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Traveling with toddlers-in-vehicles requires some advance planning.In order to have a smooth ride when traveling with toddlers-in-vehicles, some advance preparation is advisable .
If you had your baby in a hospital, be sure you bring along an approved car seat appropriately installed for the journey home.
--one of the best toys for toddlers-in-vehicles is a steering wheel. It can be very elaborate with switches and dials and buttons, lights and so forth. However a simple plastic steering wheel that turns and adjusts can be just as satisfying. Children mimic what their parents do. If you provide them with mimicking tools, they will feel quite satisfied.
--only use soft toys, books, etc. for very small toddlers-in-vehicles who are on their own in the back seat. Nothing sharp or dangerous or frustrating that they could get in trouble with while you are occupied with driving in a safe manner. You aren’t free to rescue them or help them make things work and you shouldn’t be distracted by their cries. If you do everything to minimize the help they will need from you, everybody will have a safer and more relaxing journey.
--do use toys that will keep your child occupied. They really need something besides just looking out the window unless your child is a very mellow child. Make a little bag for an older toddler with toys that are appropriate and just for on the road so that they aren’t toys they are familiar or bored with. But not too complicated so that they can use them on their own. You just can’t realistically expect a toddler to willingly sit still. If you know that before hand, you can prepare the situation for the least fuss.
--always put your babies and toddlers in an approved car seat. In the back seat. They are much safer in the back seat and in many places it’s the law—with good reason.
--road trips (even to the corner store) are times to share with your child. I have heard it said that being in the car is a waste of time for a young child. I disagree heartily. It is an opportunity for you to share your time and your thoughts with your child—as long as you aren’t too distracted from the road. You can sing with your toddler. You can talk and share ideas if your toddler is old enough to talk. Or point out interesting things to learn about on the way to your destination—as long as you point out things that it is possible for your toddler placed in the back seat, to actually see. If they can’t see, you can have a book with interesting objects in it that you can tell him about on your journey. Or you can listen together to talking books.
--food treats are ok as long as they aren’t something your child could choke on easily. It’s a harrowing experience to say the least, to have a choking child in a vehicle.
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