A Planned Joyride.

Being a new parent is overwhelming enough, and taking a trip tops the list of testing patience. I have no tips or agenda to share, but yes would love to share my experience from our first road trip.

It wasn’t an ordinary 2 way trip, back and forth from a destination; it had its twists and plenty of turns. We decided to take our 1 year old on a road trip for 9 days, and cover the coveted natural marvels of southwestern US.  I was so scared on how my lil one will react to an extended car seat ride. So we started taking him for long drives before our trip. Even experimented feeding and entertaining him to observe his moods and reactions. I was elated to see he took all those trips really well.

The grooming was worth it and with only few brief stops, which actually occurred on drivers discretion for regular intake of caffeine, the 8-9 hours stretch were a piece of cake. I noticed if he is well fed and well attended with kids’ humor and talks he was an excellent rider.

For hotel I carried his favorite toys to play with, and as he recently started to walk I frequently made him wander around the aisle, which kept him calm and even made him sleep soundly after.

I have always kept kids food handy and my son is use to it for the same reason. Hence to feed him was never a fuss. I even took rice cooker along for few home recipes. Keep the kid hydrated, it keeps them calm.

Take lots of milk bottles along. I was never worried incase my son wishes to drink only milk, and if I have no way of cleaning them on the go.

Carry zip locks along, they come handy with wet clothes and plenty other things. We took all the possible over the counter medication for a 1yr old along. And even made list of all the departmental stores and hospitals near the places we went. It’s good to be prepared.

As per clothing, just keep them comfortable and warm (in my case). I took all his PJs along especially for the ride.

It was an amazing trip and my son loved it, he climbed the rocky patches of the Monument Valley and played in the sandy swirls of the Antelope.

Don’t be scared kids are stronger and more fun than we credit them for.:-)