Road trips are definitely NOT one of the joys of parenthood. For me, my worst moments as a mom happened in the car. I know every side road off Route 4 that can get me home and avoid sitting in Bridge traffic…in migrane-inducing, nails on a chalkboard agony.
So, when it comes to vacation and forced seclusion in small confines with my kids I have a “grit my teeth and just bear it” approach. Recently, we did a 4 hour drive to our vacation spot in upstate NY. I was dreading it almost as much as doctor’s office visits for shots.
This time, though, I stocked the car with some toys. I’ve found CVS is great for travel toys—obviously someone in purchasing is sympathetic to parents on the road. I bought some GI Joe type figures that can hold plastic guns. That didn’t go over so well with my son when he kept dropping them on the car floor and, turns out, his arms aren’t long enough to pick them up. Thankfully, he’s pretty content just singing songs to himself and an occasional juice box thrown back to him.
