what should a single mother of 4 bring on a 12 hour road trip?

Question

12 hours in a car with 4 kids one old enough to help with the kisds but not old enough to drive

Answer 1

earplugs.


On a serious note, LOTS AND LOTS of dum dums (those cheap little suckers). When the kids just won't shut up, give them each one.

I would also go to a dollar tree or similar store and purchase two dollar items for each child (same thing so no one argues)and wrap them. Hide them in two separate tote bags and when they are about to drive you mad, announce "PRESENT TIME!".

In addition to that, snacks, premade pb&J's, plenty of drinks, paper, crayons, markers, pens, pencils, dvd player, movies, cd players with headphones, and a squirt gun. Hehe, the squirt gun is to get the attention of anyone getting on your nerves .....or for a good laugh while driving, just turn around and open fire!

Try to keep a sense of humor about it. This is going to be very trying. I certainly hope Mickey Mouse is waiting on you at the end of your journey at least!

Answer 2

you could attempt to benefit yet another language. they each so often have those "learn in spite of language speedy" books in libraries, you could %. up on the fundamentals. you ought to get carry of podcasts for extremely almost something (languages, technological expertise, politics, etc). learn for the SAT (assessment vocabulary by utilising bringing flash enjoying cards, math and analyzing). Take a lot of photos (this might create an imprint of your street holiday whilst convalescing your photos skills). prepare Sketching. make amends for each and all the drama alongside with your friends. Do Sudoko's. Watch movies (dont forget approximately the popcorns and juice packing containers). If that doesn't soak up 12 hours, than I dont comprehend what is going to.

Answer 3

When I was 12 my family drove from Utah to Florida and back again - my parents, me, and my two brothers, ages 2 and 4 at the time. We packed lots of snacks - a cooler full of drinks and a cooler full of "healthy" snacks like grapes, carrot sticks, etc., and then a bunch of what my family calls "pogey bait:" licorice, pretzels, peanut m&ms, etc. Whatever junk food you guys like best!

For toys, and to keep us busy, my mom packed us each a little (slightly smaller than a standard beach tote) bag that had "age appropriate" toys in it. My little brothers had Matchbox cars, a little notepad and crayons, GI Joes, and other little toys, while mine had stickers, a little doll set like Polly Pocket, a notepad and pens, etc. We each had several new books in the bag, too. The most important thing was that all the stuff in the bag was NEW - stuff we hadn't had a chance to get bored with yet. You could probably stock up on interesting stuff at the dollar store.

These days you would probably also want to include little hand-held video games like Nintendo GBA or DS, or for the really little ones, the Leapster by Leapfrog. We also took a lot of books and magazines, and we each got to bring a pillow, blanket, and a "lovey" (whatever special, can't-do-without comfort item each child has).

I remember at one point having to stop to put masking tape on the seats to delineate everyone's "territory" ("Mom, he's on my side of the line!") but that was really the only problem.

We played the Alphabet Game, where you look for words on the signs and billboards you pass by, one for every letter of the alphabet, in order. My mom also had a bingo game that had pictures of things you see on a drive (airplanes, trucks, cows, gas stations, etc.) and the cards had little windows you could slide over when you saw whatever was on your card. I think these are available through catalogs like Harriet Carter or Lillian Vernon. We kept lists of the types of animals we saw on the sides of the road - including roadkill. Gross, I know, but what kid doesn't like gross?

Every time we stopped, my mom would have us get out and run around the car and "get all the wiggles out." She'd also make us all go to the bathroom whether we though we felt like we had to or not. It sure did cut down on all the pitstops!

Anyway, I actually have kind of fond memories of that trip, all these years later. Between playing the games, playing with the new toys, eating, reading, and sleeping, you'll find the trip flies by.

Hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 4

Bring lots of bottled water so kids will get thirsty, snacks incase they get hungry. Let your older one help with the kids and if your feeling tired and you can't drive anymore than take a rest, camp out where it's safe and do a picnic, and kids could play and rest..I don't have kids and i don't know whats it like so thats the best i can do and let me say that way to go for being a single mother..i don't know how you do it but you are one strong mom and don't you ever forget that.

Answer 5

Before the new cars with DVD players in the back seat, we used to carry a small portable cassette player, some headphones, and a splitter so each kid cold have his own headphone. Then we got some good adventure tapes, like old radio shows (Lone Ranger sort of stuff). Cheap investment and we are still sane.

Answer 6

1] lets see, 12 hours divided by 2 equals 2 meals and 3-4 snacks, and plenty of bottled water, and gallon jugs for refilling. Bring several types of raw fruits and veggies ready to eat [ peeled or sliced ], crackers, and maybe string or mini cheeses. [ no chips, sweets, or sodas - the sugars make them rowdy and irritable. Stuff for sandwiches, or cold fried chicken, or hard boiled eggs are good, too. Include several barf bags [ one in each door pocket ] just in case.
2] buy each kid a storage clipboard with washable markers,
pen or pencil, and coloring book/crosswords/sudoku, depending on age.
3] bring mp3s, CD players, etc, and have people take turns picking tapes - mama, kid 1, kid 2, etc.
4] play license plate games, who sees ----- first, etc.
5] bring a pillow for each kid
6] first aid kit with remedies for pain, diarrhea, cough/cold, and wounds.
7] wet ones or baby wipes and paper towels, and garbage bags for trash [ dump at rest stops ]
8] luggage!

Answer 7

Sedatives?? J/k!! Snacks, Personal CD players for the kids, a movie?

Answer 8

4 sleeping pills

Answer 9

An extra dose of Patience.

Answer 10

PSP & Nintendo DS