So this is the year that you are going to take a thousand mile road trip. It would be fun and enjoyable with just your spouse, but now your family includes others. Those others include a preteen ten year old that is already developing a teen attitude. Also included is an over energetic eight year old son that thinks his purpose in life is to tease both of his sisters. Last of all there is that sweet four year old ball of fire that has determined that she is in charge.
On the top of your list of challenges is the item to make this trip and be sane when your return home. Everything will be fine getting things ready and even after you arrive at your destination. It is those hours in between that have you worried.
Back when you were a little kid your parents had to grin and bear it. They played games to keep you entertained and searched license plates for a new state. At the end of the trip they were too tired to enjoy their stay. They just rested up for the return trip and a rerun of the previous trip, arriving home exhausted. What a vacation?
This will not happen to you if you are willing to take advantage of the new car video technology. With the introduction of car videos children can enjoy the trip with some of their favorite videos. There are several types available on the market now. There are the standard mount to the ceiling models. Now there are hang over the seat models with ear phones so that each child can have their own if necessary and these are moveable from seat to seat. Also, available are head rests with video screens built in them that can replace your present head rests. Now there are even car videos to put on sun visors or on the dash.
With this car video technology you can now take your children's favorite videos and let them play them over and over and it will not drive you crazy because they have ear buds. This means that you can still carry on a conversation with someone and not always be interrupted with the inevitable ?Are We There Yet?. By the way ipods and MP3 players will do the same for your teenager.
I can attest to the above because I just got off a road trip of 16 hours with these three youngsters and four adults. There were very few problems and parents and grandparents were just tired from the ride not tired from fighting. I personally felt that the portable video was best because we could shift it between seats and then the unoccupied child did what we used to do play games.
Traveling with pets is a growing trend and can be a pleasant experience for both you and your pet if you plan ahead. Family pets are often a big part of the family, and sometimes it's hard to leave those adorable faces behind when you leave town. Failing to carefully plan a road trip with your pet can lead to an endurance ride of hourly stops, nonstop whining and barking as well as a lack of pet-friendly places to stay. By using the internet for researching and planning, you can be assured that your vacation will be pleasurable and relaxing for everyone.
Here are a few things to consider when traveling with your pet:
? Temperament ? Make certain that your four-legged pal enjoys traveling before taking him on a long trip. Take time during the weeks leading up to your vacation to take him on several short trips so that he will be more accustomed to the sights, smells and sensations of riding in a car. If your pet is aggressive, ill-mannered or simply terrified of traveling, you may want to consider a qualified pet sitter or reputable boarding facility.
? Manners ? It is only proper and responsible that you to make sure that your pet will be a welcomed guest at your destination. You may be a sight for sore eyes for your favorite aunt, but your dog or cat may not be! Make certain that your pet is well-behaved and if you have a dog, make sure that he understands basic commands before going on you trip. Take along some favorite toys to make sure that your pet doesn't become bored and find destructive ways to entertain himself with.
? Medical Needs- If you're going away for a long trip, or if your pet is chronically ill, take it to the vet for a pre-vacation check-up. Make certain that all vaccinations are up to date and take the proper documentation with you. In the unlikely event that your pet gets into a fight or bites someone during your trip, you'll want documentation that the pet has had its shots. Your vet may prescribe your pet a mild sedative or suggest a safe motion sickness remedy if your pet has suffered in the past. It's also advisable to obtain the names of a couple of veterinarians at your destination just in case of emergency.
? Accommodations ? As more people take to traveling with pets, more and more hotels are catering to pet travelers. By using the search term ?pet-friendly ? in your query, you will receive a wealth of information about pet-friendly accommodations and destinations, RV parks, dog parks, beaches and campgrounds. Major online travel agencies, like Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz, allow you to limit your hotel search results to only those who allow pets.
? Safety - When traveling with pets it is important to ensure their safety and not to do anything that could put them in danger. Always have your dog or cat on a leash and never allow a pet to roam freely in the vehicle, as it could get tangled around the driver's feet or get in the driver's sight of the road. Always crate your dog or cat in a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier big enough for them to stand up and turn around in comfortably. It's a good idea to get them used to the crate a few weeks prior to departing. Also be sure to have collars and I.D. tags for your pets in the event that they become separated from you. Investing in a microchip may also be something to consider if your pet has a tendency to get loose.
? Food, Water and Potty Breaks- Pack food and water bowls and avoid chances of stomach upset by packing an adequate supply of your pet's regular brand of food. Switching pet food under any circumstances can cause abdominal distress and can be extremely unpleasant for all concerned?especially while confined in a car! Stick to their regular feeding routine and give the main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Traveling with pets can also lead to dehydration so it's important to stop frequently not only for potty breaks and exercise, but also to let them get a fresh drink of water. Make sure to keep a supply of ?doodie? bags handy so you can comply with local ordinances when necessary.
Preparing in advance for traveling with pets and keeping its best interests in mind on the road will help make it an enjoyable trip for everyone.
Both C.s. Mackay & Kelley Falgout are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
C.s. Mackay has sinced written about articles on various topics from Network Marketing, K 15 and Education Toys. Resource Box - Caroline Mackay 2007Caroline Mackay is a retired teacher of thirty seven years and writer and producer of many school programs. She is the host of http://www.ezeducationplays.com/articles.htmlAnd http://www.ezelectronicelements.com/page. C.s. Mackay's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Kelley Falgout has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Disneyland Vacation and Orlando Vacation. Kelley Falgout is a theme park enthusiast and publisher of , a vacation planning tool and continuously growing databas. Kelley Falgout's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.