Moving Tips!

A couple of months ago, my family and I moved cross-country with our three kids. 2300 miles in the car over about five days made for some interesting moments...and memories! We got to see parts of the country that we wouldn't have otherwise. Starting off in Ca and ending up in WV, we are now full of tips and tricks on how to stay sane and happy while traveling. Here are a few things I learned along the way! - Keep expectations low! From the food, to the attitudes of your kids to the conditions of the weather, keep it all in perspective. You may not have the most beautiful instagram worthy pictures in the end and you may not have been able to try that amazing diner you hoped to, but if you all make it in one piece, let THAT be the goal! - Have plenty for the kids to do. My kids range from 3-14 so they have very different needs. But pack that bag of tricks! From books and devices, to coloring and craft supplies, keep your supplies handy! Nothing ruins a road trip faster than a whiny baby or teenager! - Plan for naps- or quiet time. Every hour or so, encourage your kids to rest their eyes and maybe even take a quick snooze. Again, cranky and tired kids make for a miserable trip. - Snacks! Be sure to have plenty of snacks, some healthy and some just for fun. You never know when you'll be able to stop next so have several options and lots of bottles of water! - Potty breaks! Whether kids say they have to go or not, MAKE THEM TRY! Nothing is worse than pulling out of a rest stop or gas break only to have kids announce that they have to pee ten minutes later! And because you'll never know the condition of bathrooms on the road, keep plenty of paper towels and sanitizing wipes in the car. I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your time on the road. Remember, there WILL be unexpected issues and you'll have a few messes on the way, but the memories you make will far outweight the negative. Happy trails!