Avoid the boredom of a long drive with a little planning, writes Sylvia Thompson
ONE-THIRD of adults admit to feeling anxious before setting off on long car journeys with children and a third of drivers are distracted by children in the car, according to a new survey.
The same study, which was carried out by a car insurance provider, found that it takes only 20-40 minutes for children to get bored in a car. Three in four adults said that children's boredom when travelling was the toughest part of the problem.
So, as we move into the busiest holiday month of the year, what can we do to keep children safe and happy on long car journeys?
Child psychologist Anne O'Connor acknowledges that travelling to and from holiday destinations can be one of the most stressful points on family holidays. "Basically, you have to find things that distract children from the length of the journey," she says. "For younger children, try to time journeys to include their nap times. For older children, electronic games, portable DVDs and MP3 players have their place."
Ensuring children are safely belted into car seats and never left alone in parked cars (even while you bring another child to the toilet) is vital.
"If your child refuses to sit in his/her seat, you have to insist that they do. Children also copy their parents, so if you do not routinely wear your seatbelt, your child will copy you, so start by setting a good example," she says.
O'Connor, founder of Irish parenting website www.rollercoaster.ie, says planning for the journey ahead is key to making car journeys with children more bearable.
Her tips include bringing pillows, blankets and favourite toys to make the children's area more comfortable. Also, choose snacks that won't melt or crumble, and avoid fizzy drinks which can explode once opened.
O'Connor also suggests families can create their own in-car entertainment with a selection of activity books (jokes and general knowledge quiz books can be fun), songs and stories on tape or CD. Traditional games such as I Spy, searching for dogs, cows, churches, cars with certain number plates, etc can also work for a while. Some older children will also enjoy map-reading and ticking off towns as you pass through them.
"You also have to remember that you can't be trying to please them all the time. Sometimes, if you leave them to it, they'll sort themselves out," she says.
And, remember, if taking the car on holidays is unbearable this year, consider travelling by train to your destination next year.