Planning a weekend outing is a different experience when you don’t have any children. I remember the days of getting a call from a friend who wanted to go to the beach and 5 minutes later I was out the door. Today however its a very different story. Now with four kids the only way I’m getting out of the door that fast is…well never. With my first child, I made the mistake that most first time parents make. I packed too much and worried even more. I was so afraid of forget things that I thought ‘could’ save the day. A trip as simple as going to the beach felt more like moving day. Now with four kids in total, I’m proud to say I feel like I almost have trips (aka packing and planning) down to an art. I still have to pack more than I’d like simply because my children ages range from infant to tweens.
Here are some quick tips for you to have a successful outing with a child in any of these age groups:
Teens:
First congratulations! You got your teen to go out in public with you, now let’s make it work. Minimize the arguments; having a plan before you leave will increase the chances of success. Make plans as a family to insure events and activities are ones everyone will enjoy. If possible, also include time where everyone can break off to do their own thing. Plan a place and time to meet back up, and always close out any outing with something that brings your family back together even if it’s as simple as having a meal together recapping everyone’s day.
Tweens:
Your kids are mini teens in the making but can’t be 100% unsupervised, so make them feel like part of the team. I tell my oldest two kids the truth, Mom needs help! Entrusting them with different responsibilities will empower them, and help lessen your load. It’s a great routine to get into and it will pay off when they enter their teens. Then loosen the leash ‘so to speak’. Let your kids do things they may not normally get to do. I’m not saying go crazy by letting them skip meals and eat tons of junk, but let them be kids. It won’t be too long before they think they’re adults.
Young School-Age Kids:
Kids in this age group for the most part still believe that adults know best, not that they don’t want to give you push back from time to time. But here you really set the tone for the trip. If you know your child still has a lovey (ex: special toy or item that comforts them) allow them to bring it along, but with rules. For instance; Pooh Bear can come with us but he has to wait in the car when we get to our destination…Allowing this age group to bring along a toy or two can help make the car ride more enjoyable for everyone. Now personally I say stay away from the “electrical” toys. There are too many things that can happen to them that can ruin the day, and frankly you’re leaving the house to do something different and that’s entertainment enough in itself.
Infant & Toddlers:
Now I know I don’t need to tell you to pack diapers, wipes, and snacks/formula, but this is where a little over packing can save the day. My rule is to pack more of these items in case of an emergency. Only you know how your children act when he/she misses a nap so keep that I mind. If your children sleep during most car rides, and the drive is about the length of their naps then that’s the perfect time to leave. If not, have everything you can pack and ready in the car so the moment your little ones are awake you can head out without the chaos. When it comes to toys, bring only what your little ones can truly enjoy in the car, and only bring one or two of those out when you get to where you’re going. This is where car seat toys come in handy. Then if your kiddos are like mine, a pacifier/teething rings will complete your list of must haves.
Now YOU:
Yes, you read that right. Making sure snacks, sun block, jackets, toys, money, diaper bag, etc. are packed is a part of what you need to be mindful of but that’s not all. Your attitude will affect everyone’s mood and even the success of the trip. If you’re like me and certain situations get under your skin, then do yourself a favor. Plan everything you can the night before so your morning is simple; get dressed, eat, and go. If you have younger kids try packing while they’re sleeping. This will keep you from fighting with your little one who thinks its fun getting into everything. You’ll be able to think clearly and less likely to forget the important stuff. If you have children that are old enough to help, then have them help. This will take longer than you doing it on your own, but it again is a teaching tool. In my house the kids who are old enough to pack are responsible for their bag, etc. Of course, I still double check to make sure all necessities are packed, but that’s just for my piece of mind.
Once out, be an example. Get off of your electric devices!!! There’s nothing wrong with taking pictures to capture the moment (and if you ask my kids they’d say I’m their paparazzi lol). But doing work, answering texts, or playing those addictive games can all wait. Trust me, your kids will notice and will likely follow your example and become teens that you can’t tear away from their cell phone, Xbox, etc. If you require your kids to go on this trip, then you should be there too.
Lastly, breathe. Tell yourself that it will be a fun, and/or educational, new experience/tradition. Remind yourself why you planned this trip in the first place, and remember what you’re hoping to get from it as a family. Sometimes we get so focused on the planning part that we can miss the moment itself.
My family’s recent trip:
This past Saturday my family and I decided to head to the beach to get away from the heat. Our trip was amazing. Not perfect by any means (hubby’s back started acting up, one child had to be talked to about sharing, another on water safety, and the baby tried fighting her nap. But it was still a beautiful trip because we allowed it to be.
Don’t let the ‘stuff’ get in the way of your next family outing 🙂
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