Adventures in Parenting

My friend just got a new Honda Odyssey minivan – fully loaded. It includes what they call the “DVD Rear Entertainment System” – a 9″ display and a 115-volt outlet in the third row that lets you plug in your video-game console, laptop or other electronics. “I won’t have to hear anymore fighting in the car,” my friend exclaimed joyously.

Sibling fighting sure takes the fun out of road trips. While the DVD players and other electronic entertainment systems keeps the car quiet, is it the best way to enjoy a family vacation?

If you are going on a long trip, a bit of down time with a movie or game is useful. However, a vacation is a time to build relationships as a family. If everyone is off doing their own thing, the purpose of a vacation is defeated. Perhaps sitting together in a car for a few hours, in a less than optimal environment, can be turned into an opportunity – an opportunity to get to know each other, and even have some fun together.

When we go on vacation, my kids do bring their Nintendo DS and IPods and all that. But we also bring along things to promote family interaction and we keep the electronic use to a minimum. Most of the time, we are having so much fun we forget about the electronic stuff.

Going on a trip without a plan is suicide. So be sure to be prepared with activities. I am sure you can think of many games to play that do not require much preparation.

Here are some of my ideas that do require you to pack a few things in advance. Put all this into a box in the front seat, and take them out to play as needed.

1. Bring sing-along music. Depending on the age of your children, the appropriate music might be Disney songs. We like to sing along to oldies like the Beatles. We also like to sing-along popular praise songs.

2. Prepare a scavenger hunt. Prepare a list of 20-30 random objects that you have to find along the way. Whoever sees it just shout it out. Don’t stress out about making the list. Anything will do. Some examples are: car carrying bicycles, driver wearing a hat, license plate with your initials, a palm tree, etc. You can also include some descriptions of objects that are subject to interpretation. For example: something soft and red, something you would want in your room, etc. The children can get pretty creative with what they think would fit the descriptions!

3. Listen to a book on CD. Something of a classic like Tom Sawyer or a popular book like Harry Potter are all good. If your children are little, fairy tales like Cinderalla are fun. You can stop the CD once in a while to explain anything unclear or to discuss a segment on the CD.

4. Bring Legos in a tub and be creative. Everyone loves Legos – nothing else needs to be said about that.

5. Play Password. Remember that old TV game show where one person gives a one word clue and another person tries to guess the word? Take turns on guessing and giving clues. Even little ones can play if you use simple words. For example, you give the clue “sweet” and let your child guess the word. Give more one word clues until he guesses the word “candy.”

6. Bring lots of paper, pencils, and a clipboard for each person. Use the paper to play Pictionary or other games you can think of. Make sure the driver keeps his eyes on the road!

7. Bring several riddle books and joke books. You can probably find these on the internet and just print them out. Trying to solve riddles together promotes a spirit of cooperation.Remember, don’t play games that are competitive or requires scoring. It might be counterproductive by causing fights!

What other ideas do you have?

Photo by Stig Nygaard