September 28, 2021 - Raising World Children

Portrait of caring young father and baby boy enjoying car transportation with child seat

Road Trips with your Babies : Tips To Help Things Go Smoothly

When your baby arrived, it was without a doubt one of the happiest times of your life. But while you’ve been busy getting adjusted to having your new little family member around the house, you may have given little thought to what will transpire once it’s time for your baby’s first road trip. To make sure things go smoothly, here are a few things you can do prior to hitting the road.

Pack the Night Before

Before the big day arrives, make it a point to pack your car the night before your trip. Along with your stuff, always pack plenty of diapers, baby wipes, and other supplies you’ll need during the trip. By doing so, you won’t have to waste time during the morning trying to hurry around and get everything in its proper place, which can set the stage for your baby to be cranky during the excursion.

Have a Smooth Ride

Since this will be your baby’s first road trip, the last thing you want is for your car to have mechanical issues once you are on the highway. To avoid this scenario, get your car checked over by your mechanic prior to your trip. One of the best things you can do is get a new set of Nissan tires for your vehicle since new tires will give you a smooth and safe ride as you and your baby cruise down the highway together.

Build-in Time for Breaks

If your road trip will be somewhat long, you should definitely plan some time to take some rest breaks along the way. While giving you a chance to stretch your legs, it will also let you and your baby get some fresh air, something to eat, and have the chance to have some quiet time together.

Bring a Friend Along

While your baby will naturally be great company during the ride, you may want to make it even more fun and relaxing by asking one of your best friends to come along for the ride. Not only will this give you someone else to help you out with your baby, but it will also allow you the chance to have some adult conversation during the road trip.

Pack Activities for Your Older Kids

Your older kids may get restless. This would be the perfect time to pick up books and small games or dvds to pick up for the trip.

Even though you may be nervous about your baby’s first road trip, there’s no need to worry. If you have a friend with you, make plans well in advance, and know your car is in great shape, this road trip will be one you’ll always remember.

How To Make Your Child’s Birthday Memorable

When it comes to your child’s birthday, you want everything on that special day to be absolutely perfect. Whether your child is a toddler, pre-teen, or is approaching adulthood, it’s still important to you that they realize just how much you love them on their special day. If you want to make your child’s next birthday one that will be memorable for years to come, try these fun tips.

The Balloon Surprise

An especially fun activity to do with younger kids is to use a balloon surprise to get their birthday off to a great start. To do so, wait until they have fallen asleep the night before their birthday. Once you’re sure the coast is clear, enter their room quietly and scatter balloons all around the room. Upon waking up the next morning, your child will have a room full of color.

A Special or Unique Breakfast

You could start your child’s day off with cereal or eggs as they may normally start their day, or you can create something a little more unique and special for your child’s birthday. Something like kaiser buns with cream cheese and egg may be a great way to make the breakfast memorable. It’s delicious and will give them the energy they need for the day of festivities. Plus, you could make a tradition out of it so it’s something they look forward to each year.

Let Them Decorate Their Birthday Cake

If you plan on giving your child a birthday cake, then you can make the day more memorable by allowing them to decorate their cake. With so many types of frosting, sprinkles, and other goodies available, your child will have a blast creating the perfect cake for their party.

A Treasure Hunt for Gifts

Instead of simply handing your child their birthday presents, do a treasure hunt for the gifts. By turning the gift-giving process into a game, you can add a level of fun and suspense by leaving clues inside and outside your home, turning it into a combination treasure/scavenger hunt. For added fun, put some physical activity challenges into the hunt, such as having them climb a small tree or something else to locate their gifts.

Give Them a Birthday Letter

Giving your child a birthday letter will be something they are sure to cherish as they get older. When writing this letter to your child, don’t hold back on highlighting those special moments from the past year. Whether you tell them how proud you are of the grades they got in school, how they handled a particularly stressful situation, or how much it means to you to see them growing up to be a fantastic person, it’s a sure bet this letter will become a treasured possession. If your child doesn’t know how to read yet, this is an amazing opportunity to read it to them to be even more personal.

Whether you do one of these activities or all of them, your child’s birthday will be more memorable than you ever thought possible!