The mood in the car is bleak when the forecast was rather hoping for sunny temperaments all round.
But Dad is grumpy, mum is stressing and the kids are moaning. And they haven’t even left the driveway yet.
For many families, the day trip always begins with high hopes but swiftly descends into petty arguments, leaving everyone agreeing on at least one thing: “never again”.
To guarantee your day out ends with the rallying cries of “let’s do it again”, follow these rules and you’ll never have to endure another stressful journey again…
One of the great unanswered mysteries of the modern world is the one posed by every child, in every car, in every corner of the world: “Are we there yet?” If you want the journey to be as blissful as you hope the destination will be, the standard attempt to appease with a “not yet” won’t get you anywhere.
Trips are, of course, about planning, but in the urgency to hit a certain road by a certain time, the needs of the children can be overridden, making it harder to convince anyone the day is really all about fun.
To leave complaints unchecked while on the move is just asking for trouble, suggests travel writer Anna Alboth.
Anna, who details her trips around the world with her husband and two children in The Family Without Borders, tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle: “Our three and five-year-old girls are proper members of our team and are always co-deciding with us: where, how and when do we go.”
“We have no problems in changing the plans, if anybody is tired or hungry or simply not in the mood.”
Kids, of course, aren’t stupid. They play up on long journeys because they often enter the car or board the train prepared for discomfort. Show them why it’ll be fun, advises Kimberly Tate of Stuffed Suitcase.
“We tell our kids what we’ll be doing at the location when we arrive,” reveals Kimberly. “Often showing them photos of the hotel pool or letting them choose an upcoming part of the trip helps them look forward to what’s to come.”
“We also have more relaxed screen-time rules while on the road, so our kids look forward to trips since they know there will be fewer limits on movies and electronic games.”
The same rules for peace that apply to getting there are relevant once you reach the destination: make sure everyone gets their say in how the day plays out.
Planning is vital, of course. Do your research to minimise any chance of disappointment by checking closing times and updates (if the one ride they’ve been looking forward to going on is closed that day, there’ll be hell to pay), and avoid queues by buying all your tickets in advance.
But that doesn’t mean things have to be regimented. For a family adventure to be successful, says Anna Alboth, flexibility is key.
“If my husband wants to spend a few extra hours taking pictures or our little one wants to stay longer in a village in Fiji where she has made new friends, we try to accommodate everyone’s wishes.”
It all boils down to teamwork, planning ahead and fun for everyone. And maybe just a little bit of harmless manipulation…
How To Have A Stress-Free Family Day Trip
Are We Sitting Comfortably? (01 of09)
Open Image ModalTwo adults in the front, as many kids as will legally fit in the back; those are the rules of the family car ride. To break the inevitable routine of squabbles in the back and pleas for peace from the front, switch things around. The one who acts least like a maniac gets to ride shotgun for part of the journey. It gives them the incentive to behave, plus there’s more opportunity for you to bond while sitting in the back with them for a while. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
What's In It For Them?(02 of09)
Open Image ModalKids have been stung before. They’ve been promised a fun day out but then spent several hours being terrorised by a horrible child in a place with no games consoles while you have a jolly old knees up with people they scarcely know. If you’re going to drag them somewhere where there won’t be much for them to do, don’t call it a family day out, but a family obligation. If they expect to be bored, they’ll pack their games and choice of distractions accordingly. (credit:Sally Anscombe via Getty Images)
Packing: Not To Be Toyed With(03 of09)
Open Image Modal“While travelling,” says Anna Alboth. “It’s smart to think about what toys for your child will you take. What will you really need? What will they really need? And want? And miss?” For every parent who’s snapped: “well, you should’ve packed it yourself”, it would be more helpful to make them prepare and pack for the journey before they leave the house. (credit:Hero Images via Getty Images)
The Sounds Of Democracy(04 of09)
Open Image ModalTake a vote to decide what music is played (or turned off). More than the kids, it’s usually the driver who turns into a tyrant when it comes to insisting on the soundtrack. If someone in the back wants to wear headphones during a lull in conversation, allow it. Oh and you can’t demand a sing-song. You can certainly try it, but sulking that no one wants to sing along to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' isn’t going to make time go any faster. (credit:Noel Hendrickson via Getty Images)
Leave The Charger Behind(05 of09)
Open Image ModalElectronics are the enemy of family bonding, but insist children go on a long trip without their handhelds borders on fascism in the minds. No chargers allowed: meaning everyone has to ration their usage. Also, have designated times when electronics can be used: fine to tweet while in a very long queue for a ride, not okay to Snapchat while Dad is sharing a boyhood memory of riding a donkey on a beach. (credit:Rinky Dink Images via Getty Images)
Stuff Your Faces!(06 of09)
Open Image ModalTalk, Listen, Reveal(07 of09)
Open Image ModalHowever close or distant you may be as a family, the trip is a perfect opportunity to find out what everyone’s on about. Don’t ask about school, or reveal your innate inability to understand them asking about something they were into last year, just listen to what they’re actually saying. The trick to winning them over? Mum and Dad revealing embarrassing stories about themselves and each other. (credit:Brigitte Sporrer via Getty Images)
Play The Game(08 of09)
Open Image ModalDon’t just restrict your favourite travel games for the journey – they’re also great for passing the time once you arrive. Games like 20 Questions or Name That Tune can be played anywhere. Keep it fun and they’re less likely to itch for their phones.Take a ball, a pack of cards or a Frisbee with you just in case. An impromptu picnic and play in an unexpected open area beats the usual pizza and crayons indoors. (credit:Maria Teijeiro via Getty Images)
You Know, It Could Be You(09 of09)
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