A serious question about my upcoming Sabbatical

[atahoekid]

We do have a portable DVD player and an iPad, but I really would rather my oldest was practicing his letters and writing, and they both play more, glued to tv less. We use the iPad on the short jaunts and while camping when we are cooking, but I don't want it going all the time.

I'm a firm believer that the process of vacation can be educational and I don't mean the 3 R's. I wouldn't worry about writing and practicing letters, this can be his vacation too. I think you're on the right track regarding less miles, therefore less time being stuck to a DVD or IPad and more time allowing kids to be kids outdoors. Let them learn to be good stewards of the great outdoors, appreciate wildlife, and learn about Mother Nature. Let them play with frogs, ants, dirt, mud, leaves and sticks. That too can be educational.

I think you'll see some great stuff, but do remember! It's not always about the destination, sometimes it's the journey!

[nrody]

I travel with my grandson and have done since he was 4. He is six now. At first it was hard for him but now he is fine. I make pleanty of stops and just about any small town with more than a few hundred residents have public parks. I may stop at 3 different parks in a day for him to run around even if it is for 15 minutes or so. I would not do the Wallyworld overnights with kids. If you get camping maps from AAA for each state you go to they list everything from national campgrounds, state campgrounds, regional parks with camping and some private campgrounds including all the amenities. It will be alot easier on the family if you relax and have fun as opposed to got to get there (whereever that is) mental state. You can plan evening meals to be sandwiches and have your larger meals mid day so you dont have to do the cooking when you hit camp. Whatever you do have fun. Take lots of pictures so the kids can have lasting memories.
Now go hit the road!

[Miriam C.]

One thing I have been reminded of lately is that car seats hurt!!!! They are not engineered right. They have little padding for tiny bottoms and tend to leave legs hanging uncomfortably. So gel type pads for the bottoms and stuff in the floorboard so legs can be propped.

I would take the TD and lots of pictures for the kids to brag about as they age. The other thing I would do is get cabins once a week so you can have some space.

Remember that little kids like to eat lighter when moving around.

Don't take too much stuff. You can always buy more...neat t-shirts at different places can lighten the load for packing. Potty chairs can be used on the side of the road. Just make a portable shield... Way back when I was a kid it was not unusual to stop for kids and a small potty pot was available. Most important is to have fun.

[Mark & Andrea Jones]

My best friend from high school and I drove across country from VA to OR with a 4 YO in the back seat. Daddy left at the same time in a separate car, but he only had the dog with him and he could do 18 hour days driving - and beat us there by 3 days. The boy did REALLY well until the last two days. Every night we would pull out the map and show him where VA was, where we were, how far we wanted to travel the next day, and where we were going. The only mistake we made was making Oregon the destination - not Portland. So, when we crossed the state line into Oregon, he thought the trip should be OVER and didn't want to do another 4 hour drive to Portland. Daddy was the attraction at the end and he was VERY unhappy and let us know it. The last 4 hrs of that 6 day trip were the worst part of the WHOLE thing. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to stop at parks on the way, so I don't know how that works out, but we always tried to stop at dusk at a hotel that had a swimming pool (this was before TD time).

I would suggest that, when possible, you time stops for parks/interesting area and JUST before nap time. Then, when possible, involve the kids with trip planning in the evenings. Use the KOA's (because of the pools) when possible. I like the DVD idea, but have independent microphones for the children or it will drive you NUTS.

Good Luck!

AJ