For most of us, driving with kids is simply a part of our everyday routine. We strap them in, take off, and hope for the best. Honestly, we probably don’t realize how distracted we truly are while behind the wheel because we are so focused on our children. Here are a few ways to make your driving with kids easier and safer.
Take Frequent Breaks
If you’re on a longer trip, your drive will be easier if you’re able to take frequent breaks. As often as you’re safely able to, stop and allow your kids to stretch their legs out and burn off some excess energy. This is a good opportunity for a bathroom break and will also allow you some time to regroup and be prepared for the next part of your trip.
Don’t Hesitate to Pull Over
This tip is especially important for those of you who are driving with a baby or even a toddler. These two groups present an entirely different set of distractions than driving with an older child. Make sure you bring all of your necessary supplies along for your drives, such as bottles, a change of clothes, and diapers. If there are any age-appropriate toys available, bring those too but give them to your child before the drive starts. Don’t hesitate to pull over to help baby, since there are bound to be some bouts of crying.
Keep Them Entertained
If your kids are old enough to know how to use a screen properly, take advantage of that option. Let them bring a phone or tablet along, preferably with headphones, so that they can self-entertain. Make sure everything that is downloaded is appropriate and that they know how to work it themselves so that you will have fewer distractions for yourself. This can keep kids entertained for hours.
Leave Enough Space
Since at one point or another you’re bound to get distracted, make sure to leave enough space between you and the car in front of you. This will give you enough time to react appropriately and help keep you and your children safe and out of harm’s way. You should have enough room between you and the car in front of you on the highway that you can’t read their license plate while on the highway.
Use the Correct Car Seat
One of the simplest things you can do to keep your kids safe in the car is to make sure they’re using the correct car seat. You should use a rear-facing one for infants and toddlers, at least until age 2. After that, children can be moved to a forward-facing seat but they still need to have a restraint harness. Booster seats may be used after this until they are the proper height and weight to use a lap and shoulder belt alone.
While we adults know the importance of concentrating when behind the wheel, it is important to also educate our children on the fact. They may not even realize they are putting everyone in the vehicle in harm’s way by simply “being kids.”
Image via Pixabay
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