Road trips can be a great way to holiday without the fuss of a plane and the airport rush. As a parent, planning the ideal road trip can be a fun activity and you can get the kids involved in choosing destinations too. As fun as road trips can be with the kids, they can also be stressful.
Any parent knows that kids have a notoriously short attention span and this means we need to work hard to ensure they are entertained lest they become fussy in the car. Today we are going to take a look at how you can keep the kids entertained on a road trip and make sure that they don’t fuss.
Download videos
The first idea you can try is to use Vidmate download to download some of your kids’ favourite Youtube videos onto a tablet for the trip. By downloading videos locally instead of relying on the signal, it means that you can be sure your kids will have access to some form of entertainment no matter where you are. On long car trips often this is the best way to keep the kids happy and they will stay out of your hair as you drive.
Provide snacks
One of the other big factors that can change your child’s mood in an instant is hunger. When your child is hungry, they can very quickly become stroppy and unmanageable and the last thing you want is to be stuck in a car with grumpy kids! Make sure to bring lots of snacks such as chips and cookies for the kids to eat during the trip, and this will keep them happy and ensure they don’t get fussy.
Bring coloring books
It is important to make sure your kids have plenty of ways to entertain themselves in the car without posing a danger to you while driving. One great idea is to pack some crayons and coloring books or print out free coloring templates for the trip. Coloring books will keep the kids quiet and entertained for a long while and it will ensure that they don’t start jumping around in the back of the car distracting you.
Play games
If you want to kill some time on the road with your kids, one way to do that is to play games on the road as a family. This can range anywhere from I Spy to 20 questions, or even spotting yellow cars on the journey. You’ll always be able to find fun things to do on the road and you can make your trip into something fun for every member of the family.
Take regular breaks
One easy way to ensure the kids don’t get too bored this year on a road trip is to take breaks regularly and stop off for a walk or to visit new places. Being stuck in a car for hours on end can get very boring so having a few rest stops along the way is a great idea for all of you and will stop you from going mad!
Have fun on your road trip this year and keep the kids happy!
The demanding jobs and time spent away tend to toughen the relationship-building process between a father and a child. Dads have a different parenting style.; they cannot replace the other parent when the latter is not around. However, fathers need to take their time to bond with their children since this will build an even stronger relationship.
Fathers play a significant role in their families, and good father involvement has been connected to improved social responsiveness, cognitive developments, freedoms, and gender role establishment in kids. So, the following are ways fathers can bond with their children and make a difference in their lives.
Focus on Daily Task
Some examples of daily tasks include washing, getting dressed, and playing. Most fathers tend to think that they have to figure out, at any cost, quality time or spend some special times with their children. But fathers usually spend less time with their kids when compared to mothers. So, don’t feel so much obliged to take them for a vacation on an exotic island.
Don’t get it wrong; it is totally okay to do so. However, what matters more is happening right under your nose, inside your home. You will be astonished to realize that you are good at many things.
Share Your Daddy Duties
Some specific jobs tend to be earmarked for fathers. But it never hurts to allow your children to join you in some of the chores. You can get your children to help you wash your car, build a structure, or even fix the plumbing.
Children tend to enjoy a lot of things that adults would otherwise consider dull or boring. Doing chores with your kids offers you an excellent way to bond with them while also teaching them how to do them.
Exercise Together
In many instances, parents tend to spend their time bonding with kids during stationary activities like watching a TV show. However, exercise offers a unique way for fathers to bond with their kids. Exercise allows your children to experience improved communication, and more importantly, develop and practice teamwork. These two skills are vital in your children’s development.
On the other hand, teamwork is the best way to teach your kids how to come together and work towards a primary goal. Also, as a working dad, you spend most of your time away from your kids, so exercising with them gives you the best opportunity to know your kids better. You will get to understand their weaknesses and strengths.
This will then help you identify what drives your child and encourage good behavior while cutting bad habits.
Bedtime Stories
This is one of the best ways to create a long-lasting memory with your kids. Bedtime stories are usually associated with mothers; however, a recent study has revealed that kids tend to develop more when their father reads them bedtime stories. In addition, dads have been found to initiate a more creative discussion and help improve their kid’s language development.
Dads are usually working late and are not home before the kids are asleep. They are typically exhausted and stresses to face the fifteen minutes of bedtime stories. But as a father, you must acknowledge the secrets mums have when it comes to bonding with their children; bedtime stories. Apart from strengthening your bond, bedtime stores can help you relax.
