“Are We There Yet?”
“Are we there yet?” A.k.a. “How many more minutes?”, “I have to pee!” or “I’m gonna be sick.” Four phrases that can test the strength of even the strongest parent. From tinies and toddlers to tweens and teens, the infamous road trip can be one of a parent’s greatest challenges but can also inspire some of a family’s greatest memories.
Greetings! My name is Cheryl Wendt, Parent to Parent Program Coordinator at CTC, and I am the guest blogger this month. I have 3 sons, ages 17, 14, and 12. My family is on a quest to visit each of the 50 States. Traveling as a family unit, we have succeeded in visiting 45 states! I can’t even begin to calculate how many hours or miles we’ve traveled. Over the years, I’ve learned a few parenting travel tips that I’d like to share.
Create a Family Team. There is no doubt that road trips require teamwork, communication, and respect. Make everyone a team player and value their contribution. Whether it's carrying the luggage into the hotel, keeping the car tidy, or choosing a restaurant, work together. The closeness you will feel as a family will extend far beyond the hours spent sitting so close to each other in the car!
Embrace new adventures. I would not describe our family as particularly daring, but our road trips have led us on some amazing adventures. We have each stepped out of our comfort zones and confronted some phobias or some “I’m not sure I can do this” moments. It’s been so rewarding to watch my kids push their own boundaries, extend support to each other, and, at times, cheer me on too.
Find the teachable moments. They are everywhere! Read the signs, grab more than one brochure and map, and talk with your children. Ask them how something makes them feel. Explore your surroundings, eat the regional cuisine, and interact with the locals. Model your interest in learning. Share your thoughts with each other. Have a conversation. Let that conversation lead to another and another and another.
Give kids a reason to engage. It’s been interesting to reflect on how our road trips have evolved over the years. When my kids were younger, the majority of our car time was used up by hours of family trivia, sing-a-longs, and audio books. Now that we are traveling with tweens and teens, it seems as if our personal devices are manipulating more of our time. While it seems to require more effort to have everyone stay present with each other, I’ve found it easier to do with food and good music. Bring on the car snacks and the Classic Rock!
Expect the unexpected. Let’s face it, everything doesn’t always go according to plan. There will likely be some bumps in the road (pun intended). Major bumps may be damaging, but some bumps can improve the experience. Let me provide an example: While traveling across Iowa, we strayed off of our planned route to check out the Field of Dreams movie set. Have you seen the movie? My boys hadn’t, but became curious about a ball field in a cornfield. So, on this sunny Tuesday afternoon, we ventured off the highway, onto the 2 lane road and traveled amongst the cornfields of Iowa. Then we saw it! Not the Field of Dreams, but a convoy of more than 50 tractors! So many that we lost count. I’m not sure where they were headed that day or how far they each had traveled to be a part of that community, but the drivers were young and old, men and women that greeted us with a wave as we passed. An American experience that was unexpected but ever so memorable. Despite being delayed by all those tractors, we did eventually make it to our destination and the boys were able to hit a few balls on that famous field.
As I reflect on all that I’ve learned, I realize that I can also apply these lessons to my parenting journey. Am I there yet? No, I am not. I still have a way to go. But with these tips in my toolbox, I will travel onward and seize the opportunities along the way. I’ll leave you with one final inspiration. “You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!