OK, everyone, now that the cross-country road trip is in view, I am picking everyone's brain for your best tricks for subduing those kids in the back seat...DVD player--check, Leapster--check, binoculars--check...
My kids like looking for the license plates. Last year when we went to Pocatello/Utah we found them all. We also do slugbugs on a point system: 1pt. for new, 2pts. for new convertable, 5 pts for old and 10 points for old convertable. It's kind of fun to see how many you have at the end of a trip.
My boys like to play video games and so we just hook the game system right up to the t.v. It is the one time I don't care how long they play. Anna is into her Mp3 player and sings her whole way driving the boys bonkers. The little shuffle is only about $45 at WalMart now. But we listen to kids songs and sing along. I am afraid we are pretty cheesy!!!
speaking of which...any chance you're going I-70 by us????
one disposable camera per child (so they can scrapbook the trip afterwards)
books on audio tape (our library lets us download and burn them)
a couple of small toys per child--usually a magnadoodle and a doll for dd, and an assortment of cars and "bad guys" between the boys.
Really, we do better when we have less stuff in the van. I no longer do stickers or color wonder markers or the rest. I don't provide a variety of snacks either...usually just bottled water, grapes, carrots, and cheerios in a small cooler.
You can rent audio books at Cracker Barrel and return them at any other location along the way. I've done this a couple times. The first time you rent is more expensive (paying a deposit incase you don't ever return the product), but you get it back when you make your last return.
Of course, they also have clean bathrooms and fun old-fashioned candy for the trip too. An all around good pit stop.
I'm sorry, Mel, I don't have any tips about traveling w/ little ones b/c we haven't crossed that road yet. BUT... you mentioned you were going to be landlords and I have some tips about that.
#1- MAKE SURE YOU SCREEN YOUR TENANTS. I can't go into details, but the first person we ever had apply for our rental turned out to be a criminal. That's why you do a background check. I would have NEVER of guessed it- just looking at them in person- I was soooo GLAD that we did our credit/background check.
#2- Since you are going to be out of state- I'm assuming- you should have a property manager take care of your business. We have done all of our own (except for the screening part) but we only live a mile from our rental. Be sure your property management does do a screening.
#3- Buy a couple of legal guides to help you. We bought one that was over $50 bucks but it has great examples: Every Landlord's Legal Guide. I also like The Landlord's troubleshooter. You may not need these if you are doing #2.
Hope that helps and you don't mind me just jumping in and giving you business advice. :) Blessings, Christy
Sorry no great ideas here but I think I will have to copy some of the ideas that others have posted. What great readers you have. The kids just ask for food the whole way and I keep passing it back in between moanings. But maybe with these great ideas I will report happier car travels. Good luck! Just think, eventually you will get there and then this will all be an almost fond memory!
If you don't mind not being able to see out of your windows, the window markers provided lots of entertainment for my kids (I had them "clear the slate" with baby wipes)...it really does make a smeary mess though. Good luck to you!
9 comments:
My kids like looking for the license plates. Last year when we went to Pocatello/Utah we found them all. We also do slugbugs on a point system: 1pt. for new, 2pts. for new convertable, 5 pts for old and 10 points for old convertable. It's kind of fun to see how many you have at the end of a trip.
My boys like to play video games and so we just hook the game system right up to the t.v. It is the one time I don't care how long they play. Anna is into her Mp3 player and sings her whole way driving the boys bonkers. The little shuffle is only about $45 at WalMart now. But we listen to kids songs and sing along. I am afraid we are pretty cheesy!!!
Good luck and Drive safe!!
A big, fat sticker book.
speaking of which...any chance you're going I-70 by us????
one disposable camera per child (so they can scrapbook the trip afterwards)
books on audio tape (our library lets us download and burn them)
a couple of small toys per child--usually a magnadoodle and a doll for dd, and an assortment of cars and "bad guys" between the boys.
Really, we do better when we have less stuff in the van. I no longer do stickers or color wonder markers or the rest. I don't provide a variety of snacks either...usually just bottled water, grapes, carrots, and cheerios in a small cooler.
You can rent audio books at Cracker Barrel and return them at any other location along the way. I've done this a couple times. The first time you rent is more expensive (paying a deposit incase you don't ever return the product), but you get it back when you make your last return.
Of course, they also have clean bathrooms and fun old-fashioned candy for the trip too. An all around good pit stop.
I'm sorry, Mel, I don't have any tips about traveling w/ little ones b/c we haven't crossed that road yet. BUT... you mentioned you were going to be landlords and I have some tips about that.
#1- MAKE SURE YOU SCREEN YOUR TENANTS. I can't go into details, but the first person we ever had apply for our rental turned out to be a criminal. That's why you do a background check. I would have NEVER of guessed it- just looking at them in person- I was soooo GLAD that we did our credit/background check.
#2- Since you are going to be out of state- I'm assuming- you should have a property manager take care of your business. We have done all of our own (except for the screening part) but we only live a mile from our rental. Be sure your property management does do a screening.
#3- Buy a couple of legal guides to help you. We bought one that was over $50 bucks but it has great examples: Every Landlord's Legal Guide. I also like The Landlord's troubleshooter. You may not need these if you are doing #2.
Hope that helps and you don't mind me just jumping in and giving you business advice. :)
Blessings, Christy
Ya, sounds like a big hassle. Maybe you should just stay.
Sorry no great ideas here but I think I will have to copy some of the ideas that others have posted. What great readers you have. The kids just ask for food the whole way and I keep passing it back in between moanings. But maybe with these great ideas I will report happier car travels. Good luck! Just think, eventually you will get there and then this will all be an almost fond memory!
If you don't mind not being able to see out of your windows, the window markers provided lots of entertainment for my kids (I had them "clear the slate" with baby wipes)...it really does make a smeary mess though. Good luck to you!
I've been dying to know if you got an 11th hour offer on your house!
... I hope the drive went well! Send you new info when you get a chance!
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