Communication is Important
From an early stage, fathers need to listen to their children without judging them or trying to fix things right away. The other parent might not be focusing too much on what the children are going through, so it is your duty as their father to establish a strong relationship and develop an effective communication strategy. Your child might want to tell you something that happens while you are at work, so listen. And before you take any action, learn more about the grounds for divorce.
To motivate your child to open up, pick opportunities where you can listen to what they have to say. For instance, you can take them fishing, go to a sports event or take a road trip. When with your children, give them your full attention, stop what you are doing and reflect on what they are trying to tell you.
Be Available
For a long time now, fathers have been the busy bees. The work pressure and fatigue pushes them to come home late and stay away from their children. But as a father, you need to make time for your kids. Kids tend to be more attached to the parent that is with them during their most challenging moments. Be with your children and give them a shoulder to lean on whenever they are down.
Not showing up to an important event in your child’s life can drastically affect their relationship. As hard as it might be, try to attend.
Have Meals Together
Meals are one of the best ways of bringing people closer together. This is particularly true for families with small children. Eating meals as a family has many mental, social, and nutritional benefits. Additionally, children and parents can share their experiences, hopes, dreams, and expectations. Besides, mealtime conversations can improve your children’s language skills hence enhancing their reading capabilities.
Respect your Children
Occasionally, parents talk to their children in the same tone they would speak to an adult. However, it is important to note that, just like adults, kids can feel emotions of hurt and embarrassment. Avoid brushing them off whenever they say something. Doing so only makes them feel sad, offended, and ignored.
So, try to listen to their ideas with attention and respect what they have to say. Regardless of your child’s age, it is essential to make them feel important. Be a good role model; speak to your children the way you expect them to talk to you, and the respect will be reciprocated. The bond between a father and his children can affect the outcome of a child’s life and the relationships that he or she will have. So, spending time together, reading them bedtime stories, establishing effective communication, being available, and eating meals together will help you become a better father. All your efforts will help your children form attitudes that enable them to grow into understanding people.
Mommies carry children for nine long months, but why is it that the first word in every toddler’s mouth is dada or other dad variation?
Well, it’s the profound love kids’ get from their dads.
Fathers are friends’ forever, supporters, teachers, and role models- all at once. They’re the unsung heroes that are part and parcel of your lives’ stepping stones. But, what have you done to reciprocate their endless love and support? If nothing except love is your answer, then it’s time to express your gratitude. And, what better day than Father’s Day?
Don’t know how to make your father feel like a king on his special day? Buckle up to keep reading some activities to do together to make Father’s Day memorable. After all, it’s your company that matters to him the most:
Go Ziplining:
Is your dad fond of adventure? If so, then bring on the adrenaline rush zip lining. Know that this activity is not only exciting, but you’ll both get to enjoy some stunning nature views.
Zooming through the forest will make him experience the joy of being a free bird. He’ll be on the top of his world- an experience no one will ever forget. Also, remember to bring your camera to capture moments of life. Yes, the playful cheering, screaming, and paramount joy is what your camera holds.
Go on a Road Trip:
Did you take a lot of family vacations as a kid? Well, if you did, then understand that your dad was fond of travelling. But does his busy schedule permit those short vacations now? Maybe not.
The best thing you can do is reminisce about those golden days by planning an Ocean City, NJ road trip. Yes, let your dad ride shotgun driving him to this exotic place. Book one of the best Ocean City, NJ vacation rentals to treat him to a short vacay! Cater to your dad’s hobbies. If your dad is a history buff, create an itinerary for visiting the best museums, savour the taste of his favourite cuisine, and buy tickets to his favourite event. Also, ensure that the vacation rental you book has all the facilities you need. Amenities such as bedrooms, bathrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi are a must. After all, the happy duo need a good night’s sleep at the end of a tiring day!
Ohh.. did picnics and kayaking miss the list? Add that too!
Get him a Soothing Massage:
Does your dad seem to have a list of never-ending chores? Well, your dad spent years cleaning up your mess. Thus, it’s the payback time. Consider giving your dad a day off and tackle all his chores on your own. You can spoil him further by booking a professional massage to de-stress himself.
The gift becomes even sweeter when all his work gets done while he’s gone. Thus, what’s better than him having a relaxed comeback. Now spend some time with your dad– go out for a walk together, grab his favourite snack to bite, and watch a movie together. Ask your dad what he likes to do and put in efforts to make the wish come true.
The Verdict- Dads are the Best
With these activities, plan the most memorable day for your dad. And, no matter what you do or decide to give, your dad knows the amount of love you have for him. That’s the greatest gift of all, in the end!
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
