff you don’t need until you get to your destination in the back of the car.
The Longer the car ride, the more things youll need access too. However I always keep everything I need close by no matter the length of the ride.
Our longest journey ever with both the kiddos was one year ago. My sister and my brother in law decided on a destination wedding in Colorado, Estes Park. They got to fly, while the rest of us Caravanned all of the wedding supplies there in two RENTED GIANT SUVS. The kids loved that car cuz it was large and they could see out the windows. That is always important, because both my daughter, son, and myself sometimes get car sick.
Which brings me to ITEMS that are most important to have on hand for the entire car trip, is ……..
MEDICINES; You should always keep those handy. I usually pack the simple stuff up with me in my purse. Such as; Advil, Dramamine, the kids stuff, and of course women items (if needed). I keep the rest of my Pharmacy in the back of the car in the Products case.
The Next Item on the List is ……..
TABLETS: When we went on our first long trip together as a family, Livi was almost 2 and I just had Will, We got her a tablet. Will was an infant and he slept most of the time. Livi definitely needed something to occupy her time. We went to San Diego about 6 months earlier with just her, and I was pregnant ( very large) and she was bored half the time. We had toys, don’t get me wrong, but I am a firm believer in a tablet now. I wasn’t always, but i realized how much they are needed when you need them, and a long car ride, you need them.
We have always used the AMAZON FIRE KIDS. They come with the case, and with the multiple log in uses, especially the kids special log in. The kids cannot have access to anything you don’t set the computer in it to, and they can’t download anything unless you give them the code for permission. I find it to also be a better deal.
We currently have the 10″, but we started with the 8’s and they are amazing. They now have a kick stand on the back to let your kids stand them up on the table to do their school work on or read digital books, or play games.
Moving on.
If you have a mid sized SUV like us or a car, then you dont have that much room to organize. However I have learned to use the space we chose to get what I need one. I bought a basket for in between the seats of both my kids car seats ( because we only have two kids) that holds all of their books, toys, tablets, etc for the journey. However If you use all three spaces for all three of your kids, you might want to invest ( if you haven’t already,) in behind the seats storage.
Now this is the one I might be getting for our next car ride. Haven’t fully decided. I don’t want one that holds their tablets, because the kids like holding onto them themselves. This would hold their toys, and books, and coloring supplies that would normally be in the basket.
The reason is I plan on moving my basket to the floor to hold my emergency items for the trip. To the place I normally keep our garbage can. Course for long car rides, I dont use our garbage can in the car, but use disposable bags. I throw away items and collect it, and when we stop ( for food or use the bathroom) I just toss the bag into the nearest can.
Another reason I plan on moving their basket to the floor is to make room for their PORTA POTTY to between the seats.
Yes that is right, I said PORTA POTTY. Our next must have item on the list.:
The genius who invented the GENIE diaper hamper, also invented its first portable potty. With disposable bags.
I can’t tell you how many times this thing has saved my butt on the road or when we are out in a parking lot at the Zoo or Aquariums, and cant get to a potty in time.
Once, I took Livi to the zoo when she was a baby and I saw a woman letting her child go to the bathroom in a porta potty in the back of her SUV and I thought she was crazy. However I totally get it now.
When I was potty training my daughter, there were plenty of times she had to go , and I wasn’t anywhere near a potty, especially on the long road to Flagstaff, California, etc. I bought this, and my husband didnt like it at first, but once it saved our buts on a long road trip, he was so happy I got it.
Normally a normal human being would just pull over to the side of the road to pee, poo, etc ( in case of an emergency) and no one would complain. NOW COME ON WE HAVE ALL DONE IT AT LEAST ONCE. However I wasn’t ready to have my baby girl do that yet, and The potty seemed much more civilized. LOL.
May daughter loves her little potty, and recently My son has joined the potty training club and learned to use it on our trip back from Flagstaff a few months back.
I highly recommend getting one of these, if you have toddlers who still have little bladders, or have to go poo poo really bad.
Next Item on my list is…..
HEAD RESTS:
Yes, we have all have seen this in our rear view mirrors while driving. I feel so sorry for my kids when they pass out in the car on the car trips and I can’t do anything about it.
There are a few solutions to this….. one I plan on doing on our next trip, but if i can’t I am going the easy rout and I will tell you that last.
These are some of my personal favorites and they are totally odd in my book.
I don’t know which one is worse.
If anything, I will buy this for them.
Skip hop makes good products. So this should be good to get and also at a good price.
Course there is always the cheap easy rout.
You roll up your beach towels the long way and then stick them around your neck to simulate the same effect as a car pillow. I have used this trick for myself and Love it. Its so easy.
Another tip for the Road that you might need, if you have toddlers, or even kids who are young school age, such as; preschool or kinder.
If the kids do fall asleep in the car, there is a great chance they might pee themselves. Now for this my husband and I always put our daughters ( and yes she is 5) in a pull up for the trip. Its just an IN CASE idea.
Another thing to do for long car rides, and maybe put the kids in the PJS for the road trip. That way they are comfy and warm. I know I like driving with the air on high and it can get cold. So we sometimes put them in their pjs for the trip and give them their favorite blankets as well.
Back the basket on the floor. It will hold, wipes, extra pull ups, medicines ( including Dramamine, Tylenol, etc.) and first aid.
Then their will be the basket below my sons feet. It will hold the most important ( well one of two) component for the entire trip.
Basket below my sons feet will include……SNACKS.
Yes snacks. apples, chips, cookies, cereal, etc. All my kids favorites.
Then below my daughters feet will have the COOLER.
The Cooler will have water ( so important) an energy drink or two ( yes i know they are bad, but we love them) and some cold kept snacks too. String cheese, blueberries, applesauce, etc.
I hope this blog helps you for your next family trip.
HAVE FUN- AND BE SAFE.
The TAWL Mom 
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