Car Rental Trips with Kids  Surviving an extended journey with minimal bloodshed

Children are wonderful. Each one is unique, a tiny little person in their own right. Their innocence is a shining beacon of hope for a society gripped with existential fear. Until you load them in a rental vehicle for an extended period of time&

I recall, as a child, my mother only telling us we were going on a journey two hours before we were scheduled to leave. She did this every time and maintains to this day had she done otherwise we wouldve all contracted some mysterious illness minutes before they started loading up the car. This little trick didnt keep us from getting bored and carsick though. Here are a few tips to combat both.

Car sickness, or motion sickness as it is also called, results from a basic conflict between the eye and ear: the inner ears detect that the car is moving, but the eyes (focused within the car) do not. The brain gets conflicting signals, and nausea results. It can be prevented by encouraging children to focus on a distant point outside of the car and avoiding rear facing seats. Fresh air, careful driving and frequent stops also go a long way to ensuring stable tummies.

Plan to leave for the trip early in the morning, before breakfast when it is still dark. Pack plenty of comforters and pillows  if children are comfortable chances are they will spend large parts of the journey sleeping. They have to wake up eventually, though. Be prepared with a cooler box packed with nutritious snacks that can be eaten out of hand. Stopping along the way for roadside snacks might seem an easier option, but this can get very costly and the calorie-laden foods available at rest stops can cause blood sugar spikes that leave tiny tots uncomfortable and irritable.

Strive for a balance of carbohydrates, fat, protein and fiber. This will ensure children maintain a stable blood sugar level, which is good for everyone involved. Good examples of this are celery with peanut butter, cheese and crackers, or tortilla chips and bean dip. If nuts and dried fruit seem a bit dull for tiny taste buds, create a special trial mix with some chocolate chips mixed in. Sandwiches are obviously a popular snacking option; just make sure the fillings you choose can withstand some time without refrigeration. Considering long term car rental for your South African road trip? Cover the seats your children are sitting in with a towel just in case  anything that can be spilled WILL be spilled on a road trip and this way the debris will be much easier to clean.

Car games are an easy way to keep children entertained. These vary from the generic I spy with my little eye to travelling bingo and sing-along songs. Inquire beforehand at your long term car rental agency if they have games packages available. Some do and this will save you the hassle of assembling a collection for yourself. If the ages and musical tastes of your offspring differ greatly, you might want to invest in a walkman or portable CD player for each. This will keep fighting to a minimum and ensure that the driver gets some peace and quiet at the same time.

If you intend to stop over somewhere before continuing your journey the next day, be sure to pack sensibly. Pack one suitcase that holds a change of clothes for each family member as well as essential toiletries and whatever you need to keep yourself entertained before bedtime. This way you wont have to unpack the whole rental car to get to the few things you need. Another nifty idea is to have a designated bag that holds all travel documents, maps, literature about your destination etc. Add a few surprises (new toys, impromptu family quiz cards, vouchers that can be redeemed for foot rubs etc), some aspirin, Band-Aids and wet wipes and you are set to go.

Car trips can be loads of fun provided they are properly planned. A well-developed sense of humor and a positive approach can turn those dreaded hours on the road into the perfect opportunity to spend some quality family time.

Illan has been considering Long term car rental in South Africa and came across some interesting long stay car rental websites.

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